Asia
Thailand Releases Draft Bill for Casino Legalisation
Thailand’s future casino regulatory body will be based in Bangkok with branches located strategically around the country, reporting directly to a new Policy Committee to be chaired by the Prime Minister, a draft casino bill made public on last Friday reveals.
It also outlines a multi-level approach by which the Policy Committee will be supported by an Executive Committee tasked with establishing the budgetary and staffing entitlements of the regulator itself.
The 22-page draft bill is currently open for public feedback until 18 August, having been released by Thailand’s Council of State after months of discussions.
According to the bill, key to formally legalising “integrated entertainment venues” with casinos in Thailand will be establishing an office to regulate them with a stated purpose to “regulate, supervise, control, promote, and support integrated entertainment venues in accordance” with the Act.
This regulatory body “will have its head office in Bangkok and will establish branches or representatives at any other place as necessary,” the bill says.
Among its stated tasks are supervising, inspecting and monitoring the operations of integrated entertainment venues, addressing public complaints, preventing and remedying “impacts” arising from the venues, and determining the characteristics of individuals prohibited from entering a casino area.
In charge of establishing key casino policy, including those around management, the issuance of licenses, tax rates, permitted business nature, entry levies and restrictions, employee criteria, executive criteria and permitted casino floor space, will be the Policy Committee – to be chaired by Thailand’s Prime Minister and with the Deputy Prime Minister as Vice Chairman.
It will also comprise nine senior government officials as directors including the Minister of Finance, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Minister of Commerce, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Justice, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Secretary-General of the National Defense Commission and Secretary-General of the Board of Investment, plus six qualified members appointed by the Prime Minister “with knowledge and ability in economics business administration, law or society.”
Those six expert committee members must be Thai nationals and at least 35 years of age. They must not be a government official or an employee of any state agency, have previously held political positions, hold any criminal record or be “an incompetent person or a quasi-incompetent person.”
The Executive Committee, working under the Policy Committee, will be chaired by a person appointed by the Prime Minister and boast nine permanent secretaries from the aforementioned ministries and departments, plus three expert members also appointed by the PM.
According to the bill, licensees will be granted an initial 30-year license term, reviewable every five years, while there are 10 business types listed that can form part of Thailand’s “integrated entertainment venues” – Department store; Hotel; Restaurant, nightclub, discotheque, pub or bar; Stadium; Yacht and Cruising Club; Gaming; Swimming pools and water parks; Amusement park; Area for promoting Thai culture and OTOP products; Other businesses as specified by the Policy Committee.
The post Thailand Releases Draft Bill for Casino Legalisation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Books on Wheels: DigiPlus Foundation Brings Mobile Library to Boost Literacy Among Aurora’s Young Learners
DigiPlus Foundation continues to champion inclusive learning by empowering young learners in Aurora Province through a meaningful partnership with youth-led volunteer group Sikat Aurora.
Following six months of sustained support for Sikat Aurora’s Abot Ko ang Libro storytelling initiative, an activity that brings reading sessions and learning spaces closer to children in local communities, DigiPlus Foundation and GameZone surprised the group with a new mobile library designed to support their mission beyond a single location. The mobile library will allow Sikat Aurora volunteers to roam across Aurora Province, reaching more children with books, learning materials, and storytelling activities.
The donation strengthens Sikat Aurora’s efforts to uplift nonformal education as a vital complement to classroom learning, especially for children with limited access to books and educational resources. By taking learning on the road, the mobile library transforms storytelling sessions into a scalable, sustainable program that can reach far-flung communities across the province.
RJ Belen, Founder of Sikat Aurora, said: “We are truly grateful for the trust and support of DigiPlus Foundation. This mobile library will help us reach more young learners in Aurora and strengthen our mission of nurturing a love for reading. Through nonformal education, we help support what children learn in school and create spaces where learning feels accessible, enjoyable, and empowering.”
