Asia

MGM-Orix Consortium Could Benefit from Japan Election Results

Published

3 years ago

November 8, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The result of Japan’s general elections is positive news for the country’s IR industry and in particular for the chances of the MGM/Orix consortium in Osaka after surprise gains by the Ishin To Party.

The right-wing party almost quadrupled their seats from 11 to 41 making it the third-largest party in the country. In Ishin’s stronghold of Osaka, the party banished the LDP completely and cornered 14 of the 18 seats.

“In the IR space, if Osaka was already the firm favourite prior to the election, it is even more certain now that they will bring the license bacon home and Bill Hornbuckle can start heating up the grill in his backyard and invite his ORIX partners for an early celebration barbecue. The LDP will now need their friendly opposition ‘partner’ more than ever and will be eagerly serving the IR license to Governor Yoshimura in a sterling silver platter,” said industry executive Daniel Cheng, who has been closely following the IR license procedure in Japan.

Overall, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party returned to power, removing other potential political upsets to the licensing timetable.

“The road looks clear for the continuation in the ongoing six-month host bid submission window which will close on 30 April 2022 after which up to three cities and their associated development consortiums will be selected a few months after,” Cheng said.

For Nagasaki and Wakayama, it is more of the same as the aftermath of the election saw an unchanged ratio of ruling vs opposition legislative seats. In the capital, the ruling party lost some ground to the opposition but it is unlikely to prevent Governor Koike from making an IR bid if she so decides to.

Two IR hopefuls on the sidelines saw contrasting fortunes. The LDP lost ground in Fukuoka losing 3 seats when it previously held all 11 seats; conversely, the LDP gained ground in Aichi winning 3 more seats. That puts the latter in better stead should they throw the dice in the pot if less than three licenses are issued from the present bidding round.

“Hokkaido is the other big story in my view, namely Tomakomai City which was the de facto IR site for the prefecture but withdrew over a year ago,” Cheng said. “There are many anticipating a Hokkaido comeback in the IR race at some juncture whether 7 years later or sooner, circumstances permitting.

At the prefectural level, the election results were even-stevens where the LDP and the opposition started and ended with 6 seats each, but not in the same districts. Particularly, Hokkaido District 9 which encompasses Tomakomai City fell into the hands of main opposition political party, CDP. This was despite having both Prime Minister Kishida and former Prime Minister Abe campaigning in Tomakomai City last week to rally support for LDP incumbent, Manabu Horii.

This will add another headache for Tomakomai Mayor Iwakura in his crusade to bring an integrated resort into his town as the CDP is staunchly anti-IR.”

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Red Bull, Nissin Cup Noodles, and Kreo Join College Rivals Season 2 as Associate Sponsors

Published

8 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Reading Time: 2 minutes

India’s premier college esports and gaming talent hunt, College Rivals, has secured three major Associate Sponsors for its highly anticipated Season 2. Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo have all come on board to support the Ampverse DMI-conducted event, each contributing their distinct energy and enthusiasm, as the official Energy Partner, Snacking Partner, and Kreative Partner, respectively.

College Rivals Season 2, featuring participation from over 2,00,000 students across various competitions, offers a prize pool of INR 50,00,000 and a prestigious professional gaming contract. Having kicked off in July 2024, the championship will continue in the following months before culminating with a Grand Finale scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.

“We’re thrilled to welcome top brands like Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo to College Rivals Season 2, which has grown exponentially this time around and is bigger and better than ever. These incredible partners will further enhance the student experience with immersive gaming, exciting activities, and creative engagements, adding new energy and thrill as we continue to inspire college-going students to engage with esports and gaming opportunities,” said Ashwin Haryani, Country Head, Ampverse DMI.

Red Bull, returning to College Rivals after a successful first season, brings extra excitement with their racing simulators and product samples in interactive zones, giving students a taste of the fast-paced energy of Esports. Nissin Cup Noodles, the event’s Snacking Partner, is bringing a flavorful twist to the action. With wet product sampling of their instant noodles, Nissin Cup Noodles seamlessly blends snack breaks with gaming.

Meanwhile, with their branded gaming peripherals, Kreative Partner Kreo is hosting interactive activities such as typing tests and giveaways, inviting students to engage with top-tier gaming gear at the country’s biggest collegiate gaming event.

