Asia

China to Expand Blacklist of Overseas Gambling Destinations Again

Published

5 years ago

July 19, 2021

Reading Time: < 1 minute

China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced its plans to introduce a “third batch” of blacklist measures aimed at overseas tourist destinations that attract Chinese tourists for gambling activities.

The ministry also said it would work with several other government departments to “suspend tour groups and arrangement of tourist visas” for outbound travel to these destinations.

As with earlier official mentions of China’s overseas-gambling blacklist, the latest announcement did not identify the places concerned.

The ministry mentioned on Friday its previous approach of including several overseas destinations – in “two batches” – in its “blacklist system” for cross-border gambling tourist destinations. It said such an approach was to “better regulate the travel market” and “safeguard the lives and financial safety of Chinese citizens”.

“The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is to adopt a measure to blacklist a third batch of travel destinations, in response to the recent developments whereby some cities abroad have lured Chinese tourists for gambling activities,” stated the ministry.

It added: “The ministry will – together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the National Immigration Administration and the Civil Aviation Administration of China – adopt measures to suspend outbound tour groups and the arrangement of tourist visas for trips to these cities and attractions abroad that are on the ‘blacklist’; and reinforce the restrictive measures on business jets [travel] and charter services.”

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism also noted that the “blacklist” of travel destinations would be “dynamically adjusted” in accordance to any changes seen in overseas markets.

Under a new amendment in mainland China criminal law – with effect from March 1 – anyone who “organises” trips for mainland Chinese for the purpose of overseas gambling will be deemed to have committed a criminal act.

Asia

Books on Wheels: DigiPlus Foundation Brings Mobile Library to Boost Literacy Among Aurora’s Young Learners

Published

1 week ago

February 20, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

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DigiPlus Foundation continues to champion inclusive learning by empowering young learners in Aurora Province through a meaningful partnership with youth-led volunteer group Sikat Aurora.

Following six months of sustained support for Sikat Aurora’s Abot Ko ang Libro storytelling initiative, an activity that brings reading sessions and learning spaces closer to children in local communities, DigiPlus Foundation and GameZone surprised the group with a new mobile library designed to support their mission beyond a single location. The mobile library will allow Sikat Aurora volunteers to roam across Aurora Province, reaching more children with books, learning materials, and storytelling activities.

The donation strengthens Sikat Aurora’s efforts to uplift nonformal education as a vital complement to classroom learning, especially for children with limited access to books and educational resources. By taking learning on the road, the mobile library transforms storytelling sessions into a scalable, sustainable program that can reach far-flung communities across the province.

RJ Belen, Founder of Sikat Aurora, said: “We are truly grateful for the trust and support of DigiPlus Foundation. This mobile library will help us reach more young learners in Aurora and strengthen our mission of nurturing a love for reading. Through nonformal education, we help support what children learn in school and create spaces where learning feels accessible, enjoyable, and empowering.”

“This will allow us to bring learning to children who may not always have access to educational materials, helping them build confidence and curiosity as they grow.”

Neil Orillaneda, Program Manager for Technology Education of DigiPlus Foundation, said: “Our goal is simple: no learner left behind. By supporting initiatives like Sikat Aurora’s mobile library, we help bridge learning gaps and ensure that children, regardless of location or circumstance, have access to educational resources that support their growth.”

The mobile library donation reflects DigiPlus Foundation’s belief that learning happens not only inside classrooms, but also within communities through shared stories, accessible resources, and partnerships that place children at the center of development.

The mobile library donation is part of a Php 1-million contribution from GameZone during the International Series Philippines (ISP), channeled through DigiPlus Foundation to support a range of community initiatives nationwide. Beyond education, the donation also funds livelihood support for local weavers, health program assistance for the LGBTQ+ community, aid for persons with disabilities in Cebu, and flood rescue equipment for Manila, reflecting a holistic approach to community development that addresses education, health, inclusion, and disaster preparedness.

The post Books on Wheels: DigiPlus Foundation Brings Mobile Library to Boost Literacy Among Aurora’s Young Learners appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Asia

World Esports Summit Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Busan

Published

1 month ago

January 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

world-esports-summit-celebrates-its-10th-edition-in-busan

The World Esports Summit returns to Busan, South Korea, for its 10th edition, taking place on 10–11 February 2025.

Hosted at the Wyndham Grand Busan, the Summit will bring together 40+ speakers from the international esports ecosystem, including representatives from federations, publishers, global brands, sports organizations, technology companies, and public institutions.

Over the past decade, the World Esports Summit has provided a platform for dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders shaping the world of esports. The 2025 edition will continue this role, offering space for discussion on current developments, industry challenges, and future directions.

The Summit will feature contributions from a wide range of organizations, including Alibaba, FIBA, FIFAe, Tencent, Moonton, NetEase, FIA, Sportradar, EFG, Good Game, Telekom, among others.

Across two days, participants will take part in keynote sessions and panel discussions addressing topics such as esports governance, international collaboration, industry development, integrity, and the continued convergence of esports and traditional sports.

Further information on the program, speakers, and registration is available on the official World Esports Summit website.

The post World Esports Summit Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Busan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Asia

Insurgence Gaming Company Expands Grassroots Vision with MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins

Published

1 month ago

January 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

insurgence-gaming-company-expands-grassroots-vision-with-moba-legends-5v5-discord-play-ins

Following the launch of its inaugural women-focused VALORANT tournament La Imperia, the Insurgence Gaming Company has announced its second competitive initiative, MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins, a series of open community tournaments created to make organised competition more accessible to emerging players.

While La Imperia introduced a visibility-led invitational format, the MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins take a different approach. The series is built around open participation and will be hosted entirely online, with all tournament operations managed through Discord. This allows teams from across India to compete in a structured setting without the restrictions often associated with invite-only events.

The Play-Ins are designed as a starting point for players and teams who want to experience organised competition. Matches will be played in a 5v5 MOBA Draft Pick format, with scheduling, match reporting, and communication handled through dedicated Discord channels.

The announcement continues Insurgence Gaming Company’s early focus on grassroots esports. The company was created to address gaps in India’s competitive ecosystem, particularly at the amateur and semi-professional level where consistent tournament opportunities are still limited.

Speaking on the launch, Jasper Shabin, Founder of the Insurgence Gaming Company, said: “With La Imperia, we focused on visibility. With the Discord Play-Ins, the focus shifts to access. Competitive players need regular places to play, improve, and test themselves, not just one-off tournaments. MOBA Legends 5v5 is one of the most accessible competitive titles on mobile, which makes it a strong fit for an open, community-driven format.”

Beyond competition, the Discord Play-Ins are also intended to build a sense of continuity. Players will have access to channels dedicated to match coordination, tournament updates, and post-game discussion, helping teams stay connected beyond a single tournament run.

With the MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins, the Insurgence Gaming Company continues to shape its identity around community-first formats, pairing visibility-led initiatives like La Imperia with open competitive pathways that support long-term grassroots growth in Indian esports.

The post Insurgence Gaming Company Expands Grassroots Vision with MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.