Celebrated game developer Wazdan ventures into the vibrant Filipino market through a strategic partnership with SG8, a prominent operator renowned for its diverse offerings. A total of 46 Wazdan titles, including popular games like 9 Burning Dragons and 9 Burning Stars, will now be accessible to players across the Philippines, amplifying the gaming experience in the region.

Leader in the Philippines market:

SG8, a key player in the Philippines’ iGaming landscape, holds a PAGCOR license and has garnered a strong following in Southeast Asia. The collaboration with Wazdan is poised to enrich SG8’s platform with innovative iGaming content, elevating the gaming journey for Filipino players.

Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales at Wazdan, expresses enthusiasm for this new venture, stating, “The Philippines boasts an incredible amount of iGaming potential, and so we are delighted to enter the market with SG8, a leading player within the country. We’re bringing a range of our top-performing titles to its platforms and are eager to see how Filipino players react to our innovative mechanics. We are in no doubt this is the beginning of a flourishing collaboration.”

Heng Chin Sheng, CEO at SG8, echoes the sentiment, affirming, “It’s an honor to welcome Wazdan to the Filipino market for the first time as part of this deal – we’ve seen the reception to its innovative slots across the world and are delighted to bring them to our players. Leading titles such as 9 Burning Dragons and 9 Burning Stars are just a few of the 46 Wazdan titles that we are sure our players will embrace, and we look forward to seeing the results!”

Wazdan’s EGR North America Awards nominations:

In addition to its milestone entry into the Filipino market, Wazdan continues to garner recognition on the global stage. The company proudly announces its two nominations for the upcoming EGR North America Awards 2024. These prestigious nominations underscore Wazdan’s commitment to delivering exceptional gaming content and innovation within the industry.

According to the company’s press release, Izabela Slodkowska-Popiel, Head of Account Management for North America and Latin America at Wazdan, expresses pride in the company’s achievements, remarking, “Being recognized at EGR North America Awards, one of the most important industry events, is something to be proud of. We are honored that our dedication in providing the best casino software possible was acknowledged once again.”

As Wazdan continues to expand its global footprint and receive accolades for its exceptional contributions to the iGaming sector, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering unparalleled gaming experiences to players worldwide.

Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatcharian, chairman of the Senate Methods and Means Committee, has urged the federal government to formally shut down Philippine offshore playing operators (POGOs), that are liable for an increase in kidnappings and different crimes within the nation. really helpful to take action.

As well as, in line with native media studies, Gachcharian additionally advocated closing POGO in three months.

On this regard, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) mentioned in early March: “Now we have terminated the contract with the third-party auditor liable for the audit of POGO.

“The service supplier was discovered to be in breach of its obligations and committing unlawful acts.”

Stories on the influence of POGOs on the nation’s economic system:

Final week, Gatcharyan publicly launched a report on the influence of POGOs on the nation’s economic system, primarily based on analysis carried out by his fee and the Senate Committee on Financial Affairs.

On this regard, he was reported to have mentioned: “All the info and proof at hand level to the identical conclusion. Sufficient is sufficient. It’s time to fully ban offshore gaming operations within the Philippines.

“To start with, economists say (POGO) shouldn’t be good for the nation’s picture, and whereas they’re nonetheless right here, now we have no peace of thoughts.”

The report argued that: “Though POGO didn’t make a major financial contribution to the nation’s economic system, POGO exercised what may very well be seen as growing its legal affect over among the nation’s regulation enforcement businesses. was doing.”

Nonetheless, the report additionally advocated aid for affected Filipinos employed by POGOs and sought restoration of excellent tax liabilities from POGO licensees, service suppliers and third-party auditors. , seeks to revoke work visas for POGO foreigners. Employee.

In that regard, he added: “The concern that Filipinos shall be kidnapped will proceed whereas they’re nonetheless energetic…there are different companies that don’t have an effect on peace and order in our nation, so we must always not seize the knife edge. .”

Poor reporting help:

Senators launched the report solely after acquiring sufficient signatures from committee members to permit it to be formally launched to the whole Senate. By Friday, nevertheless, he had solely garnered his seven signatures.

In that regard, the Senator mentioned: “I’ll present a replica of the report back to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. I anticipate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to help my proposal. As a result of it is not sensible to help their continued existence, I wished to close them down.

“I despatched all of them the documentary proof that POGO has finished extra hurt than good to the nation, so I anticipated extra colleagues to endorse the report.”

he emphasised that “Each the Division of Finance (DOF) and the Nationwide Financial Improvement Company (Neda) have voiced their opposition to POGO, which flourished through the administration of Marcos’ predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.”

Additional, in September 2022, Juan Miguel Zubiri mentioned: “I help strikes by different senators to ban Pogos following studies of significant crimes, together with killings and kidnappings which have victimized POGO staff from China.”

Nonetheless, different members of the Senate (18 of them) really helpful that POGO be given extra time to stop operations.

In that regard, Senator Sonny Angara informed the official Philippine Information Company:Giving POGOs, particularly legit POGOs, a three-month grace interval might not be sufficient to cease them. “

In a written assertion, he mentioned: “I don’t imagine that three months of time and see is suitable to shut operations, particularly for an organization that has invested closely.

“An extended interval can be extra affordable/justified, provided that it was additionally the federal government that inspired them to put money into the primary place.”

The one nation on the earth that hosts POGO:

On this regard, the Senator mentioned: “Based mostly on DOF and Neda estimates, the nation can be shedding greater than P8 billion yearly in tourism income and funding alternatives.

“We’re the one nation on the earth internet hosting POGO… If that is actually good enterprise, all nations ought to struggle to lure them in.”

Historical past of POGO within the Philippines:

POGO was first launched domestically in 2016. This was the primary 12 months President Duterte allowed operations within the nation as a result of he wished a more in-depth relationship with the nation.

POGO makes use of the nation’s liberal gaming legal guidelines to formally goal Chinese language clients, the place playing is prohibited.

Nonetheless, with the rise of POGO operations within the nation, crimes equivalent to extortion, kidnapping, prostitution, and victimization of Chinese language staff within the business have been reported.

However that is not all. A number of Filipinos have additionally protested towards POGO, which has raised property charges together with incidents of racism.

Small revenue from POGO:

Most critics “Chinese language President Xi Jinping himself referred to as on the Philippines in 2019 to ban on-line playing institutions for Chinese language residents.”

On this regard, Zubiri mentioned: “He questioned if the meager revenue from POGO was price it.”

On a associated notice, the POGO tax to the nation will lower by 46% in 2021, from Ps.7.18 billion in 2020, to Ps.3.91 billion from the POGO business collected by the Inside Income Service. turned.

Based on Treasury Secretary Benjamin Diokno, income is anticipated to be P32 billion this 12 months, however solely P3 billion has been generated thus far.

A Chinese language-Philippine group, the Motion for the Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO), whose members or kin have been kidnapped, formally supported the POGO ban.

POGO as sufferer:

MRPO Founder and Chair Teresita Ang See mentioned: “Some legit POGO firms have informed me they’re additionally struggling due to the unhealthy picture given to them.”

Moreover, she emphasised that: “For each authorized POGO firm, there have been six to seven unlawful sublicensees by means of which Chinese language nationals have been trafficked.”

In that regard, September 2022 knowledge from the Philippines Amusement and Gaming Company (PAGCOR) reveals that 32 POGOs and 127 service suppliers are licensed to function within the nation.

PAGCOR mentioned: “On-line gaming began in 2003, however it wasn’t till 2016 that we began regulating sport hubs.”