Asia

Saudi eSports Federation Chief Says Kingdom Has Huge Potential in Market

Published

2 years ago

December 22, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Saudi government has recently supported a trend of investing in the gaming business and eSports in general to boost the culture of gaming there. Both Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan and the Chief of the Saudi eSports Federation have spoken out about the country’s expected growth in this market by advancing the diversification plans in accordance with Vision 2030.

Kazem and Khater Abdul, the duo behind the Arabic online casino website www.a7labet.com, closely follow the developments and discuss the growing eSports market in Saudi Arabia in a weekly podcast. According to them, these investments are meant to satisfy the growing cultural and social interest of Saudi Arabia’s gaming population, as well as an economic measure implemented by the government and their return on investment.

Within the next decade, the Saudi eSports market is expected to grow into one of the world’s largest. Here are the factors that will enable this expansion:

Impact on the Economy

The gaming industry in Saudi Arabia is steadily growing. The arabic website The gaming market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, including both eSports and video games, hit more than $1 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to $3.14 billion by 2025. And being possibly the largest gaming market, with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt as its closest competitors, Saudi Arabia is becoming the region’s powerhouse.

Investments in the gaming industry of Saudi Arabia have exponentially grown and increased. Those investments are further encouraged by the increasing popularity of gaming in the country and the popularity of eSports in general. With almost half of the Saudi population considering themselves novice or regular gamers, over 20 million gaming enthusiasts exist in the state that claims to regularly occupy the online gaming world.

And while the majority plays eSports as a hobby, there is a growing number of professional players emerging from the shadows as the rise of the online gaming industry continues to grow in Saudi Arabia.

Rise of the Culture of Gaming

In parallel with increased economic diversification, the investments by the states in eSports and gaming, in general, are reflected in the culture. This can be seen by the more frequent participation of Saudi youth in various gaming and eSports events and happenings, either in a casual fashion or in a professional capacity. As popularity also rises in the country, the competition increases. With the success of the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports holding its first gaming and eSports tournaments in 2020, more are set to follow. Other tournaments are also set to debut in the future, with private platforms, such as Saudi-based Kafu Games, acting as future hosts.

As a further way to stimulate the industry, the government of Saudi Arabia has also launched many initiatives supporting programmers and aspiring eSports players. One of these bold initiatives is creating a video game studio and opening an eSports academy which will be part of Neom smart city. Another is the Tuwaiq Academy, which offers courses for newbies that want to learn programming and professionals that want to brush up on their programming skills.

Backed by High-Ranking Figures in the Country

Given its convenient location between the east and west, the chairman of the Saudi eSports Federation’s (SEF) board of directors believes that Saudi Arabia has a huge untapped potential in the eSports market. This is further confirmed by the comments of prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, noting the role that youth can play in the development of eSports in Saudi Arabia. Considering that more than 21 million young people make up the country’s structure, one can see how this market can rapidly grow. The prince’s comments also came during the tour in South Korea, participating in the World eSports Summit held there. During the tour, he touched upon all the developments Saudi Arabia planned on making for the eSports sector, all in an effort to attract and develop future talents and investments.

Cementing a Place in a Global eSports Industry

The increased social and financial investment can propel Saudi Arabia into a fast-growing global industry when it comes to eSports and the gaming community. With strong state support already, gamers are encouraged to get involved in the industry in a number of ways, growing the Saudi youth culture towards this new field of interest.

With the gaming industry likely to enjoy even more growth of support from the government in the years to come, more participation from residents and citizens, and greater interest from private businesses, it’s safe to assume that Saudi Arabia is on the right track to becoming a force in the eSports world.

Up Next

The Grand Opening of the ftNFT Shop, on December 22nd, in Dubai

Don't Miss

RAW Arena builds momentum with three more operator integrations

Click to comment

Asia

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

Published

6 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.”