Category: iGame

(AsiaGameHub) - Pemerintah Myanmar melakukan penindakan besar-besaran terhadap operasi perjudian dalam talian haram. Pihak berkuasa menahan 85 warganegara China semasa serbuan terselaras di bandar Muse. Berikutan aduan daripada orang ramai mengenai aktiviti haram pada 20 Mac, beberapa operasi carian diadakan di pelbagai alamat merentasi Kaungmu Tong, Taw Yawt dan Suan Saw wards di mana suspek ditempatkan dan peralatan yang berkaitan dengan perjudian dalam talian dan penipuan dirampas. Siasatan ke atas rangkaian besar yang digunakan untuk mengendalikan operasi perjudian dan penipuan tempatan mendedahkan infrastruktur teknikal yang luas. Bersama dengan rampasan 286 telefon bimbit dari Kaungmu Tong Ward, 30 komputer, 28 komputer riba, 46 telefon bimbit, dan 18 peranti berkaitan perjudian dirampas dari Taw Yawt Ward, dan 85 telefon bimbit serta 10 komputer dirampas dari Suan Saw Ward. Operasi ini adalah sebahagian daripada kempen berterusan oleh kerajaan Myanmar untuk memerangi penipuan dalam talian, serta perjudian dalam talian haram di kawasan sempadan seperti Muse, yang telah menjadi pusat utama bagi jenayah rentas negara. Pihak berkuasa juga bekerjasama rapat dengan rakan serantau dan organisasi antarabangsa untuk mengganggu rangkaian ini dengan meruntuhkan infrastruktur operasi mereka. Menurut pegawai, memerangi penipuan dan perjudian dalam talian haram akan menjadi keutamaan utama bagi kerajaan pada masa hadapan. Kelajuan kerajaan bertindak balas terhadap risikan tempatan dan meningkatkan kapasiti penguatkuasaan adalah contoh baik bagi janji ini. Artikel ini disediakan oleh penyedia kandungan pihak ketiga. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) tidak memberikan sebarang jaminan atau representasi berkaitan kandungannya. Kategori: Berita Terkini, Kemas Kini Umum AsiaGameHub menyediakan perkhidmatan pengedaran iGaming yang disasarkan untuk syarikat dan organisasi, dengan menghubungkan lebih daripada 3,000 media premium di Asia serta lebih 80,000 influencer khusus. Ia berfungsi sebagai jambatan utama untuk pengedaran kandungan iGaming, kasino, dan eSports di seluruh rantau ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Di India, kira-kira 300 laman web pertaruhan dalam talian haram dan aplikasi mudah alih telah disekat, berdasarkan pengenalan Akta Permainan Dalam Talian. Sekatan semasa hanyalah sebahagian daripada usaha untuk mengehadkan akses kepada perkhidmatan pertaruhan tanpa lesen. Kedua-dua mekanisme undang-undang dan cara teknikal digunakan untuk menutup perkhidmatan pertaruhan tanpa lesen dan melindungi pengguna daripada potensi penipuan atau penipuan. Langkah-langkah terkini adalah sebahagian daripada operasi penguatkuasaan yang lebih besar. Sehingga kini, lebih daripada 8,400 laman web perjudian dan pertaruhan telah disekat; dengan kira-kira 4,900 daripada laman web tersebut disekat selepas kelulusan Akta Permainan Dalam Talian. Trend yang semakin meningkat dalam menyekat laman web pertaruhan haram menunjukkan bagaimana Akta Permainan Dalam Talian telah memperkukuh keupayaan kerajaan untuk mengambil tindakan terhadap pengendali yang tidak terkawal dan tidak patuh. Dengan menafikan akses kepada laman web ini, pihak berkuasa berharap dapat mengurangkan kelaziman laman web pertaruhan haram, walaupun laman web pertaruhan haram baharu terus muncul. Rasional di sebalik tindakan keras dan usaha berterusan untuk menyekat pertaruhan haram adalah untuk melindungi pengguna daripada risiko yang berkaitan dengan bermain di laman web permainan haram dan daripada risiko kewangan bermain di laman web permainan haram. Kekurangan pengawasan kawal selia laman web pertaruhan haram bermakna pengguna terdedah kepada penipuan dan amalan tidak adil apabila bermain di laman web ini dan berisiko kehilangan wang dengan sangat sedikit kemungkinan untuk mendapatkan kembali wang mereka. Pegawai telah menekankan bahawa menyekat akses laman web hanyalah sebahagian daripada usaha perlindungan pengguna yang lebih besar oleh pegawai untuk menyediakan pengguna dengan perbezaan yang jelas antara laman web permainan yang sah dan laman web pertaruhan haram atau tidak terkawal. Artikel ini disediakan oleh penyedia kandungan pihak ketiga. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) tidak memberikan sebarang jaminan atau representasi berkaitan kandungannya. Kategori: Berita Terkini, Kemas Kini Umum AsiaGameHub menyediakan perkhidmatan pengedaran iGaming yang disasarkan untuk syarikat dan organisasi, dengan menghubungkan lebih daripada 3,000 media premium di Asia serta lebih 80,000 influencer khusus. Ia berfungsi sebagai jambatan utama untuk pengedaran kandungan iGaming, kasino, dan eSports di seluruh rantau ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Planet Hollywood Resorts International telah menandatangani perjanjian pelesenan untuk membawa jenamanya ke resort bersepadu sepenuhnya yang pertama di Georgia, yang akan dibangunkan di Tbilisi. Projek ini sedang dibangunkan melalui perkongsian dengan Orbi Group, Block Group, dan Iconic Entertainment. Resort ini akan mengandungi Planet Hollywood Hotels and Casino dengan 500 bilik, dan Radisson Blu Hotels dengan 600 bilik. Pusat tapak ini akan menampilkan kasino seluas 50,000 kaki persegi dan