Gambling News Across Asia
News on laws, licenses, venues, lotteries, racing and enforcement in 12 countries, with every story citing its sources.
PAGCOR warns public against illegal offshore gaming sites
PAGCOR warned on June 29, 2025 that eleven offshore gaming websites are falsely claiming its license, and said all Philippine offshore gaming operations have been banned since December 31, 2024.
Royal Decree on entertainment complex businesses published in Royal Gazette
Thailand published the Royal Decree on Entertainment Complex Businesses B.E. 2568 in the Royal Gazette on 21 June 2568, setting out the legal framework for entertainment complexes that include casinos.
Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted
Hong Kong gazetted the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 on 20 June 2025, setting up a licensing and tax framework for basketball betting and expanding simulcast racing quotas.
CF Mandaue ends operations as PAGCOR-run site
PAGCOR's Casino Filipino Mandaue ended operations on June 18 as a fully state-run site and will become a revenue-sharing property in the first semester of 2026.
Government approves increase in HKJC simulcast quotas
Hong Kong's government has approved a phased rise in the Jockey Club's simulcast quota, lifting the cap on overseas races shown for betting to 40 races and 53 days from the 2025/26 season.
PAGCOR launches PAGCOR Guarantee website to fight illegal online games
PAGCOR launched the PAGCOR Guarantee website on June 18, 2025, letting the public check whether an online gaming provider holds a valid Philippine license.
DSAL contacts 3,878 satellite casino workers ahead of closures
Macau's Labour Affairs Bureau says it has contacted 3,878 satellite casino employees, nearly 70 percent of those affected, before at least nine of the city's eleven satellite casinos close by 31 December.
Executive Council approves introduction of Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 and HKJC simulcast proposals
Hong Kong's Executive Council has approved a bill to establish licensed basketball betting and to expand simulcast racing, with the Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 due in LegCo on 2 July.
Cloudbet integrates Swapped fiat-to-crypto onramp
Cloudbet has added Swapped as a fiat-to-crypto onramp, letting players in select countries deposit through local payment methods including AstroPay, Skrill and Neteller.
Government and concessionaires confirm all 11 satellite casinos to close or be absorbed by end of 2025
Macau's government and gaming concessionaires confirmed in June that all 11 satellite casinos will close by the end of 2025 or be absorbed and converted into self-operated venues.
Legislative Council panel consulted on basketball betting bill proposal
Hong Kong's government consulted a Legislative Council panel on 9 June 2025 on its plan to regulate basketball betting, and members generally supported the proposal.
Melco announces closure of Grand Dragon Casino and three Mocha clubs
Melco Resorts and Entertainment announced on 9 June 2025 that it will close its Grand Dragon satellite casino and three Mocha slot clubs in Macau by the end of 2025.
Ministerial Regulation on entertainment complexes published in Royal Gazette
Thailand's ministerial regulation setting the rules and conditions for entertainment complexes was published in the Royal Gazette on 6 June 2568, formally establishing the legal framework for casino-entertainment venues.
RTCT board approves K-Global as master developer of Royal Siam Haven
The Royal Turf Club of Thailand board approved South Korea's K-Global as master developer of the Royal Siam Haven tourism project in Bangkok's Khlong Toei district on 6 June 2025.
Singapore Pools announces new fixed-prize Toto Match game
Singapore Pools will launch Toto Match, a fixed-prize Toto game, with the June 12 draw and sales from June 10 at its branches and authorized retail outlets.
1,524 betting and gambling websites and apps blocked between 2022 and June 2025
India blocked 1,524 betting and gambling websites and mobile apps between 2022 and June 2025 under Section 69A of the IT Act, according to a government document published in August 2025.
Amnesty investigation documents abuse at more than 50 scam compounds in Cambodia
Amnesty International says its June 2025 investigation documented slavery, human trafficking, forced labor and torture at more than 50 scam compounds in Cambodia, and that a later government crackdown bypassed most of them.
MPL disables Opinio and Fantasy for Haryana users
MPL has disabled its Opinio and Fantasy features for users in Haryana after the state passed the Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025, which covers online platforms accessible within its borders.
Ombudsman complaint filed against Benitez and 26 others over Cockpit 6119 permits
A Victorias City resident has accused former mayor Javi Benitez and 26 other officials of issuing permits for a cockfighting arena that had no franchise or council clearance.
Tamil Nadu prosecutor reports 47 online gaming suicide deaths to Madras High Court
Tamil Nadu's Additional Public Prosecutor told the Madras High Court in June 2025 that 47 deaths by suicide linked to online game addiction occurred in the state between 2019 and 2024.
Penang Turf Club expected to stage final race meeting
Malaysia's oldest horse racing club, the Penang Turf Club, is expected to stage its final race meeting on May 31, 2025, after members voted to close it and dissolve the 161-year-old institution.
Law banning online casino advertising passed and promulgated
Japan has enacted and promulgated a law banning the presentation of illegal online gambling sites and apps to unspecified persons in the country, with the ban taking effect on September 25, 2025.
Supplementary indictment proposes prosecuting 141 defendants in gambling case in Hanoi and provinces
Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has proposed prosecuting 141 defendants for organizing gambling and gambling in a case spanning Hanoi and several provinces, and is seeking four fugitives.
Vietnamese and Lao police dismantle transnational gambling ring
Vietnam's Criminal Police Department says it arrested Mai Anh Viet and 30 others over a cross-border gambling operation run from Vientiane, Laos, with nearly 50 million USD in transactions.
Pampanga court issues arrest warrants vs Cassie Ong, Harry Roque and others
A Pampanga court has issued arrest warrants for Cassandra Ong, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and more than 30 co-accused over human trafficking linked to the Lucky South 99 Pogo.
Final hearing on online gaming GST review scheduled
India's Supreme Court is set to hold a final hearing on 5 May in a consolidated review of the legal and tax status of online gaming, including a challenge to the 28 percent GST on total entry amounts.
Thai police bust lower Northeast online gambling network, seize B50m in assets
Thai police arrested 13 people and seized about 50 million baht in assets from an online gambling network operating in the lower Northeast, with raids across five provinces.
Arrest warrants issued against Cassandra Ong for qualified human trafficking
A Pampanga court issued arrest warrants in May 2025 against Cassandra Ong and others for qualified human trafficking tied to the alleged Lucky South 99 scam hub.
Inspire Entertainment Resort put up for sale
Bain Capital has put Inspire Entertainment Resort, South Korea's largest foreigner-only casino resort, up for sale through an open market bidding process after taking management control of its holding company in February.
Police raid arrests 8 and seizes equipment and cash
Police in Vietnam's Ha Tinh province arrested eight people in early May over an alleged cross-border money laundering, gambling and fraud network that handled more than VND 2,200 billion.