Police in South Korea have arrested 13 people and shut down an illegal online gambling operation reportedly worth US$2.8bn. Law enforcement detained another 37 suspects, including the alleged mastermind.

The operation’s servers were in other nations like Thailand and the Philippines, with the ringleaders running the scheme through offices in Gyeonggi, Bucheon, and Incheon.

changing the voices and faces of celebrities to make it look like they were advocating for the gambling site

Suspects used deepfake videos to promote their gambling platform, changing the voices and faces of celebrities to make it look like they were advocating for the gambling site. They also gained exposure through YouTube streams.

A complex payments network aimed to throw the authorities off their scent. Investigators believe the ringleaders profited about ?300bn (US$214m); the head honcho bought a sports car, a luxury watch, and an apartment with the funds. Law enforcement seized assets worth about ?10bn (US$7m), including cash, luxury goods, and real estate.

A Philippines-based website operator faces extradition to South Korea after police arrested him in July in collaboration with Interpol. Finally, 107 users of the illegal gambling site, some of whom are underage, face gambling-related charges.

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Calls for regulation

According to a report commissioned by the GambleAware charity, the UK’s gambling advertising regulations are too lenient compared to those of peer countries.

over ￡1.5bn ($1.9bn) is spent on marketing by operators in the UK each year

Compared to many other European countries such as Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, the UK has far fewer restrictions on when and where gambling can be advertised. The report noted that betting adverts “continue to bombard the public” – over ￡1.5bn ($1.9bn) is spent on marketing by operators in the UK each year.

In the report, GambleAware called for a pre-9pm watershed ban on all broadcast advertising and a complete blanket ban across sports. The charity also called for mandatory health warnings, as well as increasing restrictions on online advertising.

Abundant evidence

A key criticism of the report was the failure of the UK to introduce new restrictions on gambling ads despite the wealth of data and research that has been produced in the country.

The report noted that the UK had “almost 500 research papers in the last decade from British universities including specialist gambling units at academic institutions such as Bristol, Bournemouth, and Glasgow – more research than Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium combined.” 

“There is strong evidence to show that gambling advertising increases participation, and therefore risk.”

the UK relies mostly on co-operation and self-regulation from betting operators

In contrast to many European countries, including those such as Belgium and Italy which have banned all gambling advertising outright, the UK relies mostly on cooperation and self-regulation from betting operators rather than strict regulation.

Slow progress

There has been increasing pressure in UK politics for gambling reform despite recent governments’ lack of legislation.

Following the victory, chancellor Rachel Reeves also surprised analysts by not increasing gambling taxes in her first budget, despite being widely anticipated to do so.

The previous Conservative Party administration produced a policy paper outlining several guidelines for reform, including restrictions on advertising, but this was controversially shelved when the incumbent Labour Party took power in the 2024 election.

we remain woefully behind the curve in terms of the regulation needed to protect individuals”

Peers for Gambling Reform, a group in the UK’s House of Lords, have called for the policy paper to be resurrected and welcomed the report’s recommendations. Group chair Lord Foster of Bath said: “There is huge public support to curb it and there’s a wealth of research showing the harm it causes. But we remain woefully behind the curve in terms of the regulation needed to protect individuals from harm.”

“Crucially, the power to regulate key aspects of this – such as gambling advertising – is already within the gift of the secretary of state as set out in the Gambling Act 2005. Our current regulations are too lenient, and fail to advance the much-needed public health approach to gambling that Peers for Gambling Reform has long called for.”

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Mike Tyson, one of the greatest boxers of all time, is taking on influencer Jake Paul in a bout Friday night, broadcast live on Netflix. And just in time for the highly anticipated fight, Jogo Global has released an online casino game featuring Tyson’s name and likeness called “Mike Tyson Crash.”

