Asia

China Continues its Efforts to Crackdown on Cross-border Gambling

Published

3 years ago

February 8, 2021

China Continues its Efforts to Crackdown on Cross-border Gambling

Reading Time: < 1 minutes

China is continuing its efforts to crackdown on cross-border gambling. The Ministry of Public Security has promised a crackdown on illegal gambling activities over the Chinese New Year period and calls for guilty parties to surrender.

The Ministry issued a statement and hosted a press briefing where it outlined key steps to be taken in response to the National People’s Congress recently passing an amendment to China’s criminal law. The amendment, which takes effect from 1 March 2021, will create a new crime against cross-border casinos found to be organising or soliciting Chinese citizens to gamble and increase penalties for those found guilty of serious breaches.

While none of the destinations targeted have been publicly named, the Ministry of Public Security appears to be expediting all anti-gambling efforts ahead of Chinese New Year, promising to deploy additional resources that will work closely with immigration authorities to implement strict immigration control measures while “strengthening law enforcement cooperation with certain countries” in order to prevent Chinese citizens gambling abroad.

“According to relevant data, the annual Spring Festival holiday is the most rampant period for overseas gambling groups to invite gambling and gambling activities,” Liao Jinrong, Director of the Ministry’s Bureau of International Cooperation, said.

“It has not only caused a large outflow of funds, but also resulted in kidnapping, extortion, crimes involving gangs and other vicious crimes, which are serious threats. Our economic security and social stability undermine the holiday atmosphere.”

The crackdown appears to be targeted both at those operating online gambling sites and at junket operators, with Liao warning that anyone involved in “gambling, online gambling, or providing funds and technical support for gambling activities” are in violation of China’s criminal law.

Up Next

Epic Esports Events announces the new season of EPIC League

Don't Miss

BitBoss Announces Completion of its Integration with DotWallet

Click to comment

Asia

PAGCOR Licensees Give PHP60-M for New VMMC Wing

Published

5 days ago

September 26, 2023

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Veterans Memorial Medical Center will soon have more patient rooms with the start of construction for the Magiting Veterans Wing on Friday, September 22, through a Php60 million grant from two licensees of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

The Magiting Veterans Wing is a project initiated by the Philippine Military Academy Magiting Class of 1970 with funding support from Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI) and Newport World Resorts Foundation, Inc. (NWRFI), among others.

The two foundations, representing Solaire Resort and Newport World Resorts, respectively, each released Php30 million with PAGCOR’s approval.

The project will be carried out in two phases. The first will be sponsored by BCFI and covers civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, masonry works and roof deck waterproofing while the second phase will be funded by NWRFI and consists of works, fixtures and devices.

The Magiting Wing will have a total floor area of 1379.84 square meters and will house 12 new private rooms inclusive of four suites, a nurse station, lounge area, hallway, storage, access ramp and connecting bridge to the main hospital building.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the agency approved the grant from the casino foundations because of the project’s noble objective.

“PAGCOR recognizes the patriotism and sacrifice of Filipino veterans who dedicated their youth, vigor, strength and even lives for our country. By supporting this noble project, we show our gratitude to our modern-day heroes and their families,” he said.

Tengco said all integrated resort casino licensees in the country are required to put up a foundation to fund Corporate Social Responsibility programs on education infrastructure, health facilities, environmental preservation and cultural heritage restoration.

Two percent of the licensees’ gross gaming revenues from non-junket tables automatically go to such foundations.

Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, who graced the ceremonial concrete pouring for the project, expressed gratitude to the project supporters.

“As donee, we will provide the necessary maintenance and other operating expenditures to see to it that your donations will not go to waste,” he said.

Teodoro said other plans to improve the welfare of Filipino veterans include decentralising the VMMC’s services and the upskilling of hospital personnel so that doctors and specialists can focus more on caring for patients.

“No soldier ever retires. They are always a part of the system. They provide guidance and support to our active personnel hence their job as a soldier is never done,” he said.

Aside from BCFI and NWRFI, other major sponsors of the Magiting Veterans Wing project are DMCI, San Miguel Corporation and some retired military personnel.

Asia

Dubai Racing Club Opts for TPD’s Horse Tracking Solution

Published

1 week ago

September 21, 2023

Hunor Pal

Reading Time: < 1 minutes

Total Performance Data, the world’s leading horse racing live data provider, has announced today that Dubai Racing Club is a new client.

Following successful live trials at last Spring’s Super Saturday and Dubai World Cup meetings, Dubai Racing Club has signed a multi-year deal to use TPD’s services beginning with the new season at Meydan Racecourse on Friday 10 November. This extends TPD’s content footprint in the fast-growing Middle Eastern horseracing scene where both of Saudi Arabia’s racecourses are already live.

TPD will produce live and post-race timing stats for every horse as well as live running order graphics for the world’s biggest set of on course screens, including the new 4k big screen.

Will Duff Gordon, CEO of TPD, commented: “We are very excited to be further enriching the wonderful racing that takes place at Meydan and look forward to a successful partnership. I’d like to thank our engineering partners at Gmax for so rapidly delivering the live service back in March.”

Mohammed Riaz, Head of IT for Dubai Racing Club, said: “When Trakus ceased trading we were impressed with the speed of set up and quality of output when Gmax and TPD met our needs for the climax of last season. We are excited to use this content on our new 4k big screen as well as for our international audience.”

The new season at Meydan Racecourse begins on Friday, November 10^th and concludes with the $30.5million Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday, March 30^th.

Asia

Niko Partners ‘India Games Market’ Report – India retains title as Asia’s fastest-growing video games market in 2023

Published

1 week ago

September 21, 2023

Hunor Pal

Reading Time: < 1 minutes

The recently published “India Games Market Report 2023” report by Niko Partners, states that India retained its title as the fastest-growing video games market in Asia. The total gamers in India are forecasted to have surged a remarkable 343% in the 10 years between 2017 and 2027, climbing to 641.2 million in 2027.

Video games revenue is also on the rise, forecast to increase 21% YoY in 2023 to $868 million. Factors such as higher disposable income, the growth of internet connectivity, and low-cost smartphones are propelling India’s video games market forward.

Below are the key findings of the report:

Meteoric rise in revenue: Niko Partners projects India video games revenue across all platforms to reach $868 million in 2023, up 21.2% YoY. India’s video game market is the fastest growing by gamers and revenue, which is forecast to reach $1.6 billion by 2027, growing at a 5-year CAGR of 17.2%. The report excludes revenue generated from Real Money Games.

Player base keeps on expanding: The number of gamers in India across all platforms is forecast to reach 444 million in 2023, up 12.1% YoY, and reach 641.2 million in 2027, growing at a 5-year CAGR of 10.1%.

Dominance of mobile gaming: India is a mobile-first market with 96.8% of total gamers playing on a smartphone or tablet.

Game-spending is on an upward trajectory: 31% of the 444.4 million gamers will spend on video games in 2023, with annual ARPPU reaching $6.38.

Esports continues to gain momentum: 71.8% of the total gamers have engaged with Esports by either playing an Esports game, watching or participating in an Esports tournament.

Encouraging factors in terms of revenue growth and brand investment: The return of BGMI and Free Fire are positive signs for the industry and foreign game companies looking to enter the market.