The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced that a dozen people have been arrested for involvement in illegal online gaming operations. According to the Philippine regulator, the operation was carried out on February 16 in Parañaque City.

A total of 12 people were arrested in the operation which was carried out by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the PAGCOR monitoring team.

Alejandro Tengco, PAGCOR’s chief executive officer and chair, commented on the matter, saying that the authorities searched a den and caught suspects red-handed while operating the illegal gambling platform The Big Bet (tbb888.com). According to Tengco, The Big Bet offered illegal gambling products, such as slot machines, live casino products and esports bets, among others. 

In addition to arresting twelve people, the raiders also seized eleven computer sets, 21 mobile phones, 2 ipads, 5 laptops and multiple flash drives.

PAGCOR Wants to Eliminate Illegal Competition 

According to PAGCOR’s senior vice president for security and monitoring cluster, Raul Villanueva, the seized devices confirmed the group’s involvement in the operation of illegal online gambling. Villanueva also confirmed that cases will be filed against the suspects before the Parañaque Regional Trial Court.

Villanueva further addressed the matter, saying that the operation was a part of the Philippine authorities’ unified efforts to crack down on illegal gambling activities. He said that the regulator vows to continue working together with law enforcement authorities such as the PNP and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency to put a stop to such operations.

We are also working closely with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center under the Department of Information and Communications Technology because we have a lot more targets under surveillance.

Raul Villanueva, senior vice president for security and monitoring cluster, PAGCOR

Villanueva asked the public to stop interacting with and spending money on such illegal platforms and said that, sadly, most of the victims of such illegal sites are Filipino players. He said that consistent monitoring and reporting is needed in order to protect bettors and ensure that revenues from regulated gaming are channeled back to the government.

The SVP concluded that there used to be close to 5,000 illegal online gaming websites operating in the Philippines. Luckily, most of these have already been blocked, he added.

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A former state senator, the owner of the casino, has been accused of misusing public COVID-19 relief funds to purchase luxury cars. The accusations have been vehemently denied by both former Rep. Senator Andy Sandborn and his legal representative who has accused the state of building its case on thin grounds and without substantiated evidence.

Looking into the Former Senator’s COVID Fund Spending

Although examiner Michael King, who oversaw the case, did not outright confirm the allegations – as it was beyond his remit, King still noted that the accusations were serious enough for the New Hampshire State Lottery Commission to consider revoking Sanborn’s gaming license.

Sanborn is accused of improperly obtaining federal funds and then misrepresenting their use. The commission and King argue that Sanborn paid himself large sums and failed to keep a detailed enough record-keeping to dispel doubt, prompting the regulator to order the casino shut. This undermined the public confidence, King noted.

The good news for the property is that it may reopen in six months, but only under the aegis of a new owner. This means that Sanborn would have to sell the business. As to the exact severity of the allegations against Sanborn, they pertain to an $844,000 fund that was handed down by the Small Business Administration.

According to investigators, when applying, Sanborn did not specify that he owned a casino business and was applying as a casino business for the loan. Such businesses were not eligible to obtain funding at the time.

Time Begins to Tick for Sanborn and the Concord Venue

 Yet, Sanborn is alleged to have secured the funding and then spent at least $181,000 on two Porsche race cars with another $80,000 on a Ferrari for his wife. He also paid himself $183,000 for “rent” for the Concord venue.

Interestingly, the loan was also spent on luxury goods – the cars – that were not American-made which was another violation of the terms of securing the funding and its subsequent spending.

The commission and King have agreed to wait until Sanborn has a chance to sell his business while suspending operations at the venue for the time being providing it’s done within six months. It’s yet not clear if he will continue challenging the commission and its conclusions.

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Despite the efforts of law enforcement, illegal gambling activities are common across China. Last month alone, law enforcement in Hong Kong busted multiple brothels and gambling dens in operations that resulted in the arrest of more than 300 people allegedly involved in those activities. The combined efforts of Hong Kong police authorities against triad operations in November saw more than 2,000 officers participate.

