SiGMA Group launches tech hub in India

Wicked Games has been awarded the coveted Players’ Game of Choice award at this year’s Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2024. The awards night was held during Harmony Meetup V, an event for Web3 and iGaming enthusiasts, providing a platform for industry giants and innovators to exchange ideas, discuss and reveal upcoming trends and solutions.

Hosted by BetConstruct, the Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards serve as a prestigious platform for game developers to showcase their talents and compete for a part of the substantial prize pool of 3.3 million FTN, which according to the official Awards online page is equivalent to over 5 million euros. This year, the event included new award categories such as Best Online Casino Game, Best Game Design, and the one which deservedly went to Wicked Games, the Players’ Game of Choice. Ortak, launched by BetConstruct in January, is an innovative solution that allows casino game creators to sell shares of their games - NFT-slots - in self-determined quantities and prices (IPO).

The competition saw an unprecedented submission of 100 + games from over 70 providers. During the voting process, overseen by an independent compliance auditor, participants voted across multiple categories. For the Players’ Game of Choice award, players themselves had the opportunity to select the winner during the public voting.

Speaking to SiGMA News after the announcement, an elated James Davies, Regional Sales Director at Wicked Games commented, “This award means everything because it's from the players—the purest and harshest critics. Their feedback is raw and unfiltered, driven by their enjoyment and in this case, the game's potential. As an upcoming studio, their judgment was based purely on Eye of Bahamut, without any prior influence. On that, Eye of Bahamut delivered and we couldn’t be happier.”

Eye of Bahamut sees four daring explorers who travel through challenging terrains to retore the Eye of Bahamut. Failure in their quest results in Bahamut’s fury unleashing devastation upon the world. Players are transported into a realm ruled by mystical forces and legendary beings, offering an engaging, interactive experience that ultimately distinguished it among this year's entries.

Upcoming SiGMA event: The  2024 will be held in Budapest this September.

Today the United Kingdom is on the brink of a historic election, with the Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer, heading towards a landslide victory. The betting odds reflect this sentiment, with a Labour majority being the outcome at 1/33. Other possibilities, such as a Labour minority or a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, are considered less likely, with odds of 50/1 and 66/1 respectively.

Starmer, who recently spoke at a campaign event at the Caledonia Gladiators Stadium, is predicted to secure a parliamentary majority of over 200. This would be the first general election victory for Labour since 2005, and the polls suggest it could be a landslide win.

The results are expected to mark a historic defeat for Rishi Sunak’s Conservative party, with Sunak being . Opinion polls suggest that Starmer is on course to win a House of Commons majority of more than 200, surpassing Sir Tony Blair’s 179 majority in 1997. This would give Labour its first general election victory since 2005.

A Keir Starmer government would have significant implications on the global stage. As leader of the Labour Party, Starmer’s potential rise to Prime Minister comes at a time when the extreme right, led by figures like Nigel Farage of the Reform Party, is shaping the political agenda in the UK. Farage’s controversial statements about Putin and the Ukraine invasion highlight issues that do not sit well with the British public, particularly on matters of foreign policy.

The current political climate shows a trend where voters are increasingly disillusioned with major parties, leading to the far-right influencing key election topics such as taxes, immigration, and transgender rights. The success or failure of Brexit remains a contentious topic. Was it doomed by its inherent flaws, or was it a sound concept marred by poor execution? This debate continues to divide opinion, with Farage’s potential reintegration into the Conservative Party raising concerns about a shift towards a more extreme right-wing stance within the Tories.

Starmer enjoys public support, yet the looming financial crisis in the UK remains unaddressed by both major parties. Critical issues like the funding of the NHS and education are in limbo, with the Institute of Financial Studies pointing to a "conspiracy of silence" regarding the true state of the economy and the adverse effects of Brexit on growth. Neither Starmer nor his Conservative counterpart is openly tackling the fallout from Brexit or the need for regulatory alignment with the EU.

Starmer’s approach has been notably cautious, aiming to avoid controversy in a campaign that many consider lacklustre. Labour's lead in the polls suggests they are playing it safe, assuming that maintaining the status quo will secure victory. However, this strategy raises questions about how effectively they will address pressing issues like NHS waiting lists and the post-Brexit trade deal implementation. If Labour maintains its lead without major missteps, a Starmer government seems likely, but its ability to enact significant change remains uncertain.

