Gambling News Across Asia
News on laws, licenses, venues, lotteries, racing and enforcement in 12 countries, with every story citing its sources.
Government issues decree extending casino pilot program
Vietnam's government issued Decree No. 145/2024/NĐ-CP on November 4, 2024, extending the pilot program that lets eligible Vietnamese citizens gamble at casinos, with the first licensed site cleared to December 31, 2024.
ED searches 22 places in six states in Future Gaming lottery case
India's Supreme Court has barred the Enforcement Directorate from accessing or copying data from phones and laptops seized in November raids on lottery operator Santiago Martin and his staff.
Genting Singapore begins $6.8 billion RWS expansion
Genting Singapore began a $6.8 billion expansion of Resorts World Sentosa in November 2024, adding non-gaming attractions, a new all-suite hotel and a waterfront complex due by 2030.
Gongzi Casino pauses operations
Gongzi Casino on South Korea's Jeju island paused operations from early November 2024, and the venue is being refurbished and rebranded as Jeju WanLi Casino.
Harry Potter: Visions of Magic launches at Resorts World Sentosa
Genting Berhad's 2024 annual report confirms that Harry Potter: Visions of Magic opened at Resorts World Sentosa in November 2024 as part of the group's leisure and hospitality expansion.
Online horse racing betting sales face month-long shutdown as revenue cap nears
South Korea's online horse racing betting is expected to hit its annual revenue cap in the fourth week of November 2024, which would suspend online sales for about a month.
Vietnam issues Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP on online games
Vietnam's Decree No. 147/2024/ND-CP, effective 25 December 2024, reworks online game management and explicitly disallows licensing of any online casino or poker in the country.
Virtual asset committee to launch under Financial Services Commission
South Korea will require virtual asset providers to register in advance and report cross-border stablecoin transactions to the Bank of Korea monthly, with a new committee to weigh institutionalization.
Authorities raid AFAB-licensed gaming hub in Bataan freeport area
Philippine authorities raided an AFAB-licensed gaming hub in the Bataan freeport on October 31, 2024, as the PAOCC called it proof that investment promotion areas are being abused for offshore gaming.
Entry levy amounts amended by Act 29 of 2024
Singapore's Casino Control Act now charges citizens and permanent residents an entry levy of $150 per 24 hours or $3,000 for annual membership, under Act 29 of 2024.
First tranche of Casino Control (Amendment) Act 2024 commences
Singapore's Casino Control (Amendment) Act 2024 began partial commencement on 30 October 2024, raising casino entry levies for citizens and permanent residents and expanding problem gambling rules.
Version of Act effective from 30 October 2024 to 29 May 2025
Singapore's online statute book now shows the Gambling Control Act 2022 in the amended form that took effect on 30 October 2024, a version that remains in force until 29 May 2025.
Law to Combat Illegal Gambling Crimes takes effect in Macau
Macau's Law to Combat Illegal Gambling Crimes took effect on 29 October 2024, with the gambling regulator running briefing sessions and publicity campaigns around its entry into force.
PAGCOR privatization of 43 casinos targeted by 2026
PAGCOR chairman Al Tengco has formed a committee to draft a bill amending the PAGCOR charter so the sale of all 43 Casino Filipino branches can proceed by 2026.
Game Industry Promotion Act partially amended, Articles 44 to 46 in force
South Korea's amended Game Industry Promotion Act took effect on 22 October 2024, updating the penalty provisions in Articles 44, 45 and 46 of the law.
Deadline for foreign POGO workers to downgrade visas passes
Foreign workers at Philippine offshore gaming operators faced an October 15, 2024 deadline to downgrade their 9G work visas to tourist visas, with more than 21,000 applications filed and all workers required to leave by December 31.
Singapore Turf Club holds last race at Kranji
The Singapore Turf Club held its final race meeting at Kranji on 5 October 2024, ending 182 years of horse racing in Singapore and leaving Singapore Pools as the only legal horse betting operator.
Green light for Sports and Entertainment Complex pilot in first quarter of 2025
The Royal Turf Club of Thailand says its Sports and Entertainment Complex is more than 90 percent progressed, with a pilot in Bangkok, Phuket and Nakhon Ratchasima in the first quarter of 2025.
PAOCC raids Pasay City scam hub despite POGO ban
Philippine authorities raided a scam hub holding a valid gaming license in Pasay City in October 2024, months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a total ban on offshore gaming operators.
Philippine authorities raid scam hub with IGL license in Pasay
Philippine authorities raided a scam hub holding an internet gaming license in Pasay on October 3, 2024, as the government's ban on offshore gaming operators faced continuing questions over its scope.
Macau enforces new law against unauthorized gambling
Macau began enforcing a new law against unauthorized gambling in late October 2024, replacing a legal precedent that had stood since 1996 and banning Hong Kong's Mark Six lottery.
NagaCorp casino exclusivity extended to 2045
NagaCorp's exclusive right to run casinos within 200 kilometers of Phnom Penh has been extended by 10 years to December 31, 2045, under a deal with the Royal Government of Cambodia.
PCSO launches Philippine Lottery System (PLS)
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office launched the Philippine Lottery System on October 1, 2024, a P5.6 billion centralized platform replacing its two separate lottery systems.
President assents to Casino Control (Amendment) Act 2024
Singapore's President assented on 30 September 2024 to the Casino Control (Amendment) Act 2024, which raises casino entry levies and expands the law's scope to cover casino gambling and problem gambling regulation.
Nong Chok chosen as likely site for Royal Siam Haven entertainment complex
The Royal Turf Club of Thailand said its 200 billion baht Royal Siam Haven entertainment complex is expected to go ahead at Nong Chok before Klong Toey port, with details due within two months.
Bombay High Court directs respondents to file affidavit on online rummy skill classification
The Bombay High Court has told Maharashtra, Google, Junglee Rummy and Rummy Circle to file short affidavits on whether a petition to ban online rummy can proceed and on how the game is one of skill.
Royal Gazette publishes amendment raising entertainment complex entry age to 20
Thailand's Royal Gazette has published a decree amendment barring anyone under 20 from entering entertainment complexes, replacing the age rule in the 2022 emergency decree.
41 POGOs agree to close by end of 2024
The Department of Justice says all 41 licensed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators have agreed to stop operating by the end of 2024, under President Marcos' ban.
Opposition warns of shady side to Thai casino plan
A People's Party MP told Thailand's parliament that the revised entertainment complex bill could favor large operators and push Thai gamblers toward illegal or online betting.
Task Force POGO Closure holds first meeting
The Philippines' new Task Force POGO Closure met for the first time, with all 41 licensed offshore gaming operators agreeing to stop by the end of 2024.