Asia
NBA 2K LEAGUE TO HOST SECOND ASIA-PACIFIC INVITATIONAL AT NEXON ARENA IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
Jan. 21 Tournament Will be Livestreamed on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube Channels and in China on Tencent; NBA 2K League also Launches Official Weibo Channel –
– Gen.G to Unveil NBA 2K League Team Name and Logo Jan. 20; NBA 2K League to Host NBA 2K League Global Invitation Match feat. Chinese Players from NBA2K Online 2 on Jan. 21 –
The NBA 2K League announced that the 2020 NBA 2K League APAC Invitational, the league’s second international qualifying event in the Asia-Pacific region, will take place Monday, Jan. 20 – Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Nexon Arena in Seoul, South Korea. The two-day event will identify several elite players from the Asia-Pacific region who will become eligible for the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft*.
The NBA 2K League APAC Invitational will feature 20 of the top NBA 2K players from Australia, China, New Zealand, the Philippines and South Korea competing over two days of gameplay, including scrimmages and a tournament, and participating in interviews with league representatives. The tournament on Jan. 21 will be livestreamed on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels and in China on Tencent’s Penguin Esports, Douyu and Huya beginning at 3:30 p.m. local time.
The NBA 2K League also today launched the league’s official Weibo channel in China. NBA 2K League fans in China can follow along for the latest news, updates and content from the NBA 2K League.
“We’re excited to be holding our second Asia-Pacific invitational in Seoul and that Gen.G will be working with us on the event as part of our strategic relationship to develop elite NBA 2K talent across the Asia-Pacific region,” said NBA 2K League Managing Director Brendan Donohue. “Last season’s APAC Invitational identified several players who became eligible for the NBA 2K League Draft, and given the talent in the region we fully expect the level of competition to be even greater this year.”
The NBA 2K League identified players for the APAC Invitational through Gen.G’s recent Shanghai Invitational (Gen.G’s first-ever Pro-Am tournament in China that featured 20 of the best Chinese NBA 2K players), the NBA 2K League Combine and historical performances in NBA 2K events. At the end of the APAC Invitational, a committee comprised of league representatives, select NBA 2K League players and team personnel serving as scouts on the league’s behalf will identify several players who will become eligible for the 2020 NBA 2K League Draft.
As part of the APAC Invitational, on Jan. 20 Gen.G CEO Chris Park will unveil Gen.G’s NBA 2K League team name, logo and social media channels. On Jan. 21 the NBA 2K League will host the NBA 2K League Global Invitation Match, a series of exhibition matches featuring APAC Invitational players and 2019 NBA 2K League Finals MVP Michael “BearDaBeast” Key (T-Wolves Gaming) playing against top representatives from NBA2K Online 2 (a free-to-play online game published in China), including National League Champion “Shy.” The NBA 2K League Global Invitation Match will also be livestreamed in China on Tencent’s Penguin Esports, Douyu and Huya beginning at 11:30 a.m. local time.
Last season Jack “Jaacko” Stevenson (New Zealand) became the first player ever drafted from the APAC Invitational when he was selected 50th overall by Pistons GT, the NBA 2K League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons.
In September, the NBA 2K League announced that Gen.G, the global esports organization connecting the best gamers in the U.S. and Asia, would launch an NBA 2K League team from Shanghai that will join the other 22 NBA 2K League teams for the 2020 season. In addition to launching the Shanghai franchise, Gen.G and the NBA 2K League announced a long-term relationship to grow the NBA 2K League’s global player pool and fanbase.
Last summer, Tencent, a leading provider of comprehensive Internet services in China, streamed condensed 2019 NBA 2K League Playoff and Finals games to its hundreds of millions of daily users across Tencent Sports, Tencent Video and Tencent News.
For more information, fans can follow the NBA 2K League on Twitter (NBA2KLeague), Instagram (nba2kleague), Facebook (NBA 2K League), Twitch (NBA2KLeague) and YouTube (NBA 2K League) and visit NBA2KLeague.com.
*Players will become draft-eligible upon passing a background check.
Asia
IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur
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The World Esports Championship 2025 (WEC25) is officially open in Kuala Lumpur, welcoming athletes, fans, and delegations from around the globe. With 19 nations taking part in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), this year’s event stands as the most internationally diverse MLBB competition in IESF history.
After a year filled with national and regional qualifiers and preparations from teams around the world, the world’s top esports athletes have arrived in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony set the tone for the days ahead, offering fans a first glimpse of the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this year’s championship.
“WEC25 reflects the continued growth of esports as a space for connection, competition, and shared passion,” said IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski. “Bringing together 19 nations for MLBB is a milestone not just for the title, but for the entire esports ecosystem. We are proud to bring this edition of the championship to Kuala Lumpur.”
As the competition officially kicks off, the schedule is fully packed with exciting match-ups among Nations, competing for their flag and country. The best from all over the world will have the unique opportunity to become the MLBB World Champion.
IESF extends its gratitude to the Malaysian government and the Ministry for Youth and Sports, partners, athletes, and global supporters who continue to elevate the championship’s reach and impact.
