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These Are The Hottest Video Game Characters According To Fans

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We all have celebrity crushes and (dare I say) fantasies, but some go beyond the realms of reality and drool over their favourite fictional character from a much-loved video game.
And who can blame them? Lara Croft is one badass babe, with exceptional fighting skills and unmatched intelligence in archaeology. Geralt of Rivia is a hunky monster slayer, able to overcome impossible odds in a world full of challenges!
Good Luck Mate have pulled together a list of weird and wonderful game character crushes, based on fan sources and Google Search Data.
You can view the full research here: https://goodluckmate.com/sexiest-gaming-characters
The Top 5 Sexiest Female Video Game Characters:

Rank

Character Name

Video Game(s)

Search Volume

1

Lara Croft

Tomb Raider Series

169,100

2

Samus Aran

Metroid Series

112,000

3

Jill Valentine

Resident Evil Series

110,400

4

Chun Li

Street Fighter

102,100

5

Widowmaker

Overwatch

102,000

Unsurprisingly, Lara Croft tops the sexiest female list with a search volume of 169,100. The strong-willed protagonist is admired throughout the gaming community, so much so that you will often see her being frequently cosplayed at conventions.
Samus Aran, from The Metroid Series, ranks second with a search rate of 112,000. The galactic bounty-hunter is one of the oldest game characters, first introduced in 1986, as we still have the hots for her over 30 years later!
Jill Valentine, from The Resident Evil Series, is the third sexiest female game character with 120,400 searches. The strong female lead is often cosplayed at conventions, alongside Lara Croft.
The Top 5 Sexiest Male Video Game Characters:

Rank

Character Name

Video Game(s)

Search Volume

1

Link

The Legend of Zelda Series

54,800

2

Geralt of Rivia

The Witcher Series

4,400

3

Master Chief

Halo Series

3,100

4

Cloud Strife

Final Fantasy VII

2,290

5

Sephiroth

Final Fantasy VII

1,970

Link, from The Legend of Zelda Series, ranks first with a search rate of 54,800 over the last year. The latest installment allowed gamers to play the young adult version of Link (a simple cosplay to recreate for conventions) in his fight to save the Kingdom of Hyrule!
Geralt of Rivia, from The Witchers Series, comes in second with 4,400 searches. Thanks to the Netflix original series whereby Henry Cavill plays Geralt as the lead, it’s no surprise that this heartthrob appears in the top three.
Taking the third spot is Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, from The Halo Series, with over 3,000 searches. This protagonist is a supersoldier, and who doesn’t love a fearless soldier? He’s adored by many fans, despite being rarely seen without his green coloured armour and helmet.
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Sports Betting’s First Contest Docuseries Returns for a Second Season with More Contestants, More Drama, and $14.2 Million on the Line

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VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, announced it will air the second season of the betting industry’s first docuseries to bring viewers behind the scenes of the world’s biggest legal betting contest. “Circa Survivor: The Quest for $14.2 Million” debuts its first episode Tuesday, August 5 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on VSiN.com and YouTubeTV.

Produced by Longball Productions, the sports betting docuseries follows contestants as they navigate the 2024 Circa Sports Circa Survivor Pro Football Contest – the largest sports contest of its kind in the world – with a prize of $14.2 million. The show captures the excitement and drama of this high-stakes contest, as well as the characters involved, to see who will win a winner-take-all prize. This year features familiar faces and new contestants alike, including celebrity sightings such as Dana White and Greg Maddux.

Hosted by sports betting venture Circa Sports, Circa Survivor requires contestants to walk through the door to sign up, giving the docuseries filmmakers access to sports betting enthusiasts nationwide. Contestants then make their weekly picks through a local proxy service or in person, where producers follow the thrills and agony of this wild ride through the pro football season. The series features a vast array of characters and incredible stories, including fan favorites and players that viewers will love to hate.

There will be a total of ten episodes in this season.

The post Sports Betting’s First Contest Docuseries Returns for a Second Season with More Contestants, More Drama, and $14.2 Million on the Line appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Brand Finance

US Online Betting Brands Topple Vegas as World’s Leading Gambling Brand

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The combined value of the world’s top 25 gambling brands ranked has surged by 21% year-on-year to USD60.8 billion this year, according to the Gambling 25 2025 rankings by Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy.

The latest data from Brand Finance highlights the sector’s remarkable resilience and transformation, fuelled by a post-pandemic tourism rebound, rapid legalisation of online betting in the US, and rising sports sponsorships that have lifted brand awareness among millions of new fans.