venue dengan tempat duduk 4,000 orang untuk konsert, pertunjukan, dan acara besar yang lain. Selain daripada dua hotel dan sebuah kasino, akan terdapat lebih daripada 70,000 kaki persegi ruang runcit yang diuruskan oleh Harvey Nichols. Robert Earl, pengasas Planet Hollywood, berkata: Ini mewakili langkah penting dalam evolusi global berterusan jenama Planet Hollywood,” kata Robert Earl, pengasas Planet Hollywood. Tbilisi adalah sebuah bandar dengan watak dan momentum yang luar biasa. Bersama-sama rakan kongsi kami, kami sedang mencipta destinasi yang menggabungkan hiburan, perhotelan dan pengalaman yang mendalam dengan cara yang bercita-cita tinggi dan tulen kepada pasaran. Seluruh resort telah direka bentuk untuk memberikan pengalaman bersepadu kepada tetamu. Hotel Planet Hollywood telah direka bentuk untuk menjadi hotel bertema yang seronok dan menghiburkan; manakala hotel Radisson Blu telah direka bentuk untuk memberikan pengalaman mewah dan kelas atasan kepada pelancong dan pelanggan perniagaan. Tornike Janashvili, CEO Block Group, menyatakan: Ini adalah momen penting bagi Tbilisi. Kami memperkenalkan resort bersepadu yang sebenar - satu yang meningkatkan kedudukan global bandar ini, menarik kunjungan antarabangsa secara besar-besaran dan menetapkan standard baharu untuk perhotelan, hiburan dan impak ekonomi di rantau ini. Artikel ini disediakan oleh penyedia kandungan pihak ketiga. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) tidak memberikan sebarang jaminan atau representasi berkaitan kandungannya. Kategori: Berita Terkini, Kemas Kini Umum AsiaGameHub menyediakan perkhidmatan pengedaran iGaming yang disasarkan untuk syarikat dan organisasi, dengan menghubungkan lebih daripada 3,000 media premium di Asia serta lebih 80,000 influencer khusus. Ia berfungsi sebagai jambatan utama untuk pengedaran kandungan iGaming, kasino, dan eSports di seluruh rantau ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Wynn Macau Ltd menaikkan dividen akhir 2025 kepada HK$0.223 sesaham, meningkat daripada HK$0.185 tahun lalu, walaupun mengalami penurunan mendadak dalam hasil. Syarikat mengumumkannya bersama keputusan tahun penuh, yang menunjukkan keuntungan bersih yang boleh diagihkan kepada pemegang saham jatuh 49% kepada HK$1.63 bilion (AS$208 juta). Penurunan dalam pendapatan kewangan disebabkan kerugian daripada turun naik nilai saksama derivatif. Walaupun pengurangan itu terutamanya disebabkan oleh faktor luaran seperti hasil yang lebih rendah yang dijana melalui operasi kasino akibat pandemik COVID-19, peningkatan dividen menunjukkan bahawa pihak pengurusan masih komited untuk memberi ganjaran kepada pemegang saham mereka dan terus memberikan pulangan dalam pasaran yang sangat mencabar. Untuk akhir 2025, jumlah hasil operasi meningkat hanya 0.9% kepada HK$29.0 bilion (AS$3.70 bilion). Daya penggerak di sebalik pertumbuhan hasil terus menjadi segmen permainan (gaming), yang meningkat 3.4% kepada HK$24.4 bilion (AS$3.11 bilion) disebabkan oleh keadaan yang menggalakkan dalam persekitaran permainan di sekitar Wynn Palace. Turut menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan hasil daripada segmen permainan, ialah hasil daripada permainan meja pasaran massa stabil, meningkat 2.3% kepada HK$22.8 bilion (AS$2.91 bilion); serta hasil daripada mesin slot meningkat dengan ketara sebanyak 9.7% kepada HK$1.82 bilion (AS$232 juta), mencerminkan kekuatan segmen pasaran massa. Walau bagaimanapun, penurunan dalam hasil yang dihasilkan oleh segmen permainan VIP dan mewah di Wynn Macau turut memberi impak negatif. Sebaliknya, hasil bukan permainan menurun sebanyak 10.8% kepada HK$4.57 bilion (AS$583 juta), yang menggambarkan cabaran operasi berterusan yang dihadapi syarikat dalam segmen hospitaliti, makanan & minuman dan runcit. Peningkatan dividen diterima secara positif oleh penganalisis; J.P. Morgan menyatakan bahawa pembayaran adalah kira-kira 20% lebih tinggi daripada jangkaan, menghasilkan pulangan tahun penuh sebanyak 7.7%. Tambahan pula, J.P. Morgan menyatakan bahawa, tidak seperti banyak pesaing, kasino Wynn Macau tidak menggunakan dasar nisbah pembayaran tetap statik untuk dividen, sebaliknya menumpukan kepada mengembalikan nilai kepada pemegang saham melalui peruntukan dana yang menarik kepada pulangan sesaham. Oleh itu, jika firma itu dapat mengekalkan atau menaikkan pembayaran dividennya kepada pemegang pada HKD 0.446 setiap tahun, hasil dividen akan menjadi kira-kira 8.4% pada harga saham semasa. Walaupun keuntungan terjejas teruk oleh kerugian besar pada tahun 2025, ia dilindungi daripada trend yang lebih luas oleh aliran hasil yang agak kukuh daripada jumlah permainan yang sangat besar. Prestasi Wynn Palace menyumbang secara keseluruhan kepada keputusan syarikat; walau bagaimanapun, syarikat mengalami pertumbuhan yang lebih perlahan daripada pelanggan VIP dan aktiviti bukan permainan berbanding kasino lain. Artikel ini disediakan oleh penyedia kandungan pihak ketiga. