Oct 18–24 iGaming Recap: Macau Crime Spike, Indonesia Flags $1B in Gambling Deposits, YGAM Hits Milestone

Regulatory crackdowns, enforcement activity, and responsible gambling initiatives took center stage in the iGaming industry this week. The sector continued to shift under tighter oversight and evolving market conditions.

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Here’s the full rundown:

Regulatory & Legal Updates

Macau Sees Sharp Rise in Gambling-Related Crimes, Gambling Insider

Prosecutors in Macau reported that gambling-related criminal investigations climbed by 67% in the first half of 2025, driven largely by illegal currency-exchange operations tied to gambling. The surge follows the enforcement of the new anti-illegal gambling law which criminalised unlicensed money-changing and parallel betting.

Ukraine to Launch National Player Registry by December, Inkorr

Ukraine’s newly established gambling regulator PlayCity plans to launch a national registry of players by December 2025, integrated via the government’s Diia app. The move will require players to register their gambling activity, facilitating monitoring and self-exclusion steps.

Colombia Sets New Limits on Operator Bonuses, SiGMA World

Coljuegos has issued Resolution No. 20250022644 limiting bonuses in the regulated Colombian online gaming market. For operators subject to VAT, bonuses may not exceed 1.6% of monthly gross profits, while other categories adhere to different thresholds tied to past exploitation fees. The changes aim to restore revenue visibility and fiscal integrity.

Financial Performance & Business Moves

Indonesia Flags Rp 17 Trillion in Online Gambling Deposits, Gambling Insider

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs announced that it has detected around Rp 17 trillion (approximately US $1.04 billion) in deposits flowing through online gambling platforms. The ministry has been working with the central bank and financial regulators to trace funds, shut down payment channels, and freeze related accounts.

TrueLayer to Acquire Zimpler to Expand Pay by Bank Network, TrueLayer.com

Fintech giant TrueLayer has agreed to acquire Swedish payments company Zimpler in a deal that aims to reshape Europe’s open banking landscape. Together, the companies plan to create a unified “Pay by Bank” network with improved coverage, higher conversion rates, and lower fraud risks. The acquisition will also allow them to expand their reach in regulated industries like iGaming and financial services.

Bojoko Revenue Surges 108% Year-on-Year in 2025, Gambling Insider

Affiliate platform Bojoko has reported a 108% year-on-year increase in commissions, with total revenue for the first three quarters of 2025 already exceeding its full-year 2024 results. Bojoko also noted rising contributions from regulated U.S. states and European jurisdictions, positioning the platform for further expansion going into 2026.

Technology & Innovation in Gambling

QTech Games Integrates CT Interactive Portfolio, QTechgames.com

QTech Games has expanded its content portfolio through a new integration with CT Interactive, bringing more than 250 certified slot titles to its distribution platform. TQTech says the integration supports its mission to deliver localized, high-performing content to operators through a single API, further solidifying its position as a leading aggregator in emerging markets.

PAGCOR and NPC Partner to Strengthen Data Privacy in Gaming, European Gaming

PAGCOR and the National Privacy Commission in the Philippines signed an MoU on 20 October 2025 to collaborate on enhancing data-privacy practices in the gaming sector. The partnership covers privacy awareness, capacity building, policy development, and the creation of a database for prohibited gambling by certain government officials.

Responsible Gambling & Player Protection

Lifetime Self-Exclusions Lead BetStop Registrations in Q1 2025–26, ACMA

Australia’s national self-exclusion register, BetStop, recorded 4,541 new registrations in Q1 of FY 2025–26, bringing the total number of self-excluded individuals to 49,382 since the program launched in August 2023. Nearly half of the new registrants, about 48%, were aged 30 or younger, underscoring the increasing prevalence of gambling harms among younger adults.

YGAM Reaches Five Million Young People Through Prevention Programs, European Gaming

UK-based charity YGAM (Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust) announced it has now reached five million young people through its educational programmes aimed at preventing gambling harm. YGAM described the milestone as a “significant achievement” in its long-term strategy to reduce gambling harm among vulnerable youth populations.

Stories from Social Media Platforms

• The financial and reputational costs of online gambling are substantial, Jenny Reid on LinkedIn
• The Feds are alleging a vast gambling ring that has ensnared everyone from NBA players to College Basketball, Amy Leigh on X
• Pagcor reports 49pct decline in revenue following e-wallets blocking, GGRAsia on LinkedIn
• Sports-Bet Operators Put a Casino in Everyone’s Pocket, Rolling Stone on X

Stories from iGaming Forums

• Banking policy getting stricter lately, Bitcoin Forum
• Playtech Accused of Orchestrating Corporate Espionage, Reddit
• The psychological effect of security cameras in casinos, Bitcoin Forum

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