Bringing the curtain down
Philippines ends era of life as an offshore hub
President Marcos signs the order to end the country’s POGO regime.
In +More: Canada’s gambling ads bill progresses.
State of play: legislative hopes for the year ahead.
GambleAware presses the case for more action on gambling ads in the UK.
You should watch, watch your step.
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Get out and stay out
Don’t let the door hit you on your way out: President Ferdinand Marcos last week signed the executive order #74, which ordered the immediate banning of offshore gaming operations within the country.
That’s your lot: The measure is sweeping, according to the Philippines national press service, bringing to a halt all “illegal offshore gaming operations,” license applications, license renewals and the cessation of operations.
The press service said the move was “in line with the government’s commitment to protecting the interest of national security, public safety and maintenance of public order, as well as to upholding the rule of law.”
The government’s intention to ban offshore operators was first announced in July when Marcos used his State of the Nation address to say that all POGO operators were on notice to cease operation by the end of this year.
Cost benefit: The government cited a report produced by its own Department of Finance, which found the negative impacts associated with POGO activities, including increased crime rates, social instability and exploitation of vulnerable people, “significantly outweigh the economic and social benefits derived from the POGO industry.”
Dismantling: The executive order sets out plans for two technical working groups, which will between them develop and implement the strategy to “effectively enforce” the ban on POGO and internet gaming licensees.
One group will look at ensuring displaced Filipino workers will be reintegrated into the wider economy.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Illegal Offshore Gaming Operations task force will “further intensify the crackdown” on all illegal gaming operators.
It will also investigate individuals suspected of being involved in illegal operations and look to carry out the deportation of foreigners employed in the offshore industry.
All hands to the pump: The executive order then says that all other government agencies and government-owned entities, including PAGCOR, are “directed to provide the necessary assistance and support” to facilitate successful implementation.
Drain the swamp: Politicians welcomed the move to shut down an offshore gaming industry that has been mired in controversy and scandal, and has become the flashpoint for diplomatic friction with the Chinese government.
Senator Joel Villanueva said “this decisive action” demonstrates the government’s commitment to permanently shutting down POGOs.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian suggested the POGO regime was responsible for turning the Philippines into a “haven for human trafficking, scamming [and] kidnapping.”
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+More
Canada: A bill intended to provide a framework for all sports-betting advertising and for the creation of a national responsible gambling standard has passed the upper house. Among other things, the bill would limit the scope for the use of celebrities and athletes in promotional materials. A timeline for the next steps on the bill has yet to be set.
Gamcare: The UK-based charity is halting its Safer Gambling operations by the end of this year, according to Next. The website reported that in an email to customers Gamcare stated it had been unable to secure a suitable home for its suite of Safer Gambling services, which includes training and certification, in the timelines set by its board of trustees.
The service has come in for criticism after awarding top marks to operators whose safer gambling practices have subsequently been found wanting by the UK Gambling Commission.
States in play
Tie a yellow ribbon: On the Q3 earnings call with analysts last week, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins uttered some vaguely hopeful words about the potential for further regulatory movement with the upcoming legislative sessions.
He said if the sector could reignite efforts from where they “left off last year,” then Texas, Georgia and Minnesota offered the prospect of potential progress.
Meanwhile, in iCasino, Robins said he thought New York and Illinois “are obviously two big ones that the company was keeping an eye on and I think could potentially have some momentum.”
Mr Patrick goes to Washington? On the subject of Texas, the analysts at Jefferies noted the potential elevation of the state’s Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to a federal role with the Trump administration could be impactful for the gaming sector.
Patrick was the “strongest opponent to a 2023 push for legalization onto a ballot initiative,” said the team.
“While unconfirmed, it is reasonable to hypothesize that if Patrick were to be replaced, the landscape could become more favorable to gaming.”
The team noted, for instance, that Gov. Greg Abbot was more supportive of gaming.
Together we stand: Meanwhile, there are already signs the effort to get OSB in Minnesota could be coming to a successful conclusion. A source told local media that a deal was already in place from the tailend of the last legislative session.
Confidence will have been boosted by a posting on X from state Senator Jeremy Miller, who said “it’s time to get a sports-betting bill passed here in Minnesota.”
“Let’s work together and get it done!”
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Brazil thinning
No (Bet)way: The process of whittling down the number of operators set to enter the regulated Brazilian OSB and iCasino market has begun pre-launch with 20 operators believed to have dropped out of the race, according to iGB.
Those that have pulled their applications include Super Group’s Betway.
On the company’s Q3 earnings call last week, CCO Richard Hasson confirmed the company was “not currently proceeding” with its plans.
We want to ensure that we can identify a sustainable path to profitability once we go live,” he added.
Also among the names that have withdrawn from the license application process are Arena Esportiva, AmuletoBet and Vera&John.
What we’re reading: The explosion of online sports betting in Brazil has sparked warnings about its damaging impact. In the FT.
Ad blindness
Tune in: The UK has the most lenient regulations on gambling ads, despite there having been more research undertaken on the negative effects of gambling marketing than in several other European countries combined.
Turn off: According to a new report from University of Bristol and Ipso, commissioned by the responsible gambling charity GambleAware, there is clear public support for changes to advertising practice with two-thirds of respondents saying there is too much advertising.
An even bigger majority backed more regulations being introduced for social media gambling adverts (74%) and TV (72%).
Discomfort blanket: In response to the findings, GambleAware is calling for a pre-watershed ban on broadcast adverts, restrictions on gambling content and marketing online, a blanket ban across sports and mandatory health warnings.
The charity claimed there was “strong evidence” from recent research papers that gambling advertising “increases participation and therefore risk, exacerbates harm and normalizes gambling.”
Health warning: Siân Griffiths CBE, public health expert and chair of GambleAware Trustees, said the lack of regulation of gambling in the UK was a “missed opportunity.”
“It is important we remember that gambling can be addictive and gambling harms need to be recognized as a public health issue that can affect anyone,” she added.
Portents: Lord Foster of Bath, chair of Peers for Gambling Reform, in his usual role as the Cassandra of the gambling lobby, weighed in with a call to ban anything gambling related from being seen by the British public.
“Every day we are bombarded by gambling advertising, marketing and sponsorship on TV, radio and online,” he railed.
“There is huge public support to curb it and there’s a wealth of research showing the harm it causes.”
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Calendar
Nov 18: EGBA webinar series: problem gambling prevalence
Nov 20: EGBA webinar series: safer gambling tools
Nov 21: EGBA webinar series: KYC and safer gambling
Nov 22: EGBA webinar series: safer gambling messaging
Dec 2-4: Thai Entertainment Complex Summit, Bangkok
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