The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to make history as the first professional basketball league to introduce a 4-point shot. This bold move aims to refresh the game. However reactions from the basketball community have been divided with some fans viewing it as an exciting innovation, while others see it as a short-lived trend. Indeed this decision has ignited a national debate in the Phillipines and passionate opinions are flooding social media and newspapers.

Amidst the ongoing debate, the PBA recently received support for its decision to introduce the 4-point shot into official games. The approval comes from the Harlem Globetrotters, the team that first popularised the 4-point shot during exhibition games.

In a press conference held at Novotel Manila on 29 July, Moose Weekes of the Harlem Globetrotters expressed his support for the PBA’s move, stating, “All I can say is it’s about time.”

“But you know we introduced that (4-point line) in 2010…so we’ve been doing this for over a decade. So just to see a professional league to actually add it is amazing. Just shows how far we’ve come to,” Wham Middleton, whom Weekes claimed to be the 4-point specialist of their team, added.

The PBA first brought in the 4-pointer during the 2023 All-Star Game in Passi, Iloilo and again in last season’s edition in Bacolod.

The 4-point shot could fundamentally alter the game, injecting a new level of excitement. Initially, it may serve as an emergency tool for teams trying to catch up. But it might also evolve into a regular feature of offensive game plans. This innovation could add a thrilling new dimension to the sport and potentially become a global trend, as it is sparking the interest of basketball enthusiasts worldwide.

“The league will take the opportunity to experiment new rules and rule interpretations with the objective of improving the PBA game and make it even more exciting.”

– Willie Marcial, PBA commissioner

Alfrancis Chua, who was recently elected Vice Chairman of the PBA Board, voiced his support for the rule change stating that the new rule opened up defensive formations, and increased the overall pace of the game.

Critics have been expressing doubts about the necessity of a 4-point shot as it may impact the speed of the game. Some studies suggest that focusing on officiating rules may be a more effective approach.

Despite scepticism, the 4-point shot will surely lead to strategic thinking in basketball. Coaches will need to rethink their defensive schemes to cover the new 4-point line with players refining their skills to avoid costly fouls. The new rule could also add another layer to fast breaks and overall game strategy, inviting a deeper level of engagement from players and coaches alike.

As the season unfolds, fans and players will witness the impact of this bold experiment on the game they love.

The PBA will introduce a 4-point shot as a new scoring option in the upcoming season, which begins on 18 August. The new rule will establish an arc 27 feet from the rim, allowing players to earn 4 points for shots from beyond this distance. This decision was made during the league’s annual planning session in Osaka, Japan, and is part of several new rules to make the game more exciting for the 49th season.

Birth of a bold idea or a comeback from the 80s?

The 4-point shot isn’t entirely new. In the 1980s, it was used as a reward for consistent three-point shooting, offering extra points.

The first professional league to use a 4-point basket was the defunct American Basketball Association (ABA) in the 2000s, where half-court shots were valued at 4-points. The ABA also introduced the three-point shot in the 1970s, which was initially met with scepticism but later became integral to the game. In 1998, the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) experimented with alternative scoring rules, offering an uncontested three-point attempt instead of two free throws. This highlighted the potential impact of the PBA’s new 4-point shot rule.

In 2018, NBA teams like the Milwaukee Bucks began incorporating 4-point lines into their practice facilities. The concept was even integrated during the 2019 All-Star Celebrity Game.

Making the 4-point shot a regular thing quickly became the talk of the town upon confirmation of the development, drawing mixed reactions.

Some fans questioned why it was quickly approved when they think there are better ways to attract a live audience again.

For example, notable figures like Coach Tim Cone has expressed reservations, while WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu has shown support. Former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala called for patience, suggesting that the league should address more pressing issues like farm teams and salary caps.

With the introduction of the 27-foot 4-point line, the dynamics of long-distance shooting in basketball will without doubt experience transformations. Historically, women have demonstrated higher accuracy from long distances due to their shooting technique, which relies on a push-up style. The increased distance with the introduction of the 4-point line may necessitate male players to modify their shooting techniques for the same level of accuracy and effectiveness. This adjustment could have a significant impact on the style and strategy of the game.

