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VentureMax Group support ambitious startups with sponsorship of Pitch iGB
The VentureMax Group which is reshaping the nature of investments, game design and digital advertising in the iGaming space has been confirmed as headline sponsors of the first Pitch iGB taking place Wednesday 2nd July at ExCeL London.
Celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit which sits at the heart of iGaming the competition is being described as the ‘Ultimate Startup Showdown’ providing an opportunity for five visionary companies to battle it out in front of top investors for the chance to win the prize of £10,000.
Pitch iGB is open to bold, ambitious startups that have been founded within the last three years and who are seeking investment and strategic partnerships. In addition to the £10,000 prize pot, participating in Pitch iGB provides a raft of benefits including massive industry exposure, unparalleled networking opportunities with potential investors/partners and expert feedback from top industry judges. All sectors of the industry are submitting applications including Game Developers, SEO and AI Innovators, Affiliate Tools and Solutions Providers as well as iGaming Disruptors.
Heralding the importance of the initiative Justin Anastasi CEO of the VentureMax Group said: “Pitch events like this are where the future of our industry is born. It’s a space where bold thinkers propel real innovation and show us the kind of grit that turns ideas into market-leading companies. At VentureMax, we back founders who are ready to build something formidable, so I’m genuinely looking forward to judging at Pitch iGB and meeting the startups who will help shape our future. Let’s see who’s going to shake things up this year!”
Naomi Barton, Global Portfolio Director responsible for iGB L!VE added: “Entrepreneurship is in the DNA of the iGaming community and I am delighted that Justin and the VentureMax Group will be supporting the next wave of industry pioneers and helping them to fulfil their potential. Pitch iGB is more than a competition – it’s a launchpad for startups on what is the biggest stage in iGaming. Quite simply, if you have an innovative, scalable and game-changing idea Pitch iGB is your stage!”
Startups have until May 26 to complete the Pitch iGB application form and upload a two minute YouTube video showcasing their business. Five finalists will make it to the live showdown which will comprise a four-minute pitch and an additional four-minute Q&A with the industry judging panel. One startup will then be crowned Pitch iGB Champion and take home the £10,000 prize pool.
iGB L!VE (2nd– 3rd July, ExCeL London) will welcome a projected 15,000 igaming and affiliate pioneers, helping businesses throughout the online gaming ecosystem to navigate an ever-changing landscape via networking opportunities, cutting-edge innovations and crucial market knowledge-sharing.
The post VentureMax Group support ambitious startups with sponsorship of Pitch iGB appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Carlo Santarelli
Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. Names Carlo Santarelli Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. announced that Carlo Santarelli has been appointed Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations, a new position at the Company. Mr. Santarelli will begin his new position on August 18, 2025 and will report to GLPI President and Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Moore.
Mr. Santarelli brings over 25 years of Wall Street experience in Equity Research and Investment Banking to his new role and joins the Company from Deutsche Bank where he was Managing Director of Gaming & Lodging Equity Research. Prior to Deutsche Bank, Mr. Santarelli held similar positions at Bear Stearns, JP Morgan and Wells Fargo. He consistently ranked highly in Institutional Investor and other sell-side analyst research polls as a thought leader in the space, providing unique perspectives on industry events and trends with his data-driven approach and stock picking talent. Carlo Santarelli graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics in 2000.
Peter Carlino, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GLPI, said: “We’ve known and respected Carlo’s research work on the gaming, lodging and gaming REIT sectors for many years. Carlo brings to GLPI an in-depth knowledge of the industry and its participants, having experienced GLPI’s original formation of the gaming triple-net-REIT structure from a research analyst and capital markets perspective. We value his deep network of contacts among institutional investors, sell-side analysts and a wide range of gaming industry operators and we look forward to the value of his contributions.”
In his new role, Mr. Santarelli will work with Mr. Carlino and GLPI’s senior management to develop and evaluate growth opportunities and strategic relationships, and will oversee investor relations interactions.
The post Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. Names Carlo Santarelli Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Industry News
VIP Play Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer

VIP Play, a technology-driven leader in interactive consumer engagement, announced that Jim Mackey, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will step down from his role, effective August 8, 2025.
The Company has initiated a transition process and is in the process of identifying a successor. Mackey will assist in an orderly transition over the coming weeks.
“We thank Jim for his contributions to the Company, particularly during a transformative period for our business. We remain focused on executing our strategic priorities, including financial visibility, operating efficiency, and delivering value to our stakeholders,” said Les Ottolenghi, CEO of VIP Play.
The post VIP Play Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
eSports
Esports Charts Becomes Official Viewership Analytics Partner of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

Esports Charts, the leading esports viewership analytics provider, has partnered with StarLadder, a pioneering tournament organiser. The Budapest Major 2025 marks a highly anticipated comeback for StarLadder, as it is their first Counter-Strike Major since 2019 and a significant return to the top-tier esports arena.
As the official analytics partner of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, Esports Charts will provide comprehensive, real-time audience data and insights throughout the event. This will empower organisers, teams, sponsors and fans with unparalleled transparency and a deeper understanding of the tournament’s global reach.
Artyom Odintsov, Co-founder and CEO of Esports Charts, said: “We are thrilled and proud to provide viewership analytics for StarLadder for the Budapest Major 2025. Since both Esports Charts and StarLadder are Ukraine-born companies, we share similar values and deal with similar challenges, which brings us even closer.
“It’s genuinely exciting to follow how viewership will develop at this Major. But knowing the expertise, drive, and passion that the organizers are bringing, I have no doubt we’ll witness some incredible things happen in Budapest.
“Esports Charts has always been driven by a mission to provide the esports community with accurate, actionable data, and we look forward to showcasing the impact and audience engagement of this world-class event.”
StarLadder has been a driving force in global esports for almost 15 years now, since hosting its first tournaments in 2011. Renowned for its innovation and reliability, the company has organised some of the industry’s most iconic events. These include the StarLadder Berlin Major 2019, which accumulated over 44 million hours watched and remains in the top 10 CS events by this metric, and the legendary StarSeries tournaments which started back in 2012.
Viacheslav Shcherbakov, Sales and Partnerships at StarLadder, said: “We’ve been working with Esports Charts since their founding and have always valued their professionalism and integrity. In a market where reliable data is essential, Esports Charts provides honest, transparent numbers, exactly the kind of insights sponsors and stakeholders rely on when assessing the potential reach of a World Championship event.
“We’re confident that this partnership will result in a high-quality analysis of our tournament’s performance and the audience data we’ll report to our partners. It’s a collaboration built on trust, shared values, and a deep understanding of what it takes to elevate esports to the next level.”
The Starladder Budapest Major 2025 will be held from November 24 to December 14 in Budapest, Hungary. The event will bring together the world’s top 32 Counter-Strike 2 teams to compete for a $1.25 million prize pool and one of the most prestigious titles in esports.
The post Esports Charts Becomes Official Viewership Analytics Partner of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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