Press Releases

Barcelona will take ‘extraordinary ICE to another level’ – predicts safer gambling expert

Published

2 weeks ago

April 23, 2024

barcelona-will-take-‘extraordinary-ice-to-another-level’-–-predicts-safer-gambling-expert

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Art Paikowsky has served as President of the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) since October 2021.  During this period, he has helped to more than double the level of resources secured by the organization resulting in over 25 studies currently being conducted. At ICE 2024 the ICRG was one of two safer gambling organisations to share the £41,000 pool raised by brands comprising Light and Wonder, Flutter, Betsson Group, IGT, Novomatic, Neccton and Playtech.

What are your overall impressions of ICE and how much are you looking forward to its relocation to Barcelona?

AP: “ICE itself is an amazing seamless exercise that is so fantastically well planned that it’s almost unbelievable. With the continued upgrade in content, I believe that Clarion is committed to improvement which I have experienced each year. Barcelona is one of my personal favorite European cities, the conference center is in an excellent location and the food is to die for. I can only expect that the move will take an already extraordinary event to another level.”

Have you decided how you will be using the £20,500 – is there a specific project or piece of research that it will fund/help fund?

AP: “We were surprised and elated to receive the award and we are very grateful to Clarion for all that it has done on behalf of ICRG. One of the methods of funding research is that investigators from all over the world apply for grants from our unrestricted funds. These requests are reviewed independently by the Scientific Advisory Board and are awarded several times throughout the year. These funds are a significant allocation to our grant pool.”

How important is it for a major b2b gambling event to have a show feature that’s dedicated to safer gambling?

AP: “Even as recently as a couple of years ago at conferences that I attended it was difficult to locate anything featuring safer gambling. Not only did ICE feature this important topic but the content was of such value that it was difficult to get a seat at the sessions! Thanks should go to Clarion for its leadership here.”

From a safer gambling perspective what were the main talking points at ICE 2024?

AP: “The UK government’s White Paper was very much in the mind’s eye and there was a great deal of attention as to how technology might impact safer gambling. Our research has identified emerging adults as an at risk market and the accessibility of gambling options on the phone must be examined more closely: we have several studies underway to learn more about this. Sports betting, regulation and advertising were all top of mind.”

2024 marks your 25th anniversary year – how good was it to celebrate the landmark at ICE?

AP: “One of the things that I noted when I started at ICRG two and a half years ago was that the organization had done terrific work but generally flew under the radar screen. To launch our 25th anniversary year at ICE with the exposure that we received and the recognition as Charity of the Year was of tremendous value. This will help stage both our 25th anniversary golf tournament in May in Las Vegas as well as our signature educational conference scheduled in October.”

The post Barcelona will take ‘extraordinary ICE to another level’ – predicts safer gambling expert appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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CAPCOM’S STREET FIGHTERTM 6 GOING TO COLLEGE THIS FALL

Published

17 hours ago

May 3, 2024

GamingAmericas.com

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CSMG will create and operate College Street FighterTM Tour in North America for the 2024-25 academic year
College conference Street Fighter 6 champions will punch their ticket to the national Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) & May Madness in 2025

Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG) announced today during the kick-off of its Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) Texas presented by McDonald’s that it has joined forces with Capcom to launch the College Street FighterTM Tour during its 2024-25 academic year with the finalists competing at CECC Texas in 2025 throughout its May Madness event. Street FighterTM 6 will join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch 2®, Rocket League, and VALORANT as part of the official game titles for CECC.

“We are immensely excited to welcome Capcom into the CECC family and provide a path to glory for student athletes to showcase their skills in Street Fighter 6,” said Michael Schreck, Chief Executive Officer for CSMG. “In our fourth year of building May Madness, we continue to listen to our players, coaches and fans on how to make our event more inclusive, and the partnership with Street Fighter 6 is a resounding success.”

“The Street Fighter franchise is a multi-generational and global game series, so it’s important for us to continue to grow that fandom at the collegiate level,” said Michael Larson, Head of Esports at Capcom USA. “CECC continues to set the standard for competition and community, so it’s a natural format for expansion, and we’re eager for College Street Fighter Tour competitors across North America to show off their skills and join us in Texas next year.”

”The vision for the College Street Fighter Tour is a publisher backed esports series that integrates into the existing infrastructure of The Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup, a bracket style event series that takes place every year and has been coined May Madness. The path to championship includes invitational bids to national and regional level conferences as well as official CECC qualifiers held regionally,” said Angela Bernhard Thomas, Chief Esports Officer for CSMG’s ESPORTSU.

Every college or university from a 2-year or 4-year institution can participate through their conference or through select qualifiers. Wim Stocks will serve as the Commissioner of the College Street Fighter Tour and bring his 20 years of experience in college esports to create a dynamic and engaging format of competitive gaming.

