Asia
THE PLAYER HUNT SEASON 3
~India’s First Ever Poker Reality Show~
~ Embraces contestants from across the country ~
The Player Hunt Season 3, India’s first ever poker reality show is all set to begin its journey with its list of contestants from across the country along with the co-host Ranvijay Singha who recently shared, “With immense pleasure, I am pleased to let you all know that Player Hunt is all set with enthusiastic, courageous and experienced poker player hailing from different parts of the country. I can’t wait for this journey to begin and leave the audiences as well as the contestants with lots of memories as well as learnings from the show.”
Hailing from Mumbai, Pankti Chheda is a sports enthusiast as well as a former national level athlete, focused on playing poker and representing India in WSOP in 2025. She is not just an athlete but an avid traveller as well.
With a dream of setting a record for the longest live stream of poker, Krishan Pal Singh Dhangar is a common man from Agra, who values education, family and hobbies that challenge his mind. He shares, “Poker is something that is extremelt close to my heart and has changed my life for good. Being a part of Player Hunt season 3, I hope to get an opportunity to be able to promote this sport PAN India.”
Born and brought up at Pali Hill Bombay, Sahib Singh Lamba, an MBA and an Engineer, is the youngest Hon. General Secretary at Khar Gymkhana in Mumbai. He shares, “I have been playing poker for over 15 years and it has become a part of my life. I am aware and unpredictable and can read situations and people. Courage, wisdom & compassion will make me win the Player Hunt Season 3!” Sahib also starred in a recent Netflix series titled, “In Real Love”.
Implusive and spontaneous, Raaquib Merchant, is the owner of his own hockey league and is vocal abort promoting the national sport of India. He’s also a foodie who also loves to talk about making money and starting businesses. Poker has helped him hang out with friends and enjoy life.
A professional poker player, Pooja Doshi owns a fashion boutique and shares her journey of playing poker stating, “The beginnings of my poker journey were quite interesting. My partner wanted to pursue poker as a career to support us. Within a couple of days even I realized the potentiality of the sport and started to learn the game as well. The journey has seen me gradually grow as a player.” She is also a follower of the teachings of Osho.
A full time poker professional, Aditya Sarin, is a psychology student who also has been practicing card magic and cardistry since childhood. He suffers from a rare medical condition which restricted him from attending school in his childhood which led him to he develop a love for cards and poker at the age of 8. His love for poker has only gotten stronger ever since. In his own words he shares, “I am always up to learn something new. With proper guidance from the experts. I will surely win this season.”
Sanket Deshmukh is a college dropout who plays snooker professionally. He started his poker journey at the age of 20. He further shares, “ I was a poker dealer, that’s why I know all the rules and regulations thoroughly. I have raw sense of humour.”
Anubhav Krishna Srivastava, an artist, who is well known for his performance in the popular TV show Pavitra Rishta is also an interesting Poker player. He shares, “Poker has taught him patience & perseverance.” He finds The Player Hunt very interesting and is here as he wanted to try something new and interesting. He also says “Watch out for some mind blowing action and be ready to face me”.
With a list of varied & professional contestants, the Player Hunt Season 3 makes us all look forward to the exciting journey of all contestants loaded with action, drama and entertainment.
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Asia
Insurgence Gaming Company Introduces La Imperia, a Community-First All-Female VALORANT Tournament
La Imperia, a new all-female esports IP by The Insurgence Gaming Company, will make its competitive debut this month with an online VALORANT invitational tournament running from December 19 to 21, 2025. Designed as a visibility-first platform for women competitors, the event brings together four invited Indian teams for a three-day broadcast competition.
La Imperia marks the inaugural tournament by the Insurgence Gaming Company, a newly founded esports company led by Jasper Shabin, who previously served as a poject manager at Skyesports. Positioning itself as a community-first tournament operator, the Insurgence Gaming Company aims to refocus attention on grassroots competition and long-term ecosystem building at a time when entry-level and women-led esports pathways remain limited.
The tournament will be played in VALORANT and feature a round-robin group stage followed by single-elimination playoffs, culminating in a BO5 Grand Final. All matches across the three days will be broadcast live on YouTube, along with additional watch-parties.
The four invited teams competing at La Imperia include Huntrix, Sin Sisters, Plushie Gang and MyKil. All teams feature all-female rosters, aligning with La Imperia’s positioning as a dedicated women’s esports IP.
Broadcast production for the event will be handled by Momentum Gaming, serving as the official Broadcast Partner. The on-air talent lineup includes Star Tania, Nekroz, Odawg, and Hikari Jane, who will guide viewers through the tournament across all three days.
