Gambling News Across Asia
News on laws, licenses, venues, lotteries, racing and enforcement in 12 countries, with every story citing its sources.
Melco to open City of Dreams Sri Lanka
Melco Resorts and Entertainment confirmed City of Dreams Sri Lanka, South Asia's first integrated resort, opened on 1 August 2025 in Colombo under a 20-year casino license.
Senate begins investigation into online gambling
The Philippine Senate has opened hearings into online gambling addiction and gambling related deaths, with cases of e-sabong debt, suicide and missing sabungeros cited in the proceedings.
Van Don Sun JSC approved as developer of $2 billion Van Don casino project
Vietnam approved Sun Group's Van Don Sun JSC as developer of the $2 billion Van Don casino-tourism project in Quang Ninh province, with an operating term of no more than 70 years.
Thailand legalizes tournament poker by ministerial order
Thailand's interior minister signed an order on 30 July 2025 revoking a 1958 ban on poker, allowing tournament play under controlled conditions while cash games remain prohibited.
Casino Grandview to close on 30 July 2025
SJM Resorts said Casino Grandview in Taipa will cease operations on 30 July 2025, with its gaming tables redeployed to other SJM venues and staff reassigned.
Digital Pinoys urges Meta to take down influencer pages promoting illegal gambling
Digital Pinoys has asked Meta to remove 20 influencer accounts and pages with more than 44 million combined followers for allegedly promoting illegal gambling, with four pages already suspended.
Gambling scam links surge 76 percent in the Philippines
Whoscall data showed online gambling links reported in the Philippines rose 76 percent to 4,308 in the second quarter of 2025, even as text scams and scam calls fell sharply.
Authorities shut down suspected online scam operation at Xiyuen Suvon casino site in Preah Vihear
Preah Vihear authorities shut down a suspected online scam operation at the Xiyuen Suvon casino site near the Laos border, cutting power and internet, evacuating workers and sealing the facilities.
Cambodia issues 9-point order to crack down on online scams
Cambodia's Royal Government issued a nine-point order assigning governors, ministries, police, immigration, maritime security and the armed forces roles in suppressing online scams, with the casino regulator told to supervise licensed venues.
PAGCOR and Ad Standards Council sign MOU on gambling advertising pre-screening
PAGCOR and the Ad Standards Council signed a memorandum of understanding on July 16, 2025 requiring all gambling-related advertisements to pass ASC review before public release.
Ground-breaking ceremony held for Las Vegas Sands' new Singapore hotel tower
Singapore held a ground-breaking ceremony on July 15 for a new Las Vegas Sands hotel tower beside Marina Bay Sands, an US$8 billion project due to open in the first quarter of 2031.
Marina Bay Sands expansion breaks ground
Marina Bay Sands broke ground on Tuesday on an $8 billion expansion that adds a fourth tower with 570 suites and a 15,000-seat entertainment venue, both due to open in 2031.
Police dismantle Fi88 - KingGroup online gambling network
Vietnamese police arrested 19 suspects over the Fi88 and KingGroup online gambling systems, which drew more than 30,000 members and operated across Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia.
Act partially amending the Basic Act on Measures Against Gambling Addiction promulgated
Japan's Cabinet Office has announced the promulgation of a law partially amending the Basic Act on Measures Against Gambling Addiction, the framework law that created the government's gambling addiction headquarters.
Bill officially withdrawn from parliament
Thailand's draft Entertainment Complex Bill, which would have legalized casinos inside large entertainment venues, was officially withdrawn from parliament on 9 July 2025, ending the current push to legalize casinos.
Macau sets 2026 junket caps for each concessionaire
Macau's Secretary for Economy and Finance has set the maximum number of gaming promoters each of the city's six casino concessionaires may work with in 2026.
Pagcor chairman backs stricter regulation of online gambling over total ban
Pagcor chairman Alejandro Tengco said the Philippine regulator opposes a total ban on online gambling and instead backs stricter regulation, curbs on unregistered platforms and new advertising and player-protection rules.
141 prosecuted in US$107 million gambling ring in Hà Nội
Vietnam's Supreme People's Procuracy has prosecuted 141 people, including former provincial officials and South Korean managers, over an illegal gambling ring at a Hanoi hotel club with nearly US$107 million in transactions.
Ministerial regulation on casino player entry published
Thailand has published a ministerial regulation setting entry and registration rules for players at the Phuphan Thani casino, with the rules taking effect 90 days after the 4 July publication.
Senator Zubiri files bill for total ban on online gambling
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a bill on July 4 seeking a total ban on online gambling in the Philippines, drawing opposition from the regulator Pagcor, which wants stricter rules instead.
BSP announces consumer protection circular on online gambling
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it will issue a circular requiring banks and electronic money issuers to strengthen safeguards against the risks of online gambling.
Bill to receive first reading in Legislative Council
Hong Kong's Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025, which sets up a regulatory framework for basketball betting, was gazetted on 20 June and is due for first reading in the Legislative Council on 2 July.
Thailand's draft casino bill removed from House agenda
Thailand's government withdrew its draft casino bill from the House agenda in July 2025 after public opposition and political turmoil cut the ruling coalition's majority.
Cambodia launches largest-ever campaign against online scam operations
Cambodia launched what it called its largest-ever campaign against online scam operations in July 2025, pledging to eliminate criminal networks behind large-scale fraud targeting victims worldwide.
Deputy PM instructs ministry to study Phú Quốc casino access policy
Vietnam's deputy prime minister has told the finance ministry to study post-pilot rules on Vietnamese casino access, as a draft decree proposes entry tickets of VNĐ2.5 million a day.
Marina Bay Sands $10.3 billion expansion breaks ground
Marina Bay Sands has broken ground on a $10.3 billion expansion that adds a 55-storey tower with 570 suites and a casino, with opening set for January 2031.
Maruhan Mega City Ichihara mega open
Maruhan opened its Mega City Ichihara pachinko and slot hall in Chiba Prefecture on 1 July 2025, with 1,122 machines, the largest such venue in the area.
Police dismantle online football betting ring
Ho Chi Minh City police arrested 139 people and seized nearly VND 6.8 billion and USD 56,000 in raids on an online football betting network whose converted points were worth more than VND 20,000 billion.
Royal Government of Cambodia issues 9-point order on online scam crackdown
Cambodia's Royal Government has issued a nine-point order assigning provincial governors, police, immigration, the military, courts and the casino regulator duties to eradicate online scam operations, effective from the date of signing.
Online gambling regulatory and prohibition bills filed in Philippine Congress
Bills to regulate and prohibit online gambling were filed in the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives on June 30, 2025, sending shares of operator DigiPlus down sharply.