Top iGaming content provider Spinomenal has launched its newest Western-themed adventure, The Desperado Drifter Hold & Hit 3×3, a fresh addition to its Hold & Hit game portfolio. (AsiaGameHub) -   This action-packed game transports players to a sun-scorched frontier town on the edge of the Wild West, where shadows stretch over dusty streets and saloons are filled with gunslingers. Players will hunt for fortune alongside outlaws and hidden treasures. During the base game, a pouch of gems acts as the Wild symbol, substituting for all symbols except the Bonus and Bonus Collect icons. Two special Bonus symbols are at the core of the game: the Bonus coin only appears on reels one and three, while the Bonus Collect coin, crackling with bright red energy, lands exclusively on reel two. If the Bonus Collect symbol appears alongside one or more Bonus symbols, the Instant Win Feature activates right away, collecting those winnings and adding them directly to the player’s account balance. Matching the Bonus Collect symbol with one or more Bonus symbols will also trigger the Bonus Game. The symbols that triggered the feature stay locked in position for the entire durat...

In recognition of the studio’s dedication to advancing casino entertainment, its acclaimed title is nominated for a top honor at the upcoming regional awards ceremony. (AsiaGameHub) -   ELA Games is delighted to announce that its widely popular game, Joker Winpot, has been named a finalist in the ‘Game of the Year’ category at the 2026 SBC Awards Americas. This nomination represents a significant milestone for the studio, demonstrating that players are increasingly drawn to the distinctive and interactive experiences the team excels at creating. A standout title in the studio’s lineup, Joker Winpot combines a moody, character-focused visual style with a simple 1×1 grid gameplay format. The game’s standout feature is its proprietary Winpot mechanic—a progression-based system that gives players direct control over their experience. As winnings build up within the Winpot, players must decide whether to take their current rewards or continue spinning in pursuit of bigger payouts. This innovative approach turns a traditional slot game into an engaging, decision-driven adventure, earning strong acclaim from players and contributing to the ga...

(AsiaGameHub) -   Gambling is poised to become a key focus within a series of comprehensive reforms targeting Kenya’s tax system. A draft version of the country’s 2026 finance bill, submitted to the National Assembly, outlines intentions to reinstate a 20% withholding tax rate—reversing the decision made in October 2025 that had lowered it to 5%. The proposal also revises the timing at which this tax is applied. Previously, under changes introduced by the Finance Act 2025, the 5% tax was levied when a player withdrew funds from their betting account. If enacted, the 20% rate will be imposed on the net winnings—calculated as the amount won minus the stake placed by the player. The earlier move to reduce the tax rate was proposed by the Parliamentary Budget Office with the aim of increasing government revenue from Ksh 5.4 billion (£32.9 million) to Ksh 11.4 billion (£69.54 million). However, the swift reversal suggested by the current proposal indicates that the previous policy may not have achieved its projected success. In addition to changes affecting taxable winnings, the bill broadens the definition of taxable deposits to encompass &ldquo...

(AsiaGameHub) -   ReferOn has entered a new phase of growth following the completion of a management buyout. The affiliate management platform was acquired by former General Manager Alex Bukin, who now serves as the company's newly appointed Chief Executive Officer. However, ReferOn’s existing leadership structure will remain in place alongside Bukin. Bukin commented: “This marks a significant milestone for ReferOn and the start of an exciting new chapter for the business. The management buyout gives us the long-term vision needed to keep advancing the platform.” “We are committed to product development, enhancing our offerings for partners, and supporting ReferOn’s ongoing expansion across key markets.” Other organizational updates at ReferOn include Vlad Bondarenko stepping into the role of Chief Product Officer from Head of Product, while former Operations Lead David Harris has been named Chief Operations Officer. Building on a strong period of progress, day-to-day operations will remain unaffected by the buyout, with current partnerships continuing as usual. The platform continues to deliver a comprehensive suite of tools designed to sup...

(AsiaGameHub) -   As Canada’s iGaming sector continues to evolve, operators are under increasing pressure to streamline payment processes while adhering to rigorous compliance standards and mitigating rising fraud risks. The Payments & Compliance track at SBC Summit Canada will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from 19–21 May, focusing on how the industry is adapting. The event will convene operators, regulators, and technology providers to discuss strategies for developing efficient yet compliant systems. Throughout the track, sessions will address the growing complexity of anti-money laundering (AML) frameworks, the impact of payments on business performance, and the importance of enhanced coordination to safeguard the integrity of both sports and betting markets. The opening session, titled AML After the Audits: From Box-Ticking to Shared Infrastructure, will examine the industry’s shift toward integrating AML compliance into everyday operations. Panelists include Steve Armstrong (Chief Compliance Officer & Money Laundering Reporting Officer, FRL Compliance Solutions), Susan Bala (Co-Founder and Director, Advanced Compliance Technol...

