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The boom of virtual gaming tournaments

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The global gaming industry is undergoing rapid change and is seeing significant growth year on year. It is currently worth around £116 billion, and it is expected to grow by a Compound Annual Growth Rate percentage of 12.9% between now and the year 2027.

There are a number of key factors that are driving this, including the availability and advancement of technology. Both the hardware and software of games consoles, computers and gaming accessories are improving greatly in terms of efficiency, innovation and usability.

Increased access to internet services with decent connection and speed has also influenced this, as well as the relatively new development of influencer marketing through streaming platforms. Of course, it is also undeniable that recent global events have meant that people have had to spend more time at home social distancing and have found themselves playing more games. Gaming has provided entertainment and social engagement to people who may have been too busy to play regularly before. There are game types to suit everybody, from action and adventure games to strategy and puzzle games. All gaming sectors have seen an increase of gameplay during this period and one in particular is the casino industry. In the last several months, many people have signed up to one of many casino sites to play their favourite games like blackjack and poker. The increase of players has been forced by the closure of land-based casinos meaning people had to move online to access casino games. And it was not just normal casino games that had to take place online, many large gambling events like the World Series of Poker tournament also had to move online due to the recent pandemic. Many events and competitions were already taking place virtually, however this year has seen more events than ever make the transition online, is this phenomenon going to stay?

Virtual Competitions

There has also been a boom in virtual gaming tournaments, or esports tournaments, during this time. The number of tournaments has skyrocketed in comparison to previous years, so too has the audience numbers on streaming sites such as Twitch and YouTube. As conventional tournaments across the sports and entertainment industries have faced cancellations or postponements, virtual competitions have acted as their replacements.

There are three main types of esports that are run as virtual gaming competitions. One is first person shooters (FPSs), these can be player v player or team games, with popular examples including Call of Duty, Doom and Counter-Strike. There are also fighter gaming competitions, such as those held for Super Smash Bros or Street Fighter. However, some of the most anticipated tournaments are those in the Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) category, with League of Legends and DOTA 2 being the big names in this area.

Many players participate in these events due to their financial incentives. Large corporations sponsoring these events draw in professional players with the promise of huge cash prizes. Pros train for these events all year round, gaming to them is a career choice as they fund their passion through prize winning and sponsorship deals scored through their streaming channels. DOTA 2 is by far one of the biggest tournaments in terms of the amount of prize money it gives out. Since the game was released in 2013, there have been 54 tournaments and the average prize has been a hefty sum of $111,111 US dollars. This year’s prize money hase totalled $6 million.

Replacing Sporting Events

Virtual gaming tournaments this year have acted as a good replacement for some of the major sporting events.

After F1 was forced to postpone earlier this year, Torque Esports’ All-Star Esport Battle took over in March. Racers from a variety of motorsports joined in on the action, including the legendary Max Verstappen. Verstappen found victory at the Redline’s Real Racers Never Quit competition series when he won the first qualifier, however the final saw Rudy Van Buren take home the top prize after he dropped out. Van Buren actually holds the title of ‘World’s Fastest Gamer’ in 2017.

There was also the virtual Formula One Grand Prix which attracted both pro gamers and champion F1 stars. This was the second time the event ran and this year it was based on Albert Park circuit in Melbourne. Competitors included Ben Stokes, an England cricketer, and racing driver Alex Albon. The trophy was won by two time Grand Prix winner Charles Leclerc.

Another high-profile esports tournament was the Fortnite World Cup. In the summer of 2019, the Fortnite finals were streamed across Twitch, Youtube, Twitter, Facebook and within the game itself. Weekly online tournaments started in April, with players from each region competing to qualify for the finals and be in for a chance of winning a cut of the $1,000,000 prize pool. The overall winner was 16 year old Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, who lifted the trophy at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. This year however, Epic Games have had to put a stop to the World Cup this year due to the cross-region nature of the event. They instead moved all over competitions exclusively online this year, including the Fortnite Champion Series and the Fortnite Cash Cups.

Virtual Gaming Industry is Growing

At the rate that the virtual gaming industry is growing, in the future we may see the same kind of media coverage and attention for these tournaments as we do some of the major traditional sports competitions. Huge audiences already enjoy watching these events via live streams, and many also place bets too. As stadium events around the world continue to be cancelled and postponed, virtual gaming tournaments are continuing to become a more mainstream form of entertainment for fans of competitive sports.