The polling stations will open at 7 am and close at 10 pm. Anyone still queueing at 10 pm will be allowed to vote. By the time the polling stations close, the scale of the expected Conservative defeat be clear. The polls suggest that the Conservatives could win fewer seats than the 156 they won in 1906, which was their worst result to date.

 Summit powered by Soft2Bet, will take place in Budapest from 2-4 September 2024.

South Korea's prominent casino operator catering to foreigners, Paradise Co., anticipates nearly €900 million in sales by 2026. The company projects sales to rise from KRW1.17 trillion (€785 million) in 2024 to KRW1.32 trillion (€885 million) by 2026. This growth is driven by efforts to expand its international customer base and enhance its offerings. 

To attract more international VIPs, Paradise Co. announced plans to build a new luxury hotel in Seoul. This 18-story, all-suite hotel, aimed at providing premium services, is scheduled to begin construction in late 2024 and open in 2028. The hotel will feature around 200 suites and cover an area of 13,950 square meters, underscoring the company's commitment to upscale hospitality. 

In a bid to cater to high-rollers, Paradise Co. is set to launch a new VIP gaming space at its Paradise Casino Walkerhill in Seoul by September 2024. This exclusive area will span approximately 383 square meters. The company is also upgrading its systems to improve connectivity across its four casinos in Seoul, Incheon, Busan, and Jeju. 

The company is also opening a customer lounge at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul by August 2024 to enhance the travel experience for its international guests, particularly those from China. This initiative aims to streamline the arrival process and offer a more comfortable journey for high-end clients. 

CEO Choi Jong-hwan highlighted the potential for growth in attracting Chinese tourists, particularly with Jeju Island's visa-free entry policy for Chinese visitors. Paradise Co. plans to develop specialised travel packages and cultural events to attract more Chinese tourists, leveraging the popularity of South Korean pop culture in East Asia. 

Paradise Co. strong financial results for the first quarter of 2024, with a net income of KRW25.94 billion (€17.4 million), marking a significant increase of 271.1 percent compared to the same period last year. The company's sales for the first half of 2024, including gaming and non-gaming revenue, are estimated at KRW569.9 billion (€382 million). 

Paradise Co. recently from the KOSDAQ to the KOSPI stock index, reflecting its growth and market stability. The company is also integrating the operations of its four casinos to better utilise its customer base of over 1 million and enhance its marketing strategies. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: Click  to find out all about SiGMA East Europe powered by Soft2Bet happening in Budapest, September 2024.

The Philippines and China have renewed their commitment to tackling the issues associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

According to a press release, the was reached during a meeting between Philippine Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian at Malacañang Palace. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation and intelligence sharing to address the criminal activities linked to POGOs.  

In an interview with local media, Gilbert Cruz, chief of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), highlighted that both countries agreed to enhance their partnership. The focus is on dismantling exploiting the POGO industry. Cruz said that Huang assured proactive support from China in this joint effort, which underscores the importance of collaborative operations and information exchange to effectively combat these crimes.   

Both nations reviewed the legal and regulatory frameworks governing POGOs in the Philippines. They aim to strengthen enforcement mechanisms against illegal activities, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and other crimes. The cooperation also involves the repatriation of Chinese nationals found guilty of POGO-related crimes, ensuring they face justice in their home country.  

The PAOCC chief emphasised that POGO-related crimes have led to numerous social problems in the Philippines, such as increased rates of kidnapping, prostitution, and human trafficking. These crimes are attributed to organized crime syndicates exploiting the POGO industry. The collaboration seeks to dismantle these networks and hold perpetrators accountable, ensuring the safety and security of both Filipino and Chinese nationals.  

Recent operations against illegal POGO hubs have resulted in the arrest and filing of charges against several Chinese nationals. For instance, two Chinese nationals were charged in connection with a raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga. They face multiple charges, including human trafficking and serious illegal detention. The crackdown also uncovered illegal drugs and torture instruments, highlighting the severity of the crimes associated with illegal POGO operations.  

Meanwhile, earlier this week, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said that a tried to obtain gaming licences for several illegal POGOs, which were recently raided. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco mentioned that the details of these activities and the former official's involvement would be revealed in an appropriate forum. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: Click  to find out all about SiGMA East Europe powered by Soft2Bet happening in Budapest, September 2024.