“This will allow us to bring learning to children who may not always have access to educational materials, helping them build confidence and curiosity as they grow.”
Neil Orillaneda, Program Manager for Technology Education of DigiPlus Foundation, said: “Our goal is simple: no learner left behind. By supporting initiatives like Sikat Aurora’s mobile library, we help bridge learning gaps and ensure that children, regardless of location or circumstance, have access to educational resources that support their growth.”
The mobile library donation reflects DigiPlus Foundation’s belief that learning happens not only inside classrooms, but also within communities through shared stories, accessible resources, and partnerships that place children at the center of development.
The mobile library donation is part of a Php 1-million contribution from GameZone during the International Series Philippines (ISP), channeled through DigiPlus Foundation to support a range of community initiatives nationwide. Beyond education, the donation also funds livelihood support for local weavers, health program assistance for the LGBTQ+ community, aid for persons with disabilities in Cebu, and flood rescue equipment for Manila, reflecting a holistic approach to community development that addresses education, health, inclusion, and disaster preparedness.
The post Books on Wheels: DigiPlus Foundation Brings Mobile Library to Boost Literacy Among Aurora’s Young Learners appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
The World Esports Summit returns to Busan, South Korea, for its 10th edition, taking place on 10–11 February 2025.
Hosted at the Wyndham Grand Busan, the Summit will bring together 40+ speakers from the international esports ecosystem, including representatives from federations, publishers, global brands, sports organizations, technology companies, and public institutions.
Over the past decade, the World Esports Summit has provided a platform for dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders shaping the world of esports. The 2025 edition will continue this role, offering space for discussion on current developments, industry challenges, and future directions.
The Summit will feature contributions from a wide range of organizations, including Alibaba, FIBA, FIFAe, Tencent, Moonton, NetEase, FIA, Sportradar, EFG, Good Game, Telekom, among others.
Across two days, participants will take part in keynote sessions and panel discussions addressing topics such as esports governance, international collaboration, industry development, integrity, and the continued convergence of esports and traditional sports.
Further information on the program, speakers, and registration is available on the official World Esports Summit website.
The post World Esports Summit Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Busan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Following the launch of its inaugural women-focused VALORANT tournament La Imperia, the Insurgence Gaming Company has announced its second competitive initiative, MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins, a series of open community tournaments created to make organised competition more accessible to emerging players.
While La Imperia introduced a visibility-led invitational format, the MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins take a different approach. The series is built around open participation and will be hosted entirely online, with all tournament operations managed through Discord. This allows teams from across India to compete in a structured setting without the restrictions often associated with invite-only events.
The Play-Ins are designed as a starting point for players and teams who want to experience organised competition. Matches will be played in a 5v5 MOBA Draft Pick format, with scheduling, match reporting, and communication handled through dedicated Discord channels.
The announcement continues Insurgence Gaming Company’s early focus on grassroots esports. The company was created to address gaps in India’s competitive ecosystem, particularly at the amateur and semi-professional level where consistent tournament opportunities are still limited.
Speaking on the launch, Jasper Shabin, Founder of the Insurgence Gaming Company, said: “With La Imperia, we focused on visibility. With the Discord Play-Ins, the focus shifts to access. Competitive players need regular places to play, improve, and test themselves, not just one-off tournaments. MOBA Legends 5v5 is one of the most accessible competitive titles on mobile, which makes it a strong fit for an open, community-driven format.”
Beyond competition, the Discord Play-Ins are also intended to build a sense of continuity. Players will have access to channels dedicated to match coordination, tournament updates, and post-game discussion, helping teams stay connected beyond a single tournament run.
With the MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins, the Insurgence Gaming Company continues to shape its identity around community-first formats, pairing visibility-led initiatives like La Imperia with open competitive pathways that support long-term grassroots growth in Indian esports.
The post Insurgence Gaming Company Expands Grassroots Vision with MOBA Legends 5v5 Discord Play-Ins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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