

eSports
Esports Wagering at Unikrn, Already Booming, Accelerates as World Scrambles for Home Entertainment
When the world changes rapidly, innovation stands out. A handful of companies are seeing a surge in customer demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Unikrn, the world’s leading esports-first betting operator. In 2019, Unikrn was named EGR’s Esports Bookmaker of the year and in 2020, after six years of successfully developing esports fans, Unikrn is seeing historic spikes in interest for esports and online wagering.
The $100B+ gaming industry, and the younger $1B esports industry, were both on course for continued growth in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic has left billions of people trying to fill the void left by sports and live entertainment, accelerating esports with fans it will retain after nations have overcome the coronavirus threat.
Unikrn is the only bookmaker in the world providing 24/7 gaming and esports betting, even offering Unikrn UMode, a regulator-approved skill betting on online matchmaking games in the US and abroad. According to Verizon, online gaming has increased by 75% during North American peak hours, and Unikrn is the only operator on Earth able to provide wagering on these games.
In March, over 1.2 billion hours of content were consumed on Twitch (Amazon’s video-game broadcasting platform). Unikrn streamer betting, real-time odds on very game played by the world’s most popular streamers. Between streamer and esports, Unikrn offers over 150 upcoming games with up to 1000s of markets each day.
“We’re really glad to be providing some normalcy and entertainment for our fans throughout these trying times,” said Rahul Sood, co-founder and CEO of Unikrn, ” With COVID-19 shutting all traditional options, esports has a wider reach than ever before. Each day, more people join the world’s nearly 3 billion gamers, a hobby most new adopters will keep long after COVID-19 is a memory.”
As COVID-19 forces cancellation of traditional sports, 1 in 5 people on Earth are staying at home during wide-spread casinos and entertainment venue closure. Global wagering fans are looking for their next bet and global sports bookmakers scrambling for adrenaline-packed entertainment that can run during pandemic conditions.
“Our yield across esports and wagering products is unprecedented and it’s only getting better,” Andrew Vouris, Unikrn COO said, “With no sports, a spike in users online, an increase in gaming and streaming, the new fans Unikrn collects now will stay with us for years to come.”
Even some esports events have been cancelled, so Unikrn Virtual provides 24/7 esports action with a curated collection of classic moments and proprietary all-star matches. Real esports played fresh every minute in a never-ending stream and with deep market options.
Plus, Unikrn’s casino is now launching live tables for classics like Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat, giving the thrill of the casino from the safety of home.
CS2 Team SAW
LEON Esports announces partnership with Portuguese CS2 Team SAW

LEON Esports, the international esports division of Leon.bet, has officially become the international partner of SAW, one of the leading Counter-Strike 2 teams in Europe.
Based in Portugal, SAW is currently ranked #24 in the global CS2 rankings (HLTV) and maintains a strong position within the Top 30. The team is recognized for its competitive consistency, professional structure, and growing fanbase across Europe.
This partnership marks the second major esports collaboration for LEON Esports, following its ongoing cooperation with FlyQuest. The agreement with SAW reflects LEON’s continued commitment to the development of the global esports ecosystem and its support for high-performing international teams.
The cooperation will include a range of joint initiatives, such as exclusive content creation, community activations, and brand integrations designed to strengthen the connection between the team and its audience.
With this new partnership, LEON Esports continues to expand its presence in international esports and invest in teams that demonstrate both potential and performance on the world stage.
The post LEON Esports announces partnership with Portuguese CS2 Team SAW appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
eSports
LEON Esports announces partnership with Portuguese CS2 Team SAW

LEON Esports, the international esports division of Leon.bet, has officially become the international partner of SAW, one of the leading Counter-Strike 2 teams in Europe.
Based in Portugal, SAW is currently ranked #24 in the global CS2 rankings (HLTV) and maintains a strong position within the Top 30. The team is recognized for its competitive consistency, professional structure, and growing fanbase across Europe.
This partnership marks the second major esports collaboration for LEON Esports, following its ongoing cooperation with FlyQuest. The agreement with SAW reflects LEON’s continued commitment to the development of the global esports ecosystem and its support for high-performing international teams.
The cooperation will include a range of joint initiatives, such as exclusive content creation, community activations, and brand integrations designed to strengthen the connection between the team and its audience.
With this new partnership, LEON Esports continues to expand its presence in international esports and invest in teams that demonstrate both potential and performance on the world stage.
The post LEON Esports announces partnership with Portuguese CS2 Team SAW appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Esports Returns to Singapore with BLAST’s Dota 2 Arena Event After Sellout Counter-Strike World Final 2024
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BLAST Dota Slam Singapore to take place this November at Singapore Indoor Stadium in partnership with Singapore Tourism Board and AEG Presents Asia
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The world’s best Dota teams will meet in Singapore from 4th – 9th November 2025 to compete for a prize pool of $1,000,000 at the first ever BLAST Slam arena event
Esports entertainment company BLAST has announced the return of its world-class events to Singapore with the BLAST Dota Slam Singapore, set to take place in November 2025 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
This announcement follows the sellout success of the BLAST Premier World Final 2024, which marked BLAST’s Southeast Asia debut and saw more than ten-thousand fans pack out the Resorts World Convention Centre to witness the world’s top Counter-Strike teams compete for the $1 million prize pool.
Building on that momentum, Singapore will now host the BLAST Dota Slam arena event, teaming up with AEG Presents Asia again to bring together the world’s best Dota teams to battle it out for $1,000,000 in front of a live audience and millions of fans tuning in globally across 50+ territories and in 12 languages.
The BLAST Dota Slam Singapore is the latest milestone in BLAST’s global expansion into Dota 2, and reinforces Singapore’s growing reputation as a premier destination for sports and live entertainment. It marks the second consecutive year the city-state has hosted a BLAST arena tournament, following the successful Counter-Strike event in 2024.
James Woollard, Director of Market Development at BLAST, said: “Singapore delivered one of the most passionate esports crowds we’ve ever seen during last year’s BLAST Premier World Final. We’re thrilled to be returning with our next major arena show – this time for Dota 2 – and to once again partner with the Singapore Tourism Board and AEG Presents Asia to help to further grow Southeast Asia’s esports ecosystem. The response to our events in Singapore has been incredible, and this November’s Dota Slam promises to be another landmark moment for fans and for the region. Singapore has an impressive history and pedigree for the biggest international sporting events, supported by STB, and BLAST is proud to be building on this with the biggest esports events.”
Ms Lilian Chee, Director, Sports, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome BLAST back to Singapore, this time with the Dota Slam. Building on the success of the BLAST Premier World Final, this event further reinforces Singapore’s reputation as a world-class destination for sports and live entertainment. We look forward to welcoming the passionate fans, players and partners once again to our vibrant city.”
BLAST’s return to Singapore is set to shine a global spotlight on the city while delivering significant economic benefits and meaningful destination marketing. With an estimated economic impact in the tens of millions, the tournament further demonstrates how esports events are evolving into major cultural and economic drivers for host cities – on par with large-scale traditional international sporting events.
With Singapore, Rio, London, Austin, and Lyon among the major destinations on BLAST’s global calendar this year, it is evident that governments, cities and tourism bodies are recognising the power of esports to attract young and engaged visitors, create jobs, and drive international visibility.
The post Esports Returns to Singapore with BLAST’s Dota 2 Arena Event After Sellout Counter-Strike World Final 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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