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) tidak memberikan sebarang jaminan atau representasi berkaitan kandungannya. Kategori: Berita Terkini, Kemas Kini Umum AsiaGameHub menyediakan perkhidmatan pengedaran iGaming yang disasarkan untuk syarikat dan organisasi, dengan menghubungkan lebih daripada 3,000 media premium di Asia serta lebih 80,000 influencer khusus. Ia berfungsi sebagai jambatan utama untuk pengedaran kandungan iGaming, kasino, dan eSports di seluruh rantau ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - With the 2026 Major League Baseball season's Opening Day nearing, Polymarket secured a landmark commercial agreement with the league this week. Polymarket revealed on Thursday that it has partnered with MLB, becoming the league's sole prediction market exchange partner. This move places MLB alongside the NHL, MLS, and UFC as North American sports leagues that have established commercial ties with prediction markets. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred had previously informed team owners about a potential deal with such an exchange last month. “Our foremost priority is, and always will be, safeguarding the integrity of the game,” Manfred stated. While engaged in a dispute with multiple state regulators, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has declared it holds sole authority to regulate sports event contracts. CFTC Chairman Michael Selig has repeatedly emphasized the need to foster integrity in derivative markets since his confirmation. Prior to the partnership announcement, MLB and the CFTC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday. This agreement creates a structure for the two entities to consult, collaborate, and share information on mutual interests, such as preserving the integrity of professional baseball and prediction markets, according to a CFTC statement. “This partnership equips the CFTC with more resources to shield our markets from fraud, manipulation, and other misconduct. We appreciate MLB and Commissioner Manfred for collaborating with us to ensure the integrity of these expanding markets,” Selig posted on X. Arizona files criminal charges vs Kalshi Kalshi has encountered a surge of lawsuits in U.S. state and federal courts in recent months. However, an indictment made public this week in Arizona established a new precedent. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes brought criminal charges against KalshiEx LLC and Kalshi Trading LLC on Tuesday for running an unlicensed gambling operation in the state. The 20-count indictment, comprising solely misdemeanors, marks the first instance of Kalshi facing criminal charges in the United States. The charges include four counts related to election betting, covering wagers on the 2028 U.S. presidential election, the 2026 Arizona gubernatorial race, the 2026 Arizona Republican gubernatorial primary, and the 2026 Arizona secretary of state race. Arizona statute forbids operating a betting business without a license and also explicitly prohibits wagering on elections. “While Kalshi may call itself a 'prediction market,' it is effectively conducting an illegal gambling enterprise and accepting bets on Arizona elections, actions that both break Arizona law,” Mayes stated. “No company can choose which laws it wishes to obey.” Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour denounced the charges, posting on X: “The Arizona attorney general's allegations are unfounded and a definite overstep. This is political maneuvering by a candidate seeking re-election.” In unrelated news, a Bloomberg report on Thursday indicated that Kalshi secured over $1 billion in a new funding round, valuing the company at $22 billion. This figure is twice the $11 billion valuation the exchange attained in December. Kalshi $1 billion tournament challenge In 2014, renowned investor Warren Buffett presented a nearly unattainable challenge: a $1 billion prize for anyone who could accurately predict all 63 games in the NCAA tournament. Now, over ten years later, Kalshi is reviving this contest. Considering the frequent upsets during March Madness, the chances of a perfect bracket are a staggering 1 in 120 billion. Despite the odds, Kalshi is offering the same prize to any customer who achieves this unlikely accomplishment. During Thursday's opening round, 16th-seeded Siena came close to defeating top-seeded Duke in an East subregional game. Siena, the MAAC tournament champion, began with a 1% win probability on Kalshi. The Saints shot well early, building a 33-22 first-half lead and an 11-point advantage at halftime. Siena's odds peaked at 23% in the second half. Duke responded with an 11-0 run early in the second half to narrow the gap to two points. The Blue Devils limited Siena to 22 points after halftime, securing a 71-65 victory. This comeback preserved the brackets of many Kalshi users. Duke is the most popular pick among users to win the tournament, followed by Arizona, Michigan, and Houston. Roughly 37.3% of all participants selected the Blue Devils to claim the championship. As of 1:30 p.m. ET, Kalshi reported 83 perfect brackets still active in the challenge. The promotion is financially supported by SIG Parametrics, LLC, a member of the Susquehanna International Group of Companies, according to Kalshi. Matt RybaltowskiMatt is primarily responsible for long-form feature coverage on complex sports betting scandals. He also provides coverage on finance, M&A and other technological developments. 