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Five Startup Finalists Announced For The Second Edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona
Five innovative industry start-ups have been selected as finalists for the second edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona at this month’s SBC Summit Barcelona. The finalists will compete for an exclusive prize package valued at over €60,000, to aid in the growth and development of the winning company.
The competition, powered by Yolo Investments, will serve as a platform for the five aspiring companies to present their products and business plans in front of a live audience of industry leaders. The winner will be chosen by a judging panel consisting of venture capital and investment experts.
The First Pitch Competition will be hosted at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc, on Wednesday 20th September, and will feature as part of the ‘Future of Technology’ conference track.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “As event organizers, we believe that SBC First Pitch Barcelona occupies a central role in facilitating innovation in the industry. Competitions like this serve as a platform for emerging talents to showcase their groundbreaking products and services, whilst also gaining invaluable experience presenting in a public space and networking with industry elite.”
“SBC First Pitch is essentially about innovation meeting opportunity, ultimately encouraging the industry to grow, welcome new ways of thinking and foster an environment that nurtures innovation and collaboration.”
The five finalists of the SBC First Pitch Barcelona are:
- We are the Bookie: an online B2C sports betting platform with a 50% monthly Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) rebate for losing customers.
- Rdentify: a platform that identifies vulnerable customers during customer conversations in real-time and flags them to the safer gambling team and triggers customisable interventions as soon as behavioural risk has been flagged
- Snap Screen: Leveraging the user’s mobile camera to recognise live events on TV and streaming, Snap Screen is akin to a ‘Shazam for sports betting,’ allowing operators and affiliates to integrate SnapOdds into their websites.
- SQR Group: simplifies compliance and reduces fraud by enabling seamless identity verification without storing sensitive documents, using Secure QR Code® technology.
- Sport Exchange Market: a web app platform where fans can trade virtual shares of football teams, experiencing the same adrenaline as when they are betting or playing fantasy sports games
The First Pitch competition will be hosted by Anton Kaszubowski, (Managing Director, SBC Advisory Partners) and feature a star-studded judging panel of industry experts. The panel consists of Adam Rosenberg (Senior Advisor, Gaming & Leisure. Blackstone), Evert Einroos (Partner, Yolo Investments), Peter Heneghen (Senior Associate, Bettor Capital), Hilary Stewart-Jones (Independent Consultant, Harris Hagan) and Claudia de la Riva (Angel Investor, Various), who will each cast their vote to determine the winner.
The winning start-up will receive a prize package comprised of:
- A two-day workshop trip to Tallinn with Yolo Investments Founder Tim Heath, including flights, hotel, and covered expenses – valued at €25,000.
- An SBC Media promotional package including a magazine ad in SBC Leaders Magazine, two featured editorials promoting the business and a guest appearance on the iGaming Daily Podcast – valued at €7,000.
- A prize pack from Receptional, in which a dedicated team will collaborate with the winning company to provide a tailored digital marketing package – valued at €10,000.
- A Square in the Air press pack that includes a corporate video filmed on-site at the event, two press releases distributed on the Square in the Air social channels, a free social media audit, competitor analysis and a strategy guide to help build the company’s profile – valued at £5,000.
- An exclusive brand or web design package from Vegas Kings, the leading iGaming design and development agency – valued at €2,500.
- A 3x3m booth, including a turnkey standbuild, sponsorship mention, and 4 complimentary tickets for the SBC Summit 2024 – Valued at €15,000.
Last year’s edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona saw Kero Gaming, an in-game micro-betting and interactive social platform, crowned the winner. Paradox, a parimutuel betting protocol where all the commission charged is distributed proportionally to the people who bet before you, was the runner-up.
gaming
Take Aim at Mega Wins: ELA Games Unleashes Chaos With New Shooter Game “Shoot Happens”

