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Sportradar expands its Sports Integrity efforts in Asia, spotlighted by Asia Casino News in 2024—marking a new chapter in safeguarding Asian sports. Following the success of our initial feature, Sportradar returns for a second spotlight with Asia Casino News—this time, focusing on their expanding integrity initiatives across Asia in 2024. In the ever-evolving world of sports betting, the battle against match-fixing continues to intensify—especially in Asia, a region that accounts for the lion’s share of global wagering activity. In 2024, Sportradar, a global leader in sports technology and data integrity, once again reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of sport across the region. According to Sportradar, Asia witnessed a slight year-on-year increase in suspicious matches this year, with eight more cases flagged than in 2023. While the increase is modest, it reflects broader challenges tied to the region’s immense betting volume—an estimated EUR 900 billion of the EUR 1.49 trillion wagered globally originates from Asia, much of it from unregulated markets. Strengthening Integrity Through Partnerships and Monitoring In January 2024, Sportradar renewed its longstanding partnership with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), a key milestone that underscores its vigilance across the Asian sports landscape. The company’s dual approach—combining real-time monitoring with end-to-end investigations—has become a standard-bearer for modern sports integrity practices. A highly trained team monitors hundreds of competitions across Asia, flagging suspicious betting activity and triggering investigations when necessary. “Our intelligence unit conducts in-depth investigations into teams and persons of interest (POIs),” the company said. These integrity efforts are in part led globally by Andy Cunningham , Sportradar’s Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships for Integrity Services. A veteran in sports integrity with over two decades of experience, Cunningham has worked closely on match-fixing enforcement initiatives with major organizations such as the IOC, the NCAA, the NBA, Riot Games, and more. Since joining Sportradar in 2013, he has overseen the growth of its integrity partners to over 250 governing bodies, betting operators, and law enforcement agencies worldwide—bringing a global standard of vigilance to both traditional sports and esports. Education as a Core Pillar Beyond detection, education is central to Sportradar’s integrity strategy. In collaboration with the AFC, the 2025 Integrity Education Programme was launched to better equip Integrity Officers with the knowledge needed to address manipulation threats at all levels. The company also regularly hosts workshops for players and officials, offering insight into the risks and repercussions of illicit behavior. Ahead of the 2024/25 season, integrity sessions were delivered to all teams in the Philippines Football League (PFL), with a focus on prevention, reporting protocols, and legal accountability. The Philippine Frontline: From Detection to Prosecution Sportradar’s work in the Philippines has yielded tangible outcomes. In the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), 62 suspicious matches were identified in 2023 alone, resulting in 47 lifetime bans in 2024. These findings were even cited during a Philippine Senate inquiry, reinforcing Sportradar’s influence in shaping national policy and league enforcement. The company also supports other domestic leagues such as the PBA and PVL through real-time monitoring and risk assessments. Still, Sportradar believes that more can be done. “Greater collaboration among government bodies, sports organizations, and betting operators is critical,” they emphasized, calling for clearer regulations and stronger enforcement mechanisms. Tackling Integrity Risks in Esports Sportradar’s vigilance extends beyond traditional sports into the booming world of esports. Working with major publishers such as Riot Games, Sportradar helps implement tailored integrity protocols that address esports’ unique vulnerabilities. In 2022, the company supported Riot Games with its investigation into suspicious activity in the Turkish Academy League that led to 12 player suspensions. More recently, in 2024, irregularities detected ahead of a League of Legends playoff match led to a 12-month ban for a player who was caught attempting to fix a match. “These cases show that targeted integrity enforcement works—even in the digital arena,” the company said. A Growing Market, A Growing Responsibility Despite fears that match-fixing might fuel the betting market’s growth, Sportradar stresses there’s no substantial link. In