Gambling News Across Asia
News on laws, licenses, venues, lotteries, racing and enforcement in 12 countries, with every story citing its sources.
Betting and Sweepstake Duties Act repealed
Singapore's Gambling Duties Act 2022 came into force on 29 July 2022, consolidating duties on lawful betting and lotteries and repealing the Betting and Sweepstake Duties Act.
Chief Executive executive order sets gaming tender rules
Macau's Chief Executive published an executive order setting a July 29 to September 14 bidding window for six gaming concessions capped at 10 years, with the government pledging equal treatment for incumbents and newcomers.
Macau opens public tender for casino concessions
Macau opened a public tender for casino concessions on 28 July 2022, the first step in a process that ended with Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. awarded a ten-year concession running from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2032.
Gambling Regulatory Authority reconstituted from Casino Regulatory Authority
Singapore's Gambling Regulatory Authority replaced the Casino Regulatory Authority on 1 August 2022, when the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore Act and the Gambling Control Act took effect.
Thai lawmakers' panel submits casino report to Parliament
A panel of Thai lawmakers has submitted a report to Parliament recommending a decree that would allow entertainment complexes with legal casinos in key cities across Thailand.
Macau orders daily COVID-19 tests for all Filipino nationals
Macau health authorities ordered all Filipino nationals in the city, including residents holding Filipino passports, to take a COVID-19 nucleic acid test every day from July 22, 2022.
Baoshan police dismantle live-streaming baccarat gambling ring
Shanghai police said Baoshan officers arrested more than 150 members of a live-streamed baccarat ring on July 21, with case flow over RMB 100 million and more than RMB 2 million seized.
Ministry of Public Security reports Hundred Days Action results against gambling and vice crimes
China's Ministry of Public Security says police have dismantled more than 960 gambling and prostitution crime gangs and solved over 790 major cases since the launch of its summer Hundred Days Action.
Residents submit over 190,000 valid signatures for casino referendum ordinance
An Osaka citizens group submitted 192,773 valid signatures for a casino referendum ordinance on July 21, 2022, but the prefectural assembly rejected the ordinance eight days later.
Cagayan Valley Satellite begins operations
The Cagayan Valley Satellite casino began operating on July 15, 2022 with 132 electronic gaming machines under the supervision of Casino Filipino Ilocos Norte, PAGCOR's 2022 annual report says.
Chief Executive republishes amended casino gaming law
Macau's Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has signed a dispatch republishing the full text of the territory's casino gaming law as amended, setting out the rules that now govern its six casino concessions.
Supreme Court quashes conviction for gambling via ladder and odd-even games
South Korea's Supreme Court overturned a conviction for gambling on ladder and odd-even games, ruling the games are not the prohibited conduct covered by the National Sports Promotion Act.
Macau government orders casinos to close for COVID-19 outbreak
Macau ordered casinos and all non-essential businesses to shut from 11 to 18 July 2022 to control a COVID-19 outbreak, later extending the closure to 22 July.
Macau publishes tender regulations for gaming concession public tender
Macau published regulations for its gaming concession public tender in the Official Gazette on 5 July 2022, setting bidder rules and a possible minimum of eight bidders under a restricted format.
Two new COVID-19 clusters identified in Macao epidemiological investigation
Macao's Response and Coordination Centre identified two new COVID-19 clusters on 5 July 2022, including one of 13 cases at the Grand Lisboa Hotel linked to an earlier cluster.
Macau outbreak reaches 941 positive infections
Macau recorded 941 positive COVID-19 infections in the outbreak that began on the night of June 18 and ran to July 4, 2022, with clusters at a casino mall and a public hospital.
Ministry of Finance issues Circular 39/2022/TT-BTC on electronic games with prizes for foreigners
Vietnam's Ministry of Finance issued Circular 39/2022/TT-BTC, setting appraisal fees, accounting and tax rules for prize electronic games aimed at foreigners, effective 8 August 2022.
Grand Lisboa casino hotel closed after COVID cases
Macau closed the SJM-owned Grand Lisboa casino hotel after 13 COVID-19 cases, with more than 500 people locked inside, the first gaming venue closure in the city in over two years.
New foreigner re-entry ID rule takes effect
From July 1 2022 foreigners entering a Korean casino must show a passport on their first visit, but can re-enter within its validity using other state-recognized identification.
GST Council defers decision on 28% GST on value of horse racing bets
India's GST Council has deferred a decision on applying 28% GST to the value of horse racing bets, letting a group of ministers re-examine the plan and giving the sport's governing body 15 days to argue its case.
Lottery 80 sales points to cover every province
Thailand's Lottery 80 sales points will operate in every province from the 1 July 2022 draw, part of a push toward 1,000 outlets nationwide selling tickets at the fixed 80 baht price.
Retendering of casino concessions begins
Macau's government began retendering casino lucky gaming concessions in July 2022 under a new gaming law, with fresh contracts taking effect on January 1, 2023.
Grand Emperor Hotel casino to close as SJM service agreement expires
Emperor Entertainment Hotel Limited will close the casino at its Grand Emperor Hotel in Macau and will not renew its service agreement with concessionaire SJM, which expires on June 26.
Macau casino license bids due within a month as contracts expire at year-end
Macau's six casino operators are preparing to bid for new licenses by next month, with their existing contracts expiring at the end of 2022 and a decision not expected until the fourth quarter.
Macau promulgates revised casino gaming law as six concessions expire
Macau promulgated a revised casino gaming law on 26 June 2022 as its six existing concessions expired, obliging operators to spend up to 2 percent of gross gaming revenue on cultural, social and charitable causes.
Blackstone-Crown deal to be finalized
Australia's Federal Court has approved Blackstone's $8.9 billion takeover of Crown Resorts, clearing the way for the deal to complete on June 24 and for Crown to become a private company.
Casino lucky gaming operation law takes effect
Macau's legal regime for casino lucky gaming operation and its supporting regulations took effect on 23 June 2022, opening a re-tendering round and a new era for the city's gaming industry.
Coup brought Shwe Kokko back to life as online scam hub
Frontier Myanmar reports that the Karen Border Guard Force trades frontline soldiers to the military for business protection, letting its Shwe Kokko "new city" project return as an online scam hub.
Indictment alleges Suncity syndicate caused HK$8.2 billion in lost Macau gaming tax revenue
Macau prosecutors allege the criminal group led by former Suncity junket chief Alvin Chau cost the territory HK$8.2 billion in lost gaming tax revenue, with trial set for September 2.
Macau SAR and Galaxy sign contract amendment extending casino concession to end of 2022
Macau and Galaxy Entertainment have signed a contract amendment extending the company's casino concession to 31 December 2022, listing four permitted casinos and requiring a MOP 1.63 billion bank guarantee.