Genting

Gaming / GENS: The govt is looking to introduce by next year, amongst the most comprehensive curbs in any jurisdiction to online gaming, such as by blocking access to illegal gambling websites, prevent payment to operators and ban advertisements for online gambling. The authorities are also considering whether to allow a limited form of legalized online gambling so that gamblers do not end up resorting to illegal gambling and betting offline. Spore’s remote gambling is estimated to be worth more than $370m and expected to grow by 6-7% pa. Market watchers think that a clampdown could push hardcore gamblers to gamble offline, which may benefit the local integrated resorts. Meanwhile, sentiment in gaming counters could get a lift as lawmakers in Japan are planning to submit an initial bill aimed at legalizing casinos by 6 Dec. GENS mgt has previously mentioned its keenness to expand into other Asian geographies, in particular Japan.