Asia
40 FOREIGN NATIONALS IN ANGELES CITY RESCUED DURING ILLEGAL POGO RAID

A total of 40 foreign nationals working in an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) company in Angeles City, Pampanga were rescued on September 17, 2022 by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
According to DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, the rescue operations was a result of the inter-agency commitment among PAGCOR, DILG, Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to put an end to the POGO-related kidnappings and human trafficking cases in the country.
Alongside the rescue of foreign workers, PAGCOR and DILG formally ordered the closure of the illegal POGO establishment in Angeles City.
The rescued POGO workers will be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for the checking of their documents and working permits.
Earlier today, PAGCOR also revoked the license of a POGO service provider in Pasig City – the Crimson Tulip BPO, Inc. – following the rescue of over 100 kidnapped and illegally detained POGO workers in Cainta, Rizal.
The NBI together with the BI led the operations after they received a call from the Chinese Embassy, requesting for the rescue of Chinese nationals.
The NBI reportedly rescued 70 Chinese, 16 Vietnamese, two Taiwanese, one Malaysian and 44 Filipinos who were allegedly forced to work in a fraudulent online POGO operations.
PAGCOR said that the license revocation of Crimson Tulip BPO, Inc. shows the state-run gaming firm’s commitment to help address all illegal POGO-related kidnapping cases, as these put the legitimate POGO operations in a bad light.
Since PAGCOR regulated the POGO operations in 2016, the industry helped the state-run gaming agency’s revenue generation efforts. Aside from this, regulated POGO operations created a multiplier effect on the revenues of various industries such as the real estate, food, transportation, construction, and telecommunication, to name a few.
Likewise, POGO-related taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue help the government’s revenue collection program.
But amidst recent reports on kidnapping and human trafficking involving POGOs, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said earlier that if POGO-related crimes in the country are not abated, the consequences may affect even the legitimate POGO operators.
On September 14, 2022, PAGCOR organized an inter-agency meeting with the DILG, DOJ, PNP, and the NBI to address the cases of kidnapping and human trafficking related to illegal POGO operations in the country.
The DILG, which has already started a crackdown against human trafficking, gave the PNP and other participating agencies a timeline of two weeks to abate all POGO-related illegal activities in the country.
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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 PhilWeb’s 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 “Greggy” 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 Bayad’s only gaming partner for OTC cash transactions.
Through this collaboration, DigiPlus customers gain access to Bayad’s 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.
“At 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,” said Eusebio H. Tanco, Chairman of DigiPlus Interactive Corp.
“Today, we take another meaningful step forward through our partnership with DigiPlus. Together, we’re 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,” said Atty. Ray C. Espinosa, Chairman of the Board at Bayad.
The Bayad payment channels partnership adds to DigiPlus’ 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 DigiPlus’ 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.
Akshat Rathee
PlayStation and NODWIN Gaming Announce the Fourth Edition of the PlayStation India Cup Featuring EA SPORTS FC 26

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NODWIN Gaming, a leader in new-age youth entertainment, gaming and esports, has announced the fourth edition of the PlayStation India Cup, featuring EA SPORTS FC 26, exclusively on PS5 console.
The tournament marks the return of India’s only official console esports tournament, and features daily online qualifiers, followed by an online playoffs. The top 8 players will progress to the grand finale, which will take place during Delhi Comic Con at NSIC Grounds, Okhla, New Delhi, from 5th December to 7th December 2025. Fans will witness the country’s top EA FC 26 players competing for a total prize pool of ₹4,00,000. With the rise of football fandom in India and the ever-growing EA SPORTS FC community, this year’s championship promises bigger competition and unmatched excitement.
The previous edition of the India Cup Finals at Delhi Comic Con 2024 also featured an immersive PlayStation gaming pavilion with hands-on demos and live commentary, which saw strong engagement from Comic Con attendees.
This year, in addition to the sizable prize pool, all finalists will receive official PlayStation merchandise, making the competition even more rewarding for players who make it to the big stage.
How to Register
Registrations for the PlayStation India Cup started on October 08, 2025. Players across India can participate in the daily online qualifiers through the following steps:
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Step 1: Boot up the PlayStation 5 and ensure it is connected to the internet.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Events” or “Tournaments” section on the PS5 dashboard.
Step 3: Look for the “PlayStation India Cup FC 26” (EA SPORTS FC 26) tournament listing.
Step 4: Select the tournament and follow the on-screen prompts to complete registration.
Step 5: Confirm participation and monitor notifications for match schedules or additional requirements.
The Daily Cups conclude on November 10, 2025. Players are encouraged to register early to secure their spot in the daily qualifiers.
Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, said: “The console esports scene in India is a premium niche, and the PlayStation India Cup with EA FC captures that perfectly. Delhi Comic Con, where our journey began over a decade ago, provides the ideal stage, bringing together fans who love both pop culture and competitive gaming. Hosting the tournament in our 40,000 sq. ft. Gaming Arena adds to the festive spirit of Comic Con, where football fans can compete, cheer, and experience EA FC like never before. It’s a true celebration of Delhi’s vibrant fandom and the growing console esports community in India.”
The tournament will be amplified with influencer-led content, live streams and weekly updates, ensuring both players and fans remain engaged throughout the journey.
The post PlayStation and NODWIN Gaming Announce the Fourth Edition of the PlayStation India Cup Featuring EA SPORTS FC 26 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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