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If that’s not enough, Custom Market Insights estimates the global online casino market at $19.7 billion and expects it to grow to $56.8 billion by 2033. This is an anticipated CAGR of more than 12%, meaning more players will continue joining the industry in the coming days-and that also includes sports fans.

But why is it so? Why do you think sports fans find online casinos so appealing? Are innovations making modern play more engaging? Or are they the behavioral drivers that offer a sense of community and accomplishment? Well, if you want answers to these questions, then this write-up is for you.

The power of convenience and mobile-friendliness

Even the most passionate sports fan still has to deal with time, location and accessibility. Previously, you’d have to access a physical venue to gamble. But digital platforms have changed all that by allowing you to engage in your favorite casino game from anywhere at any time.

For fans dealing with tight schedules, this convenience is a total game-changer. Regardless of your engagements, you can seamlessly switch from cheering on your favorite team to placing a quick wager or spinning a few reels on your phone.

Coupling this with the increasing popularity of smartphones, you have a perfect recipe for uninterrupted entertainment. And unlike traditional gaming devices, smartphones are more flexible, as you can carry them around more easily. This makes the casino experience just a tap away. What’s even interesting is how operators align with the growing preference for mobile gambling by adopting responsive designs.

Responsive designs are handy because they use auto-adjusting layouts to guarantee seamless multi-screen access. This means players won’t need to worry about zooming or pinching websites when they switch to devices with small screens.

Since modern consumers rarely tolerate poor website experiences, you always want to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. As such, many online casinos have adopted responsive platforms, which is a big part of why sports lovers naturally gravitate toward them. Even data from Ucraft backs this up, claiming that 74% of web users will return to a website if it’s mobile-friendly.

Making the gameplay more captivating

As much as convenience is powerful, players want more than easy access. Modern online casinos know this and have mastered the art of keeping players hooked through immersive gameplay and engaging features like bonuses.

A good example of this can be seen in the FanDuel Casino review, which highlights how the platform is packed with numerous bonuses. Bonus features like welcome bonuses can help attract new customers and encourage them to complete registration.

Most operators have also incorporated more realistic game offerings like live dealers. The beauty of live dealers is that you can interact with human dealers remotely. Instead of computer-generated graphics and a random number generator (RNG) that determines outcomes in standard online casino games, live dealer games stream the action from a dedicated studio.

Games of this nature make gambling more realistic, bridging the gap between virtual and physical experiences. For sports lovers who thrive on live action, these games recreate that same adrenaline rush.

Other casinos have gone the extra mile to include sports-themed slots in their portfolios. Think of it this way: a player encounters a slot game with reels featuring cheering fans, flashing scoreboards, golden trophies and wild mascots.

Such games make gambling more relatable and can encourage exploration. It’s just like meeting a familiar face in an entirely new place. Everything suddenly feels homey just because you met someone you know. And now that sports-themed slots have become common, it’s logical to expect sports fans to be increasingly drawn to the casino industry.

Online casinos also prioritize excellent customer experiences

Since modern gamblers are more discerning, you don’t want to compromise on customer experience even for a second. After all, most of them will only return to your site if they have a great experience. It is no wonder that, according to Onramp, customer experience has overtaken product and price as the main area of competition for 89% of businesses. And this is no different in the online casino world.

Operators are now turning to seamless payment methods to ensure players can transact easily. Take options like blockchain-based payments, for instance. Blockchain’s decentralized nature eliminates the need for intermediary financial institutions, allowing players to deposit and withdraw funds quickly. Payment innovations of this kind can improve players’ overall satisfaction, which may lead to higher retention rates.

In addition to offering seamless payments, operators have also made responsive customer support a top priority. At least you won’t need to wait ages before receiving feedback on your queries. Most operators have also adopted multiple connecting points, such as live chat, email and even social media platforms, to ensure players can reach out through their preferred channels.

