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Will An iGaming Show Ever Make It To Mainstream Tv?

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These competitive video game competitions, iGaming, are known by half of the people aged 55 to 64. Sell-out venues and $100 million prize pools have enhanced esports’ exposure and alleviated any doubts about its long-term viability, serving as a striking reminder of how far the genre has progressed since the first professional competitions in the 1990s.

The recent year has seen a large portion of this rise. In the UK and the US, more than 60% of those who say they watch esports content do so at least once a week, with 3 in 10 admitting they had never heard of esports before a year ago.

In 2018, esports saw significant structural changes, with franchised leagues moving it closer to the structure of traditional sports. More and more people get to engage and participate in game shows online, including the Ladbrokes game shows.

This is helping to make esports a rather more integrated and accessible form of entertainment for new audiences and attract potential investors and sponsors looking for indicators of high revenue potential.

With all these structural changes in place, esports is on the verge of reaching a turning point in 2019.

What Next for iGaming?

Brand investments, such as marketing, sponsorship, and media rights account for a large portion of esports’ growth. Global businesses such as Toyota and Coca-Cola are joining in on the fun by sponsoring Overwatch league games; traditional sports leagues are establishing esports competitions. The question of whether advanced competitive gaming should indeed be made an Olympic sport is still being debated. Broadcasters are trying to follow suit, seeking ways to include esports into their programming.

However, if broadcasters wish esports to be as popular as traditional sports on television, they must modify the format to appeal to a broader audience.

Broadcasters should integrate esports into their program schedule because it makes total sense. Esports has its roots in the realm of internet video, which is a significant element of both millennial and Generation Z (Gen Z) viewers’ daily entertainment habits.

The esports material popular on streaming services like Twitch usually appeals to a narrow audience already well-versed in competitive gaming. This audience is highly interested in and knowledgeable about the most sophisticated games and will cheerfully watch a live event for hours and hours. Broadcasters must adjust their online model such that it is TV-friendly to make esports appealing to the public. Online games, for example, can be highly violent, difficult, and time-consuming. Broadcasters must change their focus to less aggressive and more straightforward titles like Street Fighter and Rocket League, which would allow them to cut the length of esports programming from hours to minutes, rendering the genre suitable with television time limits.

Broadcasters could also cooperate with traditional sports organizations to make esports TV more appealing. Taking advantage of the popularity of prominent sports like football and basketball can propel the genre’s growth among a wider audience and transform it into a global phenomenon.

Between esports and traditional sports, there has already been a lot of crossovers. The English Premier League began its foray into professional gaming in January when it launched the ePremier league. High-profile players like Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin and Juventus’ Andrea Pirlo, both passionate gamers, have helped promote the genre. Broadcasters make the genre more relatable to general audiences by introducing esports programs that incorporate generally known sports and employing high-profile traditional sports personalities as ambassadors for the genre.

How will the VR revolution affect the iGaming industry?

When you go into a land-based casino, the glittering slot machine lights, the jingling of money, and the exhilaration of playing at the casino tables engulf you. All of this is visually pleasing and encourages customers to play more. VR technology claims to replicate the same experience through sensory inputs based on a customer’s emotional and physical responses. After selecting a table, you can sit down as if you were in a real casino.

Virtual reality (VR) has already begun in the iGaming sector, with SlotMillion.com launching its VR Casino and other VR ventures in the works. They contacted numerous regulators to establish this new medium of VR, and the MGA (Maltese Gaming Authority) was the first to approve such practices. However, they insisted that clocks be placed on the walls so that clients do not lose track of time while in the Virtual Casino. There are no clocks in genuine casinos to distract you from glancing at the time. I like how some casinos are set up, some with the entrance on the 80th level of a skyscraper with a futuristic cityscape view. This has been a very remarkable experience.

Apart from Microgaming, several other iGaming businesses are exploring VR, including Topgame Technology, Lucky VR, NetEnt, and Google Glass’ new real-money gambling option called “Glass Betting.” It’s fascinating to see how these unique games are created, brought to life, and broadcast on mainstream media.

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Sportradar Launches AI-Driven “Bettor Sense” to Support Responsible Gambling

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Brazilian operator BETesporte is first to adopt AI-powered solution

Sportradar Group AG has launched Bettor Sense, a personalized, proactive, and data-driven approach to user protection. BETesporte will be the first operator to implement the solution, reinforcing its commitment to safer and more responsible practices in Brazil’s newly regulated betting market.

Bettor Sense is an AI-powered solution that detects early signs of gambling-related risk and enables personalized interventions to protect end users. Developed with proprietary technology and grounded in behavioral research, Bettor Sense allows operators to act quickly and efficiently, promoting responsible gambling and strengthening brand reputation. Fully compliant with regulatory standards, Bettor Sense provides a critical tool for operators aiming to meet rising expectations around end user protection.

