Asia
NODWIN Gaming and BLAST Triumphantly Conclude ‘The Draft’ with ‘shox’- Led Marcos Gaming Clinching Inaugural Title
South Asia’s leading gaming and esports media company, NODWIN Gaming, in partnership with global esports entertainment company, BLAST celebrates the successful culmination of the region’s first legends-led Counter-Strike tournament, ‘The Draft’. After an electrifying Super Six LAN final phase and a riveting BO5 grand final encounter against KennyS’ True Rippers Esports, Marcos Gaming, under the leadership of Counter-Strike icon Richard ‘shox’ Papillon, clinched a heart-stopping 3-2 victory, securing their place as the inaugural champions of ‘The Draft’.
Held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and powered by energy drink partners Red Bull, the Super Six LAN final phase of ‘The Draft’ featured 6 of the best Counter-Strike teams from India and Pakistan, with India’s True Rippers Esports and Marcos Gaming emerging as the grand finalists. Richard ‘shox’ Papillon of team Liquid, G2, Team Vitality fame, boasting a remarkable career tally of over a dozen global CS tournaments including 1 Major led Marcos Gaming across the finish line. Shox was also named the tournament MVP with 302 kills, 187 deaths, and an impressive ADR of 103 across 5 Super Six LAN phase matches.
Speaking on the recently concluded tournament, Gautam Virk Co-Founder and CEO of NODWIN Gaming said, “We’re thrilled by the overwhelming success of ‘The Draft’ and the extraordinary display of Counter-Strike talent witnessed throughout the event. It’s been an exhilarating journey, witnessing the unwavering passion and dedication of gamers from the region. ‘The Draft’ embodies our unwavering commitment to not only elevate the esports ecosystem but also to nurture talent and cultivate a dynamic gaming community. The collaboration between NODWIN Gaming and BLAST has been a beacon of opportunity, providing emerging CS stars from the region with a platform to shine. Our heartiest congratulations to Marcos Gaming for their historic triumph as the inaugural champions of ‘The Draft’.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our esteemed partners at BLAST, the participating teams, esteemed legends, and everyone who contributed to making this event a resounding success. Additionally, our heartfelt appreciation goes out to our passionate community whose steadfast support fuels our drive for excellence. As we conclude this remarkable chapter, we look forward to continuing our mission of pushing the boundaries of esports and creating more platforms for players to realize their full potential.”
Faye Marlborough, Director of Brand at BLAST, said: “The inaugural ‘The Draft’ has been a huge success and just goes to show the ever-growing passion and talent currently available in the South East Asia esports region. The event highlights the need for more opportunities for these underserved gaming regions and ‘The Draft’ provided exactly that with Counter-Strike legends joining them on a global platform where we saw the very best from each region – the skill, passion and dedication on display was incredible.”
Speaking on ‘The Draft’, Counter Strike legend and MVP of the tournament, Richard ‘shox’ Papillon said, “CS isn’t as well known in this region as it is in Europe or North America but being here to lend a hand feels really good. Sharing the passion for the game is key because, without that spotlight, it’s tough for players to progress. I’m just glad to be part of that journey. Every kid deserves a shot at making their dreams come true, no matter where they’re from. And I’m looking forward to meeting some fans, I hope there are some fans in the teams here that we can meet and interact with. It’s not often they get the chance to meet us, so being in this smaller intimate setting gives us a chance to connect – different people, different cultures, and different countries. It’s what makes this whole experience so special.”
The tournament started with 64 teams each from India and Pakistan vying for a spot in the group stages to join the 4 invited teams in the India group stage and 1 invited team in the Pakistan group stage. From the group stages True Rippers Esports, Marcos Gaming, and Gods Reign represented India at the Super Six LAN phase while Pakistan was represented by Pak Boyz, Team Wah Wah, and Com Mid. Counter-Strike legends Adam ‘friberg’ Friberg, Ladislav ‘GuardiaN’ Kovacs, Richard ‘shox’ Papillon, Olof ‘olofmeister’ Gustafsson, Christopher ‘GeT_RiGhT’ Alesund, and Kenny ‘kennyS’ Schrub were drafted in to lead and mentor the teams, further elevating the tournament’s intensity and prestige.
‘The Draft’ stands as a testament to the joint commitment of NODWIN Gaming and BLAST to enable the Counter-Strike ecosystem in the region and provide a platform for emerging CS talents to showcase their esports prowess on the world stage while playing alongside some of the brightest and legendary names to have ever played the game.
The collaboration between South Asia’s leading esports and gaming media company NODWIN Gaming and global esports giant BLAST underscores a collective initiative to enhance and elevate the overall esports landscape within South Asia.
About BLAST
We’re on a mission to take esports to the next level of global entertainment. We excite and invite billions of fans to join the esports revolution. We create live and digital experiences – from tournaments that pack out major arenas around the world to great content that’s guaranteed to blow your socks off.
