Banijay Asia, a part of Banijay Entertainment, and NODWIN Gaming, a material subsidiary of Nazara Technologies, today announced a strategic partnership to revolutionize esports, gaming and youth entertainment in India. This collaboration marks a significant step in blending cutting-edge content with the booming gaming and youth culture ecosystem. As part of this alliance, Banijay Asia will take the helm in producing Playground, NODWIN Gaming’s flagship gaming reality show that has redefined the intersection of gaming, entertainment, and influencer culture in the region. The partnership will also bring new scripted and captive reality shows to daylight, with both companies co-developing new intellectual properties (IPs) and pioneering fresh content concepts across gaming, esports and youth culture.

Deepak Dhar, Founder & Group CEO – Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India, commented, “This collaboration with NODWIN Gaming is an exciting extension of our vision to create content that resonates with evolving youth audiences. Gaming is not just a sport; it’s a culture, a lifestyle, and a massive content opportunity. With Playground and our upcoming IPs, we aim to redefine engagement and storytelling in this space.” He further added, “I look forward to the creative collaboration with Akshat Rathee, and Joost Roset who we previously worked with, in bringing iconic global IPs to India. This is an invaluable opportunity to create clutter-breaking formats in the youth and gaming space.”

With a diverse portfolio of high-impact IPs including the televised esports tournament – BGMI Masters Series (BGMS), Comic Con India, NH7 Weekender, and more, NODWIN Gaming is a key player in the gaming, esports and youth entertainment ecosystem.

Talking about the partnership, Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder & MD, NODWIN Gaming, said, “Youth entertainment is evolving rapidly, and our partnership with Banijay Asia positions us perfectly to lead that change. With Playground, we’ve just begun to explore what’s possible. Backed by Banijay’s global expertise, we’re now set to scale the IP across multiple languages and markets, with the ambition of building an international format. At the heart of our approach is our philosophy of ‘timeshare of mindshare’. We’re not just creating content, we’re creating cultural moments. The Rusk creative team will stay actively involved as we expand the universe of Playground, aiming to grow from one show to between five and ten each year. This is just the beginning of a bold new chapter in gaming and youth content.”

With gaming emerging as one of the most influential youth-driven industries, this partnership is poised to set new benchmarks in how gaming and entertainment are consumed in India. By leveraging Banijay Asia’s expertise in content creation and NODWIN Gaming’s deep-rooted understanding of gaming communities, the collaboration promises to push creative boundaries and capture the imagination of young audiences nationwide.

Banijay Entertainment has strong expertise in the gaming space, via its global distribution arm Banijay Rights, with successful gaming activations leveraging key brands including Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror, Simon’s Cat and MasterChef.

NOVOMATIC enjoyed a highly successful presence at this year’s G2E Asia, which was held from May 7–9 at The Venetian Macao. The company impressed visitors with a well-curated portfolio of advanced gaming solutions that are specifically tailored to the Asian market – drawing a strong attendance, excellent customer engagement, and positive feedback across the board.

Strong customer interest in next-generation product highlights
This year’s showcase focused on delivering both innovation and regional relevance, with a lineup designed to elevate the player experience and boost operator performance. One of the standout attractions was the DIAMOND X™ 1.55J QUATTRO, which returned with significant upgrades in both design and performance. The cabinet was presented with the current Linked Progressive highlights, such as XTENSION LINK™ Volume 3 and Volume 4, while the all-new XTENSION LINK™ Evolution, proved especially popular for its eye-catching presence and engaging game mechanics. The DIAMOND X™ 2.32/3.32 multi-screen version, equipped with the GAMINATOR™ X5, showcased a versatile selection of entertaining titles that are tailored for the region.

Equally well-received was the BLACK EDITION II series: The BLACK EDITION II XL 2.32/3.32 captivated operators with the highly popular IMPERA LINK™ Series 2, while the BLACK EDITION II 1.49J brought together the powerful Impera PROLINK™ and the latest addition to the game portfolio, RISING TREASURES™. Proven performers like the MASTER SL™ 2.32/3.32, which also featured GAMINATOR™ X5, rounded out the offering and demonstrated NOVOMATIC’s strength in both innovation and reliability.

Casino solutions driving future growth

Further highlights included the NOVO UNITY™ PRO, NOVOMATIC’s advanced electronic table game (ETG) platform that enables players to join up to three live games simultaneously – such as Sic Bo, Baccarat, or Roulette – on one station. Highly customizable in its setup, the system allows operators to adapt game configurations, layouts, and betting options to local preferences and regulatory requirements. Its interactivity and flexibility were praised by operators as key advantages in engaging today’s players.

The NOVOVISION™ Casino Management System also made a strong impression with its comprehensive suite of functionalities: biometric access, single-wallet capabilities, advanced player loyalty features, and much more – all of which are aimed at delivering next-level efficiency and security in casino operations.

Kenan Bajram, Deputy Director Global Sales at NOVOMATIC AG, reflected on the successful event: “G2E Asia 2025 was once again an outstanding opportunity to engage with partners from across the region and present the full scope of our technology portfolio. Asia’s land-based gaming market is as diverse as it is dynamic – each country has its own regulatory framework, technical standards, and player preferences. Our success at this year’s show confirms that NOVOMATIC is well-positioned to meet these varied demands with tailored solutions that combine innovation, reliability, and full regulatory compliance. The positive feedback we received – especially for our DIAMOND X™ and BLACK EDITION II series, as well as for the NOVO UNITY™ PRO ETG solution – reinforces our commitment to supporting our customers in key markets such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and beyond.”

Wazdan, the leading gain-focused developer, is set to make its mark at the upcoming SiGMA Asia 2025 summit, taking place from 1^st to 4th June at the SMX Convention Center in Manila, Philippines.

The renowned iGaming gathering marks another key milestone in Wazdan’s strategic expansion across the continent, as the company continues to deliver tailored, high-performance gaming solutions under its signature Online gaining™ philosophy.

Visitors to Booth 2136 will be among the first to experience Wazdan’s latest wave of releases, including the eye-catching Sizzling Eggs™: Grand Platinum Edition and 36 Coins™: Grand Gold Edition, all of which showcase the studio’s hallmark blend of immersive gameplay, player-centric mechanics, and mobile-first design, firmly in line with the demands of Asian operators and their audiences.

A focal point of the event will be the unveiling of Wazdan Multidrop, the studio’s new network promotion. Designed to boost player engagement and drive operator revenues, the seven-phase campaign features a total prize pool of €5,000 and reflects its ongoing commitment to building value-driven promotional tools that resonate across global markets.

To celebrate its presence at SiGMA Asia, Wazdan will also host a series of exclusive giveaways throughout the event. Attendees will have the chance to win coveted prizes, iPhone 16, AirPods, AirTags, and a selection of limited-edition Wazdan merchandise, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already action-packed summit.

Beyond the product showcasing and prizes, Wazdan views the summit as a key opportunity to strengthen regional partnerships and deepen its engagement with Asia’s thriving iGaming sector. The event’s growing prominence on the global calendar makes it a natural fit for Wazdan’s ambitions to lead the way in innovation and customer-focused growth across the continent.

Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales at Wazdan, said: “SiGMA Asia is a standout opportunity for us to engage with key players across the region and demonstrate the adaptability of our Online gaining™ philosophy. Our team is excited to showcase how our tailor-made solutions and proven game mechanics can elevate operator performance and player engagement in Asian markets.

“We look forward to insightful conversations, new connections, and sharing our vision for continued growth across the continent.”