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Indian Olympic Association Holds Meeting with ESFI to Discuss Preparation and Training Roadmap for Esports for Upcoming Asian Games 2022

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In his bid to take a stalk of the preparations and planning of non-Olympic sports federations participating at the upcoming Asian Games, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra called upon and met the officials of 9 sports federations, including Esports Federation of India (ESFI), at the Olympic Bhawan on 14 February 2022.

Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) is recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia as the sole governing body for Esports in the Asian continent. It is also in charge of technical conduct for Esports at the 2022 Asian Games. ESFI, which is a recognised member of the Asian body in India and has been sending esports teams since 2007 to Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games and in the last Asian Games 2018 as well where India got Bronze Medal in the esports title HearthStone as Esports was a demonstration event.

Esports is set to make its debut as a medal event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China to be held from September 10 to 25.

“We are very thankful to the President of IOA Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra ji for appraising ESFI & other non-Olympic sports federations on the various organizing aspects of the Asian Games, to be staged later this year. We also discussed & apprised Batra ji on the preparations, requirements and future planning for the country’s Esports contingent and ‘AESF’s Road to Asian Games’ program which will be launched soon to select the national esports contingent of our country. The ‘AESF Road to Asian Games 2022’ will prove to be a milestone journey and act as a catalyst in not only the growth of the esports ecosystem in India but also to consider esports as a form of sports in India. At ESFI end, we are fully committed to growing the esports ecosystem and creating enough opportunities for the Indian esports athletes to participate in the various such events of repute,” said Mr. Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) after the meeting.

The meeting was co-chaired by Chef de Mission, Mr. Bhupender Singh Bajwa and detailed discussions were held regarding training camps and various expenditures that are required.

During the meeting, IOA stressed on the need for a fair and transparent selection process of players and athletes. The last date for the submission of the Indian Team entries by name is 15 April 2022.

ESFI is also recognised by the International Esports Federation (IESF) as well as the Global Esports Federation (GEF), who are in charge of conducting the trial events for the Inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championship at this year’s Commonwealth Games which will be held in Birmingham from July 28 to 8 August 2022.

On behalf of ESFI, Mr. Lokesh Suji, Director, Esports Federation of India & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), Mr. Yugal Sharma, Director, Esports Federation of India and Mr. Prabhat Kumar, Treasurer, Esports Federation of India were present in the meeting. ESFI team also presented the “Road to Asian Games” Jersey to IOA President, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra and Chef de Mission, Mr. Bhupender Singh Bajwa.

“ESFI is committed to the development of esports and bringing together the esports fraternity to unlock the full potential of our athletes and provide them with enough international opportunities to compete with their counterparts at an equal level. We take this opportunity to further request the esports community to carry on with their training and get used to the challenges for making into the team to represent in this mega event.” pledges Mr. Vinod Kumar Tiwari, President of Esports Federation of India.

The 2022 edition of the Asian Games will see medals being awarded in eight categories of Esports, which are EA SPORTS FIFA branded soccer games, an Asian Games version of PUBG Mobile and Arena of Valor, Dota 2, League of Legends, Dream Three Kingdoms 2, Hearthstone and Street Fighter V.

ESFI again appeals to the probable qualifying gamers/players to get their passports ready and to get fully vaccinated.

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GK8 Announces Football Legend Michael Owen as its New Brand Ambassador

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GK8, Asia’s leading platform for interactive gaming and entertainment, has announced football legend Michael Owen as its new brand ambassador. With a reputation built on trust, security and a diverse range of gaming options, GK8 continues to expand its influence in the iGaming sector, and Owen’s partnership is set to bolster its position in the competitive industry.

Michael Owen, a former English football star known for his exceptional skills and quick pace on the field, brings his star power to the fast-growing brand. With years of success both on and off the pitch, Owen’s influence will help enhance GK8’s visibility across key international markets. The partnership marks a pivotal moment for the company, reflecting its ambition to continue expanding globally while maintaining its commitment to a high standard of user experience.

“It’s an honor to be working with such a dynamic and forward-thinking brand like GK8. Their dedication to creating a secure, engaging platform aligns perfectly with my values. I look forward to connecting with fans and players in Southeast Asia, sharing in the excitement and entertainment that GK8 offers,” said Michael Owen.