fact, suspicious matches represented only 0.16% of all monitored games in 2024, proving that while integrity issues persist, they don’t account for meaningful spikes in betting turnover. Still, in markets where betting is illegal or poorly regulated, the risks are amplified. “Without strong integrity safeguards, local competitions remain highly vulnerable,” the company warns. Looking Ahead With a powerful combination of technology, intelligence, and education, Sportradar is building a robust framework to protect the future of sports. Under the leadership of seasoned experts like Andy Cunningham, the company continues to define global standards in sports integrity—ensuring Asia's massive and diverse sporting ecosystem to remain as fair, transparent, and protected from manipulation as much as possible. Read related article: ACN Spotlight: Sportradar’s Role In Global Sports Betting

FanDuel, Kaizen Gaming & Sportradar shine at SBC Awards Americas 2025, each winning big in a night celebrating iGaming and sports betting excellence! FanDuel, Kaizen Gaming and Sportradar were the standout winners at the inaugural SBC Awards Americas, each taking home two awards at the ceremony held at Pier Sixty Six in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ceremony marked a historic celebration of excellence across North and Latin America, recognizing the operators, affiliates, suppliers, and individuals shaping the future of iGaming and sports betting. Renowned Mexican sports journalist and TV personality Inés Sainz hosted the ceremony, where 35 accolades were handed out in front of an audience of over 600 industry leaders. Rasmus Sojmark , Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “When we launched SBC Summit Americas, our vision was to spotlight the incredible depth of talent across both continents. The SBC Awards Americas gives us the perfect platform to celebrate that talent. The standard this year has truly exceeded all expectations. A huge congratulations to all of our well-deserved winners.” Kaizen Gaming had an evening to remember, claiming both Sportsbook Operator of the Year - Latin America and Casino Operator of the Year - Latin America . FanDuel picked up Sportsbook Operator of the Year for North America , with BetMGM taking Casino Operator of the Year in the same region, while Zula Casino won Social Gaming Operator of the Year . In the Operator & Supplier categories, FanDuel was recognized for its leadership in safer gambling with the Socially Responsible Initiative of the Year award, while Alea took home Employer of the Year .  On the affiliate side, top honours went to Flashcore Network , which won Sports Affiliate of the Year – LATAM , and Gambling.com Group , which took the North American title. Additionally, Betting Hero secured the Casino Affiliate of the Year award, a category spanning both continents. In the Tribal categories, Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel won the Tribal Gaming Operator of the Year award, while Dominic Ortiz , CEO & GM of Potawatomi Casino | Hotel , was named Tribal Leader of the Year . It was a hugely successful night for Sportradar , as they took home both Sports Data Product and Live Betting & Gaming Product . In the supplier categories, Sportingtech claimed Sportsbook Supplier of the Year , while White Hat Studios picked up Game of the Year . BetConstruct won Platform Provider of the Year while PopOk Gaming took home the award for Land-Based Betting & Gaming Product. Meanwhile, RubyPlay picked up the win for Women's Empowerment Initiative of the Year Award . Other notable winners in the supplier categories included Stats Perform/SportsContentCo , recognised for Industry Innovation of the Year - Latin America , and Wazdan , who won the North American equivalent. In awards recognising individual brilliance in the industry, Marzia Turrini , BMM Testlabs’ Global President of iGaming and Cybersecurity, took home Leader of the Year - Latin America . Jordan Levin , CEO of OpenBet picked up the award in the North American category. Several up-and-coming companies were recognised with Rising Star awards, reflecting their growing impact on the industry. Fanatics Betting and Gaming took home the honor in the operator category, while TAPP and Live88 were awarded Rising Star in Sports Betting and Rising Star in Casino , respectively. In the Marketing & Services Provider of the Year categories, Optimove won for Latin America, while Playtech Managed Services triumphed in North America. Evolution was named Casino Supplier of the Year – North America , with Pragmatic Play taking the title in Latin America. Xtremepush closed out the supplier categories with a win in the hotly contested Acquisition & Retention Partner category. In the