(AsiaGameHub) -   Apple’s foldable iPhone still appears on track for a September debut, even after a Nikkei Asia report raised fresh delay worries during the device’s engineering test phase. Bloomberg noted Apple is still aiming to launch the phone around the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launch window, though the schedule is not final. Good to Know Nikkei Asia, as cited by Reuters, stated that engineering issues could slow mass production and shipment timelines. Bloomberg reported that Apple still plans to release the foldable model in September, with retail stores possibly receiving the device around the same time as or shortly after the iPhone 8 Pro lineup. Initial supply may be limited, as the device is more complex to manufacture than a standard iPhone. Apple Foldable Launch Plans Remain On Track The first warning came from Nikkei Asia. Per Reuters, Apple has run into engineering snags during testing, and these issues could delay mass production or initial shipments if they take longer to fix than expected. Bloomberg pushed back on that assessment just hours later. Mark Gurman reported that Apple is still on course for a September unveiling, with the foldable model expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max or shortly after. Even so, both Bloomberg and TechCrunch noted that the launch is still months away, so the timing could still shift. Apple’s primary focus isn’t just the folding design itself, but the weak points that have held the foldable category back. Bloomberg reported that Apple believes it has improved screen quality and overall durability, and also made the display crease less visible when the phone is opened. This could carry more weight than the foldable label alone. Samsung and several Chinese phone makers have sold foldables for years, so Apple is entering the market late. A smoother screen and better durability would give Apple a clear path to stand out if the device launches in September. 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.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Macau received 172,057 visitors on April 5, the Ching Ming Festival—also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, a holiday based on the lunar calendar. This day was a public holiday in Macau, mainland China, and Hong Kong. Macau’s Visitor Numbers Get a Boost From Holidays Between April 3 and April 7, the total number of arrivals hit 665,918, averaging 133,184 visitors per day. Authorities did not release year-over-year comparison data. The combination of holidays contributed to this trend. Mainland China observed the Ching Ming break from April 4 to April 6. Easter Friday is a public holiday in both Macau and Hong Kong, while Easter Monday is only a holiday in Hong Kong. Easter is not a holiday period on the mainland. 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.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Paysafe is introducing cryptocurrency deposits for U.S. iGaming and daily fantasy sports operators via a new payment option powered by MoonPay. This product, named Pay with Crypto, allows players to utilize USDC, other stablecoins, or major cryptocurrencies, with their deposits automatically converted into U.S. dollars for gameplay where permitted. The process is designed for ease of use. Players can link a crypto wallet or scan a QR code to send funds, with the money appearing in their account without requiring a separate crypto-to-cash conversion step on their part. Paysafe stated that this new functionality is integrated into its Gateway, which already accommodates a range of payment methods including cards, digital wallets, eCash, Pay by Bank, and over 30 regional payment options. The introduction of this feature is driven by market demand. Paysafe reported that approximately 70.4 million American adults own cryptocurrency, and its own research indicated that 83% of U.S. players are interested in using crypto for payments. Operators also have flexibility in how they receive settlements. Utilizing MoonPay's infrastructure, they can choose to settle in stablecoins or fiat currencies. Paysafe announced the launch of this new service on April 7. 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.