Good morning. Reality can be stranger than fiction, as revealed by a new report that claims Chinese espionage agents are running underground casinos in Taiwan. Apparently, the purpose of the play is to try to convince Taiwanese service members to defect to the mainland, luring them with vice to obtain sensitive information. Meanwhile, in Macau, gross gaming revenue during the fourth quarter of last year hit a 20-quarter high, with mass outpacing even 2019 figures. The figure creates positive expectations for this year, as CNY looms ever closer.
What you need to know
- Chinese espionage operatives are allegedly running “underground banks and casinos” in Taiwan to coerce military service members to defect.
- Macau’s gross gaming revenue in 4Q24 hit a 20-quarter high, despite ‘poor macro’, say analysts at JP Morgan.
On the radar
- Okada Manila 4Q24 GGR falls slightly, FY24 GGR down by nearly 22 percent.
- Tabcorp taps HKJC’s Michael Fitzsimons as new Chief Wagering Officer.
- “POGO Mayor” Alice Guo and co-accused face 62 counts of money laundering.
- Macau suspicious transactions from gaming operators up 11.8% in 2024.
- MGM partner Orix optimistic about driving Japan‘s 60M annual tourist goal.
- China/ASEAN nations to better combat online gambling and telecom fraud.
- Foreigners captured in POGO raid in Cavite to be deported.
AGB Intelligence
TAIWAN

Chinese spies running underground casinos in Taiwan: Report
You can’t make this stuff up. A new report highlights just how strange the world of gambling can be, with claims that Chinese spies are running underground casinos in Taiwan. The goal is apparently to obtain sensitive information or lure service members to defect to the mainland, bringing their state secrets with them.
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