Asia
Indian Esports stakeholders reflect on historic year for video-gaming industry; share outlook for upcoming year

A groundbreaking year for Indian Esports, marked by participation in the Asian Games 2022, witnessed global triumphs, mainstream recognition, and brand investments, laying the foundations for a successful 2024
The year 2023 has been defined by a multitude of key events and accomplishments for Indian Esports. The ‘Leveling up: State of India Gaming FY’23’ report by Lumikai in collaboration with Google states that India was home to 568 Mn gamers in FY23. The country’s gaming market hit $3.1 Bn in FY23 and is projected to reach $7.5 Bn by FY28, growing at a CAGR of 20%.
The Indian contingent’s participation in the Asian Games 2022, where Esports debuted as an official medal sport, and the remarkable fifth-place finish secured by the League of Legends team emerged as the year’s crowning achievement that showcased the nation’s Esports prowess on the international stage. S8UL, India’s premier Esports organization, added to this triumph by winning the first-ever ‘Global Impact on Mobile Gaming’ at the MOBIES Awards as well as the ‘Content Creator of the Year’ award at the global Esports Awards 2023.
Mr. Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Founder and CEO of 8Bit Creatives and S8UL, reflected on these milestones, stating, “The recognition on the global stage including our country’s talented contingent competing at the Asian Games 2022 and S8UL achieving unprecedented success elevated the industry’s status. The stigma surrounding gaming as a career choice has dissipated, opening new opportunities for aspiring gamers and legitimizing Esports as a viable and respected profession.”
The year also witnessed a transformative influx of brands into the Esports ecosystem, with notable examples such as IQOO SOUL’s historic title sponsorship with Team SOUL. Mr. Animesh Agarwal highlighted the significance, saying, “The increasing involvement of non-endemic brands, their entry into the gaming space, and the rise of official tournaments have reshaped the industry’s landscape. IQOO SOUL’s title sponsorship with IQOO highlights the expanding horizons of Esports sponsorships with brands across all domains. The influx of non-endemic brands brings both financial support and broader visibility to gaming creators, organizations, tournaments, and other Esports events.”
The amendments made to the Information and Technology (IT) Act by the Indian government played a pivotal role in distinguishing Esports from real money gaming (RMG). This recognition provided legitimacy to the sector, leading to increased sponsorships and investments.
States like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh have also taken proactive steps, with initiatives such as the country’s first esports academy and tournaments. Educational institutions have also embraced Esports with the inclusion of Esports in the curriculum.
Sharing his thoughts on these developments, Mr. Lokesh Suji, Director of Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and Vice-President of Asian Esports Federation (AESF) commented, “The future of Esports is exceptionally bright in India. Through the consistent efforts of ESFI, the Indian government officially recognized Esports as a multi-sport event and categorized it under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in December 2022. Beyond official recognition, infrastructure development is a critical factor for the sustained growth of the Esports industry. The initiatives by our government and numerous states have laid the groundwork for potential financial backing and infrastructure growth in the coming years. Esports now proudly stands alongside the traditional sports of the country, attracting more players and sponsors to the industry.”
After its temporary hiatus, the triumphant return of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) this year was an instrumental factor for the Indian Esports industry. Emphasizing the resilience and growth, Mr. Rohit Agarwal, Founder & Director, Alpha Zegus noted, “Content solutions have been our top priority in 2023, and it has been an incredible year for us. Titles like BGMI had a comeback that boosted the Esports industry by more than 4x factor, while publishers like RIOT took serious efforts and made massive investments into the Indian gaming space. In numbers, we generated more than 400 pieces of quality content for our partners and saw a 300% growth in content solutions as compared to 2022. In 2024, our efforts are going to continue towards content solutions and experiential marketing, expanding our base to different regions, and bringing more quality to our work.”
As Esports continues its ascent as a global phenomenon, the inaugural Esports World Cup 2024 and the entry of streaming giants like Netflix and YouTube into gaming signal a revolutionary shift for Indian esports in the upcoming year. The convergence of these factors coupled with other trends promises a dynamic and transformative year ahead.
Asia
New Resort & Casino Selects IvedaAI for Intelligent Video Surveillance Ahead of Grand Opening

