Latest News
PAGCOR PHOTO CONTEST DRAWS 5,400+ ENTRIES; WINNERS KNOWN SEPT. 13
State gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today announced that final judging for its photography contest for this year, which attracted 5,407 entries, has been concluded and that the winners will be made public on September 13.
“We are proud to announce that this year’s photography contest has been a tremendous success and that the 24 winners will be announced on September 13 at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila,” according to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco.
Mr. Tengco said that the photo contest, which was divided into the conventional digital camera and mobile camera categories, required that entries feature hidden or untapped tourist destinations around the country as part of PAGCOR’s thrust to promote tourism.
“And we are pleasantly surprised to discover that, indeed, the Philippines has a lot more to offer than our traditional and popular destinations, and we believe that a lot of people would also like to fully explore these places that are featured in the contest,” Mr. Tengco said.
The PAGCOR chief said more than 13,000 people expressed interest in joining the contest when it was first announced online last February 15. Out of the initial number, a total of 8,771 people registered to join while 5,407 entries were actually submitted.
All the entries were initially judged by region, with five finalists from each category selected during the judging for Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and Metro Manila. The overall winners were selected from the 40 regional finalists.
The 12 winners in the conventional photo category will receive Php80,000 in cash prizes each while the 12 winners in the mobile category will take home Php35,000 each. The non-winning finalists will also receive consolation prizes.
Among the judges in the final judging are prominent professional photographers like Mr. Bobot Go, Ms Lauren Malcampo, and Mr. Wig Tysmans along with columnist and editor Mr. Pepper Teehankee.
The finalists may be viewed online at https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02RMQZWQ5t7GHDAJHhuoEUzEqPwLP7fsmxQ3URWhSvZ3HCAkgzX5rdJAFZxgJy9yC5l&id=100064755154228&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ1f for conventional photography and https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02uje5uQxcMXofKEC3T4H2hoWuebwb7vUF45dqww7o4yJFzAfqYvqXep94pLyhvY5Ll&id=100064755154228&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ1f for the mobile category.#
asia-pacific
Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026
Groove has been named a finalist for Best Aggregator 2026 at the SiGMA Asia Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for 2 June 2026 at the SMX Convention Centre Manila during the SiGMA Asia Summit.
The shortlist was announced by Global Gaming Insider, according to the company. Groove said its platform aggregates more than 15,000 games from over 150 providers via a single API.
Giusy Campo, Business Development Director at Groove, said: “This shortlist is external recognition of a truth we already feel internally: Groove is moving at a different pace. Asia is not a single market, it is a collection of distinct regulatory environments, player behaviours, and partnership opportunities”
Campo added: “Our platform is built to respect that complexity, not smooth it over. Being named a finalist for Best Aggregator tells us that our approach; deep integration, localised content strategies, and commercial precision; is resonating with the operators who matter most in this region. We are not just bringing games to Asia. We are bringing a roadmap for sustainable growth.”
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Groove, said: “The aggregation space is crowded. Differentiation is everything. This nomination confirms that our vision, transforming aggregation from a commodity into a strategic growth discipline, is taking hold.” He added: “Operators across Asia are no longer asking for just volume or speed. They are asking for structural resilience, data intelligence, and a partner who can execute across fragmented regulatory landscapes with precision. Groove delivers that. To be recognised alongside the best in Asia is a privilege, but the real work continues in Manila and beyond. We are here to win, not just awards, but the trust of the operators who build their businesses on our platform.”
The post Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
data providers
DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026
DATA.BET says turnover from its virtual content grew 168% between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, with the supplier reporting the product accounted for 39% of total virtual sports turnover and 45% of profits over the period.
The company said the content is developed fully in-house and delivered through automated bot-vs-bot matches that run 24/7 without dependence on real-world fixture schedules. DATA.BET positioned the format as a way to provide continuous events and reduce operational overhead for operators.
Across the same period, DATA.BET reported +299% active users, +129% across clients GGR, +246% events per quarter, and +218% bets placed.
DATA.BET also said the audience profile overlaps with live football bettors, which it believes supports retention during seasonal breaks. The supplier added that the algorithm-driven format “carries no fraud exposure,” supports In-Stream Betting overlays, and provides near-zero latency between broadcast and market updates.
“Over the past year, our bot-vs-bot virtual content has delivered consistent, measurable results across every operator deployment. Building e-Football in-house gives us the flexibility to configure it to what each operator actually needs — whether that is a specific league structure, a particular mix of bot and player content, or a branded competition format,” mentioned Rostyslav Likhtin, Head of Product at DATA.BET.
The post DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
content studios
155.io makes fintech debut with Coverd partnership
155.io has signed a partnership with US-based fintech platform Coverd, marking the content studio’s first move into fintech. The deal was announced Thursday 21st May 2026.
Under the agreement, 155.io’s real-world games will be integrated into Coverd’s platform. Coverd said the integration is designed to turn everyday transactions into interactive experiences where users can win the chance to have purchases covered through 155.io gameplay.
Sam Jones, Founder & CEO of 155.io, said: “This partnership gives us the opportunity to bring our content to a completely new audience. We share a philosophy with Coverd around disrupting and modernising industries through more interactive experiences. They understand that younger audiences expect entertainment and engagement across every digital touchpoint, including finance, which is exactly how we think about design.”
Albert Wang, Coverd co-founder, added: “Today’s consumer is actively embracing gamified products across every category, so there’s no reason personal finance should stay in the stone age. We’re excited to work with 155.io to make financial experiences more interactive and give everyone a chance to live big by winning back their purchases. 155.io’s next-gen content fits perfectly with what we’re building at Coverd.”
155.io said the integration will bring its interactive content—built around live-action footage and real-time mechanics—to Coverd users. The studio’s portfolio includes Rush Hour from its CCTV Game
library, alongside Ducks.io and Snow Run.
The post 155.io makes fintech debut with Coverd partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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