World

An Overview of the Asian Gambling Market

Published

4 years ago

March 13, 2020

Asia is establishing itself as one of the leading gambling regions in the world, producing a substantial amount of global gambling revenue. Specifically, the Asia-Pacific region is presently the fastest-growing gambling market in the world. Asia’s rise in the gambling sphere is partially due to the continued improvement of many countries’ economies, new legislation allowing gambling in certain places, and Asian people’s access to online gambling since smartphones started to become widespread in their home countries.

However, only some Asian countries allow gambling activities. Gambling is often illegal in Muslim-majority countries. And in many Asian countries, regulatory authorities strictly control gambling. The most prominent gambling resorts throughout Asia, which see millions of visitors from around the world each year, are Wynn Macau and Galaxy Macau in Macau, Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, and Casino Pride and Casino Royale in Goa.

Find out more about the three Asian countries that are leading the gambling market in the following overview.

India

In India, gambling is only officially legal in the states of Sikkim and Goa and the district of Daman. Although in Nagaland state, it is possible to obtain a license to play online skill-based games. Indians in Nagaland can play a variety of online games, as long as the games involve a substantial amount of intellect and skill. A wide range of skill-based casino games can be played on this online casino website. Other than Nagaland, the online gambling situation is somewhat ambiguous. Most local governments do not license online gambling, but there is also no legal framework that prohibits online gambling. In practice, the confusion over the legality of online gambling means a large proportion of people in India do play games at online casinos. It is estimated that in 2017, the online gambling market in India was worth approximately $125 million.

Excluding online gambling, the latest statistics estimate the Indian gambling market was worth $75.7 million in 2015. But it is expected to be valued at around $10.2 billion by the year 2021. So, it is clear just how much the gambling market is rapidly increasing in India.

China

Apart from state-run lotteries, gambling is only legal in China in the Macau and Hong Kong regions. Known as the Vegas of the East, Macau’s 49 casinos currently bring in annual revenue of around $28 billion. That is more than three times as much as the 135 casinos in Las Vegas. In 2017, Macau’s gross gaming revenue from casinos rose by almost 20%, and in 2018, it grew by 35%. All types of gambling are permitted in Macau, but the legal status of online gambling is in limbo. At present, Macau authorities do not issue online gambling licenses. But they do not prohibit online gambling either. So, it is difficult to know how much revenue China receives from online gambling.

In Hong Kong, gambling is legal in several regulated outlets, including casinos. As for sports betting, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has a monopoly. It has the highest level of profits from horse racing in the world.

Singapore

A law on partial gambling legalization was adopted in Singapore in 2006, allowing two casinos to open in the country. However, while foreign visitors can enter the casinos for free, local Singaporeans must pay a fee or buy an annual membership. But that has not deterred as many Singaporeans as the government had intended. Gambling revenues for Singapore surged quickly after the two casinos opened in 2010. In the first year of opening, the casinos had an estimated gross revenue of $6 billion. So, it looked like they would be joining the Macau casinos as the most popular and profitable in Asia. However, in 2019, the revenue of Singapore’s two casinos had dropped slightly to $5.9 billion. The reason for that seems to be primarily due to the emergence of competitive gambling markets in nearby countries.

As for online gambling, it is officially prohibited in Singapore. However, in 2016, two operators did manage to gain permission to run an online gambling business. The two operators do not have slots and table games, though. Their online gambling activities are limited to the lottery and sports betting.

World

A Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring the Right Personal Injury Lawyer

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

Michelle Langton

Are you dealing with injuries, loss of income, and hefty medical bills because of an accident that was not your fault? If yes, you need the services of an excellent personal injury lawyer. But how do you determine if a lawyer is a perfect match for your personal injury case when you have so many options? This step-by-step guide aims to teach you the critical steps to hiring the best personal injury lawyer in your state.

1. Know Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

Typically, you must hire the right personal injury lawyer if you are pursuing a lawsuit for personal injury. As defined on Forbes, a personal injury lawsuit is a civil action that an injured person takes against a person or company responsible for an accident that resulted in injuries.

For instance, you get into a car crash or slip and fall incident in the workplace because of someone else’s fault. You can sue the party responsible for injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and mental anguish.

But there are instances you may not need a personal injury attorney despite being in an accident. For example, a minor fender bender where no one sustained injuries or had their property damaged is easy to resolve without involving lawyers. So, after an accident, evaluate the damages incurred. If they are severe, search for a personal injury attorney.

2. Do Extensive Research

Where do I begin my search? Referrals are valuable because you can ask specific questions regarding the lawyer’s communication style, availability, litigation experience, and fee structure. So, ask family and friends to recommend someone they have worked with. Search for attorneys in your area online if you need referrals. You can type a simple search query like ‘personal injury attorney near me’ on Google. Alternatively, look for a lawyer through online directories.

3. Schedule Free Consultations

You want to know what a personal injury lawyer will do for you. Therefore, schedule a free consultation meeting and ask questions like:

What will you prioritize in my case?

The right attorney will focus on getting justice and fair compensation to ensure your stress-free recovery. Communication should also be a top priority. The lawyer should communicate with you using simple terms to help you understand your legal rights. More importantly, they should update you about the case progress on time.

Do you have experience handling cases like mine?

As lawyers at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo law firm mention, experienced personal injury attorneys will guide you through the legal process. Even more interesting, they will handle negotiations on your behalf to safeguard your rights. So, make sure your lawyer has experience in personal injury law.

It would be better if they had specialized experience handling cases like yours. For example, if you are pursuing a truck accident lawsuit, you will want a personal injury lawyer with expertise in dealing with trucking accident claims.

What is the value of my personal injury claim?

After evaluating your case, a skilled attorney should tell you the worth of your personal injury claim. What you should be cautious of are unrealistic estimates and guarantees. There are no assurances in personal injury claims. If a lawyer promises a higher settlement that sounds too good to be true, do not fall for it because they are lying.

How much are your legal fees?

Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. Based on Cornell Law School, a contingent fee structure allows lawyers to receive a certain percentage of the total settlement value a client wins. As a result, you do not pay your legal representative any upfront fee.

4. Check Testimonials

Aside from experience, work with a trustworthy and reputable attorney. You can quickly determine a lawyer has an outstanding reputation by reading testimonials from past clients.

Find out if the clients feel happy about the outcomes of their case. How about the style of communication? Does the lawyer explain legal terms in simple language?

A reputable lawyer will receive positive feedback from clients and respect from peers. Also, check with your local bar association to ensure your preferred lawyer doesn’t have disciplinary actions against them.

5. Select Your Lawyer

At this point, comfort matters a lot. Do not choose a lawyer you feel uncomfortable discussing your legal issues with. Also, ensure they have the experience and resources to win your personal injury claim. Equally important, they should have an excellent reputation.

Conclusion

When you are a victim of an accident that someone else caused out of negligence, you need to seek justice and compensation for your injuries. There is only one way to achieve these goals. You must work with the best lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim. True, choosing the right one can be challenging. But you can make an informed decision if you follow this step-by-step guide to hiring the right personal injury lawyer.