

Asia
Profiles of Animesh Agarwal, Naman Mathur, Payal Dhare and Tirth Mehta
- Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Founder & CEO of 8Bit Creatives and Co-Founder of S8UL
Mr Animesh Agarwal is the Founder, and CEO of 8Bit Creatives, India’s leading Esports consulting and talent management agency. He is also the founder of S8UL, a hub of gaming content and Esports. S8UL is the parent org of IQOO SOUL, the leading Esports organization in India.
S8UL is the only Indian Esports organization to win at the global Esports Awards and has done so multiple times by securing the prestigious ‘Esports Content Creator of the Year’ recently. Having also won the inaugural ‘Global Impact on Mobile Gaming’ award at the MOBIES earlier this year, the organization has elevated the stature of Indian Esports worldwide. Moreover, team SOUL has also roped in iQOO as its exclusive title sponsor, marking the first time that an Esports organization in the country secured a high-profile title sponsorship with a mobile manufacturer that extends beyond individual tournaments.
Animesh dons several hats as an entrepreneur, an ex-pro gamer, a monster energy Esports athlete, a gaming & luxury lifestyle content creator, and a pioneer in the Indian Gaming Industry. He has a deep understanding of the industry and is dedicated to shaping the Esports and gaming industry in India. He has partnered with other industry front runners like Nodwin Gaming & LOCO to make substantial strides in advancing gaming & Esports in India.
His Company, 8Bit Creatives is equally making remarkable milestones in the business of content creation and brand collaborations around gaming and esports. With some of India’s top gaming talents in their line-up and backed with experience and exposure of collaborating and curating campaigns with 100+ top-notch brands like Netflix, Coca-cola, Reliance Digital, Mx Players, OnePlus, Realme Narzo, Flipkart, Airtel, and many others; 8Bit Creatives boasts of managing popular and renowned gaming content creators and influencers- Mortal, Scout, Mavi, Snax, Thug, Payal, Kaashvi, 8bit Goldy, 8bit Sid to name a few.
- Naman Mathur aka Mortal, Co-Founder of S8UL
Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal, is a prominent figure in the Indian Esports community and the Co-Founder and CMO of S8UL Esports. Known for his exceptional gaming skills and influential presence, Naman has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of Indian Esports. His achievements both as an Esports athlete and a gaming creator have earned him global recognition, cementing him as the face of Indian Esports.
Naman holds the distinction of being the only Indian Esports athlete nominated four times in the prestigious global Esports Awards. The 26-year-old clinched the runner-up in the ‘Esports Personality of the Year’ category in consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, following his previous nomination for the ‘Streamer of the Year’ category in 2020 and 2021 where he secured the second position on both occasions.
As an Esports athlete, the Mumbai-born gamer has won notable tournaments including the BMPS Season 1 (2022), PUBG: Mobile Club Open, and PUBG Mobile India Series (2019) while also representing India on the international stage. Acknowledged for his exceptional gaming content, Naman was honored with the ‘Best Gaming Influencer’ at the Impact Digital Influencer Awards last year.
With an impressive following of 7 million subscribers on YouTube and over 5.3 million followers on Instagram, Naman’s influence transcends his gaming prowess, as he has played a pivotal role in elevating the status of Indian Esports on a global scale.
- Payal Dhare aka PayalGaming, India’s leading female gamer who is part of 8Bit Creatives
Payal Dhare, hailing from the small city of Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, defied societal stereotypes from an early age and embarked on a journey as a gamer. It all began when her cousin brothers introduced her to the world of video games.
While Payal’s father provided unwavering support, her mother initially shared the concerns for her future. However, Payal’s determination and passion gradually changed her mother’s perspective. As a result, her mother now stands as a proud supporter of Payal’s achievements.
Payal commenced her career as a hardcore content creator. Although her first video on YouTube did not feature gameplay, it served as a significant starting point for her. Unlike aspiring lifestyle influencers, Payal’s primary focus was to connect with her audience through gaming. She aimed to have fun while playing games and involve more people in the process. Payal believed that competitiveness was not always necessary when engaging in video games.
By breaking stereotypes and pursuing her passion, Payal Dhare has become an inspiration for aspiring gamers, content creators, and individuals seeking to challenge societal norms. With over 3.1 million followers on Instagram and 3.69 million subscribers on YouTube, her journey exemplifies the importance of following one’s dreams, even in the face of adversity.
- Tirth Mehta, Bronze medal winner in Hearthstone at Asian Games 2018
Tirth Mehta, a 28-year-old lad from the sleepy town of Bhuj in Gujarat’s Kutch district won the bronze medal in Hearthstone — a popular online digital collectible card game — at the Esports demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games. Hearthstone, developed and published by American video game company, Blizzard Entertainment, has garnered huge interest among online gamers from across Asia, including Japan, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, besides India. The game is a combination of chess and poker, requiring players to have core skills in maths and probability.
The post Profiles of Animesh Agarwal, Naman Mathur, Payal Dhare and Tirth Mehta appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Thailand: Requirement of B50M in Account for Casino Entry Removed

