Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 21 Week of 30 June 2025
(1) Macau to overhaul decades-old casino advertising laws
Macau is updating its advertising laws to ban promotions that encourage gambling and regulate digital marketing, including livestreams and influencer content.
(2) Philippines President Marcos open to stricter online gambling regulations if “well-studied”
Philippines President Marcos Jr supports stricter regulation of online gaming, including higher taxes and tighter controls, as long as proposals are backed by solid research.
(3) Indonesia Prepares Stricter Online Gambling Regulation With Focus on Mitigation
Indonesia is finalising tougher regulations to combat illegal online gambling, aiming to hold digital platforms and payment providers accountable while protecting young users.
(4) Shinawatra family rejects opposition claim that casino policy drove away Chinese tourists, doubles down on need for entertainment complexes
Thailand’s leaders reject claims that legal casino plans caused a drop in Chinese tourism, instead blaming safety concerns and promoting entertainment complexes as a solution.
(1) Macau to overhaul decades-old casino advertising laws
(Photo Credit: iGB)
The Macau government is proposing new rules to tighten restrictions on gambling-related advertising, updating laws that date back to 1989. The revised legislation would ban any adverts that highlight, promote or encourage gambling activities, as well as marketing that targets minors.
The law will extend to modern digital marketing formats, including livestreams and influencer content. Advertisers, agencies, platforms and presenters involved in online promotion will be required to follow the new standards, with influencers expected to use products they endorse and be clearly identified in promotional content.
To ensure the new advertising law is relevant and enforceable, the government is launching a 30-day public consultation. While these changes reflect growing concerns about responsible marketing, Macau’s gaming industry continues to thrive, with June 2025 gross gaming revenue rising 19 percent year on year and the 2025 total already showing a 4.4 percent increase over the previous year.
News Source: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/macau-to-overhaul-decades-old-casino-advertising-laws/
(2) Philippines President Marcos open to stricter online gambling regulations if “well-studied”
(Photo Credit: iAG)
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has expressed cautious support for proposals to tighten regulations on domestic online gaming in the Philippines, provided they are based on solid research. The suggestions include stricter know your customer procedures, limits on payment platforms like GCash and Maya, and a minimum top up threshold. A ten percent tax on gaming operators is also being proposed to help fund addiction treatment and recovery services.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed the President’s concern about the negative impact online gambling could have on Filipino families. She stressed that while Marcos supports these ideas in principle, he wants to ensure any measures are thoroughly studied before being implemented. The administration has also shown support for PAGCOR, the country’s gambling regulator, which has committed to cracking down on illegal online gambling activities.
PAGCOR reiterated that it will follow any legislation passed by Congress and signed into law. In the meantime, it remains focused on working with other organisations and stakeholders to address unlicensed online gambling. This coordinated effort aims to improve oversight and protect consumers as the online gaming industry continues to grow.
News Source: https://asgam.com/2025/07/08/philippines-president-marcos-open-to-stricter-online-gambling-regulations-if-well-studied/
(3) Indonesia Prepares Stricter Online Gambling Regulation With Focus on Mitigation
(Photo Credit: World Casino News)
Indonesia is preparing a stricter regulatory framework to tackle online gambling, with a new government regulation set to hold digital platforms, fintech firms and internet providers accountable. The policy, announced by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, will impose stronger obligations on those involved in facilitating gambling, including enforcement measures and monitoring standards for gambling-related content. Internet service providers will be required to apply risk mitigation protocols under clearer national guidelines.
The regulation also aims to protect young people from exposure to online gambling, highlighting data that shows tens of thousands of children and teenagers are engaging with such platforms due to weak age verification systems. Blocking websites alone is considered insufficient, so authorities plan to introduce layered measures such as content removal, payment tracing and international collaboration to tackle the issue more effectively.
President Prabowo Subianto and Parliament support tougher action, with enforcement expected to include tracing money flows and stricter oversight of payment gateways. Minister Meutya Hafid confirmed the regulation will be issued soon as a government regulation and will include strong provisions for child protection. Lawmakers have also called for penalties on officials found engaging in gambling, as the government finalises a comprehensive system to prevent, regulate and dismantle illegal online gambling.
News Source: https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/indonesia-prepares-stricter-online-gambling-regulation-with-focus-on-mitigation-118908
(Photo Credit: The Nation)
Thailand’s suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her father Thaksin have dismissed claims linking the decline in Chinese tourism to the country’s casino policy. They maintain that safety concerns, such as the March earthquake and widely publicised scam centres along the Thai border, are the real reasons for the drop in visitors. President Xi Jinping reportedly confirmed that no travel ban had been issued, while Thaksin has argued that tourist safety is now Thailand’s most pressing issue.
To address these concerns, Thaksin proposed the development of Smart Cities with AI-powered surveillance and crackdowns on illegal practices, especially those operating across the border. Despite the withdrawal of the Entertainment Complex Bill, both he and Paetongtarn remain strong advocates for regulated casino zones within mixed-use developments. Thaksin stressed the importance of a strict Know Your Customer system to prevent misuse and support responsible gaming.
Industry experts, including Kevin Clayton of Galaxy Entertainment Group, agree that safety is the main issue affecting Thailand’s reputation among Chinese travellers. He pointed out that incidents like the kidnapping of actor Wang Xing have led many to choose alternative destinations such as Japan or South Korea. Clayton supports the idea of entertainment complexes as a way to rejuvenate Thailand’s tourism industry, encouraging international investment while offering secure, diverse attractions.
News Source: https://asgam.com/2025/07/11/shinawatra-family-rejects-opposition-claim-that-casino-policy-drove-away-chinese-tourists-doubles-down-on-need-for-entertainment-complexes/
