Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 29 Week of 25 August 2025
(1) Major brands halt operations amid India’s ban on real-money online gambling
India has passed the Online Gaming Bill 2025, banning all real-money online gaming. The government cites addressing addiction and fraud as reasons, signaling a nationwide crackdown on gambling-related activities.
(2) Sri Lanka’s Parliament passes landmark Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill
The Sri Lankan parliament has approved its Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, marking a significant step toward revising the nation’s gambling regulations.
(3) Analysts see strong Macau casino revenue for August and H2 2025
Analysts predict that August gross gaming revenue could reach the highest total for a non-Golden Week month since the pandemic.
(4) Tecnet Asia aids Asian debut of APEX Gaming’s Clover Link at Solaire Resort Entertainment City
APEX Gaming’s Clover Link series has made its Asian debut following installation of Clover Link Extreme at Manila’s Solaire Resort Entertainment City.
(1) Major brands halt operations amid India’s ban on real-money online gambling
(Photo Credit: Casino Alpha)
India’s federal government has passed The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, effectively banning all real-money online gaming. The legislation, which defines such gaming as any online game involving a stake with an expectation of winning, was approved rapidly after its introduction to Parliament on August 20. This move has prompted an immediate industry-wide withdrawal of operations from several major gaming operators.
Leading international and domestic companies have confirmed their compliance with the new law. Flutter Entertainment announced the withdrawal of its Junglee Games subsidiary, criticizing the bill’s short timeframe and lack of industry consultation. Major domestic operator Dream11 has withdrawn its ₹358 crore (US$35m) sponsorship of India’s national cricket teams and shut its real-money products. Other prominent platforms, including My11Circle, Zupee, and Mobile Premier League (MPL), have also ceased their real-money gaming operations.
The government has stated that the legislation aims to address public concerns over gambling addiction, fraud, and inconsistent state-level regulation. Federal IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the ban as a necessary action against a “social evil.” Concurrently, the Enforcement Directorate has conducted raids on properties linked to KC Veerendra, an INC assembly member and Goa casino owner, signaling a broader crackdown on gambling-related activities.
News Source: https://focusgn.com/asia-pacific/major-brands-halt-operations-amid-indias-ban-on-real-money-online-gambling
(2) Sri Lanka’s Parliament passes landmark Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill
(Photo Credit: Thilina Alagiyawanna)
Sri Lanka’s parliament approved the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, marking a pivotal overhaul of the nation’s gambling regulations. Following clearance by the Committee on Public Finance and a successful second reading, the bill awaits the parliamentary speaker’s signature to become law. This legislation replaces outdated ordinances, including the Casino Ordinance, Gambling Ordinance, and Horse Racing Betting Ordinance – by establishing a single Gambling Regulatory Authority to centralize oversight of all gambling activities.
Deputy Economic Development Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando outlined the Authority’s mandate: ensuring casino compliance, combating money laundering, standardizing gaming establishments, and cracking down on illicit operations. The body will balance economic expansion and tourism development with social responsibility, explicitly aiming to “reduce negative social effects of gambling” while promoting transparency. Its broad powers include revenue collection and enforcing governance standards across the industry.
The regulatory reform coincides with the opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, Colombo’s first large-scale integrated resort with a casino. Spearheaded by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (as Finance Minister), the bill – drafted since May and finalized on August 12 – supports Sri Lanka’s strategy to responsibly expand its gambling sector while attracting foreign tourists. This unified framework addresses historical regulatory fragmentation and aligns with national economic diversification goals.
News Source: https://esportsinsider.com/2025/08/sri-lankas-parliament-passes-gambling-regulatory-authority-bill
(3) Analysts see strong Macau casino revenue for August and H2 2025
(Photo Credit: SCMP)
Investment banks Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan are forecasting robust growth for Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) in the second half of the year. Morgan Stanley projects a 15 per cent year-on-year increase, citing crowded casinos and strong demand, amplified by non-gaming attractions like concerts and sporting events. For August specifically, it anticipates GGR to reach MOP20.5 billion (US$2.55 billion), a 12 per cent year-on-year gain.
JP Morgan offers an even more optimistic outlook for August, forecasting a range of MOP21.9 billion to MOP22.5 billion. This would potentially surpass July’s total to become the highest monthly GGR since the pandemic, outside of Golden Week holidays. Analysts reported a daily average run-rate of MOP735 million for the first 24 days of August, rising to MOP793 million in the last week, which they noted was the highest non-Golden Week performance post-pandemic.
Growth is being driven by both market segments, with VIP and mass gaming showing 10-15 per cent year-on-year increases. Compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels, mass gaming has recovered to 125 per cent, while VIP play stands at 30 per cent. JP Morgan expects this “sustained double-digit GGR growth” to continue through at least the first quarter of 2026. Despite noting fierce operator competition and high operating costs, Morgan Stanley believes the industry is entering a period of “super strong” performance and expects operating leverage to improve, supporting higher margins.
News Source: https://focusgn.com/asia-pacific/macau-seeing-strong-casino-revenue-in-august-jp-morgan-says
(4) Tecnet Asia aids Asian debut of APEX Gaming’s Clover Link at Solaire Resort Entertainment City
(Photo Credit: iag/Solaire Resort)
APEX Gaming’s successful Clover Link series has officially debuted in Asia with the installation of Clover Link Extremeat Manila’s Solaire Resort Entertainment City on August 7. The rollout was executed by Tecnet Asia, APEX’s official regional distributor, marking a significant expansion for the European-proven gaming product line into Asia’s dynamic casino market.
Tecnet Asia CEO Suat Sirin emphasized the product’s strong market fit, citing firsthand experience with its “right mix of excitement, features and atmosphere to appeal to Asian players.” The game distinguishes itself through vibrant visuals, distinctive mechanics, and immersive sound design – creating a high-energy experience purpose-built to stand out on casino floors, building on its established European success.
Describing the launch as a “promising addition to Asia’s vibrant gaming environment,” Tecnet Asia confirmed its commitment to expanding APEX Gaming’s regional footprint. The Solaire Resort installation represents the first phase in a broader strategy to penetrate additional Asian markets leveraging Clover Link Extreme’s proven engagement capabilities and cross-continental appeal.
News Source: https://asgam.com/2025/08/28/tecnet-asia-aids-asian-debut-of-apex-gamings-clover-link-at-solaire-resort-entertainment-city/