Payment & Compliance Awards , OKTO won Payment Solution of the Year – Latin America , and Trustly secured the title for North America. GLI were named Compliance Solution of the Year for its continued excellence in compliance. “Our inaugural SBC Americas Awards was a truly special celebration of talent in the region, I would like to thank our sponsors BetConstruct and Hard Rock Bet, for helping make the evening such a huge success.” The awards ceremony marked a fitting conclusion to the final day of SBC Summit Americas, which welcomed over 10,000 industry professionals to the Broward County Convention Center for three days of high-level networking, insights, and dealmaking. To view the full list of winners, visit: https://sbcevents.com/sbc-awards-americas/ Read related article: SBC Awards Americas 2025: Shortlisted Nominees Announced

Join top iGaming minds at Cyprus Gaming Show 2025, June 11–13. Discover trends, tech, and connections shaping the industry's future in Limassol! In one month, the 6th Annual Cyprus Gaming Show  will unite the iGaming sector's most creative minds at the luxurious Crowne Plaza Limassol  in Cyprus on 11 – 13 June 2025 . Your attendance at the event is your ticket to the latest expertise, luxury networking, and the most searing innovations that will propel the industry. At the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Cyprus continues to be a robust iGaming jurisdiction of expansion. Underpinned by a resilient digital ecosystem and supportive regulation, CGS 2025 is the perfect platform to network with C-level executives, strategists, and innovators who are shaping the industry. Key Insights from Andreas Constantinou Ahead of the Cyprus Gaming Show Before heading to the Cyprus Gaming Show 2025 , we interviewed Andreas Constantinou , CEO of Pokerload , who shared with us his vision for gaming's future in which omnichannel strategies, digitalisation, and player experience converge to reimagine the industry landscape. Andreas offered a glimpse of what’s to come in his keynote, including how player experience differs online and offline, why an omnichannel strategy is key to boosting engagement and revenue, the growing need for digital transformation in land-based operations, and the push for true innovation in online gaming. When asked why the omni-channel approach is more crucial than ever for gaming operators, he explained: “Ignoring the omni-channel approach in the digital era and globalisation that we live in, is like approaching your customers from your friends and family circle only. Omni-channels create opportunities to enhance the customer experience, engagement and accessibility to your services, thus increasing the customer satisfaction and consequently the company's revenues.” One trend in omni-channel player engagement that Andreas finds particularly exciting is the ability for players to enter online micro-stakes and qualify for major land-based events with large guarantees. “ This means that literally anybody could make it to the top ,” he explains. He also pointed out some common missteps operators make when blending online and offline experiences. Offline operators often overlook the unique value of their physical spaces – the energy created through in-person interaction, lighting, music, and personalised service. “ Investing in these elements is like investing for their future proof and it should be their primary aim of investment, while placing their online presence should come as a secondary priority ,” he says. The rush to go digital during COVID-19 led many to deprioritise this in-person value. As for what sets Cyprus Gaming Show  apart, Andreas believes it’s the way the event brings together key regional stakeholders and industry leaders, creating strong opportunities for networking and business growth. Speaker Lineup: Industry Titans You’ll Meet Anastasios Belesis , Lotteries Consultant Anastasios Vasios , Head of Compliance & Co-Founder, KIVON Andreas Constantinou , CEO, Pokerload Andreea Dobre, Head of Internal Audit , Greentube Andreas Ioannou , CEO, Everneed AI Arie Ben-Ari , CEO & Founder, LionSun Holdings Aristeidis Ilias , Compliance Manager, Skill On Net Branka van der Linden , L&D Director, Cyprus Compliance Association Christina Iracleous , Marketing Partnerships Manager, VT Markets Chrysothemi Valanidou , Director/Business Solutions Consultant, Startwise Ltd Cordelia Morgan-Cooper , Founder, CMC Consulting & Hands On Recruitment Dmitry Sandzhiev , Head of Growth, Match Systems Donna Stephenson , Founder, Emerald Zebra Evdokia Pitsillidou , Partner | Risk & Compliance Director,  SALVUS Funds Georgia Papa , Director, Pyrgou Vakis Law Firm Marco Gatti , General Manager, Key2 Business Milan Novakovic , Founder & CEO, HIREQUARTERS