Good Morning. There’s more than one way to solve a problem. As the government in the Philippines is facing mounting pressure to ban online gambling, an industry veteran warns that a total ban would be a complete mistake, instead advocating for stronger regulation to preserve the sector’s economic benefits while ensuring player protection. Meanwhile, new research by The Fourth Wall across urban centers in the Philippines shows that gamblers overwhelmingly prefer regulated platforms over illegal ones, with most being low-income, casual players who view betting as affordable entertainment rather than high-stakes gambling. In Macau, Sands China’s Londoner Macao stood out in 2Q25, offsetting declines at other properties and driving a 2.5 percent revenue increase for the operator.
What you need to know
- Veteran consultant warns Philippines that banning online gambling could derail economic growth and repeat global regulatory failures.
- New research suggests that most Filipinos are not calling for a ban, but rather for smarter, stricter regulation to ensure a safer gambling environment.
- Sands China sees modest 2Q25 growth at 2.5%, led by a 55.7% casino revenue jump at Londoner Macao post-renovation.
On the radar
- Galaxy Ent. boss gives $3.7M to UTM, gets building named after him.
- PointsBet rejects Betr Entertainment takeover offer.
- SkyCity implements mandatory carded play system across NZ casinos.
- CVC Capital expands footprint in gambling sector with GLI acquisition.
- Nepal introduces $7.4K reporting threshold for casino transactions.
- Hong Kong says tax not goal of basketball betting proposal.
- Isle of Man regulator bans former licensee over Singapore laundering links.
AGB Intelligence
PHILIPPINES
Philippines’ online gambling ban called “mistake”
The Philippines’ gaming sector is facing a policy crossroads. While some lawmakers call for a full ban on online gambling, a veteran consultant argues this would be a grave error. He stresses that a regulated industry supports jobs, generates significant revenue, and offers better player protection. Citing international examples, he warns that bans tend to push players to offshore sites. He calls for improved KYC, age verification, and stakeholder coordination to strengthen existing safeguards rather than dismantling the industry.
Corporate Spotlight
Why Asia’s iGaming operators must rethink risk strategy | SEON
Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud. Asia Pacific’s iGaming market is expanding extremely fast, and a new wave of digital-savvy players is pushing demand through the roof. But the rise in adoption has outpaced regulation in many markets, and fraudsters have taken notice.
Industry Updates
- Konami Gaming secures gaming-related vendor license in the UAE.
- Slotegrator’s 6 key rules for defeating the ‘silent killers’ in iGaming.
- OpenBet powers the launch of betting brand Bet do Milhão in Brazil.
