In the last decade, online gambling has steadily grown in Southeast Asia. It is currently worth between USD800 million to 1.2 billion. Some countries, like the Philippines, actively pursued a piece of the lucrative gambling pie, legalising and promoting virtual casino operations known as POGOS. Yet, online gambling has left many punters in debt. It has also been associated with illicit activities like money laundering and human trafficking.
Now, Southeast Asia wants to kick its gambling habit. In July, the Philippines outlawed online gambling operations. In Indonesia, a new task force was set up to shut down gaming websites. Elsewhere, these virtual casinos face similar crackdowns. Is the game up for online gaming operators? Or will they simply move underground?
00:00 The online gambling boom in Southeast Asia?
07:36 How does online gambling work?
09:19 Why the Philippines banned POGOs
13:04 How Philippines became a hub for online gambling operators.
16.04 The POGOs turn to criminality
21:11 POGOs as a front for Chinese espionage?
23:37 Gambling addiction grows in Indonesia
26:22 Why online gambling is especially addictive
30:56 Indonesia cracks down on online gambling
35:22 Impact of POGO ban
39:06 Challenges to enforcement of POGO ban
43:46 Will banning POGOs solve the Southeast Asia’s Online Gambling Addiction?
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