In short, online casinos are irresistible to sports fans because of how they perfectly combine accessibility, immersion and connection. From live dealer games that mimic the rush of a live match to the assurance of responsive customer support, the modern online casino offers sports enthusiasts a familiar yet fresh avenue to experience entertainment, which, in turn, encourages them to become loyal.

As SM Entertainment confirmed that Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin won’t be included in EXO’s upcoming fan meeting, their label INB100 reiterated that the trio want to participate in the event.

EXO made headlines after it was announced that they would resume their group activities with a fan meeting, although Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin (CBX) won’t be part of the lineup.

This led to a series of back-and-forths between SM and INB100, with the latter saying that the trio promised their fans to be part of the group’s future activities.

‘We sincerely apologize for the confusion and concern caused by the delay in announcing our position on whether CBX will participate in EXO’s full-group activities. INB100 and our artists Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin (hereinafter ‘CBX’) promised fans that, as members of EXO, they would take part in full-group activities, and we have been making every possible effort to honor that promise,’ INB100’s statement on Wednesday, Oct. 29, read, per reports.

INB100 added that it ‘intends to reach an agreement’ with SM so that the trio could promote with their group.

‘While we were making the above efforts for EXO’s full-group activities, we came across notices regarding an EXO fan meeting and a studio album announcement that excluded CBX. We apologize for the delayed response as we sought to ascertain SM’s intentions regarding the progress of the agreement in this unexpected situation,’ it said.

‘The CBX members have cherished above all the sincerity of the fans who have been with them for so long, and because they earnestly hoped for EXO’s full-group activities, they chose the path of reaching an agreement. Accordingly, we plan to finalize the terms for full-group activities as soon as possible,’ it continued.

In response to CBX, SM said an agreement between the trio was made, requiring the three of them to pay 10% of their revenue from their respective individual activities. However, a condition was ‘allegedly not carried out to date.’

A day later, INB100 reiterated that it would fulfill its ‘existing agreement’ with SM and ‘communicate directly’ with the group regarding further commitments.

‘We have made clear our intent to perform the existing agreement, have been communicating directly with the members, and have been working to be together as part of the team,’ it said.

‘We remain committed to paying 10 percent of revenue, and since litigation is currently underway, we plan to fulfill this once an agreement is reached and the legal procedures are concluded,’ it continued.

It remains unknown if Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin will be participating in EXO’s upcoming activities as a result.

It was also announced that an eighth album will be released in 2026.

Nine Philippine restaurants bagged a much-coveted ‘star’ rating as France-based Michelin Guide debuted in the archipelago in search of world-class culinary experiences.

Helm – a fining dining restaurant at Ayala Triangle, Makati run by Filipino-British chef Josh Boutwood – captured the highest rating of ‘Two Michelin Stars’ at the historical launch of 2026 Michelin Guide Selection in the Philippines.

Eight other local restaurants each got ‘One Michelin Star’. These are Asador Alfonso (Cavite), Celera (Makati), Gallery by Chele (Taguig), Hapag (Makati), Inato (Makati), Kasa Palma (Makati), Linamnam (Paranaque) and Toyo Eatery (Makati).

Michelin, a well-respected curator of dining and travel recommendations, has been independently inspecting outlets around the world in the last 125 years. Its inspectors visit the outlets incognito, pay their bill and decide the ratings as a team – all to maintain their independence.

108 outlets

Presented on Thursday night at Marriott Manila Hotel, the first edition of Michelin Guide in the Philippines featured a total of 108 local establishments, out of which nine earned stars, while others won special awards.

Gwendal Poullennec, international director of Michelin Guide, said: ‘This selection pays tribute to a new generation of Filipino chefs, and international chefs who have embraced the Philippines, drawing inspiration from local heritage, bold flavors, and heartfelt hospitality. Whether it’s fine dining or street-side eateries, our inspectors were truly impressed by the culinary authenticity and creativity found across the country.’

‘The warmth and genuine care of the Filipino people are woven into every experience, whether at casual eatery or fine dining establishments. It brings, always, a lasting impression,’ he said during the awarding ceremony.

