Asia
Sands China Launches Alipay Tap! in Macao
On Jan. 14, 2025, Sands China Ltd., Alipay and Macau Pass jointly introduced the Alipay Tap! service at Sands Resorts Macao. Utilising innovative payment interaction technology, the service will further enhance the payment experience of visitors in Macao and enable new digital business and marketing opportunities. It will also contribute to the city’s smart city development while supporting digital upgrades and connectivity within the Greater Bay Area.
Alipay Tap! is an innovative payment service introduced by Alipay in July 2024 in the Chinese mainland. Users can simply unlock their phones and tap the merchant’s payment device to complete the transaction, without opening the Alipay app. This solution has quickly become popular with both users and merchants and is currently available in over 100 cities and more than 1000 shopping malls and commercial districts in the Chinese mainland. In addition to payments, Alipay has also collaborated with partners to create over 50 Alipay Tap! digital industry solutions, such as “Tap to Order” and “Tap to Open Self-service Vending Machine”.
In this first phase, Sands China has rolled out Alipay Tap! across 300 merchants in its integrated resorts, including The Venetian Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Londoner Macao and Sands Macao. It can be used for a variety of payments, such as hotel accommodation, dining, shopping and ticketing, providing customers with a convenient payment experience. Chinese mainland tourists using Alipay Tap! in Sands Resorts Macao can also enjoy multiple offers during the promotional period, including an exclusive coupon for the first transaction via Alipay Tap! in Macao and other cross-border travel promotions released.
Merchants can use one terminal to meet the payment needs of both tourists and local residents using mainstream e-wallets. A representative from a Sands Resorts Macao merchant shared, “As Chinese mainland tourists are generally familiar with Alipay Tap!, combined with various recent promotional offers, the number of Alipay Tap! transactions has significantly increased since its launch, greatly enhancing operational efficiency”.
Jiajia Li, Vice President of Alipay, Ant Group, said: “Macao has unique geographic advantages, providing an ideal environment for the introduction of innovative technologies. Alipay and Alipay+’s cross-border services have already covered nearly 90% of merchants in Macao. The successful introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao will further enhance the convenience of payments for Chinese mainland visitors, accelerate the digital transformation of businesses, unlock more commercial potential, and promote the digital connectivity of digital everyday services within the Greater Bay Area.”
The introduction of Alipay Tap! in Macao is not just a simple replication of the payment model but also creates a local digital business model benchmark. The collaboration between the three companies integrates Alipay’s user experience and membership preferences, Sands China’s unique services and benefits, and Macau Pass’s regional coverage and operational expertise. Together, they have created a new digital business model.
The post Sands China Launches Alipay Tap! in Macao appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
DigiPlus Secures Three Honours at the 60th Anvil Awards
DigiPlus Interactive, the company behind leading digital entertainment platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone, secured three honours at the 60th Anvil Awards. Recognised as the gold standard of public relations excellence in the Philippines, the Anvil Awards celebrate outstanding programmes and tools that elevate the field of communications and public relations.
DigiPlus was honored with a Gold Anvil for its transformative corporate rebranding campaign, “DigiPlus Reimagined: Pioneering Fun, Technology, and Community”, which highlighted the company’s evolution from a traditional leisure and resorts operator to a leader in digital entertainment. Additionally, DigiPlus garnered two Silver Anvils: one for its 2023 Integrated Report, “Ushering a New Era of Digital Entertainment”, and another for BingoPlus Foundation’s “FutureSmart” programme, an initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of innovators through education.
The rebranding initiative, developed in collaboration with global brand specialist Landor, encapsulated DigiPlus’ commitment to harness technology and innovation to deliver new forms of entertainment for Filipinos. This strategic transformation not only revitalized the company’s visual identity but also reinforced its mission to deliver immersive and enjoyable experiences through its products. The 2023 Integrated Report chronicles DigiPlus’ strategic direction, financial and operational performance, as well as its performance around environmental, social and governance metrics. The report follows the Integrated Report framework, which adheres to the highest global standards of annual reporting.
“These accolades from Anvil highlight DigiPlus’ commitment to innovation, transparency, and building strong connections with our stakeholders. The award for our corporate rebranding celebrates our bold transformation into a digital entertainment leader, while the recognition for our Integrated Report underscores our dedication to global standards of accountability and transparency. These achievements inspire us to deliver even greater value to our customers, investors, and communities” said Celeste Jovenir, Vice President for Investor Relations, Corporate Communications and Sustainability.
