日期: 2026年4月15日

(AsiaGameHub) -   Amusnet has expanded its footprint in the Czech Republic by entering a new strategic alliance with Paradise Casino Admiral. Through this partnership, Paradise Casino Admiral has approved 122 Amusnet games and will initially introduce a curated set of 92. The selection encompasses popular titles like Shining Crown and Dice & Roll, alongside newer additions such as Cocktail Rush – Easter Edition. Jaroslav Staníček, Operations Manager at Paradise Casino Admiral, stated: “This collaboration with Amusnet enables us to provide our players with a broad selection of innovative, high-quality games that match current market trends. We are excited to diversify our game library and offer fresh experiences to our clientele.” This new deal represents Amusnet's second partnership in the Czech market, following its initial entry with Tipsport in May 2024. Amusnet has characterized the agreement as a significant move in its European expansion strategy, coming after the recent launch of its Jackpot Cards Plus island in Georgia with Casino Adjara in March. Michal Burgert, Account and Commercial Manager at Amusnet, remarked: “We are thrilled to provide our comprehensive game portfolio to a top-tier operator like Paradise Casino Admiral. Featuring a powerful blend of timeless classics and compelling new games, we believe this launch will achieve excellent outcomes and appeal strongly to Czech players.” A decade of iGaming evolution Amusnet is nearing its ten-year anniversary, and earlier this year, the company's Chief Technology Officer, Lazar Agatonovic, reflected on Amusnet's progress in an interview with iGaming Expert. “In the last ten years, Amusnet has transformed from a specialized content creator into a worldwide iGaming technology partner active in many regulated jurisdictions. Our foundational strategy was always to develop our own scalable technology to support lasting growth in a fiercely competitive industry governed by strict compliance,” he explained. Agatonovic further noted that Amusnet's current development priorities are centered on growing its organized game series, jackpot networks, promotional tools, and live casino and land-based segments. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Entain has expressed its support for the decision by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to overturn a previous ruling that found a Ladbrokes advertisement potentially had strong appeal to people under the age of 18 and violated the BCAP and CAP Code. ‘Ladbucks’, the operator’s in-game currency for free-to-play titles, was the focus of the Entain-owned brand’s advert, which was broadcast on TV on 17 December 2024 and on video-on-demand platforms on 23 December 2024 respectively. A voiceover featured in the advert said: “This is a Ladbuck, the new way to get rewarded at Ladbrokes, and these are some of the 100 million Ladbucks that will be dropping weekly. Collect them on our free-to-play games and choose rewards like free spins, free bets and more. “Over 100 million Ladbucks dropping every single week. Plus, you can even use them to play your favourite games for free in our Ladbucks arcade. Like Fishin Frenzy and Goldstrike. Start collecting at Ladbrokes.com.” Visuals of coins marked with the initials ‘Lb’ appeared in the advert, alongside on-screen text that read ‘100m LADBUCKS’, ‘FREE BETS’ and ‘FREE SPINS’. Last June, the ASA sided with two complaints filed against Ladbrokes over the advert, claiming that the name and design of Ladbucks could appeal to minors because they bore similarities to ‘V-bucks’, the in-game currency for Fortnite, and ‘Robux’ used in Roblox, given the large number of under-18s that play these video games. As a result, the regulator ruled the advert broke gambling advertising rules, ordering the operator not to run the advert again in its existing form, and to avoid including content in future adverts that holds strong appeal to under-18s or aligns with youth culture. However, in a recent update, the ASA has now reversed that earlier decision. A spokesperson for Entain told iGaming Expert: “We welcome the ASA’s decision to overturn its original ruling on Ladbucks advertising. “The independent review has recognised that this was a responsibly designed marketing that does not have a strong appeal to under-18-year-olds.” Image: WD Stock Photos/Shutterstock In its updated ruling, the ASA noted that while the Ladbucks tokens had some shared features with other in-game currencies, their poker-chip styling ‘primarily reflected long-established gambling industry conventions’, was clearly different from V-bucks and Robux in its use of bright colours, and was not used in a way that made references to specific video games. “We considered that although the name Ladbuck alongside the token’s imagery created some parallels with in-game currencies popular with under-18s, those similarities were not obvious enough to make the ads likely to be of strong appeal to under-18s,” the ASA stated. “Those similar features were generic and did not invite an obvious comparison with the tokens used in Fortnite and Roblox. Therefore, we concluded the ads were not likely to be of strong appeal to under-18s.” The revised ruling added that no further action is required from Entain in relation to the Ladbrokes advert. Looking for more stories of this nature? Visit the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, SBC’s dedicated home for all multimedia content, where our team takes an in-depth look at the biggest stories across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate and payments industries. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The Asian gaming industry is facing significant pressure due to the ripple effects of Middle Eastern conflicts, prompting PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco to call for increased cooperation among regulatory bodies. With geopolitical instability driving up oil costs, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) head cautioned that these difficulties are impacting various regions, including Macau, Singapore, and the United States.  During the Manila After Dark event, organized by Inside Asian Gaming in the Philippines, Tengco noted that the international gaming market is currently grappling with the consequences of the oil crisis. “It is vital for us to unite, maintain open dialogues, and provide mutual industry support,” he remarked. “These are challenging times for all,” he stated. “Gaming sectors across the globe are being hit by the oil crisis, and even advanced markets like the US, Macau, and Singapore are feeling the strain.” He further mentioned that PAGCOR is adapting to a more difficult economic environment to maintain stability while keeping responsible gaming as a primary focus.  “PAGCOR will make the necessary adjustments. We must stay current with global trends and ensure that player protection remains our top priority.” Global oil supplies have faced major interruptions since the conflict began in February, causing prices to jump from roughly $70 to as high as $118 per barrel. As of now, oil is trading at approximately $97 per barrel. This ongoing volatility is a major point of concern for the international gambling sector. Specifically, visitor arrivals—particularly in Southeast Asia—are expected to decline due to flight path changes and more expensive airfare resulting from high fuel prices. As inflation affects household budgets worldwide, consumers are likely to reduce spending on leisure activities like gambling to cover essential costs. Furthermore, increased supply chain expenses are driving up the production costs of gaming hardware, adding to the financial pressure on casino operators. While the Department of Tourism in the Philippines reported a 10% year-on-year rise in visitors to 1.82 million during the first quarter of 2026, the full consequences of the geopolitical situation are expected to manifest in the coming months. Operators remain cautious Regulators are not the only ones preparing for a downturn in the Asian market; Genting Singapore has also informed its investors that it is keeping a close eye on the situation.  In a statement to shareholders, the group noted: “Management is currently assessing various direct and indirect consequences, such as potential changes in global travel patterns, operating costs, and the general economic outlook.  “Because the situation is fluid and unpredictable, it is too early to determine the exact impact on the Group.  “We will continue to track these events and react as needed. In the long term, our diverse resort portfolio, solid financial standing, and Singapore’s reputation as a secure, regulated hub will help us navigate these uncertainties.”  Elsewhere, the Macau government has indicated it may subsidize travel from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to encourage more visitors. While travel to Hong Kong—which has a similar subsidy program—has been affected by the conflict, flight schedules to Guangzhou have remained mostly stable. Regarding the new initiatives, Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Tai Kin Ip, stated: “The MSAR Government is committed to expanding its tourism offerings, hosting major events, upgrading infrastructure, and intensifying marketing efforts.” With the economic repercussions of the war expected to persist for years, Tengco reiterated that PAGCOR is ready to evolve its strategies to remain resilient in a changing global landscape. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Amid regulatory uncertainty within the UK gaming sector, Matchroom Holdings is actively seeking sponsorship opportunities outside the betting industry. This disclosure was made in the group's latest Companies House filing, which outlines financial results for the year concluding on 30 June 2025. The holding company is the entity behind Matchroom Sport, best recognized for organizing professional boxing and darts competitions. The sports enterprise led by Eddie Hearn encompasses several betting partners throughout its divisions, including Matchroom Boxing, Matchroom Multi Sport, World Snooker, and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Hearn holds the position of Chairman for both Matchroom Sport and the PDC. Currently, the regulatory landscape regarding betting partnerships in the UK remains somewhat precarious. Although there is no significant legal initiative underway to prohibit gambling sponsorship, pressure has intensified over recent years, notably throughout the Gambling Act review spanning 2020-2023. “Modifications to gambling legislation could influence the capacity of firms within the Betting and Gaming sector to leverage their brands during group events,” according to the statement from Matchroom’s Companies House filing. “The directors are actively seeking to diversify the group's sponsor base beyond this sector.” Matchroom – a historical partner of betting firms Given its role as the promoter for significant boxing, darts, and snooker tournaments, Matchroom has naturally drawn substantial commercial and marketing interest from betting firms. Major spectacles, such as world heavyweight title bouts featuring stars like Anthony Joshua, along with recurring annual events like the World Darts Championship (WDC) and World Snooker Tour (WST), offer extensive reach that bookmakers have been eager to capitalize on. Matchroom Boxing currently holds partnerships with the British firm Betfred and the Antiguan-based online brand Betonline. Previously, the organization also partnered with William Hill before that firm was acquired by evoke. Anthony Joshua in Cardiff, 2018 – Credit: Huw Fairclough / Shutterstock However, the majority of partners are associated with the PDC. Fluter Entertainment’s Paddy Power sponsors the WDC, while MGM Resorts’ BetMGM partners with Premier League Darts. Additionally, Betfed sponsors the World Matchplay, BoyleSports backs the World Grand Prix, Entain’s Ladbrokes supports both the UK Open and the Players Championship Finals, and BetVictor sponsors the World Cup of Darts. Betting agreements also extend across Matchroom’s snooker portfolio. Yolo Group’s Sportsbet.io serves as a primary partner for the Masconi Cup and the WST, while Midnite is also a partner of the latter. These sponsorship deals likely played a major role in Matchroom’s 2025 results. As of 30 June 2025, the group recorded a post-tax profit of £44m. This included £16.1m from darts, £9.9m from boxing, £2.5m from the Multi Sport division, £1.3m from snooker, and £2m from media, streaming, and production activities. It remains unclear which entities Matchroom might select to replace its betting partners. Rumors suggest that Premier League clubs, which are removing betting sponsors from the front of their shirts at the end of this season, might enter agreements with prediction platforms or financial trading firms. Matchroom might follow suit, although this is far from assured given that prediction platforms have significantly less visibility in the UK compared to the US. In any case, the company faces a significant gap in commercial revenue if regulatory pressure drives away betting partners. Alternatively, if betting partners decide to reduce their sponsorship budgets due to UK tax hikes—a move already being made by Entain, evoke, and Flutter—the company would face a similar shortfall. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   iGP has enhanced its marketing offerings by forming a new alliance with Optimove. This cooperation will enable iGP's partners to leverage Optimove's technology to bolster CRM marketing and player engagement by activating player data. Adi Dagan, Senior Director of Partnerships at Optimove, commented: “This partnership equips operators using iGP solutions with positionless marketing, providing richer insights into their players, the capacity to generate personalised assets, and the autonomy to engage and expand within a highly competitive environment.” iGP states that operators can feed real-time player data directly into Optimove’s segmentation, analytics, and marketing automation tools. This will allow them to launch campaigns, improve the personalisation of player experiences, and increase player value. iGP stressed that applying player data in this manner can help address the difficulties stemming from increasing acquisition costs and the fight for players' attention. Jovana Popovic Canaki, Chief Executive Officer of iGP, characterized the new alliance as reinforcing the core of iGP’s platform solution. This move aligns with the company's ongoing shift to focus exclusively on being a B2B technology provider. “Together we are enabling operators to activate their player data, personalise engagement at scale, and drive stronger long-term growth,” she added. Trading on honesty and integrity Last month, iGP’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michael Baker-Mosley, discussed with iGaming Expert the importance of platform providers like iGP establishing realistic expectations for clients to prevent 'over promising and underdelivering'. He said: “In reality, launching a new platform takes two to three months, which is a reasonable timeframe. However, some promise operators four weeks, and we are aware of deals we lost where the platform went live a year later. “Delivering truly powerful gaming experiences requires time. This is a frequent topic in B2B discussions, but less common in B2C. The product landscape is becoming more uniform, with operators now competing on the experience they offer, rather than the product itself.” “If every operator has the top 10 slots globally, the competition shifts to brand and experience. Achieving this successfully and entering a new market demands both time and investment.