Asia
Enforcement Directorate Freezes Rs 123 Crore in Crackdown on Chinese Betting Apps

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), a law enforcement agency of the Government of India that is responsible for enforcing Economic Laws and fighting Economic Crime, announced on Wednesday that it had frozen bank deposits worth Rs 123 crore following searches at 10 locations in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against “Chinese-controlled” betting and loan apps, which allegedly defrauded numerous individuals.
According to a statement by the ED, the searches were conducted on February 23 and 24 at the premises of NIUM India Pvt Ltd and its directors in Mumbai, Xoduz Solution Pvt Ltd, Vikrah Trading Enterprises Pvt Ltd, Tyrannus Technology Pvt Ltd, M/s Future Vision Media Solutions Pvt Ltd, M/s Aprikiwi Solution Pvt Ltd in Chennai and Raphael James Rozario in Kochi.
“The search operations also resulted in the recovery and seizure of several digital devices, various incriminating documents, multiple bank accounts used for laundering, and details of various movable and immovable assets of the accused persons and entities,” the ED stated.
The searches were aimed at “tracing and unearthing the proceeds of crime in the case of illegal online loan/gambling/betting apps through a cluster of mule accounts in Kerala,” the ED elaborated.
The investigation was initiated based on FIRs registered by Kerala and Haryana Police regarding allegations of exploitation and cheating through online loan, gambling, or betting apps controlled by Chinese entities.
“The proceeds of crime generated from the above apps/other platforms are aggregated and laundered through mule accounts opened in various banks in Kerala State using payment aggregators,” the ED explained.
Additionally, funds collected through multiple shell companies in several states, including Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai, were being remitted outside India through various channels such as cryptocurrency, against fake imports of software from Singapore and Forex currency purchases.
The ED disclosed that the accused had established numerous shell entities in India and used them to transfer proceeds of crime to shell companies established in Singapore. “These Singapore shell entities would raise fake invoices for the supply of software/other services in the name of the shell Indian entities in India, where the proceeds of crime would have already been aggregated,” the statement said.
“These invoices are processed by a global forex settlement platform named M/s NIUM Singapore Pte Ltd. (Singapore), which has an Indian subsidiary Company, namely NIUM India Pvt. Ltd., to collect money from Indian entities based on fake invoices and transfer the same as outward remittances to M/s NIUM Singapore Pte Ltd in the name of payment for technical services. These funds will then be credited to the virtual wallet of Singapore shell entities,” the ED added.
According to the ED, NIUM India collected no other documentation besides the fake invoices from the remitters.
“In this manner, the shell remitter, the shell remittee, and the sham import transactions were concealed from the Bank and monitoring agencies, and the proceeds of crime are thereby laundered out of India,” the ED concluded.
Asia
PAGCOR Enforces Accreditation for All iGaming Service Providers by 2026

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has given gaming affiliates, developers and support service providers until early 2026 to comply with its newly implemented B2B Accreditation Framework, a regulatory system that formalises participation in the iGaming supply chain.
Companies that submit applications by December 31, 2025, will qualify for a three-year initial accreditation, while unaccredited foreign content providers face removal from licensed platforms after March 31, 2026.
The framework, which took effect on October 2, sets mandatory accreditation requirements for all third-party entities providing gaming content, systems or technical support to PAGCOR-licensed operators.
Accreditation covers several categories, including gaming affiliates, game content providers (GCPs) and support service providers (SSPs). Gaming affiliates may act as aggregators that distribute multiple game titles to operators, while GCPs are developers or studios supplying electronic game software or live-streamed content.
Accreditation is valid for two years from the date of PAGCOR Board approval, an increase from the previous one-year term.
Foreign data or content streaming providers that fail to secure accreditation by the March 2026 deadline will have their content deemed “non-compliant and unauthorized.” They may appoint a Philippine-registered company or a PAGCOR-accredited Gaming System Administrator as their exclusive distributor instead of setting up a local office.
PAGCOR has warned that licensed operators using unaccredited service providers may face sanctions.
The post PAGCOR Enforces Accreditation for All iGaming Service Providers by 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Aquisitions/Mergers
Gregorio Araneta to Sell its Entire 57% Stake in PhilWeb to Nexora Holdings and Velora Holdings

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Philippine eGames provider PhilWeb’s principal shareholder Gregorio Araneta Inc (GAINC) is going to sell its entire 57% stake in PhilWeb to Nexora Holdings Inc and Velora Holdings Inc for a total consideration of Php1.8 billion (US$30.8 million), representing 829,574,354 common shares.
GAINC is owned by Gregorio “Greggy” Araneta III, a member of the powerful Araneta family and the brother-in-law of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Given that the transaction would involve control of more than 35% of the outstanding voting shares of PhilWeb, the buyers will be required to conduct a mandatory tender offer to remaining shareholders to acquire full control of the company as per local laws.
PhilWeb noted that the buyers are closely linked to the company, with current PhilWeb President & Director Edgar Brian K. Ng also serving as President, Chairman & a Director of Nexora, while current PhilWeb Vice Chairman and Director Crisanto Roy B. Alcid is a Director and the Treasurer of Nexora.
The post Gregorio Araneta to Sell its Entire 57% Stake in PhilWeb to Nexora Holdings and Velora Holdings appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
ArenaPlus
DigiPlus Announces Partnership with Bayad

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DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (DigiPlus), the pioneer in digital entertainment in the Philippines, announced an exclusive partnership with Bayad, a trusted authority in bills payment services, to expand over-the-counter (OTC) or physical payment options for players of BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone.
The partnership was formally signed on October 8, 2025, led by top executives from both companies: Eusebio H. Tanco, Chairman of DigiPlus; Jasper Vicencio, President of AB Leisure Exponent Inc., a subsidiary of DigiPlus; Ray C. Espinosa, Chairman of Bayad; and Lawrence Y. Ferrer, President and CEO of Bayad. The agreement is effective immediately, making DigiPlus Bayad’s only gaming partner for OTC cash transactions.
Through this collaboration, DigiPlus customers gain access to Bayad’s extensive network of payment touchpoints, present across 800+ Bayad Center branches and Bayad Partners in malls, supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide.
Bayad is accredited by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as an Electronic Money Issuer (EMI). DigiPlus partners only with BSP-accredited payment channels in accordance with the requirements of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), ensuring that all player wallet transactions are processed through secure and compliant payment platforms.
BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone players can now make cash-ins or deposits through Bayad. Additional features including cash-outs or withdrawals and access through the Bayad App will be rolled out in next phases, providing DigiPlus customers with more options to manage their funds conveniently and safely.
“At DigiPlus, our priority is to deliver engaging entertainment while ensuring safe and reliable services for our players. This partnership with Bayad provides customers with more secure and convenient ways to manage their transactions, reinforcing our commitment to player protection and dependable service at every touchpoint,” said Eusebio H. Tanco, Chairman of DigiPlus Interactive Corp.
“Today, we take another meaningful step forward through our partnership with DigiPlus. Together, we’re expanding access to digital channels and offering new, engaging, and responsible ways for Filipinos to experience convenience and entertainment made possible by accessible and inclusive financial services,” said Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, Chairman of the Board at Bayad.
The Bayad payment channels partnership adds to DigiPlus’ growing customer service network and player support, which already includes its in-house 24/7 customer support, 130+ physical BingoPlus stores nationwide and a surety bond for player wallets. These expanding service touchpoints reflect DigiPlus’ continued commitment to delivering digital entertainment with safe, reliable and accessible service for Filipinos.
The post DigiPlus Announces Partnership with Bayad appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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