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Tourism & Sports Ministry, SAT and Garena Signs MoU to Support and Enhance Esports Industry in Thailand

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The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports have partnered with Garena Online Thailand to strengthen the domestic esports industry and develop the country as the hub of esports tournaments in Asean.

“The ministry and the SAT will focus more on esports next year including training and welfare to develop the esport ecosystem after esports was named in the Royal Gazette last month as one of the country’s professional sports,” Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said.

The esports industry across Asean was worth US$39 million in 2020 and is expected to grow to $72 million by 2024 as people spend more time playing online games amid the pandemic, according to the minister.

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A boom in esports does not only benefit internet providers or IT products, but also consumer product makers which target millennials, sport tourism, and investment in the country, he said.

Mr Phiphat said Thailand is due to take part in the biggest esports event, Arena of Valor (RoV) International Championship 2021 (AIC 2021), with a prize pool of $1 million, at the end of next month, which could help the country prepare to serve as the future regional hub for esports competition.

SAT governor Kongsak Yodmanee said the agency has recently established the SAT Esports Academy to train RoV players participating in the upcoming Road to AIC 2021, a tournament that selects esports teams for AIC 2021.

Kongsak said there are 12 members from two esport teams that are preparing for the match under the supervision of the SAT, which provides support for physical training, nutrition and sports psychology.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry, the SAT and Garena signed a memorandum of understanding to support and enhance the esports industry in Thailand.

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“Even though Thailand is not the biggest esports market in Asia, investors and stakeholders perceive the country as a potential market thanks to the readiness of the ecosystem and official recognition from the government,” Allen Hsu, regional head of strategic partnership and esports development at Garena Online Thailand, said.

Thailand is the first country where foreign football clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Valencia have invested in the RoV Pro League, which showed the country’s potential for esports, he said.

He said 2022 will be the year for esports as many tournaments will take place in Thailand and overseas, particularly the SEA Games and Asian Games, where esports have become a medal sport and could gain more recognition.

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MiFinity Expands Payment Options in Asia, Strengthening Regional Commitment

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MiFinity, a trusted global eWallet provider serving merchants and consumers worldwide, is deepening its presence in Asia with additional local payment options. As part of its continuous commitment to supporting the region’s surging digital economy, MiFinity has launched Rabbit Line Pay in Thailand alongside LinkAja and direct bank transfer in Indonesia, with more payment methods slated for integration throughout 2025.

MiFinity has built a strong reputation as a go-to payment provider for businesses breaking into new markets, particularly those requiring fast, secure, and fully compliant transaction solutions. With a highly engaged and rapidly growing user base, MiFinity eWallet users in Asia are actively transacting across a variety of digital services, making MiFinity a strategic partner for merchants looking to boost conversion rates, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen trust across the region.

Commenting on this expansion, Paul Kavanagh, CEO of MiFinity, said: “Asia represents a key growth market for MiFinity, and we are committed to providing merchants with the best possible solutions to reach their customers in this region. By integrating popular local payment methods and expanding our currency support, we are making it easier for businesses to offer seamless, trusted payment experiences. Our investment in the region underscores our dedication to supporting both our merchants and our highly engaged eWallet users, ensuring they have access to the payment options that best suit their needs.”

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Supporting Asia’s Thriving Digital Economy

The digital payments market in Asia is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, rising financial inclusion, and the booming demand for digital services. According to industry research, Southeast Asia alone is home to over 350 million digital wallet users, with eWallet transactions projected to account for a growing share of online payments.

For merchants looking to expand into these high-growth markets, offering trusted, localised payment options is essential to attracting and retaining customers. By integrating Rabbit Line Pay, LinkAja, and direct bank transfers, MiFinity provides businesses with the tools they need to tap into these opportunities, delivering seamless payment experiences that align with local consumer preferences.

Continued Growth and Future Expansions

The rollout of Rabbit Line Pay, LinkAja, and Indonesian bank transfers marks the newest milestone in MiFinity’s widening footprint in Asia, with additional payment integrations scheduled for later in 2025. As appetite for digital wallet transactions and alternative payment methods accelerates, MiFinity remains committed to evolving its offerings, empowering merchants to capture new customers and deliver secure, consumer-centric payment experiences across Asia’s diverse markets.

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Thailand: Requirement of B50M in Account for Casino Entry Removed

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The Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill has been amended, removing the requirement that Thais must show they have at least 50 million in a fixed deposit before being allowed into the planned casino-entertainment complex.

It has been replaced by the need to have filed three-years of income tax returns.

The requirement is in Section 65 of the draft Entertainment Complex Bill, which has been under scrutiny by the Council of State, the government’s legal advisory body.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Pichai Chunhavajira said the draft had now been reviewed by the council and revisions proposed to meet its objectives, including listening to feedback from the public.

The revised draft legislation had been signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnivirakul and sent to the cabinet secretariat on Feb 28, but it would not be on this week’s cabinet agenda, Mr Pichai said.

The process prior to submitting the bill to the cabinet would take about two weeks, he said.

Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that the 50 million baht requirement for casino entry had been removed and replaced by the requirement that Thais must have submitted three-years of tax returns.

The casino entrance fee remained at 5000 baht, he said.

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“The Ministry has checked the data and found there are only 10,000 Thai accounts with at least 50 million baht. So, the former requirement would push people to gamble elsewhere, which could be illegal. This amendment has been agreed on by the ministry and the Council of State,” Mr Julapun said.

He said the draft bill would be submitted to the cabinet for approval as soon as possible. He expected this would be during the current parliamentary session.

On Monday, representatives of several protest groups – the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, the Centre of People for the Protection of the Monarchy, and the Dharma Army – gathered near government house in Bangkok.

They submitted a letter to the prime minister opposing passage of the legislation. They argued that it would be harmful to the people, the country and the principles of all religions.

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Scientific Games India Recognized as One of Jombay’s 2025 WOW Workplaces

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Scientific Games has been named one of Jombay’s WOW Workplaces of 2025 in the Information Technology, Information Technology Enabled Services and Global Capability Center category at its Bangalore, India, location. This prestigious accolade reaffirms the company’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and inclusivity. The award highlights the global lottery leader’s dedication to providing an exceptional environment where employees thrive personally and professionally.

The WOW Workplace Awards are an annual listing of organizations with the most WOW reviews. The award substantiates how “great,” “best” or “exceptional” a company is through testimonials and feedback across the web (including employee review websites) using Jombay’s AI engine.

 

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Pat McHugh, CEO of Scientific Games, said, “Being recognized as one of Jombay’s WOW Workplaces is an incredible honor and a true reflection of the remarkable culture our team in India has built. Our India team’s relentless dedication to innovation and excellence is inspiring and helps fuel our success with employees and customers worldwide.”

Scientific Games’ Bangalore operations, established in 2015, recently expanded to a new, state-of-the-art facility, underscoring the company’s growth and investment in its workforce. The center is a hub for research and development, software innovation, quality assurance and technology operations, contributing significantly to the company’s global mission.

Mahesh Nanjundappa, Managing Director of Scientific Games India, added, “This recognition is a testament to our employees’ hard work, creativity and commitment to making Scientific Games a fantastic workplace. At the heart of our success is the inspiring environment we’ve cultivated where every team member feels valued and empowered to achieve their best.”

Scientific Games operates across five continents, delivering a comprehensive range of retail and digital lottery solutions and lottery sports betting products and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries.

The post Scientific Games India Recognized as One of Jombay’s 2025 WOW Workplaces appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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