The newly released 2025 Forbes “Philippines’ 50 Richest” list once again highlights the powerful role the casino industry plays in shaping the country’s wealth landscape. While the Sy siblings of the SM Group retained the top spot with a combined net worth of US$11.8 billion, down slightly from last year, it's the rising dominance of casino-linked magnates that is turning heads across the financial world.
In a decisive move to safeguard financial consumers and address growing societal concerns, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is finalizing a suite of regulations aimed at tightening control over online gambling payments. As of August 7, 2025, the central bank has confirmed its commitment to a final set of measures developed following public consultations, marking a critical milestone in the country’s efforts to promote responsible digital financial practices.
In a landmark announcement from August 6, 2025, South Korean authorities confirmed a temporary visa‑waiver program permitting organized tour groups from mainland China to enter South Korea without a visa, effective from September 29, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The initiative, unveiled by Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok, is intended to stimulate foreign tourism ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, to be held in Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1.
In a historic move on August 6, 2025, Acting Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai formally signed Interior Ministry Order No. 2253/2568, annulling the decades‑old ban on poker tournaments that traced back to Order No. 490/2501, issued on 28 July 1958. This carefully tailored shift opens the door to cash‑entry poker tournaments—while preserving the broader prohibition on cash games for now.
The New South Wales government has officially postponed the planned AU $1,000 daily cash cap for patrons at The Star Sydney and Crown Sydney, allowing the current AU $5,000 limit to remain in place until 19 August 2027. Despite originally scheduled for mid‑August 2025, the revised timeline comes after concerted lobbying by casino operators and concerns over operational disruption and job losses.
Author: Janice Chew • Thursday, 07/08/2025