Now, the crackdown against illegal gambling and associated crimes continues. As announced by the South China Morning Post, Hong Kong police operations between November 2 and December 2 resulted in the arrest of 130 people, suspected of participating in money laundering and illegal gambling. The report cited police data released Sunday, estimating that the people involved in the illicit activity were able to launder some HK$15 million ($1.92 million).

Between Friday and Sunday, law enforcement arrested five men and three women believed to be involved in a money laundering operation. Among the detainees were transport workers, bar owners, businessmen and beauty salon managers. Out of the eight people arrested, four were believed to be triad gang members. One of the detained individuals was believed to be the ringleader of the money laundering operation.

Citing an investigation, the Hong Kong police said that the alleged leader of the money laundering syndicate used bank accounts belonging to different businesses to transfer large sums of money. The individual is believed to be involved in different companies, but investigators found no legal businesses belonging to the suspect.

Allegedly, the leader of the money laundering operation was able to conduct more than 600 money transactions. The illicit activity has reportedly been ongoing for 10 years, starting from 2013, according to a senior inspector from the New Territories North anti-triad unit.

Law Enforcement Shuts Down Illegal Gas Station, Gambling Dens

Police detained more than 120 more people, allegedly tied to five illegal gambling dens as well as an illegal gas station. One of the illegal venues offered baccarat, while two offered gambling machines with fishing games. Two other illegal venues offered mahjong games.

Raids were conducted in Sheung Shui and Ta Kwu Ling, during which law enforcement detained 122 individuals. The detainees were between the ages of 20 and 75, consisting of 66 women and 64 men. During the raids, police seized various items, including bank cards, cash and documents. Proceeds that were allegedly accumulated from the illegal activities estimated at HK$2.5 million ($320,000) were also seized. While some of the alleged culprits were released on bail, others already face charges. The Hong Kong police did not rule out additional arrests.

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Great Britain has parted ways with its oldest casino. The old property, unfortunately, had to close its doors, citing lack of custom as the reason.

At almost two centuries old, the Crockfords casino boasted being the oldest one in the country. Originally founded in 1828 by William Crockford, a working-class fishmonger, the casino was, for over a century, a popular venue among rich people and tourists. Situated in the Mayfair area in London, the property used to welcome hosts of affluent tourists, making its founder rich.

The Crockfords casino, which has operated for 195 years now, will sadly be unable to celebrate its 200th birthday because of declining interest. Many of the high rollers, on which the casino depended, have been won over by its foreign competitors, leading to lower revenues.

The decline of affluent consumers is attributable to the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union and the repeal of VAT-free shopping for tourists. Instead, many high rollers now prefer Paris and Milan, experts believe.

The Lack of High Rollers Forced the Casino to Close

In an interview with Daily Mail, Paul Willcock, president of Genting Casinos UK which owns the property, described the closure as the “end of an era.” Willcock pointed out that Crockfords casino has become unsustainable because of a variety of factors.

There is a combination of factors that have put high-end London casinos at a competitive disadvantage to other global marketplaces and this has led to an unsustainable future for Crockfords in Mayfair.

Paul Willcock, president, Genting Casinos UK

Crockfords isn’t the only high-end gambling property to shut its doors in recent years. Its closure was preceded by the shutdown of The Ritz and The Clermont, whose future also became unsustainable because of the lack of affluent visitors.

Some people have suggested that the lack of high rollers is caused by some of the local regulations, which force visitors to prove the source of their funds. Many consider this measure intrusive and believe that it is a put-off for rich casino goers.

Whatever the case, the closure of the Crockfords casino will lead to redundancies, forcing Genting to part ways with approximately 100 employees.

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Recently, OKBet Infinity, the popular Philippine junket operator that operates VIP rooms in Newport World Resorts, Okada Manila, Hann Casino Resort, NUSTAR and City of Dreams Manila, confirmed that it has shut down all of its Philippines VIP rooms. The company unveiled the surprising announcement, confirming that it is in effect as of August 8, 2023.

