Asia
Six Formula 1 drivers to race in China Virtual Grand Prix
Following the success of the second installment of the F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix, six Formula 1 drivers will battle it out at the Virtual Chinese Grand Prix this Sunday, 19th April at 18:00 BST. After winning the last race on his debut, Charles Leclerc will be out for victory once again, as he takes on his fellow Formula 1 competitors, George Russell, Antonio Giovinazzi, Lando Norris, Alex Albon and Nicholas Latifi on Sunday’s starting grid.
Alongside a star-studded grid of Formula 1 drivers, Real Madrid and Belgium international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois makes his Virtual Grand Prix debut for Red Bull, with a host of other exciting names set to be announced over the coming days.
This weekend’s virtual Grand Prix is the third race in the new F1 Esports Virtual Grand Prix series, which gives fans the chance to watch Formula 1 races virtually during the ongoing COVID-19 situation.
This weekend’s Grand Prix will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit, China on the day when the official Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2020 would have originally taken place. Drivers will join the race remotely, with a host broadcast live from the Gfinity Esports Arena from 6:00pm (BST) on Sunday April 19 – a change from previous weekends where races have started at 8:00pm.
The broadcast which will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch, Weibo and Facebook channels, is expected to run for 1 hour 30 minutes, with a qualifying period where grid positions will be determined based on the drivers’ fastest lap time, followed by a 28-lap race. The Virtual Grand Prix will also be broadcast live with international broadcast partners in over 100 countries including in the UK on Sky Sports and in the US on ESPN.
In addition to the Chinese Virtual Grand Prix, the F1 Esports Series China Championship will kick off its 2020 Season on Sunday with a Pre-season Event. The 2020 Season will retain much of the same structure with qualification, regional finals, and the Grand Final – but will see the introduction of a brand-new Pro League which was not part of the 2019 Season. The Pro League is a 22 race online championship following the same point scoring mechanic as the Formula One World Championship. The top ten racers from the Pro League driver standings will enter the Grand Final directly and compete with other racers from the regional finals for the chance to sign for an official F1 Esports team.
The Pre-season Event itself will include two online exhibition races. The first will be an All-Star race at Circuit de Monaco where top racers from the 2019 Season will put on a show, whilst the second will be a Pro League pre-season race at Shanghai International Circuit where the Pro League teams will get a chance to showcase their talents in front of fans.
This weekend’s F1 Esports Pro Exhibition race will precede the virtual Grand Prix – and is set to begin at 5:00pm (BST). The broadcast will be available on the official Formula 1 YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels as well as selected TV broadcasters and is expected to run for 1 hour.
Julian Tan, Head of Digital Business Initiatives and Esports said:
“From an esports perspective, the last Virtual Grand Prix was one of our most successful events we’ve ever put on, so it’s great to be back and be able to continue building something that has proven hugely popular. It’s very important to us that we can give our fans something to look forward in these uncertain times, so to see such an impressive list of returning drivers is fantastic. We hope the racing action is just as thrilling and fun as last time out!”
View the Virtual Chinese Grand Prix promo trailer here
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Asia
Natural8 India welcomes 2025 in style with Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025
Welcoming 2025 in spectacular style, Natural8 India has announced its latest India Exclusive, Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025, to the delight of poker enthusiasts across the country. The multi-table tournament, scheduled to take place on January 19, will offer participants a chance to fight for the massive event prize pool and the glory of winning a prestigious APT Trophy. But thatâs not all, for nine finalists will also secure an all-expense paid trip to participate in APT Manila â competing for the grand prize at a grand stage with some of the sharpest poker players in all of Asia!
With a buy-in of only INR 5,500, Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025 will offer flight and stay packages for nine finalists, worth up to INR 100,000 each, for the upcoming APT Manila Classic. In addition, the top four finalists will secure a Main Event ticket worth INR 90,000 each at APT Manila Classic 2025, while the other five will win Mini Main Event tickets worth INR 37,000 each. The tournament also has various satellites running daily from January 12 to January 19, with a buy-in of just INR 550.
