(AsiaGameHub) - Officials report that Indonesian online gambling deposits are surging following the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr for the second consecutive year.
The alert was issued by the country's anti-money laundering body, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), according to Indonesian news outlet Tempo.
PPATK runs an automated system that monitors transactions to detect online gambling activity in bank accounts. The agency collaborates with major Indonesian banks to freeze accounts identified as having gambling-related deposits or withdrawals.
According to PPATK officials, there was a "sharp" rise in suspicious transactions potentially linked to online gambling both during and right after the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
This year, Eid was observed by the Islamic world from March 19 to March 20.
Inside a mosque in Central Java, Indonesia. (Image: Ed Us)
Online Gambling Deposits: On the Rise
The agency declined to disclose the precise magnitude of the increase, stating that official data would be released in April.
Nevertheless, it noted that the figures from late March were substantially higher than those recorded in January and February.
Experts informed the media outlet that increased leisure time during the holiday contributed to higher gambling activity.
PPATK head Ivan Yustiavandana affirmed that "online gambling deposits generally rise following the conclusion of the holiday."
"The [sharpest] upward trend usually occurs after Eid, when money circulation increases nationwide," he said.
Upward Trends
Statistics from 2025, when Eid occurred on March 29-30, seem to support the PPATK's assertion.
In January 2025, Indonesian players placed deposits totaling IDR 2.96 trillion ($175 million) on unlawful betting sites.
Deposits grew marginally to IDR 3.05 trillion ($180 million) the next month. Transaction values fell to IDR 2.59 trillion in March.
However, April witnessed a 96% surge in deposits to IDR 5.08 trillion ($300 million), which then declined to IDR 2.29 trillion ($153 million) in May 2025.
Gambling in all its forms is prohibited in Indonesia. Despite the prohibition, online casino applications continue to be widely used, prompting authorities to launch an extensive enforcement campaign in recent years.
The enforcement actions have also generated substantial revenue for the Indonesian Treasury. Prosecutors in West Jakarta recently transferred approximately $31.3 million to government accounts following the closure of an online casino and its connected money-laundering operation.
Medical professionals caution that the growing popularity of online gambling is increasingly impacting public mental health. Psychiatric units in major Indonesian urban centers report being inundated with admissions of patients battling gambling dependency.
Certain regions report hospitals operating at 90% occupancy. Physicians indicate this is contributing to rising gambling-associated crime. Additionally, courts across the country have expressed concerns that addiction to unlawful casino platforms is causing divorce rates to climb.
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(AsiaGameHub) - Lottery powerhouse Allwyn has prolonged its partnership with Formula 1. As part of this multi-year extension, the company revealed the launch of the Allwyn League within F1 Predict, enabling users to earn rewards for accurate race predictions.
Allwyn initially joined forces with F1 last year and, in a press statement confirming the agreement’s extension, noted that the first year had been successful.
Pavel Turek, Chief Officer of Global Partnerships at Allwyn, said, “We are excited to advance our official partnership with Formula 1 to a new stage, marking our most substantial long-term dedication to the sport to date. By continuing our collaboration, we are upholding our shared conviction in the power of Formula 1 to connect with and inspire a global audience.”
Prediction League Aims to Engage Fans
Allwyn is now the world’s second-largest gaming company, following a €16 billion ($18.5 billion) all-share merger with Greece’s state-authorized gambling operator OPAP last year.
The company intends to utilize F1’s widespread appeal to boost its brand and has rolled out the Allwyn League on the F1 Predicts platform.
Turek added, “This new phase enables us to strengthen that bond even more through the introduction of the Allwyn League fan experience, our leading partnership for the Formation Lap, and the expansion of our F1 Allwyn Global Community Award programme. We will ensure the thrill of the track provides an enriching experience for fans and a lasting positive effect for the communities we visit.”
F1 Predicts lets fans predict the results of key moments during a Grand Prix weekend. The Allwyn League will offer prizes, including Grand Prix tickets, to top-performing participants.
Allwyn Leaning Into Prediction Markets
Allwyn mainly operates lotteries but has been branching into other gambling sectors. The company obtained a controlling interest in PrizePicks last year.
Historically a DFS platform, PrizePicks secured approval from the CFTC to enter prediction markets.
It then formed a partnership with Polymarket before formally launching PrizePicks Predicts in collaboration with Kalshi last November. The platform features various F1 markets, where users can predict driver performance in races.
Gambling Sponsors Prominent in F1
The agreement with Allwyn is the most recent in a string of high-profile sponsorships between F1 and gambling firms.
Stake has served as the primary sponsor of the Sauber team since 2024, while Williams had a prior agreement with Sportsbet.io. PokerStars was also formerly the official betting sponsor of F1.
On the deal with Allwyn, F1 CCO Emily Prazer commented, “We’re pleased to be extending and enhancing our partnership with Allwyn, which benefits our fans and the communities where we hold races.
“Our collaboration with Allwyn demonstrates our shared commitment to creating a positive legacy and using innovation to deliver new fan experiences both at home and at our global events. Allwyn is a strong and valued partner to F1, contributing both to the growth of the sport and to the well-being of the people it reaches worldwide.”
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(AsiaGameHub) - Formula 1 has prolonged its partnership with Allwyn via a new multi-year agreement, following a successful first season of collaboration.
The sport has seen rapid global expansion in recent years, and this deal comes after a season in which it reached 827 million fans and achieved a cumulative global TV audience of 1.8 billion.
The extended partnership with the UK’s National Lottery operator focuses on boosting fan engagement through digital channels.
“We’re delighted to be expanding and enhancing our partnership with Allwyn, bringing benefits to our fans and the communities where we race,” said Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer, Formula 1.
“Our work with Allwyn reflects our shared commitment to creating a positive legacy and using innovation to deliver new fan experiences—both for those watching from home and at our global events.
“Allwyn is a strong and valued partner to Formula 1, contributing to the growth of the sport and benefiting the people it reaches worldwide.”
