Philippines halts new online casinos as China urges crackdown

Move follows similar action by Cambodia on Sunday

20190819 cliff's gaming exhibition photos

Offshore gaming is one of the Philippines' fastest growing sectors, employing around 350,000 people. (Photo by Cliff Venzon)

CLIFF VENZON, Nikkei staff writer and SHAUN TURTON, Contributing writer

MANILA -- The Philippines will stop issuing new licenses to offshore gaming operators amid fears that the online gaming boom enables large-scale money laundering and is exacerbating social problems in mainland China.

The move comes as fears mount in Manila over the security risks posed by the huge influx of Chinese workers to service the industry, and follows a similar crackdown on online gaming announced by Cambodian authorities on Sunday.

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