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From Asia to Oceania, regulators made bold moves this week while operators pursued expansion and responsible gambling initiatives. Across Thailand, Japan, and New Zealand, governments rolled out new policies reshaping the gaming landscape, while Macau’s revenue surged and key partnerships reshaped markets from Ontario to the Philippines.
This week in the online gambling industry:
- Thailand’s casino legalization bill requires detailed financial monitoring, ad bans, and billion-baht investments.
- Macau’s May gaming revenue climbed to MOP 21.19B, the highest since January 2020.
- Malta Gaming Authority reported €84.1M in revenue, suspending and canceling several licenses in H1 2024.
- New Zealand launched a $60M harm reduction plan focusing on mental health and ethnic equity.
- Fanatics entered the Philippines with a gaming support hub, replacing lost POGO-related jobs.
- DraftKings and UFC debuted a responsible gambling campaign during UFC 316.
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Here’s the full rundown:
Regulatory & Legal Updates
Thailand Tightens Financial Rules in Casino Legalization Plan, Gambling Insider
Thailand is advancing with its high-profile Entertainment Complex Bill, aiming to legalise casinos as a strategy to boost tourism and generate significant revenue. The proposed legislation, expected to take effect in mid-2025 pending parliamentary approval, introduces a tightly regulated framework inspired by models in Singapore, Japan, and the UAE.
To address concerns about money laundering and social harm, the government will require all casino visitors’ financial transactions to be recorded and monitored. Additional safeguards include a ban on casino advertisements and the denial of entry to individuals deemed to pose “financial risks.” Each entertainment complex will require a minimum investment of THB100 billion, underscoring the government’s commitment to large-scale, responsible development.
New Zealand Boosts Gambling Harm Strategy with $60M Equity Push, Beehive.govt.nz
New Zealand has launched a refreshed national strategy to prevent and minimise gambling harm, backed by over $81 million in funding over the next three years. Announced by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey, the initiative focuses on strengthening prevention efforts, improving access to support services, and addressing workforce shortages through the creation of up to 18 new clinical internship positions. An independent review is also scheduled for 2025/26 to evaluate the strategy’s impact and guide future improvements.
The updated plan places a strong emphasis on equity, aiming to reduce the disproportionate effects of gambling harm on Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities. It also seeks to deliver more effective, timely, and culturally responsive support for individuals and families affected by problem gambling. The funding will be drawn from the gambling levy, which operators pay to help fund harm minimisation services.
Japan’s House of Representatives has passed a bill to ban the operation and promotion of online casinos. The bill, supported by both the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the main opposition, revises existing laws to prohibit not only the operation of online casinos but also the dissemination of related content on social media.
The legislation urges social network operators to delete information promoting illegal gambling, and violators could face fines up to ¥500,000 (about $3,500) or imprisonment for repeat offenses. This legislative move follows a police report estimating that over three million people in Japan engage in online casino gambling, spending approximately ¥1.24 trillion ($8.4 billion) annually. The new law, expected to be enacted before the end of the current parliamentary session.
Financial Performance & Business Moves
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has released its 2024 Interim Performance Report, highlighting €84.1 million in revenue for the first half of the year. During this period, the MGA reviewed 15 gaming license applications, issuing eight new licenses and four renewals, while rejecting two applications for misleading or incomplete submissions.
The Authority also conducted over 600 criminal probity checks, resulting in seven cases failing to meet the required standards, and carried out extensive anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing reviews. Enforcement actions were a key feature, with the MGA issuing 20 warnings, 10 administrative penalties totaling €128,800, suspending two licenses, and canceling eight.
Macau Hits Post-COVID Revenue High with MOP 21.19B in May, Gambling Insider
Macau’s gaming industry achieved a significant milestone in May 2025, reporting gross gaming revenue (GGR) of MOP 21.19 billion ($2.62 billion), the highest monthly figure since January 2020. This 5% year-on-year increase surpassed the previous post-pandemic peak set in October 2024.
The surge was largely attributed to the annual Labour Day Golden Week, which drew nearly 850,000 visitors to the city and boosted casino activity, with some estimates indicating daily GGR may have exceeded MOP 1 billion during the holiday period. The figures reflect renewed confidence in the market and suggest that Macau’s casinos are regaining their pre-pandemic momentum.