In addition to implementing Bettor Sense, BETesporte has also joined Sportradar’s Integrity Exchange, a global information-sharing network that enables betting operators to report suspicious betting activity directly to Sportradar’s Integrity Services division. This collaboration strengthens the industry’s collective ability to fight match-fixing and betting-related corruption through enhanced transparency and cooperation.

Tom Mace – SVP, Integrity & Regulatory Services, Product & Strategy at Sportradar, said: “This partnership with BETesporte marks an important milestone for Sportradar’s ongoing mission to help shape secure and sustainable sports betting and iGaming industries. BETesporte is taking a proactive step in embracing responsible gaming as a core part of its business. We are confident this will be the first of many partnerships, as the market increasingly recognizes the value of using data and technology to protect end users and strengthen compliance.

Marcos Pereira – CEO of BETesporte said: “BETesporte is fully committed to transparency and security across all its operations. The partnership with Sportradar, through the integration of Bettor Sense and the Integrity Exchange, reinforces our dedication to fostering a responsible and ethical betting environment in line with regulatory standards. Sportradar’s advanced technology enables us to anticipate and prevent risky behavior, ensuring our bettors have the best possible experience with complete safety. We will continue working tirelessly to protect the integrity of sport and the trust of our users, which remains our top priority.”

The post Sportradar Launches AI-Driven “Bettor Sense” to Support Responsible Gambling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Make-A-Wish International Expands Presence in Gaming to Enable Future Wishes

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Raptor PR, the specialist B2B communications agency for games, media, and tech brands, has been appointed by Make-A-Wish® International to lead strategic communications for its games industry fundraising initiatives. The global nonprofit, known for granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses, is partnering with Raptor PR to amplify its presence across the games sector and unlock new opportunities for engagement, awareness, and impact.

As part of this new partnership, Raptor PR will deploy a strategic communications campaign to support Make-A-Wish International’s growing charitable gaming program, with a focus on elevating brand awareness for its games industry activities, amplifying wish stories, and forging partnerships for the nonprofit across the global games industry.

Raptor PR is partnering with Make-A-Wish International on a pro bono basis, providing strategic consultancy and go-to-market services to elevate global brand visibility. The campaign will focus on high-impact thought leadership, authoritative media commentary, speaker engagement, and news announcements designed to drive awareness, advocacy, and support.

April Stallings, Charitable Gaming and Creators Community Manager at Make-A-Wish International, commented: “Many of our wish children use gaming as a lifeline to stay connected during their illness.  We want the games industry to become more aware of how they can help grant wishes and why we need them – and that requires the kind of expertise we know Raptor PR can provide.  Raptor PR brings deep expertise in gaming and strategic communications making them a natural partner to help us achieve our global mission. Team Raptor’s deep network across the games industry will be vital in opening doors, sparking partnerships, and scaling our impact. Together, we’re not just telling stories, we’re mobilising the games industry to become a more intentional force for good, enabling more children around the world to experience the life-changing power of a wish, when they need it most.”

Rana Rahman, Founder and CEO at Raptor PR, added: “When I met April Stallings from Make-A-Wish at Gamescom last year, I was deeply moved by the real-world impact the charity delivers. That moment inspired me to get involved with Raptor PR, and now, through our strategic communications support, we’re helping Make-A-Wish scale its message and reach across the global games industry. Our goal is to spark a broader movement, encouraging the games industry to embrace its potential as a force for good and give back in meaningful, sustained ways.”

In 2024, the Make-A-Wish International network granted more than 16,000 wishes for children living with critical illnesses. Both April Stallings and Rana Rahman will be attending this year’s gamescom conference in Cologne from the 18-22nd of August 2025.

The post Make-A-Wish International Expands Presence in Gaming to Enable Future Wishes appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ZEAL partners with Greentube – “Book of Ra” Now Available on LOTTO24 and Tipp24

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ZEAL and Greentube, the digital gaming and entertainment division of Novomatic AG, have joined forces in a new partnership. As part of the collaboration, selected Greentube online games will be gradually integrated into the game portfolio of ZEAL brands LOTTO24 and Tipp24. The partnership officially launched in June 2025.

A key highlight: The internationally acclaimed “Book of Ra” series is now available to customers via ZEAL’s B2C platforms. The slot game franchise is one of the most iconic in online gaming, boasting a loyal global fan base.

This strategic alliance enables ZEAL to expand its digital gaming offering with top-tier titles, while Greentube benefits from ZEAL’s strong market presence and broad customer reach in Germany.

“With the popular titles from Greentube, we’re expanding our portfolio with high-quality games our customers already know and love,” says Alex Green, Vice President Games at ZEAL. “Bringing the ‘Book of Ra’ series to our platforms has been a long-term goal, and we’re proud to have made it happen. We see strong potential in this partnership.”

Julia Schagerl, Regional Manager at Greentube adds: “ZEAL is a strong partner with a loyal customer base. Our games stand for quality, security and entertainment – and this partnership helps us bring them to an even wider audience. It’s a key step in our growth strategy.”

The post ZEAL partners with Greentube – “Book of Ra” Now Available on LOTTO24 and Tipp24 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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