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Vanuatu has rolled out its new online portal, enabling the processing of applications for its recently introduced online gambling licence. Earlier this week, the Pacific Islands nation has revamped its licencing framework, attracting international iGaming companies, startups, and established operators seeking a cost-effective licencing environment. ??

This is in accordance with the country’s Interactive Gaming Act, passed in 2000, which has been updated to keep pace with the evolving gaming landscape. The initiative, aimed at B2C operators active in grey market jurisdictions, allows these operators to acquire a Vanuatu Interactive Gaming Licence entirely online through the portal, accessible at https://www.vga.vu.??

The Vanuatu Gaming Authority (VGA) oversees the new licencing framework, with CEO Macyn White highlighting the benefits of the online application process. According to White, the new Online Applications Portal addresses all the needs, enabling interested parties to get informed and operational quickly. The VGA’s new approach aims to position Vanuatu as a preferred jurisdiction for online operators targeting pre-regulated markets.  

The new Vanuatu gambling licence offers several attractive features, including a €5,000 application fee, a €10,000 annual license fee, and a licence validity period of 15 years. Additionally, a 1 percent Wagering Activity Tax on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) is applied. The licence also includes one URL, with the option to add more URLs for a moderate fee.??

White also explained earlier this week that the licence is specifically designed to cater to B2C operators by providing a regulatory environment that supports direct interaction with consumers. She added that the licence framework is flexible enough to accommodate various types of B2C operations, from online casinos to sports betting platforms, making it an attractive option for operators in this sector.  

The VGA collaborated with the Vanuatu Department of Customs and Inland Revenue to process applications and complete applications within two to three weeks. ??

A probe into the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) has unearthed allegations that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte may have overstepped his executive powers, encroaching on the legislative authority of Congress. ?

During a committee hearing in the House of Representatives, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro highlighted concerns that Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) No. 13, which termed online gaming and allowed POGOs to flourish in the country, constituted a legislative act—something exclusively within the purview of Congress.?

Luistro pointed out that EO No. 13 was the first instance where the term “online gaming” was officially mentioned in a presidential order, a term not found in the existing legal framework established by Presidential Decree No. 1869 and Republic Act No. 9487, which extended the franchise of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). “The term ‘online gaming’ was never mentioned in PD 1869 as well as in RA 9487,” she noted, raising concerns that the executive branch might have encroached upon the legislative powers of Congress. 

Atty. Harry Roque, who served as Duterte’s spokesperson, was called upon to provide his perspective. Roque, however, explained that his role as spokesperson was primarily to communicate the President’s decisions to the public, not to challenge them. “I could not actually countermand him. I could not correct him. He is my principal,” Roque emphasised, clarifying that his position did not entail influencing the President’s legal decisions.?

When asked if he believed that Duterte’s EO No. 13 overstepped the bounds of executive authority, Roque maintained that all executive issuances are presumed constitutional unless successfully challenged in court.  

“Under our scheme of things, executive issuances, [and] legislative enactments are all presumed to be constitutional unless proven otherwise,” he stated. This position underscores the presumption of legality that typically accompanies executive orders, leaving their constitutionality to be determined by judicial review. 

Luistro further argued that Duterte’s EO No. 13 might have violated the separation of powers by effectively creating a new law — an action that constitutionally belongs to Congress. “When the [former] President issued Executive Order No. 13, it is the humble submission of this representation, he legislated, he amended, he repealed the law, an act which violates the fundamental principle of separation of power,” she asserted, highlighting the potential constitutional conflict arising from the executive order.?

Executive Order No. 13, issued during Duterte’s presidency, aimed to clarify the regulation of online gaming in the Philippines, an industry that has since become both economically significant and controversial. The order expanded the oversight functions of the Office of the President to include online gaming, a move that critics argue circumvented existing laws governing PAGCOR’s authority. 

Luistro’s critique of EO No. 13 centred on the idea that it introduced new regulatory measures without the explicit approval of Congress, thereby undermining the legislative process. She reiterated that procedural laws should always defer to substantive laws, emphasising that the executive branch should not unilaterally extend its regulatory reach without legislative backing. 

Last month, Senator Risa Hontiveros cast doubt on Duterte’s ties to POGOs. Hontiveros highlighted the possibility of a deeper connection between Duterte and POGOs, pointing out that Michael Yang, Duterte’s former adviser, might have links to several POGO companies. 

In July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the total ban of POGOs in the country. He instructed PAGCOR to wind down and cease operations of all POGOs, legal and illegal, by the end of the year.?

Marcos’ decision came after many high-profile cases and investigations linked to POGOs have come to light. The operations of POGOs in the Philippines are linked to crimes such as human trafficking, forcible abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnap-for-ransom, theft, and robbery-extortion.?

