Connect with us
European Gaming Congress 2024

iGaming Industry

Where sports fall, eSports rise

Published

on

Where sports fall, eSports rise

eSport enthusiasts utilize apps and online sites to connect with eSporting communities and forums.

 

It used to be that a sports team was comprised of neighborhood friends; now it would be quicker and easier to hop on a computer or PlayStation and connect with a gamer in South Korea faster than it would be for the average person to find a soccer ball in their garage. And that is the world we now live in, thanks to eSports.

But what exactly is eSports?

Imagine professional sports mixed with competitive video gaming. According to Owen Good at Kotaku.com, eSports’ humble roots began at Stanford in 1972, as students were invited to an “Intergalactic Spacewar Olympics,” whose grand prize was a year’s subscription for “Rolling Stone.”

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Even though the physical talent might be a little relaxed on the eSports side, the competitiveness doesn’t slack off in the slightest.

Everyone has a great time with it, but there is constantly a lot of competitive talking,” Pensacola State College (PSC) Intramural Coordinator Doug Rogers said.

Who could have imagined that it would only take 45 years for eSports athletes to go from competing for a magazine subscription to battling it out for millions of dollars in tournaments watched by millions of people? One of these million dollar tournaments,“The 2016 League of Legends Championship,” had more viewers than the NBA Finals.

With recruitment scholarships going out to top high school athletes countrywide, it was only a matter of time before colleges started recruiting for eSports. Schools such as Boise State, Columbia and Georgia State have started awarding scholarships to their eSports clubs and the clubs’ top recruits.

With the only requirements being a student’s gaming console of choice and lot of skill, it’s no wonder that eSports is gaining popularity across the globe.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

One eSport that the world has seen take off on a very mainstream level is Fantasy Football.

ESPN has a week dedicated to it every year, and you’ll see advertisements for it everywhere (Yahoo, ESPN, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

With NFL ratings going down and the eSports side of the NFL growing rapidly, it’s hard to definitively say the NFL would still be around without Fantasy Football.

According to Sports Illustrated, “Monday Night Football is down 24% from last year at this time, Sunday Night Football is down 19% and Thursday night is down 18%. ”

This in contrast to fantasy football which has seen skyrocketing numbers. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association’s Industry Graphics website, usage started at 500,000 users in 1988 and has jumped to 59.3 million in 2017.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Skill and time spent is a big part of the prerequisites, even for eSports such as Fantasy Football.

I spend a few hours every weekend looking at certain matchups, even height differences, between positions like cornerback and wide receiver to choose who to bet on. I even look at kicker matchups, and I usually pick the kicker who is playing indoors and is used to that,” said former-PSC student, Charles Marek, when describing a method that has worked quite well so far for him.

Even PSC is getting in on the fun by offering Fantasy Football leagues and College Pick ‘Ems to students and faculty.

Our leagues and picks are open to all students, faculty and staff. Each week the winner of our Pick ‘Ems gets a reward, and the overall winner gets a gift pack at the end of the season,” said Rogers.

It’s not only Fantasy Football and other athletic-based eSports that are taking off. Many video games have also developed their own eSports communities.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

League of Legends” even has different leagues for different regions of the world in addition to having world wide tournaments known as “World Championships.”

Another video game, Counter-strike: Global Offensive has tournaments around the world. Sponsored by the company Valve, majors for Counterstrike have become such a big deal that they are defined by having over one million in their prize pools.

One of leagues, known as the eLeague, is televised. eLeague features production values rivaling ESPN with its own announcers, hosts and experts.

This abrupt change in the definition of sports has come from traditional sports’ lack of acceptance when it comes to athletes.

Someone who stands six feet tall would never make it in the NBA due to their size and lack of athleticism. If that same person wanted to spend the majority of their time playing video games, chances are that they could make a professional eSports team once they became proficient.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

With eSports, it doesn’t matter how you look or how fast you run — all that matters is what you can do.

The post Where sports fall, eSports rise appeared first on Eastern European Gaming – News – Interviews – Legal Market Updates – Premium Reports – Events – Directory.


Source: EEGaming.

Amusnet

Amusnet Sets the Stage for Global Gaming Excellence at G2E Las Vegas

Published

on

amusnet-sets-the-stage-for-global-gaming-excellence-at-g2e-las-vegas

 

Amusnet has announced its participation in the 23rd edition of G2E Las Vegas (Global Gaming Expo) at The Venetian Expo from October 7-10. As one of the largest expos globally, G2E provides a platform for the company to showcase products across its Online Casino, Live Casino, and Land-based verticals, positioning Amusnet as a prominent all-casino provider in the competitive iGaming industry.

