Asia
Olympic Council of Asia announced the titles of esports as an official medal sport at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China

The Olympic Council of Asia has announced the titles for the debut of esports as an official medal sport at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China in September 2022.
There will be eight medal events, plus two demonstration games, reflecting the popularity and growth of electronic sports in China and Asia. The announcement of the games titles was made on the first day of the two-day Chefs de Mission Seminar video conference for the 19th Asian Games on Wednesday, September 8.
The Director General of the OCA, Mr Husain Al-Musallam, said: “We hope that this announcement allows all participating teams ample time to prepare and equip themselves ahead of the qualifying stages.
“I believe we have ticked all the right boxes ensuring a high level of competition which promises great viewing for enthusiasts and casuals alike.
“We at the OCA are looking forward to working closely with our friends at the Asian Electronic Sports Federation and the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee to ensure a successful execution of the esports event at the 2022 Asian Games.”
The Asian Electronic Sports Federation, which is based in Hong Kong, China, has been appointed Technical Delegate of the esports competition at the 19th Asian Games by the OCA. The AESF will be in charge of the qualifying competition and for the operation and management of the esports competition in Hangzhou.
The eight official events, and publisher, are:
1、Arena of Valor Asian Games Version
2、Dota 2
3、Dream Three Kingdoms 2
4、EA SPORTS FIFA branded soccer games
5、HearthStone
6、League of Legends
7、PUBG Mobile Asian Games Version
8、Street Fighter V
The two demonstration events are:
9、AESF Robot Masters-Powered by Migu
10、AESF VR Sports-Powered by Migu
Note: Esports was added to the Asian Games sports programme at the OCA General Assembly in Muscat, Oman on December 16, 2020. It was a demonstration sport at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018, meaning that medals did not count in the official medal rankings.
PFB the quote on behalf of Mr Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) on this announcement:
“Finally, we are here with esports at the Asian Games’22; 8 esports titles means 24 medals. For titles like Hearthstone; EA FIFA, DOTA2, League of Legends, Street Fighter, we have very strong chances of winning Medals for India; Tirth Mehta who got bronze medal last time (2018), will be able to convert that bronze to a Gold this time. We will soon launch the “Road to Asian Games” program in line with AESF, to identify the best of the talent and train them for the main event at Hangzhou, China in September 2022. Thankfully we have enough time at our hands (unlike last time) to have the best of the players represent India at Asian Games’22. For titles like AOV (Asian Games Version) and PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version); we are waiting for more inputs to come.
It’s time for our Sports Ministry to recognize ESFI and our sport “esports”. We are confident that we will increase our medals tally this time. ESFI & AESF both are committed to develop, support and grow esports not only in India but the region.”
Powered by WPeMatico
Asia
MiFinity Expands Payment Options in Asia, Strengthening Regional Commitment

MiFinity, a trusted global eWallet provider serving merchants and consumers worldwide, is deepening its presence in Asia with additional local payment options. As part of its continuous commitment to supporting the region’s surging digital economy, MiFinity has launched Rabbit Line Pay in Thailand alongside LinkAja and direct bank transfer in Indonesia, with more payment methods slated for integration throughout 2025.
MiFinity has built a strong reputation as a go-to payment provider for businesses breaking into new markets, particularly those requiring fast, secure, and fully compliant transaction solutions. With a highly engaged and rapidly growing user base, MiFinity eWallet users in Asia are actively transacting across a variety of digital services, making MiFinity a strategic partner for merchants looking to boost conversion rates, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen trust across the region.
Commenting on this expansion, Paul Kavanagh, CEO of MiFinity, said: “Asia represents a key growth market for MiFinity, and we are committed to providing merchants with the best possible solutions to reach their customers in this region. By integrating popular local payment methods and expanding our currency support, we are making it easier for businesses to offer seamless, trusted payment experiences. Our investment in the region underscores our dedication to supporting both our merchants and our highly engaged eWallet users, ensuring they have access to the payment options that best suit their needs.”
Supporting Asia’s Thriving Digital Economy
The digital payments market in Asia is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, rising financial inclusion, and the booming demand for digital services. According to industry research, Southeast Asia alone is home to over 350 million digital wallet users, with eWallet transactions projected to account for a growing share of online payments.
For merchants looking to expand into these high-growth markets, offering trusted, localised payment options is essential to attracting and retaining customers. By integrating Rabbit Line Pay, LinkAja, and direct bank transfers, MiFinity provides businesses with the tools they need to tap into these opportunities, delivering seamless payment experiences that align with local consumer preferences.
Continued Growth and Future Expansions
The rollout of Rabbit Line Pay, LinkAja, and Indonesian bank transfers marks the newest milestone in MiFinity’s widening footprint in Asia, with additional payment integrations scheduled for later in 2025. As appetite for digital wallet transactions and alternative payment methods accelerates, MiFinity remains committed to evolving its offerings, empowering merchants to capture new customers and deliver secure, consumer-centric payment experiences across Asia’s diverse markets.
The post MiFinity Expands Payment Options in Asia, Strengthening Regional Commitment appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Thailand: Requirement of B50M in Account for Casino Entry Removed

The Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill has been amended, removing the requirement that Thais must show they have at least 50 million in a fixed deposit before being allowed into the planned casino-entertainment complex.
It has been replaced by the need to have filed three-years of income tax returns.
The requirement is in Section 65 of the draft Entertainment Complex Bill, which has been under scrutiny by the Council of State, the government’s legal advisory body.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Pichai Chunhavajira said the draft had now been reviewed by the council and revisions proposed to meet its objectives, including listening to feedback from the public.
The revised draft legislation had been signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnivirakul and sent to the cabinet secretariat on Feb 28, but it would not be on this week’s cabinet agenda, Mr Pichai said.
The process prior to submitting the bill to the cabinet would take about two weeks, he said.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that the 50 million baht requirement for casino entry had been removed and replaced by the requirement that Thais must have submitted three-years of tax returns.
The casino entrance fee remained at 5000 baht, he said.
“The Ministry has checked the data and found there are only 10,000 Thai accounts with at least 50 million baht. So, the former requirement would push people to gamble elsewhere, which could be illegal. This amendment has been agreed on by the ministry and the Council of State,” Mr Julapun said.
He said the draft bill would be submitted to the cabinet for approval as soon as possible. He expected this would be during the current parliamentary session.
On Monday, representatives of several protest groups – the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, the Centre of People for the Protection of the Monarchy, and the Dharma Army – gathered near government house in Bangkok.
They submitted a letter to the prime minister opposing passage of the legislation. They argued that it would be harmful to the people, the country and the principles of all religions.
The post Thailand: Requirement of B50M in Account for Casino Entry Removed appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Scientific Games India Recognized as One of Jombay’s 2025 WOW Workplaces

Scientific Games has been named one of Jombay’s WOW Workplaces of 2025 in the Information Technology, Information Technology Enabled Services and Global Capability Center category at its Bangalore, India, location. This prestigious accolade reaffirms the company’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and inclusivity. The award highlights the global lottery leader’s dedication to providing an exceptional environment where employees thrive personally and professionally.
The WOW Workplace Awards are an annual listing of organizations with the most WOW reviews. The award substantiates how “great,” “best” or “exceptional” a company is through testimonials and feedback across the web (including employee review websites) using Jombay’s AI engine.
Pat McHugh, CEO of Scientific Games, said, “Being recognized as one of Jombay’s WOW Workplaces is an incredible honor and a true reflection of the remarkable culture our team in India has built. Our India team’s relentless dedication to innovation and excellence is inspiring and helps fuel our success with employees and customers worldwide.”
Scientific Games’ Bangalore operations, established in 2015, recently expanded to a new, state-of-the-art facility, underscoring the company’s growth and investment in its workforce. The center is a hub for research and development, software innovation, quality assurance and technology operations, contributing significantly to the company’s global mission.
Mahesh Nanjundappa, Managing Director of Scientific Games India, added, “This recognition is a testament to our employees’ hard work, creativity and commitment to making Scientific Games a fantastic workplace. At the heart of our success is the inspiring environment we’ve cultivated where every team member feels valued and empowered to achieve their best.”
Scientific Games operates across five continents, delivering a comprehensive range of retail and digital lottery solutions and lottery sports betting products and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries.
The post Scientific Games India Recognized as One of Jombay’s 2025 WOW Workplaces appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Africa6 days ago
Black Lagoon Games to present Next-Gen game families for Africa at SiGMA Africa
-
BitLine5 days ago
Bitline and Everi Announce Crypto Liquidity for Choctaw Casinos & Resorts in Industry First Development
-
Latest News5 days ago
Voxbet launches industry-first, voice-activated betting with the At The Races app to boost UX ahead of Cheltenham
-
Latest News5 days ago
ACR POKER’S FLAGSHIP ONLINE SUPER SERIES LAUNCHES THIS MARCH WITH $25 MILLION IN GUARANTEED PRIZE POOLS
-
Latest News5 days ago
STANLEYBET.IT EXPANDS ITS OFFERING THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH SYNOT GAMES, A EUROPEAN LEADER IN ONLINE GAME DEVELOPMENT
-
Latest News6 days ago
Booming Games launch explosive new Dynamite Trio
-
Latest News5 days ago
Week 10/2025 slot games releases
-
Industry Awards5 days ago
Casino Guru announces shortlisted companies for the prestigious 2025 Casino Guru Awards