Helm’s eight-course tasting menu

Michelin Guide describes Helm, which is part of The Bistro Group, as a modern restaurant that reflects Chef Boutwood’s mixed ancestry and Spanish influences.

‘Rather than leaning into predictable East-West fusion, Helm’s eight-course tasting menu defies easy labels. Each dish is guided by a deep respect for seasonality and local ingredients-a philosophy Boutwood honed during his time with Raymond Blanc in the UK. The result: meticulously crafted plates with artful presentations reminiscent of Noma in Denmark.’

In an interview with Inquirer, the 38-year-old Boutwood described the offering of 24-seater Helm as ‘theatrical dining.’

Menu is based on a certain theme, which is changed every four months. The current theme is based on colors. It also recently ran a theme inspired by Harry Potter.

‘This award is not just for me. It’s for our industry as a whole. Having Michelin come with a 2026 guide for the first time in the Philippines is absolutely phenomenal,’ Boutwood said.

One-star restaurants

The guide described the One Michelin Star local restaurants as follows:

Asador Alfonso: ‘Their ingredients are sourced directly from Spain to deliver authentic dishes that balance rustic simplicity with remarkable depth and character.’

Celera: ‘Two chef-owners craft contemporary Asian dishes that draw on influences from Japan, China, Singapore, and beyond.’

Gallery by Chele: ‘Culinary excellence meets environmental integrity at Gallery by Chele, from local sourcing and waste reduction to educating diners.’

Hapag: ‘Tapping into the full potential of local ingredients, Hapag brings a modern, sophisticated touch to traditional dishes.’

Inatô: ‘Ring the bell to enter a chic, intimate space where a sculptural marble counter seats eight guests facing the open kitchen.’

Kasa Palma: ‘The chef draws on French techniques and global influences – from Latin America to Southeast Asia – and makes good use of wood fire. Local ingredients go into expressive, refined dishes.’

Linamnam: ‘The chef welcomes just 10 diners into what was once his childhood bedroom – now transformed into an elegant dining space adorned with woven wall coverings, wooden floors, and Tiffany-style lamps.’

Toyo Eatery: ‘Toyo, Tagalog for soy sauce, hints at the restaurant’s appreciation of apparently simple items that in fact take time and are complex to craft.’

Bib Gourmand

Aside from the nine Michelin-star picks, there are ‘Bib Gourmand and 74 ‘Michelin Selected’ outlets.Bib Gourmand are described as the best value-for-money restaurants that offer a three-course meal at a reasonable price.

Michelin inspectors also list establishments that fully merit being included in the guide but don’t qualify for a star or a Bib Gourmand yet. These are the ‘Michelin Selected’ outlets.

A number of Bib Gourmand outlets are from Metro Manila: Bolero (BGC), Brick Corner (Taguig), Cabel (Manila), Em Hà N?i BGC), COCHI (BGC), Hálong (Makati), Kumba (Parañaque), La Pita (Makati), Lampara (Makati), Los Tacos (Taguig), Manam at the Triangle (Makati), Morning Sun Eatery (Quezon City), Palm Grill (Diliman, Quezon City), Pilya’s Kitchen (Makati), SOME THAI (Quezon City), Taqueria Franco (Makati), The Underbelly (Makati) and Your Local (Makati).Six others are from Cebu: Abaseria Deli and Cafe, CUR8, Esmen, Lasa, Pares Batchoy Food House and The Pig and Palm.

Special awards

In addition to the restaurant selections, the Michelin Guide in the Philippines presented three special awards.

The Michelin Guide Young Chef Award – which celebrates a rising talent who demonstrates ‘exceptional skill, creativity and leadership’ in the kitchen – is given to Don Patrick Baldosano of Linamnam (One Michelin Star).

