臺北新聞熱綫

(AsiaGameHub) -   South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has directed the nation’s gambling regulator to establish a “safety net” in response to an increase in youth gambling. Kim’s remarks came after the National Gambling Control Commission (NGCC), the country’s gambling regulator, appointed new board members, according to South Korean media outlet Newsis. The NGCC, which reports directly to the Prime Minister, oversees gaming operators and implements measures to combat gambling addiction. Kim urged the NGCC to develop new strategies to address the growing problem of gambling addiction among younger demographics. “The issue of youth gambling has become serious recently,” he stated. “Please dedicate all your efforts to prevention and the creation of a comprehensive safety net. We must ensure the stable development of our youth, who represent the future of our society.” South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (center). (Image: @newkms10/Facebook) South Korean Prime Minister: ‘A Gambling Quagmire’ The regulator comprises members from both public and private sectors, including government ministers, administrators, legal professionals, and representatives from the tourism industry. “The NGCC’s committee acts as a safeguard, preventing our society from descending into a gambling quagmire,” Kim commented. The Prime Minister’s statements followed research indicating a rise in youth gambling rates across South Korea. A senior lawmaker recently highlighted that the financial repercussions of youth gambling-related issues in South Korea have escalated to $1.4 billion. Despite Kim’s serious warnings, gambling presents a dual nature for the South Korean government, as several of the nation’s largest casino operators are state-owned. Revenue generated from gambling-related tourism is also experiencing significant growth. On the subtropical island province of Jeju alone, casinos generated a total of $436 million in the previous financial year. This figure represents a 41% increase compared to 2024. Jeju Casino Industry’s Revenue Boost Preliminary figures released earlier this month by the South Korean news agency Yonhap indicated that visitor numbers to Jeju casinos also increased by nearly 38%, reaching just under 100,000. The semitropical province of Jeju Island, South Korea. (Image: Hongbin) For the government, this translates into another substantial influx of funds through taxes and other levies. All casinos located in Jeju are mandated to contribute to the government-operated Jeju Tourism Promotion Fund. The amount of these contributions is determined by casino revenues. Consequently, the rise in visitor numbers and sales in FY2025 led Jeju casinos to contribute over $42 million to the fund, marking a 44% increase from FY2024. Casino revenues continue their upward trend. In the first quarter of FY2026, gaming revenues at the High1 integrated casino-resort reached 360 billion won ($244 million), a 4.5% year-on-year increase. High1 is managed by Kangwon Land, a company owned by the central government, with the South Korean national pension fund among its shareholders. Following his concerns regarding youth gambling, Kim encouraged the regulator to continue “exploring avenues to stimulate local economies.” He requested the body to assist in “enhancing public leisure experiences, attracting international tourists, and generating employment opportunities, all within a sound framework for the gambling industry.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Waterhouse VC, an Australian investment fund specializing in global publicly listed and private businesses operating in wagering and gaming, has secured a three-year option to acquire a stake in Spinlab Studio, a no-code iGaming platform allowing clients to build, launch, and scale their own platforms. Waterhouse Could Acquire a Non-Controlling Stake in the Company Waterhouse VS’s decision to secure an option to acquire a stake in the studio is broadly in line with the fund’s strategy to leverage a structured option model for the acquisition of non-controlling stakes. This model has allowed Waterhouse to cut costs and only exercise its right to purchase a stake if the business it is interested in meets certain growth targets. For reference, Spinlab Studio went live earlier this year, offering no-code, white-label iGaming solutions to its clients. Spinlab’s platform combines payments, gaming content, safer gambling tools, KYC protocols, and compliance solutions into a single one-stop shop solution. Since launching in January, Spinlab has formed agreements with roughly 30 operators. Spinlab Tackles Key Operational Challenges for iGaming Operators Tom Waterhouse, chief investment officer at the fund, noted that Spinlab’s biggest strength is that it tackles a “key operational challenge” by helping operators skip some of the most complex steps associated with growing their platforms. Leon Lanen, Spinlab Studio’s co-founder, explained that Spinlab Studio’s goal was to remove the hassle associated with iGaming operation and allow clients to cut costs. By removing unnecessary friction, Spinlab effectively allows operators to launch more quickly and focus on growing their business. In the meantime, Spinlab Studio just closed what it called an oversubscribed seed round. The company mentioned the founders and early investors of an unnamed iGaming tech giant as its backers. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   ReferOn, an iGaming-focused affiliate management platform, has confirmed its acquisition by Alex Bukin. Previously serving as general manager, Bukin will now assume the role of CEO and lead ReferOn through its next stage of growth. Bukin to Lead ReferOn as CEO In a formal announcement, ReferOn confirmed that former general manager Alex Bukin has successfully completed a management buyout of the company. As stated, he will now take on the position of CEO as the business embarks on its “next phase of independent expansion.” The buyout follows a period of significant progress for the company. Thanks to its dedication to operational efficiency and scalable technology, ReferOn is currently achieving substantial milestones. In just its first 12 months of operation, ReferOn recorded 35.7 million clicks, 2.4 million registrations, 18,000 affiliates, and 136,000 active trackers. ReferOn’s platform is supported by a robust suite of tools that offer enhanced flexibility to both client operators and affiliates. As a result, leading industry players have recognized ReferOn as the Best Affiliate Platform in 2025 and 2026. The Next Chapter for ReferOn According to the announcement, the ownership and leadership transition will not disrupt the business or its current partnerships. Therefore, ReferOn will continue to enhance its product portfolio with the introduction of new features, in alignment with its ongoing strategy. One such feature is Refie, an integrated interface layer. Meanwhile, ReferOn confirmed that its leadership team will remain intact to ensure operational continuity. However, some changes are in place, including Bukin’s appointment as CEO. Additionally, Vlad Bondarenko, previously head of product, has been promoted to chief product officer. David Harris, who served as operations lead, has now been appointed chief operations officer. Alex Bukin commented on the transaction, describing it as a pivotal moment for ReferOn and “the start of a new chapter for the business.” The management buyout gives us the long-term focus needed to continuously advance the platform. We remain committed to product development, enhancing our offerings for partners, and supporting ReferOn’s ongoing growth across key markets. Alex Bukin, CEO, ReferOn As it begins this new phase, ReferOn reaffirmed its commitment to providing high-performance tools to gaming operators and delivering next-generation affiliate management solutions. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   The Israeli Air Force (IAF) officer indicted for wagering on military actions at Polymarket has claimed that everyone in the force gambles on similar platforms. The officer made these allegations during his court appearance on Monday, following his indictment in February. He is accused of providing classified information about the timing of Israeli military operations to an accomplice, who then placed bets on Polymarket. In February, Israeli authorities confirmed that several military personnel had been arrested on suspicion of using confidential information to place bets on Polymarket. The Attorney General’s office subsequently decided to press criminal charges against two individuals: the officer now before the court and his civilian accomplice. Beyond asserting that gambling on prediction markets is widespread within the military, the officer’s defense team stated that he has made significant contributions to the security of the state. His lawyers also contend that the investigation was improperly conducted and resulted in security violations. “We are confident that once these facts are presented, the case will conclude very differently from how it began,” said the defense attorneys, Ran Cohen Rochverger and Naor Alon Sosnosky. Nevertheless, a judge denied the officer’s request for release under house arrest, and he remains in custody as the investigation continues. Serious Wrongful Acts Ignored Consequences, Says Judge The prosecution maintains that the officer’s willingness to sell information for financial gain put IAF pilots and military operations at risk. “This is not merely a ‘gambling story’ but a serious account of wrongful acts committed out of a pursuit of excitement and greed for profit, while completely disregarding their consequences and the most basic moral and ethical standards,” stated the presiding judge. According to the court, claims that betting on prediction markets is widespread in the military are irrelevant to this specific case; however, a separate inquiry will be launched to verify those allegations. Following the officer’s arrest, there have been renewed concerns about insider trading involving conflicts in the Middle East. A U.S. soldier was also arrested for using his position to bet on the capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. Accomplice Named as More Details Emerge Some details regarding the case were disclosed in March, including the alleged Polymarket account used to place the wagers. Last week, further information surfaced, notably identifying the officer’s accomplice as Omer Ziv. The officer’s identity has not been revealed due to potential security risks, according to the court. The pair reportedly met while employed at a gaming technology company. According to The Guardian, Ziv spent eight years working as an affiliate marketing manager in the online gambling industry. Prosecutors assert that Ziv first became interested in the market question—“Will Israel conduct military action against Iran before July?”