Asia Gaming Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 65 Week of 18 May 2026
(1) Indonesia warns of growing child exposure to online gambling
Indonesia has warned that children’s exposure to online gambling is becoming a serious child protection issue, with nearly 200,000 minors reportedly affected. Officials say the problem amounts to digital exploitation and are calling for stronger prevention, education, parental oversight and support, rather than relying on law enforcement alone.
(2) South Korea PM calls for stronger protections against youth gambling
South Korea’s prime minister has called for stronger action against youth gambling, urging regulators to build a comprehensive safety net focused on prevention and protection. Kim Min-seok said the issue has become more serious, especially as online access grows, while stressing that the gambling industry should still develop in a healthier way.
(3) Illegal gambling syndicates cashing billions in Hong Kong, target World Cup bettors online
Illegal gambling syndicates are intensifying efforts ahead of the World Cup, using social media, messaging apps and prediction markets to attract new bettors. Investigators say major operators are targeting Hong Kong and other Asian markets, while experts warn that online gambling networks are growing harder to police and increasingly threaten consumers.
(4) Sri Lanka sees rise in online gambling scam networks after Southeast Asia crackdown
Sri Lanka fears scam gambling and cybercrime networks are moving into the country after crackdowns elsewhere in the region. Police say more than 1,000 foreign nationals have been arrested this year, with fake betting sites, crypto schemes and romance scams raising concern that both foreign victims and locals could be targeted.
(1) Indonesia warns of growing child exposure to online gambling
(Photo Credit: Focus Asia Pacific)
Indonesia has raised alarm over the growing exposure of children to online gambling, with officials warning that the problem poses a serious threat to minors’ safety and development. According to Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi, government data shows that nearly 200,000 Indonesian children have encountered online gambling content, including about 80,000 who are younger than 10.
Fauzi said the issue should not be seen simply as bad behaviour or poor choices by children. Instead, she described it as a form of digital exploitation that can reach minors through multiple channels. These include hidden advertising, online games with betting features, influencer promotions and digital payment systems that children may not fully understand.
She argued that stronger child protection measures in the digital sphere must become a national priority. At the same time, she said criminal enforcement on its own will not be enough to tackle the problem.
Instead, the government is calling for a broader response that combines prevention, digital literacy, parental supervision and emotional support for children and families. The warning reflects wider concern in Indonesia about how rapidly expanding online platforms can expose minors to harmful content. It also signals growing pressure on authorities to treat online gambling as both a technology issue and a child welfare issue.
News Source: https://focusgn.com/asia-pacific/indonesia-warns-of-growing-child-exposure-to-online-gambling
(2) South Korea PM calls for stronger protections against youth gambling
(Photo Credit: IGAMINGTODAY)
South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has called for tougher efforts to prevent youth gambling, urging the National Gambling Control Commission to create what he described as a comprehensive safety net for young people. Speaking at a swearing-in ceremony for new commission members, Kim said the body should serve as a guardian that protects society from the dangers of gambling while also supporting the industry’s healthy development.
He did not announce any specific new policies, but he said the problem of youth gambling had recently become more serious and required full attention. Kim urged the commission to focus on prevention and to put in place stronger protections against addiction and gambling related harm. He said safeguarding young people was essential because they represent the future of society.
His remarks come amid wider concern in South Korea about the growing exposure of younger age groups to gambling, particularly through online channels that are easier to access. Kim also said the commission should help build a healthier gambling environment overall, one that can contribute to tourism, leisure, employment and regional economic growth.
The government is therefore placing youth protection at the centre of its gambling policy, while also maintaining support for the industry’s broader economic role.
News Source: https://focusgn.com/asia-pacific/south-korea-pm-calls-for-stronger-protections-against-youth-gambling
(3) Illegal gambling syndicates cashing billions in Hong Kong, target World Cup bettors online
(Photo Credit: The Standard)
As the World Cup approaches in mid-June, illegal gambling syndicates are stepping up efforts to recruit new bettors across Asia, using social media, messaging apps and online platforms to widen their reach. An investigation by East Week identified Citibet and Huangguan as two of the region’s largest and most active operators, with both targeting gamblers in Hong Kong and beyond.
Citibet is reported to handle more than HK$80 billion in illegal horse racing bets each year, putting its activity close to the scale of much of Hong Kong’s legal market. Syndicates are also exploiting the rise of prediction markets, which critics describe as a softer and more misleading form of online gambling. These platforms allow users to bet on future events under the appearance of market analysis, often using cryptocurrency and blockchain systems that make transactions harder to trace.
Operators have promoted betting on sports, horse racing, baccarat and esports, while offering bonuses for identification uploads and running WhatsApp groups to attract customers. Industry experts warn that mirror websites, affiliate networks and cross border server arrangements are making enforcement more difficult.
Authorities and racing bodies say illegal gambling is threatening legitimate betting industries and exposing consumers to organised crime. In response, regulators in some jurisdictions are expanding international cooperation and considering wider legal betting options to curb the underground market.
(4) Sri Lanka sees rise in online gambling scam networks after Southeast Asia crackdown
(Photo Credit: Focus Asia Pacific)
Sri Lankan authorities are increasingly worried that scam linked gambling and cybercrime networks are shifting operations into the country following crackdowns in Cambodia and Myanmar. Police say more than 1,000 foreign nationals have been arrested so far in 2026 over alleged involvement in cybercrime, a sharp rise from the 430 arrests recorded during the whole of 2024.
Most of those detained are reported to be from China, Vietnam and India. Police spokesman Fredrick Wootler said authorities are now receiving daily reports of suspected scam activity, underlining the scale and pace of the problem. Victims have already been identified in countries including India, Vietnam and the Philippines, while officials are also concerned that Sri Lankans could increasingly become targets.
According to police, many of the networks first focused on Chinese speaking users but have since widened their reach across different languages and markets. The operations are said to use fake betting websites, cryptocurrency schemes and romance scams to lure victims across Asia.
Officials believe Sri Lanka has become more attractive to these criminal groups because of its relatively relaxed visa rules and strong internet infrastructure. The rising number of arrests points to growing concern that the country could become a new base for transnational scam and gambling syndicates displaced from elsewhere in the region.
News Source: https://focusgn.com/asia-pacific/sri-lanka-sees-rise-in-online-gambling-scam-networks-after-southeast-asia-crackdown