At 27, Baldosano ‘transforms Filipino ingredients and traditions into innovative dishes, blending techniques like fermentation and aging to celebrate regional diversity,’ the guide said. Erin Recto of One Michelin Star Hapag won the Michelin Guide Service Award. ‘With experience in Australia, Portugal and the Philippines, Mrs. Recto combines her roles as operations director and sommelier, while actively engaging with guests, creating a welcoming space that highlights Filipino culture and hospitality,’ the guide said. Meanwhile, the Michelin Guide Exceptional CocktailsAward is given to Benjamin Leal from Uma Nota, one of the Michelin Selected outlets. ‘With a career spanning three continents, Mr. Leal has crafted a menu of inventive cocktails, blending Japanese, Brazilian and Southeast Asian influences using local ingredients, bringing fresh energy to the bar,’ the guide said.

Brandon Williams scored 20 and Dwight Powell scored 18 points as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Indiana Pacers 107-105 in the NBA on Wednesday night in a matchup of injured-depleted teams.

Indiana had a chance to win when Aaron Nesmith grabbed an offensive rebound after RayJ Dennis intentionally missed a second free throw with 3.4 seconds left, but Nesmith’s desperation 3-pointer missed.

Dallas’ bench contributed a season-high 64 points as the Mavericks (2-3) completed a season-opening five-game homestand, the longest since a five-gamer by the 1983-84 Kansas City Kings.

The Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in last summer’s NBA draft, had his second double-double with 15 points (most among Dallas starters) and 10 rebounds.

Pascal Siakam had 27 points and 13 rebounds and Jarace Walker scored a career-high 20 points for the Pacers, who are 0-4 for the first time since they opened the 1988-89 season with nine losses.

Dallas’ Anthony Davis left late in the first quarter with lower left-leg soreness and didn’t return. Davis was listed as available in the pregame injury report with bilateral Achilles tendinopathy. Coach Jason Kidd said Davis tried to return but the team didn’t want to take any chances and will see how he feels going forward.

Davis was making his second straight start at center instead of power forward with Dereck Lively II missing his second consecutive game with a knee sprain.

The Mavericks rallied from a 14-point deficit late in the half to take control with a 29-19 third period and led by as many as 12 points.

The Pacers finished a season-low 34.9% from the floor. They played without five of the regulars who helped them reach last season’s NBA Finals with Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin added this week to a lengthy injury list.

Williams scored his first points this season after being unavailable for Dallas’ previous two games after being arrested Saturday at DFW Airport on a charge of marijuana possession.

Powell, a 12th-year Maverick relegated to a minor role in recent seasons after being Dallas’ primary center, was serenaded with chants of ‘MVP! MVP!’ while taking free throws down the stretch.

The rate of change in the prices of goods that a typical Filipino household buys may have settled within the range of 1.4 percent to 2.2 percent in October, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The BSP said in a statement on Thursday that the upward price pressures in October may stem from higher prices of rice, fish, vegetables, and electricity, as well as the depreciation of the peso.

‘These pressures could be partially offset by lower prices of oil, meat and fruits,’ the central bank said.

The estimate means that inflation could be just about the same as in the previous month.

Inflation across the Philippines was pegged at 1.7 percent in September, which was also the average for the January-September period this year.

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday encouraged the visitors of the Manila North Cemetery to observe a peaceful commemoration of Undas for their departed loved ones.

Moreno made this statement as he inspected the 54-hectare cemetery, where around two million people are expected to flock to this Undas season.

Moreno reminded visitors to not bring sharp objects, alcoholic beverages, loud sound systems, and firearms as these will be confiscated upon entry.

‘If only those who are laid here could talk, they would want to spend their time with you peacefully,’ Moreno told reporters in an interview.

‘Maybe, that’s the atmosphere we should observe on November 1: visit our loved ones, offer something, particularly prayers,’ Moreno added.

According to the administration of the cemetery, it will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Sunday, November 2. Meanwhile, regular operations, such as interment, will resume on Monday, November 3.

Moreno also warned pickpockets who are planning to take advantage of the crowded situation of the cemetery.

‘Don’t ever attempt because if something untoward happens, you will be the ones visited by your family on November 1. We never know because I can’t stop the people who will come after you,’ he stressed.