Nicc Lewis , CEO, Expozive Marketing & Marcom Ninia Chkheidze , Head of Studio, Vegas21 AND MANY MORE! Top 5 Topics You Don't Want to Miss: Keynote Address : Getting Ahead of the Game: How to Optimise the Significance of Omni-Channels Between Online and Offline Operators Panel Discussion : How to Find, Work With, and Create Impact Via Influencer Marketing Solo Presentation : Taxation in iGaming : A Discussion on iGaming Tax Structures Across Europe and Their Effect on Business Operations and Player Engagement Fireside Chat :  The Specifics of Marketing Your iGaming Brand to a Tailored Audience, From (Gen) A to (Gen) Z Panel Discussion : The Evolving Role of Compliance Within Gaming Organisations: Navigating Between Product, Licensing, and Operations Book Your Spot Now! With just one month to go, time is running out to become part of this important forum for iGaming industry leaders in the region. Whether your goal is to make crucial connections, gain the insider view, or open new business frontiers – CGS 2025  is the place to be. Level up your network, be part of the revolution. Register now :  https://www.eventus-international.com/cgs

The format change in the 6th Mobile Legends: Bang Bang World Championship contributed to solid viewership statistics, according to a report.  The format change in the 6th Mobile Legends: Bang Bang World Championship contributed to increased viewership statistics for the 2024 iteration of the tournament, an analytics body shared.  In its report published on December 6, 2024, Esports Charts shared that the Swiss Stage has “attracted higher viewership numbers across the board” during the M5 World Championship. This is due to having more matches. M6 is currently being held in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and will run until December 15.  “With the games being shorter [best-of-ones and best-of-threes] compared to the best-of-five matches witnessed last year, the airtime in 2024 came down by almost seven hours,” Esports Charts said.  This year's M6 World Championship introduced a new format, replacing the 2023 GSL-style Group Stage with a Swiss Stage. This change, implemented by MOONTON Games, aimed to increase the number of matches per team and improve the chances of top-tier teams advancing to the playoffs. According to Esports Charts, three matches from the Swiss Stage surpassed 2 million Peak Viewers (PV), with the peak viewership recorded during the clash between Team Liquid ID and Aurora Gaming.  The matchup pitted two of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang's most successful regions–Indonesia and the Philippines–against each other. Such clashes typically draw record-breaking viewership at any level of competition. According to Esports Charts, the resurgence of popular team RRQ Hoshi and the strong performance of Team Liquid ID have significantly boosted Indonesian viewership. Both watch time and peak concurrent viewership have increased substantially compared to the 2023 Group Stage.Additionally, the success of Malaysian teams Selangor Red Giants and Team Vamos has led to a surge in Bahasa Malaysia viewership, with both watch time and peak viewership increasing by over 75%. Why is viewership important in esports betting? Viewership is crucial for esports betting as it drives market liquidity, informs betting decisions, attracts bookmaker interest, and fosters community engagement. However, factors like team performance, player skill, meta shifts, and odds movement also significantly impact betting outcomes. Read related article: FNATIC Onic PH One Win Away From M6 Finals Slot (Want to learn how to bet in Esports? Read the ACN Guide to Esports Betting )

Boxing legend Mike Tyson is being sued for $1.59 million for allegedly breaking a deal with a gambling company to fight Jake Paul in a Netflix-sponsored event. Boxing legend Mike Tyson is facing a lawsuit in a London court, accused of breaking a promotional deal with a gambling company to pursue a high-profile boxing match against social media influencer Jake Paul. Medier, a Cyprus-based company promoting the online casino and betting platform Rabona, alleges that Tyson and his company Tyrannic abandoned a January agreement to promote the company.  The lawsuit, filed in October, claims that Tyson terminated the deal in March, citing a breach by Medier. However, Medier's legal team argues that the real reason for the termination was Tyson's decision to fight Jake Paul in a Netflix-sponsored event. The company is seeking damages of approximately $1.59 million, claiming the loss of potential revenue due to Tyson's breach of contract. "The true reason for Mr. Tyson and Tyrannic's hasty and unlawful termination was because Mr. Tyson had agreed a deal, sponsored by Netflix, to fight the influencer Jake Paul," the company's lawyer said, as reported by ESPN.  