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) - An Advocate General (AG) at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has concluded that national gambling licensing mandates within EU member states must be respected, provided they align with EU free movement regulations. AG Emiliou issued this opinion concerning a player-losses lawsuit filed against German operator Tipico at the ECJ in 2024. Germany's Bundesgerichtshof (Federal Court of Justice) referred the case to the ECJ in July 2024. Interpreting the EU's frequently debated Article 56 of the TFEU framework, the AG stated: “If a member state mandates a license for specific services within its borders, and this requirement itself complies with Article 56 TFEU, then national authorities, including judicial bodies, are permitted to enforce this requirement against an operator that has offered services without the necessary license.” A central issue in the case was whether Germany's regulatory structure at the time violated EU freedom of movement provisions. The AG's opinion indicated that EU member states are responsible for establishing their own regulations concerning games of chance. He attributed this to “considerable moral, religious, and cultural disparities among member states” regarding gambling. “National authorities retain the right, within their national territory, to implement regulatory measures they deem suitable for safeguarding consumers against these risks, provided the principle of proportionality is upheld,” the AG declared in their opinion on Thursday. What is the background of the case? This case is among several prominent player loss disputes currently before the ECJ. A player initiated legal action against the operator in German courts, seeking to recover losses sustained prior to the implementation of Germany's State Treaty on Gambling. The plaintiff contended that the agreement between the player and the operator should have been deemed invalid because the operator lacked a local gambling license in Germany at that period. Conversely, Tipico asserted that the German framework was unjust and opaque. Tipico had also attempted to secure a German license during the period in question. The ECJ's opinion deferred several issues for the referring court to resolve. This case, along with others, was escalated to the EU level to ascertain whether operators providing gambling services without a local license were in breach of European law. Many uncertainties persist regarding the future of comparable player loss cases throughout Europe. Some anticipated a more conclusive ruling from the AG, hoping it would help curb the increasing prevalence of such cases in markets including Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. 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) - Allwyn International is looking into other acquisition possibilities for a proprietary sports betting technology platform after its Novibet deal fell through. During Allwyn's FY25 earnings call on Thursday, CEO Robert Chvátal fielded questions about the breakdown of the company's proposed Novibet acquisition, which had been announced earlier this month. Allwyn pulled out of the acquisition after receiving feedback from the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC), with iGB learning that several potential remedies that were examined could not preserve the deal's value. A key element of the transaction was to supply Allwyn with a proprietary sportsbook platform, though Chvátal stated that Allwyn respected the HCC's concerns. He indicated that the group had already begun examining alternative options. "This interest in sportsbook technology remains on Allwyn's radar," Chvátal commented. "We have already begun investigating other opportunities regarding sportsbook technology, potentially to strengthen our sportsbook position in certain Allwyn markets." Making sportsbook technology internal is a priority for Allwyn Allwyn CFO Kenneth Morton provided additional details on the company's broader technology strategy, noting that a major priority was to internalize its sportsbook technology. According to Morton, the company views proprietary technology as an "important differentiating factor and long-term driver of success." "We currently have nearly everything we consider important for user experience and our long-term success already in-house on the lottery side, though it hasn't necessarily been deployed across our entire portfolio," Morton stated. "Sports betting is the one area we don't currently have in-house, which we believe is strategically important. So we definitely see advantages to bringing it in-house, but as Robert mentioned, there are many other approaches we can take to accomplish that." PrizePicks' advantages in customer acquisition In September last year, Allwyn agreed to purchase a majority stake in daily fantasy sports (DFS) operator PrizePicks. The agreement to acquire a 62.3% stake in PrizePicks involved an initial cash payment of $1.6 billion, with further payments contingent on specific performance metrics over the subsequent three years. PrizePicks has also broadened its offerings beyond existing products by entering the expanding US prediction markets sector. With Allwyn's acquisition finalized