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Counter-Strike 2 launches on FACEIT with new $100,000 FACEIT Pro League (FPL) Proving Grounds

Today, ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, reveals that Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is now playable on FACEIT, the world’s leading online platform for competitive gaming. CS2 players looking to master the new iteration of Counter-Strike can now join the world’s largest community on FACEIT, with 22 million serious players, to hone their skills faster than anywhere else.
On FACEIT, players can join communities, gather tips and feedback for their path going pro and join or host matches on private servers. FACEIT provides its own ranking system in which players start at Level 1 and are able to reach Level 10. Players can participate in community tournaments or qualify for the FACEIT Pro League (FPL) and start their journey to become one of the best CS players in the world. To ensure a safe environment, FACEIT offers its renowned anti-cheat and chat moderation through its own AI called “Minerva”.
The new era of Counter-Strike begins on FACEIT with the launch of a new seasonal Elo system. FACEIT Season 1 is designed to create the ultimate competitive environment for CS2. FACEIT Season 1 will culminate with the first FPL Proving Grounds: The Ultimate Path to Pro, which will boast the highest prize pool ever awarded in a public matchmaking system – featuring $100,000 in prizes for top ‘Challenger’ rank players. Challenger is the new rank on FACEIT, introduced for the top 1,000 players in Europe, South America, and North America. Additionally, the top three players of FPL Proving Grounds will earn a direct invite to the FPL, and a monthly stipend to support them on their path to pro.
Designed to empower the highest Elo rated matchmaking players to break into the professional scene, FPL Proving Grounds will take place every four months and will act as a new way to qualify for FPL. Its first iteration will serve as the grand finale of FACEIT Season 1, replacing FPL-C Hubs and FPL-C Qualifiers. The path to FPL is now free and directly connects to the Elo leaderboards in Europe, North America and South America.
The FPL has already been launched in Counter-Strike 2 featuring top players, CS legends and truly top talents, optimizing the famous path to pro environment that supported stars such as Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, Robin “ropz” Kool, and Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov. The goal is to recreate the look and feel of the early days of FPL with matches full of top pros and unique livestream content for the community. FACEIT is also making Elo and Skill Level adjustments to better reflect the current player base, which will reduce wait times for high-ranked players and offer better match balance, revitalizing the race to the #1 spot in Counter-Strike 2.
Further additions to CS2 on FACEIT include Super Match, a new innovative feature that empowers players to take control of their matching experience and 100% guarantee specific characteristics of their next match, ensuring the algorithm can adapt to player needs. Version 1.0 of Super Match will be available in all regions for all Plus and Premium subscribers.
In addition to North America, FACEIT has now rolled out a server selector feature for European players, offering an array of server locations to choose from, including Moscow, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, UK, and France. CS2 players can now fine-tune their ping optimization by selecting server locations before they queue up. This is a game-changer for players in the CIS region, enhancing connectivity, while also minimizing language barriers at scale, by more effectively clustering Western and Eastern European players. To support this expansion without affecting queue times, FACEIT has raised the minimum map selection requirement for premium subscribers.
“Over the past decade, we have had the honor of collaborating with the CS community to build FACEIT, a platform capable of bolstering the entire CS ecosystem and its sporting scene. CS2 is an incredibly exciting new chapter that gives us the chance to reinforce our commitment to this mission on an even grander scale,” said Niccolo Maisto, co-CEO, ESL FACEIT Group. “We seize this moment to extend a warm welcome to all players, organizers, teams, and creators who, like us, have a profound passion for competitive Counter-Strike and want to contribute to grow this great scene even further.”
FACEIT users can play Counter-Strike 2 now at FACEIT .com.
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Independent evaluation highlights impact of Ygam’s parent programme

An independent evaluation has provided compelling evidence that Ygam’s work is effectively equipping families with the tools and knowledge to safeguard children from gaming and gambling harms.
The evaluation report, conducted by Sherbert Research, examined Ygam’s programme tailored for parents and carers, which includes online workshops, resources, and the Family Hub website.
The evaluation, assessed against Ygam’s comprehensive Theory of Change, found ‘strong evidence across all groups’ of increased understanding of gaming and gambling harms and their impact on behaviour change and the wellbeing of children and young people. It also highlighted that parents regard Ygam as a trusted source of support and information on these subjects.
After attending a Ygam workshop, parents expressed a deeper understanding of their role in supporting children and young people on these issues. The workshops were credited with reducing stigma around gaming and gambling harms and encouraging greater engagement from families. Many parents reported proactively understanding the risks and feeling empowered to start conversations with their children about gaming and gambling, putting boundaries in place before harm occurs.
While parents and professionals are increasingly aware of the risks associated with gaming, fewer recognise children’s potential exposure to gambling and gambling-like features, along with the related harms. The report reinforces that Ygam’s work plays a vital role in closing this critical knowledge gap through awareness raising, offering effective safeguarding tools, and providing the guidance and support required to create a safer digital home environment.
The programme was also commended for shifting perceptions around video gaming and microtransactions. They described taking immediate proactive steps such as adjusting screen time, understanding app spending, and setting clearer rules around their child’s online habits.
One parent who took part in the evaluation said: “After the session, I checked my son’s gaming account and realised he had spent over £200 on in-game purchases. We talked about it, and I’ve now set up parental controls.”
The high quality and standard of Ygam’s educational content was also praised by parents, with many describing it as ‘one of the best’ workshops they had attended for addressing a topical and complex issue, and for delivering accessible knowledge that supports real-life action.
Another parent said: ” A friend mentioned Ygam after I shared concerns about my son’s gaming habits. She had been on the course and said it had really helped her understand how to manage screen time”.
Claire Patel, Programme Lead for the Parents and Carers programme at Ygam, said: “We welcome the findings of this evaluation, which highlight the widespread and meaningful difference our programme is making for families. Parents and carers know their children better than anyone, and they have a crucial role to play – but they consistently tell us they often feel under-informed in today’s fast-moving digital world. We remain committed to listening to families and providing the information and tools they need to promote healthy habits and safeguard their children from potential harms.”
The evaluation was informed by interviews and video diaries from parents, foster carers, and professionals who attended Ygam workshops between 2023 and 2024.
All recommendations for improvement will be incorporated into the ongoing review and development of Ygam’s programmes to ensure they remain as effective and impactful as possible.
The post Independent evaluation highlights impact of Ygam’s parent programme appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Endorphina’s Sticky Lips: Our Joker Returns, Ready to Stick You with Unforgettable Luck!