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has reversed an earlier ruling against Ladbrokes, determining that its “Ladbucks” ad campaign does not violate regulations aimed at safeguarding minors. This revised decision supersedes one published in June 2025; following a re-evaluation, the regulator now concludes that complaints about the advertisements should be “not upheld.” The case focused on television and video-on-demand ads promoting “Ladbucks” — a rewards program offered by Entain-owned Ladbrokes. The ads featured token-like coins and highlighted incentives such as free bets and free spins. Two complainants argued that the name “Ladbucks” and its visual presentation could strongly appeal to children, as they resemble in-game currencies used in popular titles Fortnite and Roblox. In its revised assessment, the ASA acknowledged similarities between Ladbucks and gaming tokens like V-Bucks and Robux. However, it concluded these similarities were too generic to create a strong appeal to under-18s. The regulator noted that while token-based systems are common in video games, they are also widely used in adult-oriented contexts, such as loyalty schemes. It also highlighted key visual differences, including the darker color scheme and poker chip-style design of the Ladbucks token. The ASA further determined that the ads lacked features typically associated with youth-focused content, such as cartoon imagery, characters, or fantasy elements. References to gambling games were brief and not presented in a way that would attract younger audiences, according to the authority. Although the ads were subject to age-related restrictions — including post-watershed TV placement and controls on video-on-demand platforms — the ASA said these measures alone were insufficient to guarantee under-18s would be excluded from viewing. As a result, the ads still needed to comply with rules preventing “strong” appeal to children. However, the regulator ultimately concluded they met these requirements. The ASA investigated the ads under both the BCAP and CAP Codes and found no breaches. Both complaints were therefore dismissed, marking a reversal of its earlier position and clearing Ladbrokes’ campaign to continue running. It’s not just the ASA cracking down This decision represents a small victory for a gambling industry company in an advertising dispute. Regulators across Europe, not just the UK’s ASA, have become far more stringent regarding advertising in recent years. Last year, the ASA penalized the brand William Hill (owned by evoke) for a voucher promotion deemed to encourage irresponsible gambling. The authority has also recently tightened its stance on social media influencers promoting gambling. Across Europe, the Dutch regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) has warned several operators for non-compliance, notably regarding gambling company logos visible during European football matches. The Irish Advertising Standards Authority (IASA) also pulled two of TonyBet’s YouTube adverts back in February. However, the Ladbrokes ruling shows regulators aren’t just punishing for punishment’s sake. While the decision stems from an advert that first aired on TV in 2024, it reflects a level of accountability from the UK’s authority. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Rank Group is confident in achieving its medium-term objective, having implemented measures to mitigate the impact of April’s remote gaming duty (RGD) increase to 40% in the UK market. The operator has enacted ‘significant savings in above-the-line marketing spend, supplier costs, and headcount reductions’ to lessen the effect of the remote gaming duty increase, while customer incentives and performance marketing spend have been safeguarded. Richard Harris, serving as Interim Chief Executive Officer following John O’Reilly's departure, commented: “Having implemented the actions required to mitigate much of the impact of higher RGD in our UK digital business, and with clear plans in place to drive sustainable revenue growth, the group is well placed to deliver the medium-term objective of generating at least £100m operating profit.” Rank reported in its third-quarter results for the three months ending 31 March 2026, that digital like-for-like (LFL) net gaming revenue (NGR) rose by 4% year-over-year (YoY) to £60.9m. Regionally, UK operations grew by 2% YoY, while international operations improved by 14% YoY following platform and customer