Connect with us

Asia

Philippine Senator Pushes for Inquiry into Banks’ Role in Pogo Funding

Published

on

philippine-senator-pushes-for-inquiry-into-banks’-role-in-pogo-funding
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed Senate Resolution 1193 to investigate the failure of local banks to detect POGO-related suspicious transactions tied to criminal activities, following the case of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

Gatchalian, in his resolution, highlighted bank transactions involving Guo’s companies, which amounted to hundreds of millions of pesos and allegedly funded the construction of a POGO hub in Bamban. The amount far exceeded the financial capacity reflected in the companies’ financial statements.

He pointed out a significant increase in cash flows, check disbursements, and transactions involving Guo’s accounts, peaking in 2020—an anomaly given that the COVID-19 pandemic had severely disrupted businesses and economies worldwide.

Gatchalian noted that despite these large transactions, the banking system failed to flag them as suspicious. He raised concerns about the banks’ inability to report such dubious activities, questioning the effectiveness of their internal controls and procedures for identifying and reporting suspicious behaviour.

The senator emphasised that financial institutions are responsible for analysing financial data to detect transactions that may indicate money laundering.

These circumstances, according to Gatchalian, raise doubts about the adequacy of current Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations and guidelines for banks and financial institutions.

Gatchalian also pointed out that the Philippines remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The country must improve its AML/CTF efforts, including prosecuting money laundering and terrorism financing, addressing beneficial ownership information and strengthening cross-border declaration measures.

While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed all government agencies to meet the necessary requirements to remove the country from the FATF grey list, Gatchalian stressed that private sector compliance is equally crucial to strengthening the country’s AML/CFT regime. This includes increased adherence to obligations, such as reporting covered and suspicious transactions.

The post Philippine Senator Pushes for Inquiry into Banks’ Role in Pogo Funding appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Altenar

Philippine Sportsbook ArenaPlus Selects Altenar as Technology Provider

Published

on

philippine-sportsbook-arenaplus-selects-altenar-as-technology-provider

Altenar has entered the Philippines’ regulated sports betting market after being selected to power ArenaPlus, the flagship sportsbook platform of DigiPlus Interactive Corp. and the #1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines.

As part of the agreement, ArenaPlus is transitioning its sportsbook operations to Altenar’s advanced, fully-managed sportsbook solution. The platform includes customised betting options for enhanced localisation, fast in-play and live betting, advanced risk management, and compliance controls designed to support a mobile-first market.

Altenar’s in-house statistical model and automated pricing tools ensure a comprehensive player props portfolio on Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games, alongside faster odds updates, enabling ArenaPlus to further enhance its sports betting experience for users.

The deal further strengthens Altenar’s position as a trusted sportsbook technology provider in regulated markets worldwide, delivering high-performance and adaptable solutions that support operators’ long-term growth. By combining innovation with operational excellence, Altenar is setting the bar for reliability and growth across Asia.

Dinos Stranomitis, COO at Altenar said: “Partnering with DigiPlus to power ArenaPlus marks a key step in our entry into the Philippines, a highly engaged and rapidly growing regulated market. Our fully managed, localised sportsbook delivers the performance, stability, and compliance required in this market.

“This agreement reinforces our ability to support ambitious operators and establishes a solid foundation for long-term growth.”

Erick Su, Head of ArenaPlus, added: “Altenar provides the technical strength and reliability needed to elevate the ArenaPlus sportsbook experience. Their fully-managed solution aligns with our strategy for continued growth in the Philippines, particularly amid the rising demand for live and in-play sports betting.

“With Altenar’s technology in place, we can continue enhancing the player experience while building a partnership focused on long-term and sustainable growth.”

The post Philippine Sportsbook ArenaPlus Selects Altenar as Technology Provider appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Asia

PhilWeb Announces the Official Commercial Launch of OKADA PLAY

Published

on

philweb-announces-the-official-commercial-launch-of-okada-play

 

PhilWeb Corporation announced the official commercial launch of the OKADA PLAY online gaming platform. This launch successfully operationalizes the strategic partnership with Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc., operator of the premium integrated resort Okada Manila.

Powered by PhilWeb’s comprehensive Online Gaming Platform (OGP) solution, OKADA PLAY integrates a full suite of gaming content, scalable platform technology, and robust customer service infrastructure. The platform is delivered within a strictly regulated framework, ensuring compliant and efficient participation in the Philippine digital gaming ecosystem.

