Former Philippine Senate urges government to consider privatising PAGCOR

Following the implementation of visa exemption policies between Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and China, Cambodia may have the opportunity to follow suit in the future. The NagaWorld Casino in Cambodia not only attracts locals but also draws tourists from neighbouring countries like Thailand. After the Thai parliament completes the casino committee bill, NagaWorld may need to reconsider its operational strategies.

Cambodia may welcome more tourists from China

According to the report of Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, the number of international tourists in 2023 was up by 82.5% compared to pre-pandemic data of 2019. However, the recovery of Chinese tourists still lags, with an overall recovery rate of 23.2%. Business travellers account for approximately 71.9% of Chinese inbound tourists. If visa exemption policies are implemented between Cambodia and China, the country may welcome more tourists from the world's second-largest population.

Infrastructure development

The newly completed Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and the under-construction Phnom Penh Dek Kong International Airport are expected to be fully operational by 2025. These infrastructures are expected to help increase inbound numbers of travelers and serve as a catalyst for Cambodia's economic growth through new routes and destinations.

Potential changes in gambling licensing

Previously listed in Hong Kong, NagaWorld held a monopoly on gambling licenses, with exclusive operating rights within a 200-kilometre radius of the capital, Phnom Penh, until 2045. However, this status will be disrupted if Thailand legalises casino operations, intensifying competition between Cambodia and Thailand along the border.

Impact of Thailand's low-tax rate bill on Asian gaming industry

With the completion of the bill by the parliamentary committee, Thailand has taken a significant step towards legalising casinos. The bill proposes a 17% casino tax, which, if passed, will be nearly equivalent to Singapore's overall gambling revenue tax rate and is expected to attract investor interest. In contrast, the tax rate in the Philippines is 25%, while in Japan is 30%. The Thai government has adopted an economically friendly approach to

attract foreign investment, which pairs well with the upcoming Thai casino industry.

The Thai government is actively attracting foreign investment to create a conducive environment for the upcoming casino industry. The new law clearly outlines the regulatory framework, prioritizing concerns about potential gambling harms to society.

Bidders' criteria include companies registered in Thailand with a paid-up capital of not less than 100 billion Thai baht (€2.6 billion), with an initial licence term of 20 years. The first batch of integrated resorts tender requirements stipulates a minimum investment amount of 1 trillion Thai baht (€28 billion). However, it is worth noting that the bill covers industry organizational structure, other licencing requirements, social security rules, and the content structure of Thai integrated resorts, which may affect tax rates and related social welfare frameworks.

In a brief conversation with Sigma News this week, offered his candid views on the future of compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) in the sector. His outlook, while seemingly somewhat bleak, paints a realistic picture of the hurdles that lie ahead.

Cachia (pictured above), has been observing an unsettling trend in global gambling regulations. He argues that, often demanding commercially sensitive data from operators without explicit goals. This overregulation, he cautions, is resulting in unnecessary red tape and protracted approval times.

Furthermore, Cachia has noticed a change in the stance of some regulators, who are becoming more aloof rather than cooperative. He contends that this shift is harmful to an industry that heavily depends on speed.

However, it’s not all negative. Cachia highlights that these challenges are paving the way for new jurisdictions to set up their own offshore regimes. Despite their lack of infrastructure to support such a complex industry, these jurisdictions could potentially emerge as alternatives to the current reputable ones.

On the subject of AML, Cachia anticipates that business-to-business (B2B) entities, which are presently outside the purview of AML laws, will gradually be mandated to provide some form of reporting. He points to as an example, which already has reporting obligations with the He foresees this trend becoming increasingly prevalent among European regulators.

When probed about his advice for other firms in the gaming industry, Cachia points out the significance of investing in robust compliance and responsible gaming functions. He recommends companies to incorporate these functions into major business decisions, as this can help avert expensive errors and uncover overlooked opportunities.

Cachia also urges companies to keep the lines of communication open with all regulators and not to hesitate from expressing their views on the directions a regulator is taking. He is of the opinion that most regulators value this honesty.

Ultimately, Cachia says that the need for continuous testing of business operations for non-compliances and reporting any identified non-compliances to the relevant regulators promptly and transparently. He assures that the consequences of self-reporting often outweigh those of a regulator uncovering non-compliances through other means.

The future of gaming compliance may indeed seem challenging. However, these insights are a useful guidance for manoeuvring through this evolving landscape. Strategic planning and proactive management are a necessity to effectively handle regulatory changes and promote responsible gaming in the industry. Cachia's views and experience in the field are a valuable resource for those working their way through the complexities of gaming compliance.

SiGMA News spoke with Jake Cachia, Compliance and AML Manager at EveryMatrix. He is former Compliance Manager at the Malta Gaming Authority.

You may wish to read a more comprehensive interview with Jake Cachia,

OKTO is poised to unveil its latest payment innovations in Brazil and across Latin America at , inviting partners and industry peers to join OKTO’s booth J50 from April 23 to 25. Renowned for its commitment to revolutionizing the payment landscape, OKTO will showcase a complete suite of payment and financial solutions designed to enhance user experience and convenience with instant pay-ins and payouts capabilities.

