Connect with us

Asia

Just the Beginning: Kwalee Expands Bangalore Office With Opening Ceremony

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

50+ vacancies at Bangalore studio as enlarged premises secured, following doubled UK office space

Multiplatform games publisher Kwalee has expanded its Bangalore office space to accommodate a fast-growing team in the ‘Silicon Valley of India’.

Kwalee first expanded into India back in May 2020, although COVID-19 restrictions meant that all recruitment and working had to be done remotely for several months. Since then, a fantastic office has been secured in one of the city’s vibrant technology parks and the team in Bangalore has soared to well over 60 members.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

With enough current vacancies in Bangalore to see that headcount double, and a projected investment of $30 million in the India studio over the next five years, Kwalee has cleared the way for further growth by revealing a significantly expanded office space in an official opening ceremony.

This office expansion in Bangalore follows the acquisition of expanded premises at the Leamington Spa headquarters too, with both offices effectively doubling in size in a commitment to future team growth.

With CEO David Darling, co-founder and former CEO of Codemasters, and a host of other senior UK-based team members able to safely visit the Bangalore studio for the first time, it was the perfect moment for a ribbon-cutting to mark how much progress has already been made.

As well as this, it was also the first opportunity for Bangalore and Leamington Spa-based colleagues to meet one another in person for the first time ever, despite having collaborated extensively on successful projects like the recent Traffic Cop 3D (6 million+ downloads in three weeks and a #1 app in the USA). A hybrid working model is now in place at Kwalee across all office locations, combining the best of in-studio collaboration and remote working.

“We’re delighted to be expanding our office space in India as part of our continuing commitment to global growth,” said Kwalee CEO David Darling. “It’s been great fun meeting the team in Bangalore for the first time in person and getting to know them even better. The team here has been pivotal in our successes since we set up the studio and it’s amazing to see the Bangalore team growing in size and influence.”

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Kwalee’s team now includes more than 180 people across offices in Leamington Spa, Bangalore and Beijing. Combining these locations and permanent remote workers all around the world, Kwalee has employees across 14 countries

Powered by WPeMatico

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Asia

Indonesia Prepares VPN Laws to Crack Down on Illegal Online Gambling

Published

on

indonesia-prepares-vpn-laws-to-crack-down-on-illegal-online-gambling
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Indonesia is preparing to introduce new rules targeting the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), to crack down on the broader access to illegal online gambling. The move signifies a stronger push by authorities to tighten internet oversight amid growing concerns over unregulated digital activity.

While officials have not really explicitly mentioned gambling platforms, the intention seems to be clear. The aim of the move is to restrict tools that allow Indonesians to bypass government firewalls and access banned content. As the country battles a surge in illegal online gambling, VPNs have become a major target in the regulatory issue.

Indonesia currently ranks as the third-highest user of VPN services worldwide, behind only the UAE and India. A 2024 report by Windscribe, a global VPN provider, found that roughly 41% of Indonesian internet users use VPNs. This tool is largely used to bypass state-enacted censorship and access geo-blocked websites.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Online gambling, is strictly banned under Indonesian law, but is still thriving via VPN-enabled access to international platforms. These tools allow users to hide their digital footprints, and makes it challenging for authorities to enforce law.

“VPNs are being misused to reach sites and apps that are clearly illegal. We are developing a framework to ensure their usage aligns with the law,” said Semuel Abrijani Pangerapan, Director General of Informatics Applications at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, in a recent statement.

The upcoming regulations, which are currently under ministerial review, aim to restrict VPN use by requiring providers to register with the government. Unregistered VPN services could be blocked outright. Officials are also considering legal consequences for users found accessing restricted services via unlicensed VPNs.

As for now, no timeline has been officially announced. But local media has reported that draft rules may be finalized by the end of the year.

The current online gambling environment in Indonesia is vast, and mostly hidden. Users often access offshore platforms hosted in regions with lenient enforcement. These platforms promise anonymity, instant payouts, and enticing rewards, thus driving a cycle of addiction and financial ruin for many.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The post Indonesia Prepares VPN Laws to Crack Down on Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Asia

Indian Gaming Industry Expresses Concern About Proposed Online Gaming Bill

Published

on

indian-gaming-industry-expresses-concern-about-proposed-online-gaming-bill
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

The real money gaming (RMG) industry has been thrown into unprecedented turmoil after the Union Cabinet approved The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to outlaw all forms of pay-to-play online games, covering both games of skill and games of chance. If passed in Parliament, this would effectively ban the operations of legitimate RMG platforms across the country.