Trends continue for Allwyn and Formula 1
A key new element is Allwyn’s integration into the Formula 1 Predict platform, where fans can predict race outcomes during a Grand Prix weekend.
The new “Allwyn League” will offer prizes including race tickets, Paddock Club access, and exclusive memorabilia, while the company will have increased visibility during the formation lap of selected races throughout the season.
The Formula 1 Allwyn Global Community Awards programme, launched in 2025, will expand in 2026 to support up to eight organizations across host cities—doubling the number of beneficiaries from its first year.
Pavel Turek, Chief Officer of Global Partnerships at Allwyn, said: “We are thrilled to take our official partnership with Formula 1 to the next level, marking our most significant long-term commitment to the sport to date.
“By continuing our collaboration, we are reaffirming our shared belief in the power of Formula 1 to reach and inspire a global audience.
“This next chapter allows us to deepen that connection further through the launch of the Allwyn League fan experience, our headline partnership of the Formation Lap, and the expansion of our Formula 1 Allwyn Global Community Award programme.
“We will ensure the excitement of the track delivers a rewarding experience for fans and a lasting positive impact for the communities we visit.”
Allwyn is just one of many industry operators to have engaged with Formula 1 in recent years, having already partnered with the McLaren team.
Earlier this month, Super Group-owned Betway was announced as the first official betting operator of the sport in a multi-year partnership.
Before that, the company had also launched a branding partnership with the Atlassian Williams Racing team.
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(AsiaGameHub) - Russian law enforcement persists in its efforts to combat unlawful gambling establishments, as a personal development coach becomes the most recent individual charged with running a secret betting operation.
Law enforcement stormed the establishment, situated in downtown Perm, detaining nine individuals, according to Russian news source Pro Perm. Mushfig Akhundov, alleged to be the ringleader who established the illicit gambling site, was among those taken into custody.
A municipal court has mandated that the suspect remain in pretrial detention through May 19.
Sverdlovsk District Court Judge Yana Abadzheva granted authorities' petition to detain Akhundov for "unlawfully organizing and operating gambling activities within an organized criminal group."
Russian Authorities: Gambling Establishment Takedown
Officers executed synchronized raids on the gambling venue, dubbed "Penthouse," along with each suspect's home.
Personnel from the regional offices of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Investigative Committee, together with Russian National Guard troops, participated in the operations.
Investigators reported seizing currency valued at 2.5 million rubles (approximately $31,000) from the locations. A spokesperson stated authorities believe the funds were acquired through "illegal operations."
Akhundov, known on social media as Misha, operates within the personal development sector. He featured on the popular Russian reality television program "Success in Everything" in 2021.
Mushfig Akhundov, pictured in 2020. (Photo: @akhundov91/VK)
He also maintains involvement in athletics, having officiated as a judge at prominent wrestling competitions.
A law enforcement representative indicated that the court granted bail to the other suspects.
Authorities report that the illegal gambling operation launched in late 2023 and functioned continuously until the raid earlier this month.
The operation follows closely after a prominent case in Perm, where 17 people face prosecution for allegedly managing four unlawful gambling establishments.
Those gambling venues commenced operations in September 2022, with law enforcement conducting raids in December 2024.
During coordinated raids on all four locations, investigators confiscated numerous computer terminals, mobile devices, and more than $12,900 in currency.
Authorities' Divisive Proposal
Across the nation, debate intensifies amid reports that officials are preparing to authorize internet-based gambling establishments.
A prominent legislator has become the most recent figure to criticize the proposal, which originated from the Ministry of Finance.
"I don't believe this initiative serves Russia's interests," State Duma deputy Yevgeny Marchenko told Russian news agency NSN. "We previously invested considerable resources to shut down casinos nationwide. Now, apparently, we're reversing that progress."
"Russia currently possesses designated gambling areas capable of hosting brick-and-mortar casinos," Marchenko continued. "I believe that should be sufficient."
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(AsiaGameHub) - The No. 11 Texas Longhorns take on the No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers in tonight's first March Madness Sweet 16 matchup. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on CBS.
Texas upset No. 3 Gonzaga, 74-68, to reach the Sweet 16. Purdue easily defeated Miami, 79-69. DraftKings has set Purdue as a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 147.5.
We're looking at the total, with 63% of handle and 72% of tickets on the OVER at DraftKings at the time of writing.
Recommended Bet Texas vs. Purdue: OVER 147.5 (-112)
KenPom places the Boilermakers No. 1 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency. Purdue is scoring an average of 91.5 points per game in the NCAA Tournament.
The Boilermakers are also a top-10 team in three-point shooting. Purdue shoots 38.8 percent, eighth-best in the country.
While the Boilers excel at shooting the three, they're poor at defending it, ranking No. 173 nationally in allowing opponents to shoot 33.9% from beyond the arc. Texas is even worse at No. 253, allowing 35.1%.
Expect Purdue's Fletcher Loyer to have a big game tonight. The senior guard is shooting exceptionally well from three-point range. Loyer leads Purdue in 3P% at 43.3%. Here are his last five games shooting from behind the arc:
4 of 4 vs. Miami
4 of 8 vs. Queens
3 of 4 vs. Michigan
4 of 10 vs. UCLA
4 of 9 vs. Nebraska
Texas responds with guard Dailyn Swain (17.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg), who could be a difficult matchup for Purdue. Center Matas Vokietaitis (15.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg) can score effectively, and Texas also features double-digit scoring from Tramon Mark and Jordan Pope.
Selection: OVER 147.5
Top Player Prop for Purdue Boilermakers
Fletcher Loyer OVER 14.5 Points (+100 at FanDuel)
For all of the reasons mentioned above, expect Loyer to exceed this total tonight. He's fresh off scoring 24 points against Miami.
Loyer shot perfectly from the free-throw line (8 of 8), three-point line (4 of 4), and missed just one of seven field goal attempts.