A chaotic jungle journey with big, bad foes and insane riches.
Welcome to the jungle, where Shoot Happens! Face your opponent, take aim, and fire your way to riches.
ELA Games unveils its boldest title to date, a combination of decision-making and narrative progression where every shot counts.
In Shoot Happens, you’re not just a player. You’re the main character who has to fend off waves of increasingly dangerous (and valuable) monsters. Armed with 3 shots per round, you’ll need precision and calm nerves to take down the reward and add it to your Winpot. Hit the target for riches. Miss… and it’s back to the beginning.
The Choice Is Yours
Each round is in the hands of the player. Do you cash out now? Or keep slashing through the jungle for bigger and better rewards? Decision-making, timing, and a whole load of guts go a long way.
Expect the Unexpected
Random projectile bonuses can appear in any round, boosting your rewards massively. And just when you thought your journey through the treacherous jungle was over, the final boss appears. While the other monsters may have been a piece of cake, he doesn’t stay down. Each time you defeat him, he respawns for juicier and recurring payouts. Keep going as long as you can handle it, and you might walk out as the top dog of the jungle.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the game’s release, “With Shoot Happens, the team ventured outside of conventional game formats, and we wanted to give players a super engaging experience where they’re in control. This title is a bold approach to game design in this industry, as we’re empowering players with choice and enriching the gameplay experience with strong visuals, narratives, and plenty of replayability.”
Play how you want. The Winpot is yours
Shoot Happens is the perfect blend of fast-paced action, bold decision-making, and interactive gameplay. Whether you’re a cautious player or a complete daredevil, the game is an enticing experience for all.
How deep into the jungle are you willing to go?
The post Take Aim at Mega Wins: ELA Games Unleashes Chaos With New Shooter Game “Shoot Happens” appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
American Gaming Association
AGA Research Reveals Consumers Know Sweepstakes Casinos are Gambling

As gaming regulators, state Attorneys General, and state legislatures continue to scrutinize the business practices of online “sweepstakes” casinos, new research shows that consumers overwhelmingly use these platforms to gamble – and that sweepstakes operators are heavily targeting players in key states. By exploiting loopholes in the law, these operations undermine the integrity of the legal, regulated gaming marketplace.
According to Sensor Tower data compiled by the American Gaming Association (AGA), half of all online, real-money casino advertisements seen by consumers in early 2025 promoted offshore “sweepstakes” casinos. The data shows these unregulated operators concentrate their advertising in populous states.
“These operators present themselves like legal, regulated platforms – but they operate outside the law and regulation. There are few if any responsible gaming tools, no regulatory oversight, and no consumer protections. It’s a dangerous subterfuge that puts players at real risk,” said AGA Vice President of Government Relations, Tres York.
Despite operating outside the regulated gaming market, “sweepstakes” casinos are widely perceived by players as gambling platforms, with 68% of users saying their primary reason for playing is to win real money. This confusion is no accident – many of these sites mimic the look, feel, and language of legal operators, blurring the line for consumers and reinforcing the need for clearer enforcement and public education.
Key findings include:
• 90% of sweepstakes casino users consider the activity to be gambling.
• 69% describe sweepstakes casinos as places to wager real money.
• 80% of sweepstakes players spend monthly, and nearly half spend weekly, without the safety nets offered by regulated operators.
The number of monthly sweepstakes casino players is twice as high in states lacking sweepstakes prohibitions.
“Sweepstakes” casinos aggressively market on popular digital platforms throughout the country. Legal, regulated gaming operators, by contrast, advertise responsibly in legal states where consumer protections and regulatory oversight are in place.
“The data is clear. Consumers see right through the ‘sweepstakes’ casino facade and they’re calling it what it is: gambling. We look forward to policymakers continuing to enforce their laws and create clarity through new policy measures to protect their residents,” added York.
The post AGA Research Reveals Consumers Know Sweepstakes Casinos are Gambling appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Compliance Updates
MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Six Illegal Gambling Sites Targeting Michigan Players

The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has issued cease-and-desist letters to six unlicensed online gambling platforms attempting to target Michigan residents without state authorization. The action underscores the MGCB’s relentless, ongoing efforts to shut down illegal gambling operations and protect Michigan consumers from financial risk, identity theft, and unfair play.
The targeted sites—Crypto Slots, NitroBetting, NewVegas, Las Vegas USA Casino, Grand Rush Casino, and Slotgard Casino—were found to be operating in violation of Michigan laws that require licensure for internet gaming and sports betting.
“These sites were attempting to exploit Michigan players while operating outside the law. We take this seriously. When unauthorized operators offer games without regulation, Michigan players are left exposed—and we will not tolerate it,” said Henry Williams, MGCB Executive Director.
This enforcement action is part of the MGCB’s larger crackdown on illegal online gambling platforms. In recent months, the agency has issued numerous cease-and-desist letters, with additional investigations currently underway.
The MGCB continues to monitor online gaming activity and urges the public to be cautious when engaging with gambling content on social media or through digital advertisements.
The post MGCB Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Six Illegal Gambling Sites Targeting Michigan Players appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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