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to introduce a new four-point line in the upcoming season, a move that has sparked a significant debate. This change is expected to have a big impact on the game, particularly for players like Marcio Lassiter, who is on the verge of breaking Jimmy Alapag’s record of 1,250 career three-pointers.

Lassiter, a veteran player for San Miguel Beer, is currently third on the all-time list, behind Alapag and Allan Caidic, who has 1,242 triples to his name. The introduction of the four-point line, which measures 27 feet, has raised questions about how records will be interpreted if the league decides to remove it after the experimental period.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial has clarified that, in his opinion, a four-point shot would count as a three. This statement was made during a PBA Media Day interview with Lassiter. The question of how a four-pointer would count if Lassiter, who has 1,236 career triples, makes one, was first raised by Alex Cabagnot, Lassiter’s former teammate.

Despite the uncertainty, Lassiter has decided to focus on breaking Alapag’s record using the traditional three-point line. He stated, “For me, I’m gonna stick to the three-point line first and try to get that taken care of. It’s not gonna be easy, but I will focus on that first and I’ll venture out to that four-point land [later].”

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The introduction of the four-point line also raises questions about how statistics will be tabulated by the league. Genius Sports, a global stats company partnering with FIBA for its FIBA Live Stats, cannot add the four-point category to its statistics, prompting the PBA to search for a local provider.

As the PBA sets off with this experimental period, players, teams, and fans alike are curious to see how the new dynamics will affect gameplay. Lassiter, like many others, is intrigued by the prospect of attempting a four-point shot, stating, “The four-point shot is gonna be something different for all of us, especially myself. I don’t usually take those, but I do make a few of those.” The upcoming season promises to be an exciting time for Philippine basketball as it introduces these new changes.

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Recent data highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in increasing women’s representation in iGaming leadership. According to an article by Prowess, about 150,000 new companies in the UK were founded in 2022, with approximately 20 percent of them being led by women—a 4 percent to 5 percent rise from 2018. Despite these gains, the iGaming industry remains traditionally male-dominated. According to the 2020 Gender Balance Scoreboard, the top 14 iGaming companies had 121 male executives compared to just 23 female executives. 

In an interview with SiGMA News during SiGMA Asia, Roanna Jamir, Client Services Manager at HCM Nexus, emphasised the significance of having female leaders in roles traditionally dominated by men, such as games development and cybersecurity. “By having female leaders in these different industries, we are spearheading the inclusion of more women. It cascades down like a domino effect,” she noted. 

Jamir also highlighted the positive impact of this shift on the gaming industry, where more female voices are influencing game development, marketing, and consumer engagement. “Female game developers, creatives, and marketers bring new perspectives that resonate with both male and female audiences,” she said. 

A World Economic Forum (WEF) article said that women founders continue to lag behind men in securing venture capital (VC) funding for startups. The article noted the PitchBook’s VC European Female Founders Dashboard, which stated that startups led exclusively by women in Europe accounted for just 1.8 percent of the total capital invested in venture-backed startups in 2023. In the U.S., the situation is similarly challenging, with female-founded startups receiving only 2 percent of the total VC investment, as reported by PitchBook’s U.S. VC Female Founders Dashboard. PitchBook notes that “the numbers haven’t leapt forward for female founders at the same pace.”?

Addressing the challenges women face in the gaming industry, Jamir pointed out the historical sexualisation of female characters in video games. “For the longest time, because it was predominantly a male industry, there were a lot of sexualisation in gaming characters. For example, Tomb Raider—what is she known for?” Jamir questioned. She acknowledged that while there is nothing wrong with celebrating certain body types, it is crucial to include diverse representations of women in games.?

“Now that we have more women in leadership roles, there’s more inclusion. We don’t necessarily have to take out the sexuality aspect, but we can include other shapes and forms,” Jamir suggested. She emphasised the importance of reflecting the diversity of women in the real world, thereby making games more inclusive and relatable. 

The conversation then turned to talent acquisition and how companies are promoting gender diversity. Jamir shared HCM Nexus’s approach to eliminating gender bias in recruitment. “We make sure that when we are hiring staff, we take out the gender aspect. There is no gender bias; we focus on the actual credentials, skills, and experience of the candidate, whether they’re male or female,” she explained. 

She added that HCM Nexus also invests in training its recruiters and hiring panels to equip them with cultural sensitivities and awareness of gender biases. “This helps create a more inclusive and supportive workplace,” Jamir noted. S  

As more women take on leadership roles and influence game development, the industry is likely to become more inclusive and diverse, benefiting both creators and consumers. Jamir’s insights shed light on the ongoing efforts to empower women in gaming and foster gender diversity in recruitment. She also recently joined SiGMA World as a reporter.?

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