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Polygon Studios Secures Hires From EA, Amazon and Others, As Web2 Talent Join Exodus to Web3

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Polygon Studios, the developer relationship arm of Polygon Technology, is helping web2 and web3 companies build decentralized apps on the Polygon chain, announces five new hires to spearhead its growth in the Web3 blockchain gaming space. The new hires join Polygon Studio’s recently appointed CEO, Ryan Wyatt, who previously headed YouTube’s Gaming vertical before migrating to the Web3 industry.
Polygon Studios’ new hires include C-level executives Michael Blank as Chief Operating Officer and Young Ko as Chief Financial Officer.
Michael Blank brings a wealth of gaming experience to Polygon Studios after almost two decades with Electronic Arts, a leading game developer and publisher. Blank served as Senior Vice President of Player Network, the company’s strategy to connect and engage EA’s more than 300 million users. In that capacity, he led global teams that drove EA’s direct to consumer digital gaming platform, social ecosystem and the rapid growth of EA Play, the publisher’s multi-platform gaming subscription. During his time at Electronic Arts, Michael held a variety of senior leadership roles, including Executive Producer for several of EA’s prominent game franchises.
Polygon Studios has also welcomed Young Ko, who cites nearly 16 years of progressive financial and entrepreneurial expertise across entertainment, music, fashion, and real estate. Young spent the past 9 years as the VP of Finance at Penske Media (brands include Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, and SXSW) where he oversaw the Finance, Accounting, Treasury, and Global Tax teams.
Joining Young and Mike is Urvit Goel — VP, Gaming Business Development — and Charnjit Bansi — VP, Game Design — who also cut their teeth in the Web2 arena.
Urvit brings a wealth of cross-functional experience leading teams in Finance, Marketing, and Business Development during his nearly decade long tenure at Amazon. Most notably, Urvit has experience building long term strategic partnerships with the world’s largest game publishers on a global scale. He has built and led Business Development teams driving a variety of gaming initiatives for Amazon, most recently launching Amazon’s Cloud Gaming business.
Charnjit brings over 20 years of intimate knowledge of AAA Web2 game leadership and development, all from world-class game developers including Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games — creators of the renowned Call of Duty franchise. Most recently, Charnjit served as Director of Product Management at Mythical Games, a game technology company and publisher of the blockchain MMO, Blankos Block Party.
Polygon Studios also welcomes gaming industry veteran and recent EA alumni, Ben Watley. Ben will serve as Senior Director of Strategy, Gaming at Polygon Studios, working closely with Young, Mike, Charnjit, and Urvit to expand Polygon’s Web3 products and services. Working alongside Ben is ex-NASA software engineer and Riot Games strategist, Will Matteson, who joins Polygon Studios as Corporate Strategy Manager.
The new hires closely follow the appointment of Ryan Wyatt as CEO of Polygon Studios after seven years spearheading YouTube’s gaming vertical.
Ryan Wyatt, CEO of Polygon Studios, said, “We’re thrilled to be attracting such high-calibre talent as we build out the dream team of Web3. The combined expertise and perspectives from both the traditional and blockchain industries will be invaluable in growing the developer ecosystem and bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3.”
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Expanse Studios (GMGI) Enters the U.S. Sweepstakes Market

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North American Expansion Kicks Off Through Strategic Partnership with Moozi

Golden Matrix Group’s game development division, Expanse Studios, has officially entered the U.S. sweepstakes market, marking a significant milestone in its North American growth strategy. This move is powered by a strategic content partnership with Moozi, one of the most dynamic sweepstakes social casino platforms in the region.

With Moozi now featuring over 50 of Expanse Studios’ top-performing games—including immersive slots, crash games, and table games—this partnership positions GMGI to capture a share of the $5.6 billion U.S. sweepstakes market, projected to more than double to $11 billion by 2025 (Eilers).

Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented:

“This partnership signifies our formal entry into the U.S. market, showcasing the innovation and player-first experiences that define Expanse Studios. Collaborating with Moozi enables us to deliver advanced gaming content to a growing audience in North America, a key region for our global growth.”

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James Anderson, Moozi’s CCO, added:

“Expanse Studios has set a high bar for engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Their addition to our platform elevates Moozi’s offerings and strengthens our mission to lead the U.S. sweepstakes social casino space.”