Prepare for an unforgettable summer as Endorphina announces the highly anticipated release of Sticky Lips, its latest captivating slot, on the 8th of July. This visually striking title invites players into a vibrant world where Endorphina’s Joker makes a remarkable return, blowing irresistible kisses to make their winnings truly stick.
She’s wild, she’s wicked – and her lips are ready to stick you with luck! Dare to stare into her eyes in this 5-reel 4-row slot with 50 fixed paylines and prove your worth to get a lucky, juicy kiss. With every spin, her lips glow and tempt, hungry to lock in golden wins.
Key highlights of Sticky Lips:
- Vibrant Visuals: The captivating graphics and symbols, such as gleaming gold bars, blazing sevens, and shiny bells, bring the world of Sticky Lips to life.
- Mobile Compatibility: Enjoy the sticky-sweet fun anytime, anywhere, with seamless play across all devices.
- Free Games with the Sticky Wild Feature: Land 3 Scatter symbols to trigger 10 Free Games where Wilds become sticky for even more incredible wins. Scatters covered by a Wild still count towards new combinations!
- Classic Risk Game: Dare to double your winnings up to 10 times in our signature Risk Game!
What truly sets Sticky Lips apart is its unique blend of familiar slot charm with an enticing, playful narrative. Sticky Lips features a visually striking design that captures the playful mystery and growing anticipation, drawing players deeper into the narrative with every spin.
Why try Sticky Lips?
For over 12 years, Endorphina has stood out as a premier slot provider in the iGaming industry. Since the beginning of our journey, we’ve developed slot games celebrated for their stunning visuals, engaging features, unique themes, and immersive gameplay. Our player-centered approach to game development ensures every slot delivers a magical, mobile-compatible experience, packed with thrilling features for everyone to enjoy.
The post Endorphina’s Sticky Lips: Our Joker Returns, Ready to Stick You with Unforgettable Luck! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRATES RECORD-BREAKING LAUNCH OF GOLDEN WINNER GRAND CHANCE

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSE) (“Inspired” or the “Company”), a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems, and solutions, announced that Golden Winner Grand Chance™ has become the most successful UK and European iGaming launch in the Company’s history.
Released at the end of May across the UK, Gibraltar, and MGA jurisdictions, Golden Winner Grand Chance has rapidly secured the top spot, leading performance charts and setting new records across all industry key engagement and retention metrics. The game has already attracted over 200,000 unique players and boasts a 25% day-one retention rate, with 40% of players returning weekly, demonstrating its broad appeal across diverse demographics.
The game’s success cements Golden Winner Grand Chance as Inspired’s most successful UK release to date, surpassing previous benchmarks and further elevating the Golden Winner franchise, which now includes three of Inspired’s most-played UK titles. These include: Golden Winner™, Piggy Winner™, and the now record-breaking Golden Winner Grand Chance™.
Designed to deliver high-impact entertainment, Golden Winner Grand Chance builds on the original Golden Winner hit with an exciting combination of proven features and innovative twists. Mechanics such as Fortune Spins, Bonus Buy, and the standout Grand Chance Cherry, which offers the potential for significant prize pot wins, have driven both engagement and retention. The inclusion of two RTP rates ensures broad market suitability, while a suite of fun gameplay features keeps players returning for more.
The exceptional performance of Golden Winner Grand Chance highlights Inspired’s ability to develop compelling, feature-rich content that resonates with players and delivers consistent value to operators. With prominent in-lobby visibility and free spins activation strategies driving player acquisition, operators have quickly leveraged the game’s momentum.
Claire Osborne, Vice President of Interactive at Inspired, said: “Golden Winner Grand Chance has been a phenomenal success and a defining moment for our iGaming roadmap. It’s a perfect example of how our deep understanding of player preferences, combined with innovative game design, can lead to record-breaking performance. We’re thrilled with the results and excited to keep that momentum going well into summer with more blockbuster titles to come.”
The post INSPIRED ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRATES RECORD-BREAKING LAUNCH OF GOLDEN WINNER GRAND CHANCE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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