Many people support this idea because they believe it could increase competition among the top three-point shooters in the league, encouraging them to expand their shooting range. It could also lead to big men extending their perimeter defence, giving them more opportunity to dominate the area near the basket.

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A new study finds that marginalised and socially excluded groups are more likely to gamble and use it as a way to cope with discrimination and loneliness. The study was funded by GambleAware, a well-known UK charity that aims to reduce gambling harms in the country.

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), commissioned by GambleAware, explored how socially excluded groups are affected by gambling. The target groups were impoverished people at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness, older adults, people living with disabilities or mental health challenges, criminalised or marginalised communities (including sex workers and people who use drugs), people with experience of unemployment or insecure employment, and migrants living in precarious situations.

Despite their differences, these groups shared a common trait: they used gambling as a way to cope with social exclusion and issues such as loneliness, mental health challenges, stress related to migration and assimilation, unemployment, job security challenges, and poverty.

Drivers of gambling for marginalised groups

Gambling is viewed by these populations not only as a distraction from their problems but also as a potential solution, with the hope of winning a significant amount of money.

The study also revealed a “disproportionate concentration of gambling venues in more deprived areas in Great Britain,” thereby creating an incentive to play for those populations and offering entertainment in places where other activities are scarcer.

Gambling venues are often seen as accessible and inclusive compared to other social or entertainment options that may exclude people from these communities due to physical mobility issues, health concerns, language barriers, etc. For some individuals, such as those experiencing homelessness, these venues can also provide a safe and warm space.

There is some evidence that the gambling industry’s actions, like marketing techniques, exacerbate these drivers.

Financial motivations also play an important role, especially for those with no or low incomes, pensions, or financial responsibilities like caring for dependents in another country and for people who experience or are at risk of homelessness.

For older adults and other marginalised groups suffering from loneliness, gambling was described as a way to cope with the need for social connection and entertainment.

Greater risk of gambling harms

For most of these groups, the risk of gambling harm is greater than for the overall population, reads the study.

Zoë Osmond, Chief Executive of GambleAware, explained: “Our new report shows how people from marginalised communities, who are already dealing with many different issues in their lives, struggle with gambling harms. There needs to be more engagement with these communities to build awareness around the risks of gambling harm, and service providers need to ensure they can appropriately meet the needs of people in different circumstances.”

Harder to seek help

These populations are less likely to get help when they confront gambling harms, reveals the study. One reason is that they face stigma associated with their situations, such as being drug users or homeless, which makes them less likely to seek or receive help when needed.

Another barrier to accessing gambling support is the fear arising from past negative experiences with other healthcare or support services.

The study suggests addressing this issue by integrating gambling harm treatment into existing services rather than adding more points of contact. This approach involves training workers in public health services, charities, and social care to handle gambling-related issues. Overall, the study explains that services should be more inclusive and accessible, taking into account the socio-economic factors contributing to gambling harms rather than solely focusing on individual responsibility.

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The pioneering initiative that has just been announced by the UAE signifies a transformative shift for the gaming industry in the MENA region and indicates that the UAE is cultivating the road to a clear, equitable, and well-regulated gaming space.

Dr. Joseph F. Borg, a trusted voice in the gaming industry and co-head of WH Partners’ UAE desk, has long been providing insightful commentary on the evolving regulatory landscape in the United Arab Emirates.

Today, he shares his thoughts with SiGMA News on this landmark development that is set to redefine the gaming industry in the UAE – the regulation of the country’s national lottery.

Dr. Borg’s astute analysis guides helps us to understand the implications of this major announcement and its potential impact on the future of gaming in the UAE. Borg said that this indeed is the beginning of a significant shift which is led by the Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) in the Middle East’s gambling industry. He explained that GCGRA’s main objective is to issue licences to integrated resorts, starting with Wynn in Ras Al Khaimah.

“Although the exact parameters of the framework are not yet public, there is no doubt that this is only the first step of the transformation of the gambling industry in the Middle East.”
– Dr JOSEPH F BORG 

This initiative is part of a wider strategy to diversify the UAE’s economy and enhance its tourism sector. The integrated resorts, which amalgamate hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and casinos, are anticipated to attract tourists globally.

