Asia
Flexion Signs Agreement with Chinese Developer iQIYI
Flexion, the games marketing company, has signed an agreement with Special Gamez, the mobile gaming publishing division of iQIYI, an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China, to publish the developer’s worldwide hit game Wolf Game: Wild Animal Wars on the alternative app stores. Flexion will distribute the game on the Amazon Appstore, Aptoide, ONE store, Samsung Galaxy Store, DT Hub, Huawei’s AppGallery and Xiaomi GetApps in Q4 2023.
Wolf Game: Wild Animal Wars earns over $2M in net revenue combined on Google Play and Apple’s App Store. Flexion’s distribution services will add revenue and new players from the alternative app stores through monetisation, platform relations and new user acquisition. For Special Gamez, the partnership with Flexion represents an opportunity to improve its brand and product recognition while reaching new users outside its existing distribution channels.
“Smart developers like Special Gamez are driving increased revenue and wider audiences thanks to the alternative app stores. Flexion is adding an average of 10% to a game’s Google Play revenue by taking it to the alternative app stores. We have more than 100 people with expertise and experience, and technology in growing revenue and audiences on the alternative app stores. No one else can offer this,” Jens Lauritzson, CEO of Flexion, said.
Wolf Game: Wild Animal Wars is a simulation game that challenges players to team up with people from all over the world to fight with other wolf packs – to survive, explore, hunt, challenge, and revenge. The ultimate goal for players is to be the Alpha of their packs and lead their wolves to defend the den and rise to the top of the food chain in the wild.
“The alternative app stores are now an essential part of our marketing activities to grow revenue and audiences for Wolf Game: Wild Animal Wars. Meanwhile, it provides enhanced accessibility for users, allowing them to seamlessly download and enjoy our game through a broader array of app stores. The Flexion team are unique positioned to maximise our results on the alternative platforms and we can’t wait to get started,” Tom Lee, CEO of SpecialGamez, said.
Asia
Philippine Senator Pushes for Inquiry into Banks’ Role in Pogo Funding
Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed Senate Resolution 1193 to investigate the failure of local banks to detect POGO-related suspicious transactions tied to criminal activities, following the case of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.
Gatchalian, in his resolution, highlighted bank transactions involving Guo’s companies, which amounted to hundreds of millions of pesos and allegedly funded the construction of a POGO hub in Bamban. The amount far exceeded the financial capacity reflected in the companies’ financial statements.
He pointed out a significant increase in cash flows, check disbursements, and transactions involving Guo’s accounts, peaking in 2020—an anomaly given that the COVID-19 pandemic had severely disrupted businesses and economies worldwide.
Gatchalian noted that despite these large transactions, the banking system failed to flag them as suspicious. He raised concerns about the banks’ inability to report such dubious activities, questioning the effectiveness of their internal controls and procedures for identifying and reporting suspicious behaviour.
The senator emphasised that financial institutions are responsible for analysing financial data to detect transactions that may indicate money laundering.
These circumstances, according to Gatchalian, raise doubts about the adequacy of current Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations and guidelines for banks and financial institutions.
Gatchalian also pointed out that the Philippines remains on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The country must improve its AML/CTF efforts, including prosecuting money laundering and terrorism financing, addressing beneficial ownership information and strengthening cross-border declaration measures.
While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed all government agencies to meet the necessary requirements to remove the country from the FATF grey list, Gatchalian stressed that private sector compliance is equally crucial to strengthening the country’s AML/CFT regime. This includes increased adherence to obligations, such as reporting covered and suspicious transactions.
The post Philippine Senator Pushes for Inquiry into Banks’ Role in Pogo Funding appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Malaysia’s PAS Vows to Shut Genting Casino if Party Wins in Pahang State
An Islamic party said it was prepared to shut down Malaysia’s only casino if it wins control of the state where it is located, as the group looks to build its influence in the Southeast Asian nation.
A senior official from Parti Islam Se-Malaysia said if voters in central Pahang state – home to Genting Bhd.’s casino – wanted gambling to end, they should choose the Islamic party. The party is tapping into concerns by the country’s Muslim majority over gambling, which is forbidden in the Koran.
PAS has been growing its influence since the 2022 elections made it the biggest party in federal parliament. It already controls four of Malaysia’s 13 states and is looking to capture Pahang in the next national election that must be held by early 2028.
“Gambling is harmful, so we have to close it. But it must be in accordance with the laws and constitution,” Andansura Rabu, PAS’ deputy commissioner for Pahang, said at the party’s annual gathering.
The federal government decides on casino and gaming permits in Malaysia and gaming is one of the most regulated sectors in the country.
Genting’s casino contributed as much as US$1.16 billion annually to government coffers before the pandemic, according to a report by UOB Kay Hian, a Singapore-based brokerage. When PAS emerged as the biggest party after the 2022 elections, Genting shares slid but recovered as Anwar formed a unity government made up of liberals, a Chinese-dominant party and regional groups.
Still, the growing influence of the Islamic party in national politics has pushed Anwar to turn more conservative to burnish his credentials with voters. Last year his government cancelled a concert after two members of a British band The 1975 shared a same-sex kiss on stage, and banned Swatch watches that showcase Pride colours.
At the annual gathering held last weekend in Pahang, PAS has ruled out working with Anwar’s coalition and pledged to champion Islamic issues. Banning alcohol and gambling in Malaysia would be key, the party has said.
“Anything that can harm society, we must together support its destruction. This isn’t a matter of religion, it’s a social issue,” Andasura said.
The post Malaysia’s PAS Vows to Shut Genting Casino if Party Wins in Pahang State appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Chinese Football Bans 43 for Life Over Gambling and Match-Fixing Scandal
Chinese football authorities have banned 43 individuals for life due to their involvement in gambling and match-fixing scandals. The list includes three former China international footballers and South Korean World Cup player Son Jun-ho.
China’s extensive football corruption crackdown campaign has been ongoing since 2022. The National Sports General Administration and the Ministry of Public Security have led efforts to address issues of match-fixing and gambling in the sport. They have investigated over 120 matches, involving 83 players, referees, coaches and club officials. To date, 44 individuals have been sentenced, with 34 receiving prison terms.
The recent announcement of these lifetime bans came shortly after the national team’s 7-0 loss to Japan.
Son Jun-ho, who played for Shandong Taishan in the Chinese Super League and represented South Korea in the 2022 World Cup, has been accused of participating in match-fixing and accepting bribes. Son returned to South Korea in March 2024 after being detained in China since May 2023. The authorities initially stated that he was held “on suspicion of accepting bribes by non-state employees” but did not provide further details.
Other notable figures banned include Jin Jingdao, a former Shandong Taishan player, and Chinese international players Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao.
The post Chinese Football Bans 43 for Life Over Gambling and Match-Fixing Scandal appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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