—on Polymarket back in June of last year. He then brought the opportunity to the attention of the officer, and they allegedly agreed that the officer would share confidential intelligence about impending military actions, while Ziv would use his own funds to place bets across multiple newly created Polymarket accounts. Keep Quiet, ‘So We Don’t Go To Jail’ On June 12, prosecutors claim the officer was briefed on Operation Roaring Lion, an Israeli military strike against Iran, and shared those details with Ziv via WhatsApp. Ziv is accused of passing this information along to others. In a group chat message, he reportedly informed five friends about the attack but warned them to keep quiet “so we don’t go to jail.” While the specifics of the officer’s role in the military and his involvement in the operation remain subject to a court-imposed gag order, he is described as a senior-ranking official. After the June wagers, the duo allegedly reconnected in September to place bets on Israeli strikes targeting Yemen. Then, in January of this year, the officer sent messages to Ziv indicating that tensions were escalating and that strikes on Iran were imminent. Ziv again placed bets on these events at Polymarket, but his account was flagged online. Seven months ago, a possible IDF insider "ricosuave666" predicted the exact day Israel would strike Iran and won $154K.He is now back on Polymarket and started buying a massive position on another Israel strike on Iran by Jan 31. Account:https://t.co/gH1HSdQ16J pic.twitter.com/PQ2UDMsfFC— PredictFolio (@PredictFolio) January 6, 2026 Alarmed by the flagging, Ziv canceled his positions and changed his usernames, prosecutors allege. The pair allegedly deleted WhatsApp messages and erased photos, fearing detection by investigators, according to the indictment. Despite ongoing controversy over markets tied to conflict and military operations, Polymarket continues to promote wagering on wars. In response to high-profile cases of insider trading, U.S. lawmakers have called for stricter regulations for such markets, and several bills have been introduced to explicitly ban trading related to war and death. The Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) already empowers the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to suspend markets connected to war if they are deemed contrary to the public interest. The agency has also launched an investigation into the case involving the U.S. soldier who traded on the capture of Maduro but has not issued any public statements about the Israeli war-related markets. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Super Group, the company behind Betway and Spin, has published its financials for the three months ended March 31. In its report, the company revealed double-digit growth in revenue and EBITDA, highlighting a strong period for its business. The Company’s Metrics Improved Across the Board Super Group’s unaudited consolidated results for Q1 2026 outlined revenue of $612 million, up 18% year-on-year. For comparison, the company reported $517 million in revenue for the same period in 2025. The increase was driven by strong performance in the Africa, Europe, Americas, and Rest of World segments. The company’s profit for the period reached $86 million, making a clear increase from $59 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA, on the other hand, experienced a 36% increase to $152 million versus $111 million in Q1 2025. Super Group stated that its number of monthly active customers reached 6.4 million, equivalent to an increase of 18% year-on-year. However, the company noted that its cash and cash equivalents available as of March 31, 2026, experienced a decrease to $422 million, compared to $513 million at December 31, 2025. This decrease was due to investing and financing activities, as well as a loss of $8 million due to currency fluctuations. Super Group Announced Change in Segment Reporting Basis In its report, Super Group also confirmed a change in its basis of segment reporting. Whereas the company previously reported its results based on its two main brands, the sportsbook and casino Betway and the multi-brand iGaming operator Spin, Super Group will now report its results under two new segments: Africa and International. Super Group noted that the change reflects the change of its internal management structure, as well as its shift in strategic focus to regional performance. In line with this change, Super Group reported Q1 revenue of $267 million for the Africa segment, as well as revenue of $339 million for the International segment. A Record-Breaking Start to 2026 Neal Menashe, Super Group’s chief executive officer, commented on Q1, calling it a “record-breaking start” to 2026. He was pleased with the company’s performance, attributing its record-breaking metrics to the strength of his team’s strategy, the discipline of the team, and the power of Super Group’s brands.   