Asia
Alibaba, Tencent, SoftBank Invest in India’s Gambling Loopholes
Tencent Holdings, Alibaba Group and SoftBank Group are investing millions of dollars in Indian apps that use loopholes in anti-gambling laws to offer bettors cash prizes, vacations to Macau and new iPhones.
About 300 million players use apps such as Dream11, Play Games24x7, Paytm First Games and FanFight to gamble on “fantasy cricket” and rummy card games. Industry sales are forecast to reach about $3.3 billion by 2024, prompting India’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, to say the business eventually will surpass that of music, movies and TV shows combined.
“India is sweetly positioned to exponentially grow the gaming industry. The online platform has a very strong outlook considering India has the world’s largest youth population and the second-largest internet penetration,” Vishal Seth, a managing director overseeing mergers and acquisitions for Protiviti India, said.
While e-commerce and video streaming are gaining in popularity, online gaming is considered a better business proposition because individual transactions are immediately profitable. That is because operators do not have to invest much in building up logistics, inventory or content.
The boom is driven by Indians who prefer vying for cash and prizes as better use of their online time than watching movies or playing video games that do not offer any rewards.
More than a third of India’s 1.3 billion people are internet users, and most of that is via budget smartphones with cheap data-usage plans. Before the coronavirus outbreak crushed the global economy, the local smartphone market was growing at a 10% rate.
As much as 90% of gaming in India happens on phones, said Girish Menon, head of media and entertainment for KPMG in Mumbai.
“That is attractive to Alibaba and Tencent because their entire ecosystem is developed around mobile phones. The time spent on gaming is far higher than any other form of entertainment,” he said.
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Asia
GG.BET is inviting BLAST Premier: World Final attendees to the GG.BOOTH to take part in some fun activities
From October 30 to November 3, the BLAST Premier: World Final 2024 will be held at the Resorts World Convention Centre on Sentosa island in Singapore. GG.BET, the tournament’s exclusive betting partner, is inviting the arena’s attendees over to the GG.BOOTH during the playoff to bag some unique merch and join in some fun activities, including autograph sessions with the teams. GG.BET also has a special 200% deposit bonus and a freebet lined up for its users.
The World Final is the concluding stage of the 2024 Counter-Strike 2 tournament season in the world-famous BLAST Premier series. In the final, the strongest 8 teams will butt heads, with 6 advancing to the playoff and battling it out in a LAN tournament for a $1,000,000 prize pool.
GG.BET have created a special area so that fans can have an even more amazing experience at the playoffs, from November 1-3. Here, you’ll be able to take photos to remember the event by and create posters to support your favorite team. Don’t forget to grab some merch so you stand out from the crowd. You’ll find the GG.BOOTH on the left as you enter the Resorts World Convention Centre via the main entrance.
There’ll be activities going on at this spot with a host and GG.BET brand ambassadors, as well as autograph sessions with the teams. More details about the activities will be posted on the GG.BET pages on Х and Instagram. Make sure to follow so you don’t miss a thing!
GG.BET is also offering its users a special bonus for BLAST Premier: World Final 2024: a 200% deposit bonus and a $50 freebet.
How to use your bonus on GG.BET:
- Register on the GG.BET website or log in to an existing account.
- Activate this offer in the Bonuses section.
- Make a deposit of at least $20 to get a bonus of up to 200% and a freebet.
This offer is available from 00:00 (UTC+0) on 30 October 2024 to 23:59 (UTC+0) on 03 November 2024.
In 2024, BLAST Premier and international betting brand GG.BET entered into an exclusive one-year partnership. For the entire tournament season, GG.BET has been organizing exciting online and offline activities for Counter-Strike 2 fans, as well as creating exclusive content featuring the players.
The post GG.BET is inviting BLAST Premier: World Final attendees to the GG.BOOTH to take part in some fun activities appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Skillhub Online Games Federation forges strategic partnership with IESF to bring International Esports Championships to India
The Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) with the support of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports is aiming to bring the prestigious International Esports Championships to India for the first time, marking a major milestone for the country’s burgeoning esports industry. In a strategic move to position India as a global leader in online competitive and skill-based gaming, SOGF is working closely with the International Esports Federation (IESF) to organise world-class tournaments on Indian soil.
