Gambling News Across Asia
News on laws, licenses, venues, lotteries, racing and enforcement in 12 countries, with every story citing its sources.
Ministry of Finance reported pilot scheme results to Politburo
Vietnam's Ministry of Finance reported to the Politburo in August 2023 on the results of the pilot scheme that lets economically-qualified locals gamble at Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc.
Pagcor announces privatization of 45 casinos by Q3 2025
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said it will begin privatizing 45 casinos by the third quarter of 2025, a sale expected to raise between P60 billion and P80 billion.
Rodriguez files resolution urging Pagcor to ban POGOs
Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed House Resolution 1197 in August 2023 urging the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators.
Thai Cabinet approves two new lottery products L6 and N3
Thailand's Cabinet approved in principle two new government lottery products, L6 and N3, on July 27, 2023, to widen digital sales and legal buying options.
Chongqing police break up cross-border live-streaming gambling case
Police in Chongqing's Shapingba district broke up a cross-border live-streaming gambling network, dismantling 13 gangs, arresting nearly 300 suspects and tracing over CNY 400 million in betting flows.
HKJC extends prize money to sixth-place finishers from 2023/2024 season
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will pay prize money down to sixth place in every race from the 2023/2024 season, with the sixth horse receiving 2 percent of the total race prize fund.
Pagcor plans to launch its own online gambling operations in 2024
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp plans to launch its own online gambling operations in 2024, its chairman said, to reach new customers and attract offshore players.
Existing internet gaming operators and service providers required to re-apply for licenses
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has approved new internet gaming rules requiring all existing online operators and service providers to re-apply for licenses from July 17, 2023.
Online gaming companies argue skill-chance distinction cannot be abolished before Madras High Court
Online gaming companies told the Madras High Court that the state cannot erase the legal line between games of skill and games of chance, as they challenge Tamil Nadu's 2022 online gambling ban.
GST Council decides to impose 28% GST on full face value of horse racing bets
India's GST Council decided on July 11, 2023 to levy 28% GST on the full face value of horse racing bets, prompting the Turf Authorities of India to ask for a rethink.
Ministry posts partial amendment notice for Casino Business Operating Rules
South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism posted a partial amendment notice to the Casino Business Operating Rules on July 11, 2023, attaching the amendment text as a file.
City of Dreams Mediterranean officially opens
Melco Resorts and Entertainment has officially opened City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol, Cyprus, a 600-million-euro integrated resort the company calls Europe's largest.
PAGCOR board approves new internet gaming licensing rules
PAGCOR's board approved new internet gaming licensing rules in a July 10 memorandum, raising capital requirements and requiring all existing operators and service providers to re-apply from July 17, 2023.
VCCI holds workshop on draft amended Special Consumption Tax Law
Vietnamese game businesses told a VCCI workshop on 5 July 2023 that a Finance Ministry plan to add online games to special consumption tax would cost them the domestic market.
Valenzuela City passes ordinances banning all forms of gambling including Pogos
Valenzuela City passed three ordinances banning Philippine offshore gaming operators and other gambling, and its mayor suspended new applications for Small Town Lottery and online gaming operations.
Center files SLP in Supreme Court against Karnataka High Court ruling for GamesKraft
The Centre filed a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court against a Karnataka High Court ruling in favor of GamesKraft, and the Supreme Court stayed that order, listing the matter for October 10.
CF Oriental by the Bay closes and CF Manila Grand Opera shifts to PAGCOR operation
PAGCOR closed CF Oriental by the Bay on July 1, 2023 and took over the operation of CF Manila Grand Opera as a fully state-run gaming site the same day.
Marcos Jr. announces complete ban on POGOs
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced in July 2023 a complete ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, citing alleged connections to criminal activities, with foreign workers ordered to leave by September 2024.
Maruhan Mega City Kashiwa opens
Maruhan Mega City Kashiwa, a pachinko and slot parlor in Chiba prefecture, Japan, opened on 1 July 2023 under a new name, having previously traded as Maruhan Kashiwa.
Pagcor issues Internet Gaming License Regulations
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. issued Internet Gaming License Regulations in July 2023, replacing the Offshore Gaming Regulations and renaming offshore operators from POGOs to Internet Gaming Licensees.
PAGCOR places offshore gaming licensees under probation
PAGCOR placed all offshore gaming licensees under probation in July 2023 and required them to re-apply under stricter guidelines, with failures endorsed for cancellation.
Revenue department files Special Leave Petition in Supreme Court on Gameskraft ruling
India's revenue department has asked the Supreme Court to overturn a Karnataka High Court ruling that quashed a Rs 21,000 crore GST show cause notice against online gaming company Gameskraft.
Government urges LegCo to pass Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2023
Hong Kong's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury urged legislators to pass the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2023 so an extra football betting duty could be implemented early to raise government revenue.
Legislative Council passes Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2023
Hong Kong's Legislative Council passed a bill imposing an extra HK$2.4 billion a year in football betting duty on the Jockey Club for five years, backdated to 1 April 2023.
Electronic betting ticket sales provisions added to Korea Racing Authority Act
South Korea added Article 6-2 to the Korea Racing Authority Act on June 20, 2023, letting the Authority sell electronic betting tickets online with annual government approval and new registration and addiction prevention rules.
Interpol issues global warning on Mekong scam centers
Interpol warned on 7 June 2023 that scam centers spreading through the Mekong sub-region pose a serious and imminent threat to global public safety, according to a Crisis Group account.
Horse trainers hold emergency meeting over Turf Club closure
Singapore horse trainers and industry players held an emergency meeting after the government announced the Singapore Turf Club will close, with its last race on Oct 5, 2024.
Land development plans announced for Kranji racecourse site
Singapore announced in June 2023 that the Singapore Turf Club would hold its final race meeting on Oct 5, 2024, and close its Kranji facility by March 2027, with the land returned for redevelopment.
Amendment on electronic betting tickets and pilot operation
South Korea's amended Korea Racing Authority Act, Act No. 19492, sets a minimum age of 21 for electronic betting tickets and permits a pilot online selling system with ministerial approval.
City of Dreams Mediterranean holds soft opening
Melco Resorts and Entertainment opened City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol, Cyprus, in July 2023 after a soft opening the previous month, calling it Europe's largest integrated resort.