The Thailand’s Entertainment Complex Bill has been amended, removing the requirement that Thais must show they have at least 50 million in a fixed deposit before being allowed into the planned casino-entertainment complex.
It has been replaced by the need to have filed three-years of income tax returns.
The requirement is in Section 65 of the draft Entertainment Complex Bill, which has been under scrutiny by the Council of State, the government’s legal advisory body.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Pichai Chunhavajira said the draft had now been reviewed by the council and revisions proposed to meet its objectives, including listening to feedback from the public.
The revised draft legislation had been signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnivirakul and sent to the cabinet secretariat on Feb 28, but it would not be on this week’s cabinet agenda, Mr Pichai said.
The process prior to submitting the bill to the cabinet would take about two weeks, he said.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed that the 50 million baht requirement for casino entry had been removed and replaced by the requirement that Thais must have submitted three-years of tax returns.
The casino entrance fee remained at 5000 baht, he said.
“The Ministry has checked the data and found there are only 10,000 Thai accounts with at least 50 million baht. So, the former requirement would push people to gamble elsewhere, which could be illegal. This amendment has been agreed on by the ministry and the Council of State,” Mr Julapun said.
He said the draft bill would be submitted to the cabinet for approval as soon as possible. He expected this would be during the current parliamentary session.
On Monday, representatives of several protest groups – the Network of Students and People for Thailand’s Reform, the Centre of People for the Protection of the Monarchy, and the Dharma Army – gathered near government house in Bangkok.
They submitted a letter to the prime minister opposing passage of the legislation. They argued that it would be harmful to the people, the country and the principles of all religions.
The post Thailand: Requirement of B50M in Account for Casino Entry Removed appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Scientific Games India Recognized as One of Jombay’s 2025 WOW Workplaces

Scientific Games has been named one of Jombay’s WOW Workplaces of 2025 in the Information Technology, Information Technology Enabled Services and Global Capability Center category at its Bangalore, India, location. This prestigious accolade reaffirms the company’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and inclusivity. The award highlights the global lottery leader’s dedication to providing an exceptional environment where employees thrive personally and professionally.
The WOW Workplace Awards are an annual listing of organizations with the most WOW reviews. The award substantiates how “great,” “best” or “exceptional” a company is through testimonials and feedback across the web (including employee review websites) using Jombay’s AI engine.
Pat McHugh, CEO of Scientific Games, said, “Being recognized as one of Jombay’s WOW Workplaces is an incredible honor and a true reflection of the remarkable culture our team in India has built. Our India team’s relentless dedication to innovation and excellence is inspiring and helps fuel our success with employees and customers worldwide.”
Scientific Games’ Bangalore operations, established in 2015, recently expanded to a new, state-of-the-art facility, underscoring the company’s growth and investment in its workforce. The center is a hub for research and development, software innovation, quality assurance and technology operations, contributing significantly to the company’s global mission.
Mahesh Nanjundappa, Managing Director of Scientific Games India, added, “This recognition is a testament to our employees’ hard work, creativity and commitment to making Scientific Games a fantastic workplace. At the heart of our success is the inspiring environment we’ve cultivated where every team member feels valued and empowered to achieve their best.”
Scientific Games operates across five continents, delivering a comprehensive range of retail and digital lottery solutions and lottery sports betting products and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries.
The post Scientific Games India Recognized as One of Jombay’s 2025 WOW Workplaces appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Tencent Cloud Recognised as a Leader in Omdia Market Radar for Games in Asia & Oceania, Solidifying its Position as a Global Gaming Industry Innovator
Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global leading technology company Tencent, has been named as a leader among cloud platforms for games in the latest report by Omdia, a premier technology research and advisory firm. The report highlights Tencent Cloud’s exceptional capabilities in supporting the gaming industry, showcasing its cutting-edge infrastructure and innovative, gaming-specific solutions, which solidify its position as an innovator in the global gaming sector.
According to the “Omdia Market Radar: Cloud Platforms for Games, Asia & Oceania – 2025,” Tencent Cloud is the top cloud platform for game developers in China – one of the largest and fastest-growing markets globally. It is also expanding its influence internationally, establishing a significant presence in Asia and Oceania, where it is positioned as one of the leading cloud service providers and is the only Asian vendor in the leader quadrant. As China’s largest gaming company, Tencent’s scale is reflected in its deep expertise and sustained focus in the gaming sector, with a sustained focus on gaming, which drives the development of its cloud platform. This emphasis is evident in Tencent Cloud’s robust suite of tools for game developers, including game servers, multiplayer services, and LiveOps. The platform’s offerings reflect the advanced adoption of live service business models in the Chinese market, distinguishing Tencent Cloud as a leader in the industry.
Poshu Yeung, Senior Vice President of Tencent Cloud International, said: “It is an honor for us at Tencent Cloud to be recognized as a leader in the Omdia Market Radar. This acknowledgment is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in supporting the gaming industry. As the demand for cloud-based gaming solutions continues to grow, Tencent Cloud becomes even more well positioned to drive innovation and deliver greater value to developers and players all over the world.”
The post Tencent Cloud Recognised as a Leader in Omdia Market Radar for Games in Asia & Oceania, Solidifying its Position as a Global Gaming Industry Innovator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
gaming2 years ago
ODIN by 4Players: Immersive, state-of-the-art in-game audio launches into the next generation of gaming
-
EEG iGaming Directory8 years ago
iSoftBet continues to grow with new release Forest Mania
-
News7 years ago
Softbroke collaborates with Asia Live Tech for the expansion of the service line in the igaming market
-
News6 years ago
Super Bowl LIII: NFL Fans Can Bet on the #1 Sportsbook Review Site Betting-Super-Bowl.com, Providing Free Unbiased and Trusted News, Picks and Predictions
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
Rick Meitzler appointed to the Indian Gaming Magazine Advisory Board for 2018
-
News6 years ago
REVEALED: Top eSports players set to earn $3.2 million in 2019
-
iGaming Industry7 years ago
French Senator raises Loot Boxes to France’s Gambling Regulator
-
News7 years ago
Exclusive Interview with Miklos Handa (Founder of the email marketing solutions, “MailMike.net”), speaker at Vienna International Gaming Expo 2018