In a pivotal meeting last week, representatives from the SOGF and the IESF General Secretary, Boban Totovski, jointly called upon the Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, to discuss their milestone partnership aimed at shaping the future of India’s esports ecosystem.
In the meeting, the Hon’ble Sports Minister expressed strong support for SOGF and IESF’s initiative to introduce world-class esports programmes in India, emphasising the significance of developing the ecosystem and providing Indian athletes with international opportunities. He also endorsed SOGF’s efforts to regulate the esports and skill-based gaming ecosystem, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering a fair and competitive environment for the industry’s growth.
Shankar Aggarwal, President of SOGF said, “We are extremely thankful to the government and IESF for turning things around in such a short period of time. India’s potential in esports is immense, and this collaboration has the power to transform the esports landscape in the country. Not only will it broaden the reach of esports in India, but it will also pave the way for top-tier international competitions to be hosted in the country. With the support of the government and international bodies like IESF, we aim to foster a fair and thriving ecosystem. Our commitment is to nurture talent, regulate the industry, and ensure that Indian athletes have every opportunity to excel on the global stage.”
SOGF comprises Olympians, former high-ranking officials including former CJI and SC Judges, civil servants, and industry veterans, ensuring robust governance; it is further strengthened by its 29 associate state bodies, reflecting nationwide support for such initiatives. It is dedicated to ensuring fair competition, fostering transparency, and nurturing talent to represent India globally thereby emphasising fairness, collaboration, and sustainable long-term growth for India’s online gaming industry.
To champion online games including esports and to revolutionise the way gaming and esports are perceived in India, the SOG Federation has also joined hands with the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), an umbrella organisation for global governing bodies of mind and skill-based sports, and the Global Esports Federation (GEF).
Boban Totovski, General Secretary, IESF said, “Supporting the growth and development of Esports communities around the world has always been one of the IESF’s key missions. We’re glad to see that SOGF shares the same values and is dedicated to working toward the same vision in India. We are very excited that our new pro-series, which we are organising, will kick off here, and we believe SOGF is a great partner for the project while unlocking opportunities for athletes, development and esports enthusiasts.”
Furthermore, the partnership between SOGF and IESF, supported by the Government of India, marks a positive step toward becoming a global leader in the space, especially with the much-anticipated Olympic Esports Games now in the mix. This collaboration aligns with India’s growing focus on international esports and the opportunities ahead for its athletes.
The post Skillhub Online Games Federation forges strategic partnership with IESF to bring International Esports Championships to India appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
WorldMatch Announces Strategic Partnership with KGI
WorldMatch, leading provider of premium online gaming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with KGI, marking a significant milestone in its expansion into the Philippine market. The collaboration with KGI represents WorldMatch’s inaugural and exclusive direct client in the Philippines, positioning the company as a key player in this burgeoning market.
As part of this partnership, WorldMatch has obtained certification for its games by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), ensuring compliance with local regulations and standards. This certification underscores WorldMatch’s commitment to providing high-quality gaming content that meets the strict requirements of regulated markets.
“The partnership with KGI and the certification by PAGCOR mark a pivotal moment for WorldMatch. Entering the Philippine market represents a significant opportunity for us to expand our presence in a regulated and rapidly growing industry. We are excited to collaborate with KGI and deliver our cutting-edge gaming solutions to players in the region,” said Xhuljana Demerxhiu, Head of Sales at WorldMatch.
The Philippines is a key market for the online gaming industry, with its robust regulatory framework and growing demand for innovative gaming experiences. By partnering with KGI and obtaining PAGCOR certification, WorldMatch is poised to capitalize on this opportunity and establish a strong foothold in the region.
Mr. Marvin A. Tort, President of KGI, said: “KGI is looking forward to this collaboration with WorldMatch, which is well known for its innovative gaming products with engaging gameplay. We are proud to be their partner in this region.”
The post WorldMatch Announces Strategic Partnership with KGI appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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