Asia
Global Esports wins India’s first-ever televised BGMI Master Series Tournament 2022!

NODWIN Gaming’s three-week-long premier television tournament — the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI) Masters Series that was broadcast on Star Sports 2 on primetime starting June 24, has concluded in a grand final event on July 17, 2022. Global Esports was crowned the champion of this series following an edge-of-the-seat match between the top teams like Team GodLike & Orangutan. The winner was awarded the BGMI Master Series trophy, INR 25 lakh as prize money, and took home the new Hyundai VENUE. The tournament had an overall prize pool of INR 1.5 Cr.
The winner was announced after the three-week-long tournament’s exciting and long-drawn five-day grand finale. The tournament finals saw teams give a tough fight and pull all stops to dominate the leader board with an eye on the trophy. The season also saw lesser-known teams like team Insane Esports and Chemin Esports excel and make an impression.
“What a series this has been for NODWIN Gaming, for the community and for our partners on the whole! We’ve been able to place esports right in the upper echelons along the likes of several big league traditional sports like cricket, football and tennis. This tournament is a game-changer for every aspiring gamer out there. My heartiest congratulations to Global Esports who’ve raised the bar of professional gaming with their skillset and focus. Each team played like true champions till the very end. I’d also like to thank all our partners Star Sports, Spotify, Swiggy, Loco, Glance Live, Wings, Gillette and Hyundai who instilled their faith in our vision and drove this event to mass success. Onwards and upwards from here,” said Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming.
KING, an Indian singer, and songwriter performed his latest releases Baazi and Sinner on the sets of BGMI, courtesy of Glance and Warner Music India to get players grooving to his music and pumped up for their next battle. Television host, Jatin Sapru, presented the last two days of the competition.
“Gaming has become an entire culture in itself which is representative of participation in a cultural phenomenon that has reached a scale that you simply cannot ignore. It is no longer super-niche but very much a part of the mass culture. This is one sport where we have looked to partner with NODWIN to build something from the ground up. Here, we have not just acquired the rights. We invested in both resources and efforts. When we do this, we do it with the ambition of building something that will reach a certain scale. We are delighted that our hypothesis is being proven right that a popular game when converted into a marquee sporting property will attract millions of viewers,” said Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports, Star & Disney India.
“As a progressive brand, Hyundai shares strong synergies with various Sports across the globe and it gives us immense pleasure to be an integral part of the e-sports bandwagon. We are delighted to be associated with BGMI Masters Series organized by NODWIN Gaming. The new Hyundai VENUE personifies the aspirations of Gen MZ customers, elevating their experience through everyday dynamism, exciting performance and hi-tech features. Being one of the largest automobile manufacturers in India, a large part of our customers belong to the Millennial and Gen Z age group, who draw strong associations with esports and spend significant time engaging in such activities. Realizing their interests and to fuel the passion for E-Sports, we are bringing a Lit extravaganza to this series by presenting the new Hyundai Venue to the winner,” said Virat Khullar, AVP & Group Head, Marketing, Hyundai Motor India.
“Spotify aims to bring the best in audio to gamers, creating experiences wherever they play and however they choose to listen. Our partnership with NODWIN for BGMI Masters Series 2022, is an exciting opportunity to advance that goal in India. Specifically, for the tournament, we have curated the Top Gaming Tracks India playlist for those who wish to get in the zone before a match, and have featured top BGMI gamers in The Mythpat Podcast (a Spotify Original), talking about match strategies and tactics. This is just the start of our partnership with BGMI, stay tuned for more to come!” said Neha Ahuja -Head of Marketing at Spotify.
“We have seen the power of the esports community come alive on Loco yet again, with the BGMI Masters Series alone garnering nearly 100 million views and the finals achieving a new platform record of 2.5 lakh concurrent live viewers. As the pioneer and largest investor in the Indian esports and live game streaming ecosystem, Loco has empowered all stakeholders involved and has provided a strong financial backing for the community to grow. Esports is set out to become the sport of the masses in India and we are proud to provide opportunities for viewers and creators on our platform as we continue to democratize gaming entertainment and turbocharge fan experiences!”, said Ashwin Suresh, Founder, Loco.
“Over the last year, Glance has made significant endeavors to bring premium eSports to users right on the lock screen of their smartphones. We are delighted to share that over 25 million consumers in India have discovered and watched BGMI masters on Glance. We hope that the combined reach BGMI Masters has achieved through TV and lock screens makes this a watershed moment for esports in India as she aims to become an esports powerhouse, especially ahead of the launch of esports at the next Asian Games,” said Yashashvi Takallapalli, Vice President – Gaming, Glance.
“Swiggy has been looking at interesting ways to engage with the gaming TG. The opportunity with BGMI Masters Series gave us a chance to do that at scale. We have done some interesting integrations during the series such as owning the “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” segment in addition to having live delivery activations in the studio. We also ran a contest wherein we gave away 100 free Swiggy dinners on a daily basis, through QR code ads that we ran during the course of the series.” said Saurabh Nath, AVP Brand.
