Cambodia-based casino operator NagaCorp is bracing for a financial impact due to its stalled casino project in Vladivostok, Russia. The company anticipates recording an impairment charge between $85 million (€77 million) and $95 million (€86.9 million) for the first half of 2024, according to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. ??

This financial hit is expected to potentially swing the company’s earnings from a profit of $3.1 million (€2.8 million) to a net loss of $6.9 million (€6.3 million) for the period, a stark contrast to the $83 million (€75.9 million) profit reported a year ago.  

NagaCorp’s Vladivostok project, which began with ambitious plans to establish a major resort in Russia’s Primorye Economic Zone, has faced numerous setbacks. The project was indefinitely suspended in March 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, as the company invoked a force majeure clause due to "various uncertainties." Although the company did not initially specify the reasons, it later acknowledged that the ongoing war and subsequent international sanctions had severely disrupted the development.??

According to reports, NagaCorp initially entered the Russian market with high hopes, targeting the Primorye Economic Zone due to its strategic location near China, South Korea, and Japan — regions where gambling was heavily restricted at the time. However, the landscape has drastically changed. Japan has since approved a casino project in Osaka, and the ongoing geopolitical tensions have further complicated the Vladivostok venture, leading to re-evaluation and the substantial impairment charge now expected.  

The financial difficulties linked to the Vladivostok project have had a notable effect on NagaCorp’s market performance. Shares of the Hong Kong-listed company fell by 12 percent following the announcement, contributing to a nearly 30 percent decline in value since mid-May. Despite these setbacks, NagaCorp maintains that its overall financial position remains stable, with the impairment being an unrealized loss that does not directly affect the company’s operational cash flow.??

SEOBROTHERS is committed to dominating the field through innovative SEO tactics and creative content strategies. Head of Sales Aleksandra Drigo told SiGMA News that their mission revolves around increasing internet presence, driving organic traffic, and maximising revenue for their projects. In this interview, Drigo discusses how SEOBROTHERS is redefining affiliate marketing by fostering meaningful partnerships and delivering user-centric content. ??

Our goal at SEOBROTHERS is to dominate the iGaming and digital marketing industry. We use cutting-edge SEO tactics and creative content marketing strategies to help our projects?experience substantial growth. Through consistent and deliberate work, our main objectives are to increase internet presence, increase organic traffic, and maximise revenue. We are dedicated to quality, and to stay ahead of the competition, we constantly adjust to the changing digital world.   

We concentrate on establishing solid, trustworthy bonds with our partners and audience to accomplish these goals. In order to guarantee that our clients and users receive accurate and useful information, we place a high priority on transparency and honesty in all our dealings. Furthermore, we work to positively influence the iGaming sector by encouraging safe gaming behaviours and offering gamers access to informative and empowering information. By fusing technological know-how with a thorough comprehension of the requirements and preferences of our audience, we hope to redefine affiliate marketing and, in the process, build a vibrant ecosystem that benefits all parties involved.    

We are working worldwide, but our main focus is Tier 1 countries. We have projects in Europe, Canada, Africa, and Latam.    

Pure SEO only. Our focus is on pure SEO traffic, we try to select SEO keywords qualitatively and bring our partner high-quality traffic. Also, now we have started developing streams, but it needs some time to grow.   

Traffic generation is crucial for our success at SEOBROTHERS. We employ a comprehensive SEO strategy focused on niche keywords with high-conversion potential. We began by redesigning our website with a user-first approach, creating new content, and revamping existing material to keep it fresh and relevant.   

Navigating the dynamic landscape of affiliate marketing requires us to stay ahead of trends and adapt to changes swiftly. As SEO algorithms evolve, we continuously refine our strategies to maintain visibility and attract organic traffic. Our commitment to delivering valuable, user-centric content ensures that we not only drive traffic but also engage and convert visitors effectively.   

Everything is simple here, nowadays there are many different ways to track the result, for SEO traffic we use GSС, then we can check the quality of traffic, the number of deposits, registrations, our commission, the player's country, and other things, in the affiliate program of our partner. 

It depends on the market, geo, partner product, and other factors, the average conversion for our top markets from registration to deposit is 35-50%. 

We look to our operators as crucial partners in achieving success. We value open communication, transparency, and a collaborative approach from them. Friendliness and fairness are equally important, as is the timely sharing of accurate information. This partnership enables us to align our efforts effectively, ensuring that our mutual goals are met and that our marketing strategies are finely tuned for optimal results.   

Maintaining a lively social media presence while being updated on industry developments is something we take great pride in. Staying up to date isn't enough; we also need to use these insights into our content strategies to deliver timely and pertinent updates that genuinely connect with our audience. This strategy maintains the interest and hunger of our community for more.   

Furthermore, our users are the focus of both our personalised marketing campaigns and loyalty programmes. These programmes aim to create a sense of loyalty and belonging in our community, not just transactions. It all comes down to fostering connections and making each exchange feel special and worthwhile.   

Bank transfer, of course, we are trying to be as white and transparent as possible, to show the industry that it is possible to work “clean”, to pay all the taxes, etc.  

For us, navigating the affiliate marketing scene in 2024 has been a trip full of possibilities and challenges. In order to keep our competitive edge, we've had to adapt our techniques quickly and proactively in response to the constant adjustments in SEO algorithms. Because of the intense competition in our field, we are always improving our strategy to make sure we stand out from the competition.   

Data privacy laws have created an additional level of complexity, so we now must give compliance priority while maintaining smooth customer experiences. Accepting technological developments has been crucial in motivating us to keep innovating in order to satisfy changing customer demands.   

Our dedication to strategic agility and data-driven decision-making has been essential throughout. We have not only overcome obstacles but also transformed them into chances for improvement by applying these ideas. In the future, we intend to keep improving our tactics to elevate our collaborations and produce significant outcomes in the dynamic field of affiliate marketing.?

CFC 22 is shaping up to be an unforgettable event, bringing together top-tier fighters with thrilling matchups and international viewers can watch it live as the event will be broadcast on TV Cazé and Band Sports. Additionally, for those who prefer online streaming, the event will be available on various platforms. Specific streaming schedules and availability are advertised locally in various regions.

For example, TV Cazé, known for its comprehensive sports coverage, will provide a live broadcast of the event. Band Sports, another reliable channel for live sports events will also air the fights. There is always the option of online streaming options with platforms like 22Bet, Samba Bet, Betsat, Greenbets, and Headbet especially for those who like to engage more in the events and are interested in betting on the matches.

Anderson Ferreira, also known as “Buzika,” is a seasoned MMA fighter with a professional record of 18 wins and 5 losses. Born in Bragan?a Paulista, S?o Paulo, Brazil, Ferreira has a strong background in Muay Thai, which is evident in his striking power. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing in at 71kg (155.6 lbs), he fights in the lightweight division. Ferreira is affiliated with the Inside/Munil Adriano Team and is currently ranked 17th among Brazilian pro lightweights. His career highlights include 16 wins by knockout, showcasing his formidable striking abilities.

Rogério Matias, nicknamed “Karranca,” boasts a professional MMA record of 15 wins, 4 losses, and 1 no contest,. Hailing from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, Matias is known for his grappling prowess, with a strong foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He stands at 1.85m (6’1") tall and weighs 70kg (154.3 lbs), competing in the lightweight division. Matias is affiliated with Hikari MMA and has secured 12 of his victories by knockout, demonstrating his striking capabilities². His recent fights include a submission win via armbar, highlighting his versatility in both striking and grappling.

Raimundo Batista, also known as “Tubar?o,” has an impressive record of 18 wins and 3 losses. Born in Rio Preto da Eva, Amazonas, Brazil, Batista is a well-rounded fighter with a background in wrestling and striking. He stands at 1.70m (5’7" tall) and weighs 71 kg (156.1 lbs), fighting in the lightweight division. Batista is affiliated with the Renova??o Coari Team and is currently ranked 42nd among Brazilian pro lightweights. His career includes 10 wins by knockout and 3 by submission, showcasing his ability to finish fights both on the feet and on the ground.

Martin Farley, nicknamed “Martinho,” holds a professional record of 10 wins and 6 losses. Fighting out of S?o Paulo, Brazil, Farley has a background in boxing, which is reflected in his 8 knockout victories. He is 1.73m (5’8") tall and weighs 84kg (185.2 lbs), competing in the welterweight division. Farley is affiliated with Corinthians MMA and has shown resilience and determination in his career. His recent victories include a split decision win and a knockout, indicating his ability to adapt and succeed in various fight scenarios.

These fighters bring a wealth of experience and diverse skill sets to CFC 22, promising an exciting and competitive event. Whether it’s Ferreira’s striking, Matias’s grappling, Batista’s well-rounded game, or Farley’s knockout power, each fighter has the potential to deliver a memorable performance.

Admission to CFC 22 at VIP Station is free but attendees are encouraged to bring 1 kg of food to donate to charity. For those seeking a VIP experience, access is by invitation only.

The doors will open at 6:30 pm, with the first preliminary fight starting at 7:30 pm. The first professional fight will begin at 8:30 pm.

SiGMA East Europe Summit powered by Soft2Bet, happening in Budapest from 2 – 4 September.

Gambling websites dominated the list of sites blocked by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) from January 2022 to August 2023. According to local reports, during this period, MCMC blocked 10,423 websites for various legal violations, with online gambling accounting for 4,484 of these.   

Other significant categories included 3,271 websites blocked for pornography and 1,654 for copyright infringement. Additionally, 316 websites were removed for involvement in scams or illegal online investments, and 249 for prostitution-related content. The reasons for blocking the remaining 449 websites were not disclosed by MCMC.  

MCMC’s recent report highlighted a downward trend in the number of harmful websites blocked over the last five years. The highest recorded was in 2021, with 6,571 websites blocked. This number dropped to 4,572 in 2022, 3,724 in 2023, and 2,127 between January and August 2023. The MCMC stated that these actions align with the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, along with other laws enforced by local authorities, including the police and the Securities Commission.??

Beyond the direct legal violations, MCMC emphasised that blocking these websites is part of broader efforts to curb crimes such as human trafficking, child grooming, and the sale of illegal substances. To ensure the continued effectiveness of these blockages amid evolving technology, MCMC is committed to working closely with local service providers. This collaboration includes enhancing preventive measures and improving domain name system management, securing a safer online environment for all users.  

Despite these efforts, recent developments have posed challenges for internet users trying to bypass MCMC’s restrictions. The Sinar Project reported that telecommunications companies have implemented a “transparent DNS proxy” approach. This move prevents users from accessing blocked websites using alternative DNS servers such as Google’s or Cloudflare’s. Instead, users’ requests are automatically redirected to the local service provider’s DNS servers, effectively reinforcing the blockages imposed by MCMC.  

MCMC’s extensive efforts to block illegal and harmful websites underscore the Malaysian government’s commitment to online safety. As technology advances, the Commission continues to adapt its strategies, ensuring that the digital landscape remains secure for all users.?