WorldMatch, leading provider of premium online gaming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with KGI, marking a significant milestone in its expansion into the Philippine market. The collaboration with KGI represents WorldMatch’s inaugural and exclusive direct client in the Philippines, positioning the company as a key player in this burgeoning market.

As part of this partnership, WorldMatch has obtained certification for its games by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), ensuring compliance with local regulations and standards. This certification underscores WorldMatch’s commitment to providing high-quality gaming content that meets the strict requirements of regulated markets.

“The partnership with KGI and the certification by PAGCOR mark a pivotal moment for WorldMatch. Entering the Philippine market represents a significant opportunity for us to expand our presence in a regulated and rapidly growing industry. We are excited to collaborate with KGI and deliver our cutting-edge gaming solutions to players in the region,” said Xhuljana Demerxhiu, Head of Sales at WorldMatch.

The Philippines is a key market for the online gaming industry, with its robust regulatory framework and growing demand for innovative gaming experiences. By partnering with KGI and obtaining PAGCOR certification, WorldMatch is poised to capitalize on this opportunity and establish a strong foothold in the region.

Mr. Marvin A. Tort, President of KGI, said: “KGI is looking forward to this collaboration with WorldMatch, which is well known for its innovative gaming products with engaging gameplay. We are proud to be their partner in this region.”

In a country where mobile gaming dominates and interest in football continues to rise, India’s talented gamers now have the opportunity to compete for glory on the global stage in eFootball at the FIFAe World Cup. Following the recent partnership between FIFA and Konami, eFootball, Konami’s football simulation game, has been officially included as one of the official titles featured in the FIFAe World Cup, alongside Rocket League and Football Manager.

In this inaugural year of this new development, India is among 18 countries officially invited to participate in eFootball at the global tournament, joining nations such as Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Spain, and Portugal. The top-performing athletes from each country will face off in the finals later this year across both mobile and console platforms.

According to the India Games Market Report 2023 by Niko Partners, India is primarily a mobile-first market, with 96.8% of gamers using smartphones or tablets. The total number of gamers across all platforms is expected to reach 641.2 million by 2027.

With India at the forefront of the mobile gaming revolution and eFootball available for free download, the country’s vast base of mobile gamers have the chance to turn their passion into success on the international stage. The free-to-play aspect also facilitates easier training and participation for India’s talented mobile gamers across all backgrounds, eliminating barriers that typically limit access to high-level competitive play.

Sharing his thoughts on the opportunity this presents for India’s esports industry, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming said, “This collaboration between FIFA and Konami to bring eFootball into the FIFAe World Cup is a significant moment for Indian esports. India’s inclusion in this global event is a source of immense national pride. The accessibility of a free-to-play game like eFootball ensures wider participation, and with FIFA fueling the esports ecosystem, we are witnessing the seamless integration of sports and esports—ushering in new opportunities for Indian gamers to shine on the world stage.”

eFootball is also set to be featured in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s upcoming WAVES Esports Championship 2025 (WESC). The nation has also been consistently competing in the title at the Global Esports Games.

“The recognition of India as a region in a global esports tournament like the FIFA eWorld Cup is monumental for Indian esports. This collaboration between KONAMI and FIFA opens up valuable avenues for both mobile and console gamers across the country to compete on the international stage. Additionally, with eFootball being included in the roster of tournaments like WAVES 2025 which is supported by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the title has great potential to bring further opportunities to aspiring Indian esports athletes,” commented Animesh Agarwal, aka 8Bit Thug, Co-Founder of S8UL and 8Bit Creatives.

In another major development to delight India’s growing poker community, Natural8 India is gearing to follow up on the stellar success of its ATP Taipei Exclusive by hosting another Asian Poker Tour (APT) Exclusive tournament. Set to take place on October 20, the multi-table tournament will bring professional and amateur poker players from across the country to compete for a chance to appear at APT Phu Quoc – all for a buy-in of just INR 5,500!

‘Natural8 India @ APT Phu Quoc Exclusive’ will give the top 9 players – the most to ever be taken from India to compete in an APT tournament – a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to compete with Asia’s best and brightest. Apart from travel and accommodation (worth up to INR 85,000 per head) on the beautiful island off the coast of Vietnam, Natural8 India will offer Main Event Tickets worth INR 1,23,905 each to the top four and Mini Main Event Tickets worth INR 41,301 each to the other five winners. The champion will also take home the prestigious APT Lions Trophy, along with the accumulated prize pool!

Speaking on the announcement, Kunal Patni, Executive Director and Country Head, Natural8 India, said, “We are thrilled to bring another exclusive tournament to India’s vibrant poker community through our partnership with the Asian Poker Tour. The ‘Natural8 India @ APT Phu Quoc Exclusive’ offers a unique platform for players – whether seasoned pros or passionate amateurs – to showcase their skills and compete for a shot at international recognition. By making this experience accessible with a buy-in of just INR 5,500 and offering incredible rewards, we hope to inspire more players to take their game to the next level. It’s an exciting time for poker in India, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of that growth.”

With additional giveaways worth up to INR 15 lakh on offer, and the chance to take on the sharpest poker players in Asia in an exotic locale, ‘Natural8 India @ APT Phu Quoc Exclusive’ is the place to catch the wheeling and dealing and excitement that only high-stakes poker can bring! So whether you’re a poker enthusiast keen on testing your skills or a hobbyist who enjoys the battle of wits and nerve, what are you waiting for, log onto the Natural8 India website for more details right away!