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Uganda's gambling sector is expanding rapidly, prompting lawmakers to seek a larger portion of the revenue. Interactive gross win figures reached $438.3 million in 2025 and are projected to rise to $995.5 million by 2029, based on H2 Gambling Capital data. Sport betting was the primary driver, generating $328 million in gross win for 2025, while offshore platforms accounted for $114.8 million, representing over 26% of the interactive total. Good to Know Uganda seeks to tax betting at 30% GGR, increasing from the current 20%. A separate bill proposes adding a 15% withholding tax on net winnings from betting and gaming. If both bills are passed, the changes would take effect on 1 July 2026. Uganda Introduces Heavier Gambling Tax Measures In light of this, two new legislative proposals target both operators and bettors. The Lotteries and Gaming (Amendment) Bill, 2026 aims to raise the betting tax rate to 30% GGR, aligning it with the iGaming sector. Simultaneously, the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to impose a 15% withholding tax on net winnings from betting and gaming. These measures were included in Uganda's broader 2026 to 2027 tax package. Currently, Uganda applies different tax rates across gambling activities. Following the 2023 reform, gaming activities, including casinos, were adjusted to 30%, whereas betting remained at 20% due to thinner profit margins. Should the new proposal be enacted, this disparity will be eliminated, bringing betting in line with gaming at the 30% rate. The implementation date is imminent. If approved, both proposals would become effective on 1 July 2026, leaving operators with limited time to adjust to a higher tax burden and leaving players facing a direct reduction in net returns. iGaming Business noted that the harmonized 30% rate would place Uganda among the countries with the highest gambling tax burdens in Africa. Uganda is not the only nation moving in this direction; Kenya introduced a 5% tax on betting wallet withdrawals and a 5% excise duty on deposits last year, and in February 2026, Lagos, Nigeria, also implemented a 5% withholding tax on winnings 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.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Premier League teams are entering a more constrained sponsorship landscape as the prohibition on front-of-shirt gambling agreements takes effect following the current season. This rule was approved in 2023, and clubs now confront a collective deficit estimated at around £80 million leading up to the 2026/27 campaign. Good to Know Nine Premier League clubs haven’t locked in a new front-of-shirt sponsor for the upcoming season. A total of twelve clubs remain without signed deals as the season draws near. Per The Guardian, sponsorship offers for clubs outside the big six have dropped by roughly 50%. Premier League Sponsor Valuations Decline Ahead of Gambling Ban The decline is hitting hardest for clubs outside the top tier. According to The Guardian, shirt sponsorship bids for many teams have fallen from a previous range of £8 million to £12 million per season to approximately half that level. Some clubs are now shifting existing sleeve, stadium, or training ground partners to the front of the shirt at reduced rates. Bournemouth and Brentford are among the examples already mentioned. Both teams have moved existing commercial partners into the main shirt position, but for less money than gambling brands previously paid. “Nearly everyone is losing money,” a senior club executive told The Guardian regarding ongoing negotiations.“Outside the big six, shirt sponsorship offers have dropped by around 50% from a range of between £8m and £12m a season. There may be some exceptions but it is a very diffi­cult market. And with some clubs ­opting to switch sleeve or training kit partners to front-of-shirt, there is a knock-on effect for those deals too.” In April 2023, the Premier League announced that clubs had collectively agreed to remove gambling sponsorships from the front of matchday shirts starting with the 2026/27 season. Sleeve branding and other forms of gambling advertising were excluded from this voluntary restriction. Everton provides one of the clearest examples of how clubs are adapting. Stake, the club’s current front-of-shirt partner, is set to stay involved as a sleeve sponsor even after losing access to the Great Britain market. The Gambling Commission stated in February 2025 that Stake would exit Great Britain, with the site’s final shutdown scheduled for 11 March 2025. For many clubs, the issue is straightforward. Gambling companies had become some of the highest-paying shirt sponsors in football, especially for teams outside the elite tier. Replacing that revenue has proven far harder than swapping the logo on the shirt. 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.

