Top 5 Filipino Esports Teams to Watch in 2026
From MPL Philippines champions to world-class contenders, these Filipino esports teams are dominating competitive gaming in 2026.
APAC operator, supplier and policy moves.
From MPL Philippines champions to world-class contenders, these Filipino esports teams are dominating competitive gaming in 2026.
Discover how the integration of Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the Philippine iGaming industry and delivering...
The Mobile Legends Professional League Philippines (MPL PH) Season 17 introduces a new arena, updated branding, and...
Casinos Austria International has officially reopened its presence in the Asian gaming market with the launch of Casino MOUKampuchea in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The new casino facility is established in partnership with the Royal Group, a major conglomerate in Cambodia, reinforcing a strategic long-term collaboration. Located in Phnom Penh's entertainment district, Casino MOUKampuchea provides customers with a variety of gaming options alongside dining and entertainment services. This reopening marks the first Asian casino operated by Casinos Austria International in 15 years, representing a significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy. The launch highlights a renewed interest and confidence in the Cambodian gaming market, driven by tourism and entertainment growth in the region.
Gigabyte and Capcom have joined forces to introduce a Resident Evil Re:Quiem limited edition bundle targeting gamers in Australia and New Zealand. The collaboration combines Gigabyte's gaming hardware expertise with Capcom's popular Resident Evil franchise to deliver a specialized product offering. This bundle features premium hardware components designed to enhance gaming experiences alongside exclusive Resident Evil in-game content, catering to the franchise’s fans within these regions. The initiative reflects a strategic partnership aimed at leveraging popular gaming IP with high-performance technology solutions tailored for the Australia and New Zealand market.
Taiwan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced the extension of a special tax reduction policy on lottery prize winnings, effective from June 26, 2023, through December 31, 2024. The policy maintains a zero income tax rate on lottery prizes under 40,000 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD), while larger prizes will be subject to temporarily lowered tax rates. The decision aims to boost lottery ticket sales and enhance government revenue amid ongoing economic uncertainties. This continuation of the tax relief is expected to encourage greater public participation in lottery purchases, supporting both the lottery market and fiscal objectives. The MOF highlighted that this tax reduction has been a practical measure to stimulate consumer spending and improve fiscal intake during challenging economic periods. The policy will apply nationwide across Taiwan for the specified duration.
OnePlus has released the OnePlus 15R, a smartphone designed to offer a blend of high-end features and affordability. Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the device demonstrates solid performance suitable for gaming and everyday tasks. It features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals for gaming and media consumption. The primary camera boasts a 50MP sensor, positioned to deliver quality photography for its segment. Battery life is supported by a 4,800mAh cell with the added advantage of 100W fast charging, allowing quick top-ups. This model is presented as a cost-conscious alternative to the higher-end OnePlus 11, making some compromises to maintain a lower price point. Overall, the OnePlus 15R targets users seeking a smartphone capable of high performance in gaming and general use without the premium flagship cost. This positions the OnePlus 15R as a competitive offering in the mid-to-upper mid-range smartphone market segment.
Bloomberry Resorts Corporation has introduced MegaFun.AI, a new online social casino gaming platform that offers arcade games developed specifically in the Philippines. This launch represents Bloomberry’s strategic initiative to expand its footprint in the digital gaming sector through a site focused on slot and arcade-type games. MegaFun.AI provides a social gaming experience where players can engage with games crafted by local developers, enhancing the visibility of Filipino game content in the online social casino market. The move aligns with growing industry trends toward digital and social gaming formats and marks Bloomberry’s diversification beyond its traditional casino operations in the Philippines. By leveraging homegrown arcade game development, the company positions itself to capture interest among digital gaming audiences domestically and regionally.
Crossfire Legends, a leading mobile shooter game, is intensifying its focus on the Southeast Asian market through a series of updates and initiatives designed to boost player engagement and support the region's esports ecosystem. The game continues to capitalize on its popularity by organizing regional tournaments and fostering collaborations that encourage competitive gameplay. This strategy aligns with the broader trend of growth in mobile gaming and esports within Southeast Asia, a region known for its large and enthusiastic gaming community. By tailoring content and events for local players, Crossfire Legends aims to maintain its strong market position and drive further expansion in one of the world's most dynamic gaming markets.
Avatar Legends, an action role-playing game inspired by the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, is scheduled for release on July 2. The game will be available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Developed by D3 Go! Studios and published by Zimmerman Games under a license from ViacomCBS, the title offers both single-player and online multiplayer experiences. The game features a campaign with a large cast of characters and allows players to explore the unique world and bending abilities from the Avatar universe. Additional gameplay details, such as pricing and features, were also revealed alongside the launch date announcement. This release marks a significant addition to the action RPG category within the gaming industry, particularly linked to licensed properties from popular animated franchises.
South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has officially announced penalties against Shinhan Bank for inadequate oversight of gambling-related financial transactions. Following a regulatory investigation, the FSS determined that the bank failed to properly monitor and block accounts engaged in gambling transactions, which contravenes established compliance expectations. The sanction reflects concerns over Shinhan Bank's management systems related to illicit gambling activities, emphasizing the regulator's commitment to stricter enforcement in the financial sector. This measure aims to reinforce preventative controls within banks to curb gambling-related financial risks in South Korea's banking industry.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has proposed an amendment to the country's Export Trade Control Order to include video game consoles among the list of controlled export items. This draft regulation emerged from increasing concerns over the potential dual-use nature of such technology, which could have implications for national and international security. Under the proposed changes, exporters would be required to secure permission before shipping game consoles to countries subject to export restrictions. The move aligns with METI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen export controls on sensitive technologies amid evolving geopolitical contexts. The draft amendment was published in June 2023 and is open for public consultation until mid-July 2023. Should it come into force, the regulation will affect manufacturers and traders involved in the production and export of gaming equipment, shaping Japan’s trade policies in the technology sector.
The Government of Nepal has directed the shutdown of online betting applications and websites operating within the country. This move comes amid ongoing efforts to curb illegal gambling activities that have proliferated across digital platforms. Internet service providers in Nepal are cooperating with the government directive by blocking access to these betting services. Authorities maintain that the crackdown is essential to prevent further gambling-related issues and ensure adherence to the nation's laws. The closure aims to reduce the impact of unregulated betting on Nepalese society and the economy.