“We’re absolutely fired up to be part of College Rivals Season 2! The energy is electric, with thousands of students from all over the country bringing their A-game. The fast-paced action, intense competition, and pure thrill of gaming make this event a perfect match for Nissin Cup Noodles which is the go-to snacking option for gamers” said Varun Oberoi – Vice President, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Indo Nissin Foods.

Having expanded to 20+ cities and 58+ colleges, College Rivals Season 2 is engaging 11,00,000 students across India, providing the ideal stage to connect with brands that resonate with them. Nissin Cup Noodles satisfies with its instant snacks, Red Bull keeps the energy high with its action-packed drinks, and Kreo connects creative minds with top-tier gaming gear.

Asia

FeedConstruct Secures Exclusive International Streaming and Data Collection Rights for Korean Volleyball Leagues

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2024

Wladimir P.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

FeedConstruct is excited to enhance its offerings with the addition of another significant Korean sports content. Based on the new partnership, the company has secured exclusive international streaming and data rights for all matches of Korea’s Volleyball Leagues and Cup competitions.

Korea’s V-League is one of the most prestigious and competitive volleyball leagues worldwide, particularly in Asia, renowned for its high-level matches and featuring top-tier local and international talents. FeedConstruct will cover all the matches from both the men’s and women’s competitions, ensuring comprehensive access to this elite league and delivering premium content.

The KOVO Cup, a highly anticipated annual event, serves as a lead-up to the V-League season, offering teams a platform to experiment with new rosters and strategies. Since 2018, the KOVO Cup has invited international teams, such as Thailand’s Supreme Chonburi, raising the tournament’s prestige and drawing significant attention from volleyball fans across the country.

Volleyball has been a prominent sport in Korea for decades, with the national teams consistently competing at high levels in major international tournaments like the Olympics and World Championships.

Reflecting on the new partnership, Narek Harutyunyan, CEO at FeedConstruct, stated: “We are thrilled to secure the exclusive international streaming and data rights for all matches of Korea’s Volleyball Leagues and Cup competitions. Korean volleyball has a rich history and a passionate fan base, and we are committed to providing comprehensive coverage of these elite competitions. This collaboration not only strengthens our global volleyball portfolio but also underscores our dedication to delivering premium sports content.”

KBSN Director Lee Ju Young, added: ‘’We are honored to collaborate with FeedConstruct on this project. We hope that Korean professional volleyball will receive more global attention. We believe that partnerships are significant because they carry weight.’’

KOVO’s Director Lee Young-ho said: “I am pleased that this partnership will enhance the global capabilities of Korean professional volleyball. It seems like a great opportunity to connect with many fans overseas through FeedConstruct. I hope this will be a good opportunity for Korean professional volleyball to grow to the next level.”

Asia

NewCasinoRank Unveils Specifics of Thai New Online Casino Market

Published

4 days ago

November 1, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 1 minute

NewCasinoRank, a leading website specialising in reviewing new online casinos and covering various aspects of iGaming, has provided an in-depth analysis of the emerging online casino scene in Thailand. As Thailand remains one of the most frequented locations accessing NewCasinoRank, the team is dedicated to delivering precise and relevant information that aligns with the country’s strict gambling regulations.

Gambling in Thailand is heavily regulated under the Gambling Act of 1935, which prohibits most forms of gambling except for the government-run lottery and horse racing. Despite these restrictions, the popularity of online casinos continues to grow, driven by increasing internet accessibility. According to Statista, the online gambling market in Thailand is projected to grow by 5.56% (2024-2028), resulting in a market volume of €628.90m in 2028.

Thai players frequently visit NewCasinoRank to find reliable information on accessible new online casinos that comply with local laws. To meet this demand, NewCasinoRank’s team meticulously curates content that adheres to Thailand’s legal framework, ensuring players have access to safe and trustworthy gaming options.

Chloe O’Sullivan, CasinoRank’s Writer, emphasizes the platform’s commitment: “We highly value our Thai audience and strive to provide up-to-date information on our dedicated Thailand page. This comprehensive resource includes special features of new casino sites in Thailand, the most popular casino game developers in the country, an overview of the average bonus values based on market trends and local currency, and much more.”

Samuel Adeoye, CasinoRank’s Researcher, said: “Speaking of new casinos, sometimes it’s hard to get the most accurate information because the subject is new. Still, we manage to do that by collecting data from reputable open sources and collaborating with trusted casinos that partner with NewCasinoRank. This ensures that our content is both accurate and relevant, providing Thai players with the information they need to make informed decisions.”