Industry stakeholders say the move was taken abruptly and without dialogue. “There was absolutely no consultation with the companies that have built this sector,” one executive said, adding that the decision violates multiple constitutional safeguards and will almost certainly face a legal challenge.

The industry’s pushback comes at a delicate moment. Only last week, on August 12, the Supreme Court bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan reserved its judgment on petitions concerning the classification of online games of skill and chance. The Court’s ruling was expected to provide clarity on a sector valued at over $3 billion. Instead, the Cabinet’s surprise approval of the bill has left companies reeling.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Industry voices argue that the move disregards the legitimate contributions of RMG platforms to India’s economy. By their estimates, the sector contributes nearly ₹20,000 crore annually to the exchequer through taxes and compliance payments, while directly and indirectly employing more than two lakh people. A blanket ban, they argue, would wipe out this entire ecosystem overnight.

The strongest criticism has come from the government’s failure to control illegal offshore betting firms. Companies like Parimatch, 1xBet and Dafabet continue to operate in India, despite repeated reports of their involvement in money laundering, hawala transactions and illegal gambling.

“Instead of cracking down on these notorious offshore firms, the government is choosing to penalize Indian companies that follow rules, pay taxes, and create jobs. This flawed approach not only risks shutting down a legitimate industry but also allows the black market to thrive unchecked,” said an industry representative.

Industry insiders caution that if the bill becomes law, Indian users may simply shift to unregulated foreign platforms, further draining revenue away from the country and undermining consumer protections.

The government, however, has defended its proposal by highlighting the social costs of online money gaming. The draft note accompanying the bill points to the “immersive and addictive nature” of pay-to-play platforms, warning that monetary incentives have triggered rising cases of anxiety, depression and behavioural problems among young users.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Citing clinical studies, the note claims prolonged gaming has worsened mental health issues, particularly among children and adolescents. The draft further warns of financial risks, with many players suffering losses that have, in some cases, led to suicides.

“These platforms employ predatory tactics—loot boxes, microtransactions, and reward systems—that exploit psychological triggers to encourage overspending. Such practices create cycles of debt and vulnerability,” the note says.

Despite acknowledging concerns about addiction and financial harm, industry groups insist that prohibition is the wrong path. They argue that a balanced regulatory framework—similar to models adopted in advanced markets—would provide consumer safeguards without dismantling the sector.

“Banning regulated RMG firms while letting offshore betting companies operate unchecked will only worsen the problem. The government should be working with us to build safeguards, not pushing us out,” said a gaming association leader.

The post Indian Gaming Industry Expresses Concern About Proposed Online Gaming Bill appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Asia

CGMC Awards Competency Certificates to 40 Trainees

Published

on

cgmc-awards-competency-certificates-to-40-trainees
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

The Commercial Gambling Management Commission (CGMC) has awarded competency certificates to 40 trainees, aiming to strengthen workforce standards and ensure compliance in the casino sector to support sustainable industry growth and economic stability.

The certificate of competency award ceremony for 40 candidates who completed the third training course on the “Foundation of Casino Special Employee Type A” was presided over by Chantha Chhoeng, Technical Advisor to the General Secretariat of the CGMC, in Phnom Penh on August 17.

According to a CGMC press release on August 18, the programme was designed to upgrade the skills of casino special employees, ensuring the workforce meets professional standards and contributes to the continued growth of Cambodia’s regulated casino industry.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The certificate is a vital document confirming trainees’ ability to perform casino functions in line with existing laws and regulations, thereby strengthening compliance and accountability across the commercial gambling sector, the statement added.

The CGMC underlined that casino operators must use the certificate when applying for or renewing special employee licenses. This ensures only qualified personnel enter the workforce, a measure deemed critical for sustainable sector development and investor confidence.

The post CGMC Awards Competency Certificates to 40 Trainees appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania