Gambling News Across Asia
News on laws, licenses, venues, lotteries, racing and enforcement in 12 countries, with every story citing its sources.
Ministerial ordinance on IR district development plan certification takes effect
A Japanese ministerial ordinance governing the certification of integrated resort district development plans took effect on 1 April 2024, setting the procedural rules for casino resort approvals.
Palazzo Versace hotel unveiled by SJM Resorts
SJM Resorts, the Macau casino operator run by managing director Daisy Ho, unveiled the Palazzo Versace hotel in Macau in April 2024, adding a branded property to its portfolio.
Thai Cabinet assigns Finance Ministry to review casino report
Thailand's Cabinet has named the Finance Ministry to lead a review of a House committee report on entertainment complexes with casinos, with recommendations due to the Cabinet within 30 days.
PAGCOR revoked licenses of POGO companies and ordered them shut
Philippine authorities raided an illegal POGO hub at RCBC Plaza in Makati on March 19, 2025, detaining around 200 people, after its operator was not among the firms whose PAGCOR licenses were revoked on March 31, 2024.
Final Macau race meeting held at Taipa
Macau staged its final horse racing meeting at Taipa on Saturday, ending a jurisdiction that ran since 1989 after the government ended the concession over financial losses.
Horse racing activities in Macao to cease and racecourse land returned to the SAR
Macao's horse racing concession ends by mutual agreement on 1 April 2024, with the racecourse land and facilities returning to the SAR free of charge and horses moved abroad by 31 March 2025.
Implementation agreement concluded for Osaka IR
Osaka prefecture and city concluded the implementation agreement for the MGM Osaka integrated resort on March 29, 2024, the step before the operator applies for its casino license.
Thai prime minister backs casino legalization
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said his government is considering a casino bill that would create jobs and state revenue and allow a mega entertainment complex.
House approves study report on Entertainment Complex
Thailand's House of Representatives approved a study report on opening entertainment complexes with casinos to curb illegal gambling and boost the economy, drawing opposition from 99 academics.
Masuda off-course sales office closed
The Masuda off-course betting office in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, closed on March 26, 2024, when its payout service ended, after ticket sales stopped on January 26, 2024.
Korea Racing Authority announces 2024 illegal horse race betting response plan
South Korea's Korea Racing Authority said on March 19, 2024 that it will tighten monitoring and enforcement against illegal online horse race betting before online ticket sales begin in June.
Finance Minister says football, horse racing and greyhound betting not yet implemented
Vietnam's finance minister told the National Assembly Standing Committee that none of the country's three approved betting types, football, horse racing and greyhound racing, has been launched.
Ministry of Finance reports casino pilot losses to National Assembly
Vietnam's Finance Ministry told the National Assembly that the Phu Quoc pilot casino lost VND 3,720 billion over four years, and said the trial for Vietnamese players will not be widened yet.
23 more illegal gambling advertisers cracked down on in Cambodia
Cambodia's gambling regulator has named 23 more sites it says advertised illegal casino and online gambling on Facebook and Telegram, saying they breach the country's gambling laws.
Digital lottery panel sales launched via www.glolotteryshop.com
Thailand's Government Lottery Office added digital lottery panels letting contracted agents sell six-digit digital tickets directly to the public through www.glolotteryshop.com from 17 March 2024.
Casino legalization study submitted to Thai House of Representatives
A 60-member committee of Thai government and opposition lawmakers has submitted a study proposing casino legalization to the House of Representatives, with a draft law possibly up for approval on March 28.
Groundbreaking held for Subic Sun Convention Resort and Casino
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Subic International Hotel Corporation have held a groundbreaking for a planned $300 million convention resort and casino inside the Subic Bay Freeport in the Philippines.
Raid on Tarlac POGO facility rescues hundreds of workers
Philippine authorities raided a POGO compound in Bamban, Tarlac on March 13, 2024, rescuing hundreds of Filipino and foreign workers and later charging nine people with trafficking and illegal detention.
Cambodian authorities raid Paradis Island casino and deport 172 foreigners
Cambodian police raided the former Paradis Island Casino in Sihanoukville and a second site, detaining 195 foreigners for deportation after an illegal online gambling crackdown.
Preah Sihanouk joint force raids former Paradise Island Casino over illegal gambling
Preah Sihanouk provincial joint force cracked down on illegal gambling at the former Paradise Island Casino on March 9, part of a six-month national sweep covering more than 500 sites.
Supreme Court dismisses petitions vs POGO rules
The Philippine Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed consolidated petitions challenging the legality of the 2016 rules governing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, ruling that the petitioners went to the wrong court.
Cambodian PM announces suspension of gambling license issuance and reviews revocations
Cambodia's prime minister told Cambodians in Australia and New Zealand that he has halted new gambling licenses and is weighing whether to revoke existing ones.
Korea Racing Authority launches special inspection unit against illegal imitation betting
South Korea's Korea Racing Authority said on March 2, 2024 that it is running a special inspection unit and tightening enforcement against illegal imitation betting tied to its online wagering pilot.
Korea Racing Authority runs review team for online sales pilot
The Korea Racing Authority said on March 2, 2024 that it is running a seven-member review team, including four outside experts, to assess its online ticket sales pilot and prepare for full operation.
8% SST applies to entry fees from 1 March 2024
Malaysia's Perak and Selangor turf clubs state that race entry fees include 8% Services Sales Tax from 1 March 2024, with Selangor listing a RM210 entry fee plus RM16.80 tax.
Local resident entry rule changed
Kangwon Land casino in South Korea has changed its local resident entry rule so that registered residents may enter once a month on a date of their choosing, instead of only on the fourth Tuesday.
Macau racing to cease at end of March 2024
Horse racing in Macau will stop at the end of March 2024, according to a report that also says Singapore racing will cease at the end of October.
Online casino compound in Bamban raided
Philippine investigators raided an online casino compound in Bamban in March 2024, finding financial scam evidence and human trafficking victims, and former mayor Alice Guo was later arrested in Indonesia.
Pagcor board resolution suspends new online gaming licenses
Pagcor says a board resolution dated March 1, 2024 suspended new licenses for online gaming sites and apps, leaving more than 70 licensed operators in the Philippines.
Pogo firm Zun Yuan raided in Tarlac, 499 foreign workers rescued
Philippine authorities raided the Zun Yuan Technology Pogo compound in Tarlac in early March 2024 on human trafficking and illegal detention warrants, rescuing 499 foreign workers.