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GR8 Tech Launches CRM Bonus Shop to Boost Player Engagement and Retention

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GR8 Tech has rolled out CRM Bonus Shop—a fully integrated player-facing feature designed to drive engagement, increase retention, and optimize bonus budgets through gamified rewards.

The Bonus Shop enables operators to offer various virtual and real rewards, including free spins, free bets, gamification items, even physical items, spins in Wheel of Fortune, and more, in exchange for custom-branded artificial currency. Players earn coins through behavioral triggers like deposits or email verification, then choose their preferred rewards from a personalized shop interface.

Built directly into GR8 Tech’s CRM, the Bonus Shop offers full back-office control, real-time player wallet tracking, and complete front-end customization to match any brand’s tone, style, and language.

Key Benefits of GR8 Tech’s Bonus Shop for Operators

  • Enhanced Player Choice & Satisfaction: Players select rewards they actually want, increasing perceived value and engagement compared to traditional fixed bonuses.
  • Cost-Effective Bonus Management: Artificial currency provides greater value to players while reducing operator costs compared to traditional cash bonuses.
  • Behavioral Motivation: Automated currency distribution encourages specific player actions, improving key performance indicators.
  • Strategic Flexibility: A/B testing capabilities enable operators to compare traditional bonuses against gamified approaches and optimize strategies across different markets.

“Personalization is at its core. By tailoring offers to custom player segments, we ensure every user sees and can purchase the bonuses they truly want, boosting engagement significantly,”  said Kateryna Schevchenko, CRM Product Manager at GR8 Tech. “Additionally, the platform gives operators full control over the in-game economy by allowing them to set custom ‘prices’ for products using virtual currencies. This flexibility helps optimize retention costs, manage bonus budgets effectively, and maximize ROI.”

With advanced segmentation tools and engagement elements like gamification, GR8 Tech’s CRM transforms player interactions into engaging, value-driven experiences. The company’s approach has led to impressive results, including a 25% uplift in first-time deposits, an average 80% retention rate, and 75% monthly active users interacting with gamified tools. GR8 Tech’s CRM is a strategic asset for operators aiming to deliver highly personalized and performance-oriented player journeys.

 

GR8 Tech. Platform for Champions

GR8 Tech is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. Key elements of GR8 Tech’s comprehensive portfolio include the Hyper Turnkey solution, ULTIM8 Sportsbook iFrame,  Infinite Casino Aggregation, and Platform Acceler8 suite, featuring its proprietary affiliate management platform, Aff.Tech.

With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8 Tech helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8 Tech has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of the Best Sports Betting Provider in CEE by GamingTECH Awards 2025.

The post GR8 Tech Launches CRM Bonus Shop to Boost Player Engagement and Retention appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development

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Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of AI-driven analytics and enterprise solutions for the gaming and hospitality industry, today announced the addition of Chris Barranco as Director of Business Development.

Barranco brings 25 years of experience leading high-performing teams, driving revenue, and building durable client relationships. He is adept at solution-selling methodology and full sales-cycle management, with a proven track record of mentoring top-tier account executives, delivering high-impact presentations, and retaining key accounts. Known for a tenacious approach to new-business development and customer loyalty, Barranco will focus on expanding QCI’s market footprint, strengthening the partner ecosystem, and advancing go-to-market execution across QCI’s product portfolio.

“I’m excited to join the clear market leader and work with the exceptional team at QCI,” said Chris Barranco, Director of Business Development at QCI. “QCI’s commitment to turning data into action aligns perfectly with my approach to helping customers achieve measurable revenue impact. I look forward to working closely with our clients and partners to accelerate growth and deliver exceptional outcomes.”

We’re delighted to welcome an industry veteran of Chris’s caliber to the QCI team,said Andrew Cardno, CTO and Co-Founder of QCI. “His leadership, mastery of solution selling, and passion for customer success will further strengthen our ability to scale, deepen client relationships, and deliver the operational results our customers expect.”

As Director of Business Development, Barranco will lead initiatives to expand QCI’s presence across key markets, refine sales enablement programs, and collaborate with product and customer success teams to ensure a seamless path from discovery to measurable value realization.

The post Chris Barranco Joins Quick Custom Intelligence as Director of Business Development appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Be Heard Above the Noise: Booming Games’ Dorota Gruszka on Standing Out in the Crowded Slot Studio Market

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With over 600 online slot studios competing for operator attention, cutting through the noise has never been harder. In this exclusive article, Booming Games’ Head of Marketing, Dorota Gruszka, shares her strategy for building a distinctive brand, forging lasting operator relationships, and creating campaigns that resonate in a crowded iGaming marketplace.