Jordan Pope OVER 13.5 Points (+100 at FanDuel)
The Longhorns have relied on Jordan Pope's scoring during March Madness. Swain, the team's leading scorer, has been held to an average of 12.5 ppg in two tournament games.
Pope made three 3-pointers against both BYU and Gonzaga. Along with Vokietaitis, he tied for the team lead with 17 points in the win over the Zags.
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(AsiaGameHub) - Europe's gambling industry is taking an active role in the European Commission's (EC) initiative to combat online fraud throughout the continent.
Early this year, the EC started developing an action plan designed to enhance cross-border cooperation among member states in tackling online organised crime.
To build a comprehensive strategy, the EC invited stakeholders to provide feedback and share best practices for combating fraud schemes, including gambling industry representatives who have long been fighting the black market.
As a sector representative, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) responded to the EC's request for input by highlighting how illegal gambling providers target unsuspecting players by masquerading as licensed operators.
To support its position, EGBA provided evidence including websites with domain names that closely mimic those of legitimate operators, exploiting the regulated market's reputation.
Additional evidence revealed illegal mobile gambling apps on Google and Apple platforms, black market promotions on social media, and phishing schemes.
The trade association also reminded the EC that illegal gambling platforms accounted for approximately 27%, or €18 billion, of Europe's total online gambling market GGR in 2025.
This exposes players to considerable risk, as these platforms lack the protections offered by licensed operators and instead heighten the risk of identity theft, financial losses, and problem gambling.
Dr Ekaterina Hartmann, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at EGBA, stated: "Our collected evidence demonstrates how fraudsters are systematically exploiting consumer trust in the licensed gambling sector, endangering European consumers and enabling the illegal online gambling market to expand.
"From counterfeit websites and fraudulent applications to phishing operations and social media fraud, these threats resurface as fast as they are removed. Piecemeal national responses to such fraud are insufficient – we require coordinated EU-wide action to prevent consumers and legitimate operators from facing an uphill struggle against fraud."
The EC's Action Plan on Combating Online Fraud is anticipated to be adopted in the second quarter of 2026.
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(AsiaGameHub) - A former teammate of AC Milan manager Max Allegri has disclosed how the veteran football coach scores major wins at casinos.
On the DoppioPasso podcast, Gianluca Atzori shared an anecdote about a gambling session with the former Juventus boss.
Atzori and Allegri played together at Perugia during the 1990s when the team earned promotion from Serie B. The squad would celebrate wins by visiting gambling establishments.
“We traveled to Venice for a match, and Allegri informed us that a victory would be followed by a casino visit, instructing us to pack our suits. He mentioned this to me and (Federico) Giunti,” Atzori remembered.
Following Perugia's victory, the players headed straight for the gaming tables.
Allegri Rewards Croupiers Generously
Atzori continued, “We each contributed 500,000 lire (approximately $350) and handed it to Allegri; he was fond of casinos and navigated them expertly.”
“It was my first time inside a casino. At the roulette table, the croupier spun the ball as Allegri placed his wager. When the ball settled on his chosen number, Max reacted with childlike excitement, and our payout was 36 times our original bet.”
“He then made a second wager, doubling his stake. Our winnings grew from 3.6 million to 7 million; across two bets we accumulated 10 million (roughly $7,000), and he handed the croupier a 2 million ($1,400) gratuity.”
In games of chance such as roulette, players seek any advantage possible. Various strategies exist, including the James Bond method, which involves spreading bets across a wide portion of the table.
Atzori initially disapproved of Allegri's lavish tipping, though he later understood it was a calculated move to secure the croupier's goodwill.
“When I witnessed this, I seized him by the chest and exclaimed: ‘That's my money too – 2 million – have you lost your mind?’ Yet I failed to grasp that generously tipping the croupier might influence him, intentionally or not, to guide the ball toward your numbers since he anticipated another substantial gratuity. Ultimately, we walked away with considerable winnings.”
Previous Gambling Controversies
As Atzori noted, Allegri's well-known gambling habit has previously created difficulties for the former footballer and coach.
In 2000, he received a suspension amid match-fixing allegations while at Pistoiese. The charges were later dismissed after an appeal.
More recently, in 2021, he faced investigation for allegedly utilizing a Malta-based gambling firm to launder money, with suspected connections to the 'Ndrangheta crime syndicate.
He reportedly expended over $400,000 across two overseas casinos. Financial regulators labeled these transactions as “suspicious,” triggering additional probes. No legal consequences have materialized from the case.
The 58-year-old currently serves his second term as AC Milan manager, returning to the club last year. He previously guided Juventus to five straight Serie A championships between 2014 and 2019.
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(AsiaGameHub) - The operator of bwin's Danish domain, part of Entain's international sportsbook portfolio, has been fined for breaching national marketing regulations.
The Copenhagen City Court imposed a DKK 500,000 (£57,000) penalty following a Consumer Ombudsman complaint regarding ElectraWorks' promotional campaign.
The campaign, run by ElectraWorks as operator of the Danish bwin site, was a 'Risk-Free Gambling' promotion. The Ombudsman reported it to Danish police as misleading in 2024 after a consumer complaint.
The promotion featured the slogan 'risk free gambling up to 1000 DKK'. After viewing the ad, a consumer placed a DKK 1,000 bet on bwin.dk that lost.
After getting a DKK 1,000 free bet, the customer made a second wager that won. However, they complained to the Ombudsman after receiving just DKK 15 in winnings.
Both consumer and Ombudsman argue the ad was misleading because the customer finished with less money than started, contradicting the 'risk-free' claim.
Torben Jensen, the Consumer Ombudsman, said: "When a gambling firm advertises 'risk-free' betting, consumers should face no financial risk.
"I must therefore emphasize that marketing games as 'risk-free' is clearly misleading if consumers can lose money."
Ads on Danish political agenda
The Court further ruled that bwin's actions constituted 'illegal marketing' under the Marketing Practices Act, which bans advertising that may mislead typical consumers.
