Asia
Rising cash payments in India secured by Spectral Technology
Despite India’s government implementing schemes, such as the demonetisation of all 500 and 1000-rupee notes in 2016, to encourage the country to go cashless, there is still high demand for banknotes. According to the Global Cash Index
Commenting on the popularity of cash in the region Marcus Tiedt, Sales & Marketing Director of Innovative Technology Ltd (ITL) said, “With over a billion people living in India a large percentage of them still transact in cash and are not part of the official tax network. Also, the infrastructure required to go cashless needs years to catch up and be reliable, and therefore a cashless society is not currently achievable in the short term. Working closely with Chevend, our Trading Partner in the region for the past four years, we are meeting market and consumer demand to ensure that cash can be used as the preferred method of payment both securely and efficiently.”
Andy Bassam, VP of Customer Support for ITL commented, “We foresee that our latest products with the added benefit of Spectral technology will begin to see more and more demand. We work hard with Ammaar, who heads up our partnership at Chevend, to ensure that we optimise datasets and acceptance rates on our products. The National Bank release banknotes on a yearly basis and notes in circulation can wear quickly, so keeping datasets up to date is imperative. Another major challenge in India is that the banks do not allow customers to redeem damaged and stained banknotes. This issue can be overcome by using ITL products that utilise our Spectral Technology to ensuremachines do not accept banknotes that have been damaged or stained by anti-theft devices.”
CHEVEND TECHNOLOGIES PVT. LTD based in India, are the proud pioneers of the Automatic Vending Concept in India and although vending is their core competence, their payment systems division has grown in prominence and turnover over the years and they provide payment systems to customers within the Kiosks and Banking sectors.
Commenting on the Trading Partnership, Ammaar Huseini, Director at Chevend said, “We have been collaborating directly with ITL to provide their state-of-the-art cash validation products to customers throughout the whole of India since 2016. We also have an office in Dubai, so are helping to extend ITL’s reach throughout the Middle East. We offer support for a wide range ofproducts including the NV9, NV11, NV200 and BV20 where uptake in the region is substantial giving Innovative Technology significant share of the vending market. We are delighted to have secured a significant tender for the NV10 compact, stackerless banknote validator recently to be used in government payment terminals. Looking forward, we are beginning to promote ITL’s Spectral range of note validators and recyclers to help businesses in the region reject ink-stained banknotes.”
Concluding Andy said, “We have a really good relationship with Chevend, and with Ammaar’s comprehensive local knowledge in the region I look forward to many more years working in partnership together.”
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Asia
Esports Foundation opens 2026 co-streaming Creator Program with $2m rewards pool
The Esports Foundation (EF) has opened applications for its 2026 Creator Program, committing $2 million (~INR 19 crore) in rewards for co-streamers supporting the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Paris and the Esports Nations Cup (ENC) 2026 in Riyadh. EF announced the program on June 12, 2026, from Paris and Riyadh, and said applications are open now, including for creators across India.
EF said co-streaming was a key driver of EWC reach last year, citing 3,500 co-streamers as “one of the key growth pillars” for EWC viewership in 2025. The Foundation is positioning the 2026 Creator Program as a scaled-up initiative, targeting 5,000 creators “across new regions and platforms.”
“This isn’t just an esports trend; it’s a media trend,” said Wasae Imran, Director Broadcast & Distribution at the Esports Foundation. “Across music, video, news and sport, audiences don’t just watch what they’re given anymore. They choose their own experience: what to watch, where to focus, and how deep to go. Esports just lives further down that road than most, and traditional sport is heading the same way. It’s not about delivering a match in one format, it’s about opening up every way into the same moment and letting fans choose how they want to consume it. The Creators Program is how we build for that, by enabling the growth of creators that fans already trust to carry the world’s biggest esports event into every community.”
According to EF, approved creators can co-stream selected tournaments, complete missions, and progress a “Battle Pass” tied to rewards ranging from gift cards and hardware to platform perks and invitations to EWC and ENC. EF said the program supports multiple streaming platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, Bilibili, Huya, and CHZZK.
EF also confirmed operational details for EWC 2026: the event is set for Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from July 6 through August 23, featuring more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries across 25 tournaments and 24 games, with a $75 million+ prize pool. ENC 2026 is scheduled for November in Riyadh and will extend the creator program to a nation-based competition format.