In response, Tyson’s company Tyrannic, issued a statement that was published by the Daily Mail. “It is the company's position that Medier, Ltd. materially breached the terms of its license agreement on multiple occasions and in various ways. As such, Tyrannic, LLC was well within its legal and contractual rights to terminate the license agreement for material breach in an effort to mitigate additional reputational harm to the Tyson brand,” read the statement. This isn't the only legal issue stemming from the Tyson-Paul fight. A Florida man recently filed a class-action lawsuit against Netflix over the poor streaming quality during the event.  The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight was a massive draw for sports bettors, setting records as the most heavily wagered-upon boxing match in recent history. The November 16, 2024 bout, streamed on Netflix, attracted a record-breaking 60 million viewers, with BetMGM reporting it as their highest-betting boxing or MMA event ever. While the exact betting figures remain undisclosed, it's clear that the fight was a goldmine for sportsbooks. Paul won the fight against the boxing legend through a unanimous decision.  Read related article: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Shatters Sportsbook Records

South Korean team Dplus has claimed the coveted Players Unknown Battle Grounds - Mobile World Championship (PMGC) 2024 title. Dplus, a South Korean powerhouse in mobile esports, has etched their name in history by claiming the coveted PlayersUnknown Battle Grounds - Mobile World Championship (PMGC) 2024 title. The two-month-long global competition concluded in London, United Kingdom, on December 8, 2024, with Dplus emerging victorious. For their exceptional performance, Dplus will receive a staggering $457,250 (P26.5 million), the lion's share of the $3 million prize pool. The team outperformed 16 of the world's best PUBG Mobile squads in the Grand Finals phase. The podium was shared by some of the most formidable teams in the world. Turkiye's Regnum Carya Bra Esports secured the second position, followed by UAE-based Nigma Galaxy in third. Brazil's Influence Rage rounded out the top four. The other placements in the tournament are as follows:  5th place - VOIN DONKEY ID - $117,750 6th place - DRX - $115,000 7th place - 4Merical Vibes - $95,000 8th place - Team Spirit - $100,000 9th place - Insilio - $89,000 10th place - Tong Jia Bao Esports - $94,000 11th place - Alpha7 Esports - $90,500 12th place - The Vicious LATAM - $77,250 13th place - ThunderTalk Gaming - $85,500 14th place - Falcons Force - $78,000 15th place - Natus Vincere - $82,500 16th place - Guild Esports - $30,000 Song "Nolbu" Soo-an, a key player for Dplus, was recognized as the Most Valuable Player of the PMGC 2024. His outstanding contributions to the team's success were instrumental in securing the championship title. Dplus's roster for the PMGC 2024 consisted of: Song "Nolbu" Soo-an Kim "Dabuz" Tae-hoon Kim "Bizon" Jeong-min Jang "Seiren" Jae-won Their triumph at the PMGC 2024 solidifies Dplus's position as a dominant force in the global PUBG Mobile scene. With their exceptional skills and strategic prowess, they have set a new benchmark for mobile esports. Read related article:   Philippines to host 2025 Honor of Kings Invitational Season 3

FNATIC Onic Philippines moves closer to a grand finals spot at the M6 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang World Championship, showing strong performance on the global stage. FNATIC Onic Philippines has been a force to be reckoned with at the 6th Mobile Legends: Bang Bang World Championship (M6). The team's dominant performance has placed them  one step closer to the grand finals. This comes after a 3-2 win against Myanmar’s Falcon, who go down to the lower bracket as a result.  A crucial victory against the Malaysian champion, Selangor Red Giants, in the upper bracket semifinals propelled FNATIC Onic to the next round. Their consistent dominance throughout the tournament has been impressive. READ:   Selangor Red Giants Win Back-to-Back MPL Malaysia Title Philstar reports that FNATIC Onic's strong showing in the knockout stages has solidified their position as a top contender for the M6 World Championship title. FNATIC had a nearly spotless MPL Philippines season ahead of the world stage, winning in the Grand Finals: 4-3 against Aurora.  READ:   Aurora Exits Early from 6th Mobile Legends World Championship FNATIC Onic is the last Philippine team remaining in the tournament after Aurora bowed out in the Swiss Stages. Given its current momentum and exceptional gameplay, FNATIC Onic, led by Duane “Kelra” Pillas, is poised to make a deep run in the tournament. As the competition intensifies, all eyes are on FNATIC Onic Philippines to see if they can maintain their winning streak and ultimately claim the championship title. FNATIC Onic PH is currently on the run to nab the Philippines’ 5th straight world title, after Bren Esports (M2 and M5), Blacklist International (M3), and ECHO (M4).  Read related article: Teams Competing in the 6th Mobile Legends World Championship (Want to learn how to bet in Esports? Read the ACN Guide to Esports Betting )

Filipino Tekken star Alexandre "AK" Laverez missed the 2024 Tekken World Tour Finals after placing 4th in the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). Tekken World Tour 2024 Global Finals after falling in the lower bracket semifinals. Filipino Tekken star Alexandre "AK" Laverez missed his chance to compete in the 2024 Tekken World Tour Finals after his fourth-place finish. The Pinoy player was unable to make it past the grueling Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) held in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan on December 7, 2024.  AK thanked those who supported him throughout the LCQ through his Facebook post where he wrote: "Salamat sa dami ng pusong binigay nyo, 4th out of 576 players tayo." As one of the top 20 players in the world, AK entered the main tournament with high expectations. However, a tough group stage draw and some unfortunate losses prevented him from advancing to the top 16.  This setback forced him to the LCQ, a brutal single-elimination bracket with hundreds of skilled players vying for a single spot in the World Tour Finals. AK displayed impressive form in the early rounds of the LCQ, dominating opponents and securing a spot in the winner's bracket.  Unfortunately, a loss to South Korea's Lee "EDGE" Ju-hyung sent him to the lower bracket. While he managed to claw his way back with a victory over Jeon "Jeondding" Sang-hyun, he ultimately fell short against Han "Mulgold" Jae-gyun, finishing in fourth place. Only the top 2 players make it into the main event.  EDGE and KEISUKE eventually moved on to the main event, but they fell short. Korea's Rangchu won 3-1 against Pakistan's Atif in the Grand Finals. EDGE placed 4th in the overall competition.  This is the first Tekken World Tour since Tekken 8 went on the shelves earlier this 2024.  Despite this setback, AK's 2024 has been a remarkable year. He secured his first major international title at Combo Breaker 2024 and joined the prestigious esports organization Natus Vincere (NAVI). While this recent disappointment is undoubtedly a tough pill to swallow, it's important to recognize AK's significant achievements and look forward to his future endeavors. Read related article: Konami Gaming & System Segment Sees Revenue Drop in 2024 1H

The Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will play NBA preseason games on October 10 and 12, 2025, at the Venetian Arena in Macau, marking a major overseas event. Sands China has secured a multi-year partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in order to boost Macau's tourism. This partnership will bring NBA pre-season games back to the region for the first time in nearly two decades. The games, set to feature the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns, will take place at The Venetian Arena in Macau on October 10 and 12, 2025. The announcement was made during a press conference held on December 6, 2024 where key figures from both Sands China and the NBA spoke about the exciting collaboration. Patrick Dumont, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sands China’s parent company, Las Vegas Sands, shared his enthusiasm for the deal. "We have entered into a multi-year agreement with the NBA to bring the NBA China Game to Sands China in 2025," Dumont was quoted as saying in an Inside Asian Gaming report.  "Sports and sporting events have always been important to Macau’s tourism development, and Sands China has sponsored and hosted many important sporting events over the years. Basketball fans from all over the world will gather in Macau next October to witness this exciting occasion." Mark Tatum, Vice Chairman of the NBA, also expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasizing the NBA’s long-term commitment to expanding its reach across the globe.  “Our games started being broadcast on CCTV in the mid-1980s, so it’s nearly a 40-year relationship. I think this is such a treat for us to be able to bring NBA games back here to Macau,” said Tatum in a report published by South China Morning Post.  The NBA has not held a game in China since 2019, following a controversy sparked by a tweet from Daryl Morey, then the general manager of the Houston Rockets. Morey expressed support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, which led to a political uproar.  