The global esports organization GIANTX has officially presented the roster for its League of Legends Superliga team, the most prestigious esports competition in Spain, organized by the LVP. The roster includes Feisty (midlaner) and Aetinoth (ADC), who continue for another year after establishing themselves as key players for the organization, and newcomers Badlulu (toplaner), Ferret (jungler), and Lospa (support).

The team, known as GIANTX Pride, will be led by Fearless, a veteran coach who has already won three Superliga titles with GIANTX. After previous stints with teams like Guasones and Rebels, Fearless returns to lead this young and promising roster as they pursue the organization’s long-awaited eighth Superliga trophy, with the season set to begin in January 2025.

The roster was revealed during an event at the Home of GIANTX in Málaga, attended by over 150 fans and supported by Opel, the team’s main partner in the Superliga. The event featured activities, giveaways, and a showmatch against Barça Esports, where fans got a first glimpse of the team in action.

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Feisty (South Korea, 2003) and Aetinoth (Turkey, 2005) return for another year, having gained recognition as rising talents with potential for the LEC, Europe’s premier competition in which GIANTX also competes. Badlulu (France, 2002), with prior experience in the Superliga at CASE Esports, joins as the toplaner. Ferret (Turkey, 2001), a promising jungler from the Turkish scene, comes from FUT, while Lospa (South Korea, 2002), a former Iberian Cup champion, joins as support after training in Gen.G Academy.

GIANTX Pride is the most decorated organization in Superliga LVP history, with seven titles to its name. The last victory came in the summer of 2021, and the team is determined to add the elusive eighth trophy to its collection. The Superliga for 2025 will feature ten teams, including Barça Esports, Guasones, Los Heretics, LUA Gaming, Movistar KOI, Ramboot Club, UCAM Esports, VENI VIDI VICI, and ZETA, competing across three splits—winter, spring, and summer.

The LVP, part of Grupo Mediapro, has introduced changes to the Superliga’s format for 2025. The updated calendar will be released soon, setting the stage for another thrilling season.

As a global hub for cutting-edge discussions and educational initiatives, we at HIPTHER and European Gaming are honored to support the upcoming Online Conference on Problem Gambling, hosted by the Danish Problem Gambling Committee. Scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (Danish time), this event promises to be a vital gathering of researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the gambling industry.

Why You Should Attend

Problem gambling affects millions worldwide, influencing not just individual lives but also families and communities. This conference provides a unique opportunity to learn from leading international and Danish researchers about the latest advancements in problem gambling prevention, treatment methodologies, and regulatory strategies.

Highlights of the Program

The carefully curated program ensures a comprehensive look at the key issues and solutions surrounding problem gambling:

• Welcome and Opening Remarks
  Marie Weinreich Petersen, from the Danish Problem Gambling Committee, will kick off the event, setting the stage for an insightful discussion.
• Introduction by Anders Dorph, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority, highlighting the role of regulatory bodies in tackling gambling-related harm.
• Keynote Presentation by Jakob Johnsson, a clinical psychologist and PhD from the Karolinska Institutet. His presentation, “Preventing Gambling Problems – A Step-Wise Approach for Duty-of-Care,” will focus on creating structured frameworks to mitigate risks effectively.
• Flash Talk by Anna Westh Stenbro, a psychologist and PhD candidate at Aarhus University Hospital, exploring the comparative effectiveness of internet-based therapy versus traditional cognitive behavioral therapy in treating gambling disorders.
• Research Insights from Anne Mette Thorhauge, Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen. Her talk, “Gamblified Game Mechanisms in Danish Children and Young People’s Gaming,” dives into the impact of game mechanics that mimic gambling on youth behavior.
• Keynote Presentation by David C. Hodgins, a prominent researcher from the University of Calgary, on “How Much Is Too Much? Development and Impact of Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines.” This talk will address the critical question of establishing thresholds for safer gambling.
• Interactive Q&A and Final Remarks
  Participants will have the chance to engage directly with speakers, followed by closing insights from Marie Weinreich Petersen.

Key Themes to Watch For

• The Role of Duty-of-Care in Gambling Prevention: Learn about structured approaches to reducing harm while fostering responsible gambling practices.
• Innovations in Therapy: Discover how online therapeutic interventions are transforming the treatment landscape for gambling disorders.
• Youth and Gambling-Like Gaming Mechanisms: Explore the overlap between gaming and gambling and its implications for younger demographics.
• Evidence-Based Guidelines: Gain a deeper understanding of how lower-risk gambling thresholds are developed and their real-world impact.

How to Participate

The conference will take place online, making it accessible to a global audience. To join, simply register via this link by Monday, January 6, 2025, 3:00 PM (Danish time). A link to access the virtual event will be shared with registrants closer to the date.

HIPTHER’s Commitment to Responsible Gaming

Our involvement in supporting this event underscores HIPTHER’s dedication to fostering responsible gaming and raising awareness about gambling-related harms. By backing initiatives like this, we aim to drive meaningful conversations and actionable outcomes within the industry.

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Mark your calendars for January 15, 2025, and join us for a transformative discussion on combating problem gambling. Together, let’s pave the way for safer and more sustainable gaming environments worldwide.

BetBlocker the internationally recognised safer gambling organisation has confirmed that it will be using its presence at ICE Barcelona to unveil a Catalan version of the app which provides a free, anonymous, accessible, and robust gambling-blocking tool that helps consumers to control their gambling behaviour.

Providing some background to the launch Pedro Romero Chief of SG Partnerships at BetBlocker explained: “The Catalan version has been designed to be culturally sensitive and is distinct from the Spanish version.

“We were fortunate to work closely with Dr. Laura Maldonado, a Catalan gambling and gaming expert, who helped ensure that the translation and adaptation went beyond language. Her insights were crucial in tailoring the tool to reflect local values, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances.

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“The Catalan version isn’t just a translation—it’s been created with the specific needs of Catalonia’s population in mind, ensuring it feels intuitive and relatable for users.”

Romero believes that aligning the launch with ICE Barcelona was a natural fit underscoring BetBlocker’s commitment to Catalonia. He stated: “Given that ICE is hosted in Barcelona from this year, we felt it was a meaningful way to acknowledge the cultural richness of Catalonia and support the local community with a fully accessible version of BetBlocker in their native language.

“In 2024 we were fortunate enough to receive funding from the sponsors of the ICE Consumer Protection Zone which has subsequently been rebranded the Sustainable Gambling Zone.

“We utilised that donation to help fund the Catalan version of the app, so there’s a perfect symmetry to the highly positive relationship that we enjoy with the team at Clarion Gaming and specifically with ICE Barcelona.”

Looking ahead to ICE Barcelona BetBlocker is focussed on building strong collaborations with local organisations, including charities, support services, and gambling operators.

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Pedro Romero confirmed: “Our aim is to ensure that the tool becomes widely available to anyone in Catalonia who might need it, whether directly or through partner organisations.

“By establishing these partnerships, we hope to create a sustainable impact and demonstrate the value of accessible, localised solutions in promoting safer gambling practices. This launch is just the beginning—we’re eager to see how we can work together to support local communities further.”