Gambling News Across Asia
News on laws, licenses, venues, lotteries, racing and enforcement in 12 countries, with every story citing its sources.
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.
CF Capital commences slot operations
CF Capital began operating 110 electronic gaming machines under the CF Angeles brand on June 22, 2022, one of several Philippine casino openings recorded by regulator PAGCOR that year.
Legislative Assembly passes revision of Law No. 16/2001
Macau's Legislative Assembly passed a revision of Law No. 16/2001 on 21 June 2022, and the amended law was published in the official Gazette the following day.
Macau legislature passes Law No. 7/2022 amending the casino gaming law
Macau's Legislative Assembly passed Law No. 7/2022 on 21 June 2022, capping casino concessions at six, limiting concession terms to ten years and tightening rules on junkets and management companies.
Oi to launch 3-year-old dirt triple crown from 2024
Oi racecourse will host a three-year-old dirt triple crown from 2024, with a JPY 80,000,000 bonus for a horse that wins all three legs, according to Sports Nippon.
New COVID-19 outbreak begins in Macau
Macau's latest COVID-19 outbreak began suddenly on the night of June 18, 2022, and the city recorded 941 positive infections in the outbreak by July 4, a newspaper reported.
SJM Resorts to take over three Chan Meng Kam satellite casinos until year end
SJM Resorts will take over the casino operations of the Golden Dragon, Dragon King and Grand Dragon hotels in Macau and run them until December 31, according to a report.
Report: Chan Meng Kam and SJM agree three satellite casinos run to year end
A Portuguese-language radio report says businessman Chan Meng Kam has agreed with SJM that three Macau satellite casinos will keep operating until the end of 2022.
First draw period of Digital Lottery tickets
Thailand's Government Lottery Office put the first draw period of its digital lottery on sale on 16 June 2022, priced at 80 baht a ticket through the state Paotang app.
Final draft of Macau gaming law amendment published
Macau's Legislative Assembly has published the final draft of its general gaming law amendment, raising indirect levies on concessionaires from four to five percent ahead of a plenary vote.
Rio and President casinos suspend operations
Galaxy Entertainment Group suspended operations at its Rio and President satellite casinos in Macau on June 15, 2022, and Waldo has asked to follow by the end of June.
Addiction groups petition government to regulate online casinos
Six Japanese addiction support organizations petitioned the prime minister and eleven ministers to close a legal gap that leaves foreign online casino operators beyond the reach of Japan's gambling venue law.
Over 5 million 80 baht digital lottery tickets sold out in 4 days
Thailand's Government Lottery Office said more than 5 million digital lottery tickets priced at 80 baht each sold out in four days, and set out plans for more sales points and new products.
Japan pushes to legalize sports betting, opposition grows
Japan's government is pursuing legalization of sports betting on baseball, football and basketball, with an expert panel planned for July 2022, but opposition is reported to be strong.
Digital lottery sales top 850,000 tickets in first six hours with no system downtime
Thailand's Government Lottery Office said its first day of digital lottery sales drew more than 850,000 tickets from 200,000 buyers in six hours, with the Paotang app running without failure.
Digital lottery sales start at 80 baht via Paotang and Thung Ngern apps
Thailand's Government Lottery Office began selling more than 5 million digital lottery tickets at 80 baht each through the Paotang and Thung Ngern apps from 06:00 on 2 June 2022.
Bill to amend specified certified gambling business law submitted to the House of Representatives
Japan's House of Representatives has published Bill No. 74 of the 208th Diet session, amending the law on specified certified gambling businesses, the Gambling Business Act and the Electricity Business Act.
Casino exclusion system extended to more financially vulnerable individuals
Singapore's Ministry of Social and Family Development extended its gambling exclusion system to all tenants and occupiers on the public rental scheme from June 1, 2022, widening a bar that already covered several groups.
CGMC renews 16 licenses in early June
Cambodia's Commercial Gambling Management Commission renewed 16 casino and games of chance licenses in early June 2022, part of 70 renewals issued in the second quarter.
Creation of 3-year-old dirt Triple Crown announced
Japanese racing bodies announced a new three-year-old dirt Triple Crown from 2024, with the final leg renamed the Japan Dirt Classic and several races moved or upgraded.