The court noted 'illegal marketing had occurred for several years', targeting games at young people to attract new customers, requiring extra caution.
This fine comes as Denmark overhauls gambling advertising laws to improve consumer protection in its regulatory framework.
Denmark re-regulated its gambling market in 2012, ending the Danske Spil state monopoly.
Since then, many operators have launched, including LeoVegas (running BetMGM and Nye Expekt sportsbooks), Unibet, bet365 and Stake.
The overhaul, led by Taxation Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, will likely ban marketing during sports events and in public spaces.
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Financial HighlightsRMB 100 millionFor the 12 months ended 31 DecemberChange (%)20252024Revenue1566.111,776.64-11.85% Profit28.4265.53-56.64% Profit before Tax28.1665.95-57.30% Gross Profit194.95222.47-12.37% Gross Profit Margin12.45%12.52%-0.07pct Net Profit13.3741.95-68.12% Net Profit Attributable to Shareholders and Other Equity Holders2.2129.72-92.57% Net cash flows from operating activities 185.1492.6499.86% Dividend per share (RMB/share, tax inclusive)RMB 0.179RMB 0.176N/A Total dividend payout9.399.45-0.60% Performance Highlights1. Solid operating core segments with resilient high-quality development: In 2025, the Group achieved revenue of RMB 156.611 billion, net profit of RMB 1.337 billion, and maintained a gross profit margin of 12.45%, with a balanced domestic and overseas revenue structure.2. Dual improvement in cash flow and financial quality, with significantly enhanced risk resilience: Net cash flows from operating activities increased substantially by 99.86% to RMB 18.514 billion, while the cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the Year reached RMB 24.3 billion; the scale of interest-bearing debt decreased by RMB 4.7 billion year-on-year (“YoY”) to RMB 34.4 billion, and net interest expenses decreased by approximately RMB 730 million YoY, with the financial structure continuing to be optimized.3. Cash dividends and share buybacks implemented in parallel to reward investors: The Group proposes a cash dividend of RMB 0.179 per share (tax inclusive) for 2025. Together with multiple rounds of H-share and A-share buyback plans launched during the Year, the total proposed dividend and completed buybacks for 2025 amounted to RMB 1.852 billion.4. Significant improvement in profitability of energy-related businesses, becoming a key growth driver of the Group: Net profit of the offshore engineering segment and the financial and asset management segment (primarily drilling platform leasing) increased by approximately RMB 1.212 billion in total, while the energy, chemical and liquid food equipment segment increased by RMB 308 million. Among them, the gross profit margin of the offshore engineering segment increased significantly by 5.72 percentage points to 14.83%. Orders on hand for offshore engineering and energy, chemical and liquid food equipment reached US$5.09 billion and RMB 29.75 billion, respectively, with certain shipyards’ production schedules extending to 2030.5. Logistics-related businesses continued to serve as the Group’s “ballast stone”: During the Year, businesses such as container manufacturing and road transportation vehicles were affected by exchange rate fluctuations and cyclical changes, resulting in pressure on gross profit margins and profitability. However, the core segments remained solid, and the Group’s competitive advantages in the industry continued to be consolidated. Core products such as standard dry containers, reefer containers, tank containers and semi-trailers have maintained the world’s No.1 position for many consecutive years.6. Breakthroughs in both technology and orders in key businesses, with competitiveness highly recognised: In the high-end offshore engineering equipment sector, CIMC Raffles successfully developed the most complex products in the offshore industry, including FPSO/FLNG, becoming the only enterprise in China with dual-project EPCI general contracting capabilities; in the modular data center sector, the Group providing technical and manufacturing delivery services of prefabrication data center to industry customers exceeding 300MW, leading new transformation in computing power infrastructure.HONG KONG, Mar 26, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd. (“CIMC Group” or the “Group”, stock code: 000039.SZ/02039.HK) is pleased to announce the audited annual results for the 12 months ended 31 December 2025 (the “Year”).The Group’s management stated, “In 2025, profound global changes unseen in a century accelerated, and the global economy demonstrated resilience amid volatility. Positioned in an era of both opportunities and challenges, the Group closely adhered to the strategic theme of “accelerating the construction of new growth drivers and focusing on promoting high-quality development”. While stabilising its operating fundamentals, the Group further deepened its forward-looking strategic layout in the energy business and achieved fruitful results. For the year of 2025, the Group recorded revenue of RMB 156.61 billion and net profit of RMB 1.34 billion. Cash flows from operating activities increased significantly by 99.9% to RMB 18.51 billion, with the asset structure continuously optimized and risk resilience further enhanced.”In particular, to sincerely reward investors, CIMC Group proposes to distribute a cash dividend of RMB 0.179 per share (tax inclusive) to all shareholders for 2025, amounting to a total proposed cash dividend of RMB 939 million (tax inclusive). Meanwhile, the Group implemented share buybacks totalling RMB 913 million during 2025, bringing the combined total to RMB 1.852 billion.Segments Results (RMB 100 million)2025 Business indicatorsRevenueAs % of the total revenueGross profitAs % of the gross profitGross profit marginNet profitContainer manufacturing430.0927.46%57.5529.52%13.38%18.82Road transportationvehicles201.7812.88%32.0616.45%15.89%9.27Energy, chemical, and liquid food equipment271.9217.36%40.2420.64%14.80%10.40Offshore engineering179.3811.45%26.6013.65%14.83%10.57Logistics services267.9317.11%16.708.57%6.23%3.64Airport facilities and logistics equipment/fire safety and rescue equipment76.194.86%15.147.76%19.87%2.64Total of major segments1427.2991.12%188.2996.59%13.19%55.34Core Business Performance1. In logistics field:In the container manufacturing business, during the Year, despite negative supply chain factors such as U.S. tariff policies and geopolitical conflicts, global merchandise trade demonstrated strong resilience. Intra-regional trade, Asia-Europe routes and emerging market routes became the main drivers of incremental growth. Meanwhile, factors such as detours around the Red Sea, port congestion, environmental requirements in shipping and increasing complexity of trade routes reduced transportation efficiency, structurally boosting underlying demand and pushing the global container fleet into a new structural phase. As a result, overall demand for new containers in 2025 remained at a relatively high level, exceeding the average of the past decade. During the Year, the production and sales volume of the Group’s container manufacturing business declined YoY, in line with overall industry expectations, but the Group maintained its global No.1 position. Accumulated sales volume of dry cargo containers reached 2,224,900 TEUs (2024: 3,433,600 TEUs), representing a YoY decrease