Asia Pac

Waiting game continues in Thailand as public still not fully behind legislation 

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Despite the buoyant efforts of the Government, trepidation seemingly lingers in Thailand over the legislation of land-based gambling.

The latest data from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) found that 57% of respondents they spoke to were against entertainment centres and casinos.

In spite of there still being tentative attitudes towards the legislation of gambling, opposition is falling, with it previously being recorded at 59%.

Resorts doubling as entertainment venues rather than just focusing on being gambling hubs is seemingly a major strategy when it comes to enabling them to integrate within Thai culture.

Recently, it was put forward by one of the major subcommittees examining the bill, pursuing the need for a referendum.

There is general public support for a referendum, with 61% of respondents backing the calls for a referendum.

Governmental fears

There has also been trepidation around turbulence within the Government impacting the bill’s progress.

Significantly, Thailand’s Bhumjaithai Party, the second biggest party in the country’s coalition Government, pulled back on its support for the progress of the bill.

This has come amidst controversy surrounding a phone leak between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodia’s former Premier Hun Sen, involving Thailand’s escalating border dispute with Cambodia.

In the call, Shinawatra is said to have criticised the Thai army for its role in a clash with Cambodian troops that triggered the ongoing hostilities.

Although Shinawatra provided a defence for the conversation, claiming her comments were part of a strategy to ease border tensions, the Bhumjaithai Party say that her actions have “damaged the sovereignty and well-being of the country and the Thai Army”.So far, both sides have implemented trade barriers, and earlier this week, Thailand placed a ban on its citizens entering Cambodia to work in casinos across the city of Poipet.

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New Zealand outlines NZ$81m gambling harm prevention strategy

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The Government of New Zealand has outlined its new strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm, which will involve investing more than NZ$81m in various components of the services available to those affected in the country.

Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health, has said in a statement that the investment will help to improve support access, strengthen prevention and early intervention and reduce the impact of gambling-related harm.

To make sure the strategy is having the desired effect, an independent review in 2025/26 will also take place so that the Government can analyse what is working and what needs to be changed.

Doocey said: “The strategy focuses on delivering timely, effective support for individuals, families and communities affected by gambling harm. Key areas of investment include increasing access to treatment and support, improving prevention and early intervention initiatives, and improving the effectiveness of support for those experiencing gambling harm.

As part of the strategy, 18 additional clinical internship places will be created to become part of the gambling harm workforce, working closely with supervisors in clinical settings to develop gambling harm expertise.

“This approach is necessary to bridge the gap between education and work and will give interns the practical experience needed to help people affected by gambling harm,” noted Doocey.

“Not only will this ensure more people can access help, but this will also support people who could otherwise struggle to meet the requirements to become registered clinicians.

“One in five New Zealanders will be affected by gambling harm in their lifetime—either directly or through someone they know. This can have devastating effects not only on individuals, but also on their families and wider communities.”

The Government developed its strategy to tackle gambling harm through a two-stage consultation process which included the opinions of people with lived experience.

Doocey concluded: “I want to thank those who shared their experiences with us. You’ve helped ensure this strategy is reflective of real-life experiences and have helped to ground the strategy with a strong understanding of what support works best for you and our communities.”

Online casino contributions

New Zealand’s gambling harm support services will be funded through the new Problem Gambling Levy Regulations and paid by non-casino gaming machine operators, casinos, TAB NZ and Lotto NZ.

Doocey also detailed that work is taking place to determine how online casino operators will contribute under upcoming regulations, which are expected to be in place by early 2026.

Online casinos are being regulated in New Zealand as part of the Government’s plans to minimise harm, support tax collection and provide consumer protections to New Zealanders.

As part of the country’s online casino framework, up to 15 three-year licences are expected to be available for operators via an auction. The online gambling bill is forecasted to progress through Parliament this year, with the Department of Internal Affairs being the regulator of the online casino market.

Reece Calderbank, Global Sales Director at Delasport, recently assessed the potential of New Zealand’s incoming iGaming regulatory framework for iGaming Expert, describing the sector as standing “at the threshold of a pivotal transformation”.

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Four Australian operators slammed for self-exclusion failures

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Four Australian betting operators have breached rules around continuing to engage with consumers registered with BetStop, the National Self-Exclusion Register (NSER).

Buddybet, Ultrabet, VicBet and Topbet were each investigated by The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for unlawful acts against those wanting to cut down on gambling.

Firstly, Ultrabet was found guilty of reopening an account of someone at the end of their self-exclusion period and allowed that person to bet with that account. The firm also sent out marketing to another self-excluded person.

The NSER demands that once an individual registers with the service, operators must close that person’s account as soon as possible. The ACMA explained that accounts “must not be reopened or reinstated” once a person ceases to be registered with the NSER.

Instead, people at the end of their self-exclusion period who want to recommence gambling need to make a clear and deliberate choice to do so. Providers must also not send self-excluded people any form of electronic promotions or marketing including via emails or texts.

Authority member, Carolyn Lidgerwood, stated: “Wagering providers should know their obligations under the rules and know that we are enforcing them. The rules about account closure must be complied with.”

