The Hong Kong-based Melco Resorts & Entertainment has proposed to construct an eSports stadium in its planned Japanese resort.

“It is very likely that the esports stadium [will] become one of the key components for our integrated resort in Japan. The content that esports offers will be very diverse, with the advancement of technology, by the time a resort opens in Japan,” – stated Melco’s Chief Financial Officer, Geoffrey Davis for Nikkei Asian Review.

Melco was the first casino operator to open an eSports stadium at its Studio City facility this year in Macau. Geoff Andres, Property President of Studio City Macau at Melco said that eSports is a fast-growing market segment that is constantly innovating and evolving.

“The Japan resort will attract visitors, most likely from the region,” said Davis. “Having relationships with Chinese customers can be a big strength for Melco to contribute to Japan’s inbound tourism,” he added.

1X2 Network has consolidated its position in after partnering with platform provider QTech Games, for distributing its slots, table and virtual games to operators and players.

1X2 Network’s products will now be available to companies using the QTech Games platform.

Some of most sought-after games like Rainbow Wilds, Blood Queen and the recently released The Curious Cabinet, as well as upcoming releases Vikings Wild from Iron Dog Studio and Faerie Nights, will be available in the new platform which can be accessed through both desktop and mobile devices.

Kevin Reid, COO at 1X2 Network, said: “Asia is one of the fastest-growing online casino markets in the world, and we are delighted to have teamed up with QTech Games to distribute our content to operators and players across the region.”

Jonas Alm, CEO at QTech Games, said: “We are constantly updating our extensive game portfolio to ensure that we offer our operator partners the widest range of quality titles from the best studios and developers.”

“1X2 Network has cracked the code when it comes to designing and developing stunning games that deliver engaging and compelling gameplay, providing a superior player experience. Their games have been performing consistently well for a number of years in a range of different markets, so we’re confident they will be well-received by new players in Asia, too.”

A court in the Chinese province of Shenzhen has slapped a severe punishment for persons who ran an illegal online casino based on the Chinese social messaging website WeChat and artificial intelligence (AI). The court verified the documents submitted by the police and analysed the mobile phones, laptops, and money seised by the police and ruled the gang was running an illegal casino via the use of WeChat red envelopes and artificial intelligence software.

Leaders of the group, Cai, Li and Huang, along with 13 other accomplices, each received sentences varying from one to four and a half years of imprisonment and fines of up to RMB200,000 as punishment. The gang was known as the “Golden Star” gambling gang. It is believed that they made around RMB430 million between the beginning of 2017 and March of 2018 when they were arrested. Of that money, the police were able to freeze just over RMB600,000.

Of the 19 people who were arrested at the time, 15 were deemed guilty and prosecuted, while four members who had been with the group for a short time were found to be not guilty.

The gang used a sophisticated AI software that gave them a distinct advantage over gamblers.

This is the first case of a public prosecution and punishment under the police force’s new effort to sweep away vice and gang-related.

Source: thatsmags.com