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PAGCOR AND FOUR OTHER AGENCIES INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ILLEGAL POGO-RELATED CRIMES
AMIDST reports of increasing number of kidnapping incidents related to illegal offshore gaming operations in the country, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has intensified the collaboration with its partner government and law enforcement agencies.
In an inter-agency meeting among PAGCOR, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on September 14, 2022, each agency committed to help safeguard the welfare and safety, not only of Filipinos but also of foreign nationals working in the country.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the inter-agency collaboration is a response to the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to address the recent Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO)-related kidnapping cases and other illegal activities. “The President said na higpitan na natin because the image of the country and of this administration is being tarnished by these illegal incidents,” he stated.
Tengco said that one of the initial steps in the inter-agency undertaking is to identify the illegal operators. “The information we received is that these alarming incidents of kidnapping came from the ranks of illegal operators. While it will be a challenge to all participating agencies, the good thing is that we are receiving information as to where these illegal operations are located. With the help of everybody, we will be able to zero-in immediately,” he cited.
The PAGCOR chief added that the licensed POGO operators have also shown their commitment to help address the problem by “policing their own ranks.”
“First, they are now going to ask their people to contain themselves in an area for safety and security purposes. Second, they will come up with an updated list of their employees because some have already resigned. Third, we will require them to submit a police clearance together with their application for an offshore gaming license employment (OGEL) ID. At least, those who apply, alam natin na malinis ang kanilang record,” Tengco furthered.
If the kidnapping of foreign workers the country is not abated, Tengco warned that the consequences may affect even the legitimate POGO operators.
“If these kidnapping incidents and other illegal activities persist, it is clear that not only will we cancel the licenses of POGO operators, but the entire industry may be affected by whatever decision will emanate from the national government. So let us help each other solve these issues the soonest,” Tengco said.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin said the PNP is doing its best to ensure the safety and security of everyone – including foreign nationals who are working in the country.
“But first, there should be respect for our law. Ilan sa mga pinaka-matinding reports na nakuha natin ay kinidnap na, minurder pa while some are reportedly engaged in human trafficking and slavery. Sa ngayon, kaya nahihirapan tayo kasi sila-sila ang nag-a-away-away. Are we still going to wait na kapwa natin Pilipino ang kanilang saktan? We don’t want that to happen,” Aruzin said.
The PNP chief also stressed the importance of holistic partnership with different government agencies, including the local government units to appropriately deal with the offenders. He likewise requested POGO operators to surrender their permit to carry firearms to PNP as well as furnish them with updated information on the foreign workers’ employment permits.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos also cited the importance of inter-agency cooperation and regular updating of the list of legitimate foreign POGO workers in the country to avoid problems related to human trafficking.
“The problem is, those who are no longer working in a legitimate POGO operations, kung saan-saan nagpupunta. It is important for us to track them because these kidnapping incidents are giving the POGO industry, as well as our country a bad name.”
Abalos reported that DILG already started a crackdown against human trafficking. A total of 43 Chinese nationals who were enslaved under human trafficking conditions were rescued in an operation in Angeles City on September 14. The DILG chief gave the PNP and other participating agencies a timeline of two weeks to abate all POGO-related illegal activities in the country.
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who also attended the inter-agency meeting stated that their agency, in coordination with NBI and the Bureau of Immigration, will cause the immediate summary deportation of arrested illegal foreign workers and those responsible for the spate of kidnapping and related criminal activities.

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Fast Track releases new AI Player Churn Model
Fast Track has announced the release of a new AI-driven Player Churn Prediction Model, now available to all partners within its CRM platform. The model enables operators to identify players at risk of churning as early as the first day of inactivity, supporting more proactive and efficient retention strategies.
Built on Fast Track’s proprietary machine learning platform, FTML, the model uses seven sub-models to analyse player behaviour and make accurate predictions tailored to each operator’s player base. The system continuously trains itself on live data, ensuring predictions remain relevant and effective over time.
The Churn Model is already in use by several Fast Track partners and is fully integrated into the platform’s core workflows. Once activated, operators receive clear, actionable insights into which players are likely to churn, along with data-informed recommendations on timing and incentive levels for re-engagement.
“Churn is one of the most impactful use cases for AI in player engagement,” said Simon Lidzén, Co-Founder and CEO of Fast Track. “With this model, operators can focus their efforts where it matters most; targeting players who are truly at risk with the right offer at the right time. It’s a smarter, more cost-effective approach to retention.”
