Marcos Announces Ban on POGOs in Latest Address
On July 22, amid headlines about crimes committed at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced an immediate ban on the industry. Since 2022, lawmakers have been calling for an end to POGOs, long tainted by reports of criminal activity.
In his third state of the nation address, Marcos instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) “to wind down and cease the operations of POGOs by the end of the year.”
He said the industry, established in 2016 under former president Rodrigo Duterte, has “ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder.
In March, police raided a POGO facility in Bamban, where Alice Guo had served as mayor since 2022. Hundreds of workers at the site claimed to have been victims of human trafficking and physical abuse. Investigators then discovered that Guo was part owner of the land where the facility was based. They also found that she held dozens of bank accounts that funded the operation—money that purportedly originated in China.
According to the Philippine Star, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will file a quo warranto case against Guo before the end of July. In light of questions about Guo’ identity, citizenship and alleged involvement with criminal activities, it seems unlikely she will be deemed fit to resume her mayoral duties.
LET Group Looks to Unload Russian Casino
Hong Kong-listed LET Group Holdings and subsidiary Summit Ascent Holdings will convene August 15 to discuss the sale of their Tigre de Cristal casino resort in Russia’s Primorye region near Vladivostok.
In January, LET had a potential buyer in Dalnevostochniy Aktiv, a Russian company that agreed to buy the property for $116 million. But in February, the would-be buyer backed out. The price has since been slashed to $92 million.
LET shareholders are concerned that holding onto Tigre de Cristal operator G1 Entertainment could “bring too many uncertainties and risks” including the risk of sanctions “on these assets or LET Group and its subsidiaries” by nations that oppose Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Crown Announces Several Leadership Appointments
On July 23 Crown Resorts announced a slew of changes to its leadership, as follows: David Tsai was named group president and COO; Stanford Le was named CEO of Crown Sydney; Gemma Allman was named chief government relations officer; Nicole Pelchen was named chief technology officer; and Louise Tebbutt was named chief people and culture officer.
Tsai’s tenure will begin August 1, followed by Pelchen on August 12, Tebbutt in September and Le and Allman in October. The company recently won back its licenses in New South Wales and Victoria but faces tough operational challenges now that VIP travel from China is largely reduced.
Macau to Promote Tourism on Global Media
Macau tourism officials have announced a plan to promote the city as an international destination through global media outlets and social media platforms.
“We will work with major international media organizations, such as the BBC and CNN, to promote Macau,” said Helen Senna Fernandes, director of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), according to Inside Asian Gaming. “The government will work with a variety of Macau companies to participate in the program.”
The large-scale promotional push is set to launch sometime in August. The MGTO will target travelers in Northeast and Southeast Asia and Europe.
Cambodian PM Bans New Casinos in Kep, Kampot
Cambodian media are reporting that Prime Minister Hun Manet has issued a ban on new casinos in the Kep and Kampot provinces. According to the Phnom Penh Post, the purpose of the ban is to “ensure security and improve order” in the vicinity and contribute to a diverse business environment.
Currently, Cambodia has 184 licensed gaming halls. Of those, 100 are located in Cambodia’s coastal areas, including Bokor Mountain in Kampot; 48 others are in provinces that border Thailand and 35 operate on the border with Vietnam.
The capital city of Phnom Penh is home to NagaWorld, a sprawling complex run by Hong Kong-listed NagaCorp Ltd., which holds an exclusive license to operate through 2045.According to the Post, gaming taxes in Cambodia exceeded US$20 million last year.
Macau Indicts Sports Betting Suspects
Macau’s Public Prosecutions Office has indicted 59 people allegedly involved in an illegal online sports betting ring. All but two have been released on bail with orders not to leave the city.
A total of 93 people were arrested in the July 2 sting in Macau, Hong Kong and Guangdong. Police seized MOP88.4 million (US$11 million) in cash and froze bank accounts containing MOP22.1 million.
The websites, based outside Macau, took bets on football and basketball games. They generated about MOP72 million per week during the recent UEFA Euro 2024 tournament. Authorities estimate the illegal operation has pulled in more than MOP1.08 billion since 2016.
Online gambling is illegal everywhere in China, including Macau, the world’s top casino market.The charges carry penalties of up to three years in jail.
HLIB: Singapore, Malaysia Gaming Expect Strong H2
A report from Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) indicates that the gaming sectors in Singapore and Malaysia can anticipate a healthy second half thanks to higher visitor volumes.
According to Asia Gaming Brief, Malaysia has set a goal of 27.3 million international visitors this year compared to 20.1 million in 2023. Singapore’s target is 15 to 16 million visitors versus 13.6 million in 2023.
HLIB said the ongoing recovery should be sustainable given the return of global flight capacity and the visa-free-travel pact between China and both Malaysia and Singapore.