of 35.2%. Accumulated sales volume of reefer containers reached 208,200 TEUs (same period last year: 138,600 TEUs), representing a YoY increase of 50.2%. During the Year, the container manufacturing segment recorded revenue of RMB 43.009 billion, net profit of RMB 1.882 billion, and a slight decline in gross profit margin to 13.38%.In the logistics services business, during the Year, the segment recorded revenue of RMB 26.793 billion, representing a YoY decrease of 14.64%, and net profit of RMB 364 million, representing a YoY decrease of 16.65%, in line with industry trends. CIMC Wetrans actively adjusted its business structure and integrated resources. During the Year, self-sourced cargo volume increased by 6% YoY, while second-hand container trading and warehousing distribution in port logistics reached record highs. The industry logistics business focused on key sectors such as new energy, automotive and engineering projects to consolidate its niche advantages. In 2025, CIMC Wetrans ranked among the top five for three consecutive years in the “Comprehensive List of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Enterprises” published by the China International Logistics and Freight Forwarding Association.In the road transport vehicles business, during the Year, CIMC Vehicles recorded revenue of RMB 20.178 billion, representing a YoY decrease of 3.91%, and net profit of RMB 927 million, representing a YoY decrease of 14.29%. In the domestic market, the “Star-Chained Plan” reshaped the organisational and operational model, with revenue from the China semi-trailer business increasing by 14.65% YoY and gross profit margin increasing by 3.3%YoY. In overseas markets, the Global South markets maintained high-quality growth, with revenue reaching RMB 3.09 billion during the Reporting Period, representing a YoY increase of 17.7%, sales volume increasing by 29.1% YoY, and gross profit margin increasing by 1.3 percentage points YoY.The DTB business achieved steady growth in both sales volume and revenue, with a total of 28,570 units of mounted equipment products delivered, generating total revenue of RMB 3.184 billion, representing a YoY increase of 4.97%, with further improvement in market share of core products. Meanwhile, the Group continued to actively expand R&D and sales of new energy products, comprehensively building the EV-RT ecosystem and advancing the strategic development of pure electric tractors and trailers.In the airport facilities and logistics equipment/fire safety and rescue equipment, benefiting from the release and delivery of high-quality orders, the segment recorded revenue of RMB 7.619 billion during the Year, representing a YoY increase of 5.92%, and net profit of RMB 264 million. Airport equipment successfully delivered smart boarding bridges projects for Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, Antalya Airport in Türkiye and Lanzhou Airport, and secured major projects including Phase II of Nanning Airport and corridor projects at Hangzhou Airport T2 and T4 with its independently-developed innovative prefabricated fixed bridge solutions. Logistics equipment delivered automated three-dimensional warehouse systems for supporting the petrochemical and refining integration project in China. The fire safety and rescue equipment business advanced the overseas expansion of domestically manufactured products while focusing on frontier areas such as smart fire safety and unmanned fire trucks.2. In the Energy FieldIn the energy, chemical, and liquid food equipment business, the segment recorded revenue of RMB 27.192 billion, representing a YoY increase of 6.31%, and net profit increased significantly by 42.15% to RMB 1.040 billion. Among which, CIMC Enric recorded revenue of RMB 26.326 billion, representing a y YoY increase of 6.3%.Specifically, the clean energy segment advanced both offshore and onshore businesses, maintaining leading market share in key equipment such as high-pressure and cryogenic equipment, while capturing growth opportunities in natural gas applications in water and land transportation and power generation, and actively expanding into emerging markets for special industrial gas equipment in high-tech industries. In 2025, the segment secured new orders of RMB 22.229 billion, a record high. Among these, orders on hand for offshore clean energy-related business exceeded RMB 19 billion as of the end of 2025, with shipbuilding schedules extending to 2028. During the Year, the second coke oven gas comprehensive utilisation project — Linggang Phase I project — was successfully put into operation, and China’s first domestic mass-production bio-methanol (green methanol) project of CIMC Enric was completed and commenced operation. The chemical and environmental segment maintained its leading market share, while the medical equipment components and after-sales service businesses achieved steady growth. As of the end of 2025, orders on hand increased by 36.27% YoY to RMB 1.276 billion, providing strong support for future development. The liquid food segment maintained stable profitability, with gross profit margin increasing to 21.7% YoY.In the offshore engineering business, the Group’s core operating entity, CIMC Raffles, successfully achieved a strategic transformation from “manufacturing-led” to integrated “design + construction + integration” services, maintaining a leading position in the domestic market and emerging as an important new force in the international offshore engineering market. During the Reporting Period, the segment recorded revenue of RMB 17.938 billion, representing a YoY increase of 8.35%, and net profit of RMB 1.057 billion, becoming the Group’s second-largest profit contributor. Benefiting from the recovery of the global offshore engineering market, demand for high-end oil and gas equipment represented by FPSO/FLNG remained strong, while the industry accelerated its transition toward green and intelligent development, driving steady growth in new energy equipment orders. During the year, the Group secured new contract orders of US$1.20 billion, including 12+8 container feeder vessels, 2 offshore engineering special vessels and other module orders. As of the end of 2025, the accumulated value of orders on hand reached US$5.09 billion, with orders for oil & gas and special vessel accounting for approximately 70% and 30%, respectively. The Longkou base has scheduled production through to 2030.In the offshore engineering asset operation and management business, the Group continued to leverage its existing project experience and business capabilities, enhancing asset utilisation through its strong offshore platform operation and management capabilities. During the Reporting Period, the sixth-generation semi-submersible drilling platform “Deepsea Yantai” completed lease renewal, the ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling platform “Blue Whale No.1” signed a new lease with an international client, and the semi-submersible lifting/life platform “Blue Gretha (formerly Huadian CIMC 01)” also secured a new lease with an international client. Other platforms actively participated in market tenders to explore opportunities for asset disposal and leasing. During the Reporting Period, the average daily lease rate of semi-submersible and jack-up drilling platforms both recorded year-on-year increases.Future Development and ProspectsThe Group’s management stated, “The year 2026 marks the beginning of