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The Philippine Esports Organization () has imposed penalties against players involved in match-fixing incidents in the country’s Mobile Legends Bang Bang Development League (MDL). 

This move follows the earlier suspension by the MDL Philippines against the three players implicated in the incident. MDL Philippines announced the suspension of the involved players last April 25. 

Jungler Jhonjie Paul "Jiee" Dela Rosa from TNC Z4, midlaner Raven "Aeris" Arellano, and jungler Christian John "Nyija" Calantoc from RSG El Ganador have been suspended from participating in any MLBB esports ecosystem tournaments for three years. This suspension includes all MOONTON-endorsed events, except for the MDL and the Professional league (MPL Philippines). 

Also, effective from May 2, 2024, until April 30, 2027, PESO’s ban extends to organization-sanctioned events, including SIBOL national try outs and competitions organized by them. 

In a statement, PESO its commitment to upholding the integrity of esports and promoting ethical conduct among players. The three-year ban serves as a disciplinary measure aimed at safeguarding the integrity of competitive gaming and ensuring fair play at national and international levels.  

“While quick money is enticing, we remind young talents to keep your integrity intact as it is the cornerstone of true success and lasting fulfilment,” PESO said. 

“At PESO, upholding professionalism and ethical conduct is integral to our mission of nurturing players who represents the Philippines with honour at the World Championships,” it added. 

In a press conference, Matthew Chan, Esports League Operations Lead at MOONTON Games, explained that the decision to impose a three-year ban was based on the severity of the offense and the need for a specific timeline. This duration represents one of the harshest penalties imposed by MOONTON for similar incidents, signifying the gravity of the offence. 

Marlon Marcelo, Executive Director of PESO, emphasised the importance of giving players a chance to redeem themselves while acknowledging the severity of their actions. He expressed hope that the three-year ban would provide offenders with an opportunity for reflection and rehabilitation. 

MOONTON, PESO, and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) are collaborating to implement measures to prevent future match-fixing incidents. This initiative aims to strengthen governance in esports and ensure fair competition, with guidance from regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. 

Moving forward, MOONTON said it intends to work closely with PESO and GAB to develop effective solutions and safeguard the integrity of . 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .

The closing date for securing funding of up to PHP13.51 billion (€219.2 million) for the casino hotel project at  in Manila, Philippines has been pushed back by 12 months. Suntrust Resort Holdings, the developer behind the project, confirmed the revised date, now set for April 30, 2025, in a filing submitted on Friday.   

The Westside City Project, an integrated resort located in Manila's Entertainment City, is spearheaded by Suntrust Resort Holdings. The project aims to debut its main hotel-casino in the first quarter of 2025, aligning with the extended funding deadline.  

In July 2023, Summit Ascent Investments, a subsidiary of Summit Ascent Holdings Ltd., pledged to subscribe to convertible bonds totalling up to PHP13.51 billion (€219.2 million) issued by Suntrust. However, as of last week, certain conditions necessary to finalize the agreement remained outstanding. This includes obtaining consent and approvals from regulatory bodies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Philippines.  

Summit Ascent highlighted Suntrust's financial challenges, citing failures to pay interest on previous convertible bonds. To address these issues and secure the necessary funding, Suntrust's board  a $38 million (€36.6 million) loan from LET Group Holdings, the parent company of both Summit Ascent and Suntrust.  

As per the loan agreement, LET Group has agreed to provide a $38 million (€36.6 million) loan to Suntrust, which Suntrust must repay over 10 years starting from the execution date. However, both parties have the option to extend or shorten the repayment period by mutual agreement, or in case of default. Suntrust believes that this loan will have a positive impact on its business, operations, and financial condition, as it is expected to improve the company’s prospects.  

The delay in securing funding and addressing financial concerns may potentially impact the completion and opening of the main hotel-casino. Summit Ascent emphasised the importance of securing necessary capital expenditures to prevent significant delays in the project's development. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .

Macau's anticipated surge in visitor numbers during the extended Labour Day break fell short of expectations, with just over 604,000 visitors recorded, as reported across multiple media outlets. This figure represented a daily average of around 121,000, notably below the 130,000 forecasted by tourism officials. 

Last month, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), a surge in inbound tourism to Macau for the Labour Day holiday.  

Unfavourable weather conditions, including rain and gusty winds throughout the Labour Day break, likely contributed to the lower-than-expected visitor numbers. Particularly severe weather conditions were experienced on Saturday, marked by the issuance of the year's first black rainstorm warning. 

Despite the subdued arrival numbers, the total entries and exits recorded at all of Macau's border checkpoints saw a notable 11.6 percent year-on-year increase, totaling 2.43 million. This uptick suggests continued mobility despite challenges in visitor arrivals. 

The total visitor numbers recorded between May 1 and May 5 accounted for nearly 85 percent of the comparable figures from 2019, marking a significant recovery towards pre-pandemic levels. This trend underscores Macau's resilience in rebounding from the impact of Covid-19 on travel and tourism. 

While Labour Day itself is a single-day holiday in Macau, it extends to a three-day break on the Chinese mainland, which constitutes Macau's primary source of visitors. When combined with the weekend, this creates a five-day vacation period for mainland Chinese travellers, traditionally contributing to increased tourism activity in Macau. 

Despite challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, Macau's ability to attract many visitors during the Labour Day break reflects continued interest in the destination and ongoing efforts towards tourism recovery. 

Meanwhile, starting Monday, a  tailored for Chinese nationals participating in package tours will launch, facilitating travel between Macau and the nearby Hengqin. The initiative, unveiled by China’s National Immigration Administration, enables package tour participants to enjoy unrestricted movement between the two regions for up to seven days. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 2 – 5 June. Find all the details .

The World Series of Poker (WSOP), a prestigious event that has been the pinnacle of the poker world for decades, is set to make a grand return to Northern Europe. This July, the Estonian capital, Tallinn, will play host to this much-anticipated event.

The WSOP event, scheduled to take place from 19 to 28 July, is a collaboration between the OlyBet Group and GGPoker. The venue for this grand event is the Olympic Park Casino and Hilton Hotel, a location that promises to offer an unforgettable experience to all attendees.

The event is expected to draw thousands o, all vying for the coveted WSOP gold ring. The main event tournament boasts a guaranteed prize pool of €1m ($1.07m), making it one of the most lucrative poker tournaments in the world.

In addition to the main event, the WSOP festival will feature 12 ‘ring events.’ Winners of these ring events will not only receive a cash prize but also a guaranteed entry to next year’s tournament and a World Series of Poker gold ring. The festival will also host over 40 side events and round-the-clock Cash Games, ensuring non-stop action for the entire duration of the event.

OlyBet, part of the Olympic Entertainment Group, is a renowned sports and gaming entertainment brand with partners across Europe. It is also a member of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and an official sponsor of Spain’s top football league, LaLiga. OlyBet’s commitment to integrity and fair play makes it an ideal host for the WSOP event.

The city of Tallinn is no stranger to hosting major poker events. Earlier this year, it hosted the 10th edition of the Kings of Tallinn festival, which featured over 50 tournaments, including the main event. The success of this event has undoubtedly set the stage for the upcoming WSOP event. The upcoming WSOP event in Tallinn promises to be a thrilling experience for poker enthusiasts worldwide. With its rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant nightlife, Tallinn is all set to become the new poker capital of Northern Europe. So, mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable poker experience this July!