Asia
IESF Announces Speakers for First Day of World Esports Summit
The International Esports Federation (IESF) announced the featured expert speakers for the first day of the World Esports Summit, scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 2 at the Busan Esports Arena. IESF recently debuted a new visual identity and branding for the hybrid event that continues to unite the World Esports Family.
The WE Summit is supported by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Busan Metropolitan City and Busan IT Industry Promotion Agency. IESF has hosted the event every year since 2016 and is consistently advancing to best serve its members and as an exchange platform for key Esports stakeholders from around the world to promote discussion, evolution, and good governance.
Session 1: Spotlight on Asia’s Success Factors
The first panel will examine Asia’s Esports experience, identify key Asian success factors and determine considerations that could be emulated in other markets for accelerated Esports growth. Korea Esports Association International Relations Specialist Hyucksoo David Shin will serve as the moderator.
Panel Discussion:
Samart Benjamin Assarasakorn – Chief Executive Secretary, Thailand Esports Federation
H.R.H. Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud – President, Saudi Esports Federation
Hung Do Viet – General Secretary, Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sport Association
Vlad Marinescu – President, International Esports Federation
Session 2: Streamlining Cooperation for Successful Competition
This panel is set to bring together athletes, publishers and other relevant Esports competition stakeholders to develop synergies, foster cooperation, and improve communications for a brighter Esports future, and will be moderated by EA Sports Senior Program Manager Byungho Kang.
Panel Discussion:
Tiffani Lim – Athletes Committee Chairperson, International Esports Federation
Paul Kim – Esports Business Development & KR Esports Lead, KRAFTON
Tiago Fernandes – Operations Director, GIRLGAMER Esports Festival
Session 3: The Unsung Heroes of Esports
The Unsung Heroes of Esports panel will shine a light on and tell the stories of the people behind the scenes that provide support systems for Esports leagues and competitions worldwide. Advance Learning Partnership Consultant Nesli Kolasinli will moderate the panel.
Panel Discussion:
Wolf Schröder – Esports Commentator, LCK
Verta Maloney – Chief Innovation Officer & Co-founder, the*gameHERs
Joanie Kraut – CEO, Women in Games International
Bora Hercicek – Competition Manager, University Esports Turkey
Session 4: Driving Growth Through Derivative Content
This panel will explore the expanding world of derivative Esports content and will include sharing success stories, evaluating trends and discussing opportunities for new and undiscovered markets, moderated by Women in Games Ambassador Lucy Chow.
Panel Discussion:
Baki Can Kadıoglu – General Manager, Futbolist LLC
Pelle Karlsson – Commercial Leader APAC, Nielsen Sports
Donald Yeo – Account Director, Esports, Octagon Singapore IPG DXTRA
Serhat Bekdemir – Country Manager Turkey, Amazon University Esports
Video highlights from the WE Summit will be available on IESF’s YouTube channel. Several featured panels and Q&A sessions will also be live streamed on YouTube.
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ArenaPlus
DigiPlus Wins “Digital Operator of the Year” Award at 2026 Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific
DigiPlus Interactive Corp. (DigiPlus), the country’s premier digital entertainment provider behind BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, has been named Digital Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific, marking its second consecutive annual win in the category and reinforcing its leading industry position in the APAC region. The recognition was announced during the Global Gaming Awards ceremony held on June 2 at Conrad Manila.
One of the international gaming industry’s most prestigious awards programmes, the Global Gaming Awards, powered by Global Gaming Insider, recognise excellence in innovation, player experience, responsible gaming and operational excellence across both land-based and online gaming sectors. Winners are selected by a panel of senior industry executives with extensive experience and deep knowledge of the market, with the voting process independently adjudicated by KPMG to ensure rigor and transparency.
The Digital Operator of the Year category recognises operators that have demonstrated outstanding growth, innovation and player engagement over the past 12 months. DigiPlus emerged victorious from a shortlist of eight nominees, besting seven other operators across APAC.
Judges highlighted DigiPlus’ strong 2025 performance, the addition of over 500 new e-games on its platforms, and the rollout of industry-first responsible gaming tools. The company also continues its momentum in 2026 through major partnerships, including recently launched collaborations with Manny Pacquiao and the National Basketball Association (NBA).
In addition to its top industry honor, DigiPlus earned further recognition for its social impact initiatives, securing the first runner-up spot in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the Year category.