Commenting on the finale, Vijay Venkateswaran, Head of Sales and Marketing, Wings said, “The BGMI Masters has drawn to a close and what a journey it has been. Intense seems an understatement. Congratulations to Global Esports. A roller coaster ride if there ever was one. Props to all the teams who have participated and gave their best. It was an entertaining spectacle from the start to finish. Wings is proud to have partnered with NODWIN Gaming to produce such a huge show of talent and skill. We are immensely overjoyed that we are part of a project that celebrates gamers in all its glory. Here’s to more such ventures that push the horizons of gaming.”
The first-ever televised BGMI tournament was a collaboration between NODWIN Gaming and Star Sports. Glance Live and Loco enabled the digital distribution of the tournament. The series was broadcast in Hindi, Tamil and English.
The total prize pool for the tournament was INR 1.5 crore to be distributed among the winning team, the weekly winners and the top performers.
Performance awards for the finals:
- The Eliminator Award – Most finishes – Goblin from Team Soul
- The Cruiser Award– Most walked distance – Robinū from team Chemin Esports
- The Damager Award – Most Damage – Jonathan from GodLike
- The Dost Award – Most Assists – Nakul from Global Esports
- The Saviour Award – Most Revives – Hector from Team Soul
- The Doctor Award – Most Heals – Destro from Chemin Esports
- The Tapatap Award – Most Headshots – Goblin from Team Soul
- The Survivor Award – Most Survival Time – Driger from Orangutan
- The Motorhead Award – Most Vehicle Distance – Ash from Orangutan
- The MPV Award – Most Finishes – Jonathan from GodLike
- The Hunger Cure Awards – Most WWCD – Orangutan
The BGMI Master Series has broken all viewership since it went live, clocking over 1.2 million impressions surpassing the impressions of Australian Open Day 1, French Open Day 1 and UEFA CL Semi-Finals! The series clocked 12.3 million views through the first eight days of broadcast on TV.
The tournament was digitally distributed by the leading live streaming and esports platform, Loco and lock screen app Glance Live. The finals on Loco garnered more than 3.6 million views with peak concurrent live viewers crossing 2.5 Lac while Glance crossed 1.7 million viewers. The tournament was also viewed by over 25 million consumers on their smartphone lock screen with Glance.
Powered by WPeMatico
Asia
Galaxy Entertainment Opens New Overseas Office in Singapore

Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) has opened a new overseas office in Singapore. This strategic initiative marks a new chapter in GEG’s growth trajectory and underscores its commitment to promoting Macau as the “World Centre of Tourism and Leisure” to a broader audience across Southeast Asia.
Singapore, one of Asia’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan countries, has long been a key source market for Macau. The new office, located in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, will serve as a dedicated hub to enhance connections with the Singaporean business community, as well as showcasing to Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian Region Macau’s dynamic evolving tourism landscape-highlighting its rich cultural heritage, luxury hospitality and increasingly diverse world-class leisure and entertainment experience offering.
The opening of Galaxy’s Lion City office is closely aligned with the Macao SAR Government’s vision to diversify tourism offerings and expand visitor demographics. Through its ramped-up Singapore presence, GEG aims to curate bespoke travel experiences tailored to the preferences of Singaporean and regional travelers, ensuring seamless journeys from planning to arrival.
GEG’s new office will support tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) inquiries, reinforcing its role as a versatile hospitality leader and a trusted partner for business tourism.
In addition, GEG’s Singapore office reflects the Group’s forward-thinking approach to innovation, customer-centricity and regional collaboration. It also signals GEG’s intent to enhance brand visibility and foster meaningful connections with travelers and stakeholders across Asia.
To celebrate the grand opening, GEG hosted an elegant gala dinner at JW Marriott Singapore, welcoming distinguished guests, business partners and media representatives. Mr. Elmen Lee, Director of Integrated Resort Services at GEG, introduced to the guests the Group’s three flagship properties in Macau-Galaxy Macau and Galaxy International Convention Center, Broadway Macau and StarWorld Hotel.
Mr. Lee said: “Singapore has always been an important source market for Macau. The taste and sophistication of Singaporean travelers naturally align with Macau’s experiential tourism offering. We firmly believe that Galaxy Entertainment Group’s diverse offerings will attract more Singaporean visitors to visit us and explore more. In support of the Macao SAR Government’s vision to promote tourism diversification, Galaxy Entertainment Group is continuing to expand its international visitor base to inject more vitality into Macau.”
Galaxy Macau, Broadway Macau and StarWorld Hotel bring together luxurious accommodations, award-winning dining, premium shopping and world-class entertainment facilities; each with its own unique character. With Galaxy Macau home to nine of the world’s leading luxury hospitality brands under one roof, catering to the diverse needs of international travelers; the Galaxy trio collectively showcases the excellence of Macau’s hospitality industry.
The post Galaxy Entertainment Opens New Overseas Office in Singapore appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Kazakhstan Considers Criminal Penalties for Promoting Online Casinos

Kazakhstan’s Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) has identified 34 bloggers promoting online casinos on social media, with 11 already facing administrative penalties. The agency has stated that fines alone are not deterring repeat offenders and is now considering introducing criminal liability for such activities.
