Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 57 Week of 23 March 2026
(1) No gambling or alcohol: mahjong sees rising popularity across all ages in Japan
Mahjong surges in Japan among seniors for brain health and kids via manga/games, with schools hitting youth records and IQ studies showing gains.
(2) Cambodia appoints new CGMC secretary-general amid fraud crackdown
Cambodia appointed new leaders to its gambling regulators, including Yun Vina as CGMC Secretary-General and Sar Sokpheak as Commercial Gambling Crime Department Director, to strengthen the crackdown on cyber fraud and illegal casino operations that involved over 50% of licensed venues.
(3) Government blocks 300 ‘illegal’ gambling and betting platforms
India blocked 300 more illegal gambling sites, totalling nearly 8,400 banned platforms since last year’s Online Gaming Act aimed to stop addiction and terror-linked fraud costing Indians over ₹20,000 crore.
(4) Hong Kong Jockey Club raises Four-Year-Old Classic Series purse to HK$56 million
The Hong Kong Jockey Club boosted Four-Year-Old Classic horse racing Series prizemoney by HK$4 million to a record HK$56 million for 2027, including HK$28 million for the BMW Hong Kong Derby, to reward owners investing in top young talent.
(1) No gambling or alcohol: mahjong sees rising popularity across all ages in Japan
(Photo Credit: Mainichi/Mayu Kuroda)
Mahjong is surging in popularity across Japan, shedding its old image of smoky gambling dens to attract seniors and children alike. Health-focused tournaments, like one held in Obu, Aichi Prefecture last November, draw elderly players who value its cognitive benefits such as dementia prevention. Organised by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance since fiscal 2024, these alcohol- and tobacco-free events had engaged 6,600 participants by late 2025.
Children are also getting hooked, influenced by manga like Saki, which has sold over 10 million copies since 2006, and online games such as Mahjong Soul, boasting 15 million users. Kawasaki-based Neuron Mahjong School reports 68,000 members aged 5 to 98, with youth numbers hitting a record 2,949 by November 2025. The professional M-League, launched in 2018, elevates the game as a “mind sport” with salaried pros and no gambling.
A neurosurgeon’s study of 20 Neuron students showed an average 8% IQ rise after one year, boosting concentration and visual memory. Doctor Takefumi Higashijima notes mahjong aids brain function from age six and combats elderly isolation. Students like 12-year-old Koshiro Okubo relish its strategic excitement, calling it a “microcosm of life” that builds resilience
News Source: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260319/p2a/00m/0na/011000c
(2) Cambodia appoints new CGMC secretary-general amid fraud crackdown
(Photo Credit: The Cambodia China Times)
Cambodia’s government appointed new leaders to its top gambling regulators amid a tough crackdown on cyber fraud and illegal casino operations. On March 12, Acting Head of State Hun Sen named Yun Vina, a Deputy Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as the new Secretary-General of the Commercial Gambling Management Commission (CGMC). She replaced Ros Phirun.
On March 20, Major General Sar Sokpheak took over as Director of the Commercial Gambling Crime Department. He came from the Department of Internal Security. National Police Chief General Sar Thet oversaw the handover. Outgoing director General Seng Hean moved up to Deputy Commissioner of the National Police.
These changes match a strong enforcement push started in mid-2025 to fix the gaming sector. Since June 2025, police shut down 250 telecom fraud centers. Of these, 91 ran inside physical casinos. Government data show over 50 percent of licensed casinos linked to illegal online gambling or cyber scams. This exposed big regulatory holes.
The reshuffle aims to strengthen oversight where gaming meets organized cybercrime. Cambodia wants tougher controls to clean up its gambling industry and cut fraud ties.
(3) Government blocks 300 ‘illegal’ gambling and betting platforms
(Photo Credit: Reuters)
India’s government has blocked around 300 websites and apps for illegal gambling, raising the total to nearly 8,400 prohibited platforms, including sports betting, casino games, satta/matka networks, and real-money card apps.
Nearly 4,900 blocks occurred after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act took effect last year, passed on August 21, 2025. The law aims to protect citizens from addictive money games that promise quick riches, leading to financial ruin and social harm. The WHO recognises gaming disorder as a health issue involving loss of control and neglect of daily life.
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw estimated 450 million Indians lost over ₹20,000 crore to such platforms, some linked to terror financing. Advisories since 2022 urged media, advertisers, and influencers to shun misleading betting promotions. The 2021 IT Rules, amended in 2023, enforce norms against illegal content, with Section 69A enabling blocks.
News Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-blocks-300-illegal-gambling-and-betting-platforms/article70765367.ece#google_vignette
(4) Hong Kong Jockey Club raises Four-Year-Old Classic Series purse to HK$56 million
(Photo Credit: Hong Kong Jockey Club)
The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced a HK$4 million prizemoney boost for next season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series, raising the total purse to a record HK$56 million. This move rewards owners investing in young talent for Hong Kong’s top races.
The series showcases emerging equine stars. Past champions like Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, and Voyage Bubble have shone here. The 2027 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and Classic Cup (1800m) each jump from HK$13 million to HK$14 million. The highlight, the 150th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), hits HK$28 million.
The 2026 Derby ran on 22 March, won by Invincible Ibis. Legends like Viva Pataca (2006), Ambitious Dragon (2011), and Designs On Rome (2014) also claimed it. Only Rapper Dragon (2017) and Golden Sixty (2020) swept all three legs.
Andrew Harding, the Club’s Executive Director of Racing, said higher stakes repay owners’ big spending on Derby hopefuls. This drives imports of world-class horses yearly.
The news pairs with the new Premier Series for four-year-old privately purchased horses (PPs). It adds HK$1 million in bonuses: HK$500,000 for first, HK$300,000 for second, and HK$200,000 for third. With existing PP, PPG, and ISG bonuses, top earners can now hit HK$4 million max.
