Asia
NEAR Protocol Completes Gaming Ecosystem by Onboarding Vortex Gaming
NEAR Foundation announced that the onboarding of Vortex Gaming, a Web3 subsidiary of a leading game industry INVEN, into the NEAR ecosystem has been confirmed through a strategic partnership. INVEN is the largest game media community in Korea, with a monthly active user (MAU) count reaching 7.2 million
In addition to onboarding content on NEAR Protocol, NEAR Foundation and INVEN plan to collaborate in supporting the growth of Vortex Gaming and strengthening the NEAR game ecosystem. Moreover, establishing an active collaboration system to enhance brand awareness and business network such as conducting offline hackathons and events to foster developer talent.
INVEN is the largest game media community in Korea. For over 20 years it has served as a leading company in the game industry, driving development as the top online game media platform. Based on content generated in-house, INVEN innovatively continues to expand to industries such as entertainment and Web3.
Vortex Gaming is a content-based game community that builds services optimized for Web3 games and provides a global social media platform and features such as Gaming Guild. Vortex Gaming aims to break stereotypes of current Web3 games by offering specialised content such as thorough analysis of in-game economy and the completeness of the game. By leveraging its successful experience in building Web2 communities, Vortex Gaming plans to establish a robust user base by incorporating both high quality content and INVEN’s existing wide pool of users.
NEAR Protocol is a global Layer 1 blockchain that focuses on usability and scalability. NEAR is also the Blockchain Operating System (BOS), an OS that allows Web2 companies and developers to effortlessly build decentralised apps and experiences for the open web. With BOS features like FastAuth, Web2 companies and developers can experience and onboarding process similar to login via email. These features facilitate the entry barrier present in the current Web3 game industry, and will play a pivotal role alongside Vortex Gaming in popularising the NEAR ecosystem for gaming.
Vortex Gaming CEO HOON JAI LEE said: “The ultimate goal is to build an integrated gamer community that encompasses both Web3 and traditional Web2 gamers by providing high quality Web3 and Web2 content alike.”
LEE added: “Gamers and their communities are the most crucial components of the game ecosystem. In addition to offering game content for gamers and their communities, Vortex Gaming envisions to establish a sustainable cycle by incentivizing gamers’ production of content such as character builds and game guides.”
Marieke Flament, CEO of NEAR Foundation, said: “Following the leading companies in the gaming industry such as Kakao Games, Wemade, Netmarble’s Marblex, we expect our sustainable game ecosystem to be further enhanced through this partnership with INVEN and look forward to making further inroads in this dynamic space.”
Scott Lee, Co-CEO of NEAR Korea, said: “While the strong content competitiveness of leading companies plays a crucial role in attracting many users to the NEAR ecosystem, community is the key driving force in maintaining this competitiveness.”
He added: “The synergy effects resulting from the onboarding of Vortex Gaming will further strengthen NEAR’s position as the optimal mainnet in the Web3 game ecosystem, accelerating ecosystem development.”
Altenar
Philippine Sportsbook ArenaPlus Selects Altenar as Technology Provider
Altenar has entered the Philippines’ regulated sports betting market after being selected to power ArenaPlus, the flagship sportsbook platform of DigiPlus Interactive Corp. and the #1 PAGCOR-licensed online sportsbook in the Philippines.
As part of the agreement, ArenaPlus is transitioning its sportsbook operations to Altenar’s advanced, fully-managed sportsbook solution. The platform includes customised betting options for enhanced localisation, fast in-play and live betting, advanced risk management, and compliance controls designed to support a mobile-first market.
Altenar’s in-house statistical model and automated pricing tools ensure a comprehensive player props portfolio on Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) games, alongside faster odds updates, enabling ArenaPlus to further enhance its sports betting experience for users.
The deal further strengthens Altenar’s position as a trusted sportsbook technology provider in regulated markets worldwide, delivering high-performance and adaptable solutions that support operators’ long-term growth. By combining innovation with operational excellence, Altenar is setting the bar for reliability and growth across Asia.
Dinos Stranomitis, COO at Altenar said: “Partnering with DigiPlus to power ArenaPlus marks a key step in our entry into the Philippines, a highly engaged and rapidly growing regulated market. Our fully managed, localised sportsbook delivers the performance, stability, and compliance required in this market.
“This agreement reinforces our ability to support ambitious operators and establishes a solid foundation for long-term growth.”
Erick Su, Head of ArenaPlus, added: “Altenar provides the technical strength and reliability needed to elevate the ArenaPlus sportsbook experience. Their fully-managed solution aligns with our strategy for continued growth in the Philippines, particularly amid the rising demand for live and in-play sports betting.
“With Altenar’s technology in place, we can continue enhancing the player experience while building a partnership focused on long-term and sustainable growth.”
