Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: POGO ban applies universally, regardless of location/licensing

Good morning.?No loopholes, no exceptions. The ban on POGOs and IGLs applies universally, independent of the location or licensing entity, says a top legal expert. Meanwhile, in Macau, a recent survey shows positive growth in Macau’s premium mass segment this month, with more whales and new products driving growth. And in Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa faced a setback, after being handed a shortened two-year renewal on its casino license due to ‘unsatisfactory’ tourism performance.

What you need to know

• PH President Marcos’ recent POGO ban Executive Order applies universally, regardless of location or licensing, a legal expert says.
• Citigroup survey shows Macau’s premium mass market growing 29% in November, driven by high-quality players and innovations.
• Resorts World Sentosa casino license extended for just 2 years due to ‘unsatisfactory’ tourism performance/need for ‘substantial improvement’.

On the radar

• Baha Mar defendants request a stay of enforcement to avoid insolvency.
• DigiPlus clarifies that there are no plans to buy CasinoPlus at this time.
• Macau gaming service exports up 28.4%YoY in 9-month period: Statistics.
• Former PH spokesman yet to file counter-affidavit for human trafficking.
• Sharp rise in Suspicious Transaction Reports in Nepal linked to cyber fraud.
• 100,000 POGO workers still await deportation from the Philippines.

AGB Intelligence

POGO BAN

Legal expert: Executive Order applies universally

A top legal expert says that the Executive Order issued by the Philippine President banning all offshore gaming operations was “explicit in its scope” and applies universally, regardless of location or licensing. Clarification from the Office of the President furthered that there are no exceptions or loopholes in the ban on POGOs and IGLs, noting that they are “now classified as illegal gambling”.

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