The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has urged the Philippine government to ban its offshore gaming industry, claiming that the “vast majority” of Chinese citizens involved in their operations are victims.

In an official statement attributed to a spokesperson, the embassy also denied any involvement in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry after uniforms of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Chinese People’s Armed Police Force were discovered during a raid on a POGO compound in Pampanga earlier this month.

“We appeal to the Philippines to ban POGO at an early date so as to root out this social ill. And we firmly oppose any baseless accusation and smearing against China in connection with POGO,” the statement said.

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The statement went on to say, “Chinese law prohibits all forms of gambling. The Chinese government strictly cracks down on Chinese citizens engaging in gambling business abroad including POGO. Ample evidence shows that POGO breeds serious crimes such as kidnapping for ransom, human trafficking and murder. POGO is detrimental to both Philippine and Chinese interests and images as well as China-Philippines relations.

“In recent years, the Chinese and Philippine law enforcement agencies have maintained close communication and cooperation and conducted multiple joint operations to bring down cross-border gambling and telecom fraud. Since 2018, nearly 3000 Chinese citizens implicated in the cases have been repatriated with joint efforts of both sides. In the past year alone, China has assisted the Philippines in shutting down five POGO hubs and repatriated nearly 1000 Chinese citizens.

“The vast majority of the Chinese citizens involved in these cases are victims of the Philippine offshore gambling industry. The Chinese government is committed to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.”

Pronet Gaming, an award-winning platform provider of full turnkey solutions, debuted at SiGMA Asia earlier this month with a stellar performance.

Held in Manila, Philippines, from 3 to 5 June at the SMX Convention Centre in Pasay City, the conference served as the perfect venue for Pronet Gaming to showcase its commitment to innovation, excellence and expansion in the vibrant Asian market.

Among the highlights of Pronet Gaming’s presence at SiGMA Asia was the “Best Multi-Channel Provider 2024” award that the company bagged at the SiGMA Asia Awards held on opening night. The recognition spoke volumes of Pronet Gaming’s unwavering dedication to delivering leading-edge solutions across multiple platforms, solidifying its position as a frontrunner in the iGaming industry.

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In attendance were the Pronet Gaming team from both the London and Manila offices who gave an impressive showing, demonstrating the company’s global reach and commitment to providing unparalleled support to its partners. Their participation underlined Pronet Gaming’s mission to foster strong relationships and deliver tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of operators worldwide.

One of the standout attractions at the Pronet Gaming booth was the Spin-to-Win wheel, which captivated attendees and quickly emerged as a crowd favourite. With people queuing in droves for a chance to win exciting prizes, it proved to be thematic with Pronet Gaming’s ability to engage and delight audiences.

Alex Leese, CEO of Pronet Gaming, took the stage as a keynote speaker, participating in a fireside chat that offered valuable insights into the future of Asian iGaming businesses diversifying into other jurisdictions. More than galvanising Pronet Gaming’s thought leadership and deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges shaping the industry’s landscape, Leese spoke reassuringly of the giant strides his company has made toward setting up shop in Asia, as well as outlining a path to helping local Asian operators to expand their global reach into Europe & LATAM.

“One year ago, we were only at the ‘we will be in Asia, and we are on our way’ stage. As I speak here today, I am now proud to say that we have the office, we have the team, and we have the PAGCOR accreditation. Next time, I will be saying that we are established, with a much larger existing team, and operator clients on board. My aim is to be here again next year to say that we are well and truly on the ground,” Leese said.

SiGMA Asia provided an invaluable platform for Pronet Gaming to forge new connections and explore opportunities in the burgeoning Asian market. As the company gears up to launch its operations in Asia, the event served as a springboard for establishing strategic partnerships and fostering collaborations that will drive growth and success in the region.

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NODWIN Gaming, the leading South Asian gaming and Esports company, has appointed Esports veteran Ishaan Arya, as Vice President of Sales and Partnerships to bolster its leadership team.

With over a decade of experience, the former co-founder of The Esports Club has played a pivotal role in spearheading some of the country’s largest gaming and Esports events, including The Arena, India’s premier consumer gaming event. His guidance not only propelled The Esports Club to unprecedented heights but also facilitated its expansion beyond India into the markets of the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

In his new role at NODWIN Gaming, Ishaan will focus on enhancing the value of the company’s existing IPs, such as BGMS, DreamHack India, NODWIN India Premiership, Valorant Challengers South Asia, and Comic Con India, ensuring their sustained growth and global audience engagement. He will be working on new brand partnerships, initiatives and innovating IPs as NODWIN Gaming pushes the boundaries in the gaming, esports, and lifestyle segments.

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Sharing his thoughts, Ishaan Arya, Vice-President of Sales and Partnerships at NODWIN Gaming, stated, “I am excited to join NODWIN Gaming to contribute to their massive roster of global gaming, esports, and lifestyle events. As one of the top new-age sports media organizations in the world, NODWIN Gaming’s visionary approach and global roadmap have always been top-notch. Alongside a fantastic team, I am eager to utilize my expertise in large-scale gaming events and publisher partnerships to elevate the company to new heights.”

“At NODWIN, we pride ourselves in encouraging our leaders to take ownership in various aspects of the business. As a founder himself, Ishaan not only brings a wealth of knowledge and experience but will also drive innovation and growth across key verticals of our gaming and entertainment segments,” said Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming.

Since its inception, NODWIN Gaming has cemented its position as a frontrunner in the global gaming and Esports industry. The company has been making significant strides in venturing beyond Esports, recently acquiring Comic Con India, alongside obtaining a 51% stake in the Singapore-based media company Branded.

With experience working with Comic Con India as well as industry giants like NVIDIA, Intel, LG, Lenovo, Dell, JBL & Amazon, in the past, Ishaan will be a key addition to NODWIN Gaming as they drive innovation and progress in the gaming and Esports sector.