Developed in collaboration with Radar Zero and released on the Swish Games brand, “Mike Tyson Crash” is another entry in the growing “crash” game category of online casino offerings.

it’s an experience that brings players closer to the thrill of the ring”

Radar Zero’s Mark Klein said of the game: “Partnering with Jogo Global and Mike Tyson to create this game has been an incredible journey. Mike Tyson’s Crash is not just a game; it’s an experience that brings players closer to the thrill of the ring.”

The game features a cartoon version of Mike Tyson in a boxing ring playing a “test your strength” boxing arcade game. When the game begins, he punches the bag, and a multiplier counter starts increasing. At any point, those who have placed bets can cash out and win the amount of their wager times the multiplier. The maximum multiplier is 5,000x.

Eventually, and it could be immediately, the counter “crashes,” and anyone who has not cashed out loses their bet. It is a game of chance like any other casino game, but the player does have control over how long they want to wait before cashing out, risking their money with every fraction of a second that passes.

More than one player can participate in the same round, and players can see when others cash out. One player’s cash out does not affect anyone else’s.

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Snooker player Mark King is prohibited from playing in a professional event for five years and must pay ￡68,299 ($86,301) in fines for fixing a match. An independent disciplinary committee determined the Englishman was guilty of altering the outcome of a game and providing inside information for betting purposes.

maintained his innocence throughout the case and can appeal the ruling

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) suspended King in March 2023 after the governing body received a suspicious betting alert for the 50-year-old’s match in the Welsh Open against Joe Perry that February. King maintained his innocence throughout the case and can appeal the ruling until November 28.

Another match involving King was also under the spotlight, although investigators didn’t pursue any action for the December 2022 showdown against John Higgins.

While acknowledging he has personally known Mark King for many years, WPBSA Chairman Jason Ferguson said “the integrity of this sport will always be our number one priority” and warned of the zero-tolerance approach to match-fixing.

Mark King’s career began in 1991 and he reached a world ranking as high as 11 in 2003. He has captured one noteworthy title, the 2016 Northern Ireland Open.

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A man in Nigeria has been arrested after allegedly staging his own kidnapping in a bid to escape his gambling debts.

Enitan Awoyemi, 41, of Irolo-Remo in Ogun State, had racked up debts of approximately 1 million Nigerian naira ($595) from his participation in a lottery game. Awoyemi had reportedly enjoyed previous success in the lottery, winning enough to buy a Toyota Corolla, but had a severe downturn in his luck.

Awoyemi stated that the fictional kidnappers had demanded a 5-million-naira ($2,976) ransom

After concocting the scheme, Awoyemi contacted his wife, claiming to have been abducted. Additionally, Awoyemi stated that the fictional kidnappers had demanded a 5-million-naira ($2,976) Naira ransom. His wife then contacted the local Amotekun Corps authorities, who began an investigation.

The investigation was then joined by local communities in the area and the Vigilantes Group of Nigeria. Eventually, the Amotekun Corps tracked him to Ijagba, and eventually to Ota. 

Yesterday, the officers captured him at the Irolu okada park while on patrol. Suspecting a suicide attempt after smelling insecticide, he was quickly transferred to the Rufina Private Hospital in Iperu.

In a statement, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba, who headed the investigation, said:  “Once Enitan Awoyemi is medically stable, he will be handed over to the police in Ilisan for further investigation and legal proceedings.”

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Lithuania has announced a new ban on gambling advertising to be implemented from next July.

The amendment to Lithuanian law passed through the parliament on Tuesday, with 73 votes in favor and one abstention. The date of implementations has an exception for sports competitions and events, in addition to sports sponsorships and broadcasts of sports competitions. They have a transition period until January 2028.

The country will compensate media organizations for lost advertising, however. The Media Support Fund is a budget including €4m ($4.2m) for this purpose.

There is a transitional period until the end of 2027 which will allow up to three betting ad spots of under 15 seconds each per hour on television, radio, and online between 6am and 6pm, in addition to two per hour between 6pm and midnight. Meanwhile, betting ads without a direct link to the gambling operator’s website will be limited to 20% of advertising space from 6am to 6pm and 10% for the 6pm to midnight gap.