(AsiaGameHub) -   New Jersey voters continue to express disinterest in having casinos located outside Atlantic City, according to a recent Fairleigh Dickinson University poll. Support for such a move stands at 44%, while opposition remains around 50%, showing little change from previous surveys conducted in 2014 and 2016. Good to Know A comparable referendum failed in 2016, with 77% voting no. Among voters aged 65 and older, opposition reaches 58%. SCR31, the current proposal for racetrack casinos, has been pending in committee since January 13, 2026. Under current legislation, Atlantic City remains the sole location for legal casinos in New Jersey. Any alteration to this would necessitate a constitutional amendment, requiring approval from both lawmakers and the electorate. If the proposal advances, a referendum could potentially occur as early as November. New Jersey Casino Expansion Still Lacks Voter Support Proponents advocate for casinos at existing racetracks, primarily the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, partly to address new competition from New York. However, the poll suggests this argument has not significantly altered public opinion. Dan Cassino, a Professor of Government and Politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and the Executive Director of the FDU Poll, stated: “People formed their opinions about casino expansion a long time ago. Unless something dramatic occurs, presenting this issue to voters will likely lead to the same outcome as before.”Regional figures also present challenges for those backing expansion. In Bergen and Passaic counties, situated near the Meadowlands, only 38% support new casinos, while 56% are opposed. Younger voters are also not driving the issue; among those aged 30 and under, 45% support expansion and 49% oppose it. “The only development since this was last attempted is the opening of more casinos in New York,” Cassino added. “While that holds significant importance for those who wish to open casinos, it doesn't appear to resonate with the voters.” Atlantic City remains central to the discussion. Last year, the city's nine casinos generated $2.89 billion from physical slots and table games, an increase of 2.7% from 2024. Despite this, that total remains considerably below the more than $5.2 billion recorded in 2006, before nearby competition began to intensify. In 2025, only four of the nine casinos reported year-over-year gains from in-person gaming. Senator Joe Pennacchio is still endeavoring to reintroduce the issue through Senate Concurrent Resolution 31. This measure would allow voters to decide on the inclusion of slots and table games at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. Under the proposal, 30% of the tax revenue from these sites would be directed to Atlantic City casinos, with an additional 7% allocated to fund recovery and improvement programs in Atlantic City. The resolution was introduced on January 13, 2026, and continues to reside in the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee. 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.

(AsiaGameHub) -   Lithuania is drafting comprehensive gambling legislation that will mandate the use of a universal player card for all online and land-based betting activities, effective 1 January 2029. This initiative is part of a broader transition toward cashless transactions and enhanced state monitoring of individual gambling behavior. Key Details The mandatory card system will apply to both physical gambling establishments and remote platforms. Certain regulatory oversight adjustments are slated to take effect as early as 1 May 2027. Gambling operators are granted a three-year window to update their infrastructure ahead of the 2029 implementation date. Lithuania Proposes Universal Player Card System A legislative amendment proposed by the Ministry of Finance would require all individuals gambling in Lithuania to possess a physical player card. This system aims to link gambling activity to verified identities, allowing for the tracking of deposits and winnings across various operators. Furthermore, the use of cash in gambling venues will be eliminated in favor of non-cash payment methods integrated with the card. The implementation schedule is phased. Regulatory and operational requirements are set to commence on 1 May 2027, while the transition to the player card and cashless payment systems is set for 1 January 2029. The Ministry of Finance noted that operators will have a three-year period to upgrade or replace their current systems. Minister of Finance Kristupas Vaitiekūnas highlighted the player card as a cornerstone of the nation's strategy to mitigate gambling-related harm. He stated:“This strengthens the prevention of problem gambling and ensures that our primary objective—reducing access to gambling and its potential health risks—is effectively realized. “We are providing a three-year transition period to allow operators sufficient time to upgrade or replace their equipment to meet the non-cash payment standards required by 2029.” The draft legislation also seeks to grant the Gaming Control Authority expanded oversight regarding compliance for both land-based and online gambling. Operators will be required to integrate identity verification, transaction tracking, and self-exclusion protocols directly into the player card system. Proponents describe the initiative as a vital player protection measure. However, the scope of the proposal extends beyond standard venue-level oversight, as it would enable authorities to monitor gambling activity across the entire market rather than limiting oversight to individual operators. This interpretation is based on the details of the proposal and the nature of the card-tracking model.This plan aligns with a broader trend of tightening gambling regulations in Lithuania. Restrictions on advertising and sponsorships were implemented in July 2025, and the government has already intensified its efforts against unlicensed operators through enhanced blocking and enforcement mechanisms. 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.