The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reaffirmed its commitment to quality governance standards after successfully maintaining its ISO 9001:2015 certification.

The certification, granted by DQS Certification Philippines, Inc. (DQS), came after a series of rigorous surveillance and scope extension audits conducted from December 16 to 20, 2024.

The recognition was formalized during an awarding ceremony today, April 24, at PAGCOR’s Corporate Office in Pasay City, affirming PAGCOR’s adherence to international quality management standards.

The surveillance audit covered eight existing sites including PAGCOR’s Main Corporate Office and several Casino Filipino branches in Tagaytay, Angeles, Citystate, Cebu, Ilocos Norte, Olongapo, and Bacolod.

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The certification scope was also extended to ten additional sites including Casino Filipino Grand Regal, Malabon Grand, Binondo, Manila Grand Opera, Greenery, Midas, Kartini, Oriental Pearl, Networld, and Tropicana in Las Piñas.

PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco emphasized that maintaining the ISO 9001:2015 certification is an important testament to the agency’s dedication to excellence and public service.

“Maintaining our ISO 9001:2015 certification is certainly no small feat,” he said. “This is the result of the collective effort of the entire PAGCOR family, and it reflects our team’s discipline, teamwork and commitment to quality service for the benefit of the government and the Filipino people.”

In its audit report, DQS lauded PAGCOR’s top management for consistently supporting quality improvements and effectively managing risk, highlighting the agency’s strong operational controls, cross-divisional collaboration and focus on employee engagement and customer satisfaction.

Among other noteworthy initiatives cited by the third party audit team were innovations in cash transaction handling at gaming tables, the use of customer feedback systems and e-learning compliance training especially in anti-money laundering.

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It also noted the agency’s deployment of modern technologies like the “Card Canister Randomizer” and digital record-keeping systems.

The ISO 9001:2015 certification, which applies to PAGCOR’s multi-site operations, remains valid until March 21, 2026.

Jetapult, an AI-driven gaming investment firm, has strengthened its AI suite by bringing on board two industry leaders—Oz Silahtar and Dr. Arjun Jain. This move reinforces Jetapult’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced AI capabilities across mobile game studios, with a clear focus on solving real industry challenges. These include streamlining content production through large-scale asset generation, automating UA creatives and ASO strategies in a post-IDFA world, and integrating performance and user data systems to enable smarter, faster decision-making.

Oz Silahtar, an MIT alumnus and serial AI entrepreneur, brings deep expertise in machine learning and generative AI. He previously founded Tarentum AI and UA Hero (acquired by TapNation), and was Head of EMEA at Leonardo.ai, which was acquired by Canva in 2024. At Jetapult, he will guide studios in applying global AI best practices to boost operational efficiency and content innovation.

Joining him is Dr. Arjun Jain, a generative AI and computer vision expert with a Ph.D. from the Max-Planck Institute. He has held key roles at global tech leaders like Apple and is best known for his pioneering work on motion capture technology at Weta Digital for Steven Spielberg movies (The Adventures of Tintin). At Jetapult, Dr. Jain will lead efforts in large-scale asset generation and AI-assisted content creation, streamlining production pipelines across mobile gaming studios.

Oz Silahtar, Partner, AI Platforms, Jetapult, said, “As an AI entrepreneur, I’ve always been focused on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with machine learning and generative AI. I see Jetapult’s vision as a bold and timely move to transform mobile gaming. The team is exceptional, and the opportunity to apply AI — from rapid content creation to precision player targeting — is immense.”

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Sharan Tulsiani, Co-founder and CEO of Jetapult, said, “AI isn’t just a tool — it’s the new infrastructure for how games will be built, scaled, and experienced. At Jetapult, we’re not just adapting to this shift — we’re leading it. By bringing in experts like Oz and Dr. Jain, we’re doubling down on our belief that the future of game development lies in AI-native studios. With our GamePac AI platform, we’re giving studios the ability to move faster, create smarter, and operate more efficiently — unlocking a new era of scalable, data-driven creativity in mobile gaming.”