However, amid media reports claiming that the closures were related to people that were arrested over alleged money laundering, OKBet released a new statement. Earlier this week, the company rejected claims that the 10 people, arrested in Singapore over money laundering and forgery, were related to the closures.

Media reports said that at least one of the people that was involved in the crimes was a “top official from OKBet.” The company disagreed with that statement and explained that the closures of its Philippines VIP rooms were “purely business driven.”

The Singapore Police Force said that it acted based on intelligence that included Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) which resulted in identifying a group of individuals that was believed to be involved in financial crimes such as money laundering. The law enforcement outlined that the group was suspected of laundering illegally obtained funds from criminal activities, including online gambling and scams.

Besides confirming that the decision to close its operations in the Philippines was a business one, the company reiterated that the closure isn’t tied in any way to the legal matter in Singapore. OKBet said its VIP rooms were committed to integrity and adhering to the established regulations. Additionally, the company highlighted that its clubs have been renowned for the unique luxurious experiences they offer to their visitors.

“The statement aims to clarify that the closure is not related to any legal issues in Singapore or any other specific jurisdiction. Throughout its operations, OKBet VIP Club has maintained a commitment to the highest standards of legal compliance and operational integrity,“

reads a statement released by OKBet Infinity

In its initial statement, OKBet said that its board of directors decided to cease operations. The company pointed out that its members will be allowed to withdraw their funds without interruptions.

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PlayUp announced it would temporarily shut down its operations in New Jersey after the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) issued an order revoking the transactional waivers allowing the company to conduct sports wagering in the state. The following shutdown of PlayUp’s Colorado website and platform meant the operator no longer offered its services in the USA, further degrading its prospects.

The Operator Failed to Meet Requirements

The DGE’s decision resulted from PlayUp’s inability to provide the regulator with financial details related to its New Jersey operations. While the company complied with some requirements, it failed to present certain requested bank statements and financial information. PlayUp ignored the DGE’s initial warnings, only partially complying after the regulator threatened to revoke its license.

Several other concerns further compounded PlayUp’s unfavorable position, causing the DGE to revoke the transactional waivers allowing the operator to offer its services in New Jersey. The regulator noted that the company’s outstanding invoices, lack of leadership, and inability to comply with standards were sufficient cause to revoke its license. 

PlayUp is not permitted to transact any new internet gaming or sports wagering-related business with any New Jersey casino or racetrack.

DGE official letter to PlayUp

PlayUp must still honor its existing wagers and allow New Jersey customers to withdraw funds. The DGE’s letter states that the operator can reapply for a license anytime, following New Jersey’s existing regulations. However, the company’s dwindling US staff makes such prospects highly unlikely in the short term, meaning clients must search for another sportsbook.

PlayUp May Entirely Exit the US Market

Shortly after PlayUp’s shutdown in New Jersey, the operator suspended its services in Colorado, its remaining active US jurisdiction. The company contacted the Colorado Division of Gaming, requesting to put its app and website into maintenance mode, suspending active betting and customer deposits. Customers may still withdraw funds, but PlayUp did not disclose when its services would return online.

Such developments do not bode well for PlayUp’s US expansion plans. The operator recently withdrew its application for an Ohio sports betting license after allegations of illegal wagering. Although the company’s website states that PlayUp Iowa is “coming soon,” such prospects have mostly diminished. PlayUp CEO Daniel Simic noted that the company would slash its US division employees from 40 to 10- another worrying sign.

PlayUp suspending its New Jersey and Colorado operations may be the final nail in the embattled company’s US expansion plans. Its failed NASDAQ listing, $35 million investment from failed crypto exchange FTX and middling presence in its home Australian market pose significant challenges. As its exit from the US market looms close, PlayUp must adapt, restructure its operations and recover from its streak of setbacks.

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China, which prohibits gambling outside of certain regions, has cracked down on yet another illegal gambling operation. Following enforcement action carried out this weekend, the police arrested 93 people and seized around $125 million (figure has been converted to USD).

As a result of the raid, the illegal iGaming platform is no longer available. Investigators will leverage data secured during the raid to make additional arrests if needed.

