TOP-5 of Asian countries with licensed online gambling
1) Philippines is the region's most "open" market
Model.
Formally a mixed system: the state operator/regulator PAGCOR licenses private B2C operators, and also controls local online services (iGaming/betting), B2B providers and hosting. Separate regimes existed for offshore operators (POGO) and for the "home" audience (PIGO), but the strategic vector was for a regulated domestic market with tougher compliance.
Verticals.
Online casinos, slots/tables, live dealers, sports betting (including eSports) - under license and content certification.
Taxes and fees.
Royalties + Tax with GGR; mandatory reporting by verticals.
KYC/AML/RG.
Mandatory identification and age filters, transaction monitoring, SoF/SoW on triggers, RNG/RTP certification, reality checks, limits and self-exclusion.
Advertising and payments.
White PSP/banks, clear rules of tonality and prohibition of promises of "fast money," responsibility for affiliates.
Pros/risks.
The largest and most understandable "open" Asian market iGaming.
Reassembly of rules and close attention to the offshore segment: perfect compliance is needed.
2) Singapore - licensed but in monopoly format
Model.
The country allows remote bets and lotteries only under the exceptions of the state operator (Singapore Pools). It is a legitimate online game, but not an open market: private B2C brands are not allowed.
Verticals.
Sports betting (football, betting formulas), draw lotteries (4D, TOTO); online casino mechanics are prohibited.
Control.
Hard KYC/AML, geofencing, limits, RG messages, strict advertising.
Pros/risks.
The standard of the managed model is "remote gambling under expiration."
No window for private operators; B2B solutions (payments, RG-those, anti-fraud) are relevant.
3) Taiwan - state licenses for sports and lotteries (online channels are legal)
Model.
The market is organized around the Taiwan Sports Lottery and the National Lottery; online channels (web/mobile) are legally available within the perimeter of these operators. CPrivate iCasino - not allowed.
Verticals.
Sports betting (fixed/pools), lotteries; online casino content is not allowed.
KYC/AML/RG.
Age barriers, limits, self-exclusion, reporting. Strong payment discipline through banks and e-wallets.
Pros/risks.
Stable legal "online showcase" for sports/lotteries.
Niche narrow; private iCasino operators are closed (B2B relevant).
4) Georgia - "Caucasian" hub with a full-fledged private model
Model.
Fully licensed private market (often referred to as West Asia): licenses for online casinos and betting, registers of operators/providers, clear tax logic.
Verticals.
Online casinos (slots/tables, live games), sports betting, poker rooms - when certifying content and following the rules.
Taxes/fees.
GGR and/or corporate load taxes; mandatory reporting, audit and log preservation.
KYC/AML/RG.
Hard KYC, sanction/PEP screening, SoF/SoW by triggers, limits/self-exclusion, prohibition of "dark" patterns.
Advertising and payments.
Time/channel restrictions, age filters; white PSPs, chargeback control/anti-fraud.
Pros/risks.
A mature market with recognizable brands and a developed B2B landscape.
Periodic tightening of marketing and limits: monitor updates.
5) Armenia - licensed online with strong fiscal discipline
Model.
State licenses for online casinos, betting and poker; registers of operators and providers; consecutive updates to advertising and access requirements.
Verticals.
iCasino, live games, sports betting, poker - with RNG/RTP certification and reporting.
Taxes/fees.
Fixed fees/state duties + tax burden on GGR/profit, transparent reporting.
KYC/AML/RG.
Mandatory IDV, sanctions/PEP, RG behavioral triggers, limits/self-exclusion, reality checks.
Advertising/payments.
Tighter site/key restrictions; white payment providers, anti-fraud.
Pros/risks.
Clear procedures, available approval dates.
Control of advertising and limits can be strengthened (include flexibility).
Summary Table (Short)
Practical conclusions for operators and providers
1. Define the model type exactly. Open market (Philippines, Georgia, Armenia) ≠ monopoly with online channels (Singapore, Taiwan). The entry strategy is radically different.
2. Default compliance stack. Full KYC/AML (IDV, sanctions/PEP, SoF/SoW), RG (limits, self-exclusion, reality checks), RNG/RTP certification, immutable logs.
3. Advertising without gray areas. Age filters, honest bonuses (vager/limits/deadlines), affiliate register, fast money ban.
4. Payments. Only white-listed PSP, SCA/3DS, anti-fraud/chargeback control, geofencing.
5. UX localization. Language/support, default limits, transparent RTP, clear output rules.
Entry checklist (1 page)
Legal structure, beneficiaries, fit & proper.
KYC/AML/RG policies/advertising + playbooks incidents.
Platform/content certification (RNG/RTP), change-management, WORM logs.
Contracts with white PSP, anti-fraud models, reporting by alerts/chargebacks.
DAM-library of creatives, register of affiliates, templates of disclaimers.
Monitoring of local updates (taxes/advertising/RG), SLA for the implementation of changes.
There is licensed online gambling in Asia, but "Asian TOP-5" are different genres of legality: from completely private markets (Philippines, Georgia, Armenia) to narrow state monopolies with online channels (Singapore, Taiwan). A successful strategy is early compliance design, white payments and ethical marketing. Then the regulator is predictable, the economy is stable, and LTV is longer.