The post Esports Foundation opens 2026 co-streaming Creator Program with $2m rewards pool appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
8MBets
Himalayan Harmony Group Announces 2026 Nepal Online Casino Portfolio with Six Licensed Brands
Himalayan Harmony Group (HHG) has announced its 2026 portfolio of Nepal online casino brands, introducing six platforms that operate under Curacao Gaming Licenses with native Nepali language interfaces and integrated local payment options through eSewa and Khalti.
The Kathmandu-based management entity oversees and partners with the following six online casino brands: 8MBets Online Casino Nepal, MJ88 Online Casino Nepal, NPR77 Online Casino Nepal, Magar33 Online Casino Nepal, eSewa12 Casino Nepal and AW33. All six brands fall under the Himalayan Harmony Group umbrella, each operating as a distinct platform while sharing a common foundation of Curacao licensing and features built specifically for Nepalese players.
“Our commitment is to provide Nepalese players with a secure, localized, and premium online gaming experience. Each brand in our portfolio features Nepali language interfaces and direct integration with eSewa and Khalti, ensuring our platforms match how players in Nepal prefer to engage and transact,” said a Himalayan Harmony Group spokesperson.
Curacao Gaming Licenses and Localised Infrastructure
Each of the six brands — 8MBets, MJ88, NPR77, Magar33, eSewa12 and AW33 — holds a Curacao Gaming License, providing players with a licensed and regulated environment for online gaming activity. Beyond licensing, the platforms are built with seamless Nepali language interfaces that allow players to navigate, register and play without language barriers, rather than relying on translated overlays from other markets.
Local Payment Integration Through eSewa and Khalti
A central feature of the portfolio is expert integration with eSewa and Khalti, two of Nepal’s most widely used digital payment gateways. Players across all six platforms can manage deposits and withdrawals through these familiar local methods, enabling secure account management without the need for international payment processors or currency conversion.
FIFA Betting Opportunities Across All Six Brands
With the 2026 portfolio timed alongside upcoming FIFA events, all six brands will offer betting options for FIFA matches. Players can place bets across 8MBets, MJ88, NPR77, Magar33, eSewa12 and AW33 for opportunities to win prizes during major international football tournaments.
A Portfolio Built for the Nepalese Market
The consolidated portfolio gives Nepalese players access to multiple distinct Nepal online casino platforms, each maintaining its own identity and interface. Whether players choose 8MBets, MJ88, NPR77, Magar33, eSewa12 or AW33, they benefit from the same Curacao-licensed framework, Nepali language support and local payment infrastructure managed by Himalayan Harmony Group.
The post Himalayan Harmony Group Announces 2026 Nepal Online Casino Portfolio with Six Licensed Brands appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
PhilWeb Showcases Technology-Driven Growth Vision at SiGMA Asia 2026
PhilWeb Corporation has reinforced its position as a technology-driven company at SiGMA Asia 2026, highlighting its continuing transformation through digital innovation, scalable platform solutions and strategic technology investments aligned with the rapidly evolving digital economy in Asia.
As one of the Philippines’ established technology and platform providers, PhilWeb participated in SiGMA Asia 2026 to showcase its long-term vision centered on digital infrastructure, operational scalability, customer engagement technologies and future-ready platform development. The company’s presence at the international event reflects its broader strategy of strengthening its role within the growing technology, digital entertainment and fintech ecosystem in the region.
With more than 25 years of operational experience, PhilWeb continues to evolve alongside changing market demands and technological advancements. Over the years, the company has steadily expanded its capabilities through investments in platform modernization, integrated digital systems, payment technologies and data-driven operational tools designed to support scalable and efficient business operations.
As industries across Asia continue to undergo digital transformation, PhilWeb sees increasing opportunities in technology-enabled ecosystems where connectivity, automation, customer experience and operational efficiency play increasingly important roles in long-term business growth.
At SiGMA Asia 2026, the company highlighted initiatives focused on strengthening its digital ecosystem through improved platform capabilities, enhanced payment integration infrastructure and technology solutions designed to support seamless experiences across both physical and digital customer environments.
PhilWeb also emphasised the growing importance of integrated platforms and scalable digital operations as consumer behaviour continues to shift toward more connected and technology-driven experiences. The company continues to adapt to these evolving trends by exploring innovations that improve accessibility, operational flexibility and customer engagement.
Participation at SiGMA Asia 2026 also provided PhilWeb with opportunities to engage with international technology firms, fintech companies, digital infrastructure providers, payment solutions companies and regional business partners as it continues to strengthen its long-term growth strategy.
Beyond technology expansion, PhilWeb continues to prioritise governance, compliance-driven systems, operational transparency and sustainable business.
The post PhilWeb Showcases Technology-Driven Growth Vision at SiGMA Asia 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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