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European Gaming Congress 2024
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Esports World Cup 2024: Indian Esports Industry Reacts to its Potential as Game-Changer for Country’s Video-Gaming Ecosystem

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In a landmark announcement, Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia declared the creation of the Esports World Cup, set to kick off in the summer of 2024 in Riyadh. The event promises to reshape the Esports landscape and enable the sport to usher in a new era of opportunity and competition for gamers worldwide.

The Esports World Cup will be replacing Gamers8, a renowned Esports festival held in Saudi Arabia. In this year’s edition of Gamers8, there were 20 different competitions across titles such as League of Legends, Fortnite, DOTA 2, FIFA 23, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG Mobile and Starcraft II amongst others.

Furthermore, the event boasted an unprecedented prize pool of $45 million, marking the largest in the history of Esports tournaments. While the titles for the Esports World Cup are yet to be announced, the tournament will include the most popular games in the world across all genres and have the largest prize pool in Esports history, as per the official announcement.

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The recently published “India Games Market Report 2023” by Niko Partners states that India is predominantly a mobile-first market, with 96.8% of total gamers playing on smartphones or tablets. With the opportunity to compete in such a high-profile tournament with substantial prize pools, Indian Esports athletes are expected to diversify into various gaming titles that are not that popular within the community, in order to secure a spot at the tournament. This, in turn, will contribute to the growth and diversity of the Esports industry in the country.

Lokesh Suji, Director of Esports Federation of India and VP of Asian Esports Federation, said: “The announcement of the Esports World Cup is indeed a historic moment for the global Esports community. This tournament will serve as a catalyst for change and growth, both on the global Esports map and in India. For a country with a predominantly mobile-focused gaming culture like ours, this event’s massive prize pool and diverse title offerings will undoubtedly motivate our Esports athletes and aspiring gamers to broaden their horizons and branch out to different titles. We see the Esports World Cup as an exciting platform that not only celebrates Esports but also unites the industry’s stakeholders on a global scale.”

According to data from Gamers8, the 2023 edition of the tournament recorded a cumulative viewership of 1.3 billion, with peak concurrent viewers reaching 1 million. The total views reached 2.09 million, and the impressions stood at 3.8 billion. The event also roped in prominent names such as Adidas, Pepsico, Aramco, Razer and many more global brands as official sponsors.

The Esports World Cup’s magnitude is expected to surpass these numbers, providing high visibility and prestige to Indian athletes participating in the tournament. This will undoubtedly lead to attracting more investments from sponsors, legacy brands, and venture capitalists, which will bolster Indian players and the community.

“Esports has always transcended borders and united passionate gamers from around the globe. With the announcement of the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the Indian Esports ecosystem is on the verge of a transformative journey. The tournament will not only serve as a platform for our incredibly talented players to showcase their skills on the world stage but also foster international collaboration, promote the growth of Esports in India, and inspire a new generation of gamers to chase their dreams. The Indian Esports community is ready to make its mark and this opportunity is the catalyst we’ve been waiting for. Let’s rise, break boundaries, and redefine what it means to be a part of the global Esports family,” said Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, Co-founder of S8UL and Founder & CEO of 8Bit Creatives.

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Esports in India has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with notable achievements in international competitions. In the Asian Games 2022, the nation fielded a historic 15-member contingent, competing in titles like DOTA 2, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, League of Legends and EA Sports FC Online. Prior to that, Esports also made an appearance at the Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham 2022 where India’s DOTA 2 team even clinched a remarkable bronze medal.

In the 141st session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) held in Mumbai recently, IOC President Thomas Bach announced their plans regarding the creation of the Olympic Esports Games. With Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Esports World Cup, India’s Esports talents will have another global platform to showcase their skills.

Mayank Prajapati aka MiKeYROG, who represented India in Street Fighter V: Champion Edition at the recently concluded Asian Games 2022, said: “As an Esports athlete, I see this as a window of opportunity for every gamer across India to proudly represent the country and make a name for themselves on the global stage. Much like in traditional sports World Cups where previously lesser-known athletes rise to prominence and lead their nation to glory, this could be the moment for Esports athletes to shine. The Esports World Cup has the potential to motivate Indian players to push their limits in various titles, thus expanding the talent pool and propelling the entire sector to newer heights.”

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AFC signs MoU with IBIA to strengthen fight against match-fixing

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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s resolve to protect and safeguard the beautiful game in Asia was further underlined today through the signing of a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA).

Moving forward, the AFC and IBIA will work closely to detect irregular betting patterns and suspicious activities in football matches across Asia. IBIA, through its Monitoring and Alert Platform, will share real-time data on suspicious betting activity with the AFC, further enhancing the AFC’s abilities to promptly investigate potential match manipulation.