BetStop was launched in August 2023 as a free Australian Government initiative, and allows users to exclude themself from all Australian licensed online and phone wagering services in a single step.

“People on the NSER have made a conscious effort to exclude themselves from online gambling services,” Lingerwood summarised the platform’s purpose..

“Sending gambling marketing messages to people who are trying to stop gambling is unacceptable. Betting services must have systems in place that respect the decisions of people to self-exclude, or face further consequences.”

In order to prevent such instances from occurring, the ACMA has previously put emphasis on operators to; Implement robust monitoring systems, close registered individual accounts promptly, review marketing systems and procedures and monitor system changes and updates.

Player safety crackdown
Just a few weeks ago, Unibet received a AU$1m (£480,700/€560,100) penalty for the same wrongdoings. The FDJ United-owned operator had failed to close hundreds of accounts registered with BetStop.

A similar ACMA investigation accused the Unibet brand of over 100,000 contraventions of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

The main breach in question concerned the firm’s failure to close 954 customer accounts after said customers had registered with the NESR.

Meanwhile, PointsBet Australia Pty Ltd was also recently hit with an AUD$501k (£242k) fine by the ACMA over advertising breaches.

The authority launched an investigation into the online gambling provider, which uncovered “more than 800 messages” as part of what the regulator said was a spam advertisement campaign in contravention of e-marketing laws.

Details around the investigation revealed that in the period between September and November 2023, PointsBet had sent 705 emails with a direct link to its gambling products without the option to unsubscribe from such messaging.

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Sri Lanka set for major gambling reforms

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The publication of a draft bill to establish a Gambling Regulatory Authority is pushing Sri Lanka towards a significant shift in its gambling framework.

Published under the directive of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, if approved, the bill would come into effect as the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act.

According to Sri Lanka’s Cabinet Office, the Gambling Regulatory Authority would function “as the sole independent regulator with a broad and overarching scope on operations in the gambling industry”. This would include online gaming and offshore gambling activities on ships and in the Colombo Port City.

Currently, the only legal forms of gambling in Sri Lanka are betting on horse racing at venues such as the Royal Turf Club in Nuwara Eliya and at casinos such as Bally’s Casino in Colombo.

Under the proposed legislation, the current Horse Racing Betting Ordinance, the Gambling Ordinance and the Casino Ordinance would be repealed, with the Gambling Regulatory Authority replacing them as the singular overseer of Sri Lanka’s market.

The primary objective of the new bill will be to implement a series of proposals, including the collection of revenue from gaming activities and unregulated gaming.

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approved the proposed legislation of Ministers on 21 April, and it must now gain approval from the 225 members of Sri Lanka’s parliament.

President Dissanayake is a member of the governing National People Power (NPP), which holds 159 seats, indicating that the odds appear to be in favour of the gambling reform receiving the green light.

Bangladesh renews online gaming battle

The trend is seemingly being set by Sri Lanka isn’t being followed across Southeast Asia, as Bangladesh has renewed a campaign against the vertical following the passing of a new law.

Under the newly passed Cyber Security Ordinance 2025, operating or promoting online gambling can lead to two years in prison or a fine of approximately $80,000.

Most forms of gambling remain illegal in Bangladesh under the Public Gambling Act of 1867, and online gambling operates in a grey area with no local regulation.

According to reports, since the bill was passed, authorities have identified over 1,000 financial service agents thought to be connected to illegal gambling transactions. Details of which have been passed to the Bangladesh Bank with a recommendation to revoke their professional licences and impose financial penalties.

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Bangladesh government renews battle against online gaming

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Authorities in Bangladesh have renewed a campaign against online gaming following the passing of a new law.

The initiative forms part of a crackdown on online gambling platforms in the wake of the newly passed Cyber Security Ordinance 2025.

Under the new law, operating or promoting online gambling can lead to two years in prison or a fine of approximately $80,000.

Most forms of gambling remain illegal in Bangladesh under the Public Gambling Act of 1867, and online gambling operates in a grey area with no local regulation.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) states that the focus on gambling stems from worries around the social and financial impact of online gaming, especially among young people.

Platforms targeted include apps, websites and social media channels.

According to reports, since the bill was passed, authorities have identified over 1,000 financial service agents thought to be connected to illegal gambling transactions. Details of which have been passed to Bangladesh Bank with a recommendation to revoke their professional licences and impose financial penalties.

Bangladesh Bank has also issued a directive to banks and financial institutions across the South Asian country to use artificial intelligence to monitor and identify merchants or customers involved in online gambling.

Anxiety over the black market is also shared by Bangladesh’s neighbour, India, following a report by the All India Gaming Federation, which detailed the extent to which players in the country engage with the sector.

The report outlined that unlicensed betting platforms had a total of 1.6 billion visits over a three-month period, highlighting the lack of effect website blocking is having to curb the sector.

Meanwhile, uncertainty is also fuelled by the uncertainty surrounding the 28% GST levy placed on the regulated industry, which has caused many to depart the market.

