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PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco is pushing for stricter online gambling regulations instead of a total ban.
PAGCOR’s (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) Tengco spoke at the Light & Wonder iGaming Symposium at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City on Monday (September 8), arguing that regulations will have a more optimal effect on online gambling than a straightforward ban. He claimed that simple prohibition would only drive operations underground and onto the illegal market, removing a much-needed source of tax revenue.
In particular, Tengco advocated for reforms put together and implemented by PAGCOR, which include reducing license fee rates among other policies. This has led to consistent growth in the e-gaming sector, rising by 100 billion Php ($1.8 billion). That accounts for nearly half of the industry’s total revenue.
“The iGaming story in the Philippines is no longer just about growth,” Tengco said. “It’s about how we grow: safely, fairly, and sustainably. We support stricter regulations to protect our people, but we are against a total ban, which will only drive players to illegal operators and result in loss of revenues and jobs.”
The practicalities of PAGCOR’s online gambling reforms
Other reforms put into action by PAGCOR include separating regulatory and operational functions, implementing stronger responsible gaming safeguards, advocating for stricter advertising standards, the upcoming launch of a 24/7 helpline for those most vulnerable, and the adoption of digital tools such as the PAGCOR Guarantee portal and AI-driven monitoring systems.
Speaking to various industry stakeholders, Tengco highlighted the importance of what he described as “compliance by design” in the sector’s operations. Companies must follow anti-money laundering regulations, strengthen their KYC (Know Your Customer) guidelines, and fully support PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming initiatives.
“With responsible growth, compliance, and transparency, the Philippines can develop a safer, stronger, and globally competitive iGaming industry,” he added.
Featured image: PAGCOR
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A New South Wales police officer has been found to have sold more than AUD 1.3 million in family gold bars to support his gambling addiction.
Australia’s Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) uncovered a NSW police officer who has sold more than AUD 1.3 million ($860,000) to support his gambling addiction. The officer was found to have engaged in serious misconduct after taking 12 gold bars, each weighing 50 ounces, from his family. They belonged to his uncle and were being stored beneath his mother’s house.

“Gambling harm doesn’t just drain bank accounts, it can drive desperate people into crime.” – Brendan Thomas, AUSTRAC CEO

The officer went on to falsify forms to sell the bars to two separate dealers, claiming the gold was a family gift or inheritance. He used the funds from the sales to gamble on sports betting apps, later admitting to the false information.
Intelligence from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) first triggered the investigation (dubbed Operation Dartmoor), with suspicious transactions flagged. Specifically, the gold sales flagged potential money laundering links.
The impact of gambling addiction
Operation Dartmoor has led to the officer’s resignation from the NSW Police Force, with further investigation planned by the Department of Public Prosecutions. AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said the case has underlined the criminal risks facing the bullion sector.
“Gambling harm doesn’t just drain bank accounts, it can drive desperate people into crime,” Thomas said. “When gambling turns to addiction, people often look for fast money and that can mean stealing, fraud or money laundering.
“Bullion is portable, valuable and attractive to people wanting to use it illegitimately. If you trade in bullion, you are part of the front line in stopping its exploitation.
“Your AML/CTF controls are the difference between being a trusted dealer or a weak link for crime. Every transaction is a potential red flag – it’s your responsibility to look twice, and if needed, report it.”
AUSTRAC regulates gold and bullion dealers, tracking potentially suspicious transactions like those flagged above. From July 1, 2026, the organization will also include dealers in precious metals and stones in its operations.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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Two women have been arrested on charges of an illegal gambling operation at a local business in Miami-Dade, Florida.
The two women, 52-year-old Kenia Landa and 60-year-old Beatriz Vichot, are facing charges that include bookmaking, possession of a gambling device, and acting as an employee of a gambling house. Landa has also been charged with renting for the purpose of operating a gambling house. The arrests were made after an undercover bust took place at the business front for the illegal gambling operation.
As reported by NBC Miami, the investigation was ongoing between August 13 and September 6, with Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office detectives looking into alleged undercover gambling operations at Galaxy Arcade at 12218 Southwest 8th Street. This led to the bust on Saturday, September 6, where two undercover detectives entered the business with $50 each to gamble.
An undercover investigation into illegal gambling in Miami-Dade
They were able to use illegal gambling machines after being greeted by Vichot. She told them that they would have received an extra $10 to bet with if they had visited sooner, as part of a weekend promotional event. Vichot also mentioned plans to start bingo, if she could get 10 customers.
One of the detectives would later be paid out by Vichot, while Landa was seen by the pair of undercover officials paying out cash to other customers on the premises. Other detectives then executed a search warrant on the business, culminating in the arrests of both Landa and Vichot.
One of the detectives was later paid out by Vichot, while Landa was seen paying out cash to other customers, the reports said. Records show Vichot paid bond on Sunday, while Landa appeared before a judge who set her bond at $3,650.
“It is of note that Galaxy Arcade serves no legitimate purpose other than facilitating illegal gambling with cash payouts,” the reports from law enforcement said.
Such illegal operations are in place around the world, from examples like this one in the US, to the UK and across to Thailand.
Featured image: Miami-Dade Corrections
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Football icons Alan Shearer and Peter Crouch have added their support to Flutter’s Cash4Clubs grants to local UK clubs.
The footballing legends are urging local sports clubs to take up Flutter’s Cash4Clubs grants. The last charitable initiative from the company offers the chance to take one of 250 £2,000 grants, having already provided £7 million to grassroots sports organizations since 2008.
The new campaign uses the sporting fame of both former players as the face of a new £500,000 fund to help local clubs survive and thrive. This comes as polls show that 43% of grassroots clubs are having to reduce or cancel services due to a lack of funds.