Iveda, a global leader in AI-driven video surveillance and smart-city technologies, announced that Subic Sun Development Inc. has chosen the IvedaAI platform as the video surveillance solution for the soon-to-open Subic Sun Resort, Convention & Casino. IvedaAI was selected early in the build-out to inform camera placement and ensure frictionless integration with future-ready, AI-powered analytics. Located on the former U.S. naval base in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone—a special economic hub that hosts thousands of international and local businesses—the resort will feature 500 guest rooms, a state-of-the-art convention center, a luxury casino and two Accor-brand hotels, Ibis Styles and Mercure, scheduled to open in December 2025.
The decision comes as global resort operators sharpen their focus on safety, service and operational efficiency. The global resort market generated $347 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach nearly $945 billion by 2030, an 18.5% CAGR. IvedaAI’s AI-enabled video analytics will help property staff lower security costs, respond to incidents faster and unlock data-driven insights that boost both guest satisfaction and bottom-line performance.
“Iveda being selected as a premier security and surveillance provider before the first Subic Sun Resort guest ever checks in is a powerful endorsement of our commitment to providing state-of- the-art monitoring technology. By designing camera layouts around IvedaAI’s real-time analytics, Subic Sun can optimize coverage, reduce blind spots, and deliver safer, smoother guest experiences—without a costly equipment overhaul. We expect more ground-up projects to follow this blueprint,” said David Ly, CEO and Founder of Iveda.
Iveda Philippines—Iveda’s joint venture focused on nationwide smart-city deployment—secured the Subic Sun contract and will oversee the on-site rollout. The win represents the team’s first major hospitality project and advances its plan to generate US $3 million in smart-city revenue by FY 2026, building on the broader initiative it announced last year.
The post New Resort & Casino Selects IvedaAI for Intelligent Video Surveillance Ahead of Grand Opening appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
FUN88 Thailand Celebrates 17th Anniversary with 17 Spins, Rewards & Newcastle Match Trip

FUN88 Thailand, a top online gaming platform, is celebrating its 17th birthday with a special month-long event full of exciting rewards and lucky missions. The promotion, running from June 2 to 30, allows members to win amazing prizes like a 7-day trip to watch a live English Premier League Newcastle United match, a luxury Royal Oak watch, 17 spins for a special Anniversary Badge and many more guaranteed rewards.
With the theme “Play with FUN, be FUN”, FUN88 promises a fun and rewarding experience for all players.
How to take part in FUN88’s 17th birthday to win big:
• BE FUN Lucky Spin: Complete daily or event missions to earn spins. Every spin is a guaranteed win. Grand prizes include a NUFC new season football trip to England, a luxury Royal Oak watch and more.
• Daily Check-In: In the new Rewards Lobby, members who topped up in the past 7 days can check in daily for rewards up to 12,888 THB.
• Top-Up on 8th, 18th, 28th: Get 5 extra spins just by topping up on these special dates.
• Extra Missions: Try missions like Virtual Sports, SOS Insurance Slots, or join “Road to World Cup I” for even more spins.
• Anniversary Badge: Spin the BE FUN Wheel 17 times during the event and get the exclusive 17th Anniversary Badge.
All event details are available on the FUN88 Promotions page.
The post FUN88 Thailand Celebrates 17th Anniversary with 17 Spins, Rewards & Newcastle Match Trip appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Groove Strengthens Asian Market Footprint with Standout Participation at SiGMA Asia 2025

Groove Technologies, a leading provider of seamless platform and aggregation solutions, made a powerful impact at SiGMA Asia 2025, solidifying its position as a key partner for businesses scaling across Asia’s booming digital economy. Held from June 1 to 4, the event provided the perfect platform for Groove to showcase its cutting-edge technology infrastructure tailored to the region’s unique demands.
Groove engaged with dozens of industry leaders, demonstrating its next-generation platform and back-office, Groove Command, which combines real-time processing, multi-currency agility, and AI-powered tools, critical features for Asia’s fast-moving markets.
The Manila event highlighted Groove’s seamless integrations with over 150 popular games studios, as well as its portfolio of over 15,000 games which is adding over 100 new games every month.
Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove Technologies, sharing insights about innovation, saying: “Asia’s online gambling landscape is evolving at lightning speed, and Groove is at the forefront, bridging gaps between local preferences and global scalability.”
Tourgeman added: “The conversations at SiGMA Asia confirmed that businesses here need a partner who understands regulatory and cultural nuances while delivering reliability. Our platform, with its data-driven recommender matching players to games, is built for exactly that.”
The event also served as a launchpad for Groove’s new Instant Tournaments Hub, announced during an exclusive networking session. This expansion underscores the company’s commitment to providing localised support for Asian enterprises navigating complex regulations.
Trusted by high-growth businesses worldwide, Groove turns iGaming complexity into a competitive edge with its blend of entertainment ecosystem expertise and technological innovation.
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO of Groove Technologies, reflected on the event’s success: “SiGMA Asia 2025 wasn’t just about visibility, it was about validation. The demand for our solutions in markets like the Philippines, India, and Australia exceeded expectations. With our strengthened regional infrastructure and partnerships, Groove is poised to become the iGaming backbone for Asia’s digital growth story.”
The post Groove Strengthens Asian Market Footprint with Standout Participation at SiGMA Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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