The Churn Model addresses a common challenge in the industry – overuse of reactivation bonuses – by helping teams deliver more relevant and timely incentives based on predictive insights, not guesswork.
To support the launch, Fast Track will host a live webinar on Thursday, 10 July 2025 at 16:00 CEST, offering a walkthrough of the new Churn Model and its practical applications. Save your spot at app.livestorm.co/fast-track/save-your-players.
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Evolution and Hasbro sign exclusive online live casino and slots partnership agreement
Evolution today announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, to be their exclusive licensing partner for online live casino and slot games for MONOPOLY and other Hasbro Games titles.
The worldwide deal, including the USA, covers online content from all Evolution brands, including Evolution, Ezugi, NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming (BTG), Nolimit City and Livespins.
The new exclusive partnership for MONOPOLY and other Hasbro Games titles builds on a highly successful working relationship between the two companies. Evolution has already developed MONOPOLY Live and MONOPOLY Big Baller, two innovative online live casino game shows based on Hasbro’s world famous board game. Both are at the top of Evolution’s game line-up and are two of the best-performing games in all of online gaming.
As a result of the new partnership, Evolution will be the exclusive licensing partner for online casino games based on much-loved Hasbro Games properties. New games will launch from January 2026 onwards and will be showcased at ICE Barcelona 2026. Amongst the new Hasbro-based titles from Evolution brands will be Game Night, MONOPOLY Filthy Rich, MONOPOLY Roulette (all live online games with live presenters), and a number of online slot titles.
At Hasbro, we’re all about play—whether it’s classic board games or casino experiences. After a thorough RFP process, we’ve chosen Evolution as our exclusive partner for online live casino and online slots for Hasbro Games titles,” said Claire Hunter Gregson, Director Gaming Relationships. “We trust them to bring our brands to life in fresh, exciting ways for our adult fans and look forward to our partnership.
Todd Haushalter, Evolution’s Chief Product Officer, commented: “The combining of Hasbro and Evolution just feels right — we will make magic together! The bidding process was extremely competitive, but showing our commitment to innovation and excellence with MONOPOLY Live and MONOPOLY Big Baller, really helped! The team and I are incredibly excited to bring the Hasbro Games brands to all our various brands. I think MONOPOLY is the world’s best casino game brand, and we can do so many great things with it, and, of course, with many other Hasbro Games brands. It is hard to believe, but these are still the early days of online gaming, and with Hasbro we will forge a new chapter in our industry.”
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Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification
Expanse Studios, the B2B game development division of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has received official certification from Croatia’s Ministry of Finance for its flagship game Super Heli, with additional titles in the company’s 56-game portfolio expected to receive approval in the coming weeks for the EU member state.
The certification marks a strategic entry into a market that generated US$484.70m in 2024, with projected growth at a CAGR of 8.4% during 2024-2030. Super Heli, Expanse’s most popular crash-style game, becomes the first of the studio’s titles approved for the Croatian market, paving the way for broader portfolio distribution.
Tapping Into High-Growth European Market
Croatia represents a compelling opportunity for B2B gaming suppliers, with the Online Casinos segment alone projected at US$218.10m in 2024. According to iGamingToday’s latest market research, Croatia’s gambling market will reach €720.42 million by 2025, making it one of Europe’s fastest-growing regulated markets.
Among the key market benefits are:
- Accelerating digital adoption – Internet penetration jumped from 76% in 2020 to 83% in 2023
- Over 20.6 million tourist arrivals in 2023 following Schengen Zone entry
- Over 500,000 Croatians expected to engage in regular online gambling by 2027
Strategic Value for the Company
The certification strengthens Expanse Studios’ European footprint at a critical juncture. With 56 proprietary titles and 500+ B2B partners globally, Expanse is expected to capture a meaningful share in the growing EU market.
“Croatia certification is more than market access—it’s validation of our content quality and compliance capabilities in demanding EU jurisdictions,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios. “With our flagship title Super Heli already approved and more games in the pipeline, we’re very excited for the opportunities this markets brings us”
Competitive Advantage in Regulated Markets
Croatia’s regulatory framework favors established, compliant B2B providers. Operators must obtain licenses requiring significant capital investment, and only licensed casino games operators who have at least one brick-and-mortar casino can offer online gambling. This creates high barriers to entry and positions certified B2B suppliers like Expanse as essential partners for operators.
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