With a highly stable casino business, fortified sports trading capabilities ahead of the World Cup, and strong momentum across regions, we believe that Super Group is well-positioned for the remainder of 2026. Neal Menashe, CEO, Super Group Alinda van Wyk, Super Group’s chief financial officer, applauded the strong financial performance and reaffirmed Super Group’s 2026 targets of $2.55 billion in revenue and an adjusted EBITDA of over $680 million. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   A seasoned lawyer has run afoul of the law, with Monica Dillon now anticipated to plead guilty to multiple counts, casting a shadow over a distinguished career that lasted twenty years. Dillon, formerly a federal prosecutor in southern West Virginia, faces five identity‑theft charges and is scheduled to enter a guilty plea on Tuesday, May 12.  From January 2021 through January 2023, Dillon obtained the personal details of at least five individuals and used them without authorization, leveraging their names, SSNs, and dates of birth to establish and run online gambling accounts.  She reportedly accumulated thousands of dollars in winnings through this conduct and is now poised to admit guilt to every charge. A sentence will be set at a later date, though the government has agreed to drop the counts provided she completes 24 months of oversight by a US Probation Office. Dillon has also committed to making restitution, including a $30,000 payment to at least one affected party. Given her complete cooperation and clean record, the former prosecutor is not expected to face incarceration. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   African businesses are now facing competition from a new sector vying for consumers’ discretionary spending: online gambling. As online gambling expands, traditional businesses, including entertainment providers, telecommunications firms, and even grocery retailers, are witnessing a shift where customers increasingly choose to spend on games of chance instead of essentials like food, movies, or improved internet services. “People are diverting funds into what feels like an endless drain that could otherwise be used for groceries,” stated Pieter Engelbrecht, chief executive of Shoprite Holdings, which is widely recognized as Africa’s largest supermarket group. According to research by H2 Gambling Capital, the African gambling market is expected to reach $13.5 billion this year. This trend is especially pronounced in South Africa, the continent’s biggest economy, where annual betting volumes have grown by approximately 50% over the past three years. Kenny Fihla, CEO of Absa, cautioned that clients are accumulating significant debt and consequently have less disposable income available for other expenditures. “This constitutes a serious issue that, to be honest, deeply concerns us,” Fihla remarked, as quoted by The Japan Times. Businesses and Policymakers Feel the Pressure The broader impacts of the gambling boom are reverberating across various industries. Woolworths Holdings has also issued warnings about declining discretionary spending. “Since gambling draws from consumers’ discretionary spending capacity, certain segments of our business are more exposed,” explained CEO Roy Bagattini. Standard Bank reported that, between 2021 and 2025, the average proportion of income allocated to gambling rose to 2%, highlighting the sector’s swift expansion across the region. The swift growth of online betting has also amplified worries regarding whether current consumer protections remain adequate in a predominantly digital gambling landscape. With smartphone usage continuing its upward trajectory throughout Africa, policymakers are under mounting pressure to balance potential tax revenues and economic growth against escalating concerns about financial harm, household debt levels, and the long-term social consequences of widespread access to gambling platforms. Concerns surrounding the surge in gambling activity across Africa have surfaced repeatedly in recent years. Last year, a social impact specialist in South Africa noted that 41% of low-income earners resort to gambling in an effort to cover their monthly bills. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   A former congressional staff member who played a role in drafting the Dodd-Frank financial reform law is challenging the legal reasoning used to support sports prediction markets in the United States. “Nobody Once Mentioned Sports Gambling” Amanda Fischer, currently policy director and chief operating officer at Better Markets, stated that Congress did not intend for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to regulate sports-related event contracts when it passed the comprehensive Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010. Speaking during a recent webcast hosted by the Indian Gaming Association, Fischer emphasized that discussions around the law never included federal oversight of sports wagering