Online gaming e cripto
mai25
The year 2024 marked a significant turning point for the Web3 industry, particularly in the realm of online gambling, a recent report by Bitrace highlights.
As the market capitalization of crypto assets soared and infrastructure adoption reached unprecedented levels, the online gambling sector thrived alongside it. However, this growth also saw an alarming rise in the use of cryptocurrencies by criminal enterprises, leveraging the same infrastructures that support legitimate online gambling.
The report from Bitrace shows troubling statistics regarding crypto-related crimes. Notably, stablecoin inflows to high-risk addresses—defined as blockchain wallets associated with illegal activities—totaled approximately $649 billion in 2024, reflecting a slight increase from the previous year.
These high-risk addresses, primarily found on Ethereum and TRON networks, underscore the vulnerabilities in the crypto ecosystem.
While the proportion of high-risk activities in total stablecoin transactions decreased to 5.14 percent from 5.94 percent, this rate remains significantly higher than in 2021 and 2022, indicating a persistent issue.
Online gambling growth
Amidst these challenges, online gambling has continued to expand. In 2024, online gambling platforms and associated payment processors managed transactions totaling $217.8 billion, an increase of over 17.5 percent from 2023. This growth reflects the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies within the gambling sector, with USDC’s share of stablecoin transactions rising dramatically to 13.36 percent, up from 5.22 percent in the previous year.
Despite the positive developments in online gambling, the black and gray markets remain robust. In 2024, blockchain addresses linked to illicit trade received over $278.1 billion, indicating a slight rise from the previous year.
The proliferation of escrow services like Huione Guarantee has facilitated these transactions, further entrenching illicit activities within the crypto landscape.
The report also reveals a staggering increase in crypto fraud, with stablecoin inflows to fraudulent addresses reaching $52.5 billion in 2024, surpassing the total of previous years combined. This surge may reflect improved detection capabilities and the increasing sophistication of fraud tactics, as more cases come to light.
Regulatory responses and compliance
Despite the challenges posed by crypto crime, regulatory measures have begun to take effect.
In 2024, stablecoin issuers like Tether and Circle froze over $1.3 billion in assets linked to illicit activities, a significant increase compared to previous years. Moreover, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and Israel’s National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing (NBCTF) have intensified efforts against terrorist financing, although the inherent anonymity of crypto continues to pose challenges.
Hong Kong was said to serve as a model for effective regulation, demonstrating that clear legal frameworks and compliance measures can enhance market stability and trust. Following the implementation of these policies, the proportion of high-risk funds in stablecoin inflows within Hong Kong dropped sharply, indicating a successful crackdown on illicit activities.
Still, the report warns that the online gambling sector continues to capitalize on the growth of cryptocurrencies, while crypto crime remains a pressing concern, with regulatory frameworks and compliance measures essential in curbing illicit activities, creating a safer environment for both operators and consumers.
https://agbrief.com/intel/deep-dive/06/05/2025/online-gambling-thrives-amidst-rising-crypto-crime-in-2024-report/?utm_source=Asia+Gaming+Brief&utm_campaign=84d6b7df42-AGB%3A+%2302133+Tuesday%2C+06th+May%2C+2025&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51950b5d21-84d6b7df42-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28AGB%3A+%2302133+Tuesday%2C+06th+May%2C+2025%29&goal=0_51950b5d21-84d6b7df42-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=84d6b7df42&mc_eid=31e20475e6
jan25
Singapore authorities have described the threat of money laundering activity taking place through the nation’s land-based casinos as “moderately high” but said the nature of gaming means the casinos are likely seen as a less attractive option to criminals than other sectors.
The nature of Singapore’s money laundering threats were outlined in a new report jointly released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Law and the Monetary Authority of Singapore last week, which also found that online gambling gives greater cause for concern.
In assessing the threat posed by Singapore’s land-based casinos – Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa – the report noted that casinos by their nature pose inherent money-laundering threats by way of patrons bringing in and using proceeds of crime in the casinos with the aim of layering and masking the origin of these proceeds of crime. It is also exacerbated by the cash intensity of the sector, and its ability to allow for the storage and movement of funds, including across borders.
“However, we have not encountered any instance where [Singapore’s] casinos were found to be directly complicit in money laundering activities in Singapore and have only observed a low number of cases where criminal proceeds were converted to casino chips for self-laundering purposes,” it said.
https://asgam.com/2024/06/24/government-report-says-online-gambling-poses-far-greater-money-laundering-threat-than-singapores-land-based-casinos/
jan25
O jogo online ilícito é a grande ameaça que se coloca aos casinos de Macau, defendeu hoje o consultor na área da segurança, Steve Vickers, que alerta para operações que estão em curso e que estão a subtrair receitas fiscais à administração de Macau.
jan25
Take the money and run”. It’s not only the name of a genius art piece but also a strategy too-often utilized by online gambling-linked companies. And, despite high-profile sponsorship of sporting teams and events, the fact that some companies can simply vanish overnight is concerning - as evidenced by the disappearing act of 8XBet.
The overnight disappearance of 8XBet highlights the fast-paced nature of online gambling brands, and how they dodge regulators. AGBrief
out24
The Macau government “does not have any plans” to grant a public concession for “online gaming”. The point was spelled out in an opinion document issued by a committee of the city’s Legislative Assembly prior to Wednesday’s passing of the “Law to Combat Crimes of Illegal Gambling”.
The opinion document stated, quoting the local government: “To date, the Macau SAR [Special Administrative Region] Government has not granted any concession for the exploration of online gaming and betting, nor does it have any plans to grant a concession for online gaming.”
Separate from the legal concept of a public concession for online gaming, the new law specifically mentions a ban on any operation or promotion of unauthorised online gambling activities.
It says anyone who – without government authorisation – “explores, promotes or organises” online gambling or online mutual betting in Macau is liable on conviction to a prison sentence ranging from one year up to eight years, regardless of whether such activity is done “on a regular basis”.
That had been put in the new law to ensure “effective combat” of online gambling activities, which had been trending upward, said the opinion document.
Nonetheless, the concept of online gaming does exist in Macau’s “Legal Framework for the Operations of Casino Games of Fortune”, under the heading “interactive games”, also noted the opinion document.
That legal framework defines interactive games as those involving play for cash or other form of value, and that use either “telephones, faxes, Internet access, data networks, transmission of video signals, or digital data”.
The legal framework specifically states that Macau’s six casino operators – that saw their respective 10-year gaming concessions come into effect from January 2023 – are prohibited from operating interactive gaming.
https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-says-no-plans-to-grant-online-gaming-concession/
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