in January this year, Morton believes PrizePicks is well-positioned to gain traction in the prediction markets sector due to its extensive national user base and recognizable brand. "PrizePicks doesn't operate in a situation where it must acquire numerous customers to either tackle churn or expand into new regions to seize the prediction markets opportunity," Morton explained. "We can't provide specifics, but I would say that PrizePicks is definitely better positioned than other companies in the broader North American gaming entertainment space in that respect." Morton noted that PrizePicks' capability to integrate its DFS, sports betting, and prediction markets offerings within a single app was essential from a customer acquisition standpoint. "Several operators have actually launched with three separate apps for DFS, OSB, and predictions," Morton continued. "Essentially, to some degree you're forced to acquire the same customer three times over. "That's not true for PrizePicks. From day one they launched predictions within their DFS app, which is clearly better for user experience, but also significantly better from a customer acquisition cost perspective." Allwyn's net revenue saw modest growth in FY25 Allwyn's net revenue increased by 4% year-over-year in its FY25 results to €4.1 billion, while adjusted EBITDA also grew 4%, approaching €1.6 billion. Allwyn anticipates finalizing its merger with OPAP this month following shareholder approval in February. The merger is projected to create a combined entity valued at €16 billion. Chvátal characterized 2025 as a "pivotal year" for Allwyn, voicing his confidence in the company's prospects. "The major steps taken this year further reinforce our platform and position us favorably to deliver sustainable long-term value as a publicly traded company," Chvátal stated. Kyle GoldsmithKyle joined Clarion in December 2023, transitioning from sports journalism to become a senior reporter covering Latin America for iGB. 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) - Saskatchewan’s provincial government has revealed a substantial boost in funding for Indigenous communities, fueled by all-time high gaming revenues. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, a total of $153.5 million will be allocated to First Nations and Métis organizations. This funding increase follows strong earnings reported by key players in the province’s gaming sector, including the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), SaskGaming properties, and the online platform PlayNow.com. Industry analysts link these gains to gaming facility upgrades, venue expansions, and improved online service offerings—all of which have raised gross gaming receipts. SIGA delivered a standout performance in the 2024–25 fiscal year, generating a record-breaking $378 million in revenue and distributing $146 million in income. This underscores the growing financial importance of gaming operations in supporting Indigenous communities. Online gambling has been legal in Saskatchewan since November 2022, with similar developments taking place in neighboring provinces. Alberta, for example, is currently exploring a regulated framework for iGaming and sports betting. Structured Allocation Based on Existing Agreements Funding will be distributed according to protocols outlined in the 2002 Gaming Framework Agreement and relevant provincial legislation. Allocations will go to the First Nations Trust, Community Development Corporations, and Métis economic funds, supporting areas such as housing, education, cultural preservation, and local infrastructure development. Eric Schmalz, Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis, and Northern Affairs, said: “At a time when community strength is more vital than ever, these agreements ensure funding flows to the places where Indigenous people gather, celebrate, and build strong futures.” Provincial officials noted that the steady stream of gaming revenue will support a wide range of projects within Indigenous communities—from small-scale local initiatives to larger economic development ventures. This funding strategy marks a continuation and expansion of Saskatchewan’s commitment to using gaming proceeds as a key source of economic support for First Nations and Métis communities across the province. 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) - Estonian remote gambling operators have thus far voluntarily paid over €1.4 million ($1.62 million) to the Ministry of Finance following a legislative drafting mistake that temporarily eliminated their 2026 tax duties. These payments, made in February and March 2026, are meant to cover the amounts the government would have received if the Gambling Tax Act had been implemented as initially planned. ERR News reports that Ministry spokesperson Siiri Suutre said: “February donations—including income tax—totaled roughly €815,000, and as of now in March, about €595,000 has come in. The March number isn’t final, and we expect more donations.” The tax exemption stemmed from December 2025 amendments that accidentally left games of chance out of the taxable base. This legislative mistake meant remote gambling wasn’t taxed at the beginning of 2026. MP Aivar