SiGMA Magazine: Joe Pisano outlines Asia's next-gen gaming blueprint
Recently spotlighted in Issue 33 of SiGMA Magazine, Joe Pisano, Chief Executive Officer of Jade Entertainment, shares his vision for the future of gaming in Asia. The exclusive interview, embedded below, provides a comprehensive look at how Jade is redefining the regional landscape through innovation, responsibility, and strategic foresight.
From distributor to digital powerhouse
Founded in 2009 as a land-based equipment distributor, Jade Entertainment has grown into a multifaceted gaming force across Asia. The pandemic served as a turning point for the company, prompting it to rapidly develop a remote gaming framework that seamlessly integrated traditional infrastructure with digital flexibility.
Accelerating into tech-driven growth
Under Pisano’s leadership, Jade is now accelerating its pivot toward advanced technologies. The company is actively integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Web3 to enhance operations and elevate player experiences. “We see the future moving into blockchain with payments, Web3 for entertainment,” he states. A significant development in this direction is the construction of a remote slot hub in Kandy, Sri Lanka, set to deliver live-streamed slot and table games to South Asian markets.
Expanding across borders
While the Philippines remains Jade’s core market, regional expansion is well underway. The company is operational in Sri Lanka, where it offers fantasy cricket, and is preparing to launch a new prediction platform under the Sapphire Play brand. A strategic partnership with India’s Tradex has introduced opinion betting to Jade’s portfolio, while Thailand is also being closely monitored for new licensing opportunities.
Championing responsible gaming
Jade’s firm stance on responsible gaming has earned it the Responsible Gaming Operator of the Year award from Aventus. The company’s platforms are equipped with safeguarding tools, including geofencing, self-exclusion, family exclusion, and spending caps. “We try to do more than what the government mandates,” Pisano notes, emphasising a preventative approach that avoids the regulatory pitfalls seen in some Western markets.
SiGMA Asia as a launchpad for innovation
Jade’s involvement in SiGMA Asia goes beyond exhibiting. Pisano highlights the summit as a crucial space for industry dialogue, product launches, and partnership-building. Last year, he served as a judge for the SiGMA startup pitch competition, endorsing Blas, a decision he now considers a success. He credits SiGMA Manila for bridging the gap between land-based and online operators in a rapidly diversifying environment.
Sustainability and the future of convergence
As Asia’s gaming sector matures, Pisano foresees a seamless convergence between land-based and online models, driven by AI, blockchain, and Web3. Sustainability is gaining importance, with both hardware manufacturing and casino operations facing increasing environmental scrutiny. Jade is aligning with AI-powered development partners, including startups that can build entire slot games in minutes using multi-agent systems.
With Joe Pisano at the helm, Jade Entertainment is not just adapting to change; it’s defining what the next generation of gaming in Asia looks like.
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