The awards body commended DigiPlus for its impressive CSR work via the DigiPlus Foundation which delivers healthcare, education, disaster relief, and social empowerment programs to over 1 million beneficiaries and counting across the Philippines.
“We are honored to once again be recognized by the Global Gaming Awards. These prestigious international industry accolades reflect DigiPlus’ unwavering pursuit of excellence and our drive to continuously innovate, deepen player engagement, and champion responsible gaming across BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco.
“Together with the recognition for DigiPlus Foundation, this back-to-back win affirms our commitment to delivering world-class digital entertainment to Filipinos while contributing to nation-building.”
The Global Gaming Awards also hold annual editions in the Americas and EMEA regions, recognising industry excellence across the globe.
The post DigiPlus Wins “Digital Operator of the Year” Award at 2026 Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
S8UL’s League of Legends roster qualifies to represent India at Asian Games 2026
S8UL Esports’ League of Legends roster has qualified to represent India at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, running from September 19 to October 4. The organisation said the team secured qualification through the regional qualifiers after winning the National Esports Championships (NESC) 2026, described as the official national qualification tournament for the Asian Games.
S8UL said the roster competing under India’s banner is Akshaj Shenoy (Kat Bot), Aakash Shandilya (Infi), Sanindhya Malik (Deadcorporal), Mihir Ranjan (Lotus), Ahmed Shahid (Nero), and Rahul Bisht (Bob). The regional qualifiers featured 14 teams across a group stage and a split stage, with top performers advancing to the Asian Games main event.
In Group B, the team went unbeaten against Jordan, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan to progress, according to S8UL. In the split stage, it lost to Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia but did enough to secure a berth. India will now face opponents including Japan, Chinese Taipei, and Vietnam at the main event.
Four players—Kat Bot, Infi, Deadcorporal, and Lotus—were also part of India’s League of Legends contingent at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023, where S8UL said the team finished fifth.
Akshaj Shenoy aka Kat Bot, captain of India’s League of Legends team, said, “Qualifying for the Asian Games is a proud moment for all of us. We knew the regional qualifiers would be extremely competitive, and every match demanded complete focus. For many of us, this will be our second Asian Games, which makes this qualification even more special because we understand the level of competition that awaits us. We are grateful to S8UL for believing in this roster and providing us with the support, stability, and opportunities needed to keep improving as a team. Representing India is always an honour, and we’ll do everything we can to make the country proud in Aichi-Nagoya.”
S8UL co-founder and CEO Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug added, “Representing India at the Asian Games is among the highest honours an athlete can achieve, and seeing our League of Legends roster earn that opportunity is incredibly special. This team has demonstrated resilience, discipline, and a willingness to continually improve, qualities that are essential for success at the international level. At S8UL, our goal has always been to create pathways for Indian athletes to compete on the biggest stages in the world. We have no doubt they will give their all when they step onto the stage in Aichi-Nagoya and compete for the nation with pride,” S8UL also noted that Gurashish Singh (Soul) and Prateek Bhaunt (B Haunt) previously qualified for the Asian Games in Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 after winning at NESC 2026.
The post S8UL’s League of Legends roster qualifies to represent India at Asian Games 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alejandro H. Tengco
PAGCOR Sends Food Packs to Help Victims of Mindanao Earthquake
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) dispatched 10,500 food packs to help families affected by the massive earthquake in Mindanao.
The agency’s Chairman and CEO, Alejandro H. Tengco, explained that such assistance will help affected families cope with the challenges brought about by the disaster.
“During times of calamity, we assure our kababayans that PAGCOR is always ready to provide help. We hope and pray that affected individuals and families will soon be on their way to recovery and normalcy,” Tengco said.
According to PAGCOR, the relief food packs will be distributed in General Santos City; Mati City, Davao Oriental; the Office of Civil Defense in Region XII; and the 2nd District of Davao Oriental.
A total of 3000 food pails will be allocated each for General Santos City, Mati City, and the OCD – Region XII; while 1500 food pails will be distributed in the 2nd District of Davao Oriental through the office of Rep. Cheeno Almario, the agency added.
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit offshore Maasim, Sarangani on 8 June, with more than 173,000 families affected and many provinces still reeling from loss of life, destruction and continuing aftershocks.
The post PAGCOR Sends Food Packs to Help Victims of Mindanao Earthquake appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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