Between August 2025 and September 2025, these months have brought turbulence to the global gambling sector, as regulators tighten controls across Asia and operators confront overlapping regulatory shocks. Notably, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has disclosed a sharp drop in income following payment-channel restrictions, just as the Supreme Court of India (SC) prepares to weigh a sweeping “Online Gaming Ban Law” in India.
PAGCOR Income Decline & E-Wallet Restriction Philippines
In the Philippines, PAGCOR revealed its income fell by as much as 49% after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ordered major e-wallet providers to sever links with licensed gaming platforms. Many operators and analysts say the “E-wallet Restriction Philippines” policy has disrupted legal channels and forced licensed operators to pause or shrink operations.
PAGCOR attributed the plunge in revenue in large part to the delinking of online gambling platforms from e-wallet services. This had previously enabled instant deposits and streamlined user access. The regulator also warned that continuing the crackdown could push players toward unregulated offshore sites, which is an unintended consequence of a push toward prohibition.
While some legislators in the Philippines now call for outright bans, PAGCOR emphasises the need for better “Online Gaming Regulation” instead of wholesale prohibition, citing revenue loss and enforcement challenges.
India’s Online Gambling Ban: SC Takes Centre Stage
Meanwhile in India, there is a landmark regulatory effort underway that could reshape the industry: a PIL (public interest litigation) lodged at the Supreme Court seeks a nationwide ban on real-money gambling and betting platforms. The petition argues that apps labelled as gaming or e-sports are functioning as de facto gambling sites.
The bench has asked the Centre for assistance and directed that the petition be served upon major app-store operators like Apple and Google, as well as RBI and NPCI, to block monetary transactions with unregistered gaming apps. This PIL forms part of a broader wave in India dubbed the “Online Betting Ban” push.
The draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, seeks to prohibit certain real-money games while promoting others. Industry voices warn that millions of jobs and hundreds of tech startups could be at risk if India enforces a broad-scale ban, and that illicit markets may fill the void.
How the Turmoil in India and the Philippines Interconnects
From a regulatory-risk standpoint, these twin deep dives underscore how rapidly “Online Gambling Ban India” and “Gambling Crackdown Asia” can upset the ecosystem:
- A weakening of regulated revenue at PAGCOR highlights just how dependent certain jurisdictions remain on digital payment channels and legal frameworks.
- India’s push signals that even large domestic markets are vulnerable to rapid policy reversal under the banner of consumer protection and national security.
- Both moves suggest that without robust frameworks, legal markets may shrink, and traffic could flow toward unregulated offshore operators.
- These dynamics place increased pressure on global operators, payment providers (including e-wallets), app stores, and financial regulators, especially with “Online Gaming Regulation” up for debate.
What This Means for Operators & Investors
For gambling firms and investors, the current climate suggests several clear risk-signals:
- Revenue erosion
- Payment-channel disruption
- Regulatory overhang
- Migration to grey markets
- Strategic pause or pivot
What’s Next: Key Watchpoints
- The Supreme Court’s docket now includes the PIL asking for a nationwide ban; any interim orders or stay motions will be significant signals for the industry.
- PAGCOR has indicated it prefers strict regulation rather than complete prohibition, signalling a potential pivot toward tighter rather than outright banning.
- Payment regulation is rapidly emerging as a core battleground as e-wallets, UPI, app stores, and banks are all under scrutiny.
- The evolution of India’s “Online Gaming Ban Law” will set a new precedent for how governments treat skill vs chance, online betting vs gaming.
- Offshore vs local dynamics will remain under stress as home markets clamp down, operators may seek greener pastures or risk increased regulatory exposure.
The Last Say
While headline-grabbing stories often emanate from Europe or the U.S., the battleground for the next phase of global iGaming growth now lies in Asia. The twin shocks of PAGCOR’s income decline and India’s sweeping regulatory push mark a pivotal moment.
For once, it’s not just about new games or tech. The next wave of growth or contraction in gambling will be driven by regulation, payment infrastructure, and jurisdictional clarity. For global operators and investors, the message is clear: nowhere is safe from rapid shock.
This is not just the latest gambling news; it is a fundamental recalibration of how online betting, regulation, and payment ecosystems will evolve in the years ahead.
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