Asia
AGTech Holdings Announces its 2019 Annual Results
AGTech Holdings has announced its annual results for 2019. The total revenue amounted to approximately HK$175.1 million, an increase of 3.9% over 2018. The main sources of revenue were lottery hardware, lottery games and systems, provision of lottery distribution and ancillary services, games and entertainment business in the PRC.
The revenue hike was primarily due to the increase in revenue from the lottery games and increase in sales from lottery hardware.
Operating loss for the year was approximately HK$194.9 million (2018: approximately HK$262.0 million), representing a decrease of approximately 25.6% over 2018.
The loss for the year under review was approximately HK$113.6 million (2018: profit of approximately HK$317.1 million). The change from profit to loss for the year was mainly attributable to several non-cash and non-operating items relating to the fair value changes of the Convertible Bonds and the contingent consideration payables under the Score Value Transaction.
John Sun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AGTech, said:
“In 2019, our overall business continues to evolve and transform, both domestically and on the international front, to deliver a more sustainable and commercially viable business model. In a year which saw sales in the Chinese lottery sector decrease by approximately 17.5% compared to last year, the group stands strong and continues to work responsibly according to regulatory requirements, and at the same time explore on innovative measures towards development of the industry. As witnessed by our blockchain application project and augmented reality (AR) driven marketing campaign throughout 2019, we continue to lay the necessary foundation for our team, systems, technology and infrastructure to be well positioned towards our digitalization initiatives.”
“Our hardware division continues to bring innovative products to the market and maintain our position as a leading lottery hardware supplier. As we enter the era of 5G and the Internet of Things, our goal to implement and utilize smart technology applications to more retail shops under the Alibaba Group’s network will continue. The Group would like to congratulate Jiangsu province’s e-Ball Lottery in reaching RMB10 billion in total sales since its initial launch in 2013. This is a remarkable achievement, and we will continue to work closely with the provincial team to ensure smooth operations and promote responsible lottery to the community.”
“We anticipate to roll out our full suite of lottery solutions, including our SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) lottery delivery platform, a fully integrated digital platform that is tailored to serve both business and customers to refine on user experience on all fronts. Aligning to the Alibaba Group’s overriding new retail initiative, our platform will further enhance synergy by integrating hardware, software, and data to open up distribution channels, in addition to a potential new commercial model.”
“Paytm First Games (formerly known as Gamepind), our mobile gaming joint venture in India, will remain to be a key focus and driver for AGTech on the international front. In view of the success of our fantasy sport products in 2019, we will continue to serve as technical service provider to Paytm First Games’ sporting content. Supporting and grooming the platform to become a market leader in India has always been a mission to the Group. Our games and entertainment division will continue to develop and roll out engagement games for commercialization, and will also look for expansion opportunities in other selected international markets as well.”
Source: agtech.com
Asia
Onlyplay Enters into Strategic Partnership with Ritchie Rabbit
Onlyplay has entered into a strategic partnership with online casino and betting company Ritchie Rabbit within the Asia region.
Ritchie Rabbit is said to have “extensive expertise and deep understanding of the Asian market,” which helps Onlyplay as it seeks to expand its presence in the region.
Through this deal, Onlyplay will introduce a range of games and features designed specifically for the Asian gaming community.
Onlyplay offers a wide range of games such as instant win, slots and crash games, and will now provide games for players in Asia.
Christina Muratkina, CEO of Onlyplay, said: “It is a great pleasure for us to develop the Asian region alongside Ritchie Rabbit. We recognize the immense potential of the Asian market and are committed to delivering top-notch gaming content and experiences to players in the region. This partnership represents a significant step forward in our efforts to offer innovative and engaging games that resonate with our Asian audience.”
The post Onlyplay Enters into Strategic Partnership with Ritchie Rabbit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Hub88 partners with LiveGames to enhance content offering
Hub88 has partnered with live casino supplier LiveGames, further strengthening its product offering by adding a unique range of content to its platform.
LiveGames provides fully customisable online live dealer games and branded tables including the first vertical roulette table in the sector, along with crash games and the widely played Tombola.
The supplier delivers experiences with a player-focused design, easy to use mobile interface, and high-resolution broadcasts.
The partnership will support LiveGames’ goal to further expand in international markets, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America where Hub88 has a strong presence.
The deal showcases Hub88’s commitment to grow its ecosystem of partners, offering a diverse portfolio of products and content.
Ollie Castleman, Head of Hub88, said: “We’re thrilled to unveil this strategic partnership with LiveGames which sees us add a great provider to our platform, one that utilises modern technology to offer bespoke and personalised gaming experiences to players.
“We are looking forward to collaborating and strengthening our content library with their diverse games.”
The LiveGames Team said: “Our journey started in a small studio and as a team, we are excited about now expanding to every corner of the world together with Hub88 and their extensive operator network.
“We are committed to promoting innovation in the industry and this partnership will support us on that mission.”
The post Hub88 partners with LiveGames to enhance content offering appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Indonesian Govt to Form Task Force to Tackle Online Gambling
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has chaired a limited meeting which discussed the efforts taken to eradicate online gambling in the country on Thursday 18 April, at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Budi Arie Setiadi, in his press statement after the limited meeting, said that the Government will form a task force to counter online gambling.
“It has been decided that within a week, we will formulate measures to form an integrated task force in order to eradicate online gambling,” Budi said.
Minister for Communication and Information Technology mentioned that forming a cross-ministries/institutions task force is aimed to handle online gambling more thoroughly, collaboratively and efficiently.
“Gambling is an illegal act based on regulations. So, we need to impose measures effectively to settle it,” Budi stated, adding that his ministry will focus on handling online gambling websites and contents, while the law enforcement officers will enforce the law.
“Our authority is only to take down the websites, while the Financial Services Authority (OJK) blocks their financial accounts, and then followed by law enforcement officers, police officers, and the public prosecution service officers,” he remarked.
Similarly, OJK’s Chairperson of Commissioner Board Mahendra Siregar also highlighted the importance of holistic measures in eradicating online gambling in Indonesia.
“Some online gambling activities are not conducted in Indonesia, some are cross-borders, some do not use bank accounts, some needs to be tracked and traced through bank accounts, including transfers and so on. So, the next layers must also be addressed, and that way it leaves no empty rooms,” Mahendra explained.
Mahendra said that according to the institution’s authority, from the end of 2023 to March 2024, OJK has blocked around 5000 bank accounts that indicate its relation to online gambling.
“So far, we have cooperated closely with Communications and Information Technology Ministry. So, if we receive a list of bank accounts suspected to be used or are being used in online gambling activities, we immediately block them, and it has reached up to 5000 bank accounts,” Mahendra mentioned.
The post Indonesian Govt to Form Task Force to Tackle Online Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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