Jetapult’s proprietary GamePac AI suite is built to unlock greater efficiency for studios by integrating AI directly into everyday workflows. Currently used across its portfolio companies, GamePac helps automate asset creation, generate performance-optimized ads, and equip game teams with tools that drive speed, creativity, and smarter decision-making—laying the foundation for more scalable and efficient game development.

Jetapult is actively enhancing its AI capabilities by recruiting top-tier talent, including engineers, researchers, and creatives. The company is focused on building the next generation of AI-native studios across high-growth markets, where creativity and automation converge to unlock new opportunities in gaming.

Riot Games has announced the launch of Legends Ascend South Asia in association with Aftermath Ventures. Kicking off on April 27, the tournament will be an open-for-all, online-only amateur competition, marking a bold new chapter for competitive League of Legends in the region.

Legends Ascend South Asia runs for four months and features a robust tournament structure, including three open qualifiers, a round-robin league stage, and double-elimination playoffs. With a prize pool of INR 10,00,000, the tournament reflects a strong commitment to building a structured and credible competitive scene for League of Legends players in the region. The winning team will also qualify for the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) Wildcard Playoffs, where teams will battle for a place in the LCP promotion and relegation tournament.

Speaking on the upcoming Legends Ascend, Arun Rajappa, Country Manager India & South Asia, Riot Games, said: “Legends Ascend is about giving players in South Asia a real shot at competitive League of Legends. It’s a step towards building a stronger, more connected community where players and fans can all find more ways to play, engage, grow, and be part of something bigger.”

Tailored for the region’s core League of Legends players, Legends Ascend offers a structured, high-intensity environment that rewards skill, strategy, and consistency. Open to teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives, the tournament presents a global competitive model, delivering a professional experience from start to finish. Teams can sign up for open qualifier #1 by registering here.

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Mansoor ‘Nabu’ Ahmed, Founder & CEO, Aftermath Ventures, said: “Legends Ascend South Asia is more than just a tournament—it’s a platform built to empower a new generation of League players in the region. From playing the game ourselves to now hosting it for the community, this moment is incredibly special. Our partnership with Riot Games marks a milestone in our mission to create consistent, high-quality opportunities for emerging talent. We’re excited to see South Asia rise, compete, and make its mark on the global League of Legends stage.” All matches will be broadcast on Aftermath Ventures’ FragNation YouTube Channel, giving fans front-row access to every game-changing moment, clutch play, and underdog stories that could define the next breakout star.

The initiative is a step forward in Riot’s long-term mission to cultivate a sustainable competitive community in South Asia by creating more opportunities for amateur players in the region.

Legends Ascend South Asia: All You Need to Know

• Registration: Registrations for the Legends Ascend begin on April 27, 2025.
• Registration Link: Teams can sign up for open qualifier #1 by registering here.
• Tournament Format: Teams from across South Asia can compete through 3 Open Qualifiers, followed by a Round Robin League stage, and culminating in double-elimination playoffs.
• Duration: 27th April to 3rd Aug 2025
• Broadcast: Live Broadcast for Legends Ascend begins on May 4 on Aftermath Ventures’ FragNation YouTube Channel
• Prize Pool: INR 10,00,000

○ The winner also qualifies for the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) Wildcard Playoffs.

Key Dates

• Open Qualifier #1:

○Registrations: 27th April to 3rd May

○Matches: 4th to 11 May

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• Open Qualifier #2:

○Registrations: 12th to 17th May

○Matches: 18th to 25th May

• Open Qualifier #3:

○Registrations: 26th May to 31st May

○Matches:1st to 8th June

Round Robin League: 13th June to 20th July

Playoffs (Top 4 Double Elimination): 25th July to 3rd August

Join the Action

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The Legends Ascend South Asia Amateur Online Championship is the beginning of a new chapter for League of Legends in the region. Whether you’re a player looking to prove your skill or a fan ready to cheer

for your favorite underdog, Legends Ascend invites everyone to witness the rise of South Asia’s next generation of League stars.

Stay tuned to Riot Games India & South Asia’s social channels and Aftermath Ventures’ FragNation YouTube channel for live match coverage, team stories, and tournament updates. Get ready for action-packed weekends as the Legends Ascend live broadcast goes live starting May 4, exclusively on the Fragnation YouTube channel.