proposition changes over the past year. Venues’ LFL NGR was up 6% YoY to £144.5m, resulting in group LFL NGR increasing by 5% YoY to £205.4m. Across venues, Grosvenor LFL NGR was up 5% YoY during the quarter, with growth expected to continue in Q4 despite uncertainty surrounding international travel. Gaming machines rose by 10% with ‘significant room for further improvement’ as more machines are optimised. Image: Rank Group Mecca venues LFL NGR increased by 5% YoY, while double-digit operating profit in 2026/27 has been boosted by the abolition of bingo duty. Enracha venues LFL NGR improved by 9% YoY following a 27% uptick from gaming machines. Harris added: “It was pleasing to see continued revenue growth across all businesses and strong profit conversion in Q3, despite a tough macroeconomic backdrop. The results demonstrate the resilience of the business, the strength of the customer proposition and the growth initiatives we have in place.” Looking ahead, Rank expects ‘further year-on-year revenue growth in Q4 and full-year LFL underlying operating profits are expected to be at least £68m’. This figure accounts for energy cost volatility as it is ‘not expected to have a material impact on profitability in 2025/26 or 2026/27’. Rank will publish its preliminary results for the full year on 13 August 2026. For more stories like this, explore the new SBC Media YouTube Channel, the central hub for all multimedia content from SBC, where our team provides in-depth analysis of major developments across the sports betting, iGaming, affiliate, and payments sectors. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   One of the most contentious issues is how licensed online casino operators can effectively compete against the black market. The black market holds an advantage over regulated platforms not only due to its unethical advertising practices and lack of restrictions, allowing it to employ any strategy to attract players, but also through gameplay that increases volatility and offers players a quicker path to high-stakes gaming. A significant point of contention is the availability of BonusBuys on the unlicensed market. These were prohibited in the UK in 2019 by the Gambling Commission, which decreed that the mechanism encourages chasing losses and promotes riskier, unsafe gameplay. While the regulated market may choose to ignore BonusBuys and TurboSpins by keeping them off licensed platforms, these features serve as a crucial tool for the black market to entice slot players who are most in need of safer gambling frameworks and tools, which are often neglected in the unregulated space. The rise of high-volatility crash games, which have successfully infiltrated social media algorithms, demonstrates the black market's strategy of using intensified gameplay to boost engagement. Simon Vincze from CasinoGuru believes that while BonusBuys may not be the black market's strongest unique selling proposition, they undeniably offer an "extra experience." “It’s difficult to determine what proportion of players are particularly drawn to that, but many streamers schedule ‘bonus rounds’ sessions where they play one bonus round after another. They would not be doing that if they weren’t popular,” Vincze added. The Gambling Commission adopted a stringent stance on BonusBuys and TurboSpins, identifying them as a significant threat to the most vulnerable players by bypassing normal game structures and disrupting the balance in how players engage with slots and the pace of their play. Vincze emphasized his view that “there are always better approaches than blanket banning, as it might not be relevant for everyone, and those who desire will often find a way.” It remains to be seen whether this perspective will lead to BonusBuys being reintroduced into the regulated market in some form. The question is whether the regulated market can find a safe method for their introduction, or if doing so would blur the lines between regulated and unregulated markets to a degree that increases harm. Conversely, defeating the black market should not be an objective pursued at any cost; diluting the safety of the regulated market to combat the black market would be counterproductive. Regarding the possibility of alternative approaches, Vincze stated: “There is no simple answer to these questions, but for me, it lies in personalization and design. Current behavioral analyses can offer a fairly accurate estimate of whether someone is at risk. “We could make these features clearly visible to those who score lower, then restrict access to them, or even make them completely inaccessible to those in higher-risk groups.” Speaking at the Illegal Gambling Prevention Summit, DealMeOut Founder Jordan Lea cautioned that while he doesn't consider the ban on BonusBuys to be a flawed regulation, consumers still wish to use them and will find ways to circumvent existing frameworks to engage with the mechanic. Lea clarified that he does not endorse the regulation of BonusBuys but warned that their prohibition serves as an example of the careful