Australia appears to be edging closer to sweeping reform in the regulation of gambling advertising, particularly online wagering. A parliamentary inquiry in 2023 — known as the Murphy Review, titled You Win Some, You Lose More — made several bold recommendations: among them a phased ban over three years on all online gambling advertising, stronger harm-reduction measures, and tighter regulation of inducements and sponsorships. After delays and political debate, the government is reportedly ready to “proceed” with these reforms, with Communications Minister Anika Wells seen as a champion of restricting gambling ads during times with high viewership (especially around sports broadcasts), and possibly banning or limiting ads online and on social media.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on a network of Cambodian entities—including casinos turned criminal compounds—for orchestrating massive cyber fraud and human trafficking operations. Among the targets was T C Capital Co. Ltd., owner of the Golden Sun Sky Casino and Hotel in Sihanoukville, which was repurposed to facilitate virtual currency scams and launder illicit proceeds. These facilities, built as legitimate casino complexes, became entrenched hubs for criminal activity—often involving victims trafficked and forced into exploitative labor.
MGM Resorts continues to advance its ambitious $2.5 billion Dubai beachfront resort, strategically anchored by the iconic Bellagio, Aria, and MGM Grand brands. However, the project currently lacks approval for its gaming component—a casino license that remains pending. Speaking candidly, CEO Bill Hornbuckle shared his surprise:
“I thought by now, Abu Dhabi would have ruled on what they were doing,” he remarked, underscoring the regulatory uncertainty surrounding the resort’s casino operations. “There’s a lot of dialogue around that.”
Recent revelations by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson have uncovered a sophisticated money-laundering scheme involving former government engineers from Bulacan. Between 2023 and 2025, this “Bulacan Group of Contractors” reportedly funneled nearly PHP 950 million (around US $17.4 million) through 13 casinos in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Pampanga. The group allegedly exchanged cash for chips, placed minimal bets, and then converted the chips back into cash—declared as gambling winnings—to conceal their illicit proceeds.
Amid rising concerns over transnational threats like cybercrime, human trafficking, and online fraud, the Philippines and Cambodia have reaffirmed their partnership by expanding a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between their police forces. Signed during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit from September 7 to 9, 2025, the updated agreement enhances cooperation in intelligence-sharing and law enforcement efforts across cybercrime and other border-spanning criminal activities.
Author: Janice Chew • Thursday, 11/09/2025