BingoPlus Foundation’s FutureSmart Programme was recognised for its transformative impact on marginalised communities. In 2024, the programme reached 5332 individuals, focusing on IT education, digital literacy and inclusive livelihood powered by technology. Initiatives included providing 60 scholarships to IT students across 20 universities nationwide and introducing the P.L.U.S. Factor development programme to equip scholars with critical workplace skills. The Coding for Kids initiative brought robotics and programming to 4853 students in the Visayas, alongside training for 213 teachers. The programme also launched PLUS Tech Centers, providing computers and digital skills training to underserved communities. These centers aim to bridge the digital divide and create more inclusive job opportunities for marginalized sectors, reinforcing BingoPlus Foundation’s commitment to education, technology and livelihood empowerment.
“We are honored to receive an Anvil for BingoPlus Foundation’s FutureSmart Program. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to uplifting communities through education, technology, and livelihood opportunities. FutureSmart is a testament to how we aim to create lasting, positive change by preparing individuals for a brighter and more sustainable future,” said Angela Camins-Wieneke, Executive Director of the BingoPlus Foundation.
The post DigiPlus Secures Three Honours at the 60th Anvil Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Revenant XSpark Beat S8UL To Become Champions Of The Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament, Qualify For Finals In Japan
Hosted by Skyesports, Revenant XSpark cruised through the competition to join GodLike Esports as the Indian representatives in the finals in Japan.
The Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament 2025 – India, an open-for-all esports competition for the mobile game by The Pokémon Company and executed by Skyesports, has concluded. After an intense round of qualifiers, group stage, and playoffs, Revenant XSpark edged out S8UL Esports in the grand final to emerge as champions.
Revenant XSpark will now join GodLike Esports as the two Indian teams set to represent the region at the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League Finals in Japan, scheduled for March 29 and 30.
Revenant XSpark were in red-hot form throughout the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025. They won all three of their group-stage matches before a dominant run through the upper bracket in the playoffs.
During the playoffs, they defeated Elites and Global Esports, before facing off against S8UL in the upper bracket final, where they secured a 2-1 victory. S8UL managed to bounce back with a win in the lower bracket, setting up a much-anticipated rematch in the Grand Finals of the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament 2025 – India. However, their hopes of redemption fell short, as Revenant XSpark once again emerged victorious with another 2-1 triumph. The team also pocketed $3,000 of the $10,000 prize pool for placing first.
For Revenant XSpark, this victory marks redemption after a hugely disappointing loss in the Pokémon UNITE ACL India League Finals. The India League, which concluded on Jan. 26, 2025, was the top level of competitive Pokémon UNITE esports in the region, while the Winter Tournament provided an open platform for all players to participate.
Revenant XSpark was among the eight invited teams to the Pokémon UNITE ACL India League 2025. After dominating the group stage and securing a direct spot in the Grand Finals, their championship dreams were shattered as GodLike Esports staged a spectacular run – winning 7 back-to-back series – to claim the title.
The two teams will now carry India’s hopes at the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2025 Finals in Japan, where they will be among 16 top squads from across the region competing for glory.
The post Revenant XSpark Beat S8UL To Become Champions Of The Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament, Qualify For Finals In Japan appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
NO TRUTH TO POGO REOPENING: PAGCOR WARNS AGAINST DISINFORMATION
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today warned the public against letters and text messages being circulated by unscrupulous parties saying that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations or POGOs will again reopen.
“It has come to our attention that some people are enticing potential investors into paying huge amounts for supposed limited slots of POGO licenses, and saying POGOs will be supposedly operating directly under PAGCOR,” according to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.
“There is absolutely no truth to this,” Mr. Tengco said. “POGOs remain banned, and there are no plans to bring them back, now or in the foreseeable future.”
“Should you get any text message or letter informing you that you can avail of a POGO slot, please report them immediately to PAGCOR or to the police and other law enforcement agencies because these are scammers who need to be stopped,” he said.
Mr. Tengco said the scammers are asking would-be investors for up to Php50 million supposedly for attorney’s fees, consultation and assessment to get a POGO slot.
“We reiterate: POGOs will not reopen during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and PAGCOR is not entertaining, and will not entertain, any applications,” he added.
The post NO TRUTH TO POGO REOPENING: PAGCOR WARNS AGAINST DISINFORMATION appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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