“Since the launch of Street Fighter 6 in June of ’23, it is clear the rich legacy of Street Fighter is stronger than ever and helping lift the fighting game community to still greater heights,” said Stocks. “Having a structure now for a national collegiate competitive series, league, and events, Capcom and ESPORTSU are building a phenomenal ecosystem and mechanism for developing up and coming Street Fighter 6 competitors.”

More details on the College Street Fighter Tour will be shared later this year.

CSMG welcomes 84 teams (up from 64 in 2023) this weekend from a record breaking 19 conference champions to the largest scholastic esports festival globally. They will compete at Esports Stadium Arlington on May 3-5 for the chance to hoist one of the coveted trophies. Fans can watch the CECC Texas on ESPORTSU’s Twitch channel at https://www.twitch.tv/esportsu.

CECC Texas 2023 was also recently awarded LAN Event of the Year during the inaugural Scholars Awards in Las Vegas, which are produced in partnership with the Esports Awards.

Industry News

Meridian Donate: Revolutionizing CSR in the Betting and Gaming Industry

Published

18 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Zoltan Tundik

meridian-donate:-revolutionizing-csr-in-the-betting-and-gaming-industry

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Innovative engagement strategy positions MeridianBet as a leader in CSR within the betting and gaming industry
Optimized brand loyalty as active customer participation in CSR strengthens connection and loyalty
Scalable impact, as the model is designed for expansion and could be adapted to new markets, indicating potential for widespread adoption and growth

Transforming Customers into Environmentalists and Humanitarians

MeridianBet’s pioneering initiative, Meridian Donate, is transforming the betting industry by engaging customers directly in corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions. This unique platform allows customers to actively participate in and fund various environmental, societal and humanitarian projects, setting a new standard for customer engagement and community impact.

Key Features of Meridian Donate:

Direct customer involvement: Customers are not just donors but active participants in CSR decisions
Diverse programs: Offers choices from global afforestation to local humanitarian efforts
Partnerships with renowned organizations: Collaborates with entities like the Red Cross and UNICEF

Expanding Impact: A Year-by-Year Growth

The Meridian Donate platform has seen substantial growth in its scope and impact:

Number of individual campaigns: Grew from 8 in 2021 to 20 in 2023
National markets Integrated: Expanded from 3 in 2021 to 8 in 2023
Direct Beneficiaries: Increased from 43 NGOs in 2021 to 159 in 2023

In 2023 alone, the platform’s expansion into eight markets facilitated 20 customer-funded campaigns, directly benefiting 159 NGOs, up from 122 the previous year.

Continued Commitment to Innovation and Community Involvement

Meridian Donate not only showcases MeridianBet’s dedication to CSR but also redefines the role of digital marketing within the industry. By converting sports bettors into active CSR participants, Meridian Donate enhances customer loyalty and brand value, making it a critical element of MeridianBet’s market strategy.

Recent Successes and Future Outlook

In its recent operation, Meridian Donate has launched an ambitious global afforestation initiative, committing to plant 20,000 seedlings across various regions. This project not only underscores our environmental commitment but also enhances our brand’s community presence. Already, several hundred contributions have been recorded in the platform’s first month, indicating robust customer engagement and support.

The post Meridian Donate: Revolutionizing CSR in the Betting and Gaming Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Press Releases

Imagine Live Launches Casino Hold’em

Published

18 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Imagine Live proudly unveils its latest game addition – Casino Hold’em. This thrilling new game promises to elevate the poker experience for enthusiasts and novices alike, combining the excitement of traditional Texas Hold’em with the thrill of live casino action.

Casino Hold’em offers players a dynamic and immersive gaming experience. With sleek graphics, intuitive gameplay, and live dealers, players will feel seated at a high-stakes table in a world-class casino right from the comfort of their homes.

Key features of Casino Hold’em include:

Neon-lighting Studio: Casino Hold’em has a very inviting atmosphere. It features an elegant, well-designed studio with neon lighting that evokes a sophisticated gaming environment.

Captivating Gameplay: Stunning graphics and seamless gameplay transport players to the heart of the action.

Bonus Bet: In Casino Hold’em, players can place a Bonus bet alongside their initial Ante bet. Even if the Play bet is lost, the Bonus bet remains unaffected and can still be won if the specific hand criteria are met.

Multiplatform Compatibility: Enjoy Casino Hold’em on desktop, tablet, or mobile devices, allowing players to play anytime, anywhere.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Casino Hold’em to our players,” said Mikayel Aznauryan, Chief Product Officer at Imagine Live. “At Imagine Live, we’re committed to delivering premium gaming experiences, and Casino Hold’em is no exception. With its blend of live action, strategic gameplay, and neon design, we believe it will quickly become a favorite among poker enthusiasts worldwide.”

The post Imagine Live Launches Casino Hold’em appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.