consideration needed for regulatory decisions. Duncan Garvie, CEO of BetBlocker, also pointed out that when restrictions are placed on bonuses or BonusBuys, we must acknowledge that “a certain proportion of consumers will migrate to the black market because this is a priority for them, because we feel that this piece of regulation will better protect the larger body of consumers who won’t migrate to the black market over that.” Unlicensed operators, crypto crash games, and BonusBuys share a common element: their visibility is significantly amplified by influencers and streamers on platforms like Kick. Lea also highlighted the influence of streamers in promoting BonusBuys, noting that those with genuine audience connections and effective reach are actively promoting the most volatile aspects of games – mechanics that are not even legal in the UK market. Addressing the challenge of bringing streamers under regulatory oversight, Vincze acknowledged: “It’s difficult to make them obey something that cannot be enforced. “If it were another company besides Kick, I would suggest trying to regulate it through them, but they already have a reputation for not caring. Nonetheless, many streamers may not be fully aware that these features could be harmful, and proper education might steer their moral compass.” This raises the complex question of whether the promotion and availability of bonus buys can ever be truly thwarted, and if it's time they are reintegrated into the regulated sector under controlled conditions. In my view, embracing the most volatile forms of gambling, even if theoretically capable of being engaged with safely, promotes the most dangerous playing styles and would lower the standards of the regulated market to match that of the black market it frequently criticizes. Furthermore, the issue of education is critical. At a conference in Manchester focused on the black market, a significant concern was that in today's digital landscape, players can inadvertently end up in the unlicensed sector. Blurring the distinctions between regulated and unlicensed market gameplay further complicates matters and sets a dangerous precedent in the ongoing effort to combat the black market. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Despite global geopolitical tensions impacting tourism growth across Asia, Macau’s authorities have announced robust gaming earnings for the first quarter of 2026. To encourage more travelers, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the Director of the Macau Government Tourism Office, mentioned during the Macau International Travel Industry Expo that officials are looking into subsidizing travel expenses from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to the city. While a comparable program is already available for those arriving via Hong Kong International Airport, Fernandes noted that the new proposal is being considered because the conflict in Iran has led to a decrease in flights from Europe and the Middle East to Hong Kong. Even with significant concerns regarding tourism in Asia's gambling hub, figures from the Financial Services Bureau indicate that MOP$25.8bn (£2.36bn) was collected in Q1 2026, representing a 15.9% rise over the previous year. The impact of gambling tourism is vital for the region, as gaming taxes made up nearly 90% of the special administrative region's MOP$28.7bn (£2.62bn) total revenue for the first quarter. These figures build on a positive trend from late 2025, when gaming earnings increased significantly during the year's final six months. The major gaming center in Asia recorded a total gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $30.8bn for the full year, a 9.1% increase from 2024 that surpassed the government's $29.9bn projection. According to the Macau Daily Times, Tai Kin Ip, Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, stated at the expo that the MSAR Government intends to expand its tourism offerings, host major events, upgrade infrastructure, and enhance marketing efforts. Located roughly 150 kilometers from Macau, Guangzhou continues to receive flights from Europe despite the current geopolitical instability. The broader Asian gaming sector is closely tracking the effects of the Middle East conflict, which has caused increased volatility in international travel. Genting Singapore, which operates Resorts World Sentosa, informed shareholders this week that it is monitoring the situation, though it remains confident that its diverse business model and solid financial standing will ensure stability. The firm noted that management is currently analyzing various direct and indirect consequences, such as changes in global travel patterns and economic sentiment, adding that it is too early to determine the final impact on the group given the fluid situation. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The PT government’s legal arm is calling on Congress to repeal the Bets Law, but where is Lula’s endorsement?  