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In a keynote address during the recently held SiGMA Asia Summit in the Philippines, Keith Marshall, Chief Philanthropy Officer and co-founder of the , delivered an impassioned plea to move from privilege to purpose. Marshall shared his story as a pharmacist, with his critical moment being when he finally realised that life's greatest injustice is ignorance and poverty while in Ethiopia.

In his speech, Marshall emphasised the power of individual action to create meaningful change.  He narrated his first encounter with the cruel living conditions of Ethiopian kids, which made him re-think his life direction. "I was blown away by the injustices and the crazy conditions that these kids were living within," Marshall said, adding, "I was stuck at a crossroads. I could either wash away the situation and say, listen, it's a problem, but it's not my problem. Or else I could say, listen, I'm not going to change the world, but I can be involved in change."

Choosing the latter, Marshall shifted his focus, integrating philanthropy into his life without abandoning his other pursuits. He said, "You can comfortably juggle in life." This balance helped him to continue running his pharmaceutical company, but at the same time, he had the time and resources to help the underprivileged of Ethiopia. From the work of the SiGMA Foundation, the idea has ballooned from helping children in Ethiopia to more than 100,000 children in seven countries on four continents.

Marshall noted everyone's purpose for being alive, urging everyone to ensure that no matter how small it is, there is always something they can do to. "Everyone can do something for someone," he went on to say, stressing that everybody matters in the end. Marshall also elaborated on the coexistence of the two different dimensions of life by sharing the professional and personal commitments which cannot stay apart from philanthropic works. "It's how much time you want to dedicate to kindred spirit—that is, to philanthropy. It could be stretching a metre, a mile, dedicating a week, dedicating a month, or dedicating an hour a day. But it all counts," he said.

He concluded by calling for action, as Marshall noted that there is much need for support; 380 million children all over the globe are suffering, and all these are because of failing social systems. He asked everyone in the room to take up the possibility of making a difference and to be the change agent within their community for that change. Marshall invited the audience at the summit to "make it count" by using their privileged positions for good. Recent SiGMA Foundation projects, such as the last week of a Music hall in Bataan have set an example for others to convert their privilege into purpose in practice.

Looking ahead, the gaming industry will shift its focus to Eastern Europe this September with the in Budapest. This event is expected to attract industry professionals from across the region, providing a platform for networking, business development, and exploring the latest trends in the gaming sector.

 As the excitement builds for Euro 2024 in Germany, Singaporean authorities are intensifying their crackdown on illegal and problem gambling during the month-long tournament from June 14 to July 14, according to a report by Channel News Asia.  

In a joint announcement on Wednesday, ’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) reaffirmed their strict policy against unlicenced gambling activities. They emphasised that such activities lack necessary social safeguards, such as spending limits and responsible gambling measures.  

Singapore Pools remains the sole licenced provider for lotteries and sports betting in the country. The ministries underscored that any gambling activities outside of this framework are prohibited.  

“The police will enforce stringent actions against illegal gambling operations, including those aiding gambling syndicates,” stated the ministries. In 2023 alone, authorities carried out over 300 raids, resulting in more than 450 arrests. They also collaborated with stakeholders to disconnect phone numbers promoting illegal gambling and close related bank accounts.  

During the 2021 European Football Championship, a collaborative Interpol-led operation led to the arrest of 72 individuals in Singapore for illegal football gambling. Authorities confiscated over SGD800,000 (€548,480) in cash, along with computers, laptops, and mobile phones. The Gambling Regulatory Authority has also blocked more than 3,400 illegal gambling websites and over 260 bank accounts, seizing more than SGD36 million (€24.68 million) linked to illegal online gambling services.  

To coincide with Euro 2024, Singapore’s National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) will bolster their public education and outreach initiatives. Advertisements will be prominently featured on TV, newspapers, digital platforms, and social media to highlight the dangers of excessive football betting.  

Authorities strongly advise the public against engaging with illegal gambling operators and encourage practices. The MHA and MSF highlighted the crucial role of family and community in supporting individuals with gambling addictions, urging them to seek help through the National Problem Gambling Helpline or NCPG’s webchat service.  

