Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 39 Week of 3 November 2025
(1) Cambodian authorities suspend casino licence over cybercrime links
23 foreigners arrested in technology-based fraud operation in Svay Rieng.
(2) Indonesian minister: not enough being done to stop online gambling
A top Indonesian minister has said that the nation’s efforts to crack down on online gambling have not been effective enough.
(3) Thailand’s Anutin reaffirms no-casino stance in talks with China’s Xi
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed that Thailand will not pursue casino legalization during high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
(4) Paradise delays acquisition of Grand Hyatt Incheon West Tower
Paradise SegaSammy, a major subsidiary of Paradise Co., has delayed the scheduled acquisition date for the Grand Hyatt Incheon West Tower.
(1) Cambodian authorities suspend casino licence over cybercrime links
(Photo Credit: Gambling Insider)
Cambodian authorities suspended Silver Star Casino’s operating license following a major raid in Svay Rieng province on November 1, 2025, uncovering a large-scale technology-based fraud operation. The coordinated operation, led by the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Cybercrime (CCCC) and involving the Cambodian Commercial Gambling Commission (CCGC), National Police, and provincial prosecutors, targeted the casino after intelligence indicated its use for cybercrime activities.
The raid resulted in the arrest of 23 foreign nationals, including six Sri Lankans, seven Pakistanis, two Filipinos, two Nepalese, one Indian, one Nigerian, one Algerian, and three suspected ringleaders from China, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Authorities seized critical evidence, including 24 call center phones, 19 passports, and 20 mobile devices linked to fraudulent operations targeting international victims through coordinated digital scams.
The Cambodian Gambling Commission formally suspended the casino’s license based on evidence of illegal activities, with the three alleged ringleaders transferred to the Svay Rieng Provincial Court for legal proceedings. Twenty other arrested foreigners were handed over to immigration authorities for deportation. Officials reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to strict legal measures against tech-based fraud and international cooperation to eliminate cybercrime within licensed gaming establishments.
News Source: https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/31796/cambodian-authorities-suspend-casino-licence-over-cybercrime-links
(2) Indonesian minister: not enough being done to stop online gambling
(Photo Credit: Asia Gaming Brief)
In a recent meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia’s Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, acknowledged that efforts to prevent and eradicate online gambling remain suboptimal. Speaking at the event “Strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Committee in Preventing and Combating Money Laundering (TPPU) Related to Online Gambling,” hosted by the Financial Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), Yusril emphasized that current strategies have overly targeted platforms and individual operators, neglecting the underlying financial networks that sustain these operations.
Yusril advocated for a paradigm shift, prioritizing the integration of anti-money laundering (AML) initiatives with online gambling investigations and prosecutions. By linking these efforts, authorities could more effectively track, freeze, and seize criminal proceeds used to finance and expand gambling activities. This approach, he argued, would disrupt the economic foundations of online gambling. Additionally, the government plans to bolster international cooperation to address the transnational nature of organized crime associated with these platforms.
At the same event, PPATK Chair Ivan Yustiavandana revealed that online gambling transactions in Indonesia from January to October totaled approximately IDR155 trillion ($9.27 million), marking a notable decline from IDR359 trillion ($21.47 million) recorded in 2024. This reduction highlights some progress amid ongoing challenges, underscoring the potential impact of enhanced financial scrutiny and cross-border collaborations in curbing the issue.
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/indonesia/05/11/2025/indonesian-minister-not-enough-being-done-to-stop-online-gambling/
(3) Thailand’s Anutin reaffirms no-casino stance in talks with China’s Xi
(Photo Credit: Asia Gaming Brief)
Thai Prime Minister Anutin emphasized a joint commitment to safety, cybercrime prevention, and deeper economic cooperation during high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, framing the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025 as a pivotal moment to outline a shared vision for a “safe and prosperous future.” The meeting underscored Thailand’s intent to strengthen ties with China while maintaining its longstanding opposition to casino development.
Anutin extended a warm invitation for Chinese tourists to return to Thailand, assuring that their safety would be a government priority—a crucial message for the post-pandemic tourism recovery. He also praised President Xi’s dedication to regional cybercrime prevention efforts, highlighting it as a national priority requiring close cross-border coordination.
President Xi expressed China’s readiness to broaden collaboration with Thailand across trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange. The leaders discussed future growth opportunities in innovation, science and technology, the digital economy, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture—areas set to define the next phase of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/thailand/03/11/2025/thailands-anutin-reaffirms-no-casino-stance-in-talks-with-chinas-xi/
(4) Paradise delays acquisition of Grand Hyatt Incheon West Tower
(Photo Credit: Asia Gaming Brief)
Paradise SegaSammy has rescheduled its acquisition of the Grand Hyatt Incheon West Tower from October 31, 2025, to December 19, 2025, to align with revised pre-closing requirements. The transaction, valued at KRW 210 billion (approximately $146.9 million), involves purchasing the building structure while the land remains owned by Incheon International Airport Corporation, with Kal Hotel Network Co., Ltd. serving as the counterparty.
The acquisition aims to strengthen Paradise SegaSammy’s competitiveness as an integrated resort operator and expand its capacity to attract overseas tourists, supporting long-term sustainable growth. The decision received formal approval from the company’s board of directors on September 23, 2025, with external directors and auditors in attendance, underscoring its strategic importance.
The acquisition represents 5.34% of Paradise Co.’s consolidated total assets as of year-end 2024, reflecting a significant but measured investment. Paradise SegaSammy, which holds assets totaling KRW 1.58 trillion ($1.1 billion) and constitutes 40.22% of the parent company’s consolidated assets, continues to leverage its financial capacity to expand its footprint in the competitive resort and entertainment sector.
News Source: https://agbrief.com/news/south-korea/03/11/2025/paradise-delays-acquisition-of-grand-hyatt-incheon-west-tower/