Founded with a vision to bring top-tier gaming experiences to Asia, GK8 has rapidly grown into a major force in the interactive gaming industry. The platform is recognised for its advanced security measures, seamless user interface and wide selection of games, including sports, lotteries and multiplayer online options. GK8’s unique approach to customer service has helped them build a loyal global community, with users praising its responsive support team and fast transactions.

The post GK8 Announces Football Legend Michael Owen as its New Brand Ambassador appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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JBO Thailand Launches Esports World Cup Promotion

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JBO, a well-established online gaming and entertainment platform, has announced an exciting new promotion tailored for the highly anticipated Esports World Cup 2025. Esports enthusiasts in Thailand now have a compelling opportunity to win up to 30,000 Jcoin by placing wagers on the thrilling “World Cup Qualifiers” matches. This shows JBO Thailand’s commitment to giving great value and fun experiences to all its players.

This exclusive event is ongoing and will conclude on August 24, 2025, at 23:59 (GMT+8). This period strategically aligns with the intensified global esports calendar, leading up to the Esports World Cup and its critical qualifying rounds. JBO Thailand is actively creating an immersive environment that allows fans to engage more deeply with preferred teams and competitive events. Participation in the promotion is straightforward. Players are simply required to place bets on eligible “Esports World Cup Qualifiers” matches through JBO’s designated esports betting providers, IM Esports and TF Esports. The promotion is conveniently accessible via the “Reward Corner” section on the JBO platform, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience for all participants.

At the core of this attractive offer is JBO’s innovative Jcoin reward system. Players who log in to JBO and achieve a weekly turnover exceeding 3000 in the Esports category will automatically qualify for Jcoin rewards. The reward system gives bigger prizes as you play more, with up to 30,000 Jcoin available each week.

JBO also ensures a smooth and secure experience through the easy-to-use JBO app available for both Android and iOS devices. With fast withdrawals and smooth gameplay, the platform is ideal for esports fans to enjoy and earn real rewards. JBO is trusted across Asia and has Dimitar Berbatov as its brand ambassador, showing it as a top sportsbook and esports operator.

The post JBO Thailand Launches Esports World Cup Promotion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Uzbekistan Introduces Penalties for Illegal Gambling Operations

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Uzbekistan has introduced strict penalties for illegal gambling operations as the country prepares to launch its regulated betting market on October 9, 2025.

The new penalties target both domestic and foreign operators offering gambling services without a license. The new rules authorise fines indexed to the Uzbek Base Calculation Unit (BRV), a fiscal benchmark used for administrative penalties.

Foreign firms face fines of up to 25,000 Base Calculation Units, around US$882,000. Authorities can also seize illegal earnings, block access to banking and internet services, and ban repeat offenders from the Uzbek financial system. Unauthorised physical casinos, betting shops and mobile terminals will face the same sanctions.

Violations of anti-money laundering rules or personal data misuse carry fines of 15,000 BRV (about US$529,200), and unlicensed deposit-taking could result in penalties of up to US$352,900.

The changes were drafted by the National Agency for Perspective Projects (NAPP), which is overseeing the rollout of Uzbekistan’s new gambling law. NAPP will act as the interim regulator until a permanent authority is established.

Licensed operators must meet strict financial requirements. Online gambling firms need authorised capital of $4.57 million and a $2.05 million reserve fund. Lottery providers must show at least $1.64 million in capital and $1.11 million in reserves.

“This is not a pay-to-play regime. It’s a compliance-first market that will reward transparency and capital discipline,” NAPP has clarified in communications with potential applicants.

Gambling has been banned in Uzbekistan since 2007, except for limited state-run lotteries. The new system marks a shift from prohibition to strict regulation. A centralised system, the Unified State Register of Bets and Players (USRBP), will track all wagers and enforce ID checks and monthly betting limits.

Sanctions will be issued by NAPP’s director after internal review. Offending companies will have 15 days to appeal through NAPP or the courts. Half of all fines will go to the state budget; the rest will fund regulatory operations. Paying fines does not shield companies from further legal action.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved the new framework in 2024, requiring that gambling revenue be used to fund national sports programmes. Licensing guidelines will be released soon, with applications opening before the October launch.

The post Uzbekistan Introduces Penalties for Illegal Gambling Operations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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