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

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2 years ago

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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.

“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.

“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.

“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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Bloomberry Resorts Corporation Appoints Gregory Francis Hawkins as Director, President and COO

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June 17, 2025

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Bloomberry Resorts Corporation (BRC) has appointed Mr. Gregory Francis Hawkins as its Director, President and Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Hawkins joined Bloomberry in November 2023 to head Solaire Resort North as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In December 2024, with the retirement of the previous BRC President and COO, Mr. Hawkins was appointed as Acting COO of Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels, Inc. (BRHI) to oversee both Solaire Resort North and Solaire Entertainment City. In February 2025, he was designated as Acting COO of BRC.

Mr. Hawkins has extensive experience in the hospitality and gaming industries having previously held senior roles in various jurisdictions including the Philippines, Macau, Australia and New Zealand.

The post Bloomberry Resorts Corporation Appoints Gregory Francis Hawkins as Director, President and COO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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New Resort & Casino Selects IvedaAI for Intelligent Video Surveillance Ahead of Grand Opening

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5 days ago

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June 13, 2025

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Iveda, a global leader in AI-driven video surveillance and smart-city technologies, announced that Subic Sun Development Inc. has chosen the IvedaAI platform as the video surveillance solution for the soon-to-open Subic Sun Resort, Convention & Casino. IvedaAI was selected early in the build-out to inform camera placement and ensure frictionless integration with future-ready, AI-powered analytics. Located on the former U.S. naval base in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone—a special economic hub that hosts thousands of international and local businesses—the resort will feature 500 guest rooms, a state-of-the-art convention center, a luxury casino and two Accor-brand hotels, Ibis Styles and Mercure, scheduled to open in December 2025.

The decision comes as global resort operators sharpen their focus on safety, service and operational efficiency. The global resort market generated $347 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach nearly $945 billion by 2030, an 18.5% CAGR. IvedaAI’s AI-enabled video analytics will help property staff lower security costs, respond to incidents faster and unlock data-driven insights that boost both guest satisfaction and bottom-line performance.

“Iveda being selected as a premier security and surveillance provider before the first Subic Sun Resort guest ever checks in is a powerful endorsement of our commitment to providing state-of- the-art monitoring technology. By designing camera layouts around IvedaAI’s real-time analytics, Subic Sun can optimize coverage, reduce blind spots, and deliver safer, smoother guest experiences—without a costly equipment overhaul. We expect more ground-up projects to follow this blueprint,” said David Ly, CEO and Founder of Iveda.

Iveda Philippines—Iveda’s joint venture focused on nationwide smart-city deployment—secured the Subic Sun contract and will oversee the on-site rollout. The win represents the team’s first major hospitality project and advances its plan to generate US $3 million in smart-city revenue by FY 2026, building on the broader initiative it announced last year.

The post New Resort & Casino Selects IvedaAI for Intelligent Video Surveillance Ahead of Grand Opening appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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FUN88 Thailand Celebrates 17th Anniversary with 17 Spins, Rewards & Newcastle Match Trip

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7 days ago

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June 11, 2025

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FUN88 Thailand, a top online gaming platform, is celebrating its 17th birthday with a special month-long event full of exciting rewards and lucky missions. The promotion, running from June 2 to 30, allows members to win amazing prizes like a 7-day trip to watch a live English Premier League Newcastle United match, a luxury Royal Oak watch, 17 spins for a special Anniversary Badge and many more guaranteed rewards.

With the theme “Play with FUN, be FUN”, FUN88 promises a fun and rewarding experience for all players.

How to take part in FUN88’s 17th birthday to win big:

• BE FUN Lucky Spin: Complete daily or event missions to earn spins. Every spin is a guaranteed win. Grand prizes include a NUFC new season football trip to England, a luxury Royal Oak watch and more.

• Daily Check-In: In the new Rewards Lobby, members who topped up in the past 7 days can check in daily for rewards up to 12,888 THB.

• Top-Up on 8th, 18th, 28th: Get 5 extra spins just by topping up on these special dates.

• Extra Missions: Try missions like Virtual Sports, SOS Insurance Slots, or join “Road to World Cup I” for even more spins.

• Anniversary Badge: Spin the BE FUN Wheel 17 times during the event and get the exclusive 17th Anniversary Badge.

All event details are available on the FUN88 Promotions page.

The post FUN88 Thailand Celebrates 17th Anniversary with 17 Spins, Rewards & Newcastle Match Trip appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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