Lithuania is taking the same tactic employed by Italy in June 2018

In banning gambling ads, Lithuania is taking the same tactic employed by Italy in June 2018. The nation introduced a ban on gambling ads, including sports sponsorships, in an effort to tackle gambling-related harm. However, some argue that the ban has done more harm than good.

In a statement on its website in 2023, the European Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA) said the ban is “clearly favoring the black market and should be revised.” The body highlighted a meteoric rise in black market gambling in Italy in 2023, up to €25bn ($26.47bn) per year, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The EGBA argues that bans make it difficult for gamblers to differentiate between legal and illegal gambling options.

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Many have questioned the legitimacy of the upcoming boxing match between 27-year-old Jake Paul and 58-year-old Mike Tyson. Due to Tyson’s age, many believed it would be more of an exhibition, but the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has sanctioned it as an official bout.

That hasn’t stopped critics taking aim at Paul on social media for fighting boxing hall of famer Mike Tyson, who rose to prominence in the late 1980s. British boxer Tony Bellew has now taken this one step further in a stunt sponsored by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power.

He’s a great grandfather and he’s ready for you”

Bellew appeared at the pre-fight press conference on Tuesday with an old man wearing Paddy Power-sponsored boxing attire. The Scouser mockingly explained through the microphone that Paul could fight the elderly fighter next if he defeats Tyson on Friday night. “He’s a great grandfather and he’s ready for you,” Bellew said. He was then escorted out of the room by security.

Paul will fight Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Friday at 8pm ET. Sportsbooks currently have Paul as the -190 favorite, but Tyson’s odds have shortened since the bout was announced in March this year. He is now at odds of +188 to take victory.

In a chilling statement from last week, Tyson explained why he was certain of victory come Friday night. “He’s a manufactured killer,” he said of Paul in a pre-fight documentary. “Television and papers made him a killer. He’s manufactured. I’m a natural born killer. That’s the difference.”

Paddy Power is no stranger to wild publicity stunts. In 2019, the sportsbook fooled fans of Huddersfield Town soccer club in England by releasing a fake kit with a large sash logo, only to announced that it would not be featuring its logo on the jersey at all. In another campaign, the sportsbook raised issue with the choice of stadiums for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 soccer competition with a giant inflatable arrow.

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Las Vegas-based global gaming supplier Light & Wonder is looking East as it recovers from losing one of its bestselling games.

Asia Gaming Brief cited CEO of Light & Wonder Matt Wilson stating on Wednesday that his firm is targeting expansion in several key Eastern markets, including Thailand, Japan, and the UAE.

The strategic pivot from the company formerly known as Scientific Games comes amid a recent legal blow affecting one of its most popular games, Dragon Train.?

a preliminary injunction that bans Light & Wonder from selling or leasing the online casino game

On September 23, a US District Judge granted Aristocrat Technologies a preliminary injunction that bans Light & Wonder from selling or leasing the online casino game.?

The court ruled in favor of trade secret allegations made by Aristocrat that Light & Wonder had copied elements from the former’s Dragon Link game.

According to AGB, however, Wilson made light of the potential financial hit Dragon Train will have on the Vegas company. The CEO said Light & Wonder’s portfolio and its ability to launch “130 new games annually” would maintain its “leadership position in North America.”

Wilson also spoke of Light & Wonder’s interest in overseas markets, in particular within the three countries in the race to be the new Las Vegas, namely Thailand, Japan, and the UAE. 

In the meantime, Light & Wonder is developing “a revised version of Dragon Train to comply with the court’s ruling.”

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New Zealand is gearing itself up for the expected launch of online casinos early 2026 by proposing new rules that include a capped number of licenses, hefty fines for firms operating without one, and a ban on advertising to children. 

limiting number of online casino operators

According to Radio New Zealand on Wednesday, the country’s Department of Internal Affairs has proposed limiting the number of online casino operators to 15. It also put forward a penalty of up to NZD5m ($3m) for firms operating online casinos without a license. 