The legislative caucus of Brazil’s Workers’ Party (PT) has tabled Bill PL-1808/2026 with Congress, calling for a complete federal ban on “online gambling”. The proposal, formally introduced by PT deputy Pedro Uczai, demands the full repeal of all laws and regulatory provisions for online betting established under the Bets Law (PL 2626/2023), the regulatory framework that has been in effect since January 1, 2025. The proposed federal ban would cover the entire gambling structure created by the Bets Regime, as the bill’s text includes all activities tied to running an online gambling platform, including advertising, sponsorships, payment processing and any intermediary services connected to gambling operations. The bill leaves little ambiguity about the scope of its ban, stating: “This Law prohibits, throughout the national territory, the exploitation, operation, offering, availability, promotion, advertising, intermediation and processing of transactions related to fixed-odds betting.” Backed by 68 PT members, the measure calls for the removal of betting apps and websites, the blocking of financial transactions linked to gambling, and strict penalties for operators, affiliates and service providers found violating the prohibition. The bill is submitted to Congress as an emergency measure developed and supported by the PT government’s legal branch as a public protection effort “to stop the public health and economic harms linked to gambling”. Bets Law viewed as an economic harm As the bill’s sponsor, Uczai stated that it is the PT government’s responsibility to address “rising household debt, financial instability and mental health issues” that have emerged following the creation of Brazil’s online gambling market. “If betting causes the harm we believe it does, why don’t we just eliminate it entirely? Or regulate it to cut down on the volume of betting in Brazil, allowing a limited number of operations if they even serve any public purpose,” Uczai told Congress. Though submitted to Congress, the bill does not carry the signature of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or senior federal government members, making clear the proposal remains a parliamentary initiative rather than an official executive policy. Pedro Uczai – PT Brazil – Credit: Saulo Cruz/Agência Senado Campaigning for a fourth presidential term, Lula has repeatedly spoken out against the Bets regime, noting as recently as last week that if the decision were entirely his, he would move to ban online gambling outright. However, this rhetoric is widely interpreted as campaign positioning, aligned with PT’s “3B slogan” — which calls for higher taxation of bankers, billionaires and betting operators. Political observers had instead expected PT to take a more measured approach, where Lula would leverage the party’s senior ranks to tighten the existing regulatory framework rather than dismantle it entirely. This expected approach included direct adjustments to the final legal terms of the Bets regime, such as backing a federal ban on gambling advertising, strengthening consumer protection safeguards, and formally classifying gambling addiction as a public health issue. When introducing the bill, Uczai made no reference to support from senior PT government leadership, confirming the proposal remains a parliamentary initiative rather than a coordinated executive action. Where is Lula? A full repeal of the Bets regime would put Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the PT government on a collision course with key Brazilian institutions. Chief among these is the Receita Federal, Brazil’s federal tax authority, which has backed the regulated framework and projects up to R$13bn (£1.9bn) in gambling-related revenue for 2026 — funds seen as critical to sustaining PT’s social and welfare programs. Backing a federal ban would also spark resistance from Brazil’s football leagues and major media groups, both of which have grown increasingly reliant on high-value sponsorship deals tied to the betting sector. As noted last week by SBC Noticias Brazil: “such a move would carry significant fallout, effectively restarting a legislative process that took more than a decade to complete, while risking conflict with stakeholders across tax revenues, media and sport.  The question remains: does the PT government want to take the entire betting regulatory process back to ground zero?” A full repeal of the Bets regime would also see Lula abandon key policy measures established under the framework, including regulatory oversight of the SPA and the rollout of Brazil’s national self-exclusion scheme, which is currently being piloted at the federal level. Most significantly, pushing for a ban risks internal friction within PT and Congress itself. The Bets regime was authorized under Lula’s administration, and is viewed as the culmination of a decade-long policy effort.  As developments unfold, it remains unclear whether Lula and PT’s senior leadership will endorse Bill PL-1808/2026, or whether the proposal is just more political posturing from the party ahead of Brazil’s October election. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.