Kokk pointed out the error’s impact: “Games of chance and remote gambling were excluded from this year’s taxes, so online casino games aren’t taxed in 2026.” After the issue came to light, parliament quickly fixed the text by passing a technical amendment that restored a 5.5% flat tax on remote gambling starting 1 March 2026. The Riigikogu Finance Committee confirmed the correction aligns tax assessment with existing monthly reporting processes. Cautious expectations on reimbursement The Estonian Association of Gambling Operators proposed a voluntary donation program. To date, only a small number of the 41 licensed remote operators have contributed. Finance Ministry’s Evelyn Liivamägi noted varying company attitudes. She was cautious about fully recouping lost tax revenue: “Life usually shows people are more eager to make promises than keep them.” Based on January and February declared income, the ministry estimates the two-month tax liability would have been around €3.5 million—slightly less than the earlier €4 million guess. Previous budget plans projected remote gambling tax revenue could hit €27 million for the year. Officials say they’ll only confirm the final shortfall after annual returns are done. The Ministry of Finance is still tracking voluntary payments, and the updated Gambling Tax Act is now active. This incident comes amid Estonia’s broader policy of positioning itself as a competitive iGaming market. The government has expressed goals to make the country a regional online gambling hub. 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) - Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) telah melancarkan senarai semak pematuhan baharu yang mewajibkan operator berlesen di Belanda menyasarkan kempen pengiklanan mereka dengan ketat atau menghadapi tindakan penguatkuasaan, termasuk kemungkinan penggantungan. Panduan ini dibina berdasarkan larangan pengiklanan perjudian pemasaran besar-besaran yang menyasarkan julat individu yang luas yang dikuatkuasakan pada Julai 2023, yang diperkenalkan hasil reformasi Akta Perjudian Jauh (KOA) yang membuka industri perjudian dalam talian terkawal pada tahun 2021. Selepas pelaksanaan garis panduan baharu ini, semua usaha pemasaran operator perlu ditujukan secara eksklusif kepada individu berumur 24 tahun ke atas, dengan sekurang-kurangnya 95% kadar pematuhan usaha pemasaran mereka menyasarkan individu yang berumur 24 tahun atau lebih. Operator dikehendaki melaksanakan sistem pengesahan usia yang boleh dipercayai, pengelompokan khalayak yang canggih, dan algoritma penyasaran yang boleh dipercayai. Jika peraturan di atas tidak dapat menjamin ketepatan yang munasabah untuk mencapai khalayak yang sepatutnya, operator akan dikehendaki menghentikan semua usaha pemasaran untuk produk dan perkhidmatan berkenaan sehingga semua keperluan dipenuhi. Otoriti kawal selia perjudian telah menyatakan bahawa keperluan pematuhan ini bukanlah perkara satu kali sahaja, sebaliknya dipantau secara berterusan untuk memastikan pematuhan dan keberkesanannya. Operator mesti menilai prestasi kempen pemasaran mereka secara berkala, menilai semula faktor risiko mereka, dan menyemak semula taktik pemasaran mereka berdasarkan perubahan dalam teknologi dan tingkah laku pengguna. Operator mesti menyediakan pilihan pilihan keluar yang jelas dan berkesan untuk semua saluran pemasaran, supaya pengguna boleh menolak untuk menerima promosi perjudian dengan mudah, tanpa perlu mendaftar dengan apa-apa cara. Selain keperluan ini, operator mesti menggunakan "langkah terbaik yang ada" untuk menghalang individu terdedah daripada terdedah kepada pengiklanan berkaitan perjudian, termasuk sekatan usia yang ketat, peranti penyasaran tingkah laku, dan menilai kebolehpercayaan peranti pengiklanan. Sejak tahun 2023, KSA telah mengeluarkan denda sekitar €400,000 kepada operator termasuk Bingoal, bet365, TOTO, BetEnt, dan JOI Gaming kerana melanggar peraturan pengiklanan. Setiausaha Negara Claudia Van Bruggen ketika ini memimpin usaha untuk memperhalusi rangka kerja kawal selia, dengan mengimbangi keperluan pematuhan yang lebih ketat dengan matlamat perlindungan pengguna yang lebih luas. Artikel ini disediakan oleh penyedia kandungan pihak ketiga. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) tidak memberikan sebarang jaminan atau representasi berkaitan kandungannya. Kategori: Berita Terkini, Kemas Kini Umum AsiaGameHub menyediakan perkhidmatan pengedaran iGaming yang disasarkan untuk syarikat dan organisasi, dengan menghubungkan lebih daripada 3,000 media premium di Asia serta lebih 80,000 influencer khusus. Ia berfungsi sebagai jambatan utama untuk pengedaran kandungan iGaming, kasino, dan eSports di seluruh rantau ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Pihak Berkuasa Permainan Malta (MGA) telah mengenal pasti satu kemungkinan pelanggaran kepada salah satu sistem teknologinya. Akibatnya, MGA telah memulakan prosedur dalamanya untuk bertindak balas terhadap pelanggaran sedemikian. Segera selepas kemungkinan pelanggaran dikenal pasti, MGA telah melaksanakan langkah-langkah pencegahan dan pengurangan, serta menyediakan semua sumber teknikal dan operasi yang diperlukan untuk membantu dalam penyiasatan selanjutnya. Pada masa ini, penyiasatan masih berterusan; bagaimanapun, penemuan awal menunjukkan bahawa kemungkinan pelanggaran itu mungkin dilakukan oleh seseorang yang mendakwa sebagai penyelidik keselamatan. Oleh itu, selain daripada menentukan butiran penuh berkaitan dengan kemungkinan pelanggaran, MGA akan memastikan bahawa ia mempunyai perlindungan yang sesuai setelah penyiasatan yang sesuai dilakukan. MGA berkomitmen untuk menangani perkara serius ini dengan kepentingan tertinggi dan kini berhubung rapat dengan pihak berkuasa dan pasukan teknikal yang berkaitan untuk menilai secara penuh insiden ini. Kemas kini selanjutnya akan diberikan kepada pihak-pihak yang terjejas dalam masa yang sewajarnya. Artikel ini disediakan oleh penyedia kandungan pihak ketiga. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) tidak memberikan sebarang jaminan atau representasi berkaitan kandungannya. Kategori: Berita Terkini, Kemas Kini Umum AsiaGameHub menyediakan perkhidmatan pengedaran iGaming yang disasarkan untuk syarikat dan organisasi, dengan menghubungkan lebih daripada 3,000 media premium di Asia serta lebih 80,000 influencer khusus. Ia berfungsi sebagai jambatan utama untuk pengedaran kandungan iGaming, kasino, dan eSports di seluruh rantau ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - On Thursday, Thailand’s House of Representatives voted to appoint Anutin Charnvirakul as the kingdom’s 32nd prime minister, following his victory in the February general election. The leader of the Bhumjaithai Party secured 293 votes, comfortably beating People’s Party candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who received 119 votes. Anutin first took office on an interim basis last September, after former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted over ethics charges. His return dashes hopes for reviving the Integrated Entertainment Business Act, a policy his predecessor had vigorously advanced. Paetongtarn and her father, Thaksin Shinawatra — a prominent Thai power broker and former prime minister — viewed casinos as a way to boost post-Covid tourism, attract foreign investment, and create jobs. Her administration planned five casinos in the first wave of development: two in the capital city of Bangkok, plus one each in Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. The call that killed the IR bill This plan fell apart after Paetongtarn called Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to discuss a deadly border skirmish between the two nations. The 17-minute call, which was later leaked to the public, saw her criticize her own country’s military and address Hun Sen as “uncle”. She stated, “If you want anything, just tell me, and I’ll take care of it.” A fateful call to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen led to the downfall of former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the chief proponent of the kingdom’s entertainment complex initiative. The call sparked nationwide public outrage. Thousands of protesters gathered at Bangkok’s Government House to demand Paetongtarn’s resignation. Her approval rating dropped to a flat 9.2%, and within months she was removed from office, with Anutin taking her place. From the outset, the new prime minister declared that Thailand would have to “wait for another prime minister” to see legal casinos established. Unlike supporters of the IR bill, he argued that legal gaming would actually hinder Thailand’s primary tourism market: China. During a November 2025 meeting with Xi Jinping, he assured the Chinese president that the casino plan would be off the table for as long as he held office. In return, Xi pledged to support increased visitation to Thailand by Chinese travelers. Support for Thailand casinos seen as ‘political suicide’ Lured by the potential THB263 billion ($8 billion) market, the world’s top gaming operators had been poised to submit bids for Thai casino licenses. The list included all six Macau concessionaires: SJM, Melco, Galaxy, MGM Resorts, Wynn, and Las Vegas Sands. At least one of these firms, Melco, had opened a Bangkok office to prepare its bid campaign. Others were more skeptical. In mid-2025, Hard Rock Chairman Jim Allen shared that his company had “zero interest” in a Thailand integrated resort due to “instability”. Macau gaming consultant Ben Lee shares this perspective. The managing partner of IGamix told iGB, “The Thai gaming initiative is dead in the water for now. The longstanding social antipathy toward gaming among this predominantly Buddhist citizenry has not only persisted, but made backing the issue politically suicidal.” Marjorie PrestonMarjorie launched her gaming industry career in 2007 and has focused on Asian gaming markets since 2020. Outside of work, she writes about travel and cinema, and plays the drums. 