The operation was carried out in Zhaotong, a city in the province of Yunnan. As reported, the action was the culmination of an investigation that started in 2021. The culprits ran an online gambling scheme, in violation of China’s gambling rules.

The Operation Took Many Months

The authorities did not rush the investigation and instead, created a team that was tasked with understanding the gambling operation and learning its true extent. The illegal gambling operator ran multiple websites, all of which operated on highly-advanced software.

In addition, the illegal operation leveraged multiple game tools and had many regional representatives. The government, therefore, had to plan carefully before initiating action.

Following sixteen months of investigations, China finally launched raids on the illegal operator. The police raided a total of nine locations, some of which were outside the Yunnan province. As noted, the action resulted in the arrests of 93 people and the seizure of $125 million. In addition, the police reportedly seized 27 computers and 80 mobile devices.

China Continues War on Illegal Gambling

At the beginning of this month, China’s Ministry of Public Security published a report on its progress in cracking down on illegal gambling. In six months, the local law enforcement managed to take action against 10,000 criminal cases and 75,000 administrative cases related to gaming, primarily taking place in rural areas. Throughout the operation, local authorities seized a total of $104 million.

The ministry’s crackdown on gambling in rural areas began in November. Since then, the reports related to illegal gambling have been steadily declining, attesting to the efficiency of the operation.

To make sure that no more illegal gambling rings sprout up, China implemented monitoring policies and has so far established a total of 101 monitoring stations across the country.

Illegal gambling organizations in China would often target addicts and unemployed people, making them extra dangerous to public health. Qi Xiguo, an official of the Ministry of Public Security, promised to keep on working to protect Chinese citizens from illegal gambling.

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Following an extensive review of Tipster.de’s operations, financial status, and compliance with regulatory requirements, Gluecksspiel (GGL) has concluded that the company’s license must be revoked. The measure will prevent the company from offering games of chance in Germany, effectively banning it within the country. GGL’s decision will significantly impact the struggling operator as it looks to sell off its assets.

The Regulator’s Decision Was Fully Justified

The decision to revoke Tipster’s license is based on the concerning factors uncovered during GGL’s evaluation process. The business currently finds itself in a precarious position after its recent filing for bankruptcy, rendering it unable to meet its obligations to customers, suppliers, and regulatory authorities. Since the betting group is under administration, it cannot effectively dispute GGL’s verdict.

We take consistent action against license holders if they violate elementary rules of the State Treaty on Gaming.

Ronald Benter, GGL co-executive director

Things came crashing down for Tipster after the German police raided the operator’s premises due to alleged ties with organized crime, leading to the arrests of six people. The sudden action was part of a joint pan-European investigation regarding unlicensed gambling, corruption schemes, large-scale money laundering, and tax evasion. In the aftermath of the raid, the group filed for bankruptcy, sealing its fate.

Losing its license at such a critical time will have a devastating effect on Tipster. The company hopes to find a buyer after it restructures its operations. However, its spotty history and inability to operate in one of Europe’s leading markets significantly reduces its attractiveness and can negatively impact the ongoing insolvency proceedings.

Tipster’s Fate Should Teach Operators a Valuable Lesson

GGL’s decision to revoke Tipster’s license appears justified considering the operator’s current state. With its leadership and operations in shambles, the company cannot guarantee basic player protections and meet its contractual obligations. The company refused to comment on the situation, and its website remains offline, making any hopes of a resurgence virtually nonexistent. 

Such a sudden downfall came as a shock, considering the business had annual revenues of €250 million ($273,76 million) and employed over 1,000 people. However, GGL noted that it was willing to take action even against the high-profile operators, evidenced by its recent probe into Daily Fantasy Sports operators in the country.

Glücksspiel’s revocation of Tipster GmbH’s license represents a significant development in the German gambling industry, demonstrating the regulator’s ability to implement harsh punishments given sufficient justification. The case should also send a message to other operators, highlighting the need to uphold financial stability, compliance with regulations, and responsible gambling practices.

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