There are now more than 600 online slot studios, with each vying for operator attention and a solid position for its titles within casino lobbies. These 600+ studios are making a lot of noise, and this makes it incredibly difficult for individual studios to be heard.

But it is possible, requiring a clear strategy, creativity and consistency. Being loud is important – it’s the only way you’re going to be heard – but you also need to be relevant and authentic. And this requires a strong understanding of self.

Studios absolutely must know who they are and what they bring to the table, and ensure that these values are reflected in everything they do, from the games themselves to how they are launched and the nature of the partnerships forged with operators. It even extends to events and social media.

A sharp brand, meaningful relationships and marketing collateral that not only engages but also connects are critical to success. Of course, this is easier said than done, but when you have a strong team, defined goals and a product you believe in, it can be achieved.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the challenges studios face when it comes to marketing their brand and games.

 

There are plenty of hurdles to clear

The biggest challenge is, of course, standing out in the market, but second to that is navigating the complex and ever-changing regulatory landscape. Providers need to demonstrate compliance and responsible gaming practices, which means marketing must be transparent and aligned with operator expectations.

Another challenge is building and maintaining trust. Operators demand reliable partners that deliver quality products on time while supporting them beyond the initial sale. That means marketing needs to focus on relationship building, not just quick wins.

Then there’s flexibility, which has become a major differentiator. Operators look for partners that can adapt to their needs – the more flexible and collaborative a partner can be, the more value they bring, and this is a message that needs to come across clearly in B2B marketing activity.

 

Take a multi-layered approach

At Booming Games, we have taken a multi-layered approach to marketing our studio and the games we produce. This includes combining creativity, strategic planning and consistency. Brand awareness isn’t gained overnight – it’s an ongoing process across all channels and touchpoints.

Tactically, we have invested in strong PR and media partnerships and maintain a presence at major industry events. We also leverage social media, posting high-quality content across various channels and digital platforms.

We always go big with our game launches and invest in creative campaigns that showcase each title and ensure it gets noticed by casino managers. This is combined with tailored client communications and eye-catching merchandise that reinforces our visual identity.

 

The power of LinkedIn

One of the most effective marketing channels for a slot studio is LinkedIn, and we have focused a lot of our efforts on the platform. Since joining Booming Games in 2023, we have grown our follower base from 5,000 to almost 18000.

This growth has given us a much stronger platform from which to showcase our games, share company updates and connect directly with industry professionals. This, in turn, has driven exposure, engagement and, ultimately, led to additional operator partnerships.

Thinking outside the box is also important, especially in such an overcrowded industry.

A good example of this is our Ronaldinho Mascot campaign, which was a huge hit across the expos and saw thousands of people taking and sharing photos with the mascot across various social media channels.

But just as important is to listen carefully to partners, players and the wider market to ensure your brand, values and campaigns evolve and remain relevant and interesting. It’s about creating a brand people recognise, trust and enjoy interacting with.

 

Brand ambassadors are an important piece of the puzzle

Increasingly, studios are turning to brand ambassadors to help them do this. But it’s important to make sure the ambassador is the right fit – it’s about more than just attaching a famous name to your brand.

At Booming Games, we know first-hand just how effective brand ambassadors can be off the back of our highly successful partnership with footballing legend, Ronaldinho.

We struck a partnership with him just as the Brazilian market was moving toward regulation, and I truly believe it has allowed us to establish a strong foundation and presence in the region.

Ronaldinho is still relevant and popular, and having him associated with Booming Games has given us exposure, recognition and trust. It has also helped us become one of the first game providers to get certified in Brazil, allowing us to leverage the first-mover advantage.

That said, not all brand ambassador deals are as successful as ours with Ronaldinho. Sometimes, they require a lot of effort, coordination and investment and the return might not justify this. That’s why it’s important to evaluate every potential partnership carefully.

Ultimately, the brand ambassador must genuinely resonate with your audience, complement your brand values and support your long-term goals. When done right, it can be a game-changer.

Driving awareness for a studio is harder than ever, but there are plenty of tactics to turn to that can deliver results while having plenty of fun in the process. Being heard is important, but you must be making the right noise in the first place.

The post Be Heard Above the Noise: Booming Games’ Dorota Gruszka on Standing Out in the Crowded Slot Studio Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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