RNZ cited the Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden as releasing the news on Tuesday. The proposed rules include a public register of licensed operators, and the requirement that those accredited will need to implement “harm prevention measures and robust age verification systems.”

Van Velden said the objective of setting new rules was to protect bettors currently “gambling on numerous offshore sites” and boost government tax coffers. 

“My goal is to ensure that New Zealanders can play casino games online more safely than they can today,” he said. “By establishing a regulatory system, I intend to guide customers towards 15 licensed operators.”

The Minister stressed that the proposed new rules expected to be legislated over 2025, were “not to increase online gambling but to provide a safer environment for those who choose to engage in it.”

Van Velden is part of The National Party that formed a new government in 2023 on the back of claims it could generate NZ$179m (US$105m) per year from offshore gambling firms.

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Celebrities arrested

Turkish police have detained 17 individuals and issued warrants for four more on suspicion of promoting illegal gambling.

those mentioned include social media influencers, actors, soccer players, and other noted celebrities

The ?stanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued detention orders for all of the individuals named. Those mentioned include social media influencers, actors, soccer players, and other noted celebrities who have been accused of using social media to advertising gambling platforms which are illegal in Turkey.

Police are continuing with efforts to detain the remaining four suspects, although the issue is likely to be complicated by the fact that some of them are abroad.

Among the names detained were singer Serdar Orta?, television host and actor Mehmet Ali Erbil, former footballer Batuhan Karadeniz, and social media influencers Muzaffer Zorbey Erko?lar, Sefa Caner Sar??am and ?brahim Y?lmaz.?

Suspects deny responsibility

The individuals have been released on house arrest, with several releasing statements denying their culpability. Speaking to reporters outside court, Orta? stated that he was unaware that an invitation to Malta was linked to illegal gambling.

“They invited me for a restaurant opening. They set me up and recorded the video on a cell phone. They even asked me for a score prediction, but I don’t even follow sports that way. I am deeply sorry and regretful.”

I have no financial or moral need for such activities.”

Erbil, who also attended the event in Malta, also denied any responsibility, saying: “If I were involved in promotion, I could have named the companies openly. I have no financial or moral need for such activities.”

Turkish crackdown

Turkey has notoriously strict gambling laws. Most forms of gambling are illegal, with casinos having been outlawed and betting restricted to a few outlets such as lotteries. All online gambling is prohibited, with the exception of the state-owned IDDAA, which operates a monopoly in the country.

Unlike most other countries, Turkish authorities also prosecute individual gamblers on illegal betting sites, in addition to the operators themselves. This spate of arrests is one of the largest in targeting individuals solely for promoting gambling.

teams found to be in breach of the advertising laws will not only face fines, but even points deductions

Elsewhere, Turkish soccer clubs have also faced the prospect of severe punishment for breaching the country’s gambling laws. Teams found to be in breach of the advertising laws will not only face fines, but even points deductions for repeat offenders.

Earlier this year, the issue came to a head when giant Galatasaray was forced to suspend a $14m shirt sponsorship after its fierce rival Fenerbah?e filed complaints against it ahead of a derby match.

Despite the recent crackdown, however, illegal gambling continues to flourish in Turkey. The unregulated betting market in the country is estimated to be worth a staggering 100 billion lira ($2.9bn).

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With more than 3 billion gamers worldwide – a number only set to grow – gaming is more popular than ever, driving demand for immersive experiences, thriving communities, and high-speed tech. Some cities deliver better gaming environments than others, providing more advanced broadband speeds, bustling social scenes, and specialized job opportunities. But, which cities truly cater to the needs of gamers and offer the best opportunities to level up their experience?

we identified the games with the most cheaters by indexing Google search volumes

To determine the ultimate gaming capitals, here at VegasSlotsOnline, we analyzed and indexed different metrics across 20 global cities and 20 cities in the UK, including broadband speeds, Google search volumes, WiFi costs, and gaming job opportunities. Each metric was assigned an index score, which we then combined to create an overall ranking for each city. Additionally, we identified the games with the most cheaters by indexing Google search volumes and YouTube views for cheat-related terms.