In response, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver chose not to discipline or silence Morey, who is now the president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers. This decision angered Beijing, and as a result, China’s state-run sports network suspended its broadcasts of NBA games for an entire year. Macau’s last NBA pre-season event took place in 2007, an iconic moment for local basketball fans, when the Cleveland Cavaliers, featuring a young LeBron James, faced off against the Orlando Magic, led by Dwight Howard. The 2007 games were a historic event, not only for the city but for basketball in Asia, showcasing the NBA’s growing footprint in the region. Since then, however, Macau has not hosted another NBA game, making this new partnership a much-anticipated return for basketball enthusiasts. The return of the NBA to Macau also aligns with the city’s ongoing efforts to bolster its sports tourism industry. The Macau government and Sands China have invested significantly in the development of sports-related infrastructure and events.  The NBA pre-season games in 2025 are expected to attract not only basketball fans from Macau but also from neighboring regions, including mainland China and other parts of Asia. With the NBA’s global fan base continuing to expand, the games are set to draw significant attention and economic activity to the city. The matches will be held at The Venetian Arena, one of Macau’s premier event venues, which is known for hosting a wide range of high-profile events, from concerts to international sports tournaments. This partnership is also significant given the NBA’s increasing efforts to expand its presence in Asia. With China being one of the league’s most important markets, events like the upcoming games in Macau will help the NBA further engage with its Chinese and broader Asian fanbase. The games will be broadcasted to millions of viewers across the region, expanding the league’s reach and fostering greater fan engagement. The signing of this deal follows a broader trend of sports-related investments in Macau. In late 2022, Sands China and other concessionaires committed to enhancing the city’s tourism offerings under the terms of the 10-year concessions they signed with the Macau SAR Government. These agreements, which focus on diversifying the region’s tourism base, highlight sports as a key component in the city’s economic and cultural future. Read related article: Tony Parker, Ray Allen to Headline NBA Legends Game in Macau

The IOC may drop boxing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics unless major reforms are made to the sport's global governance by national federations. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued an ultimatum to national boxing federations, as it risks losing its place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. To ensure boxing's inclusion in the 2028 Games, the IOC is urging national federations to support the formation of a new global governing body, World Boxing. This newly formed organization, with its 55 member nations, is seen as a potential replacement for the discredited IBA. "This is in the hands of the national boxing federations and whether they want their athletes to have an opportunity to win Olympic medals or not," International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said on November 6, 2024, as reported by ESPN.  The IOC's decision to strip the International Boxing Association (IBA) of its recognition in 2023 due to persistent issues with governance, finance, and ethics has left the future of Olympic boxing in limbo. The Paris 2024 Olympics saw the IOC take over the organization of the boxing events, a stark demonstration of its dissatisfaction with the IBA. However, the IOC has made it clear that a decision on boxing's Olympic future will not be made until 2025. The organization will carefully assess World Boxing's ability to meet the stringent governance and ethical standards required for Olympic recognition. The stakes are high for the sport of boxing. A failure to reform could result in its exclusion from the Olympics, a devastating blow to both the sport's popularity and the aspirations of countless young boxers worldwide. Boxing is deeply ingrained in Asian culture, particularly in the Philippines. The sport's raw power and intensity resonate with fans, making it a popular spectator sport.  The Philippines, in particular, has a rich boxing history, producing numerous world champions like Manny Pacquiao. This boxing culture has led to a strong Olympic tradition. Filipino boxers, with their aggressive style and unwavering determination, have consistently made their mark on the Olympic stage. From legendary figures to rising stars, such as Olympians Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Aira Villegas, and Eumir Marcial, Filipino boxers continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. Read related article:   Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Shatters Sportsbook Records

