Asia
Thailand Releases Draft Bill for Casino Legalisation
Thailand’s future casino regulatory body will be based in Bangkok with branches located strategically around the country, reporting directly to a new Policy Committee to be chaired by the Prime Minister, a draft casino bill made public on last Friday reveals.
It also outlines a multi-level approach by which the Policy Committee will be supported by an Executive Committee tasked with establishing the budgetary and staffing entitlements of the regulator itself.
The 22-page draft bill is currently open for public feedback until 18 August, having been released by Thailand’s Council of State after months of discussions.
According to the bill, key to formally legalising “integrated entertainment venues” with casinos in Thailand will be establishing an office to regulate them with a stated purpose to “regulate, supervise, control, promote, and support integrated entertainment venues in accordance” with the Act.
This regulatory body “will have its head office in Bangkok and will establish branches or representatives at any other place as necessary,” the bill says.
Among its stated tasks are supervising, inspecting and monitoring the operations of integrated entertainment venues, addressing public complaints, preventing and remedying “impacts” arising from the venues, and determining the characteristics of individuals prohibited from entering a casino area.
In charge of establishing key casino policy, including those around management, the issuance of licenses, tax rates, permitted business nature, entry levies and restrictions, employee criteria, executive criteria and permitted casino floor space, will be the Policy Committee – to be chaired by Thailand’s Prime Minister and with the Deputy Prime Minister as Vice Chairman.
It will also comprise nine senior government officials as directors including the Minister of Finance, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Minister of Commerce, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Justice, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Secretary-General of the National Defense Commission and Secretary-General of the Board of Investment, plus six qualified members appointed by the Prime Minister “with knowledge and ability in economics business administration, law or society.”
Those six expert committee members must be Thai nationals and at least 35 years of age. They must not be a government official or an employee of any state agency, have previously held political positions, hold any criminal record or be “an incompetent person or a quasi-incompetent person.”
The Executive Committee, working under the Policy Committee, will be chaired by a person appointed by the Prime Minister and boast nine permanent secretaries from the aforementioned ministries and departments, plus three expert members also appointed by the PM.
According to the bill, licensees will be granted an initial 30-year license term, reviewable every five years, while there are 10 business types listed that can form part of Thailand’s “integrated entertainment venues” – Department store; Hotel; Restaurant, nightclub, discotheque, pub or bar; Stadium; Yacht and Cruising Club; Gaming; Swimming pools and water parks; Amusement park; Area for promoting Thai culture and OTOP products; Other businesses as specified by the Policy Committee.
Asia
Malaysia’s PAS Vows to Shut Genting Casino if Party Wins in Pahang State
An Islamic party said it was prepared to shut down Malaysia’s only casino if it wins control of the state where it is located, as the group looks to build its influence in the Southeast Asian nation.
A senior official from Parti Islam Se-Malaysia said if voters in central Pahang state – home to Genting Bhd.’s casino – wanted gambling to end, they should choose the Islamic party. The party is tapping into concerns by the country’s Muslim majority over gambling, which is forbidden in the Koran.
PAS has been growing its influence since the 2022 elections made it the biggest party in federal parliament. It already controls four of Malaysia’s 13 states and is looking to capture Pahang in the next national election that must be held by early 2028.
“Gambling is harmful, so we have to close it. But it must be in accordance with the laws and constitution,” Andansura Rabu, PAS’ deputy commissioner for Pahang, said at the party’s annual gathering.
The federal government decides on casino and gaming permits in Malaysia and gaming is one of the most regulated sectors in the country.
Genting’s casino contributed as much as US$1.16 billion annually to government coffers before the pandemic, according to a report by UOB Kay Hian, a Singapore-based brokerage. When PAS emerged as the biggest party after the 2022 elections, Genting shares slid but recovered as Anwar formed a unity government made up of liberals, a Chinese-dominant party and regional groups.
Still, the growing influence of the Islamic party in national politics has pushed Anwar to turn more conservative to burnish his credentials with voters. Last year his government cancelled a concert after two members of a British band The 1975 shared a same-sex kiss on stage, and banned Swatch watches that showcase Pride colours.
At the annual gathering held last weekend in Pahang, PAS has ruled out working with Anwar’s coalition and pledged to champion Islamic issues. Banning alcohol and gambling in Malaysia would be key, the party has said.
“Anything that can harm society, we must together support its destruction. This isn’t a matter of religion, it’s a social issue,” Andasura said.
