East Timor Cancels Online Gambling Licences Amid Security and Stability Concerns
Friday 03 de October 2025 / 12:00
⏱ 2 min read
(Dili).- The government of Timor-Leste has approved a Council of Ministers resolution to revoke existing licences for online gambling and betting, citing serious risks to national security and social stability.
The resolution, introduced by Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Agio Pereira, also orders the cancellation of ongoing licensing procedures and the prohibition of issuing new licences for such activities, according to an official statement.
Authorities explained that the decision follows concerns about threats to the country’s security, social stability, economic integrity, and international reputation. Implementation of the measures will be overseen by the responsible minister in coordination with security forces.
The move comes shortly after a UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, released on September 11, warned of the growing presence of criminal networks in Oecussi, a Timorese enclave located on the Indonesian side of Timor island. Investigations revealed clear evidence of digital criminal activity, including the involvement of individuals previously convicted of similar offenses in other Asian nations.
Timorese authorities had earlier detained 10 suspects in Oecussi on allegations of illegal gambling operations and computer fraud.
According to UNODC experts, the fraud centre industry in Southeast Asia appears to be expanding into Timor-Leste, showing troubling similarities to illicit online gambling hubs in Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia. The report also warned that the problem could escalate with Timor-Leste’s upcoming accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in October.
The same report raised further concerns, noting that a person holding a government position in Timor-Leste is among the owners of a hotel allegedly hosting companies engaged in criminal activity. The facility has also been linked through business interests to another hotel in Dili, connected to the recently ousted leadership of the Oecussi Special Administrative Region (RAEOA).
Categoría:Legislation
Tags: Sin tags
País: East Timor
Región: Asia
Event
SiGMA North America 2026
01 de September 2026
LatAm Regulators Discussed Illegal Gambling and Innovation at SiGMA North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The panel "The Red Pen Forum: Regulators Respond to the Industry," held during SiGMA North America 2026, brought together representatives from Uruguay, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Honduras to analyze regulatory challenges, digital transformation, illegal gambling, and the need to adapt lotteries for new generations. The conference was moderated by Rodrigo Cigliutti, Executive Director of CIBELAE (Ibero-American Corporation of State Lotteries and Betting), and featured the participation of Marcelo Visconti, National Director of Lotteries and Quinielas of Uruguay; Carlos Moyano, President of IAFAS Entre Ríos, Argentina; Heidi Hernández Olivo, Deputy Secretary of the Puerto Rico Lottery; and Lissa Mencía, General Director of Lottery Operations and Games at Loto Honduras.
Monday 28 Sep 2026 / 12:00
SiGMA North America Addressed Crisis Management in iGaming
(Mexico, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Rosa Ochoa, founder of the Blue Global Gaming platform and strategic advisor for gaming operators; Iliana María Pineda Echeverri, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Wplay.co; Iraid Rosales, Country Manager Mexico at Amusnet; and Elizabeth Maya Cano, Executive President of CORNAZAR, analyzed the key factors in managing crisis situations within the iGaming industry, with a special focus on transparency, communication, technology, and preparation.
Friday 25 Sep 2026 / 12:00
Affiliates and Acquisition: Keys to Regulated Markets in North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Cristopher Guzmán Reyes, Head of Affiliates at Logrand Entertainment Group; Guga Júnior, influencer and slots expert at Scalar Partners; Andrés Gómez, Head of Latin America Go-to-Market Strategy at Admattic; Yambot Aguilera, Gaming and Finance Sales Director at Google; and Paula Gabriel Jiménez, Advertising Client Growth Director for Microsoft at Aleph, analyzed the state and provincial affiliate ecosystem in North America, as well as the acquisition challenges in regulated markets.
Thursday 24 Sep 2026 / 12:00
SUSCRIBIRSE
Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos
Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.