products. She recalled being present as a staffer during the drafting process, attending numerous meetings and congressional hearings, and noted that the topic of sports gambling was never brought up within the regulatory framework. “I was around for the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010 as a staffer and sat in constant meetings and congressional hearings, and nobody once mentioned sports gambling in the oversight framework,” Fischer said. “If that was the intent of Congress, it would have been discussed.” Prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket have asserted that the CFTC holds jurisdiction over sports event contracts, prompting legal challenges from states and opposition from tribal gaming groups and major figures in the gambling industry. Overstretched and Lacking Resources Fischer argued that the CFTC is already overwhelmed and lacks sufficient resources to effectively monitor the rapidly growing prediction markets. “The CFTC at its high-water mark had 600 staffers,” she explained. “They oversee about $500 trillion in financial and commodity derivatives and have probably 150 enforcement staff in total.” She warned that the agency risks losing sight of its primary duties, particularly following criticism that regulators were too slow to act before the 2008 financial crisis. Recent controversies surrounding prediction markets have heightened these concerns. Fischer cited reports of traders allegedly profiting from sensitive geopolitical developments, including the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. “The Maduro issue raises more questions than answers,” Fischer said, while also criticizing what she described as inadequate enforcement against offshore prediction platforms. She specifically questioned whether Polymarket complied with a 2022 regulatory settlement requiring stricter controls by blocking U.S. users. Fischer also criticized CFTC Chair Michael Selig, stating that the agency appears to have taken a favorable position toward prediction markets before establishing clear rules or confirming legal authority. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) -   AskGamblers Casino Complaint Service has published its annual report detailing the adjudication service’s activities in 2025, highlighting that over $10 million was returned to casino players worldwide. The AGCCS handled thousands of complaints and supported numerous players by helping them withdraw funds from casinos when operators had refused to do so. Multiple Languages Assisted, 68% Complaint Resolution Across the Board The company described this achievement as a significant milestone for the service, which has worked to engage with operators and ensure they comply with their own regulations. The organization reported that it returned $10,728,000 in unpaid, delayed, or unfairly withheld funds to customers over the course of 365 days. This figure surpasses both the 2023 total of $9,031,914 and the 2024 amount of $6,890,547. AskGamblers also successfully bridged language and cultural barriers, assisting players who communicated in several non-English languages. The complaint center returned a combined total of $1,203,007 to players from five non-English-speaking groups. Specifically: $1,087,981 returned through engagement with German-speaking operators $86,401 returned through engagement with Spanish-speaking operators $17,295 returned through engagement with Portuguese-speaking operators $9,683 returned through engagement with Italian-speaking operators $1,645 returned through engagement with Japanese-speaking operators The company noted that it resolved 68% of all accepted cases, handling 3,779 cases in total during 2025. AskGamblers’ complaint center received 1,492 complaints regarding casinos and sportsbooks, and achieved a 56.96% success rate on affiliate program-related complaints. AskGamblers further outlined the main pain points experienced by customers throughout the year and identified the most frequent sources of recent complaints. Payment issues accounted for the majority of complaints—3,647 cases—with deposit problems cited in 1,017 cases. Account-related issues were reported in 322 cases, while software problems were raised in 83 cases. Bonus disputes were the least common concern, appearing in only 74 cases. Operators in Focus and Largest Currencies Cited The largest individual complaints resolved by AskGamblers included a $450,000 claim against WOW Vegas Casino, a €250,000 complaint involving HellSpin Casino, and a $228,457 case filed against BC.Game Casino. The company also highlighted the top five operators that received the highest number of complaints and had the most resolutions completed, along with their respective success rates. Dafabet Casino received 855 complaints and successfully resolved 787, achieving a 92% success rate. BC.Game Casino had 506 complaints submitted through AskGamblers’ resolution services, with only 162 ultimately resolved—representing the lowest success rate among the five operators listed at 32%. The vast majority of resolved complaints were settled in US dollars, totaling $3,874,263.93, followed by euros amounting to €2,493,636.68. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.