Weekend Report is a weekly update from iGB that brings you the latest news you might have missed. We cover POGOs and other stories from the Philippines this week, along with stops in New York City, New Hampshire State, Thailand, Brazil, Thailand, New York.
Senator of the Philippines renews his call for an online gambling ban
Joel Villanueva, a Philippine Senator, is pushing to have his legislation that bans Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and online gambling in 2022 pass through the Philippine legislature.
Villanueva’s Senate Bill 1281, first filed in September 20, 2022, aims to repeal any legislation that grants the authority to regulate online gaming and criminalise vertical. Those found to have placed, received or otherwise unknowingly transmitted a bet or wager online would face either a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of PHP500,000 (PS6,736.74/EUR7,943.75/8,524.33).
Companies that offer gambling can be fined PHP500,000 and face up to five years imprisonment for the presidents, directors or manager.
Villanueva, citing evidence that links the POGO operations with crimes such as kidnappings, murders and human trafficking, argues for an outright prohibition.
There should be no doubt that gambling’s social costs far exceed its benefits. Villanueva, according to Philippines News Agency said that we must end this problem once and for ever. He said that the local regulator, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation(Pagcor), failed to effectively oversee and stop criminal activities.
SB1281 has been assigned in 2022 to the Senate Ways and Means, Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committees, but it is not moving forward since then.
FanDuel continues New York winning streak
FanDuel is a dominant force in New York, as revealed by the latest revenue report. Over half of the sports betting revenues and a third or more of all handle were accounted by FanDuel for the week ending 23 June.
FanDuel generated gross gaming revenues of approximately $19.7m (around 51% of state totals for the week) from $131.1m in wagers over a seven-day span. This also indicates a 15% hold, whereas the average national holding for 2023 is around 9.1%. It was the leader in all categories.
DraftKings is the closest competitor, with $118.0m in stakes and a GGR of $10.9.
The mobile betting market in New York has been stronger than usual so far this month. Copa America 2024 and Euro 2024 have begun, which has broken up the normal summer slump.
NH Senator granted extension for casino sale
The state has extended the deadline for the sale of Concord Casino to 18 July, after granting the former New Hampshire senator Andy Sanborn an extension from the original 27-June deadline.
Sanborn’s Casino was closed in December 2023 following an investigation of misused federal funding for pandemics. The casino was closed in December 2023 as a result of an investigation into misuse of federal pandemic funding.
According to the investigation, Sanborn filed the application for pandemic relief under a new name and did not mention that it was a gaming business. Sanborn had six months from the 1st of January to sell his property. Sanborn’s facility and gaming operators licences were revoked if he did not sell. The New Hampshire Lottery Commission suspends each licence until the sale has been approved.
The extension allows him to sell the property until the 18th of July, but if a deal is in progress, the deadline could be pushed to the end of September. There are no details about a potential buyer.
Thailand arrests for illegal gambling rise in Euro 2024
Over 2,600 arrests have taken place in Thailand for illegal gambling. Royal Thai Police is cracking down on illegal gambling at a moment when the Euro 2024 Tournament has sparked heightened betting.
In the last two weeks, since the start of the German tournament on 14th June, there have been 2,113 arrests for illegal bookmaking. The breakdown is 2,052 betting customers, 22 collectors of bets, and 39 bookies.
Police have arrested 513 people and shut down 142 sites to curb online gambling. Among this group, 63 people are accused of running unlicensed platforms for betting, while 450 others have been arrested.
Brazilians’ appetite for sport bettingexposed
The survey by marketing consultant Ilumeo shows that sports betting is a popular activity in Brazil.
Ilumeo surveyed 2,327 Brazilians and found that 83% had either placed bets or were considering placing them.
Out of this total, 47% already gamble, and 36% are interested. The majority of respondents (62%) said that the possibility of earning additional income from winnings was their primary motivation. 37 percent of respondents said that they gambled for entertainment.
Three-quarters of those who said they wouldn’t bet said that they didn’t possess the necessary skills for winning, and another 27% said they were not confident about their odds to make money.
