Industry News
Operators considering Isle of Man switch after POGO tax hike
A significant tax hike for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) could lead to an influx of companies looking to move to the Isle of Man, according to one industry expert.
Egaming companies in the Philippines are facing a more-than-double tax hike after new rules were signed into law.
POGOs – companies licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to provide offshore gaming services – will have to pay 5% tax on turnover, replacing the previous 2% gross revenue tax.
Failure to comply could result in companies losing their PAGCOR licences and it seems many companies are exploring other options.
Alex Gardner, director of Isle of Man-based Affinity Group, which supports egaming operators looking to set up in the Isle of Man, said the company had noticed an uptick in enquires.
She said: “The Philippines has historically been a jurisdiction chosen by Asian-facing operators but, following the recent negative press surrounding POGO and more recently the tax increase, we have seen an influx of enquiries from operators who are looking for a suitable licence to either continue or start targeting the Asian market.
“The Isle of Man is perfect for this having developed an international reputation as being a leader in the egaming industry and is already home to some of the biggest Asian facing operators in the world.
“As a company that has helped many start-ups and established companies through the Isle of Man Licence licensing process it is understandable that many operators are considering moving their operations from the Philippines.”
The bill in the Philippines has been signed into law by president Rodrigo Duterte as part of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, as the Philippines aims to close gaps in its Covid-19 relief fund.
All 60 licensees were forced to halt operations as part of the Covid-19 lockdown and the government has seemingly taken this opportunity to crack down on companies failing to meet tax obligations. Only 29 have since been granted permission to resume activities.
Filipino politician Franklin Drilon said: “The Bayanihan 2 will more than double the tax collection from POGO, from Php7 billion (US$144.5 million) estimated collection in 2019 to approximately Php17.5 billion (US$361.2 million) this year because of the reforms we have introduced in the measure.
“All revenues from POGO will be used to fund the various types of assistance laid out in the Bayanihan 2 for all sectors affected by the pandemic.”
PAGCOR and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said in May that all POGOs and their service providers must fulfil certain prerequisites before being given the green light to resume activity, including settling any outstanding tax liabilities as certified by the BIR, updating payment of any regulatory fees, license fees, performance bonds or penalties owed to PAGCOR, and remittance of all regulatory fees.
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21.com
21.com launches online casino and sportsbook led by ex-BetVictor CEO Michael Carlton
21.com has launched as an online casino and sportsbook, naming industry veteran Michael Carlton as Founder & CEO, the company said on 16 June 2026.
The operator said it is targeting a range of global jurisdictions and plans to differentiate through a “modern technology stack” and “AI-centric operations.” It did not disclose target markets, licensing status, launch territories, or product partners.
Carlton previously served 13 years at EY as a Chartered Accountant before entering gaming in 1997, according to the company. He later spent 17 years as CEO of BetVictor and has since invested in betting and gaming companies.
Carlton said 21.com is being built without legacy platform constraints. “Having started in the gaming industry prior to the launch of the internet and then having the privilege of being involved as the industry evolved and adapted to the opportunities, there is now a further revolution occurring with the power created by embracing AI helping us to move faster and tailor personalised experience to the player.
“One of 21.com’s greatest strengths is that it is being developed for the current market, rather than an after-thought adaptation of an existing one. Many operators have been around for a long time and continue to be defined by legacy platforms and pre-crypto payment customer journeys that existed long before the modern technical tools that exist now became a reality. 21.com has embraced AI to deliver unparalleled customer experiences.
“With a team of industry leading experts with the motivation and ability to achieve our goals but without any legacy systems, 21.com is able to take advantage of new technologies to become a market leader in the gaming industry”.
The company also set aggressive commercial targets. “21.com will be one of the top three operators in every market it operates and in the world within two years,” Carlton said.
The post 21.com launches online casino and sportsbook led by ex-BetVictor CEO Michael Carlton appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alex Scott Chief Product Officer at Tequity
Tequity appoints Alex Scott as Chief Product Officer
Former Microgaming poker MD and ex-WPT Global president joins as supplier pushes regulated-market expansion and new verticals.
Tequity has appointed Alex Scott as Chief Product Officer, adding a long-time iGaming executive to lead product vision and oversee the product lifecycle from conception to market launch.
Scott has more than 20 years of experience in the sector. He previously served as Managing Director of Poker at Microgaming and later led WPT Global as President.
The hire comes as Tequity expands its product structure, including the recent launch of Tequity Exclusives, a vertical for custom-built games that sits alongside its RGS, Originals and Publishing divisions. The company also said it has completed BMM Testlabs certification for its RNG and the first batch of Tequity Originals titles as it targets regulated markets.
Alex Scott, Chief Product Officer at Tequity, said: “Tequity is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in iGaming by harnessing the power of technology to streamline and elevate game development.
“It is an incredibly exciting time to join the team. I look forward to leading the product vision across our expanding divisions to deliver next-generation casino content to operators worldwide.”
Krzysztof Opałka, CEO at Tequity, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Alex to the team as we continue to move the business forward at pace. His two decades of industry leadership and pioneering, hands-on experience with AI-driven casino games make him the perfect fit to lead our product strategy.
“With our rapid recent progress across all of our divisions, his expertise will be invaluable in maximising the impact of our portfolio.” Scott will attend iGB Live in London next month as part of Tequity’s team.
The post Tequity appoints Alex Scott as Chief Product Officer appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
adtech
Media Troopers adds AI automation tool to Media Cruiser DSP
Media Troopers has added a new artificial intelligence feature to its proprietary media buying platform, Media Cruiser DSP, introducing an automation layer called Automation Rules.
The company said Automation Rules is a rules-based automation engine designed to optimise campaigns using real-time data. Media Troopers said the tool can support actions including setting price ranges, highlighting and pausing underperforming metrics, creating exclusion filters, and adjusting bids without prior manual intervention.
Media Troopers positioned the release as a way to increase output while reducing operational costs, describing the workflow as “a single click” to apply automation.
Shmulik Segal, Chief Executive of Media Troopers, said, “Media Troopers is always looking to improve its systems to ensure that clients have the best technology available to help enhance their campaigns while also saving them time. This new AI feature is sure to be a game-changer among customers when it comes to increasing marketing output by taking on board and managing client data around the clock.”
The post Media Troopers adds AI automation tool to Media Cruiser DSP appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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