The post IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Pacific Online-backed Buenas PH Inks Partnership with YGS Live’s Battle of the Streamers to Support Ethical iGaming
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Buenas PH, the licensed e-casino operator under HHR Philippines Inc (HHRPI), has been named the presenting partner of YGS Live’s Battle of the Streamers. The partnership builds on the strong momentum created during the recent launch of YGS Live, a next-generation iGaming broadcast platform founded by esports pioneer Julius “Banoobs” Mariano.
Buenas PH is backed by strong corporate leadership that firmly establishes its position in the iGaming and entertainment industry. HHR Philippines is venture-backed by publicly listed Pacific Online Systems Corporation (POSC), led by Willy N. Ocier, who serves as Chairman of Belle Corporation. Belle Corporation is SM Investment’s major developer of leisure and tourism destinations built to support the growth of PAGCOR’s Entertainment City. This corporate foundation strengthens Buenas PH’s credibility and long-term direction as it grows in the regulated iGaming sector.
The Battle of the Streamers is the flagship program of YGS Live. Powered by Pragmatic Play and streamed through the soon-to-be-launched Loco Live platform, the event brings together the country’s top iGaming creators in a weekly competition featuring an eleven-million-peso prize pool. As one of the first major events to debut on Loco Live, the program showcases the platform’s commitment to high-quality, responsible, and community-driven iGaming content. It also reinforces YGS Live’s advocacy for responsible iGaming by discouraging creators from promoting unlicensed or scam platforms.
“Through this partnership, Buenas PH supports a mission that elevates Philippine iGaming to a safer and more responsible environment,” said Julius “Banoobs” Mariano, Founder of YGS Live. “Our creators have influence. We want that influence to help shape a healthier culture for fans and players.”
Industry reports have highlighted Pacific Online’s active participation in the growth of regulated online gaming in the Philippines, including its involvement in HHR Philippines and the Buenas operator. These developments strengthen confidence in the company’s long-term direction as a regulated and ethical player in the e-casino sector.
As the presenting partner, Buenas PH takes a central role throughout the Battle of the Streamers program, which runs every Saturday and culminates in a grand finals event on January 18, 2026, at City of Dreams Manila. The event combines high-stakes matches with interactive community segments, along with three million pesos in community giveaways for fans and viewers.
YGS Live continues to position itself as a broadcast network dedicated to responsible, community-driven iGaming content. With Buenas PH as a lead partner, the platform aims to set a new benchmark for safe, creator-focused, and credible iGaming entertainment in the Philippines.
For updates, visit the official YGS Live Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YGSLive.
The post Pacific Online-backed Buenas PH Inks Partnership with YGS Live’s Battle of the Streamers to Support Ethical iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
BetConstruct AI Arrives at G2E Asia 2025 in Manila
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After exhibiting at more than 30 events throughout the year, BetConstruct AI concludes its global calendar at G2E Asia 2025. The exhibition will take place from 10 to 11 December in Manila, Philippines, providing an important stage to present the company’s strategic vision, technological capability and integrated approach to one of Asia’s most influential industry gatherings.
As the Asian iGaming community converges in Manila, BetConstruct AI will welcome visitors at Stand N2-618 to explore an ecosystem designed for operators seeking direction, efficiency and long term growth. Attendees will encounter more than a standard product lineup. They will enter an environment shaped around intelligence, integration and practical value, demonstrating how a connected ecosystem tailored to the Asian market can strengthen performance across digital and retail operations.
As part of its participation at G2E Asia, the company will also highlight its limited-time commercial offer. Operators who sign new agreements on or before 15 January 2026 will receive a 50% reduction on setup fees, tools and services for one year. This initiative provides a more accessible starting point for those planning to expand, introduce new skins or develop their strategic roadmap for 2026.
Central to this environment are the established pillars of the company’s ecosystem, the Sportsbook and the Casino Suite. These pillars represent the depth, coverage, personalisation and consistent multi-channel performance required for reliable operational success. They serve as the entry point into a broader structure where player engagement, loyalty progression and operator creativity form essential components of sustained development.
Within this broader structure, The Last Battle presents a distinctive approach to progression and player value, turning loyalty into a dynamic, evolving experience. Land-Based Solutions extend intelligent capability into physical venues, supported by tools that modernise retail operations, while Loya strengthens player relationships inside every shop through a dedicated loyalty framework.
Affigates, presented separately within the ecosystem, offers an independent affiliate network prioritising reach, reliability and partnership within a trusted global framework.
Supporting every element of the ecosystem is the AI Suite, the analytical core that connects insight with action. CRM AI strengthens engagement through behavioural understanding.
Umbrella AI reinforces operational confidence by identifying potential risks early and supporting informed decisions. The AI Game Recommendation System elevates personalisation by matching each player with content aligned to their preferences. Together, these components form the intelligence framework that drives the entire BetConstruct AI environment.
The presence at G2E Asia reflects the company’s commitment to building technology that is adaptable, comprehensive and aligned with emerging opportunities across the region.
The post BetConstruct AI Arrives at G2E Asia 2025 in Manila appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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