Harry Roque Linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) Former Philippine presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is facing scrutiny after investigators linked him to the operations of raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has uncovered documents and digital evidence suggesting Roque’s involvement in the management of these offshore gaming hubs, where serious crimes like online scams, human trafficking, and worker exploitation took place. During raids in May and June, hundreds of Filipino and foreign workers were freed from these facilities, many of whom testified to being lured by false promises of good-paying jobs only to face harsh working conditions, abuse, and withheld pay. Some facilities also allegedly contained torture devices. In response to these revelations, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enacted a ban on POGOs, marking a significant step in cracking down on the offshore gaming industry in the Philippines. Roque, however, denies any wrongdoing and claims he is being unjustly tried in the media.
LiveScore CEO on Overregulation and Demand for Sports Content Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore Group, discussed the evolving nature of sports betting and the growing demand for more engaging and dynamic sports content. Sadi pointed out how consumer behaviors have shifted over the years, with sports fans no longer simply betting on basic outcomes like game winners or point totals. Instead, they are increasingly drawn to more intricate products such as bet builders and same-game parlays, which allow for deeper engagement through the use of advanced statistics. As fans consume sports in more immersive ways, the demand for personalized and on-demand content continues to rise. However, producing such content at scale is both resource-intensive and expensive. To address this challenge, Sadi sees generative AI as a potential solution to help meet this insatiable demand while driving innovation in the convergence of sports media and betting. With LiveScore’s global reach and expertise in sports media, Sadi believes the company is well-positioned to continue leading in this space, especially as it navigates expanding markets and increasingly regulated environments.
California Newspaper Opposes Bill SB 549 Favoring Gaming Tribes The Los Angeles Daily News has taken a firm stance against SB 549, a bill that would grant California’s gaming tribes the right to sue cardrooms. Historically, the tribes have held exclusive rights to offer house-banked card games like blackjack and baccarat, as well as slot machines, thanks to a 2000 ballot measure known as Prop 1A. However, cardrooms have found a way to offer modified versions of these games by using third-party proposition player services, which effectively act as the house. SB 549 seeks to close this loophole by allowing tribes to challenge the legality of these cardroom offerings in court. The bill has already passed the state senate and is now gaining momentum in the assembly. Critics, including the Los Angeles Daily News, argue that this legislation is an overreach designed to give tribes even more control over the state’s lucrative gambling market, potentially harming cardrooms that provide significant revenue to local communities. The paper’s editorial warns that SB 549 could unfairly disrupt the balance of power in California’s gambling industry, ultimately leaving cardroom players caught in the middle.
PrizePicks Launches Streak, New Free-to-Play Fantasy Offering PrizePicks has introduced a new free-to-play fantasy game called Streak, aimed at sports fans who enjoy daily fantasy contests. In this new offering, users can select one player projection per day, and the goal is to build a streak of consecutive winning picks. If a player manages to achieve 32 consecutive correct predictions, they will have the opportunity to win a grand prize of $1 million. The game is debuting in 13 states, including New York, Ohio, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and adds a fresh layer of excitement to PrizePicks’ existing product suite. Users can swipe through 10 player cards each day to make their selections, and as their winning streak grows, they can unlock a free four-pick lineup to use in PrizePicks’ main contest platform for additional prizes. According to PrizePicks CEO Mike Ybarra, the company aims to stay at the forefront of the online gaming industry by introducing innovative game types that keep users engaged. Streak follows the successful launch of Arena earlier this year, and PrizePicks’ leadership sees it as another way to enhance the sports viewing experience while expanding its reach across the U.S.