the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’. Starting from a newly upgraded brand identity, the Group will closely focus on ‘consolidating foundations, driving innovation, improving quality and efficiency’, and adopt a more proactive strategic approach to foster new opportunities and open new horizons amid complex changes, striving to build a ‘“becoming a high quality and trustworthy world-class multimodal transport enterprise.”About China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd.The CIMC Group is a world-leading equipment and solution provider in the logistics and energy industries, with its industry clusters mainly covering the logistics and energy fields, continuously strengthening its leading market position. In the logistics field, the Group continues to adhere to container manufacturing as its core business, based on which it has incubated the road transportation vehicles business and the airport facilities and logistics equipment / fire safety and rescue equipment business, supplemented by the logistics services business and recycled load business, providing products and services in the professional logistics field. In the energy field, the Group is principally engaged in the energy, chemical and liquid food equipment business and the offshore engineering business. Meanwhile, the Group continues to develop emerging industries and possesses financial and asset management businesses that serve the Group itself. As a diversified multinational industrial group serving the global market, CIMC has over 300 member enterprises across Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia, with a total of four listed companies, and customers and sales networks covering more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. In 2025, the Group recorded revenue of RMB 156.6 billion, ranking 154th on the 2025 Fortune 500 China list. The Group has maintained the world’s No.1 position for many consecutive years in core products such as standard dry containers, reefer containers, tank containers and semi-trailers. For more information, please visit http://www.cimc.com/. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
(AsiaGameHub) - Washington’s legislative effort to restrict prediction markets shows no signs of slowing, as lawmakers continue their attempts to impose limits on these event contract platforms.
The latest example is a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), which would bar members of Congress, senior federal officials, and other covered government personnel from trading on prediction markets tied to political events and government actions.
Smith and Budzinski introduced the bill on March 25, adding another ethics-focused measure to the growing list of legislation targeting prediction markets.
Named the Preventing Real-time Exploitation and Deceptive Insider Congressional Trading Act, or the PREDICT Act, the bill aims to prevent public officials from leveraging their access to sensitive information for personal gain.
In the press release announcing the legislation, Smith stated:
“Serving the American people is a privilege, not a means to profit. Our common-sense, bipartisan bill will assure Americans that their elected officials’ decisions are driven by merit, not personal gain. I am proud to collaborate with Representative Budzinski to ensure government officials do not profit from the sensitive information they are entrusted with.”
The bill follows a series of high-profile trades that anticipated major geopolitical events, including joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and the U.S. military’s capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, drawing scrutiny to insider trading on prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi.
Budzinski emphasized these concerns in her statement about the proposed legislation:
“In recent months, we’ve witnessed cases where lesser-known traders made significant profits on events ranging from potential conflict with Iran to the duration of government shutdowns, raising valid questions about the use of inside information.”
PREDICT Act Goes Beyond Members of Congress
As drafted, the PREDICT Act would not be limited to members of Congress; it would also apply to their spouses and dependent children, congressional staff, the president, the vice president, political appointees, certain senior executive branch officials, and members of the judiciary.
The bill would prohibit these covered individuals from “enter[ing] into an agreement, contract, or transaction that provides for any purchase, sale, payment, or delivery dependent on the occurrence, nonoccurrence, or extent of occurrence of a specific political event.”
While some congressional bills have not specified penalties for violating their provisions, this legislation includes enforceable measures. It states that violators would face a penalty equal to 10% of the value of the prohibited trade and must forfeit any profits, with the funds paid into the U.S. Treasury. The bill also requires ethics offices to publish fines and the reasons for them on a public website.
However, the effectiveness of these proposals as deterrents remains uncertain, given that similar legislation—such as the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, passed over a decade ago—has not resulted in any insider trading prosecutions to date.
Congress Keeps Targeting Prediction Markets
The PREDICT Act is the latest addition to a rapidly expanding list of federal proposals aimed at regulating the event-contract industry. Here is an overview of other active measures:
Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act: Introduced by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) in early January, this bill targets officials who trade on government-related contracts while in possession of “material nonpublic information.”
End Prediction Market Corruption Act: Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) proposed this bill on March 5 to entirely prohibit the president, vice president, and members of Congress from trading event contracts.
DEATH BETS Act: Introduced by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) on March 11, this legislation seeks to explicitly ban contracts related to war, assassinations, and individual deaths.
Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act: Sponsored by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Andy Kim (D-NJ), this March 11 proposal focuses on consumer protections, age verification, and returning regulatory authority to individual states.
Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act: Introduced on March 25 by Sens. John Curtis and Schiff, this bill aims to prohibit CFTC-regulated platforms from listing sports-related or casino-style event contracts.
Given the pace of legislative activity, there is no doubt that prediction markets are a focus of Congress. However, with so many bills now in motion, it remains unclear which, if any, will have a realistic path to becoming law.
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(AsiaGameHub) - SBC Summit Malta 2026 will include a specialized marketing track designed to assist brands in evolving their acquisition and engagement strategies for the modern age.
As regulatory environments tighten and media channels multiply, marketing has become one of the gaming industry's most intricate sectors. Teams are no longer merely fighting for visibility; they are operating within a landscape defined by constraints and rapid evolution.
