Good Morning. The grey area. Not one that a country wants to be in when it comes to the Financial Action Task Force. For Cambodia, the struggle is real, as it has twice already been placed on the international body’s grey list, and a new evaluation this year will prove whether efforts have been sufficient to stay off it. Looking to the Philippines, the owner of Emerald Bay says it has received offers for the stalled project but isn’t ready to sell until they meet its benchmarks. And in Macau, the CNY period is shaping up to be very busy indeed, with flight ticket sales booming for the holiday period.
What you need to know
- Cambodia is intensifying AML and anti-scam enforcement to avoid a third FATF grey list placement, amid fraud-linked reputational risks.
- Chinabank has received multiple offers for the stalled Emerald Bay project, but is in no rush to sell as bids have yet to meet expectations.
- Travel demand to Macau has surged ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, according to figures from Alibaba-owned travel platform Fliggy.
On the radar
- PAGCOR sets live sports GGR tax rate at 15%, retroactive to November.
- PH likely to miss its GDP growth targets again for 2025.
- Philippines could contribute skilled gaming labor to Timor-Leste.
- Macau hotel prices slid in December, despite strong visitation/GGR.
- City terminal for Hong Kong Airport to open at MGM Cotai on February 4th.
AGB Intelligence
CAMBODIA
Cambodia steps up efforts to avoid the FATF grey list
Cambodia is ramping up its efforts to avoid yet another listing on the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list, as the prevalence of scam compounds in the country works against its attempts to keep its international reputation pristine. Cambodia’s national bank is overseeing the country’s next AML/CTF evaluation by the international authority, with hopes that recent legislation and high-profile arrests – such as that of Prince Group’s Chen Zhi – will help boost its outcome.
Industry Updates
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- Zitro joins ICE Barcelona charitable fund, reinforcing its CSR commitment.
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