The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on a network of Cambodian entities—including casinos turned criminal compounds—for orchestrating massive cyber fraud and human trafficking operations. Among the targets was T C Capital Co. Ltd., owner of the Golden Sun Sky Casino and Hotel in Sihanoukville, which was repurposed to facilitate virtual currency scams and launder illicit proceeds. These facilities, built as legitimate casino complexes, became entrenched hubs for criminal activity—often involving victims trafficked and forced into exploitative labor.
MGM Resorts continues to advance its ambitious $2.5 billion Dubai beachfront resort, strategically anchored by the iconic Bellagio, Aria, and MGM Grand brands. However, the project currently lacks approval for its gaming component—a casino license that remains pending. Speaking candidly, CEO Bill Hornbuckle shared his surprise:
“I thought by now, Abu Dhabi would have ruled on what they were doing,” he remarked, underscoring the regulatory uncertainty surrounding the resort’s casino operations. “There’s a lot of dialogue around that.”
Recent revelations by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson have uncovered a sophisticated money-laundering scheme involving former government engineers from Bulacan. Between 2023 and 2025, this “Bulacan Group of Contractors” reportedly funneled nearly PHP 950 million (around US $17.4 million) through 13 casinos in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Pampanga. The group allegedly exchanged cash for chips, placed minimal bets, and then converted the chips back into cash—declared as gambling winnings—to conceal their illicit proceeds.
Amid rising concerns over transnational threats like cybercrime, human trafficking, and online fraud, the Philippines and Cambodia have reaffirmed their partnership by expanding a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between their police forces. Signed during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit from September 7 to 9, 2025, the updated agreement enhances cooperation in intelligence-sharing and law enforcement efforts across cybercrime and other border-spanning criminal activities.
In the first half of 2025, the United Arab Emirates’ hospitality industry delivered a stellar performance, with hotel revenues soaring to AED 26 billion—approximately US $7.1 billion—a notable 6.3% increase compared to the same period last year. At the same time, occupancy levels averaged a strong 80.5%, signaling robust demand across the country’s major tourism hubs. These figures were underscored by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism, as emblematic of sustained momentum heading into the second half of the year.
Author: Janice Chew • Wednesday, 10/09/2025
