iGaming This Week: 2025 Week 9 - Weekend

Good morning, superstars!

The Philippine gaming market is set for a remarkable transformation, with projections indicating a 17% growth in Gross Gaming Revenue by 2025, largely fueled by the rise of electronic gaming and thriving integrated resorts, even as it contends with emerging regional competitors.

Meanwhile, DigiPlus Interactive Corp is making strides in international expansion by launching a new subsidiary in Singapore, focusing on partnership development in a market bolstered by a favorable business climate, despite regulatory constraints on iGaming services.

In Australia, Sportsbet is responding to rising public concerns and regulatory pressures by halting live odds updates during broadcasts and facing legal challenges related to its betting practices, illustrating the evolving landscape of sports betting.

Asia

DigiPlus Interactive Corp is making significant strides in its international expansion by launching a new subsidiary, DigiPlus Global, in Singapore, and this strategic move focuses on establishing partnerships and talent acquisition, although the company will not directly offer iGaming services due to local regulations; moreover, the expansion into Singapore is motivated by the country's favorable business environment and robust digital infrastructure.

Simultaneously, DigiPlus has appointed Graham Tidey, an experienced iGaming expert, as the country manager for its operations in Brazil, aiming to capitalize on the burgeoning online gaming market, and Tidey’s deep knowledge of online gaming regulations, along with his connections with local officials, will be instrumental in helping DigiPlus navigate Brazil’s legal landscape effectively, while the company remains committed to responsible gaming and sustainable growth through local partnerships in both markets.

The Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in the Philippines is expected to experience significant growth, with a projected 17% increase in 2025, potentially reaching PHP450 billion to PHP480 billion ($7.77 billion-$8.3 billion), as this growth is driven by the rise of electronic gaming and the strong performance of integrated resorts, according to PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro H. Tengco; however, despite this promising outlook, the Philippine gaming market's expansion is anticipated to face potential risks from emerging competitors in the region.

Additionally, Tengco has voiced concerns over Thailand's move to legalize casinos, citing it as a significant threat to the Philippine gaming industry, which is currently the second-largest in Asia, and the potential legalization of casinos in Thailand could lead to decreased patronage from foreign visitors, particularly from countries like China, South Korea, and Japan, who account for a sizable portion of local casino traffic, thereby highlighting the potential risks to the Philippine gaming industry's growth as Thailand's strong tourism appeal could divert visitors and revenue away from the Philippines.

FBM has launched its third season of the Bingo Milyonaryo live promotion in the Philippines, offering a total of over Php30 million (US$518,000) in cash prizes across more than 300 bingo sites, while the promotional campaign includes six live draws, culminating in a Grand Draw where a player can win Php500,000, and the initiative aims to enhance player engagement through live streaming on FBM Philippines’ Facebook Page.

Meanwhile, a coalition of youth activists in Thailand has submitted a petition urging the Prime Minister’s Office to reconsider plans to legalize online gambling, citing concerns over youth addiction; alarmingly, statistics show around 2.9 million individuals aged 15-25 engaged in online gambling in 2023, with nearly 740,000 at risk of addiction, so the group criticizes the government's stance of using gambling legalization to fund scholarships, labeling it a short-sighted approach that jeopardizes young people's futures.

In Macau, a satellite casino operator has reported that no discussions have taken place with the government or local concessionaires regarding the upcoming satellite law set to take effect next year, which will ban revenue-sharing agreements and require fixed management fees; thus, the operator emphasized the urgency of initiating discussions, particularly concerning outsourcing contracts and the potential financial implications for the over 10,000 employees across the 11 satellite casinos should any closures occur, while legislative councilor Lei Leong Wong has called for government intervention to ensure the ongoing operation of satellite casinos to protect jobs and local businesses dependent on them.

Rest of the World

Sportsbet, Australia’s largest bookmaker, is halting live odds updates during NRL and AFL broadcasts amid public concern over sports betting promotions, and this decision is part of a broader strategy following a 40% reduction in wagering advertising, reflecting growing discussions on stricter regulations to protect vulnerable populations from gambling exposure. Furthermore, the company is facing a class-action lawsuit regarding illegal live betting practices, which further complicates its operational landscape.

In the United States, Golden Entertainment is actively pursuing strategic mergers and acquisitions to enhance shareholder value, particularly within its Nevada portfolio and local taverns, but executives' express optimism about organic growth in 2025 driven by the robust Nevada economy while taking a cautious approach to M&A by preferring multi-property deals. Moreover, the company has also reported improved performance metrics across its Nevada casinos, although challenges from recent tavern acquisitions are being addressed.

Additionally, the Nevada Gaming Commission has authorized BetMGM, a joint venture of MGM Resort International and Entain, to manage sportsbook operations at nine MGM casinos in Las Vegas, and this decision comes after BetMGM successfully applied for key employee licensing, allowing significant involvement in race and sports operations at MGM properties. Consequently, the transition is expected to align with Major League Baseball and football seasons, ensuring a seamless experience for customers.

In Italy, the government is currently negotiating amendments to the Dignity Decree of 2018, which bans gambling sponsorships effective since 2019, and Sports Minister Andrea Abodi aims to create a new sponsorship code in collaboration with Italian football clubs to address concerns that the current regulations harm the regulated gambling market. This initiative, supported by the 7th Senate Commission, seeks to foster growth in the sports sector while balancing consumer interests.

Furthermore, the German state of Baden-Württemberg has officially approved regulations for online casino games, including blackjack and roulette, following the Interstate Treaty on Gambling established in 2021, which allows the state to introduce state-run virtual casino offerings. This marks it as the third German state to do so after Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein, and the move is part of a broader trend to expand legal online gambling options throughout the country.

Lastly, in the United Kingdom, Yggdrasil has entered a significant partnership with the Rank Group, a leading UK casino operator, to provide an extensive range of slot content to its brands, including Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo. This collaboration will enhance access to Yggdrasil's diverse game library for Rank's UK customers, encompassing both new releases and legacy titles, and additionally, Yggdrasil will deliver content from its YGG Masters studio partners, thereby broadening gaming options for Rank's clientele.

Thanks for joining me for this exciting edition of iGaming This Week.

Are you ready to invest and expand into emerging markets in Asia, Latam, or Africa?

Feel free to contact me to start the conversation and explore how we can work together to achieve your business goals.

?? Follow me on LinkedIn

?? Join me on Telegram

?? Email me: [email protected]