In 2023, Japan's regulated nearly reached JPY8 trillion (€47.6 billion), representing a modest increase of 0.3 percent compared to the previous year. While this growth rate marked the lowest in a decade, it still amounted to the highest betting handle Japan has witnessed during this period. 

According to a report by Gaming Intelligence, the total horse racing wagering accounted for the lion's share, reaching JPY4.35 trillion (€25.9 billion) and comprising 54 percent of Japan's overall betting activity. This marks the third consecutive year that racing wagers have surpassed the JPY4 trillion (€43.8 billion) mark. Despite a surge in attendance at Japan Racing Association (JRA) racecourses, with a notable 66 percent increase to 4.6 million attendees, a staggering 98 percent of wagering occurred off-course. 

Betting on motorboat races saw a slight decline of 2 percent from 2022, totalling JPY2.39 trillion (€14.2 billion) across 4,618 race days. Conversely, cycling races experienced a 5 percent increase in handle, reaching JPY1.15 trillion (€6.8 billion) from 2,725 race days. Motorcycling races, although the smallest sector in terms of wagering, witnessed a marginal uptick of 0.6 percent, amounting to JPY108 million (€643.1 million) in bets. 

Despite the modest growth rate, Japan's record-breaking sports wagering in 2023 signifies the nation's sustained interest in regulated betting activities. The enduring popularity of horse racing, coupled with the steady performance of other sporting events, underscores the diverse preferences within Japan's betting landscape. As the industry continues to evolve, stakeholders will closely monitor trends and adapt strategies to capitalize on emerging opportunities. 

Meanwhile, earlier this year, Japan began constructing its  project, marking the country's inaugural venture into the realm of casinos. The commencement of this project followed the Japanese government's approval of a revised implementation agreement, symbolizing a significant shift in the nation's approach to gaming regulation. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .

's Minister of Justice, Javier Silvania, has addressed concerns voiced by the Curaçao Bar Association regarding the National Ordinance on Gambling (LOK). Following objections to certain provisions within the draft legislation, particularly concerning accreditation requirements for lawyers, Silvania announced amendments to the law. 

In a social media post, Silvania acknowledged the Bar Association's concerns and revealed plans to revise the accreditation requirements outlined in the LOK. Notably, the jurisdiction will shift from a mandatory accreditation process to a non-mandatory certificate system, significantly reducing regulatory burdens for legal practitioners. 

Under the amended law, the Curaçao Gaming Authority will issue certificates to lawyers providing gambling-related services or goods to Curaçao licence holders. These certificates, valid for up to three years, will replace the initial accreditation requirements outlined in the draft legislation. Silvania emphasized that participation in the certification process would be optional, granting flexibility to lawyers engaged in gambling-related activities. 

Silvania also highlighted another significant amendment aimed at ensuring the financial independence of the Curaçao Gaming Authority. Addressing concerns regarding the regulator's autonomy, revisions have been made to guarantee its fiscal independence, enhancing transparency and accountability within the regulatory framework. 

In addition to addressing the Bar Association's concerns, Silvania responded to criticisms from members of Parliament regarding the LOK. He emphasized that despite some MPs' limited review of the legislation, the amended law represents a significant milestone in the region's efforts to reform its offshore gambling industry. 

Silvania underscored that the legislative revisions align with 's commitment to collaborate with the Dutch government's Temporary Work Organisation (TWO). The changes signal a willingness among lawmakers to consider stakeholder input and ensure effective regulation in the gambling sector, essential for preserving Curaçao's status as an international gambling hub. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .

The Star Casino in the centre of Sydney, a popular gaming hub, found itself in the embroiled in an unexpected controversy. A software glitch in the casino's “ticket in, cash out” (TICO) machines led to the establishment inadvertently giving away more than $2 million in cash over a span of 13 days in July last year.

The glitch was introduced through a software update to the TICO machines. When players inserted more than one ticket into a machine, it returned one of the tickets along with the total cash, and then allowed that ticket to be cashed out repeatedly. This error went unnoticed by the casino operators for six weeks, during which time 43 people exploited the glitch to withdraw free money.

Among the beneficiaries was Thanh Lan Le, a recovering gambling addict. She relapsed after watching a friend repeatedly cash out using the glitch. Over the next 10 days, she withdrew $57,265. By the time she left the casino, all but $5,000 of the money was gambled away.

The casino’s response to the glitch was swift and severe. It reported the 43 “lucky” cash recipients to the police, who arrested Le and an unspecified number of others on charges of fraud, participating in a criminal group, and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of a crime. Le pleaded guilty to a single charge of dishonestly obtaining property by deception and offered to repay the money.

The’s manager, Nicholas Weeks, blamed “a very significant failure across a large number of people and teams” for the casino’s inability to detect the glitch sooner. This incident has led to a second NSW Independent Casino Commission inquiry into operator Star Entertainment, which had previously been found unsuitable to hold a Sydney casino license in 2022 due to allegations of money laundering, criminal infiltration, and fraud.

The latest inquiry also heard from former Star CFO Christina Katsibouba, who testified that the casino’s head of investor relations, Giovanni Rizzo, asked her to manipulate the financial records to hide the loss when the company presented its half-year earnings report in February. Katsibouba refused to comply.

This incident has highlighted the potential pitfalls of technology in the gaming industry, and the importance of robust risk management frameworks and balances to prevent such errors from occurring. It also raises questions in dealing with such situations, and the impact on individuals who unwittingly find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

The Prosecutor General's Office in Ukraine, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, has intensified efforts to combat illegal gambling activities on a significant scale. A total of more than 450 criminal offenses related to illegal gambling have been under investigation as of April 2024. This moves follows the decision by the Ukrainian Parliament’s to dissolve KRAIL, Ukraine’s gambling regulator and the signing of a decree aimed at counteracting the .

During these investigations, 21 individuals were notified of suspicion, with indictments sent to court against 72 people. Notably, seven indictments were issued against 68 members of criminal groups, marking a crucial step in prosecuting those involved in unlawful gambling practices.

In the previous year, 169 offenses were recorded with 74 individuals notified of suspicion. This led to 52 indictments against 97 people being sent to court. Law enforcement authorities conducted more than 500 searches, 700 address inspections, and seized over 7,000 units of computer equipment, emphasizing the depth of their crackdown on illegal gambling.

In over 2,500 websites that provided gambling services without the necessary licenses have been blocked. President Volodymyr Zelensky's endorsement of the National Security and Defense Council's decision to address the negative impacts of online gambling underscores the government's determination to tackle this issue effectively. With ongoing investigations into large companies involved in illegal online gambling, including cases of fund laundering worth over 110 million euros, the crackdown on illegal gambling continues to unfold.

Next SiGMA Event: Join us in Manila from the 2 - 5 June for SiGMA Asia. Find all the details .

Asia’s gaming pulse beats strong in Manila. This June SiGMA is gathering the best in business: from top government officials and seasoned c-levels to big name influencers – SiGMA Asia is leading the charge for change. Join us for an experience that promises to blow all other events out of the water.