Asia
Skyesports-backed AA Gaming unveils AA Play: India’s All-in-One Gaming Application
AA Gaming, a leading esports solutions and production company, has announced the launch of AA Play, an innovative gaming and esports platform.. Designed to meet the growing needs of gamers across the country, AA Play will offer gamers with communities to participate in, esports tournaments, digital commerce, and more – all in one place.
AA Play has been designed from the ground up by a team of veterans in the Indian gaming and esports industry by analyzing the needs of hardcore and mid-core skill-based gamers. With its unique features, it promises to redefine how players interact with games, fellow gamers, and the larger ecosystem in India. At its launch, the application will support tournaments and communities with a digital marketplace set to arrive later.
The app’s key features include:
- Tournaments: Gamers will be able to participate in exciting, skill-based competitions for free with the chance to win big. Currently, Indian gamers struggle to find tournaments to hone their skills, but AA Play will solve this problem by constantly having esports competitions for aspiring esports athletes to go pro across a plethora of titles.
- E-commerce: The app will also include a dedicated marketplace for players to purchase gaming merchandise. With the inclusion of a secure and user-friendly digital wallet, gamers will be able to purchase in-game items for their favorite titles, ensuring a seamless gaming experience from start to finish.
- Community Building: One of the standout features of AA Play is its ability to foster connections among players. Gamers can form or join communities, enabling them to interact with like-minded individuals, organize meetups, and enhance their gaming journey through collaboration and shared experiences.
Akash Dhangar, Founder and CEO of AA Gaming, expressed his excitement about the platform’s potential. “With AA Play, we are gearing up to revolutionize the gaming experience, bringing everything a gamer needs—competing, connecting, and shopping—into one exciting platform! As India’s gaming industry explodes, we’re thrilled to be at the forefront, offering a one-stop solution that puts the power in players’ hands. In the past, we focused on third-party and white-label B2B services, but this app marks a bold turning point. We’re making a giant leap towards a direct-to-consumer model, opening up incredible opportunities for innovation and new revenue streams. This is our vision for a super app that unites all things gaming in one place.”
India’s video game industry is one of the fastest-growing in the world, projected to reach a value of $1.4 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1%, according to Niko Partners. By that time, India is also expected to surpass China in the number of gamers, adding 277 million new players for a total of 730.7 million. With this rapid expansion, the launch of AA Play comes at a pivotal moment to engage both new and returning gamers.
Asia
Chinese Football Bans 43 for Life Over Gambling and Match-Fixing Scandal
Chinese football authorities have banned 43 individuals for life due to their involvement in gambling and match-fixing scandals. The list includes three former China international footballers and South Korean World Cup player Son Jun-ho.
China’s extensive football corruption crackdown campaign has been ongoing since 2022. The National Sports General Administration and the Ministry of Public Security have led efforts to address issues of match-fixing and gambling in the sport. They have investigated over 120 matches, involving 83 players, referees, coaches and club officials. To date, 44 individuals have been sentenced, with 34 receiving prison terms.
The recent announcement of these lifetime bans came shortly after the national team’s 7-0 loss to Japan.
Son Jun-ho, who played for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League and represented South Korea in the 2022 World Cup, has been accused of participating in match-fixing and accepting bribes. Son returned to South Korea in March 2024 after being detained in China since May 2023. The authorities initially stated that he was held “on suspicion of accepting bribes by non-state employees” but did not provide further details.
Other notable figures banned include Jin Jingdao, a former Shandong Taishan player, and Chinese international players Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao.
-
Industry News5 days ago
Entain: Strategic Progress and Trading Momentum Continues into H2 2024
-
Industry News6 days ago
Clemence Dujardin, MyAffiliates Group CEO, to speak at SBC Lisbon to unveil ‘What is Next for the Gambling Industry’
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
St8.io granted Isle of Man licence
-
Latest News4 days ago
BOS/The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling commissions Advisense to strengthen efforts against money laundering
-
Latest News6 days ago
Kindred Group extend six-year Middlesbrough FC partnership and cements long-term community commitment to supporters
-
Industry News6 days ago
Andrew Cardno to Speak at Mid-year IGA about Safeguarding Data in AI-Enabled Tribal Casinos
-
Latest News5 days ago
Gaming Corps Announces the Launch of Expanding Joker
-
Latest News5 days ago
GOLDEN WHALE PARTNERS WITH 1939 GAMES FOR MACHINE LEARNING-POWERED PLAYER INSIGHTS