We work with some of the world’s best game publishers and brands to elevate their properties into amazing esports experiences – having delivered tournaments, content and shows in a variety of games, including: Counter-Strike, Rainbow Six Siege, DOTA 2, VALORANT, Apex Legends, FIFA 2022 and Fortnite.
BLAST Premier is a worldwide Counter-Strike tournament series where the best teams and biggest superstars fight it out for glory and a multi-million dollar prize pool. Famous for its unparalleled production quality and game changing fan-first moments. Attracting tens-of-thousands of fans to our crazy-big-adrenaline-pumped live events in big arenas from London and Copenhagen to Miami and Sao Paulo, with millions more watching at home on our broadcast tuning in from more than 154 territories and in 25 different languages.
About NODWIN Gaming
NODWIN Gaming, a material and independent subsidiary of Nazara Technologies Ltd. (BSE: NAZARA), holds a significant position in the global gaming and esports industry as a leader in emerging markets. NODWIN Gaming is valued at $349 million as of 2023. Since its inception in 2014 by Akshat Rathee and Gautam Virk, NODWIN has established a global presence in regions such as South Asia, Singapore, the Middle East, and Turkey. The company’s business centers around building and monetising gaming and esports IPs such as Leagues, Tournaments, Reality shows. It engages with professional esports athletes, teams and content creators. Notable investors include Nazara, KRAFTON Inc, Sony Group Corporation and JetSynthesys
A key focus for NODWIN Gaming is the expertise in the mobile gaming and esports sector, where it has established a dominant position worldwide. By catering to the youth demographic, NODWIN is expanding its Total Addressable Market (TAM) by becoming increasingly relevant in the rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape. Their diverse range of intellectual properties that engages the youth spans esports, gaming, pop culture, music, and comedy. This strategic expansion and cultivation of new intellectual properties are crucial to NODWIN’s aim of maintaining a significant role in the global gaming esports arena.
Asia
EGT Brings High-Impact Asian-Themed Portfolio to SiGMA Asia 2026
EGT is thrilled to announce that it will take part in SiGMA Asia 2026. The company will show its slot and ETG developments, created specifically for the Asian markets, which will be at the visitors’ disposal at booth 2318 on June 2nd and 3rd.
The main focus in EGT’s product selection will be the hit Asian-themed jackpots Zhao Cai Shuang Yu, Sheng Sheng Bu Xi and Cai Fu Tian Jiang. Standing out with eye-catching outlook, numerous attractive bonus features and highly engaging gameplay, they have already proved to be a preferred choice in many gaming venues around the world and will certainly attract the attention of local operators and players. The three jackpots will be presented in one of the most popular slot cabinet models from the General series – G 50 J2 Up.
The brand-new ETG multigame series Supreme, which recently made its official debut, will also be on display. Guests at the EGT booth will be able to try out two of the mixes included in it – Supreme Green Union and Supreme Wang Union. Featuring a vast library of top slot titles, roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and Keno, these multigames provide the perfect combination of innovation, high-end design, and great entertainment.
The ETG terminals S 32 T and the compact Standalone Automatic Roulette center G RSA will complement EGT’s display for the show, demonstrating their enormous flexibility and vast diversity of gaming options.
EGT Digital will also showcase its extensive portfolio of iGaming solutions, including wide array of in-house developed casino games and jackpots, as well as the modular platform X-Nave, which integrates Casino, CRM, Sportsbook, Payment Gateway, Bonus Hub, and an Aggregator with 20,000+ titles from 200+ providers.
“I am very glad that we will participate in this year’s SiGMA Asia,” shared Mariana Manchina, Director of EGT Philippines Corp. “For several years now, this exhibition has become one of the most important events in our calendar, with each year’s performance surpassing the results from the previous edition. I am confident that the 2026 show will continue this trend, bringing us many new contacts and expanded current partnerships, and once again solidifying our positions in the region. We also look forward to the SiGMA Asia Awards, where EGT is a finalist in the Best Land-Based Game Feature category.”
The post EGT Brings High-Impact Asian-Themed Portfolio to SiGMA Asia 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Amusnet
Amusnet Strengthens Asian Expansion Strategy with Strong Presence at SiGMA Asia Manila 2026
Amusnet is going to participate in SiGMA Asia Manila 2026. This year’s participation marks a special milestone as Amusnet celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Against the vibrant backdrop of Manila, one of Asia’s fastest-growing gaming hubs, Amusnet will present a portfolio designed to reflect both its international expertise and its strong commitment to localised player experiences. The company’s presence at SiGMA Asia is about unveiling games and products for online casino, live casino and land-based, while building long-term partnerships and deepening its strategic footprint across the Philippines and the wider Asian market.
“SiGMA Asia represents an important strategic opportunity for Amusnet as we continue to strengthen our footprint across the Philippines and the wider Asian region. The market demonstrates exceptional growth potential, and our focus remains on delivering localised gaming experiences, building strong partnerships, and expanding sustainably in one of the industry’s most dynamic regions. Celebrating our 10th anniversary makes this year’s participation even more special for us,” said Desieriel Agdeppa, Director Philippines at Amusnet.
