Las Vegas Sands Exits the Online Gambling Scene
US casino titan Las Vegas Sands Corp (LVS) has officially shut down its online division, Sands Digital Services (SDS), marking the end of its brief venture into the digital gambling market. According to reports, LVS President and COO Patrick Dumont informed hundreds of employees that the division was “no longer aligned with the company’s long-term objectives.”
This move is unsurprising given LVS’s history. The late Sheldon Adelson, the company’s founder and former CEO, was a staunch opponent of online gambling in the US, once pledging to spend “whatever it takes” to eradicate it. After his death in 2021, successor Rob Goldstein launched SDS in 2022 to explore live dealer streaming in legal US states. However, the initiative failed to make a significant impact for a company that thrives primarily on its land-based operations in Macau and Singapore.
Montana Cracks Down on Online Gambling
Meanwhile, in the US, Montana has intensified its stance against online gambling. New legislation enacted this week classifies offering online gambling services to state residents as a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Lawmakers say the move aims to combat the rise of online sweepstakes and prediction market platforms. Despite the crackdown, prediction market operator Kalshi remains undeterred, with CEO Tarek Mansour asserting the company’s compliance with federal regulations.
Interestingly, Montana is among the few states where even players can technically face charges for gambling online—though no individual has ever been prosecuted under the law.
Japan: 13-Year-Old’s Gambling Habit Sparks Concern
In Japan, where online gambling remains illegal, a shocking case emerged involving a 13-year-old boy who accessed an offshore casino over 7,000 times. The child reportedly used a smartphone provided by his parents to gamble, initially using his allowance before turning to his parents’ money.
A recent National Police Agency study revealed that 3.37 million Japanese have accessed offshore casinos, collectively spending around ¥1.2 trillion (US$8.8 billion). Alarmingly, 40% of respondents said they were unaware that online gambling violates Japanese law.
Explore the best online betting site Singapore with Octabet betting news. Start winning today! Register now!