“We are excited to attend G2E Las Vegas 2024 to present our latest online casino portfolio and Type S slot cabinets: our first-ever product series for Land-based casinos, designed to offer a competitive edge by combining Amusnet’s top-notch game portfolio with an immersive player experience. Our focus is on delivering solutions that maximize performance and cater to the evolving needs for both online and land-based casinos,” said Borislav Marinov, Head of Business Development, Land-based, at Amusnet.

Alongside its technical excellence, the premium Type S series showcases the company’s award-winning titles, including 20 Golden Coins, Extra Crown, Fruits & Gold, and Cocktail Rush. It also features Amusnet’s popular four-level bonus game, Jackpot Cards, along with other exciting features like Free Spins, Buy Bonus, Pick Me Bonus, and Symbol Upgrade.

Amusnet will host an activation featuring its premium slot cabinets at the upcoming expo, offering attendees the opportunity to experience the thrill of Type S in real time and win exciting gifts.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Canada

SoftGamings Doubles Down on Global Expansion by Introducing Tobique Gaming Licence

Published

on

softgamings-doubles-down-on-global-expansion-by-introducing-tobique-gaming-licence

 

SoftGamings, the market leader in iGaming solutions and services, announced the arrival of the Tobique Gaming License on the market. The move reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing regulatory compliance and expanding its footprint in the competitive iGaming industry.

Tobique Gaming, managed by the Tobique First Nation in western New Brunswick, Canada, oversees the issuance of online gambling licenses through the Tobique Gaming Commission (TGC) — a regulatory body established under the Tobique Gaming Act of 2023. This initiative is known for its stringent standards and emphasis on responsible gaming. Furthermore, it promotes economic development within the Tobique First Nation community.

The Tobique Gaming license provides operators an entry point into the online gaming and gambling industries. With it, businesses and iGaming operators can conduct operations in various global regions and offer multiple services, from betting to casino games and lottery promotions. The best of all is the streamlined application process, which lasts only 4 to 6 weeks.

SoftGamings is fully prepared to support clients and those interested in obtaining this license. Leveraging its innovative technology and diverse game portfolio, SoftGamings is ready to support clients in navigating the application process and leveraging the benefits of the Tobique Gaming License. The company’s comprehensive services include game development, casino management systems, and payment integrations, making SoftGamings a preferred partner for numerous operators and developers worldwide.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Consequently, helping the clients obtain the Tobique Gaming license and being an entry point represents a significant milestone in SoftGamings’ ongoing efforts to refine its service offerings, maintain the highest standards of gaming integrity, and bolster its regulatory standing. As the company moves forward with this licensing process, it anticipates a positive impact on its operations and continued success in delivering exceptional gaming solutions to its global clientele.

Continue Reading

4Play

Fast Track Enters into Partnership with 4Play

Published

on

fast-track-enters-into-partnership-with-4play

 

Fast Track, the leading player engagement platform built specifically for the iGaming industry, has partnered with 4Play, a dynamic and innovative gaming operator renowned for its exceptional player experiences in both casino and sports betting.

Launched in 2023, 4Play has rapidly gained recognition in the industry, primarily targeting the burgeoning Brazilian market. With a commitment to delivering unparalleled entertainment, 4Play offers its players a seamless experience in Portuguese, featuring popular gaming verticals such as casino and sports betting.

4Play’s decision to integrate Fast Track CRM comes as part of its strategic initiative to bolster player retention and streamline operations through advanced automation. Fast Track’s robust platform will enable 4Play to automate complex player journeys, ensuring each interaction is personalised and timely.

“We are excited to partner with Fast Track to elevate our player engagement strategies. Their innovative approach to CRM and their commitment to creating individualised player experiences align perfectly with our vision for 4Play. We look forward to leveraging their platform to enhance our player retention and operational efficiency,” Mateus Ihering, Chief Operating Officer of 4Play, said.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Fast Track’s CRM platform, recognised for its real-time data capabilities and comprehensive automation suite, will support 4Play in achieving its business goals. By automating player communications and optimising the registration journey, 4Play aims to significantly increase its number of depositors while maintaining a high level of engagement among its 148,000 monthly active users.

Simon Lidzén, Co-Founder and CEO of Fast Track, said: “We are delighted to welcome 4Play into the Fast Track family. Their innovative spirit and dedication to providing top-tier player experiences make them an ideal partner. Together, we will set new standards in player engagement and retention, ensuring that 4Play continues to thrive in the competitive iGaming landscape.”

Continue Reading

Trending