(AsiaGameHub) -   Indonesian police conducted raids resulting in the arrest of over 300 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in illegal online gambling activities. Among the 321 individuals detained in Jakarta, 228 were identified as being from Vietnam, according to a report by AP News. An additional 57 suspects were from China, while the remaining individuals originated from Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Wira Satya Triputra, Director of General Crimes at the Indonesian Police, stated that the gambling operation, situated near Jakarta’s Chinatown, operated more than 70 online gaming websites aimed at international players. He added that employees within the operation were assigned various roles, including customer service, telemarketing, and financial administration. Evidence indicated that the establishment had been operational for approximately two months. During the raid, authorities seized assets such as cash in multiple currencies, computers, mobile phones, and passports. The Indonesian Police believe that most of those arrested entered the country using short-term visitor visas. All forms of gambling are prohibited in Indonesia, and those a...

(AsiaGameHub) -   Chile's Supreme Court is confronting additional legal repercussions regarding the implementation of restrictions on online gambling operators. Last week, SubTel, the national telecommunications regulator, announced it would cease efforts to block access to unlicensed gambling websites. The agency conceded failure, explaining it could no longer rationalize allocating resources to maintain court-ordered IP blocks obtained for the benefit of Polla Chilena and other municipal gambling entities. In 2023, Polla Chilena secured a federal appeal ruling aimed at imposing restrictions on online gambling operators, as the Chilean government continued to struggle to conclude a long-awaited online gambling regulatory framework. This appeal was contested by Chilean media stakeholders and eventually reached the Supreme Court. The high court ruled that "online gambling in Chile is illegal unless expressly authorised by law" and instructed telecommunications providers to block offshore betting sites—a mandate SubTel was tasked with enforcing. Unable to continue this duty, SubTel pointed out that "these operators simply shifted to new domains once blocks were imposed," r...

(AsiaGameHub) -   The Supreme Court of Chile is facing increased legal repercussions due to the implementation of restrictions on online gambling operators. Last week, SubTel, Chile’s national telecommunications agency, announced that it would no longer pursue efforts to block access to unlicensed gambling websites. The agency has conceded defeat, stating that it can no longer justify allocating resources to maintain court-ordered IP blocking measures that were secured in favor of Polla Chilena and other municipal gambling operators. In 2023, Polla Chilena won a federal appeal ruling aimed at imposing restrictions on online gambling operators, as Chile’s government continued to struggle with finalizing terms for a long-delayed online gambling framework. The appeal was contested by Chilean media stakeholders and later taken to the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled that “online gambling in Chile is illegal unless expressly authorized by law” and ordered telecom providers to block access to offshore betting sites—a directive to be enforced by SubTel. Unable to fulfill this mandate, SubTel cited that “these operators simply shifted to new do...

(AsiaGameHub) -   The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is reportedly investigating Entain Australia & New Zealand after the operator allegedly sent emails to inactive customers warning them that they must place a bet or face monthly inactivity fees. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Ladbrokes Australia brand also failed to disclose to customers their legal right to close their account via the government’s self-exclusion platform, BetStop, and have any remaining balance returned. This latest development follows Entain’s recent involvement in a court-enforceable undertaking after more than 500 breaches of national self-exclusion rules were uncovered during a separate ACMA investigation. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Entain sends these emails to customers who have been dormant for 18 months, informing them that a $5 per month fee will be applied to their account for holding funds. The report added that the ACMA confirmed it is reviewing whether these emails violate requirements to promote BetStop. Inactivity email BetStop mandates that operators in Australia close accounts of any customer who registers for self-exclusion and...

(AsiaGameHub) -   ReferOn, an affiliate management platform serving the iGaming industry, today announced that its management buyout has been completed. The transaction sees former General Manager Alex Bukin acquire the platform, moving the company into its next phase of independent expansion. Bukin will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the business moving forward. Assessing the platform’s progress three years after its launch, Alex Bukin, CEO at ReferOn, said: “This is a key milestone for ReferOn and the start of a new chapter for the business. The management buyout gives us the long-term focus needed to continuously advance the platform. We remain dedicated to product development, strengthening our offerings for partners, and supporting ReferOn’s ongoing growth across key markets.” The buyout comes after a strong period of growth for the company. Built on a base of operational efficiency and scalable technology, ReferOn continues to expand its footprint across the industry. Within its first 12 months, the platform recorded 35.7 million clicks, 2.4 million registrations, 18,000 affiliates, and 136,000 active trackers. The compa...