Asia
Aussie star Matthew Hayden joins the virtual gaming space

World-renowned online cricket gaming franchise World Cricket Championship (WCC) by Nextwave Multimedia now aims to bring you closer to actual cricket by roping in Matthew Hayden to lend his voice and expertise to the online cricket world as a commentator for its third edition, WCC3. Matthew Hayden will offer English commentary with his familiar banter bringing life into the virtual game. He will join Aakash Chopra who recently came on board as a Hindi commentator to cater to 110 million players.
This game will address all aspects of the real game on field including the weather conditions, the ground, the players, every good or dismissal shot and defense responses, all with detailed graphics diminishing the interface between reality and non-reality. The game caters to 2.5 million daily digital cricket players worldwide with maximum players from the USA, UK, UAE, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who will benefit from Mathew Hayden.
WCC3 comes with competitive multiplayer simulation of actual cricket, updated gameplay features like brand new controls, exciting animations, real-time motions of athletes and professional cricketers, advanced artificial intelligence along with the bilingual commentary feature with celebrity cricketers. Players can also come together to build grassroot communities, and cheer for the teams of their choice. Fans can also enjoy Mathew Hayden’s commentary if they only want to watch the game like any other esport.
On the collaboration, Matthew Hayden says, “Very excited to be a part of cricket as a digital commentator. The game gave me complete space to bring my own spin on the script creatively. I used variations and patterns in my voice to generate energy and bring the excitement of a live game to the audience, something that is only possible in this lockdown with a game like WCC 3.”
P R Rajendran, Co-Founder and CEO, Nextwave Multimedia and creator of WCC, says, “With no actual cricket being played currently, we hope to fill the gap with commentators like Matthew Hayden and Aakash Chopra to build familiarity and comfort on the game enabling people to come as close to actual cricket as possible.”
Online sports games have never been bigger, WCC franchise has witnessed a 20% surge in sessions and revenue, 25% increase in new users, and daily active users and over a 100% spike in in-app purchases in the game. The WCC franchise games are some of the topmost downloaded games according to the Annie App Report and have been listed by Google’s editor’s choice and Google’s best games.
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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 ânon-compliant and unauthorized.â 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 PhilWebâs 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 âGreggyâ 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 Bayadâs only gaming partner for OTC cash transactions.
Through this collaboration, DigiPlus customers gain access to Bayadâs 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.
âAt 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,â said Eusebio H. Tanco, Chairman of DigiPlus Interactive Corp.
âToday, we take another meaningful step forward through our partnership with DigiPlus. Together, weâre 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,â said Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, Chairman of the Board at Bayad.
The Bayad payment channels partnership adds to DigiPlusâ 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 DigiPlusâ 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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