Speaking on the upcoming India Exclusive, Kunal Patni, Executive Director and Country Head â Natural8 India, said, â2024 was a spectacular year for Natural8 India and the broader Indian poker community. Throughout the year, we saw a strong response to the various India Exclusives, which not only nurtured the countryâs growing poker landscape but also connected poker enthusiasts to the broader Asian poker scene on a more consistent basis. We took 23 players to various APT events in 2024 through these India Exclusive APT events. With the Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025, we expect a similarly stellar response, especially with mega bonus on offer worth up to INR 15 lakh. Our latest India Exclusive will set the tone for the rest of the year and give poker enthusiasts and professional players across the country a chance to start 2025 on a bang!â
The post Natural8 India welcomes 2025 in style with Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Asia
Sands China Launches Alipay Tap! in Macao
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On Jan. 14, 2025, Sands China Ltd., Alipay and Macau Pass jointly introduced the Alipay Tap! service at Sands Resorts Macao. Utilising innovative payment interaction technology, the service will further enhance the payment experience of visitors in Macao and enable new digital business and marketing opportunities. It will also contribute to the cityâs smart city development while supporting digital upgrades and connectivity within the Greater Bay Area.
Alipay Tap! is an innovative payment service introduced by Alipay in July 2024 in the Chinese mainland. Users can simply unlock their phones and tap the merchantâs payment device to complete the transaction, without opening the Alipay app. This solution has quickly become popular with both users and merchants and is currently available in over 100 cities and more than 1000 shopping malls and commercial districts in the Chinese mainland. In addition to payments, Alipay has also collaborated with partners to create over 50 Alipay Tap! digital industry solutions, such as âTap to Orderâ and âTap to Open Self-service Vending Machineâ.
In this first phase, Sands China has rolled out Alipay Tap! across 300 merchants in its integrated resorts, including The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Londoner Macao and Sands Macao. It can be used for a variety of payments, such as hotel accommodation, dining, shopping and ticketing, providing customers with a convenient payment experience. Chinese mainland tourists using Alipay Tap! in Sands Resorts Macao can also enjoy multiple offers during the promotional period, including an exclusive coupon for the first transaction via Alipay Tap! in Macao and other cross-border travel promotions released.
Merchants can use one terminal to meet the payment needs of both tourists and local residents using mainstream e-wallets. A representative from a Sands Resorts Macao merchant shared, âAs Chinese mainland tourists are generally familiar with Alipay Tap!, combined with various recent promotional offers, the number of Alipay Tap! transactions has significantly increased since its launch, greatly enhancing operational efficiencyâ.
Jiajia Li, Vice President of Alipay, Ant Group, said: âMacao has unique geographic advantages, providing an ideal environment for the introduction of innovative technologies. Alipay and Alipay+âs cross-border services have already covered nearly 90% of merchants in Macao. The successful introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao will further enhance the convenience of payments for Chinese mainland visitors, accelerate the digital transformation of businesses, unlock more commercial potential, and promote the digital connectivity of digital everyday services within the Greater Bay Area.â
The introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao is not just a simple replication of the payment model but also creates a local digital business model benchmark. The collaboration between the three companies integrates Alipayâs user experience and membership preferences, Sands Chinaâs unique services and benefits, and Macau Passâs regional coverage and operational expertise. Together, they have created a new digital business model.
The post Sands China Launches Alipay Tap! in Macao appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Bety.com Introduces a New Era of Casino Gaming with Web3 Innovations and Exclusive Perks
Bety.com stands out as one of the most versatile crypto casinos in the Web3 landscape.
Bety.com, the first decentralized casino to enter the Web3 scene, continues to lead the revolution in the online casino industry. The platform has been at the forefront of innovation in blockchain-based casinos since its inception. As part of its ongoing development, the team reveals an enhanced offer proving why crypto casinos outrank traditional casinos in terms of user experience and perks.
Decentralized, Fair & Rewarding: An Unmatched Offer of New Crypto Games
Bety.com stands out as one of the most versatile crypto casinos in the Web3 landscape. As one of the pioneers in blockchain casinos, Bety.com built a solid reputation for gaming diversity and unequaled entertainment. The platform offers a wide selection of classic casino table games, including poker, blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, and more. A rich collection of slots, live casino games, Bingo, and game shows round off a unique and engaging offer.
Bety.com hosts 10,000+ games from reputable developers, including PGSoft, Evolution Gaming, Evoplay, Yggdrasil, Red Tiger, EG Games, and many more. These games are available in its casino and sportsbook. They are constantly updated to incorporate the latest industry trends and technological breakthroughs.
Here is some selections of the games Bety.com offers
Slots:Â With over 3,000 online slots, Bety.com offers something for every player. Â Explore classic three-reel slots or dive into the latest video slots packed with bonus features and the chance to win big.
Live Casino Games: Experience the thrill of a real casino from home with bety.comâs vast variety of live dealer games. Â Play Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Gonzoâs Quest and more, streamed live with professional dealers.
Sportsbook:Â Bety.com offers a comprehensive betting platform covering a wide range of sports and esports. Â Traditional sports like soccer, basketball, and tennis are featured alongside niche options such as darts, snooker, and volleyball. Â Esports enthusiasts can wager on over 300 events across multiple popular games, including League of Legends and Dota 2. Â The platform also supports live betting, enabling users to place bets in real-time for a dynamic and engaging experience.
Introducing Original Bety.com Casino Games
One of the most visited sections at Bety.com is the âOriginalsâ casino gaming page. This part hosts several in-house games with exciting gameplay and appealing RTP rates. Bety.com features its own versions of Plinko, Wheel, Keno, Limbo, Dice, Mines, Coinflip, and more. All of them have a remarkable 98% RTP, inviting players to indulge in their favorite casino games with a Bety.com twist.
Many crypto enthusiasts choose Bety.com for its standout selection of hash games, including Hash Banker Player, Hash Bull, 3-Min Bull, 1-Min Banker Player, and more. These blockchain casino games are an upgrade of traditional casino games, allowing players to predict hash intervals with numerous betting options.
Lastly, Bety.com provides a generous offer of crypto up-down casino games. These exciting games allow players to have substantially high leverage levels of up to 1,000x, generating the opportunity for high returns.
Why Players Choose Crypto Casinos Over Traditional Platforms
The advent of blockchain technology has changed the outlook for numerous industries, including the online betting sector. For decades, traditional online casinos had no competition and, thus, failed to evolve and meet the increasing demands for a better user experience.
As one of the first blockchain casinos, Bety.com saw how it can play a game-changing role in an industry hungry for innovation. The platform rose to the challenge, improving every aspect of the online casino gaming experience. Moreover, it developed its own original games, increased betting options, and boosted transparency and trust. Its probably fair game mechanics established one of the highest standards for fairness in the industry.
Meanwhile, traditional online casinos face the same challenges they did years ago. These platforms are famous for slow payouts, high deposits and withdrawal fees, and improvable game fairness and outcomes. More importantly, traditional casinos can take between 3 and 7 days to process withdrawals, depending on the userâs choice.
On the other hand, Bety.com processes payouts in only a few minutes, sometimes instantly, depending on the blockchain networkâs congestion. It also facilitates instant Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals. Players can verify the fairness of each game on the platformâs dedicated verification page, using both server-side and client-side seeds and the cryptographic nonce.
Reshaping the Casino Gaming Industryâs Future
Bety.com allows crypto enthusiasts to play in complete anonymity and privacy. The platform guarantees equal winning odds for all players. It also supports quick deposits and withdrawals, provable fair game odds and outcomes, an exclusive VIP program, and high-quality, 24/7 customer support.
The platformâs rich selection of original, in-house game productions and games from prestigious developers caters to high-end players. The appealing offer of betting options and high-leverage opportunities confirm why thousands of expert players visit it daily.
Ultimately, Bety.com aims to reshape the casino gaming industry through maximum fairness, optimal security, and highly entertaining gaming options. To this end, it combines the best developments in casino gaming with a unique, user-centric approach to deliver a standout playing experience.
The post Bety.com Introduces a New Era of Casino Gaming with Web3 Innovations and Exclusive Perks appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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