Scheduled for 29-30 April, attendees will hear from CEOs, CMOs, and marketing experts as they address the primary hurdles of modern marketing, including rising costs, changing player habits, and the increasing impact of AI and data.
The agenda is divided into two distinct segments. Marketing Unplugged, held on Wednesday 29 April, will focus on the strategic mindset required to solve the industry's major marketing issues, while Marketing in Action, on Thursday 30 April, will provide workshops centered on practical execution.
“Marketing departments are facing unprecedented pressure as costs climb and the room for error diminishes,” noted Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC. “By offering various learning styles, this stage enables participants to grasp modern marketing theories and apply them through hands-on practice.”
Marketing Unplugged will utilize diverse formats like CEO fireside chats, masterclasses, and live campaign reviews to promote deep engagement and discussion.
Discussions will cover Malta’s status as a global gaming center, leadership insights from CEOs, and campaign teardowns by CMOs. Experts will also discuss AI regulatory frameworks and the changing landscape of search.
Malta: The Global Gaming Powerhouse
The CEO Chat Show: Leadership Insights
AI Under the Microscope: Regulation and Responsibility
Marketing Channels: Balancing Spend and Savings for 2026–2027
The CMO Review: Live Campaign Analysis
SEO Trilogy
Marketing in Action will transition from theory to practice, featuring interactive workshops where attendees can develop and test frameworks for immediate use.
Participants will explore narrative-driven messaging, loyalty frameworks, and the psychological aspects of branding. Sessions will also demonstrate how AI and data can enhance campaign results and provide a competitive edge.
Media & Messaging: Storytelling in a Regulated Era
Player Retention and Loyalty: Maximizing Lifetime Value
Branding and Psychology: Capturing Market Share
AI and Data-Driven Marketing: Optimizing Campaigns
Speakers appearing throughout the track include Sam Behar (Marketing Director, Sky Gaming), Sean Bianco (Co-Founder, Gain Change), Conrad Bugeja (Head of SEO at LiveScore Group), Brian Christopher (CEO & Creator, BC Ventures), Alina Famenok (Growth & Partnerships Expert, Former-CEO Already Media), Ivan Filletti (CEO, Gaming in Malta), Nikola Jellacic (CMO, Casumo), Jesper Kärrbrink (CEO, Immense Group), Karolina Moscicka (COO, BugsyEmpire), Francesco Postiglione (CEO, Casumo), Dmitry Starostenkov (CEO, Evenbet), and
Marco Trucco (CMO, Immense Group).
SBC Summit Malta 2026 is set for 28–30 April at the InterContinental Malta, expecting 6,000 industry professionals. The event also features tracks on product, regulation, affiliation, and leadership.
Register for SBC Summit Malta
The VIP Event Pass is available for €600, providing full access to the three-day conference and exhibition. Expo+ Passes are €150, while operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary entry via the official links.
This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content.
AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
TOKYO, Mar 26, 2026 - (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Sharp Corporation has developed long-range video monitoring technology which uses AI to analyze and record video streamed from locations 5 to 10 km away. This technology was developed in collaboration with Harada Laboratory at Kyoto University (hereinafter "Kyoto University"), Watanabe Laboratory at Waseda University (hereinafter "Waseda University"), and Oita Asahi Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "OAB"), as part of the Ultra-Coverage Beyond 5G Wireless and Video Coding through Japan–US–Australia R&D Collaboration project (*1) commissioned by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan.Video analysis of grazing cattle during a field test.The video classifies difference in cattle behavior with green squares (standing) and yellow squares (feeding).Comparing the current footage (left) with the immediately preceding (40 seconds prior) footage (right), environmental changes are displayed at the top of the screen.This technology consists of long-range video transmission technology developed by Kyoto University, which enables the long-range 4K video transmission using a wireless transmission method based on very high frequency waves (VHF band), and Sharp's Dynamic Video Monitoring Technology, which recognizes the behavior of subjects in real-time without pre-training. Compared to conventional technologies, this new technology requires less preparation time for AI video analysis. In the future, this technology is expected to be utilized in a wide range of applications, including hazard detection and remote monitoring of disaster sites and evacuation shelters.To verify the effectiveness of this technology, Sharp conducted field tests in and outside Japan from March 2025 to January 2026 and demonstrated its applicability across various fields. In Japan, tests involving the monitoring of animal behavior at zoos and aquariums, as well as the streaming of live video from ships at sea were carried out. Overseas, a field test to monitor grazing cattle in remote areas has been conducted with Australia's national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).To further advance the wireless communication and video compression technologies used in the long-range video monitoring technology, Sharp is submitting proposals at international standardization conferences for wireless communication and video compression, aiming for adoption in Beyond 5G, the next-generation communication standard, and Beyond VVC, the next-generation video compression standard, both to be formulated as international standards. Furthermore, Sharp is committed to supporting digital transformation through long-range wireless communication and AI technologies, aiming to apply these solutions not only to animals and ships—as demonstrated in this proof-of-concept—but also to a wide range of fields, including transportation infrastructure and disaster response.1. 4K video transmission over long distances (5 to 10 km) by long-range video transmission technology which utilizes the VHF band2. Dynamic Video Monitoring Technology (an AI technology) identifies subjects without pre-training and records changes in situations and behavior, applicable to various video analysis tasks with a shorter preparation period3. Effectiveness confirmed through field tests in and outside Japan*1 Grant No. 05101■ Key Features1. 4K video transmission over long distances (5 to 10 km) by long-range video transmission technology which utilizes the VHF bandWireless technologies used in mobile phones and other devices create coverage areas by densely deploying base stations at intervals ranging from several hundred meters to several kilometers, and transmit data between communication devices via these base stations. In contrast, the newly developed long-range video transmission technology utilizes VHF band wireless technology (*2) announced by Kyoto University, along with video compression and transmission technology. This enables the direct video data transmission between communication devices located 5 to 10 km (*3) apart, making it possible to transmit 4K video in locations where it is difficult to install base stations, such as remote islands, or within vast areas like ranches. Furthermore, since the new technology supports video transmission specification changes such as resolution and bit rate, the data transmission volume can be adjusted to suit the installation environment and intended use.Transmission range in a field test conducted in January 2026*2 For more information on this technology, please refer to the Kyoto University press release (https://www.dco.cce.i.