News

Key Moments: The Mocha Grand Dragon Hotel slot hall is scheduled to close on Monday, November 24, at 11:59 p.m. Melco Resorts is reallocating gaming machines and reassigning 44 affected staff members to other Macau venues. Patrons will continue to have the right to redeem gaming slips at alternative Melco properties. Ongoing Closures Across Melco’s Macau Slot Venues Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd is moving forward with the closure of Mocha Grand Dragon Hotel’s slot-machine hall, which will cease operations at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 24. This Taipa-based venue…

Key Moments: 7,200 former online gamblers have had their social assistance reinstated after re-verification Government’s comprehensive audit flagged 600,000 welfare recipients for gambling activity, leading to temporary account blocks Financial oversight measures and digital checks resulted in a drop in gambling transactions and stricter beneficiary monitoring Policy Adjustment Signals New Approach Indonesia has restored social benefits to 7,200 individuals who previously lost access due to involvement in online gambling. This reinstatement, confirmed by the Ministry of Social Affairs after a thorough verification procedure, comes amid the government’s ongoing crackdown on…

Key Moments: Austria is set to introduce a draft law to reshape online gambling regulation, with a target enactment date in summer 2026 Lawmakers are debating whether to limit the number of licences or open the market, replacing the current monopoly Player protection measures such as a nationwide self-exclusion registry and potential payment or IP blocking are under discussion Reform Efforts Advance as Licences Near End Date Austria is entering a crucial phase in its efforts to modernize online gambling regulations, as government leaders work to finalize reforms before existing…

Key Moments: The Gambling Commission has not yet published an estimate of illegal online gambling activity in Great Britain. Measurement challenges stem from unlicensed operators’ opacity, offshore bases, and masking tactics. The Commission is prioritizing alternative methodologies and deeper cooperation to improve future data accuracy. Policymaker Imperatives: Why a Reliable Estimate Matters After: Estimating the true scope of illegal online betting in Great Britain carries significant weight. It affects regulatory strategies and government decision-making. The Gambling Commission says that knowing the size of the unlicensed market helps allocate resources. It…

Key Moments: Kenya surpassed 10,000 active BetBlocker users in 2025, leading the African continent South Africa also reached over 10,000 active users in 2025, marking it as the seventh country to hit this milestone BetBlocker unveiled the Scheduler tool during Safer Gambling Week, introducing early intervention options for users Surging Adoption Across Kenya and South Africa BetBlocker, the registered charity offering digital self-exclusion tools for online gambling, has experienced dramatic user growth across Africa. Kenya made history in 2025 as the first nation on the continent to register more than…

Key Moments: Wynn Las Vegas agreed to a $130 million settlement with federal authorities over illegal cash transfers. Nevada regulators fined Wynn Las Vegas an additional $5.5 million for related compliance failures. Investigations revealed a sophisticated underground banking network supporting high-stakes Chinese gamblers in Las Vegas. Federal Crackdown on Underground Casino Banking Las Vegas casinos became the center of a large illicit financial operation. The scheme allowed high-end Chinese gamblers to bypass strict currency controls. According to CNN, underground bankers and criminal groups helped move millions of dollars in unreported…

Key Moments: A federal bill introduces a 90 percent cap on gambling loss deductions effective January 2025. Industry leaders and lawmakers are pushing to restore the full deduction before Congress adjourns. Analysts project a significant decrease in betting volume if the new rules take effect. New Tax Rule Alarms Gambling Sector A last-minute change in Washington has quickly become a major concern for both betting operators and high-frequency gamblers. Hidden in a sweeping federal legislative package, a provision set to take effect in January 2025 will prevent Americans who itemize…

Key Moments: Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have formally requested Major League Baseball to explain its strategies for preventing game manipulation by players after a scandal involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz MLB has implemented new limits on pitch-level prop bets, capping wagers at $200 and excluding them from parlays, as of a statement issued on 10 November (Monday) New Jersey has introduced a bill seeking to ban micro betting, with proposed fines between $500 and $1,000 for violations Senate Committee Puts Pressure on MLB for…

Key Moments: SkillOnNet leverages both proprietary tools and Neccton’s MENTOR system for early identification of gambling-related risk Personalized, real-time interventions have replaced static thresholds in player safety strategies Industry collaboration, ongoing governance, and standardized risk checks are at the forefront of current safer gambling discourse Pioneering Predictive Analytics for Player Protection SkillOnNet is redefining player safety by embedding predictive analytics and personalized intervention into its responsible gambling strategy. By integrating both internally-developed and external monitoring systems, including Neccton’s MENTOR platform, the operator is able to detect potential risks long before…

Key Moments: Room 8 Group has partnered with Pragma to enhance its online game development solutions. The integration of Pragma Platform brings cross-platform backend services for connected games. This collaboration is aimed at enabling studios to accelerate delivery and create engaging player experiences. Partnership Overview Room 8 Group, recognized as an end-to-end strategic partner for external game development, has officially joined forces with Pragma, a provider of tools designed to accelerate online game creation, connect users, and foster vibrant communities. Integration of Pragma Platform Through this collaboration, Room 8 Group…