In a separate interview on Thursday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said that no security threat has been monitored inside the cemetery so far. He shared that a total of 144 NCRPO personnel are deployed in six police assistance desks in the cemetery.

Aberin also said that they will assess if more police personnel are needed to secure the area to ensure peace and safety.

Mask up

Meanwhile, amid reports of cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI), Moreno encouraged cemetery visitors to wear masks, especially those who are immuno-compromised.

‘Nothing is wrong in wearing a mask if you’re not feeling well or maybe you have comorbidities,’ he said.

Though he said that wearing a mask will not be required, he said that wearing one will be for ‘comfort and convenience.’

The Department of Health earlier reported that it recorded a total of 6,457 ILI cases nationwide from September 28 to October 11. It noted that the figure was lower than the 10,740 cases logged during the previous two-week period from September 14 to September 27.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has trimmed down to just seven the total number of luxury vehicles owned by contractors Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya that will be auctioned off next month.

Customs spokesperson Chris Bendijo told reporters on Thursday that the Discayas have filed a voluntary forfeiture and would ‘no longer contest’ the seizure of seven of the 13 cars under BOC custody, after a warrant of seizure and detention was issued.

The seven vehicles were found to have no records of import entry or certificates of payment. These are the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes-Benz G63 and G500, Lincoln Navigator L, and Toyota Tundra and Sequoia.

‘That means they are waiving their entire ownership of the vehicles, but they are reserving their right to go after the importers and the car dealers,’ Bendijo explained.

This also means that the commission would push through with the original schedule of the public auction on Nov. 15, he added, noting that the BOC is planning to livestream the event.

For the other six luxury vehicles, which were found to have import documents but questionable payment records, the Discayas submitted a ‘position paper’ to challenge the BOC seizure order.

‘They are offering a compromise penalty, and that is being considered by the legal division already,’ Bendijo noted.

The penalties would include charges on top of a 20-percent fine of the landed cost, which includes costs for transportation, production, and insurance.

BOC estimates the total value of the 13 seized cars at about ?200 million, the customs official said.

Proceeds from the public auction of Discaya-owned cars would be placed in the forfeiture fund of the BOC before being reverted to the National Treasury, he noted.

Undas is the season when we remember our departed families and loved ones.

But flowers and remembering are not only for humans. It is also for those that likewise brought joy to our lives when they were still here with us.

Like our beloved pets.

In Brgy. Fortune, Marikina City, there is a public cemetery dedicated to fur babies who have already crossed the rainbow bridge.

Named as Brgy. Fortune Pet Memorial Garden, the cemetery was founded by then Barangay Captain and now barangay councilor Rizalina Teope in 2020.

In an interview with the INQUIRER, Teope said she decided to push the creation of a public cemetery in their barangay when she was still the captain after she noticed the increasing number of dead animals-many of them are strays-that are simply thrown into crates, rivers, open spaces, and garbage dumps.

‘I said, why don’t we build a cemetery for pets, since we already have a large area for materials recovery facilities?’ she said in Filipino.

Teope said she is thankful that since its creation five years ago, the cemetery has become an avenue for fur parents to give their fur babies a proper burial.

Currently, there are already 7,000 fur babies buried in the cemetery, not only from residents in Marikina but also from other areas in Metro Manila.

‘In a day, it seems like we have about 5 to 7 funerals. That’s just in a day. So we see the need of fur parents for an affordable and decent final resting place for their beloved pets,’ she said.

For a departed fur baby to be buried at the pet cemetery, there would be a P300 fee for Marikina residents and a P500 fee for those outside the city.

The burial is with a tombstone where the name of the fur baby and the years they were born and died are engraved on it. The rental for the tombstone would be for a year.

Teope said they are also planning to have a columbarium at the pet cemetery so that fur parents would have an option if they want to cremate their departed fur loved ones.

Aside from this, their Pet Memorial Wall is ongoing for those who have been buried for a long time.