The post Philippine Sportsbook ArenaPlus Selects Altenar as Technology Provider appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
PhilWeb Announces the Official Commercial Launch of OKADA PLAY
PhilWeb Corporation announced the official commercial launch of the OKADA PLAY online gaming platform. This launch successfully operationalizes the strategic partnership with Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc., operator of the premium integrated resort Okada Manila.
Powered by PhilWeb’s comprehensive Online Gaming Platform (OGP) solution, OKADA PLAY integrates a full suite of gaming content, scalable platform technology, and robust customer service infrastructure. The platform is delivered within a strictly regulated framework, ensuring compliant and efficient participation in the Philippine digital gaming ecosystem.
The commercial rollout of OKADA PLAY marks a critical milestone in Okada Manila’s broader digital transformation strategy. By successfully converging its land-based luxury gaming experience with digital channels, the initiative is designed to drive omnichannel customer engagement and unlock new, scalable revenue streams beyond the physical property.
“The official launch of OKADA PLAY demonstrates our capability to execute and deploy end-to-end digital infrastructure for the industry’s most recognized luxury brands. We are proud to provide the robust, scalable platform that enables Tiger Resort to extend the premium Okada Manila experience to a growing nationwide audience of digital players,” said Mr. Brian Ng, President of PhilWeb Corporation.
“This launch marks an important step in Okada Manila’s digital expansion as we bring our gaming experience to a wider audience across the Philippines through OKADA PLAY. OKADA PLAY complements our land-based operations and our existing online platform, while PhilWeb’s technology and operational expertise help us deliver a trusted online gaming experience associated with the Okada Manila brand,” said Mr. Nobuki Sato, President and Chief Operating Officer of Okada Manila.
This milestone further solidifies PhilWeb’s track record of deploying integrated technology platform and content solutions for leading regulated operators in the Philippine market, reinforcing the Company’s strategic position at the centre of the industry’s digital evolution.
The post PhilWeb Announces the Official Commercial Launch of OKADA PLAY appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
Asia Pioneer Entertainment Signs Distribution Agreement with Germany’s CountR GmbH
Asia Pioneer Entertainment Holdings Limited has signed a distribution agreement with Germany’s CountR GmbH, a global leading provider of automated cash‑handling solutions. The partnership follows the launch earlier this month of BEE MACAU, the city’s first playing card factory, and marks APE’s expansion from a pure electronic gaming equipment supplier into a full “one‑stop” gaming solutions provider, positioning the company to capture broader opportunities in Asia’s fast‑growing entertainment markets.
CountR, with 20 years of expertise and more than 10,000 machines deployed across integrated resorts, cruise ships and gaming floors worldwide, is partnering with APE to introduce its advanced cash redemption kiosks to Asia’s growing gaming sector. Known for its innovative technology and integrated systems that connect retail, gaming and entertainment, CountR simplifies payment processes for operators while enhancing seamless experiences for players.
Under the agreement, APE will distribute CountR’s kiosks across Asia. Already proven in global market, these kiosks allow players to quickly redeem credits from tickets, chips, and cash, which is planned for Southeast Asia, giving operators a more efficient and streamlined way to manage cash operations. The partnership was unveiled at the G2E Asia expo in Cotai Arena, Macau, where APE and CountR showcased their integrated solutions to industry leaders.
Ms. Maria Garcia, Executive Director and Sales Director of APE, said: “We are truly honored and excited to be the distributor for CountR across Asia. CountR is widely recognized for its versatile, innovative, and reliable payment solutions in global markets. Through this collaboration and our existing product offerings, we can now provide a broader range of products and services that address most casino operational needs. I am confident that this partnership will support APE in developing new markets across Asia.”
Ms. Tamara Sawyer, Regional Sales Manager of CountR, said: “Partnering with APE opens the door to Asia’s fast‑growing casino market. Together, we’re ready to bring proven innovation to the region and unlock new opportunities for growth.”
APE’s portfolio now evolves into a one‑stop suite of gaming solutions, combining Electronic Gaming Equipment such as slot machines and electronic table games, Table Game Solutions including playing cards (BEE Macau—the city’s first playing card factory), dealing shoes, and smart trend boards, and Cash Management Solutions powered by CountR kiosks; together these offerings position APE to serve both large integrated resorts and smaller gaming floors with greater efficiency and flexibility, while opening the door to broader customer reach across Asia.
Mr. Herman Ng, CEO and Executive Director of APE, said: “APE’s strategy is shifting from being primarily a supplier of electronic gaming equipment to delivering comprehensive gaming operation solutions. The new model focuses on integration, cost efficiency, and flexibility, allowing APE to serve both large integrated resort casinos and smaller niche casino floors effectively.”
The post Asia Pioneer Entertainment Signs Distribution Agreement with Germany’s CountR GmbH appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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