Beyond competition, La Imperia is also placing emphasis on player well-being. Sattva by Pallavi joins the tournament as the Mental Health Partner, integrating conversations around mental health and holistic wellness into the event’s broadcast and content output. The partnership reflects a growing recognition of sustainability and mental resilience within competitive gaming environments.
Speaking on the launch, Jasper Shabin, Founder of The Insurgence Gaming Company, said: “La Imperia is built to be a visibility platform first. There is no shortage of talent in the women’s VALORANT scene, but there are very few consistent stages where that talent can be seen, supported, and taken seriously. With the Insurgence Gaming Company, we want to return focus to grassroots competition and create formats that players can grow with, not just compete in once.”
The tournament carries an INR 15,000 prize pool, with the primary focus placed on competitive exposure, broadcast quality, and long-term ecosystem value rather than one-off incentives.
With its inaugural edition, La Imperia sets the foundation for a new women-led esports property in India—one that combines structured competition, professional broadcast standards, and a community-first philosophy.
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The World Esports Championship 2025 (WEC25) is officially open in Kuala Lumpur, welcoming athletes, fans, and delegations from around the globe. With 19 nations taking part in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), this year’s event stands as the most internationally diverse MLBB competition in IESF history.
After a year filled with national and regional qualifiers and preparations from teams around the world, the world’s top esports athletes have arrived in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony set the tone for the days ahead, offering fans a first glimpse of the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this year’s championship.
“WEC25 reflects the continued growth of esports as a space for connection, competition, and shared passion,” said IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski. “Bringing together 19 nations for MLBB is a milestone not just for the title, but for the entire esports ecosystem. We are proud to bring this edition of the championship to Kuala Lumpur.”
As the competition officially kicks off, the schedule is fully packed with exciting match-ups among Nations, competing for their flag and country. The best from all over the world will have the unique opportunity to become the MLBB World Champion.
IESF extends its gratitude to the Malaysian government and the Ministry for Youth and Sports, partners, athletes, and global supporters who continue to elevate the championship’s reach and impact.
The post IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Pacific Online-backed Buenas PH Inks Partnership with YGS Live’s Battle of the Streamers to Support Ethical iGaming
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Buenas PH, the licensed e-casino operator under HHR Philippines Inc (HHRPI), has been named the presenting partner of YGS Live’s Battle of the Streamers. The partnership builds on the strong momentum created during the recent launch of YGS Live, a next-generation iGaming broadcast platform founded by esports pioneer Julius “Banoobs” Mariano.
Buenas PH is backed by strong corporate leadership that firmly establishes its position in the iGaming and entertainment industry. HHR Philippines is venture-backed by publicly listed Pacific Online Systems Corporation (POSC), led by Willy N. Ocier, who serves as Chairman of Belle Corporation. Belle Corporation is SM Investment’s major developer of leisure and tourism destinations built to support the growth of PAGCOR’s Entertainment City. This corporate foundation strengthens Buenas PH’s credibility and long-term direction as it grows in the regulated iGaming sector.
The Battle of the Streamers is the flagship program of YGS Live. Powered by Pragmatic Play and streamed through the soon-to-be-launched Loco Live platform, the event brings together the country’s top iGaming creators in a weekly competition featuring an eleven-million-peso prize pool. As one of the first major events to debut on Loco Live, the program showcases the platform’s commitment to high-quality, responsible, and community-driven iGaming content. It also reinforces YGS Live’s advocacy for responsible iGaming by discouraging creators from promoting unlicensed or scam platforms.
“Through this partnership, Buenas PH supports a mission that elevates Philippine iGaming to a safer and more responsible environment,” said Julius “Banoobs” Mariano, Founder of YGS Live. “Our creators have influence. We want that influence to help shape a healthier culture for fans and players.”
Industry reports have highlighted Pacific Online’s active participation in the growth of regulated online gaming in the Philippines, including its involvement in HHR Philippines and the Buenas operator. These developments strengthen confidence in the company’s long-term direction as a regulated and ethical player in the e-casino sector.
As the presenting partner, Buenas PH takes a central role throughout the Battle of the Streamers program, which runs every Saturday and culminates in a grand finals event on January 18, 2026, at City of Dreams Manila. The event combines high-stakes matches with interactive community segments, along with three million pesos in community giveaways for fans and viewers.
YGS Live continues to position itself as a broadcast network dedicated to responsible, community-driven iGaming content. With Buenas PH as a lead partner, the platform aims to set a new benchmark for safe, creator-focused, and credible iGaming entertainment in the Philippines.
For updates, visit the official YGS Live Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YGSLive.
The post Pacific Online-backed Buenas PH Inks Partnership with YGS Live’s Battle of the Streamers to Support Ethical iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