Applications for Cash4Clubs 2026 are now open!
We’re proud to announce a £500,000 funding boost to support 250 grassroots sports clubs across the UK and Ireland. If your local team or community group could benefit from a £2,000 grant, now’s the time to apply.
Whether you’re… pic.twitter.com/NAxGYW661d
— Flutter Entertainment (@FlutterEnt) September 8, 2025

“An additional £2,000 can make all the difference to local clubs,” said Paddy Power ambassador and former England and Liverpool striker, Crouch. “It can keep the lights on, keep facilities open and accessible and provide much-needed funds to invest in equipment or training volunteers.
“These clubs aren’t just about sport. They’re giving people a place to belong, to build confidence and stay active. It’s why Cash4Clubs is so important, and I would urge people to apply.”
With the cost of living on the rise across the UK, sports clubs report that rising day-to-day costs, insurance bills, and a difficulty in finding staff and other volunteers are making daily operations a challenge. Almost a quarter of clubs polled worry that they will be financially unsustainable within a year.
“Throughout my career, on and off the field, I’ve witnessed the incredible power of sport to transform lives.” said Betfair ambassador, Shearer. “Local grassroots clubs and organisations aren’t nice to have; they are essential community assets. These grants can provide a vital helping hand and the impact, particularly in deprived areas, can be profound.”
Cash4Clubs progress so far
In 2025 so far, almost 32,000 people from 200 different clubs have already benefited from the fund. That includes the Swindon Storm American Football Club, the Sunderland Deaf Darts Society, and Wigan-based Parkinson’s Ninja, which combines taekwondo, rock-steady boxing and mixed martial arts to help participants tackle Parkinson’s disease.
“The grants from Cash4Clubs have allowed us to expand our offering to meet this need, including fulfilling the cost of additional coaching fees as well as maintaining the existing classes,” said Paul Williams from Parkinson’s Ninja. “As such, we can continue helping people with Parkinson’s by giving them the physical and social activity they vitally need.”
Community sports and activity clubs have until December 8 to apply for a Cash4Clubs grant, with this year’s application callout putting a particular emphasis on clubs that want to increase participation in sport in their local community.
“Grassroots sports clubs are the beating heart of communities, but rising costs mean too many are now fighting to survive,” added Flutter UKI chief executive Kevin Harrington.
“That’s why we’ve committed £500,000 through our Cash4Clubs programme this year: to give local organisations the support they need to keep doors open, inspire participation and provide opportunities for adults to stay active and engaged with sports and all of the additional benefits that brings with it.”
Featured image: Flutter
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YouTuber Saad-ur-Rehman, better known as Ducky Bhai, has been sent to jail for 14 days on judicial remand over allegations of promoting online gaming apps. He’s now also filed a bail application under Section 497 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, arguing that the FIR against him is “false and frivolous” and was lodged with “ulterior motives” to humiliate him.
The popular creator appeared in court in Lahore, Pakistan, where he was convicted in a case linked to the promotion of online gambling platforms. The hearing came after he had already spent three days in custody on physical remand. The National Cyber Crime Agency (NCCIA) had previously requested an extension for further investigation, but this request was denied.
In the investigation, the NCCIA claimed it had already found evidence that Ducky Bhai was working as the so-called ‘country manager’ – a position that he did not get the proper authorization for – of an illegal gambling app, promoting multiple betting platforms, laundering money through the online games, and defrauding users. As well as the fact that gambling is illegal in Pakistan, the evidence of a laundry list of illegal activities led to his arrest at Lahore Airport.
The inquiry was first launched on June 13, 2025, according to ARY News, after an FIR was registered against Ducky Bhai arguing that promoting gambling apps put people at risk of heavy financial losses, especially those vulnerable to gambling-related harm.
Ducky Bhai believed to have misled bettors
As well as encouraging his audience to invest in platforms like Binomi, Ducky Bhai was said to have collection millions of rupees, only to then later refuse payouts.
“Despite being summoned, Ducky Bhai allegedly refused to cooperate with the inquiry,” NCCIA officials stated. “His name was subsequently placed on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL). He was later intercepted at Allama Iqbal International Airport while attempting to travel abroad.”
This led to his arrest at the airport, where law enforcement confiscated an iPhone 16 Pro Max containing WhatsApp chats with individuals linked to Binomo promotions and evidence of receiving illegal payments.
Ducky Bhai is not the only influencer to face similar charges, with three online personalities facing punishments from Swedish authorities.
Featured image: Ducky Bhai via YouTube
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