The gaming capitals of the UK

The gaming scene in the UK is growing faster than any other country in Europe, with more than half of the population considering themselves to be gamers.

1. Manchester

Manchester takes the top spot for gaming in the UK, boasting the highest annual search volume per capita, at 12,166 – highlighting a high level of gaming interest across the city. With average broadband speeds of 202 Mbps download and 80 upload, Manchester offers more than enough bandwidth for optimal gaming which requires a minimum of 25 Mbps, and is particularly good for multiplayer games and online tournaments. Monthly wifi costs sit at ￡31 ($39.43) – the average across all cities analysed – but is around ￡4 ($5.09) higher than the recorded national average in 2024.??

For those aiming to turn their passion into a career, Manchester ranks fifth for gaming job opportunities. With 84 roles currently available, the city is a prime destination for both casual and professional gamers. Although this figure was accurate when the data was collected, it is important to recognize that the number of available vacancies fluctuates quickly – making it essential for those serious about a career to take the opportunities whilst they’re there.

2. Coventry

Coventry secures second place, boasting the fastest broadband download speeds among all UK cities analysed, at an impressive 232 Mbps – ideal for gamers who regularly stream content. With an upload speed averaging at 78 Mbps, Coventry also provides ample support for online gameplay. The cost of this rapid broadband is on par with Manchester, at ￡31.20 ($39.69) monthly.

Coventry is a great, well-rounded option for both recreational and career-focused gamers

The city is a promising hub for those looking to work in gaming, with 104 job opportunities within a 40km radius – the second highest in the UK. Overall, Coventry is a great, well-rounded option for both recreational and career-focused gamers.

3. London

London rounds out the top three, unsurprisingly offering the highest number of gaming job opportunities, with 170 positions currently available – perfect for anyone pursuing a career in the gaming industry. However, in comparison to London’s 9.7 million residents, there are a relatively low number of vacancies to fill, meaning these jobs are likely to be highly competitive. The enthusiasm for gaming is matched by the city’s residents, with over four million Google searches for gaming-related terms annually, working out at around 6,574 per capita.

Monthly WiFi costs are similar to those in Manchester and Coventry, averaging at ￡31.18 ($39.66). However, residents may be getting less speed for their money, with lower download speeds at 174 Mbps and upload speeds of 70 Mbps.

The gaming capitals of the world

1. Singapore

Singapore claims the top spot globally for gaming, providing the ultimate playground for its residents. The city delivers a seamless experience with outstanding broadband speeds – 305 Mbps for downloads and 257 Mbps for uploads – ideal for even the most data-intensive games. As one of the world’s major tech hubs, this rapid connectivity comes at an affordable price of just ￡27.96 ($35.57) per month.

Despite the city providing such a solid foundation for gamers, local enthusiasm for gaming is somewhat lower, with annual search volumes at 3,475 per capita. Likewise, the city sees fewer industry job opportunities, with just 56 roles currently open.

2. Hong Kong

Hong Kong comes in second place, and is a haven for budget-conscious gamers, boasting the lowest WiFi cost at just ￡17.32 ($22.03) per month. Despite the low price, broadband quality remains exceptional, with download and upload speeds of 285 Mbps and 207 Mbps, respectively. Although the city provides only 19 industry job opportunities, the interest in gaming careers is on the rise, with an 80% increase in search volume for the term “gaming jobs” year-on-year.

3. Barcelona

Barcelona takes third place, offering the most job opportunities within the top five cities, offering 93 vacancies in the gaming industry. The city also boasts impressive broadband speeds, with download rates of 217 Mbps and upload speeds of 164 Mbps, making it an ideal hub for professionals seeking efficient and seamless remote work.

the Spanish city remains a prime destination for gaming industry professionals

Whilst Barcelona provides an abundance of opportunities and rapid broadband speeds, it comes with a higher cost for internet users. The average monthly cost for WiFi stands at ￡29.13 ($37.06), the highest among the top five cities. Nevertheless, the Spanish city remains a prime destination for gaming industry professionals.

