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Singapore Gambling Regulatory Authority to Crack Down on Use of Crypto Assets

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Singapore’s new gambling regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), announced it has no plans to legalise the use of cryptocurrency within its land-based gaming industry as it continues to explore the use of crypto across video game and social gaming platforms.

In what appears to be a continuation of Singapore’s general opposition to the introduction of cryptocurrency across broader society, GRA General Counsel Albert Yeo told a regulatory gathering in Sydney last week that crypto was one of the key issues the regulator is currently examining – particularly as it applies to new technologies.

However, there are no plans to allow the use of cryptocurrencies within Singapore’s two integrated resorts – Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.

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“I think for the casinos there is no real appetite,” Yeo said during the Regulating the Game conference. “It is a very volatile in terms of its revenue stream.

“Internally the idea is to just not allow it to begin with or to even allow it into the door. The moment you start even entertaining [the idea] you know it will be difficult to stop.

“I’m not sure if there is any legislative framework that would allow us to do it anyway but we are looking into it and seeing where it is creeping in and making sure it doesn’t invade the casinos in Singapore.”

Established last year to replace the former Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA), the new GRA – with a remit to oversee the entire gambling landscape in Singapore – is specifically designed with technology in mind. When it took charge on 1 August 2022, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs said the GRA “allows the Government to more effectively stay ahead of technological and gambling trends, respond more adequately to emerging gambling products, and take a more holistic and coherent approach to gambling policies.”

According to Yeo, cryptocurrency “is one of the main things we are currently looking at” given the challenges regulators face in tracking blockchain transactions, although much of its attention is now focused on the online space – specifically the use of crypto in video or social gaming.

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“We know it is a new space and we are engaging the developers themselves, trying to understand what the products mean,” Yeo said.

Pointing to one popular online product called “Axie Infinity” – a blockchain-based game in which players can trade NFTs and earn RAT (Rare Antiquities Token) currency – Yeo explained, “The thing we are grappling with is whether that is money, money equivalent or anything of value.

“Typically if it is in-game we won’t worry about it, but the trouble [with players earning cryptocurrency] is that it is very easy for them to just take it out and put it on exchanges.

“So we are engaging the developers – Singapore is trying to encourage game developers in Singapore but we are also looking at what is the future of cryptocurrency and where all these games are going. Do we have a good handle yet on where this is going?”

Singapore’s broader reluctance to regulate the trading in or use of cryptocurrencies currently extends to a ban on advertising by crypto exchanges, with the Monetary Authority of Singapore issuing a statement last November following the high-profile collapse of global exchange FTX in which it said, “The most important lesson from the FTX debacle is that dealing in any cryptocurrency, on any platform, is hazardous.

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“Crypto exchanges can and do fail. Even if a crypto exchange is licensed in Singapore, it would be currently only regulated to address money-laundering risks, not to protect investors. This is similar to the approach currently taken in most jurisdictions.

“Further, even if a crypto exchange is well-managed, cryptocurrencies themselves are highly volatile and many of them have lost all value. The ongoing turmoil in the crypto industry serves as a reminder of the huge risks of dealing in cryptocurrencies.”

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Xsolla to Present Global Expansion Solutions at Tokyo Game Show 2024

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Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, will showcase its cutting-edge solutions at Hall 4, Booth #04-C48, during the Tokyo Game Show 2024, which will take place from September 26-27, 2024, at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Tokyo, Japan. Xsolla’s booth will feature live demonstrations of its latest solutions aimed at helping game developers and publishers succeed in expanding to international markets.

During the event, Jin Jeong, Regional Vice President of Xsolla Japan, will deliver a keynote session focusing on the critical role of Xsolla’s Merchant of Record (MoR) solutions in transforming the way game companies handle cross-border transactions, taxes, and regulatory complexities. This session will offer developers and publishers a comprehensive look into how Xsollasimplifies global operations, allowing studios to focus on creating games while Xsolla handles the business side.

In addition to showcasing their MoR solutions, Xsolla will demonstrate how their payment systems and cross-play/cross-pay features enhance global reach for game developers of all sizes and across all platforms. Xsolla will also showcase how they help video game companies integrate with various payment methods worldwide, allowing developers to monetize their games across different regions easily.