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) - Fortuna Entertainment Group (FEG), headquartered in Prague, has reached an agreement to purchase a 70% share in TOPsport, a Lithuanian betting operator. This acquisition signifies FEG’s debut in Lithuania—the most populous Baltic region—and aligns with the group’s wider goals of strengthening its standing in regulated European markets. As Lithuania’s leading online sports betting and gaming company, TOPsport holds roughly 50% of the country’s betting market share. It also maintains a strong physical footprint via a national retail network of 54 locations. Established in 2002, the company recorded an EBITDA of €65 million in 2025, reflecting a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 30% since 2020 and consistent EBITDA margins exceeding 50%. It employs a total of over 200 staff. “The Baltics are a region with significant growth potential for FEG, and entering Lithuania by acquiring the market leader is a key step in our ambitious long-term growth strategy. This is a wise, forward-thinking investment, and we anticipate it will generate considerable value for our business in the years ahead,” stated Dieter John, group CEO of FEG. A slam dunk partnership TOPsport’s strong market position is bolstered by major sponsorship agreements, including its partnership with BC Žalgiris—Lithuania’s only EuroLeague basketball team—as well as its title sponsorship of the top-tier domestic football league (TOPLYGA) and collaborations with the Lithuanian Football Federation. Gintaras Staniulis, co-founder and strategic consultant of TOPsport, commented on the deal: “After more than two decades, TOPsport has become an integral part of Lithuania’s sports and entertainment landscape. FEG brings global scale, technological expertise, and responsible gaming standards that will elevate the business to new heights.” Sustained growth in gambling revenue underscores Lithuania’s resilience within the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. The transaction has not yet undergone regulatory approval in Lithuania. 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 South Carolina Senate Finance Committee voted 12-6 to move forward with a proposed bill that would legalize mobile betting on live in-state horse races. Sponsored by Senator Michael Johnson, this bipartisan legislation aims to deliver economic support to the state’s struggling equine sector while ensuring gambling is restricted to South Carolina events. Called the Equine Advancement Act, the bill allows residents to place bets through state-approved mobile apps only when they are physically present at designated racecourses. Geolocation technology built into the apps verifies this on-site requirement. Importantly, betting would be limited to a select list of South Carolina horse races. This includes iconic events like the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup in Camden, as well as the spring and fall steeplechases in Aiken and Charleston. The latest version of the bill narrows its scope from an earlier draft that permitted wagers on any live race across the country. That provision was removed due to concerns about expanding gambling beyond in-state events. The equine economy A 2019 study from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, developed in partnership with the University of South Carolina, estimates the state’s equine economy generates between $1.9 billion and $2 billion in annual economic activity. The sector supports roughly 28,500 to 29,000 jobs and includes about 73,600 horses involved in racing, showing, and recreational activities. According to local reports, bill sponsor Senator Johnson described the legislation as a reinvestment in the equine community. “The goal is to take the proceeds from this and pump that directly into our equine industry, horse training, horse farms, horse racing, all of those things, so that they have an opportunity to compete with the other states that already have this,” Johnson said. Not all united at the starting gate Despite backing from Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, the path to full legislative approval remains uncertain. South Carolina’s long history of caution toward gambling fuels skepticism among many lawmakers and interest groups. Religious organizations and family-values advocates actively lobby against expanding gambling measures. Governor Henry McMaster, a long-time opponent of gambling, is expected to veto any proposals seen as overly broad—including this bill if it grows beyond its current limits. Senator Greg Hembree (R–Little River), a supporter of the bill, cautioned, “We just have to be vigilant and watch it and see how it evolves and be ready to come back if somebody figures out a way to take advantage.” The nation races ahead The Equine Advancement Act is a targeted effort to tap into wagering revenue from South Carolina’s significant horse racing tradition, without opening the door to full-scale casino gambling or statewide remote betting. This approach aligns with broader discussions in the state. An earlier Senate hearing this year highlighted growing support for legal sports betting in South Carolina. At the same time, developments in other states reflect a national momentum toward expanding online wagering. In Wisconsin, lawmakers have advanced proposals to extend sports betting beyond tribal casinos to include online platforms. Against this backdrop, South Carolina’s bill stands out for its intentionally narrow design. It balances economic support for the equine sector with the state’s traditionally cautious stance on gambling expansion. 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.