In addition to terrestrial casinos, Borg said that the GCGRA is also establishing a limited framework for online gambling. This significant step acknowledges the rising popularity of online gaming and its potential as a revenue generator.

Strict regulations and visitor-focused services

Borg believes that the UAE Lottery will play a pivotal role in this new landscape. Similar to other gaming operators that will be licensed in the UAE, he added, the UAE Lottery will be able to offer its services to tourists and residents. However, he pointed out that these services will not be accessible to Emirati citizens.

Borg reiterated that while the exact parameters of this new regulatory framework are not yet public, the GCGRA has made it clear that it aims to create a socially responsible and well-regulated gaming environment. This includes the implementation of strict guidelines and ensuring that all participants adhere to the highest standards.

The UAE is on the brink of a major transformation of its gambling industry. The establishment of the GCGRA, the licensing of integrated resorts, and the introduction of a limited framework for online gambling are all steps towards creating a vibrant and regulated gaming sector in the UAE. This transformation is expected to have substantial economic and social impacts, contributing to the UAE’s growth and diversification.

SiGMA News spoke with Joseph F. Borg who heads the Fintech, iGaming and Gambling practices at WH Partners and co-heads the WH UAE Desk. A lawyer by profession, he previously served as Chief Regulatory Officer at the Lotteries and Gaming Authority – Malta and was a Legal Counsel at Vodafone Malta Limited. Borg is a General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law, a lecturer at the University of Malta, and Vice-President of Bitmalta.

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The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed many industries including iGaming. For many firms in the industry, the technology is either being used or explored to enhance user or gamer experience.  

Speaking with SiGMA News after winning SiGMA Asia Rising Star Award 2024, K36 CEO Truman Chia delved into the transformative role of AI in the iGaming industry. K36, despite being a young company of just a year and a half, has made headway in the industry, largely due to its commitment to integrating AI into its operations.  

“We are a B2B iGaming platform provider, and we are an AI-driven company,” Chia said while attributing the company’s rapid growth to their heavy investment in AI methods since their inception in 2023.   

“We normally put 30 percent of our revenue each month into our AI research lab. That’s why we believe that’s the future of a software engineering company,” Chia explained. This substantial investment in AI research and development underscores K36’s belief in AI as the cornerstone of their business model and growth strategy.  

The integration of AI in iGaming  

K36’s top executive also elaborated on AI’s multifaceted impact. “In the iGaming field, 90 percent of it is in the software world,” he said. He highlighted three key elements essential for the industry’s future: computing power, electric power, and data. Chia emphasised the importance of data, stating, “As a turnkey solution company, we have a lot of data around the world, the client, and the provider. How we use those data to transform it as a strength to get an advantage as a company is our goal.”  

AI: A tool, not a threat   

One common concern with AI is its potential to threaten jobs. Chia addressed this apprehension directly, suggesting a more optimistic outlook. “We have a department that’s AI-driven, training our own AI agents to serve as junior engineers. This means everyone can level up to the next level, solving problems on a higher layer,” he said. Chia reassured that AI would not replace humans but augment their capabilities, enabling them to focus on more complex and creative tasks.  

AI: The fifth industrial revolution  

Chia went on to describe AI as “the fifth revolution in the industry,” predicting that AI will become an integral part of our daily interactions. “AI is a tool, it’s how we extend our wisdom. In the future, AI will become a part of us that we can communicate with, solving problems and helping us,” he predicted. This vision of AI as a collaborative partner rather than a mere tool is central to K36’s forward-thinking approach.  

Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs  

Reflecting on K36’s journey, Chia offered advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. “Be part of this change, be part of this revolution,” he urged. He stressed the importance of focusing on business departments that connect people, such as HR and account management. “How you maintain or engage with your client is something AI cannot take away. You have to build trust and engagement,” Chia emphasised. He highlighted the value of human interaction and trust-building, which remain irreplaceable by AI.  

Recognised as SiGMA Asia‘s Industry Rising Star, Chia said K36 exemplifies how integrating cutting-edge technology can drive rapid growth and transformation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu1cweU4VdA

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