One of the key departures was Superbet, with the firm revealing that the tax rules make the Indian market no longer commercially viable.

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PAGCOR issues fraudulent licence warning

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PAGCOR has issued a bleak warning to the public against offers being made by operators with fake offshore gaming licences.

The Philippines’ regulatory body claims that the Lucky 7 Bingo Corporation, which holds a legitimate E-Games venue licence, has been engaging in contact agreements with individuals under the guise of offering “guidance and support to potentially earn Php50,000 (£670.50) through the Lucky 7 Bet Lottery Platform”.

As part of the bogus agreement, bettors are reportedly required to make an upfront initial cash deposit of Php3,000 (£40).

PAGCOR confirmed that the licence referenced in these agreements is a fake offshore gaming licence, given that all offshore gaming operations, known as POGOs, have been banned in the Philippines since the end of 2024.

Atty Jessa Fernandez, Head of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming and Licensing Department, warned: “We urge the public to remain vigilant and always verify the legitimacy of a PAGCOR-licensed gaming entity before entering into a..

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AUSTRAC centralises Fintel Alliance to fight gambling scams

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Australia’s financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, has announced that it will expand its intelligence partnership, Fintel Alliance, after it has proved essential in fighting financial crime.

Fintel recently launched a campaign on scambling – described as a practice where unlicensed online gambling platforms advertise on social media and trick people to visit a scam website to participate in gambling.

Fintel Alliance member and NAB Chief Financial Crime Risk Officer, Paul Jevtovic, detailed: “The nature of scambling – frequent small transactions – means it isn’t traditionally captured by mandatory reporting.

“However, combining data from multiple sources about cash transactions less than $10,000 allowed Fintel Alliance to more rapidly understand the nature and extent of criminality resulting in timely dissemination amongst members.

“I’ve seen this partnership and capability evolve since 2017 and its expansion is a modern approach not only to intelligence gathering, but more responsive regulation.”

Keeping up with an evolving industry
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in suspicious financial activity in the Australian betting market.

Bradley Brown, AUSTRAC Manager of Regulatory Operations, explained: “There are many legitimate people who seek to gamble and we are not necessarily against the gambling sector, it’s more about managing the risk when it does occur.”

Meanwhile, Brendan Thomas, AUSTRAC CEO, said the Intelligence Division’s Fintel Alliance has been so productive that the agency will make its collaborative data analytics hub a ‘central function’ from now on.

In detail, the move has generated real intelligence across a range of serious crimes including money laundering, child sexual exploitation, domestic violence, tax evasion, fraud and illegal phoenixing.

“For example, late last year we worked with our partners using the collaborative data analytics hub,” added Thomas. “We obtained all cash deposit transaction data under $10,000 from the four largest banks and jointly looked for criminal patterns. We had more than 50 million data points.”

The organisation went on to explain that the nature of scambling is frequent small transactions, which means it isn’t traditionally captured by mandatory reporting.

However, combining data from multiple sources about cash transactions less than $10,000 allowed the intelligence unit to quickly understand the nature and extent of criminality.

Fintel Alliance Executive Board Co-Chair and ANZ Group Head of Financial Crime Risk, Cassandra Hewett, noted: “The breadth of industry involvement reflects the value the financial industry sees from the public-private partnership.”

She highlighted that criminals are adept at finding weak points, adding: “By working together to develop and use new tools, technologies and fresh approaches to combat crime we can strengthen the ecosystem we all operate in.”

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India approaches key legislative moment with GST levy in focus 

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A major period has commenced around the Indian iGaming market, as debate over the GST framework takes centre stage amongst government officials and iGaming operators.

The 28% GST tax levy has caused much debate in India, with operators departing the regulated market and the black market continuing to grow.

As reported by media outlet, The Hindu, the debate this week could have a key impact on the future of gambling within the Indian market.

The debate looks to tackle the issue of which games fall under the umbrella of the levy, with the senior advocate A.M. Singhvi underpinning his views that the character of the game isn’t altered simply because money is wagered.

His case has been put forward as the debate lines are intensifying between games of skill and games of chance, with the Government stating that skill games should transition into a new genre once bets have been placed on them.

Singhvi responded: “Is the government saying that in chess, the moment I put money on it, ..

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Urgent UN warning over expansion of criminal gangs in Asia 

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Previous UN reports have underpinned the connection between crime syndicates utilising the casino sector to launder money in Southeast Asia, however, they are now issuing a stark warning over the expansion efforts of these gangs.

The desire for expansion has largely been fuelled by intensified regulatory action across Southeast Asia, embodied by the widespread efforts to combat gangs in the Philippines.

Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC Acting Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, commented: “We are seeing a global expansion of East and Southeast Asian organised crime groups.

“This reflects both a natural expansion as the industry grows and seeks new ways and places to do business, but also a hedging strategy against future risks should disruption continue and intensify in the region.”

“It spreads like a cancer,” Hofmann added. “Authorities treat it in one area, but the roots never disappear; they simply migrate. This has resulted in a situation in which the region h..

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