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Checkd Group adds pocket pair of new poker recruits

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Lee Johnston and Sophia Darling appointed at ambitious iGaming business

Fast-growing iGaming business Checkd Group has drawn itself a winning hand with the appointment of two new hires to its Checkd Media poker division.

Lee Johnston has joined the Manchester-based company as its new Poker Manager, with Sophia Darling installed as new Poker Executive. The pair will lead Checkd’s poker strategy, which is spearheaded by the popular Footy Accumulators Poker League, powered by PokerStars.

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Johnston is a highly experienced figure in the poker industry, who as Head of Events for Ace King Group led live and tournament marketing projects for global brands PPPoker and KKPoker across Europe, Asia and LatAm. He also created VGC Poker, one of the biggest poker rooms in the north of the UK, and also held a role as manager at bwin.party’s World Poker Tour.

Darling has previous experience of working as a Freelance Data Analyst and Content Creator at PokerStars and will assist the push to further grow a segment that has been a hit for Checkd Media’s 1.5 million-strong social community.

The Footy Accumulators Poker League allows players to compete for weekly and monthly leaderboard prizes, with over £10,000 given away each month. Originally launched during lockdown, Checkd Media recently signed a new long-term deal with PokerStars to freshen up the tournaments, content and sign-up offers.

Checkd Media Managing Director Alex Beecham said: “The Footy Accumulators Poker League continues to go from strength to strength and has been given fresh momentum through the new partnership with PokerStars, the largest real money online poker site in the world.

“Lee and Sophia both bring with them significant knowledge and experience from the poker world. We are excited to have them on board as we continue to grow what has quickly become an essential element within our varied product mix and one that drives traffic while providing rich entertainment for our communities.”

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Checkd Media Poker Manager Lee Johnston said: “The development of the Footy Accumulators Poker League has been widely noted within the poker industry and my aim is to take it forward to the next level.

“This is an exciting time to join a business that has real ambition and I can’t wait to get started.”

Checkd Media Poker Executive Sophia Darling said: “It has been fascinating to see how the Footy Accumulators Poker League has grown since it came into being during lockdown.

“It is clear that there is still a strong demand for poker from the social community and our aim is to serve up the slickest entertainment possible, offering some great prizes while increasing traffic for our partners.”

 

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Digitain Announces New Slogan and Vision Ahead of ICE Barcelona

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Digitain announces a bold new vision and slogan that embodies its forward-thinking approach and highlights its commitment to innovation and excellence.
Digitain, a global leader in Sportsbook and iGaming solutions for over 20 years, proudly presents its new company slogan: “BUILT TO LEAD.”. Announced ahead of ICE Barcelona 2025, this slogan highlights Digitain’s fresh perspective on its vision, positioning, strategic pillars, and essence.
Digitain’s new vision reflects its dedication and commitment to creating genuine connections, ensuring meticulous attention to detail, and maintaining a dynamic, leading-edge approach to innovation. The company’s lasting success is grounded in the strength of its partnerships, an obsession with achieving excellence, and a relentless drive to set new industry benchmarks. Guided by its strategic pillars—next-generation product innovation, unsurpassed service, industry expertise and pioneering new standards—Digitain is further solidifying its position as the trusted partner of choice for leading operators worldwide.
Aregnaz Hakobyan, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Digitain, stated: “A strong foundation and well-defined brand architecture are the cornerstones of our success and the roadmap to our future. The Brand Reboot Project was a project that we have worked for over 4 months and is more than a refresh—it’s a powerful step forward that enhances our value and clearly articulates our purpose. Our slogan,’BUILT TO LEAD.‘ encapsulates who we are and where we are heading, embodying our unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership. It also signifies that our company has reached a pivotal point—leading the iGaming and tech industry with innovation and unmatched expertise.
Our vision clearly indicates that we are shaping the future of iGaming as the leading technology giant and the partner of choice for top-tier operators globally. With unrivaled service and a passionately committed team, we are setting new industry standards, making iGaming safer and more socially accepted than ever before.”

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North Star Network acquires Soccernet.ng to strengthen Nigerian presence

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North Star Network (NSN) has announced its acquisition of Soccernet.ng, a prominent Nigerian sports media platform, marking a significant expansion into the Nigerian sports scene and underscoring its ambition to solidify its footprint in the African media landscape.

Founded in 2014, Soccernet.ng has become a trusted authority on Nigerian football, providing in-depth daily coverage of local football alongside trending stories from the global soccer world. Known for its quality journalism and passionate team of football enthusiasts, the platform has achieved significant recognition, including the Sport Blog of the Year award at the Nigerian Blog Awards.

A Strategic Move into Africa

The acquisition of Soccernet.ng is part of North Star Network’s strategy to expand its portfolio in Africa. The platform joins NSN’s roster of over 30 respected sports media brands, which includes Afrik-Foot, Top Mercato, Football Whispers, Sportsmole, and Vringe.

Julien Josset, Co-founder of North Star Network, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition:

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“We’re excited to welcome Soccernet.ng into the North Star Network family. Their passion for Nigerian football and commitment to quality journalism align perfectly with our global vision of bringing fans closer to the game they love.”

Preserving Soccernet.ng’s Legacy

Soccernet.ng will retain its original team of dedicated journalists, ensuring the platform’s authenticity and unique voice remain intact. The website currently engages readers not only in Nigeria but also across over 150 countries, including the UK, USA, Canada, and Spain.

Biyi Akangbe, Founder of Soccernet.ng, reflected on the platform’s journey:

“We started as a small website 10 years ago with a passion to deliver news about Nigerian footballers to readers. We’ve since grown into a globally recognized source for Nigerian football news. This acquisition by North Star marks an exciting new chapter for our brand.”

Co-founder Lolade Adewuyi will continue to contribute to the site as a columnist, maintaining the brand’s strong connection with its loyal readership.

Expanding Global Reach

The acquisition of Soccernet.ng reinforces North Star Network’s dedication to amplifying local voices in key regions while offering unparalleled sports coverage. With its innovative strategies and growing portfolio, the group is poised to drive sustainable growth across its media brands.

North Star Network is a leading global sports media group, operating in over thirty countries and committed to delivering world-class sports content to fans worldwide.

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This acquisition sets the stage for a new era in Nigerian sports journalism and highlights North Star Network’s continued efforts to connect fans to the heart of the game.

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Expanse Studios (GMGI) Enters the U.S. Sweepstakes Market

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North American Expansion Kicks Off Through Strategic Partnership with Moozi

Golden Matrix Group’s game development division, Expanse Studios, has officially entered the U.S. sweepstakes market, marking a significant milestone in its North American growth strategy. This move is powered by a strategic content partnership with Moozi, one of the most dynamic sweepstakes social casino platforms in the region.

With Moozi now featuring over 50 of Expanse Studios’ top-performing games—including immersive slots, crash games, and table games—this partnership positions GMGI to capture a share of the $5.6 billion U.S. sweepstakes market, projected to more than double to $11 billion by 2025 (Eilers).

Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented:

“This partnership signifies our formal entry into the U.S. market, showcasing the innovation and player-first experiences that define Expanse Studios. Collaborating with Moozi enables us to deliver advanced gaming content to a growing audience in North America, a key region for our global growth.”

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James Anderson, Moozi’s CCO, added:

“Expanse Studios has set a high bar for engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Their addition to our platform elevates Moozi’s offerings and strengthens our mission to lead the U.S. sweepstakes social casino space.”

This launch underscores Expanse Studios’ commitment to innovation and its long-term growth trajectory in regulated markets. By entering the North American sweepstakes market, Expanse Studios takes a bold step in expanding its footprint while delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.

 

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