A video-camera and artificial-intelligence (AI) -assisted “Bet Attributor” function for Angel Group’s ‘smart’ casino-table technology is poised for use in several Asia-Pacific gaming markets.
That is according to Aaron Raj (pictured), chief technology officer (CTO) at the Japanese group’s Angel Australasia Pty Ltd unit. He was speaking in an interview with GGRAsia at the recent Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia 2026 casino trade show and conference held at The Venetian Macao.
Macau.- Lawmakers in Macau have renewed concerns over the use of automation in casinos after a second-generation humanoid robot dealer was showcased at G2E Asia by Chow Tai Fook. During a Legislative Assembly session, legislator Leong Sun Iok warned that the technology could threaten local employment in the gaming sector.
According to Leong, comments made during the expo about falling production costs and the possible future adoption of robotic dealers by casino operators immediately raised concerns among gaming workers.
New government data shows strong growth in online casino spending as the country moves towards a regulated igaming market.
New Zealand.- The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) Zealand has said that spending on online gambling in New Zealand has reached NZ$1.36bn (US$758m) per year. The data comes as the country prepares to launch a regulated sector under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which came into effect earlier this month.
Asia’s gambling sector is beginning to feel the strain of tensions in the Middle East after the rising cost of living and falling tourism have led to declining gambling revenues across the Philippines.
According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chair and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco, the beginning of the year got off to a rocky start as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran continues to create greater inflationary pressure and dampen consumer spending power.
Macau.- The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) has reported that the number of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) events in Macau remained steady in the first quarter of 2026 at 425. However, although the number of participants in meetings and conferences rose by 30 per cent, the overall number of MICE participants and attendees decreased by 8.7 per cent year-on-year to 181,000 as the number of exhibitions saw a small drop.
Indonesia.- The government of Indonesia has raised concerns over the exposure of children to online gambling, describing the issue as a serious threat to minors’ safety and development. According to Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi, data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs shows that close to 200,000 Indonesian children have been exposed to online gambling. Around 80,000 of those affected are reportedly under the age of 10.
Large-scale integrated resorts (IRs) in Entertainment City, in Metro Manila, recorded gross gaming revenue (GGR) of just above PHP37.47 billion (US$574.6 million) in the three months to March 31, according to data from the country’s casino regulator, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor).
The GGR tally for the private-sector casinos in Entertainment City was down 11.1 percent from a year ago, showed the data.
As Inspire Entertainment Resort enters its third year since opening, there is growing interest in the background behind its decision to recruit interns in the triple digits for the first time since it began operations. The company had struggled with the burden of loans taken out to cover its initial investment costs and underperformed financially, resulting in its management rights passing to a private equity fund after just over a year—a process marked by trial and error. However, Inspire is now seen as having secured the momentum needed to stabilize its business.
As more markets open to betting, regulators face mounting pressure from illegal gambling, rapid technological change, and shortages of skilled personnel, Ben Haden, president of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), said last week at G2E Asia.
The morning session, held on the final day of the conference, featured Haden alongside Rui Proença, managing partner at MdME. In a fireside chat, the pair discussed how regulatory oversight is adapting to new risks while balancing innovation with consumer protection.
SBC Summit Tbilisi will return to the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace on July 15-16. The event explores gaming market opportunities across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Press release.- SBC Summit Tbilisi, presented by EGT and Amusnet, will return to Georgia this July with a conference agenda focused on helping stakeholders explore opportunities across Eastern Europe and Central Asia as the region’s gaming markets continue to evolve.
The mandate ends a near 10-month standstill period for India gaming community and wider stakeholders, who in August 2025 were informed of the disruptive decision of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to approve the terms of PROGA to impose a federal ban on all online platforms, services and apps that provide access to Real Money Games (RMGs)
Police raids in Indonesia have led to the arrest of more than 300 foreign nationals, who have allegedly been involved in illegal online gambling operations.
Of the 321 arrested in Jakarta, 228 were from Vietnam, according to reports from AP News. A further 57 were from China, and the rest came from Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia.
Gaming technology supplier TCS John Huxley Ltd will show some of its latest products featuring ‘smart’ sensors and “camera-recognition” capability at this year’s Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia casino industry trade event and conference in Macau.
Authorities in Japan are weighing up all the options, including the possibility of implementing website blocking, as illegal gambling activity in 2025 reached record levels.
The gambling industry is shifting fast, with new markets opening and digital growth accelerating worldwide. Understanding where growth is happening is no longer optional for operators and investors. building scalable infrastructure.
Light & Wonder Inc’s “Dual Strike” blackjack table game product with progressive jackpot capability is available in the Asia-Pacific region, the technology supplier has confirmed to GGRAsia. The product (pictured) was mentioned in a recent social media post. It will be shown by Light & Wonder at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia casino industry trade show and conference at The Venetian Macao next month.
The Cambodian government has ordered the closure of 91 casinos alleged to have been involved in online scam activities, as authorities intensify a nationwide enforcement campaign targeting cybercrime networks. According to a government statement reported by Chinese news agency Xinhua, more than 250 suspected scam centres have been raided over the past nine months.
Vietnam’s integrated casino resorts continue to post losses despite higher domestic participation under the country’s pilot program allowing local citizens to gamble. The latest financial disclosures show that the sector’s large-scale projects are still struggling to turn revenue growth into profit.
A total of 28 luxury Macau hotel brands – all within casino resorts – indicate they have sold out their rooms for at least three nights of the upcoming Labour Day holiday season in early May, which for mainland residents spans five days. The room-demand snapshot is based on GGRAsia’s checks of the respective official booking engines of those hotels.
Today, online gambling is a dynamic and multifaceted world of digital gaming that continues to evolve and attract players from around the globe. In the coming years, this industry promises explosive growth, accompanied by technological breakthroughs and bold regulatory shifts that will make gambling not just entertainment, but a part of everyday digital life.
Sands China Ltd’s “reinvestment” spending to retain mass-market casino players seems to have fallen sequentially in the first quarter judged by particular metrics, suggest a number of analysts.
Opinion.- As the igaming industry continues its rapid global expansion, one truth has become impossible to ignore: players may be separated by geography, language, and regulation, but their expectations are consistent. They want seamless, intuitive experiences that work, regardless of which market they play in.
Japan recorded a sharp rise in illegal online gambling cases in 2025, with authorities identifying a record number of incidents and individuals involved. According to local media reports, data released by Japan’s National Police Agency showed that enforcement actions were taken against 317 people.