Gambling News Across Asia
News on laws, licenses, venues, lotteries, racing and enforcement in 12 countries, with every story citing its sources.
PCSO, IBC-13 and D8TV announce broadcast partnership at Makati press conference
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office will move its televised lottery draws to IBC-13 and D8TV from December 31, 2024, under a partnership announced in Makati on December 18.
PAGCOR cancels all offshore gaming licenses under Executive Order No. 74
PAGCOR canceled every Internet Gaming Licensee and Authorized Provider in the Philippines effective December 15, 2024, under Executive Order No. 74, which bans offshore gaming operations.
Revocation of remaining POGO licenses takes effect
The revocation of licenses for the remaining Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators took effect on December 15, with around 20 still operating and all expected to close by January.
Cambodia begins anti-gambling crackdown after ultimatum expires
Cambodia's Ministry of Interior began nationwide arrests and shutdowns of illegal gambling promotion on December 11, 2024, after a seven-day ultimatum to promoters expired.
Grace period ends and authorities begin legal measures against gambling promotion
Cambodia's interior ministry began enforcing a December 4 ban on promoting illegal gambling after a seven-day grace period expired, with Phnom Penh ordering municipal authorities to act.
Phnom Penh administration issues directive to strictly implement gambling promotion ban
Phnom Penh's governor ordered municipal authorities to block all gambling promotion, online and offline, as a national grace period for illegal gambling advertising ended on December 11.
Pagcor on track to revoke all POGO licenses by year-end
Pagcor chairman Alejandro Tengco said the regulator will cancel every remaining Philippine offshore gaming operator license by the end of December, with 17 firms still running.
Cambodia's Interior Ministry bans promotion of illegal gambling content
Cambodia's interior minister has banned the creation, sharing and promotion of content tied to illegal gambling, with a grace period until December 10 before authorities begin legal action.
Thai cabinet approves retirement lotto bill
Thailand's cabinet approved a draft law on 3 December 2024 to create a retirement lottery under the National Savings Fund, with ticket money treated as savings and the bill sent to the Council of State.
Amendments to Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 to be tabled in Parliament
Malaysia's Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the first amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 in 26 years would be tabled in Parliament on Monday, covering online gambling and online harm.
Londoner Grand Casino scheduled to reopen in December 2024
Sands China said the Londoner Grand Casino in Cotai, closed for renovation, was scheduled to reopen in December 2024 as the Sheraton Grand Macao hotel is converted into the Londoner Grand.
Marcos announces ban on all POGOs by end of 2024
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his third State of the Nation Address that all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators will be banned in the country by the end of the year.
Marina Bay Sands announces US$8 billion IR2 expansion and Above Beyond brand vision
Marina Bay Sands has announced IR2, a new ultra-luxury resort with an estimated US$8 billion development cost, construction from June 2025 and an estimated opening in January 2031.
NPA instructs nationwide crackdown on illegal payment service agents
Japan's National Police Agency told police nationwide in December to crack down thoroughly on payment service agents operating illegally for overseas online casinos.
Offshore gaming operations banned in the Philippines
PAGCOR's 2025 annual report confirms the Philippines' offshore gaming ban removed a segment that contributed nearly Php3 billion in 2024 from its revenue base in 2025.
POGOs cease operations on President's orders
Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators stopped operating in December 2024 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a total ban, ending a sector that had contributed Php38.14 billion to industry-wide gross gaming revenues.
Singapore blocks Polymarket for unlawful gambling
Singapore's Gambling Regulatory Authority blocked access to the crypto-based prediction market Polymarket in December 2024 after finding it was providing unlawful gambling, with Thailand preparing a similar move.
Island Cove Pogo hub ceases operations
The Island Cove POGO hub in Kawit, Cavite closed on Nov. 30, 2024, ahead of the government deadline, displacing 12,000 Filipino workers and cutting local revenue.
Gangwon Land board approves second casino floor plan
Kangwon Land's board approved a KRW 179.6 billion plan to build a second casino floor at its High1 Resort, targeting completion in December 2027.
Workshop held on amending Decree 06/2017/NĐ-CP
Vietnam's Foreign Investment Enterprises Association held a Hanoi workshop on November 28 to collect comments on a draft amendment to Decree 06/2017 on betting in horse racing, dog racing and international football.
57 arrested for gambling at overseas online casinos using crypto assets
Japanese police arrested 57 suspects in 24 prefectures who deposited crypto assets into overseas online casino sites and gambled from inside Japan, the National Police Agency reported.
GRA renews Resorts World Sentosa casino license for two years
Singapore's Gambling Regulatory Authority renewed Resorts World Sentosa's casino license for two years instead of the usual three, citing unsatisfactory tourism performance from 2021 to 2023.
Second tranche commences 18 November 2024
Sections 9 and 10 of Singapore's Law Enforcement and Other Matters Act 2024 took effect on 18 November 2024, amending the Intoxicating Substances Act 1987 and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973.
Police announce mass arrests in illegal hold'em app gambling case
Seoul police referred 628 people to prosecutors over an illegal Texas hold'em operation that collected 228 million won in fees, equal to 4 percent of the total exchanged, through a currency-exchange app and 104 hold'em pub franchises nationwide.
Customer due diligence cash transaction threshold of $4,000 takes effect
Singapore's customer due diligence threshold for a single cash transaction of $4,000 took effect on 14 November 2024 under Act 24 of 2024, amending the Casino Control Act 2006.
Minister says platform providers must be more proactive against illegal content
Malaysia's communications minister said social media platforms act too slowly on illegal content and that a new class license is needed to fight online scams and gambling, cyberbullying and child sexual crimes.
Police identify over 4,700 minors in online gambling crackdown
South Korea's National Police Agency said 4,715 people under 19 were identified in a special crackdown on illegal online gambling, and it will extend the campaign for another year.
Executive Order No. 74 orders immediate POGO ban
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the Anti-Pogo Act of 2025 into law on October 23, outlawing all Philippine offshore gaming operations and canceling the work permits and visas of everyone employed in them.
Executive Secretary issues memorandum directing CEZA to comply with POGO ban
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin told the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority on November 5 to follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s ban on offshore gaming, as Executive Order 74 left the zone's coverage unclear.
Executive Order No. 74 signed banning POGO/IGL and other offshore gaming operations
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 74 on 5 November 2024, banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and Internet Gaming Licensees, halting new licenses and renewals, and ordering operations to cease by 31 December 2024.