Gambling operators across Asia are facing growing legal and regulatory pressure as governments move to tighten licencing rules, expand enforcement powers and reduce tolerance for grey market activity. A new global legal survey by law firm DLA Piper shows a clear regional shift toward stricter oversight, penalties and higher compliance expectations, even in jurisdictions where gambling is legal and regulated.
The findings come from DLA Piper’s Gambling Laws of the World Guide, which tracks regulatory frameworks, enforcement trends and dispute risks across major gambling markets. The guide highlights that legal exposure for operators is no longer limited to criminal enforcement. Regulatory sanctions, licence challenges and civil disputes are becoming more common, raising both legal and commercial risks for companies active in Asia.
Region-wide push for tighter control
Across Asia, governments are asserting stronger control over gambling markets. The guide identifies common drivers behind this trend, including concerns around money laundering, consumer harm, problem gambling and cross-border capital flows. Authorities are also responding to the growth of online betting, which has made enforcement more complex and increased scrutiny of payment systems and technology providers.
Even in markets that allow regulated gambling, regulators are tightening supervision. Licencing conditions are becoming more detailed, reporting obligations are expanding and penalties for non-compliance are increasing. As a result, operators face higher costs and greater exposure if they fail to meet regulatory standards.
According to John Calderon, Executive Managing Partner, Consulcy Advisory Group, the region remains focused on enforcement rather than stability. He explains that regulators are testing their authority, closing loopholes and expanding enforcement tools. Calderon adds that regulatory conditions are unlikely to soften in the near term, with stability expected only after weaker or non-compliant operators exit the market.
“Stabilisation will only follow once weaker players are cleared out and enforcement becomes consistent. Regulation will not soften, it will normalise.”
– John Calderon, Executive Managing Partner, Consulcy Advisory Group
Calderon told SiGMA News in an exclusive conversation, “More restrictions will come before stability. Asia, especially Southeast Asia, is still in an enforcement phase, not an optimisation phase.”
Southeast Asia shows uneven regulation and rising disputes
Southeast Asia continues to present a fragmented regulatory landscape. Some jurisdictions have developed robust licencing regimes, while others rely mainly on criminal law to address gambling activity.
Singapore stands out as one of the most tightly regulated markets in the region. Recent legislative changes have strengthened the powers of regulators over online gambling, including the ability to block payments and take action against unlicenced operators. Enforcement is active, and compliance expectations are clearly defined.
The Philippines is undergoing a significant shift. The guide shows that authorities have moved away from a previously permissive approach to offshore gaming. Licencing requirements have become stricter, taxes have increased and compliance costs are higher. This has created uncertainty for some operators, particularly those that relied on lower regulatory barriers in the past.
Calderon says this shift is intentional. He notes that higher taxes and strict licencing standards have ended the era of the Philippines as an easy entry point for offshore gaming. According to him, the market is now smaller and more expensive, but also more credible, with long-term participation requiring strong compliance and oversight.
Calderon said, “For serious operators, the Philippines has shifted from a low-cost access point to a legitimacy-driven jurisdiction, where long-term presence requires real compliance, oversight, and accountability.”
The guide also records a rise in civil disputes in the Philippines, particularly around licence cancellations, tax assessments and contractual disagreements.
In Indonesia and Thailand, gambling remains largely prohibited. Enforcement relies heavily on criminal law, but authorities have increased efforts to block websites, restrict payment channels and pursue individuals who facilitate online gambling. Lawyers report that enforcement activity in these countries has intensified alongside greater cooperation with financial institutions and technology platforms.
India’s courts play a central role in shaping regulation
India’s gambling framework remains highly fragmented, with regulation largely determined at the state level. The guide highlights the growing influence of the judiciary, especially in cases that distinguish games of skill from games of chance.
Ananay Jain, Policy and Gaming Law Expert at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP, points to several states that present high regulatory risk for iGaming operators. He identifies Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala as jurisdictions where statutory amendments and executive actions have restricted or prohibited online real-money gaming. Jain notes that these measures often do not recognise the skill versus chance distinction relied upon by many operators.
“Indian states that currently present the greatest regulatory risk for iGaming operators.”
– Ananay Jain, Policy and Gaming Law Expert at Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
He adds that these states also pose higher exposure to criminal penalties, advertising restrictions and licencing uncertainty. Even where legal challenges are underway, broad legislative drafting combined with active enforcement increases legal risk for platforms operating or advertising in these markets.
Jain added, “These jurisdictions also present elevated exposure through criminal penalties, advertising restrictions and licencing uncertainty, making compliance and business continuity challenging.”
The guide reports a rise in civil litigation involving online gaming and betting companies in India. Disputes often relate to taxation, advertising rules and licencing requirements. Legal uncertainty remains high as states continue to revise their laws and courts refine legal interpretations.
iGaming strategist, Japneet Singh Sethi explained to SiGMA News that from a global perspective, inconsistent enforcement and unclear definitions can create greater risk than outright prohibition. He notes that uncertainty around skill-based gaming and betting remains a key concern for operators assessing the Indian market.
Sethi said, “Regulatory risk in India is highest in jurisdictions where online gaming laws remain undefined or inconsistently interpreted, particularly around the distinction between skill-based gaming and betting.”
“From a global perspective, uncertainty and uneven enforcement create greater risk for operators than prohibition alone.”
– Japneet Singh Sethi, iGaming strategist
China and Macau adopt zero tolerance outside licenced activity
Macau, the world’s largest gambling hub, has taken a more interventionist regulatory approach following the introduction of a new gaming law and a revised concession system. Operators now face stricter compliance obligations, enhanced reporting duties and closer scrutiny of relationships with junket operators.
In mainland China, gambling remains illegal outside Macau, and enforcement is uncompromising. Authorities continue to target offshore operators accused of soliciting mainland Chinese customers. Criminal liability extends beyond operators to include promoters, payment processors and technology providers.
The guide highlights that enforcement has become increasingly cross-border. Asset freezes, extradition requests and cooperation with foreign regulators are now more common. Civil litigation plays a minimal role, as most disputes are handled through criminal proceedings.
Japan allows gambling under strict limits
Japan’s integrated resort framework is described as one of the most restrictive gambling regimes in Asia. While casino gaming is legal in principle, the number of licences is tightly capped, and regulatory oversight is extensive.
Regulators impose strict controls on advertising, player access, anti-money laundering procedures and responsible gambling measures. Online casino gambling remains illegal, and authorities have increased warnings and enforcement actions against unlicenced platforms.
Civil litigation involving gambling operators is currently limited, reflecting the early stage of market development. However, the guide warns that regulatory breaches could lead to severe administrative sanctions, reputational damage and exclusion from future licencing rounds.
The UAE opens cautiously under strict oversight
The United Arab Emirates has historically prohibited gambling, but the guide notes a cautious shift following the creation of a federal gaming regulator and a licencing framework for limited forms of commercial gaming.
Any permitted activity is subject to strict oversight, with licencing decisions controlled at the federal level. Advertising restrictions, anti-money laundering requirements and suitability standards form the core of the regulatory regime.
Civil litigation remains limited due to the early stage of the market. However, lawyers warn that non-compliance carries significant regulatory and criminal risk in a jurisdiction known for low tolerance of unlawful gambling.
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