Global online gambling market reports on the trends and forecast for 2021 reveal that the pandemic has had a positive impact on the online gambling industry. According to the report, there has been a substantial increase in the number of consumers that turned to online casinos during months-long lockdowns.
The continuing increase has been sustained as there are now technologies such as chat bots for online support, machine-learning experiences, payment processors, APIs for banking services, secure messaging platforms and other AI-supported systems that have made online casino gambling and sports betting a hassle-free way of experiencing a satisfying gambling entertainment. In fact, the huge spike came mostly from the women population, as most gambling websites offer mobile casino apps that allow them to bet on online casino games using their smartphones.
The forecast period for the growth trend is up to 2026, which can even go beyond since even Southeast Asian countries that do not allow gambling of any form are now considering the legalization of online gambling in their respective jurisdiction.
Online casinos are expected to experience growth since many of the popular sports betting market offered by online sportsbooks have been cancelled In light of the continuing spread of COVID-19, which has been confirmed to have evolved into a more infectious type of viral strain, several countries imposed restrictions or bans in the holding of tournaments and international competition in their jurisdiction.
Southeast Asian Countries that are Now Open to Legalization of Online Gambling
The government of Malaysia was the first to announce that there are now plans to establish a regulatory body that will see to the legalization of online gambling; but with only for the non-Muslim members of the population. Malaysia after all, is predominantly a Muslim country where the practice of Islamic faith must adhere to the Shaira law that prohibita gambling in any form.
Malaysia has in fact already sent a Memorandum of Agreement to its neighboring country, the Philippines; addressed to the Ms. Andrea Domingo, Chief of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). PAGCOR actually oversees the licensing and operations of the licensed offshore online gambling operators of online casinos like mega888, which many Malaysians access for their remote gambling entertainment.
Apparently, there will be a collaboration between the two governments in instituting measures and protocols to ensure that only non-Muslim citizens of Malaysia will be given access to play in all PAGCOR-licensed online casinos.
In a more recent news, a member of Thailand’s parliament disclosed that Thai legislators are likewise mulling on formulating laws that would see to the legalization of online gambling in their country. Although the number of Muslims in Thailand is minimal, the country does not support any form of gambling except lottery and horse racing.
However, Minister of Parliament and leader of the Thai Civilized Party, Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, said that most Thai lawmakers are now considering proposals to legalize gambling. The country has been largely dependent on its tourism industry that it is now suffering from a great lack of internal revenue as a result of the necessary global travel bans and restrictions.
Global gambling analysts say that based on Minister Suksintharanon’s statement that “Thailand would become one of the most sought after destinations for a casino license in Asia, it can be deemed that the government of Thailand aims to follow the Philippines’ business model for gambling. That of licensing and regulating online gambling operators but at the same time prohibiting licensed operators from offering their online casino and sports betting products to locals