Nexon Co., South Korea's leading online gaming firm, reports a 72% year-over-year increase in Q2 net income to 278.8 billion won ($196 million), driven by the success of MapleStory and ARC Raiders, despite a 19.3% drop in operating profit.
Indonesia deported 92 Chinese nationals arrested in May for alleged involvement in an online gaming and investment fraud syndicate. The deportation, funded and facilitated by the Chinese government, occurred on Sunday from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Hong Kong counselling centre reports rising referrals for online gaming addiction among school pupils, including a 7-year-old who spent HK$8,000 on pay-to-win games.
Philippine authorities temporarily banned the GoreBox online gaming app after a school shooting in Tacloban killed three students and injured 20. One suspect reportedly played the game, known for graphic violence. The ban is a precautionary measure to assess the platform's role in the tragic incident.
Hong Kong police have arrested four men and seized HK$7.2 million (US$918,850) worth of suspected drugs, including ketamine, cocaine, and etomidate. The operation, which began Thursday, uncovered a syndicate that allegedly recruited two mainland Chinese men through online gaming platforms to help with drug packaging and distribution in the city.
Hong Kong police arrested four men and seized 9.5kg of suspected drugs worth HK$7.2 million. The operation targeted a syndicate that allegedly recruited two mainland Chinese men through online gaming platforms to package and distribute drugs in the city.
Online gaming's increasing dominance in teen life is causing friction at home, impacting studies, sleep, and relationships. Recent tragic incidents in India highlight the severe consequences of unchecked screen dependence and emotional distress, prompting calls for better understanding and intervention.
India's Supreme Court has ruled that 28% GST will be applied to the full value of player deposits in online gaming, including rummy, fantasy sports, and casinos, resolving a long-standing tax dispute.
Nexon Co. reports a 40% YoY increase in Q1 net profit to 542.6 billion won, driven by strong overseas sales of new game titles like MapleStory and ARC Raiders, with significant growth in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
I’ve had it up to here with Danny Dyer’s commercials for Paddy Power. The UK needs to take a tip from Amsterdam and rein in its advertisersAmsterdam’s new ban on public advertisements for meat and fossil fuel products makes me wonder whether we should be more ban-happy with ads in the UK. There are plenty I want rid of: “See it, say it, sorted”, obviously, which refuses to die, and those LNER ads featuring a hideously perky puppet treating train travel like an excuse for a party (pipe down, Eleanor). Also up against the wall when I’m in charge: overly matey ads for banks (don’t you dare call me “bestie” when you’re selling me an Isa); any catchy jingle that displaces the scraps of useful information still clinging on in my brain; and the whole wellness grift of snake oil powders and goo.But if I could ban only one type of advertising, I’d go after gambling. It’s hard not to sound like a Victorian tub-thumping religious zealot when you rant about gambling ads, but my God, they’re grotesquely disingenuous and cynical, making out that high street slot shops and online gaming sites are all razzle-dazzle and sparkle; that it’s a bit of fun for cheeky chappies and gorgeous gals. Continue reading...
India's new online gaming law effective May 1 classifies games into three categories with different tax treatments: online money games (completely prohibited, 30% flat tax on winnings without loss set-off), e-sports (30% TDS on tournament winnings), and social games (no tax implications for users). The key distinction is whether players stake money for returns versus participating without stakes.
Police in Delhi have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly raping and murdering the daughter of an IRS officer at her residence in south Delhi. The same suspect is also accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Rajasthan’s Alwar district within a 24-hour span. The accused, who worked as domestic help at the Delhi residence before being removed over allegations of online gaming-related financial misconduct, was arrested and remains in police custody. The family denies the rape allegations, claiming a financial dispute related to online gaming may have triggered the complaints.