Legal penalties for conducting illegal gambling operations in Singapore are severe, with fines of up to SGD500,000 (€342,800) and imprisonment for up to seven years for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties, including fines of up to SGD700,000 (€479,920) and imprisonment for up to ten years. Those caught gambling with unlicenced service providers could face fines up to SGD10,000 (€6,856), imprisonment for up to six months, or both. 

Find out more about the latest updates and trends in the industry, from latest regulatory news to most recent innovations at the upcoming  Summit happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September.

Australians are now prohibited from using credit cards and digital currencies for online betting, a move by the government aimed at preventing individuals from gambling with money they do not possess. The new restrictions encompass credit cards linked to digital wallets, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, and other emerging forms of credit. This regulation aligns rules with those for land-based gambling, although online lotteries remain unaffected and still permit credit card payments. 

Responsible Wagering Australia’s chief executive, Kai Cantwell, has advocated for the ban to extend to these exempt forms of gambling. “This is an important measure to protect customers, making it easier for people to stay in control of their own gambling behaviour,” Cantwell stated. He emphasised that inconsistent consumer protection measures across various gambling forms could drive vulnerable Australians to less-regulated types, increasing their risk of harm. 

The industry has been granted a six-month transition period to comply with the new rules, which took full effect on Tuesday. Companies failing to adhere to the ban may face fines of up to AUD234,750 (€144,441). To ensure compliance, the communications watchdog has been granted expanded enforcement powers. 

The federal government is also considering a gradual phase-out of gambling advertisements over three years, a recommendation from a parliamentary inquiry on problem gambling. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland affirmed the government's commitment to further preventive measures, stating, “Australians should not be gambling with money they do not have. This ban builds on the significant progress to minimise gambling harm that the Albanese Government has made over the past two years, which is already benefiting thousands of vulnerable Australians.” 

Recent reforms include a betting self-exclusion register, which has already seen participation from 22,000 individuals. Additionally, starting in September, computer games featuring gambling-like content will be classified as R18+, while those with in-game purchases will be rated M. These measures are part of a broader initiative to curb gambling-related harm and reshape the cultural perception of . 

Despite the sweeping changes, online lotteries are currently exempt from the credit card ban, a loophole that some argue needs to be addressed to ensure comprehensive consumer protection. As highlighted by The Canberra Times and Crypto News Australia, this regulatory gap might incentivise gamblers to shift to online lotteries, undermining the overall intent of the reforms. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA East Europe 2024, 2 – 4 September. Find all the details . 

Indonesia's Communications and Information Minister, Budi Arie Setiadi, has raised concerns about money laundering activities connected to online gambling. The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) identified these suspicious activities in the first quarter of the year.  

According to local media reports, the discussed the issue during a meeting with the House of Representatives Commission I, which oversees communications, defence, intelligence, and foreign affairs. He indicated that money obtained from gambling winnings is being laundered but refrained from providing specific details about the cases.  

Coordinating Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Minister Hadi Tjahjanto previously disclosed that online gambling activities from January to March amounted to a transactional value of Rp100 trillion (€5.7 billion). This figure represents a significant portion of the total Rp327 trillion (€18.5 billion) in online gambling transactions recorded for the entire year of 2023.  

Commission I member Nurul Arifin from the Golkar Party highlighted the substantial economic losses due to online gambling and questioned the effectiveness of the ministry’s measures to combat it. She referenced the ministry's claim of blocking 800,000 online gambling sites last year and expressed scepticism about the success of these efforts given the high transactional values.  

In response, Setiadi reiterated the ministry's dedication to , emphasising the detrimental impact on family finances and national well-being. He noted that the financial losses incurred by Indonesians benefit other countries, underscoring the importance of tackling this issue.  

Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has established a special interministerial task force to address the proliferation of online gambling. This task force, led by senior minister Hadi Tjahjanto, includes Setiadi overseeing prevention efforts and National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo handling enforcement.  

In Indonesia, all forms of gambling are illegal, with severe penalties for participants and organizers. Under Article 303 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), those involved in gambling activities face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to Rp25 million (€1,418). Additionally, distributors of online gambling software could be sentenced to six years in prison and fined up to Rp1 billion (€56,730) under the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.  

Find out more about the latest updates and trends in the industry, from latest regulatory news to most recent innovations at the upcoming  Summit happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September.