The commercial rollout of OKADA PLAY marks a critical milestone in Okada Manila’s broader digital transformation strategy. By successfully converging its land-based luxury gaming experience with digital channels, the initiative is designed to drive omnichannel customer engagement and unlock new, scalable revenue streams beyond the physical property.

“The official launch of OKADA PLAY demonstrates our capability to execute and deploy end-to-end digital infrastructure for the industry’s most recognized luxury brands. We are proud to provide the robust, scalable platform that enables Tiger Resort to extend the premium Okada Manila experience to a growing nationwide audience of digital players,” said Mr. Brian Ng, President of PhilWeb Corporation.

“This launch marks an important step in Okada Manila’s digital expansion as we bring our gaming experience to a wider audience across the Philippines through OKADA PLAY. OKADA PLAY complements our land-based operations and our existing online platform, while PhilWeb’s technology and operational expertise help us deliver a trusted online gaming experience associated with the Okada Manila brand,” said Mr. Nobuki Sato, President and Chief Operating Officer of Okada Manila.

This milestone further solidifies PhilWeb’s track record of deploying integrated technology platform and content solutions for leading regulated operators in the Philippine market, reinforcing the Company’s strategic position at the centre of the industry’s digital evolution.

The post PhilWeb Announces the Official Commercial Launch of OKADA PLAY appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Asia

Asia Pioneer Entertainment Signs Distribution Agreement with Germany’s CountR GmbH

Published

on

asia-pioneer-entertainment-signs-distribution-agreement-with-germany’s-countr-gmbh

 

Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Limited has signed a distribution agreement with Germany’s CountR GmbH, a global leading provider of automated cash‑handling solutions. The partnership follows the launch earlier this month of BEE MACAU, the city’s first playing card factory, and marks APE’s expansion from a pure electronic gaming equipment supplier into a full “one‑stop” gaming solutions provider, positioning the company to capture broader opportunities in Asia’s fast‑growing entertainment markets.

CountR, with 20 years of expertise and more than 10,000 machines deployed across integrated resorts, cruise ships and gaming floors worldwide, is partnering with APE to introduce its advanced cash redemption kiosks to Asia’s growing gaming sector. Known for its innovative technology and integrated systems that connect retail, gaming and entertainment, CountR simplifies payment processes for operators while enhancing seamless experiences for players.

Under the agreement, APE will distribute CountR’s kiosks across Asia. Already proven in global market, these kiosks allow players to quickly redeem credits from tickets, chips, and cash, which is planned for Southeast Asia, giving operators a more efficient and streamlined way to manage cash operations. The partnership was unveiled at the G2E Asia expo in Cotai Arena, Macau, where APE and CountR showcased their integrated solutions to industry leaders.

Ms. Maria Garcia, Executive Director and Sales Director of APE, said: “We are truly honored and excited to be the distributor for CountR across Asia. CountR is widely recognized for its versatile, innovative, and reliable payment solutions in global markets. Through this collaboration and our existing product offerings, we can now provide a broader range of products and services that address most casino operational needs. I am confident that this partnership will support APE in developing new markets across Asia.”

Ms. Tamara Sawyer, Regional Sales Manager of CountR, said: “Partnering with APE opens the door to Asia’s fast‑growing casino market. Together, we’re ready to bring proven innovation to the region and unlock new opportunities for growth.”

APE’s portfolio now evolves into a one‑stop suite of gaming solutions, combining Electronic Gaming Equipment such as slot machines and electronic table games, Table Game Solutions including playing cards (BEE Macau—the city’s first playing card factory), dealing shoes, and smart trend boards, and Cash Management Solutions powered by CountR kiosks; together these offerings position APE to serve both large integrated resorts and smaller gaming floors with greater efficiency and flexibility, while opening the door to broader customer reach across Asia.

Mr. Herman Ng, CEO and Executive Director of APE, said: “APE’s strategy is shifting from being primarily a supplier of electronic gaming equipment to delivering comprehensive gaming operation solutions. The new model focuses on integration, cost efficiency, and flexibility, allowing APE to serve both large integrated resort casinos and smaller niche casino floors effectively.”

The post Asia Pioneer Entertainment Signs Distribution Agreement with Germany’s CountR GmbH appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania