Asia

Ichiro Matsui Reveals Osaka IR May Not Open Until at Least 2027

Published

5 years ago

June 8, 2020

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Osaka Mayor Ichiro Matsui has revealed that the city’s long-planned integrated resort (IR) facility may not open until at least 2027 due to delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Matsui said Osaka’s IR timeline was now running between one and two years later than first hoped, with the government having previously been pushing to open an IR before the start of the 2025 World Expo.

The latest delay was brought about by the inability of officials to meet with Osaka’s candidate consortium, MGM Resorts Japan and Orix, due to global travel restrictions, while the operators themselves had requested the submission deadline for RFP documentation be extended from July and the schedule reviewed.

“I have received a message from the operator asking for a short extension. The investment capacity of the operator has taken a blow, and we will consider this when we are determining an opening time. I can foresee an overall delay of between one and two years,” Matsui said.

Osaka’s delay comes as the national government ponders delaying its own selection process. Publication of Japan’s IR Fundamental Policy was originally expected in January of this year, but as of June, it has yet to be released.

“We think the central government is considering extending the application period (for local governments),” Matsui said.

Asia

GRA Renews Singapore Pools Licence for Five-year Term

Published

7 days ago

October 22, 2025

Niji Narayan

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The Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) has renewed the licence of Singapore Pools (Private) Limited (Singapore Pools) to conduct betting operations, gaming and lotteries under Section 54 of the Gambling Control Act 2022 (GCA). The tenure for the licence will be five years with effect from 25 October 2025, following GRA’s assessment that Singapore Pools has fulfilled the requirements under Section 54 the GCA.

The post GRA Renews Singapore Pools Licence for Five-year Term appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Arnold Hur

Thirteen Leading Universities Partner with Gen.G for its Practicum Abroad Programme to Prepare Students in Seoul for Esports Careers

Published

7 days ago

October 22, 2025

Niji Narayan

thirteen-leading-universities-partner-with-gen.g-for-its-practicum-abroad-programme-to-prepare-students-in-seoul-for-esports-careers

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Global esports and gaming organisation Gen.G announced that it has partnered with thirteen distinguished universities across the US to participate in the Gen.G Practicum Abroad programme, which offers students the opportunity to take part in an intensive, three-week programme to study in the heart of the esports industry in Seoul, South Korea.

The thirteen institutions are: Conestoga College, Augustana University, Buena Vista University, Illinois College, Manchester University, Seton Hall University, Shenandoah University, Syracuse University, St. Thomas University, University of Kansas, Maharishi International University, Randolph-Macon College and University of Hawai’i.

“This is our most ambitious program since the launch of our Gen.G Practicum Abroad program, bringing together some of the best universities in the country to expand their educational programs on campus. The students will be fully immersed in Korea with hands-on experiences to give them a 360-degree view of the esports industry,” said Arnold Hur, CEO of Gen.G.

Gen.G professionals will lead the Gen.G Practicum Abroad programme, which includes custom esports programming, mentorship by industry professionals, special lectures, industry “lunch-and-learns,” and professional networking, all while immersing students in Korean culture and its history in esports. Students will also visit competitive organisations and gaming publisher studios.

The post Thirteen Leading Universities Partner with Gen.G for its Practicum Abroad Programme to Prepare Students in Seoul for Esports Careers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

PAGCOR Enforces Accreditation for All iGaming Service Providers by 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

Niji Narayan

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has given gaming affiliates, developers and support service providers until early 2026 to comply with its newly implemented B2B Accreditation Framework, a regulatory system that formalises participation in the iGaming supply chain.

Companies that submit applications by December 31, 2025, will qualify for a three-year initial accreditation, while unaccredited foreign content providers face removal from licensed platforms after March 31, 2026.

The framework, which took effect on October 2, sets mandatory accreditation requirements for all third-party entities providing gaming content, systems or technical support to PAGCOR-licensed operators.

Accreditation covers several categories, including gaming affiliates, game content providers (GCPs) and support service providers (SSPs). Gaming affiliates may act as aggregators that distribute multiple game titles to operators, while GCPs are developers or studios supplying electronic game software or live-streamed content.

Accreditation is valid for two years from the date of PAGCOR Board approval, an increase from the previous one-year term.

Foreign data or content streaming providers that fail to secure accreditation by the March 2026 deadline will have their content deemed “non-compliant and unauthorized.” They may appoint a Philippine-registered company or a PAGCOR-accredited Gaming System Administrator as their exclusive distributor instead of setting up a local office.

PAGCOR has warned that licensed operators using unaccredited service providers may face sanctions.

The post PAGCOR Enforces Accreditation for All iGaming Service Providers by 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.