Gambling News Across Asia
News on laws, licenses, venues, lotteries, racing and enforcement in 12 countries, with every story citing its sources.
Sands China awarded provisional gaming concession by Macao SAR government
Sands China was awarded a provisional gaming concession by the Macao SAR government on 26 November 2022, and signed a finalized 10-year concession contract the following month.
Six incumbent operators provisionally granted gaming concessions
Macau signed 10-year gaming concession contracts with its six incumbent operators on December 16, 2022, confirming provisional awards made on November 26 and locking in MOP118.8 billion in pledged investment.
Macau Chief Executive provisionally awards six casino gaming concessions
Macau's Chief Executive has provisionally awarded six casino gaming concessions to MGM Grand Paradise, Galaxy Casino, Venetian Macau, Melco Resorts (Macau), Wynn Resorts (Macau) and SJM Resorts.
Prime Minister issues directive on football betting crackdown
Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed Official Telegram 1123/CD-TTg on November 25, 2022, ordering police and local authorities to break up football betting rings during the World Cup 2022 final stage.
Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. provisionally awarded casino concession
Macau has provisionally awarded Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. one concession to operate games of chance in casinos, under a ten year contract running from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2032.
Sumasro introduction begins in Japan
Japan began installing Sumasuro, a medal-less pachislot machine, on 21 November 2022, with three of the four planned debut titles running from that day.
MHA and MSF announce stepped-up action against unlawful and problem gambling during World Cup
Singapore's Home Affairs and Social and Family Development ministries said on Nov 17 they would step up police enforcement and public education against unlawful and problem gambling during the World Cup.
CSD launches Hanuman operation against online gambling network in 14 provinces
Thailand's Crime Suppression Division launched raids across 14 provinces on November 14, 2022, targeting about 500 online gambling websites controlled by the Fat Fast network.
Macao government awards six new 10-year gaming licenses starting 2023
Macao awarded new 10-year gaming licenses to its six existing casino operators in late November 2022, starting in 2023, while newcomer Genting's bid failed.
Macau government provisionally awards six concessions including VML
Macau's government gave six bidders, including Venetian Macau Limited, provisional awards of casino concessions on 26 November 2022, conditional on a MOP 1,000,000,000 bank guarantee.
Mandatory RG Standards subset for jackpot machine room operators
Singapore made part of its responsible gambling standards compulsory for all private clubs with jackpot machine rooms from November 2022, after operators had adopted them voluntarily since a 2019 workgroup.
Manila Jockey Club and Philippine Racing Club close
The Manila Jockey Club and the Philippine Racing Club closed in November 2022 after huge operational losses, leaving the Malvar track as the only venue still racing in the Philippines.
Ministry of Public Security launches rural anti-gambling campaign
China's Ministry of Public Security launched a rural anti-gambling campaign in November 2022, and official statistics show rural gambling incidents fell 23.1% in the following six months.
Overhaul of regional dirt race system announced
Japan's JRA, NAR, the national organizers council and regional racecourses announced a reform of the dirt race system running from 2023 to 2024, built around a new three-year-old dirt triple crown.
Smaslo next-generation slot machines introduced in Japan
Japan's pachinko halls began installing smaslo, next-generation slot machines that use digitized medals instead of physical ones, in November 2022, a change that has reshaped the industry's costs.
MGM Macau casino and hotel facilities suspended after dealer tests positive
Macau authorities suspended casino, restaurant and shop operations at MGM Macau and ordered staff and guests to isolate after a dealer tested positive for COVID-19.
Grievance Appellate Committee provisions brought into force
India brought the Grievance Appellate Committee provisions of its 2021 IT intermediary rules into force on 28 October 2022, giving users a route to appeal platform decisions.
Ministry of Social and Family Development announced casino and jackpot room responsible gambling measures
Singapore's Ministry of Social and Family Development announced on Oct 28 that the city's two casinos and some jackpot rooms now offer members tools to set time and budget limits on gambling sessions.
Online gaming definitions inserted by G.S.R. 794(E)
India inserted definitions of online game, online real money game and online gaming intermediary into its IT intermediary rules through G.S.R. 794(E), effective 28 October 2022.
Ministry of Finance approves 25 instant welfare lottery games
China's Ministry of Finance has approved the printing and issuance of 25 new instant welfare lottery games, including one titled "Feichang Youxi," with fixed shares set aside for prizes, costs and public funds.
Singapore Pools becomes a Licensed Operator under the GRA
Singapore Pools became a Licensed Operator under the Gambling Regulation Authority on 25 October 2022, as the Gambling Control Act 2022 took effect.
China-based online gambling ring busted; 20 arrested
South Korea's Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said it broke up a China-based online gambling ring worth 5.7 trillion won, arresting 20 suspects and referring 171 others to prosecutors.
House hearing weighs benefits and risks of POGOs
Philippine government agencies told a House hearing on October 19, 2022 that offshore gaming operators contribute a shrinking share of GDP while carrying crime, tourism and property risks.
Tamil Nadu Assembly first passes online gambling ban Bill
Tamil Nadu's Legislative Assembly first adopted a Bill banning online gambling and regulating online games on October 19, 2022, sending it to the Governor for assent.
JRA announces Reiwa 5 race schedule and weight changes
The JRA has published its 2023 race calendar, confirming Kyoto Racecourse will reopen on April 22 after a two and a half year closure, and has applied to promote the Shion Stakes to Grade II.
Over 10,000 locations inspected in Cambodia gambling crackdown
Cambodia's National Police said officers inspected more than 10,000 suspected locations, took legal action at 127 sites and sent 273 people to court during a month-long crackdown on illegal gambling.
NCCT reports 116 illegal gambling sites found and 253 suspects sent to court
Cambodia's National Committee for Counter Trafficking said a 51-day operation checked 9,622 suspected locations, found 116 running illegal gambling and sent 253 people to court.
Winford Resort & Casino Manila opens
Winford Resort & Casino Manila began operations in Sta. Cruz, Manila on October 7, 2022, one of several Philippine gaming venues that opened during the year, according to PAGCOR's annual report.
PAGCOR lists Hongsheng among POGOs with canceled licenses
PAGCOR's website listed Hongsheng Gaming Technology among 22 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators whose licenses to operate had been canceled as of October 6, 2022.
PAGCOR publishes list of canceled POGOs, BPOs and service providers
PAGCOR's Offshore Gaming Licensing Department has published a list of 40 canceled POGOs, two canceled special class BPOs and 176 canceled service providers covering 2016 to October 6, 2022.