This launch underscores Expanse Studios’ commitment to innovation and its long-term growth trajectory in regulated markets. By entering the North American sweepstakes market, Expanse Studios takes a bold step in expanding its footprint while delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.

 

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GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline

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GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received a record 55,228 calls and online chats from people experiencing gambling harm in 2023-24 – a 25% increase from the previous year – according to the charity’s Annual Report.

In a year marked by uncertainty over the future shape and structure of the gambling harms treatment sector following the previous government’s white paper on gambling reform, the charity continued to prioritise those at-risk of, or currently experiencing, gambling harm.

Of all calls and online chats that were responded to on GamCare’s Helpline in 2023/24, 41,070 (74%) were classed as supportive interventions. This includes supporting people with initial guidance and advice as well as delivering a seamless entry point into structured treatment services, with individuals completing treatment reporting a significant reduction in gambling-related distress and financial harm.

In March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published an assessment of the gambling treatment system, highlighting that 57% of individuals engaging in treatment were referred by the National Gambling Helpline. This underscores the Helpline’s critical role in connecting people to the support they need. Over 9,100 free treatment sessions were delivered in the year to April 2024, with an average of just 2.1 days’ wait from point of referral.

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GamCare’s targeted programmes aimed at young people, women, and the criminal justice system provided training on how to spot the signs of harms and where to signpost into support for 10,344 professionals, and education for 53,324 young people, children and parents. The Women’s Programme, in partnership with organisations such as Refuge, trained 3,813 professionals to recognise and address gambling-related harm among women.

Margot Daly, Executive Chair of GamCare’s Board, says: “Throughout a challenging year and with heightened demand for our services, GamCare’s staff have got on with the job of preventing harm where possible and treating harm where necessary. While we expect important changes in the gambling harms landscape, we have been determined not to let this uncertainty affect our relentless focus on the people who really matter – those at-risk of or currently experiencing gambling harms.

“I would like to thank and pay tribute to our frontline staff who provide 24/7 support for all those at risk or in distress. I also want to thank GamCare’s senior executive team who have steered GamCare through a period of sustained change, and to my fellow trustees for their guidance, unwavering support and the time each has dedicated to ensuring that the charity stays on course and on mission.

“As we look ahead to how the future of the gambling harms sector is shaped, we are committed to working proactively with the NHS and other partners and commissioners to ensure that people are continually able to receive the right support at the right time.”

The post GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 18 December – 23 December 2024

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Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”) has during the period 18 December to 23 December 2024 (the “Buyback Period”) repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares (ISIN: MT0000780107) as part of the share buyback programme, within the mandate approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 20 June 2024 (the “Programme”).

The objective of the Programme is to achieve added value for Kambi´s shareholders and to give the Board increased flexibility with Kambi´s capital structure by reducing the capital. The Programme is being carried out in accordance with the Maltese Companies Act, EU Market Abuse Regulation No 596/2014 (“MAR”) and other applicable rules.

During the Buyback Period, Kambi repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 99.13 SEK. From the beginning of the Programme, which started on 6 November, until and including 23 December 2024, Kambi has repurchased a total of 344,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 104.94 SEK per share.

During the Buyback Period, Kambi has repurchased shares as follows:

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Date Aggregated daily
volume (number of
ordinary B shares)
Weighted average
share price
per day (SEK)
Total daily
transaction
value (SEK)
18 December 2024 10,000 100.00 999,967
19 December 2024 10,000 99.39 993,929
20 December 2024 10,000 98.86 988,588
23 December 2024 10,000 98.26 982,562

All acquisitions have been carried out on Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm by Carnegie Investment Bank AB on behalf of Kambi. Following the acquisitions and as of 23 December 2024, Kambi’s holding of its own shares amounted to 344,000 and the total number of issued shares in Kambi is 29,903,619 ordinary B shares. Under the Programme Kambi is authorised to repurchase a maximum of 3,127,830 ordinary B shares, up to a maximum amount of €12.0 million.

A full breakdown of all transactions carried out during the Buyback Period is attached to this announcement.

Information on the Programme is available on Kambi’s website, https://www.kambi.com/investors/share-information/

The post Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 18 December – 23 December 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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