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/PL/PL_2025_06.html) (in Japanese).*3 Transmission range will vary depending on the communication environment and video content.2. Dynamic Video Monitoring Technology (an AI technology) identifies subjects without pre-training and records changes in situations and behavior, applicable to various video analysis tasks with a shorter preparation periodIn video analysis, conventional AI technologies required preparatory work—such as labeling training data with information on the type, behavior, and location of subjects such as animals—as well as pre-training of the AI, which made it time-consuming to start using the system. In contrast, Dynamic Video Monitoring Technology can be activated in a shorter preparation time by applying prompts (instructions for the desired actions) along with preprocessing (*4) and postprocessing (*5) to AI which handles images and languages.*4 The processing of data to enable the AI to reason efficiently.*5 The process of converting data output by the AI into a format that is easy for users to understand and utilize.Furthermore, by combining the Dynamic Prompt Technology (*6) developed in joint with this technology, the AI automatically generates prompts based on the video content. Voice narration and quizzes based on the analysis results can be automatically produced.The AI generates narration (text at the bottom of the screen) based on the video*6 A technology which automatically generates instructions for the AI based on inputted video and context.3. Effectiveness confirmed through field tests in and outside Japan.From March 2025 to January 2026, Sharp conducted field tests in and outside Japan for various applications to confirm, its effectiveness. PeriodLocationsSubjects of analysisTest details1March 2025・Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden(Oita City, Oita Prefecture)・Nishi-Oita Hover Terminal(Oita City, Oita Prefecture)・Monkeys in a zoo・Footage from operating ships・Counting the animals, generating of voice narration・Long-range (approx. 5 km) video transmission to remote locations・Long-range video transmission from moving objects (ships)・Analysis of conditions within Beppu Bay as observed from the ship, voice narration generation2October 2025・CSIRO Armidale Research Farm(New South Wales, Australia)・Grazing cattle・Classification of individual animal behaviors・Recording of temporal changes3January 2026・Umitamago Oita Marine Palace Aquarium(Oita City, Oita Prefecture)・OAB head office(Oita City, Oita Prefecture)・Dolphin show・Facility beach・Long-range (approx. 6 km) 4K video transmission・Full HD video transmission for AI analysis at 1/10 the standard bit rate (approx. 300 kbps)・Analysis of the dolphin show・Generation of audio narration and quizzesAbout SharpFor more than 110 years, Sharp Corporation has been developing pioneering, world‑first and industry-first products and technologies primarily in electronics. Based on its business creed "Sincerity and Creativity", the company has established its corporate slogan "In step with your future." and aims to create New Cultures through innovative products and services in every aspect of how people live and work. Copyright 2026 JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
(AsiaGameHub) - Maine legislators have approved a bill that would prohibit credit card use for sports wagering and online gaming. LD 2080 now awaits review by Governor Janet Mills after the Legislature gave its approval on March 25 following Senate passage.
Should the governor sign the measure into law, it would bar operators and management services licensees from taking bets placed with credit cards and mandate that regulators configure systems to block such transactions on mobile applications, digital platforms, and at physical betting sites.
This legislative action occurs as Maine gets ready to launch its newly approved online gaming market and while legislators evaluate additional gambling-related proposals, such as a separate measure to prohibit sweepstakes casinos that remains under consideration.
Representative Marc Malon (D) filed the bill in January under the title "An Act to Protect Consumers by Prohibiting the Use of Credit Cards in Sports Wagering" to safeguard Maine residents from gambling addiction, though the name was subsequently modified to encompass internet gaming.
At that time, Malon described the legislation as a means to balance the economic advantages of legalized gambling with consumer safeguards, stating:
"Legal and regulated gaming generates employment and delivers substantial revenue for our state. However, as sports wagering gains popularity and online gaming launches, the Legislature must focus on measures that balance these economic benefits with reasonable protections to prevent Mainers from developing addictions and accumulating debt. This legislation achieves that equilibrium."
Measure Revised and Broadened via Committee Amendment
The legislation experienced several modifications before taking its current form as "An Act to Protect Consumers by Prohibiting the Use of Credit Cards in Sports Wagering and Internet Gaming."
Initially submitted in January, LD 2080 originally covered only sports wagering, but an amendment adopted earlier this month extended its reach to include internet gaming and revised its title accordingly.
Under the revised version, operators offering both sports wagering and internet gaming would be prohibited from accepting bets from customers attempting to use credit cards for payment.
The measure would additionally compel regulators to establish rules blocking credit card usage across all betting channels, including mobile platforms and in-person kiosks, thereby strengthening the prohibition through both operational and technical protections.
In addition to approving this bill, the Legislature is examining legislation aimed at sweepstakes casinos. Earlier this month, Maine's Senate approved LD 2007, which would prohibit dual-currency online platforms. The concurrent consideration of these measures indicates that lawmakers are increasingly focused on consumer protections as legal gambling expands in the state.
Sector Shifting Away From Credit-Based Betting
If LD 2080 is enacted, Maine will become part of an expanding group of states that have prohibited credit card gambling in various forms, including Iowa, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Vermont, Illinois, and Massachusetts.
Major operators have also begun eliminating credit card acceptance. In August 2025, DraftKings ceased accepting credit cards for sportsbook and online casino deposits following a $450,000 penalty in Massachusetts for inadequate transaction blocking.
FanDuel followed on March 2, discontinuing credit card deposits nationwide for its sportsbook, casino, and racing offerings. These recent developments indicate the industry may be voluntarily adopting standards that prioritize debit-based and direct bank transfer methods.
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