A law passed in 2024 strictly prohibits outdoor advertising for bookmakers, online casinos and betting pools, as well as their promotion in media, films and video content. According to the FMA, over the past two and a half years, more than 200 illegal gambling operations have been dismantled, and 224 individuals have been held criminally accountable. However, the agency notes that the primary threat now stems from online casinos based abroad.
Since the beginning of this year, authorities have blocked more than 17,000 links, mostly mirror sites for foreign platforms. Despite these efforts, some Kazakhstani payment service providers continue to facilitate transactions linked to such websites. The FMA has pledged to intensify investigations into these financial intermediaries.
Influencer marketing remains a key channel for online gambling promotion. In the first half of the year alone, 34 influencers were identified as advertising gambling services, with 11 fined. But according to the FMA, revenues from such promotions far exceed the cost of the fines, creating incentives for repeated violations.
In response, the agency is exploring whether bloggers’ actions could be legally interpreted as aiding and abetting illegal gambling, a charge similar to promoting financial pyramid schemes, which already carries criminal penalties under Kazakhstani law. Currently, fines for illegal advertising on social media start at 200,000 KZT (approximately $420).
The post Kazakhstan Considers Criminal Penalties for Promoting Online Casinos appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Skyesports Wraps Up Gaming Thiruvizha – Chennai Edition With 17,000+ Fans in Attendance

Skyesports, the premier global IP and community builder, has successfully wrapped up the first-ever edition of Gaming Thiruvizha at the Chennai Trade Centre on August 30–31, bringing together more than 17,000 fans across two unforgettable days of gaming, anime, stand-up comedy, cosplay, music, and culture.
Gaming Thiruvizha turned out to be more than an event as it became a two-day carnival. From esports showdowns at LAN zones to cosplay walks, live stand-up, and Tamil cultural showcases, the Chennai crowd transformed the Trade Centre into a festival that truly belonged to them. Fans didn’t just attend; they stayed, celebrated, and created memories together.
The audience mix was as vibrant as the festival itself: college students, families, and kids all came together, proving that gaming and anime are no longer niche hobbies, but shared cultural movements.
Powered by AMD, with ticketing exclusively on KYN, Gaming Thiruvizha was hosted in association with the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and supported by AGS Cinemas as the Chennai Edition Theatre Partner.
Commenting on the conclusion of the Gaming Thiruvizha, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO, Skyesports, said, “We couldn’t have asked for a better first edition of the Gaming Mahotsav. The energy of the crowd and the diversity of the audience reminded us why we built this IP — to bridge the gap between casual gamers and esports, and to create a space where gaming, anime, and culture thrive together. Next up, we will be bringing the concept to Bangalore in late September,” said Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports.
The festival also welcomed dignitaries including Meghantha Reddy (Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu), Darez A. (MD, Guidance Tamil Nadu), and Gayathri Thyagarajan (Founder & CEO, Kynhood Technologies), underlining the growing recognition of gaming and esports as part of Tamil Nadu’s cultural and creative economy.
Highlights of the event include:
- LAN tournaments across BGMI, Valorant, and other titles, with fans cheering players on in true stadium style.
- A pan-India Cosplay competition bringing cosplayers from across the country with stunning costumes judged by top creators and anime experts.
- Red Bull Armageddon, India’s first all-Armageddon format chess tournament, brought together over 350 players in Chennai with International Master Tania Sachdev and Grandmaster M. Shyam Sundar leading the action.
- Merch alleys buzzing with anime and gaming collectibles alongside local Tamil art.
- Stand-out experiential booths and meet-and-greets with Team Tamilas, Autobotz Esports, and Welt Esports.
- PVR Cinemas set up local food experience stalls for attendees
With India on track to reach 700 million gamers by 2027, and anime/cosplay engagement skyrocketing across social media, Gaming Thiruvizha demonstrated that hyperlocal, immersive festivals are the way forward.
Gaming Thiruvizha is the first chapter of Skyesports’ Gaming Mahotsav, a six-city touring pop culture festival with regional editions in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kochi, and Pune. Each stop blends gaming, anime, music, comics, and local culture into one cohesive community celebration.
The post Skyesports Wraps Up Gaming Thiruvizha – Chennai Edition With 17,000+ Fans in Attendance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
eSports2 days ago
TEAM VITALITY AND HUMMEL LAUNCH ALTERNATE JERSEY AND EXCLUSIVE APPAREL COLLECTION
-
Conferences in Europe5 days ago
EGT Digital and EGT to rock the show at SiGMA Euro-Med 2025
-
Africa5 days ago
QTech Games wins Best Innovation of the Year at the 2025 SBWA+ Eventus Awards
-
Colombia5 days ago
Spintec Strengthens its Partnership with Merkur in Colombia and Peru
-
Latest News4 days ago
Octoplay advances on its European growth strategy by partnering with Evoke Group in the UK and Denmark
-
Blanka Homor Sales Director at Playson4 days ago
Playson strengthens Ontario foothold with Casino Time integration
-
Baltics4 days ago
CT Interactive Expands its Certified Game Portfolio in Latvia
-
Balkans4 days ago
CT Gaming Secures Certification for its Latest Multigame – Diamond King 5