The AFC General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs, Mr. Andrew Mercer said: “The AFC’s Vision and Mission has outlined our steadfast ambitions to uphold the highest ethical and sporting standards, and we are committed towards preserving our key tenets of fair play and integrity.

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“Leveraging on strong collaborations with the world’s leading organisations is imperative to our fight against match-fixing and this MoU with IBIA further strengthens our ability to ensure football in Asia remains clean for the benefit of our future generation of fans, players and all our valued stakeholders.”

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “Cooperation is a vital part of any effective integrity monitoring and investigatory framework and IBIA is delighted to be able to strengthen its relationship with the AFC through this important information sharing collaboration. For its part, IBIA will seek to safeguard the AFC ecosystem by utilising the monitoring of its members’ global customer account activity, which covers over $300bn in sports betting per annum.”

Mr. Mercer, added: “The AFC is committed to promoting integrity, ethics, and fair play in Asian football and we are pleased to work with IBIA as we strive to enhance our capabilities to monitor and address suspicious activities, ensuring that football in Asia is safeguarded from the threats of match manipulation.”

The MoU between the AFC and IBIA marks a significant step forward in the fight against match-fixing in Asian football with both organisations dedicated to creating a secure environment for the sport, fostering trust amongst fans, players and all stakeholders.

The post AFC signs MoU with IBIA to strengthen fight against match-fixing appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Online Casino Platform 96M Partners with Formula 1

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Formula 1 and 96M, a premier Asian online casino platform, have officially announced a landmark partnership, bringing a new wave of excitement to fans throughout the region. This collaboration establishes 96M as the official betting partner of F1 in Asia, offering exclusive content, innovative betting opportunities and a forward-looking perspective on the future of both industries.

This partnership goes beyond the standard offerings. Fans can look forward to exclusive content tailor-made for the Asian market. Not only will fans gain a deeper understanding of the sport, but they’ll also be armed with the knowledge to make informed betting decisions.

96M will offer a thrilling array of exclusive betting options specifically designed for the Asian market. From daring pre-race predictions to in-play wagers that keep the adrenaline pumping, this partnership promises to elevate the viewing experience for fans of all levels.

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To celebrate this exciting collaboration, 96M is launching a special prediction promotion with a unique twist. Fans can participate by predicting race outcomes on the 96M platform via the one-of-a-kind F1 Airdrop. This innovative promotion promises a thrilling way for fans to engage with the sport and potentially score exclusive incentives.

This partnership is poised to redefine the landscape of both online betting and motorsport. By leveraging F1’s global reach and 96M’s expertise in the Asian market, the collaboration aims to set new standards for innovation, responsible gaming and audience engagement. With a shared commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, F1 and 96M are positioned to lead the industry forward.

The partnership officially commences ahead of the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, marking the beginning of a thrilling new era for both F1 and 96M.

The post Online Casino Platform 96M Partners with Formula 1 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Fun88 and Dale Steyn Team Up for Another Winning Partnership

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Fun88, a leading online gaming platform, announced the continuation of its partnership with legendary cricketer Dale Steyn as its brand ambassador. This collaboration, which began in 2023, has significantly strengthened Fun88’s credibility and trustworthiness in the global gaming industry. The company is excited to have Steyn with them for another year, connecting with fans everywhere.

Dale Steyn, a former South African cricketer renowned for his exceptional cricketing career and celebrated as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the sport, brings with him a wealth of experience & a legacy of excellence. His association with Fun88 underscores the platform’s commitment to providing a safe, secure and reliable gaming experience for all users.

Dale Steyn said: “From humble beginnings to the world stage, I made it through hard work, dedication, and belief. I pushed limits, broke barriers, and never forgot to have fun. Now, with FUN88, my journey continues. Whether it’s your next big game or a shot at fame, Fun88 is your guide. Play Fun, Win Big!”

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Over the past year, Steyn’s role as a brand ambassador has played a pivotal role in elevating Fun88’s reputation. His professionalism, along with his love for sports, matches Fun88’s values of transparency, caring for customers and providing top-quality entertainment. His presence has helped Fun88 connect with sports fans on a deeper level and bring them closer to the action. As Fun88 continues to expand, the platform is looking forward to strengthening its relationship with Steyn.

Fun88 is a leading name in the sports industry, sponsoring well-known teams and events across various sports like cricket, football and kabaddi. The platform is dedicated to promoting sportsmanship and connecting fans with their favorite games through innovative, engaging experiences, offering exciting opportunities for sports lovers to interact with teams and events through betting and live-action features.

The post Fun88 and Dale Steyn Team Up for Another Winning Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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