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NBA 2K LEAGUE AND AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE ANNOUNCE LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO LAUNCH EXPANSION TEAM, NBL OZ GAMING

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NBL Becomes First Australian Professional Team to Join a Global Esports League, Third NBA 2K League Team from Outside of North America 

 The NBA 2K League and Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) announced a landmark agreement that will see the NBL launch an NBA 2K League expansion team, NBL Oz Gaming, representing Australia.  This marks the first time an Australian professional team has joined a global esports league on a permanent basis.

The NBA 2K League tipped off its inaugural season in May 2018, with 17 teams, each affiliated with an NBA team.  With the addition of NBL Oz Gaming, the NBA 2K League has now expanded to 25 teams, 22 of which are affiliated with NBA teams, including 2022 Champions Pistons GT (3v3) and Bucks Gaming (5v5).  NBL Oz Gaming becomes the third expansion team from outside of North America following the addition of the Gen.G Tigers representing Shanghai, and DUX Infinitos representing Mexico City, in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and will make its debut when the NBA 2K League’s sixth season tips off in spring 2023.  Together, the NBL and the NBA 2K League will collaborate to grow the NBA 2K League’s presence in Australia through talent identification, joint marketing efforts and grassroots events.  NBL Oz Gaming will be based in the U.S. during the 2023 season, with the team’s location still to be announced.

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“This is another historic day as we welcome Australia’s premier basketball league to the NBA 2K League family,” said NBA 2K League President Brendan Donohue.  “The NBL has a demonstrated track record of not only transforming their league, but also growing a fanbase in new and creative ways.  The NBL is the ideal partner to help the NBA 2K League do the same in Australia, where basketball and 2K are incredibly popular and we’re thrilled that NBL Oz Gaming will represent Australia in the NBA 2K League for years to come.”

“We have been intrigued by the esports sector now for some time, largely because there is a significant crossover between gaming fans and basketball fans – more so than any other sport,” NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said. “We always want to partner with the best, and one of the best professional esports leagues in the world is operated by our long-standing friends and partners at the NBA.  The global popularity of NBA 2K and the NBA 2K League continue to grow every year, and neither is showing any signs of slowing down.  Our hopes and expectations are that NBL Oz Gaming will introduce the NBL to a legion of new fans around the world.  But first, we have to turn our attention to building a strong and competitive roster and showing once again that the NBL can take on the best in the world.  This time, it just happens to be a slightly different game!”

The 2023 NBA 2K League season will livestream in Australia on Twitch and YouTube.  Over the NBA 2K League’s first five seasons, the league has conducted international qualifying events in Hong Kong, Seoul, and remotely for top players from the Asia-Pacific region.  Jack “Jaacko” Stevenson (New Zealand) was selected 50th overall in the 2019 NBA 2K League Draft and Meason “xMiLo—” Camille (Australia) was selected 62nd overall in the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft.

NBA 2K22 was in the Top-3 best-selling console games in Australia (#3) and New Zealand (#2) in 2021*.

The NBL has established itself as Australia’s fastest growing sports league and one of top basketball leagues in the world outside of the NBA.  Over the past few seasons, the league has seen record attendance, broadcast audiences and social media engagement, and has become a destination for top players from around the world, most notably through the NBL Next Stars program.  Through the growth of the NBL, the success of Australia’s national teams and the impact that Australian players are having in top basketball leagues around the world, basketball is now the fastest-growing sport in Australia.

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NBL Oz Gaming will participate in the NBA 2K League Expansion Draft on Saturday, Nov. 5 (Eastern Time).

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BetMakers and SIS Sign Data and Content Agreement

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BetMakers Technology Group has announced that it has signed a new racing data and content distribution agreement with Sports Information Services Limited (SIS).

Under the agreement, BetMakers will deliver SIS race data and video content to approved SIS customers and affiliates in Australia and New Zealand via integration with BetMakers’ bookmaker technology platforms, including websites, mobile apps and pricing applications.

The agreement will give BetMakers’ bookmaker clients in the region who also use SIS data and audio-visual services access to video and data for horse racing from the UK and Europe, the Middle East and the Americas and to greyhound racing from the UK and Ireland.

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BetMakers CEO Jake Henson said: “We are pleased to extend our longstanding working relationship with SIS to deliver content and data services to BetMakers’ bookmaker solution clients in Australia and New Zealand. Close integration with partners like SIS allows BetMakers to offer our End-to-End Platform, Embedded Solution and API clients the racing and betting content they demand and to ensure that our solutions continue to deliver the broadest suite of global racing products to heighten player engagement.”

SIS MD, EMEA, Paul Witten, said: “Australia is one of the largest international racing wagering markets and our partnership with BetMakers enables SIS customers to receive a tailored product that suits their local market needs. We are pleased to assist our racetrack partners in ensuring broad distribution continues and look forward to working with BetMakers over the course of the agreement to deliver growth for those partners.”

The post BetMakers and SIS Sign Data and Content Agreement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Dr Marla Royne Stafford Named First Conference Chair for 2025 Regulating the Game conference in Sydney

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Leading gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game, to be held from 10 to 13 March 2025 in Sydney, has announced Dr Marla Royne Stafford as its first Conference Chair for the event.

Chairing a day of the conference provides an opportunity for industry professionals and regulators to offer unique insights and perspectives, steward the conversation to highlight critical points and stimulate an exchange of ideas and discussions.

Dr Stafford is Professor of Marketing in the Lee Business School at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She is also a Faculty Scholar with the UNLV International Gaming Institute, Director of Research for the Cannabis Policy Institute and past Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Harrah College of Hospitality.

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She is a past William F. Harrah Distinguished Chair, a member of the Board of Advisors for the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and is currently serving as a guest editor for an upcoming special issue of the UNLV Gaming Research and Review Journal. She is an expert in the responsible gambling arena and her work includes projects with the American Gaming Association and AMZC Limited.

“I am deeply honored and excited to serve in this leadership role at the 2025 Regulating the Game Conference. The Conference is one of the premier annual events in the gaming world, featuring thought leaders and stimulating important discussions in a fast-moving industry. It is truly a privilege to be part of the organizing committee and help advance the needed conversations in policy, regulation, leadership, ethics and the future of the industry,” Dr Stafford said.

Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “The fact that we are attracting such distinguished figures to Chair a day of Regulating the Game is a clear testament to the conference’s expanding influence and significance in the industry. It’s an exciting time as we continue to bring together the brightest minds to shape the future of gambling regulation.”

Regulating the Game is looking for more candidates to Chair in 2025, specifically seasoned professionals with experience in the gambling sector and regulation, compliance, policy or related fields. The event provides regulators, industry executive or thought leaders this the chance to make a significant impact at one of the industry’s most influential events.

The post Dr Marla Royne Stafford Named First Conference Chair for 2025 Regulating the Game conference in Sydney appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Regulating the Game Confirms First Two Speakers of Masterclass Series

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The organisers of the Regulating the Game conference that will be held in Sydney, Australia, from March 10 to 13 have announced the first two confirmed speakers for its 2025 Masterclass Series in Sydney.

Jay Robinson, chief stakeholder relations officer at Focal Research Consultants, will present a masterclass on “Beyond Compliance – Safer Gambling Training and Building a Culture of Customer Care.”

The organisers said: “Jay brings deep global experience in developing and implementing safer gambling strategies that go beyond mere compliance and underpin cogent industry voice and leadership.

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“Jay’s session will focus on creating a culture of customer care, equipping participants with practical tools and insights to enhance player protection and responsible gambling practices. Flying in from Canada, Jay’s expertise is highly regarded globally, making this a must-attend session for anyone committed to advancing safer gambling initiatives.”

Jay Robinson said: “Great training is more than a compliance tick box: it sustains an arc of culture building housed in customer care. Effective gambling staff training transcends mere compliance and meets the real needs of both staff and customers.

“This masterclass delves into how industry leaders, regulators, and frontline staff across various jurisdictions can successfully build a culture of safer gambling. It emphasises the critical role of leadership in supporting and sustaining training initiatives.”

Ian Hughes, chief commercial officer at Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) and chief executive officer of GLI Australia, will lead a masterclass on “Technology Disruptors in the Gambling Sector.” This session will dive into emerging technologies within the gaming industry, exploring their potential benefits and risks.

Ian will cover critical innovations such as cashless systems, microservices, AI, and cloud-based solutions, and discuss their impact on responsible gaming, privacy, security, and AML/CTF compliance.

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Both Jay Robinson and Ian Hughes are recognised experts in their fields, and their masterclasses will offer attendees unparalleled insights into the latest trends and best practices. These sessions are designed to deep dive into the topics, promote interaction and provide actionable insights to help participants navigate the rapidly evolving gambling regulatory landscape.

Paul Newson, principal at Vanguard Overwatch, said: “We’re thrilled to continue the Masterclass Series at Regulating the Game 2025, featuring world-class experts like Jay Robinson and Ian Hughes.

“These sessions will provide hands-on learning and deep insights into key areas like safer gambling, customer care, and disruptive technologies. It’s an unparalleled opportunity for participants to engage with the latest trends and walk away with actionable strategies for uplifting capability and navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.”

The post Regulating the Game Confirms First Two Speakers of Masterclass Series appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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