At the heart of the showcase will be Golden Tiger 1000, one of the standout titles leading Amusnet’s Online Casino presentation. Inspired by themes and mechanics that resonate strongly with Asian audiences, the game embodies the company’s ongoing focus on combining engaging storytelling, dynamic gameplay, and entertainment-driven features. Set against a vibrant Asian-inspired backdrop, every spin is a joyful chase for rewards. Stacked symbols, cheerful Wild Tigers and the Respin Feature keep the reels full of surprises, while multipliers can boost wins up to 25,000x the bet.
Alongside it, visitors will discover a diverse lineup that includes Coin Gobbler, 20 Golden Coins: Reel Fishing, Wenshi Lion, Hot Deco Super Pot, Roman Coins, Asian Palace, 40 Extra Crown Triple Boost Golden Coins Link, Crazy Red, Clover Super Pot and Gorgon’s Luck.
The experience extends beyond individual titles. Amusnet will also demonstrate how its broader engagement ecosystem supports operators through tools such as Golden Coins Link, Tournaments and the Bonus Platform, solutions created to enhance retention, increase engagement and deliver more personalised player journeys.
The company’s Live Casino offer will bring another layer of excitement to the exhibition floor. Designed to blend immersive entertainment with high-energy gameplay, the showcase will unveil new products like Golden Goal Roulette, Eye of Ra Roulette 2000x, Candy Wheel and Vegas Gobbler LIVE, highlighting the company’s ambition to continuously evolve the live gaming experience for players and operators alike. The portfolio will also feature existing titles such as Virtual Monaco 72x, Space 120x, Vegas Roulette 500x, Showtime Roulette 500x, Football Thrill, Dynamic Roulette 120x, Live European Roulette and Speed Baccarat.
Amusnet will also highlight selected solutions from its Land-based portfolio, further demonstrating the company’s comprehensive multi-channel strategy. Among the products on display will be the Type S 55J cabinet with a striking 55-inch J-curved monitor and Jackpot Signage, designed to deliver enhanced visual impact and elevated player engagement on the casino floor.
Type S55J slot cabinets will be powered by the Amusebox 3.0.0 software. The showcase will highlight the Golden Coins Link jackpot and the renowned Jackpot Cards Plus systems. One of Amusebox’s 3.0.0 key advantages is its ability to run Jackpot Cards Plus and Golden Coins Link simultaneously on a single machine, providing operators with greater flexibility and players with enhanced jackpot opportunities.
The presentation will also include specially developed Golden Coins Link titles and popular Triple Boost games, such as 40 Power Hot Triple Boost, 40 Vampire Beast Triple Boost, 40 Extra Crown Triple Boost and Trophy Rush Triple Boost Golden Coins Link, all designed to deliver engaging bonus features and dynamic gameplay.
Completing the land-based showcase, Amusnet will present an advanced roulette centre with four terminals, combining modern design, seamless functionality and interactive multiplayer gameplay, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovative casino entertainment solutions.
For Amusnet, SiGMA Asia Manila 2026 comes at a particularly important moment in the company’s regional journey. Asia continues to emerge as one of the most dynamic and strategically important markets in the gaming industry, offering significant opportunities for innovation, expansion and long-term collaboration.
As the company celebrates ten years in the industry, its presence in Manila reflects not only how far Amusnet has come, but also where it is heading next. With a strategy centered on localised content, scalable gaming solutions and strong regional partnerships, Amusnet continues to position itself as a trusted and forward-looking provider for the evolving Asian gaming landscape.
The post Amusnet Strengthens Asian Expansion Strategy with Strong Presence at SiGMA Asia Manila 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Asia
Playson Secures Approval from PAGCOR for Game Distribution in Philippines
Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, has secured approval from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for the distribution of its games in the regulated Philippine market.
The approval was achieved through close cooperation between Playson and its aggregation partner, Light & Wonder, enabling Playson’s portfolio to be made available to licensed operators in the Philippines.
The project was delivered in a matter of days through a coordinated effort across Playson’s and Light & Wonder sales, integration, architecture and compliance teams. From a technical perspective, the process was completed with no major market-entry or infrastructure changes needed, as Playson’s platform was already prepared to meet the relevant specifications.
The milestone marks a new regulated market entry for Playson, which already operates in 27 regulated markets worldwide. PAGCOR approval further reinforces the company’s position as a recognised entertainment supplier with a strong and expanding compliant markets’ presence, and for delivering high-quality gaming content to operators and players around the world.
Ben Wood, Chief Commercial Officer at Playson, said: “Securing PAGCOR approval is an important step in Playson’s continued regulated-market growth. The Philippines represents an exciting opportunity for the business, and we are delighted to have achieved this milestone in cooperation with our valued aggregation partner, Light & Wonder.
“This approval reflects the strength of our platform, the readiness of our technology and the expertise of the teams involved. We are proud to bring Playson’s product suite to a new audience and to further strengthen our international presence.”
The post Playson Secures Approval from PAGCOR for Game Distribution in Philippines appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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