At the core of the showcase will be OKTO's comprehensive array of tailored solutions addressing the diverse needs of gaming operators in the region, including cutting-edge Advanced Banking Solutions. OKTO's banking solutions offer seamless fund transfers and robust financial advisory services, ensuring operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. In addition, attendees can experience firsthand OKTO's innovative eFX services, providing access to competitive foreign exchange rates for gaming operators to manage currency conversions effortlessly, minimizing currency-related risks.

Stealing the spotlight for Brazil is OKTO’s latest offering – Pix Direct & Pay And Play, showcasing seamless functionalities in the realm of open banking. Pay and Play simplifies user onboarding and transaction processing by integrating payment initiation with instant user verification, leading to accelerated player registration, heightened engagement, and retention rates. PIX Direct caters specifically to the Brazilian market, offering a streamlined payment experience through Brazil's instant payment system, Pix, ensuring fast and secure transactions.

As part of the display will be OKTO's KYC as a Service, streamlining the Know Your Customer (KYC) process for gaming operators, enhancing operational efficiency and compliance.

A highlight of OKTO's booth is its payment orchestration service, specially crafted for the dynamic LatAm regions. This service underscores OKTO’s focus on powerful paytech, unlocking seamless and instant pay-ins and payouts via a single integration across multiple regions, backed by diverse local payment methods, addressing the varied payment needs of the Latin American market.

Exhibition attendees are in for a treat with live demo sessions featuring all OKTO services together with company's advanced eVoucher payment method OKTO.CASH and the user-friendly online wallet solution, OKTO.WALLET. The wallet is specifically optimized for igaming users, ensuring a secure and effortless platform for managing funds both in and out.

Leonardo Chaves, Country Manager at OKTO, expressed, "Our dedication to offering compliant, instant and user-friendly payment solutions for both deposits and withdrawals, ensuring a seamless experience for both users and merchants, remains steadfast. We look forward to welcoming partners, clients, and industry experts and friends to our booth, where our team will be available to discuss our customized services designed specifically for Brazil and Latin America."

Visit OKTO at J50 at BIS SiGMA Americas to witness first-hand the future of payments in Brazil.

About OKTO

Digital Payments for the Real World

OKTO drives digital payments for online and retail businesses worldwide. Their unified payment platform securely processes transactions in the digital and real-world realms, crafting immersive payment experiences for merchants and consumers alike. 

With a team of 200+ payment experts and technologists, OKTO orchestrate digital payments across the Americas, Europe, and Asia through a blend of local expertise, sector knowledge, and international capabilities. Their embedded omnichannel approach supports customers across diverse regulatory landscapes, ensuring low friction and high protection. 

With over €4 billion in processed volume by over 13 million consumers worldwide, OKTO continuously drive digital transformation in payments. 

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced a lifetime ban on This decision came after an investigation revealed that Porter had not only bet on NBA games but also provided confidential information about his health to other gamblers. This incident has brought the issue of sports betting into sharp focus, particularly as it continues to surge in popularity.

Porter’s actions were a clear violation of NBA rules. He provided confidential information to bettors, limited his participation in one or more games for gambling purposes, and placed bets on NBA games. The NBA alleges that ahead of Toronto’s March 20 game, Porter (pictured above), gave information about his health status to one bettor. Another person, who Porter knew, bet $80,000 that he wouldn’t hit a statistic set by an online sportsbook. Porter subsequently took himself out of that game, claiming he was ill.

The NBA’s investigation revealed that Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate’s account. These bets totaled $54,094, with Porter receiving net winnings of $21,695. Importantly, none of the bet Porter placed included games in which he played. The NBA’s investigation into Porter remains open, and more findings could potentially emerge.

This incident is part of a broader trend in professional and collegiate sports. Several athletes have been implicated in betting probes in recent years. The rapid legalization of sports betting in many states has led to concerns about its impact on professional sports. , began investigating Porter after identifying several irregular bets involving him.

There was increased betting interest on props involving Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., in January. On that day, he played just four minutes before leaving due to an aggravated eye injury. The under hit for all of Porter’s props, according to ESPN, while DraftKings Sportsbook said the under for Porter’s made 3-pointers was the biggest money winner for bettors of any NBA player props that day. Following Toronto’s game against the Sacramento Kings on March 20, Porter’s props were again the biggest money winner for NBA player props on DraftKings.

This scandal has also brought attention to the issue of prop bets in college sports. NCAA President Charlie Baker called for a nationwide ban on college prop bets last month, following a series of collegiate coaches and athletes linked to illegal betting probes. More than a dozen charges were filed last August against Iowa State University and University of Iowa student-athletes who allegedly bet on games in which they played. However, the charges were later dropped amid concerns that authorities tracked betting activity without a warrant.

The gambling watchdog U.S. Integrity flagged unusual betting involving University of Alabama baseball games last year, later resulting in head coach Brad Bohannon’s ouster. The NFL suspended 10 players last year, after an investigation determined they violated the league’s gambling policy by either betting on NFL games or non-NFL games while at league facilities. Calvin Ridley, then the wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, was suspended for a year in 2022 after he placed bets on games that included the Falcons.

The last NBA player to receive a lifetime ban was Jalen Harris, who was banned from the league in 2021 after he violated its anti-drug policies. His ban was reversed in 2022. Tyreke Evans also received a lifetime ban for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policies. The Porter case serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls of sports betting, and the need for stringent regulations to maintain the integrity of the game.