Where do the UK cities rank?

Despite ranking third in the UK, London manages to secure sixth place globally. The city’s interest in gaming is unmatched, with nearly five million annual search queries related to gaming. With 170 vacancies on LinkedIn and a 22% rise in searches for ‘gaming jobs,’ London is a hotspot for those wanting to turn their passion into a profession. However, it is again important to acknowledge the high population within this city may mean that these jobs are highly competitive.

A spokesperson at VegasSlotsOnline adds: “Gaming culture in the UK has surged, positioning the country at the forefront of global gaming innovation. As demand for immersive gaming experiences grows, so too will diverse career opportunities across design, development, and interactive media. This is an exciting time for the UK gaming industry, with a ripple effect that promises to benefit both our creative landscape and the wider economy.”

Which games have the most cheaters?

It may be tempting for gamers to use the odd cheat code to get ahead in their games or improve their gaming experience. But which gamers tend to cheat the most?

1. Roblox

Roblox players take the top spot as the biggest cheaters, with over 47.8 million views on YouTube videos showcasing cheats and hacks. Google searches for Roblox cheats are the highest among all games analysed, with almost 2.5 million annual searches. Within this, the term “roblox codes” alone received almost 2 million searches, although this marked an 18% decline year-on-year. This decrease could reflect Roblox’s active effort to discourage cheating, a stance not commonly taken with other games.

2. Minecraft

Minecraft ranks second, with a staggering 67.4 million YouTube views for cheat and hack videos. Unlike Roblox, Minecraft embraces cheats as a way to enrich gameplay, offering users tools to teleport, switch modes, and even control time and weather. Although cheats are used widely, they typically serve to enhance gameplay rather than gain an unfair advantage. Google search volume is lower for this game though, with an annual search volume of 645,360.

3. Fortnite

Despite being newer to the gaming scene, Fortnite rounds out the top three, quickly gaining popularity amongst players looking for a competitive edge. With cheat videos gaining 18.3 million views on YouTube and an annual Google search volume of 1.1 million – the second highest amongst the games analysed – Fortnite players are active in seeking game hacks. Within this, the term “fortnite codes” accounts for over a million searches alone, increasing a staggering 83% compared to the previous year – highlighting a clear rise in how often these players are cheating.

Methodology

To find out the best cities for gaming, we analysed the 20 largest cities in the UK and the 20 most visited global cities, ranking them based on:

• Broadband download and upload speed
• Google search volume
• Cost of WiFi
• Gaming job opportunities

To find out which players are the biggest cheaters, we ranked 24 popular video games based on the number of views the top 10 YouTube videos from the first page received, and annual Google search volumes for cheat-related terms.

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Macau surpassed Las Vegas as the world’s biggest gambling hub in 2006 and hasn’t looked back since. A key driver in this success was Lui Che Woo, a prominent real estate and casino mogul who chaired Galaxy Entertainment, one of six Macau gambling license holders. The casino company owns more real estate on the Cotai Strip than any other concessionaire.

Galaxy will appoint a new chairman in due course

Lui passed away on November 7 at the age of 95, his company revealed on Monday. It remarked that his “vision, tremendous leadership and guidance” were imperative for its success. Galaxy will appoint a new chairman in due course and emphasized that Lui’s passing won’t affect operations.

The Guangdong native initially made his fortune in quarry mining and construction through the Hong Kong-listed K. Wah Group. Despite being one of the wealthiest men in Hong Kong, Lui remained understated, wearing a flat cap as he went about his business.

His son Francis is the deputy chairman of Galaxy Entertainment and leads many projects within the company. Other children work globally in other aspects of the family’s business interests.

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