Asia
Thailand Releases Draft Bill for Casino Legalisation
Thailand’s future casino regulatory body will be based in Bangkok with branches located strategically around the country, reporting directly to a new Policy Committee to be chaired by the Prime Minister, a draft casino bill made public on last Friday reveals.
It also outlines a multi-level approach by which the Policy Committee will be supported by an Executive Committee tasked with establishing the budgetary and staffing entitlements of the regulator itself.
The 22-page draft bill is currently open for public feedback until 18 August, having been released by Thailand’s Council of State after months of discussions.
According to the bill, key to formally legalising “integrated entertainment venues” with casinos in Thailand will be establishing an office to regulate them with a stated purpose to “regulate, supervise, control, promote, and support integrated entertainment venues in accordance” with the Act.
This regulatory body “will have its head office in Bangkok and will establish branches or representatives at any other place as necessary,” the bill says.
Among its stated tasks are supervising, inspecting and monitoring the operations of integrated entertainment venues, addressing public complaints, preventing and remedying “impacts” arising from the venues, and determining the characteristics of individuals prohibited from entering a casino area.
In charge of establishing key casino policy, including those around management, the issuance of licenses, tax rates, permitted business nature, entry levies and restrictions, employee criteria, executive criteria and permitted casino floor space, will be the Policy Committee – to be chaired by Thailand’s Prime Minister and with the Deputy Prime Minister as Vice Chairman.
It will also comprise nine senior government officials as directors including the Minister of Finance, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Minister of Commerce, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Justice, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Secretary-General of the National Defense Commission and Secretary-General of the Board of Investment, plus six qualified members appointed by the Prime Minister “with knowledge and ability in economics business administration, law or society.”
Those six expert committee members must be Thai nationals and at least 35 years of age. They must not be a government official or an employee of any state agency, have previously held political positions, hold any criminal record or be “an incompetent person or a quasi-incompetent person.”
The Executive Committee, working under the Policy Committee, will be chaired by a person appointed by the Prime Minister and boast nine permanent secretaries from the aforementioned ministries and departments, plus three expert members also appointed by the PM.
According to the bill, licensees will be granted an initial 30-year license term, reviewable every five years, while there are 10 business types listed that can form part of Thailand’s “integrated entertainment venues” – Department store; Hotel; Restaurant, nightclub, discotheque, pub or bar; Stadium; Yacht and Cruising Club; Gaming; Swimming pools and water parks; Amusement park; Area for promoting Thai culture and OTOP products; Other businesses as specified by the Policy Committee.
The post Thailand Releases Draft Bill for Casino Legalisation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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BETBY, the innovative sportsbook provider, has entered into a new partnership with Broadway Platform, a leading operator that manages over 30 online platforms while also delivering bespoke B2B services and B2C brands worldwide. As part of the deal, Broadway Platform will integrate BETBY’s award-winning sportsbook solution across its portfolio.
Through this collaboration, Broadway Platform will gain access to BETBY’s comprehensive sportsbook, featuring 500,000+ events per month, 8,000+ betting markets, and coverage of 125+ sports and 50+ esports disciplines.
The agreement also includes Betby Games, BETBY’s proprietary esports feed, which delivers 400,000+ live matches per month across 25 sports simulations with 100% video coverage, as well as AI Labs, a full suite of AI-driven sportsbook tools. With dedicated modules for odds creation, risk management, UX optimisation, and operations, AI Labs empowers operators with real-time insights, personalisation, and operational efficiency.
The Broadway Platform project is supported by SPRIBE, a leading iGaming company recognised for its innovative products and next-generation, mobile-first gaming experiences that resonate strongly with modern players. SPRIBE has made a significant impact on the online gaming industry, and its involvement underlines the ambition and innovative spirit of the collaboration.
Broadway Platform’s move to partner with BETBY underscores the supplier’s commitment to innovation and scalability, while strengthening its focus on the Asian-facing market, where it has been actively localising its solutions to meet regional demands.
Stefanos Karakidis, Business Development Director at BETBY, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Broadway Platform, a company with an outstanding reputation in both B2C and B2B operations. By integrating our sportsbook, Betby Games, and AI Labs, Broadway is set to enhance its offering and deliver a cutting-edge experience to its customers. This partnership highlights our shared vision of growth, innovation, and market leadership.”
Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Chief Commercial Officer, added: “Working with BETBY marks an important step for us as we extend our global footprint. Their technology, depth of content, and AI-driven tools provide us with the flexibility and scale needed to deliver a world-class betting experience. We are confident this collaboration will unlock significant opportunities for growth.”
The post BETBY EXPANDS ASIAN MARKET PRESENCE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH BROADWAY PLATFORM appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the Philippines’ premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, announced a landmark partnership with Philippine First Insurance Co. Inc. (PhilFirst), the country’s first domestic insurance company. Together, they have introduced the Philippines’ first-ever surety bond programme for online gaming players – setting a new benchmark in player protection. The programme takes effect immediately.
For players, this means more peace of mind every time they log in, as long as their eKYC (electronic Know-Your-Customer) information is up to date and they continue to play within the platform’s guidelines. Whether it’s a casual gamer or a loyal fan celebrating a big win, they can enjoy BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone knowing their wallets and balances are even better protected.
Through this initiative, eligible players benefit from an added financial safeguard. The surety bond protects player balances of up to ₱1 million per player, without requiring customers to purchase a separate policy.
“DigiPlus is proud to be the first in the industry to roll out this level of consumer protection. We are committed to putting our players first. With this surety bond, they can play confidently on BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, knowing that their funds are safeguarded,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco.
How does the DigiPlus surety bond work?
Eligibility: Players must be eKYC-verified, have made at least one successful deposit, and be in good standing within the platform’s guidelines.
Coverage: The surety bond safeguards player wallets and balances up to ₱1 million per player.
Activation: Protection is in place immediately and applies automatically for all eligible players across BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone.
This latest measure strengthens DigiPlus’ commitment to reliable customer service and protection, adding the surety bond to its 24/7 customer support and 130+ physical BingoPlus stores nationwide, which already serve as convenient and trusted outlets for players.
With the addition of the surety bond, DigiPlus continues to raise industry standards – delivering not only engaging and innovative gaming offerings but also a stronger guarantee of trust, security and peace of mind for its customers.
The post DigiPlus Announces Partnership with PhilFirst appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Gamban is now available in Japanese, making it easier for Japanese speakers to access the blocking software and take steps towards a life free from gambling harm.
“With the help of designers based in Tokyo, we’ve created a dedicated website built to feel familiar for people in Japan. By tailoring the experience this way, we have made it easier for more users to navigate the website, understand Gamban and take their first step towards recovery,” the Company said.
“While Gamban was created to block gambling sites, we also want to provide as many people as possible with the right information, in the right language, at the right time.
“This update is part of our continuous aspiration to make Gamban accessible to as many people as possible, wherever they are and whatever language they speak. By offering Gamban in Japanese, we aim to remove barriers for those who may otherwise struggle to find the right tools to help them quit online gambling.”
Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder of Gamban, said: “We are committed to not only translating but also localising Gamban so it looks and feels familiar to people, wherever they might be. Our mission is not only to make blocking software as good as it can be, but also as accessible as possible.”
The Company added: “We’ve been fortunate to receive input and support from Japanese organisations such as The Society Concerned About Gambling Addiction, helping us ensure the translation is accurate, accessible, and culturally appropriate for users in Japan.”
The post Gamban Now Available in Japanese appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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