Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 62 Week of 27 April 2026
(1) Japan embarks on a new strategy to battle the black market
Japan stepped up its crackdown on illegal online gambling in 2025, targeting players and facilitators as authorities tightened enforcement against a fast growing black market.
(2) Cambodia orders closure of 91 casinos amid online scam crackdown
Cambodia has shut 91 casinos and raided more than 250 suspected scam centres as part of a widening crackdown on cybercrime and cross border fraud.
(3) Sands China Rolls Out New Baccarat Side Bets Across Macau Casinos
Sands China has introduced new baccarat side bets, Monkey no Monkey and Pairs+, across multiple Macau casinos, expanding its gaming options on main floors and high limit tables.
(4) ‘Smart’ tech centre-stage for TCS John Huxley in its Asia-Pacific push
TCS John Huxley will showcase smart casino technology at G2E Asia in Macau, highlighting sensor driven systems and camera recognition tools aimed at improving operations and gameplay.
(1) Japan embarks on a new strategy to battle the black market
(Photo Credit: Shutterstock :MKFILM)
Japanese authorities are intensifying their crackdown on illegal online gambling after record enforcement activity in 2025 highlighted the scale of the problem. Police action was taken against 317 people last year, the highest figure since official tracking began in 2018, with most cases linked to online casinos. More than 200 people were arrested, underscoring growing concern over the spread of offshore gambling platforms among Japanese users.
Although online gambling is banned in Japan, participation remains widespread. Police estimates suggest that more than 3 million people have used illegal online casinos at least once, while nearly 2 million continue to gamble online each year. Annual wagers are thought to total about ¥1.24 trillion (around USD 8.5 billion), showing the market’s size despite the legal ban.
Enforcement has increasingly focused not only on players but also on those enabling access. Authorities arrested operators, affiliates and payment processors accused of helping overseas gambling networks reach Japanese users or move illicit funds. That approach reflects a broader strategy of targeting the infrastructure behind the black market, particularly as many of the sites involved are based outside Japan.
The government has also tightened the law, banning the operation, use and promotion of unlicensed gambling sites through social media, advertising and affiliate links. Officials have asked overseas regulators to restrict Japanese access and remove Japanese language support. While Japan remains firmly opposed to legalising online gambling because of social harm concerns, it continues to support land based casino development, with the country’s first integrated resort casino currently on track to open in 2030.
News Source: https://igamingexpert.com/regions/asia/japan-battle-the-black-market/#:~:text=Japan%20embarks%20on%20a%20new%20strategy%20to%20battle%20the%20black%20market&text=The%20National%20Police%20Agency%20(NPA,to%20be%20collected%20in%202018.
(2) Cambodia orders closure of 91 casinos amid online scam crackdown
(Photo Credit: GGR ASIA)
Cambodia has ordered 91 casinos to shut down as part of an intensified campaign against online scam networks, marking one of its most sweeping crackdowns on cybercrime to date. The move comes after months of raids on suspected scam compounds and reflects growing pressure on Phnom Penh to curb fraud, illegal gambling and other cross border criminal activity.
According to the government, more than 250 suspected scam centres have been raided over the past nine months. Authorities said over 13,000 foreign nationals from 33 countries had been deported in connection with the operations, while a far larger number of people had also left the country voluntarily as enforcement tightened. The closures are part of a broader effort to dismantle scam compounds, online fraud platforms and foreign linked criminal networks that have drawn increasing international scrutiny.
The latest push followed a visit to Phnom Penh by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during which Beijing called for stronger action against cross border gambling and online fraud. Chinese officials described the issue as a serious public safety concern, underlining the regional dimension of the crackdown.
Cambodia has also moved to strengthen its legal framework. A new anti online scam law that took effect this month includes penalties of up to life imprisonment in the most serious cases, particularly when scam operations result in death. Officials say the campaign is ongoing and will require continued coordination with international partners as Cambodia seeks to restore confidence in its law enforcement and international reputation.
News Source: https://www.ggrasia.com/cambodia-orders-closure-of-91-casinos-amid-online-scam-crackdown
(3) Sands China Rolls Out New Baccarat Side Bets Across Macau Casinos
(Photo Credit: IGAMINGTODAY)
Sands China has begun rolling out two newly approved baccarat side bets, Monkey no Monkey and Pairs+, across several of its Macau casinos, expanding its table game offering on both the Cotai Strip and the Macau peninsula.
The new wagers were seen at The Londoner, The Parisian, The Plaza, The Venetian and Sands Macao, where they appeared on both main gaming floors and in high limit areas. Promotional material in Chinese and English described the bets as being pioneered by Sands, signalling that the company is positioning the launch as a notable addition to its baccarat business.
The rollout follows comments from Sands China chief executive Grant Chum, who said during the group’s latest earnings call that new side wager options had recently been introduced in Macau. He noted that side bets still account for a smaller share of total wagering in Macau than at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, but said interest has been rising gradually and could strengthen further with the addition of new products.
Monkey no Monkey offers two payout tracks, at 1 to 1 and 50 to 1, while Pairs+ has three payout levels at 3 to 1, 30 to 1 and 300 to 1. Minimum bets for the new side wagers generally start at HK$100 on Cotai mass baccarat tables, with higher entry points in premium areas. At Sands Macao, they begin at HK$50 or HK$100.
The launch adds to Sands China’s existing lineup of baccarat side bets and reflects a broader push to deepen gaming variety while encouraging higher engagement at the tables.
News Source: https://www.igamingtoday.com/sands-china-rolls-out-new-baccarat-side-bets-across-macau-casinos/
(4) ‘Smart’ tech centre-stage for TCS John Huxley in its Asia-Pacific push
(Photo Credit: GGR ASIA)
Gaming technology supplier TCS John Huxley will use this year’s G2E Asia in Macau to showcase a new wave of smart casino products designed to improve efficiency, security and player engagement. The presentation reflects a broader industry push toward data led operations, with the company highlighting hardware and software that can help casinos manage table games more precisely and respond faster to activity on the floor.
Among the main products on show is T Connect 2, the latest version of the company’s table management system. It uses smart sensors to deliver real time operational data, giving casino operators a more flexible and connected way to monitor gaming activity, improve oversight and streamline pit management. The system is positioned as a central control hub for modern casino floors, particularly in Asia, where digital transformation in gaming operations is accelerating.
The company will also feature the Ora Vue Blackjack Display Controller, which uses camera recognition technology to automate card entry. That system is designed to enhance both operations and the player experience by providing live access to hand histories, odds and historical statistics during play. TCS John Huxley says the added visibility can make games more transparent and accessible to a wider range of players.
Other products set for display include the Dynamic Display System, the Ora Winning Number Display range and the Chipper Champ 3 chip management unit. Together, they underline the company’s focus on combining manufacturing expertise with digital tools. With G2E Asia opening in Macau from 12 to 14 May, the showcase is intended to demonstrate how connected gaming technology can support measurable gains in table performance and operational control.
News Source: https://www.ggrasia.com/smart-tech-centre-stage-for-tcs-john-huxley-in-its-asia-pacific-push