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David Stelzer, President of Xsolla, emphasized the significance of this event for the company: “We’re thrilled to be part of the Tokyo Game Show and to present our latest solutions designed to empower game developers and publishers to expand globally. Our mission is to support the gaming industry with the tools they need to thrive in international markets, and we are eager to showcase how Xsolla can make global expansion easier and more effective.”

Attendees are invited to visit Xsolla’s booth to meet with the team of experts, who will be available to provide insights, answer questions, and discuss how their tailored solutions can help game developers and publishers grow their businesses. For those interested in more in-depth discussions, Xsolla also offers one-on-one meetings to explore specific solutions for global market expansion.

The post Xsolla to Present Global Expansion Solutions at Tokyo Game Show 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Gen.G Esports Announces Partnership with Descente

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Global esports organisation Gen.G Esports (Gen.G) announced that it has partnered with global sports brand Descente to showcase a new uniform for the 2024 League of Legends World Championships (Worlds). As its first esports collaboration, Descente has partnered with Gen.G to support the team’s pursuit to win Worlds 2024 and designed the uniform that captures Gen.G’s confidence and desire to win to inspire athletes and fans alike.

“We’re excited to be able to announce this new partnership with Descente at Worlds 2024. With this launch, we wanted to pay homage to Descente’s history of high performance and innovation to deliver a product for our fans that reimagines our team’s look and celebrates the difficult journey to win Worlds,” said Arnold Hur, CEO of Gen.G Esports.

The Worlds 2024 uniform, a collaboration between Gen.G and Descente, consists of two pieces, a jersey and a jacket. The “Worlds White” uniform was created at the request of the team to express their belief in winning Worlds, accentuated by the golden lines of the iconic Gen.G logo throughout the body of the uniform. The brand name in the center of the jersey features a scratch by a tiger, which is Gen.G’s mascot, expressing the fight needed to achieve victory.

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“With our good performance in LCK and MSI, we were able to quickly qualify for Worlds. We will ride on this momentum and perform brilliantly in our new uniforms. We will repay our fans for their support with great news at this Worlds,” said Gen.G Chovy Jung Ji-hun.

The Worlds 2024 uniform, a collaboration between Gen.G and Descente, will be unveiled on the 25th of this month through Gen.G’s official social media channels. Pre-sales for Gen.G Crew members will also begin on that date. Starting September 30, the uniform will be available for purchase on the official Gen.G online store. Additionally, Gen.G will offer exclusive membership content and host viewing parties throughout the Worlds event.

The post Gen.G Esports Announces Partnership with Descente appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Philippine Senator Pushes for Inquiry into Banks’ Role in Pogo Funding

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Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed Senate Resolution 1193 to investigate the failure of local banks to detect POGO-related suspicious transactions tied to criminal activities, following the case of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

Gatchalian, in his resolution, highlighted bank transactions involving Guo’s companies, which amounted to hundreds of millions of pesos and allegedly funded the construction of a POGO hub in Bamban. The amount far exceeded the financial capacity reflected in the companies’ financial statements.

He pointed out a significant increase in cash flows, check disbursements, and transactions involving Guo’s accounts, peaking in 2020—an anomaly given that the COVID-19 pandemic had severely disrupted businesses and economies worldwide.

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Gatchalian noted that despite these large transactions, the banking system failed to flag them as suspicious. He raised concerns about the banks’ inability to report such dubious activities, questioning the effectiveness of their internal controls and procedures for identifying and reporting suspicious behaviour.

The senator emphasised that financial institutions are responsible for analysing financial data to detect transactions that may indicate money laundering.

These circumstances, according to Gatchalian, raise doubts about the adequacy of current Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations and guidelines for banks and financial institutions.

Gatchalian also pointed out that the Philippines remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The country must improve its AML/CTF efforts, including prosecuting money laundering and terrorism financing, addressing beneficial ownership information and strengthening cross-border declaration measures.

While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed all government agencies to meet the necessary requirements to remove the country from the FATF grey list, Gatchalian stressed that private sector compliance is equally crucial to strengthening the country’s AML/CFT regime. This includes increased adherence to obligations, such as reporting covered and suspicious transactions.

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The post Philippine Senator Pushes for Inquiry into Banks’ Role in Pogo Funding appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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