‘Prayers for the departed fur babies’

Before the burial, the fur parents can opt to make a simple ritual or prayer at the altar in the pet cemetery. The pet cemetery’s staff would inaugurate the simple prayer ceremony.

One of the caretakers who is tasked to lead the prayer for the departed fur babies is Ruby Frogo, 52.

Frogo told the INQUIRER that the role she is having now in the pet cemetery is special since she is a pet lover herself.

‘When I see the crying [of those who buried their pets], my tears really flow too, because I feel the pain they are feeling, because I am also a pet lover,’ she said.

During Undas, fur parents visit the pet cemetery to bring flowers and light candles on the remains of their fur babies – once again remembering how their wagging tails and paws meant so much to them.

Traffic over the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) – Metro Manila’s land gateways to northern and southern provinces – have started to build up as more individuals start returning to their provincial homes for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Updates from the NLEx Corporation on Thursday evening, October 30, 2025, showed that the Balintawak Toll Plaza at the northbound lane is experiencing heavy traffic due to the high volume of vehicles moving north.

According to the update, posted after 6:00 p.m., estimated vehicle speed after the Balintawak Toll Plaza ranges from just 10 kilometers per hour (kph) to 20 kph.

The Toll Regulatory Board also posted a video over SLEx’s Southwoods area, showing that the southbound lane enjoys light traffic, while the northbound lane is already slow-moving.

A separate update from SLEx-MATES showed that traffic build-up has reached the following length at these areas:

Skyway northbound lane

Bicutan area: tail end at approximately 3 kilometers

Sucat area: tail end at approximately 1 kilometers

Skyway Main (Bravo from Extension): tail end at approximately 3 kilometers

Skyway southbound lane:

Magallanes/Sales area: tail end at approximately 3 kilometers

Runway area: tail end at approximately 2 kilometers

Dona Soledad exit: tail end at approximately 3 kilometers

SLEx at-grade level northbound lane:

Bicutan exit: tail end at approximately 3.5 kilometers

Sucat area: tail end at approximately 4.5 kilometers

SLEx at-grade level southbound lane:

Bicutan exit: tail end at approximately 3.5 kilometers

Aside from NLEx and SLEx, traffic is also getting heavier at the NAIAx, which connects SLEx and the Skyway Stage 3 to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminals eastbound lane:

Electrical road area: tail end at approximately 1.5 kilometers

Old NAIAx (going to Makati): tail end at approximately 800 meters

Skyway Stage 3 northbound lane:

Quezon Ave. exit: tail end at approximately 5 kilometers

Del Monte Toll Plaza: tail end at approximately 200 meters

Balintawak offramp: tail end at approximately 200 meters

Skyway Stage 3 southbound lane:

Buendia area: tail end at approximately 4 kilometers

Local government units (LGUs) and police authorities across Eastern Visayas have issued guidelines to ensure peace, order, and safety as thousands are expected to visit cemeteries for the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

Among the key prohibitions are the wearing of backpacks, bringing and or drinking alcoholic beverages, possessing pointed objects or unauthorized firearms, and playing loud music within cemetery premises. Authorities reminded the public that these restrictions are aimed at maintaining solemnity and preventing untoward incidents during the two-day observance.

In Calbayog City, Samar, Mayor Raymund Uy directed cemetery visitors to observe proper waste disposal. Trash bins have been placed inside cemeteries, while visiting hours will be from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. only.

In Palo, Leyte, the local government has installed additional lighting and power supply in cemeteries to improve visibility and ensure visitors’ safety, especially at night.

In Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez issued an advisory for half-day work on Thursday, October 30, giving city government employees more time to prepare and visit their departed loved ones.

Meanwhile, in Catarman, Northern Samar, visitors have been advised to bring their own drinking water to prevent dehydration and to carry sanitizers, alcohol, and umbrellas for protection against the heat. As a health precaution, wearing face masks in crowded areas was also encouraged.

Authorities across the region have assured the public of increased police presence and emergency response teams during the long weekend, as thousands are expected to flock to cemeteries and memorial parks for the annual ‘Undas’ observance.