Mixi has revised its acquisition offer for PointsBet, increasing the proposed purchase price to AU$398 million (US$264 million) in a bid to secure shareholder approval and ensure the transaction’s completion. The acquisition is structured as a Scheme of Arrangement (SOA) under the Australian Corporations Act and remains subject to shareholder and court approvals, as well as clearance from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board.
The Scheme Meeting is scheduled for 25 June 2025, with implementation targeted for 8 July 2025, although these dates may shift depending on regulatory and court proceedings. Mixi’s move follows a previous offer of $223.2 million and comes after a period of heightened acquisition interest in PointsBet. The company has indicated that if the SOA is not approved, it may consider pursuing an off-market takeover bid.
Technology & Innovation in Gambling
Playtech Teams Up with High Roller for Ontario Market Expansion, Playtech
High Roller and Playtech have entered into a strategic partnership to expand their presence in the Ontario online gaming market. This collaboration will see Playtech’s suite of casino games and technology integrated into High Roller’s platform, offering Ontario players access to a wide range of premium gaming content
The partnership is designed to leverage Playtech’s global expertise in gaming solutions and High Roller’s strong brand positioning in the Canadian market. By combining Playtech’s innovative technology with High Roller’s local market knowledge, the partnership aims to deliver a superior gaming experience, strengthen regulatory compliance, and capture a larger share of the rapidly expanding online casino sector in the province.
Fanatics Enters Philippines via Gaming Support Hub in Taguig, NEXT.io
Fanatics Betting & Gaming has officially entered the Philippines market through a partnership with Claymore Solutions, establishing a Special Class BPO hub in Taguig City. This collaboration is designed to provide regulated gaming support services, including human resources, payroll, and office management, without directly engaging in betting or handling gaming funds.
The initiative aims to address the employment gap left by the discontinuation of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) licensing regime, which displaced over 40,000 Filipinos from gaming-related jobs. By leveraging the Philippines’ position as a global leader in business process outsourcing, Fanatics and Claymore are set to deliver thousands of high-quality jobs and support the growth of reputable gaming operators worldwide.
Responsible Gambling & Player Protection
DraftKings and UFC Launch Campaign Promoting Safe Betting, Gaming America
DraftKings has launched a new responsible gaming campaign in collaboration with UFC, aiming to promote safe betting practices among fans and bettors. The campaign, which debuts during UFC 316 at the Prudential Center in Newark, features UFC lead play-by-play announcer Jon Anik delivering messages about responsible play and highlighting tools available through DraftKings’ Responsible Gaming Center.
The campaign includes a series of 15- and 30-second ads set to air during UFC events and across social media platforms throughout the year. This initiative builds on DraftKings’ broader efforts to promote responsible gambling, including previous campaigns like “Practice Safe Bets” and partnerships with organizations such as BetBlocker.
NFL Funds College Gambling Study with ICRG Partnership, NFL
The NFL has announced a partnership with the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) to fund research into gambling behaviors among college athletes and students, addressing growing concerns about the risks associated with sports betting in this demographic.
The NFL Foundation will contribute $600,000 over three years to support independent, peer-reviewed research that will explore the prevalence, risk factors, and impacts of gambling among college populations. In addition to funding research, the NFL will support updates to ICRG’s “Talking with Children About Gambling” educational resources, providing practical guidance for parents, coaches, and educators to help prevent youth gambling exposure before college.
Australian Bookmakers Urge Expansion of BetStop to Retail and Lotteries, The Australian
Major online bookmakers in Australia are advocating for the expansion of the BetStop self-exclusion register to encompass retail betting, internet keno, and lotteries. Currently, BetStop allows individuals to self-exclude from online and phone wagering, with approximately 27,000 registrants
The push comes amid concerns over industry adherence to BetStop rules, with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) recently identifying violations by four bookmakers, including Buddybet and Unibet, involving unauthorized account access and marketing to self-excluded individuals.
- How crazy is it to fight gambling addiction with… gambling? Brayhan Oviedo Reyes on LinkedIn
- Religious, mental health groups reject online gambling expansion in Ohio, Brianne Doura Schawohl on X
- Southeast Asia is facing an alarming surge in illegal gambling and online scams, Evgeniy Dvoynev on LinkedIn
- I think online gambling will be one of the worst things to ever happen to society, Michael Antonelli on X
Stories from iGaming Forums
- Don’t Gamble when you are Broke, Bitcoin Forum
- Hopping sites lately, Reddit
- Effect of fantasy sports to traditional gambling, Bitcoin Forum
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