Dota 2’s return to the Esports World Cup 2025 follows the successful 2024 Riyadh Masters Dota 2 tournament. Dota 2, the iconic multiple online battle arena (MOBA) game, is set to make a return to the Esports World Cup stage in 2025, Esports Insider reports. This announcement follows the successful 2024 Riyadh Masters Dota 2 tournament, which was held as part of the Esports World Cup series. The 2024 Riyadh Masters Dota 2 tournament, hosted in Saudi Arabia, captivated audiences worldwide. With a peak viewership of 419,244 and an average of 178,349 viewers over its 147-hour duration, it solidified its position as a major esports event. These impressive figures were reported by industry analytics firm Esports Charts. In addition to Dota 2, the 2025 Esports World Cup will feature several other popular titles. Confirmed titles include Fighters, Honor of Kings, Call of Duty, and Free Fire. Honor of Kings, a popular mobile MOBA, successfully hosted its midseason tournament as part of the 2024 Esports World Cup. The Esports World Cup has gained significant traction in recent years, offering substantial prize pools that can dramatically change the lives of professional esports athletes. These prize pools often reach hundreds of thousands, and sometimes even millions, of dollars. However, the Esports World Cup has not been without controversy. Many in the esports community have criticized the event's ties to the Saudi Arabian government, citing the Kingdom's human rights record. Accusations of "sportswashing" have been leveled against the Kingdom, suggesting that the government is using esports to improve its global image. Despite these concerns, numerous game developers and publishers have partnered with the Esports World Cup to host midseason international tournaments. These partnerships have resulted in significant viewership and exposure for the games involved. Read related article: Teams Competing in the 6th Mobile Legends World Championship (Want to learn how to bet in Esports? Read the ACN Guide to Esports Betting )

Aurora’s elimination from M6 marks the first early exit for an MPL PH team in a world championship series, since M1 in Malaysia. After an impressive run to the world stage, Philippine Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team Aurora Gaming will be exiting early from the M6 World Championship held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Aurora’s elimination from M6 is the first early exit for an MPL PH team in a world championship series, since M1 in Malaysia, when Onic Philippines bowed out from the group stages in 2019.  This comes after the Filipino team absorbed a 0-2 loss against Indonesian champions Team Liquid ID in the last phase of the Swiss Stages. Team Liquid, which absorbed a couple of losses already, will need to win one more series before proceeding to the knockouts.  After being established in MPL Season 14, off veterans from Blacklist International, Aurora went on an impressive run towards the world stage, defeating titans Team Liquid PH (formerly world champions ECHO) and Falcons AP Bren to secure the last slot for the Philippines to M6.  In a report published by Philippine sports outlet Tiebreaker Times, MLBB veteran Edward Jay Dapadap said that while they are heartbroken, their team will try to reset for the next season.  “Parang ganon talaga tinadhana sa amin para may ma-realize pa kami sa mga susunod na tournaments, sa Season 15. Tumitingin na lang ako sa brighter side ngayon. Ayokong sobrang i-down yung sarili ko kasi hindi pa naman guguho yung mundo bukas eh (It feels like this was really meant to happen to us so we can realize something for the upcoming tournaments, especially in Season 15. I’m just looking at the brighter side now. I don’t want to bring myself down too much because, after all, the world isn’t ending tomorrow),” Edward admitted.  So far, reigning MPL Philippines champions FNATIC Onic PH, and fan-popular team RRQ Hoshi are top-billing the knockout stage teams, followed by Southeast Asia’s Falcon Esports, NIP Flash, and European squad Team Spirit.  Six more teams will battle for the last three slots in the knockout stages, which will be held from December 7 to 15. Read related article: Teams Competing in the 6th Mobile Legends World Championship (Want to learn how to bet in Esports? Read the ACN Guide to Esports Betting )