Following the 2018 repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the US has become the world’s largest regulated online gambling market, with more than 35 states now permitting sports betting. Major operators have responded with record marketing expenditure and high-profile sponsorship deals, driving strong brand growth nationwide.

Online gambling in the US is quickly catching up to Las Vegas in both brand value and public interest. Brand awareness is rising fast, with FanDuel up 26% and DraftKings up 18% since 2022. In contrast, traditional Vegas-based brands like Caesars and MGM have seen more modest gains; just 1% and 14%, respectively. With FanDuel now at 74% awareness and DraftKings at 82%, they’re closing in on Caesars (82%) and MGM (87%), signalling strong future growth for online operators.

In 2024, Americans wagered an estimated USD172 billion online, helping to drive record brand value growth among major players. Online gambling brand, FanDuel (brand value up 25% to USD7.0 billion) has risen to become the world’s most valuable gambling brand ranked this year. DraftKings (brand value up 59% to USD5.1 billion) has entered the global top three for the first time while MGM (brand value up 102% to USD3.8 billion) and Wynn Resorts (brand value up 25% to USD3.7 billion) have also posted significant gains, reflecting strong demand across both online and destination gaming.

Other prominent US names ranked include Harrah (brand value up 4% to USD2.4 billion) which has strengthened customer loyalty through revamped rewards programmes and integrated resort experiences, and Penn Entertainment (brand value down 15% to USD2.2 billion).

China’s Studio City (brand value up 118% to USD801 million) is the world’s fastest-growing gambling brand in this year’s rankings, following its Phase 2 expansion in Macau which boosted operating revenue by 40% year-on-year. Macau’s gaming industry continues to recover strongly, with visitor arrivals up 43% in the first half of 2024 and gross gaming revenue in July rising 12% compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, Marina Bay Sands remains the strongest brand ranked in the casino and gambling sector, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 93.9/100 and an AAA+ brand strength rating, ahead of the US’ Caesars (BSI score 92.4/100) and Malaysia’s Genting (BSI score 87.7/100). These brands continue to stand out for their premium entertainment experiences and strong reputation for customer loyalty and trust.

Henry Farr, Director at Brand Finance, said: “Reaching a record USD60.8 billion in brand value, the gambling sector continues to demonstrate its strength and agility in meeting changing consumer demands. The US online betting boom, with FanDuel now surpassing traditional Vegas giants, alongside major sports sponsorships, has driven impressive brand growth.”

The post US Online Betting Brands Topple Vegas as World’s Leading Gambling Brand appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Akhil Sarin

Stake joins Trinbago Knight Riders as official title partner

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The Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) today announced that Stake, the world’s leading online casino and sportsbook, has joined as their official Title Partner, marking a significant milestone for the most successful franchise in the Caribbean Premier League.

The partnership unites two powerhouse brands – with Stake aligning with a franchise that has claimed four championship titles (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2020), and continues to set the standard for excellence in T20 cricket.

This partnership adds to Stake’s impressive global sports portfolio, which includes the UFC, Everton FC, and the Stake F1 Team. The announcement builds on Stake’s growing cricket presence, following successful partnerships with the European Cricket Championships, Paarl Royals, and Major League Cricket.

“We are proud to welcome Stake as the Official Title Partner of the Trinbago Knight Riders in a multi- year agreement,” said Binda Dey, Group CMO, Knight Riders Sports.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone for us, bringing together two globally recognised brands with a shared commitment to innovation and elevating fan engagement through technology. Stake’s impressive presence across global sports demonstrates their dedication to supporting world-class sporting entertainment, and we look forward to a successful and impactful partnership.”

Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake, said: “TKR represents the kind of excellence Stake looks for in partnerships. Their track record and passionate fanbase make them the perfect addition to our cricket portfolio. We’re excited to support TKR and bring our platform to cricket fans worldwide.”

“Our partnership with TKR is not just about brand alignment – it’s a step toward building meaningful connections with cricket fans. We are excited to create immersive, tech-driven fan experiences that reflect the energy and passion of T20 cricket,” added Sarin.

To celebrate this partnership, Trinbago Knight Riders and Stake launched an innovative teaser campaign, combining the star power of the Knights – Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Dwayne Bravo alongside athletes from Stake’s global sponsorship portfolio. The campaign was designed to build intrigue by tapping into the passionate fanbases of these diverse sports, generating organic buzz across social media and culminating in the official partnership reveal.

The post Stake joins Trinbago Knight Riders as official title partner appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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