Canada
Everything you need to know ahead of Intel® Extreme Masters Rio 2023

Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) is returning to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with 16 of the world’s best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) teams from around the world competing for a share of the prize pool and a spot in the IEM Cologne 2023 competition. Fans will witness intense competition and have the opportunity to experience the action live during the Playoff Stage held at the iconic Jeunesse Arena.
Here is all you need to know about IEM Rio 2023:
Following the immense success of last year’s IEM Rio CS:GO Major Championship Made of Madness, ESL, an ESL FACEIT Group brand, is bringing IEM back to the Brazilian coastal city on April 17-23.
The ESL Pro Tour Masters competition, IEM Rio 2023, will see 16 top-tier CS:GO teams from around the globe battle it out for a total prize pool of $250,000 and a spot in the IEM Cologne 2023 tournament. The competition kicks off with the Group Stage on April 17 in which the participating teams will face off in two groups of eight.
The six best teams will then proceed to the live Playoff Stage on April 21-23. During those final three days, fans from Brazil and beyond are set to experience the unrivalled atmosphere once again as the top squads enter the stage and come face to face at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
Schedule & Format
Group Stage: April 17-19
- The Group Stage will feature two double-elimination format (GSL) groups with eight teams in each group. The opening matches will be best-of-one with the subsequent matches being best-of-three.
- The top three teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs with Group Stage winners advancing to the semi-finals, 2nd places advancing to the quarter-finals as High Seeds, and 3rd places advancing to the quarter-finals as Low Seeds.
Playoffs: April 21-23
- The Playoffs will feature a single elimination bracket with the quarter and semi-finals being a best-of-three to win. The Grand Final will be a best-of-three to win.
Competing Teams
- Natus Vincere
- Faze Clan
- Team Vitality
- MOUZ
- Fnatic
- Ninjas In Pyjamas
- FURIA
- Heroic
- Cloud9
- Imperial Sportsbet
- OG
- 9INE
- BIG
- The MongolZ
- MIBR
- 9Z Team
Commentators and Analysts
In-Arena Experience During the Breaks
- Alexandre “gAuLeS” Borba
- Jean “mch” Michel D’Oliveira
- Andre ‘Liminha’ Kenzo
- Fillipe “bt0” Moreno
- Victor “VelhoVamp” Augusto Taube
- Diego ‘LLAUQS’ Sanches
- Alessandro “Apoka” Marcucci
Prize Money:
TOTAL | $250,000 |
1st | $100,000 |
2nd | $42,000 |
3rd – 4th | $20,000 |
5th – 6th | $10,000 |
7th – 8th | $6,000 |
9th – 12th | $5,000 |
13th – 16th | $4,000 |
Side Activities
IEM Rio 2023 will feature a variety of on-site activities and event for attending fans, including:
- Signing sessions: There will be multiple signing sessions from competing teams, hosts, commentators and on-site narrators happening throughout the tournament, including home-favourite FURIA
- Tribo Booth: The booth will feature all of the on-site narrators and entertainers hosting signing sessions as well as others. While on-site, the narrators will provide entertainment during the breaks, with Liminha and Bt0 reporting from the crowd.
- FURIA Booth: Fans have the opportunity to get to know one of Brazil’s biggest esports organizations, meet their favourite players and fellow fans, compete in activities, play games, win prizes and much more
- Intel® Booth: At the official Intel® booth, fans can try out the latest games and the newest hardware
- ESL Shop: The ESL Shop offers a wide variety of esports merch, including team products and ESL Collectibles
- Counter-Strike 2 free-play area: Fans eagerly waiting to jump into Counter-Strike 2 can expect a unique experience and play the game at IEM Rio 2023
- Food trucks: For those looking for a bite or something to drink, IEM Rio 2023 offers several options at the on-site food trucks
- Partner activations inside the arena:
- The DHL booth: Delivered by DHL, fans have the opportunity to open CS:GO cases and win amazing skins
- 1xBet Booth: Fans can compete for prizes, participate in 1v1 challenges and art sections, meet some of their favourite players, and more
- Monster Energy Booth: Performers will show off their skills on their skateboards, while fans can also grab a drink to keep them going throughout the day
Stay tuned as additional side activities will be announced.
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Bragg Gaming
Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems

Bragg Gaming Group, a leading online gaming technology provider, has confirmed a major cybersecurity incident that compromised its internal IT infrastructure in the early hours of Saturday, August 16, 2025.
The company detected unauthorized intrusion attempts that successfully breached its internal network, triggering an immediate and comprehensive incident response.
Key Takeaways
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Bragg Gaming Group experienced a cybersecurity breach involving access to internal IT systems.
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No customer personal data or payment information appears to have been compromised.
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The company has enacted full containment and investigation protocols.
Details of the Breach
According to a preliminary forensic analysis by Bragg’s internal security team, the attack was a targeted breach aimed at the company’s internal computer environment. While the exact method of intrusion is still under investigation, early indicators suggest a sophisticated exploit of internal network vulnerabilities.
Fortunately, the company’s customer-facing systems, including sensitive user data and financial information, appear to have been unaffected. Bragg’s existing encryption protocols and access control systems successfully prevented the attackers from accessing customer information.
Immediate Response Measures
In response to the breach, Bragg launched a multi-tiered containment strategy, including:
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Network Segmentation to isolate affected systems
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Enhanced Monitoring of data flows across its Remote Games Server (RGS) platform
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Security Audits of critical infrastructure, including the Bragg Hub and PAM systems
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Engagement of Independent Cybersecurity Experts to assist in incident analysis and system hardening
Bragg’s Security Operations Center has also elevated its alert level, initiating 24/7 monitoring across all server clusters and network endpoints. In addition, company-wide penetration testing is now underway to proactively identify any residual vulnerabilities.
Business Continuity Maintained
Despite the severity of the breach, Bragg reports that its operations remain unaffected. All gaming services, including iCasino and sportsbook offerings across regulated markets, continue to function without disruption.
“While this incident is deeply concerning, we are confident in the rapid and thorough response initiated by our team,” a company spokesperson stated. “We remain committed to protecting our infrastructure, our partners, and most importantly, our players.”
Looking Ahead
As part of its response, Bragg has also launched mandatory security awareness training for all employees to reinforce best practices and prevent future incidents.
Cybersecurity analysts will continue working with Bragg to determine the full scope of the attack, improve system resilience, and maintain the trust of its users and stakeholders.
Bragg’s handling of the incident highlights both the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and the importance of robust, responsive defense systems in the digital gaming sector.
Source: cybersecuritynews.com
The post Bragg Confirms Cyber Attack – Hackers Access Internal IT Systems appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGCO
AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated several lottery policies to remove the cap on seller commission for Paper Raffles and Media Bingo, along with removing the prohibition on Catch the Ace paper lotteries, to align with other charitable lottery products.
Licensed charities may now negotiate commissions directly with sellers and determine commissions, provided they are reasonable and tied to the cost of service provided by the seller.
These updates further the AGCO’s commitment to adopt an outcomes-based regulatory approach and reduce burden for the charitable gaming sector. Local charitable organizations will have greater flexibility to make decisions that best serve their fundraising objectives.
Important Reminders
• Charities must still receive approval for other expenses incurred under their licence and retain receipts for seller commission paid.
• Licensing authorities will not require documentation to be submitted as part of the application process, however, charities are still subject to audit to determine compliance.
• Charities are reminded of their legal requirement to meet their obligations under the Criminal Code and with respect to conducting and managing a charitable gaming scheme.
• As with all licensed charitable lottery events, charities must take the necessary steps to ensure that they are conducting and managing the lottery event within Ontario.
For charitable gaming-related inquiries, email an AGCO Eligibility Officer at [email protected] or call AGCO Customer Service at 1-800-522-2876, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The post AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Alon Segev
Segev LLP Celebrates 10 Years of Business-Focused Legal Innovation

Leading business, technology, finance, and gaming law firm, Segev LLP, is proud to announce its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, Segev has evolved from a bold idea into a multi-jurisdictional firm serving clients across Canada, the U.S., and beyond.
Built for innovation-driven industries, the firm is widely recognized for its work with companies at the forefront of gaming, crypto, technology, and emerging sectors. “Our 10-year anniversary is a defining moment,” said Founding Partner, Ron Segev. “It’s a testament to the strength of our team and our culture of teamwork, self-improvement, and growth – all of which is directed at scoring wins for our great clients.”
As industries like fintech, crypto, iGaming, and AI have matured, so has the firm, often in parallel with its clients. “We’ve all grown together with our clients from one success to the next, whether it be helping clients complete financings or helping them close business,” said Managing Partner Alon Segev. “I look forward to continued growth for us and our clients in the next 10 years!”
The firm’s client-first approach has consistently earned recognition from top legal ranking guides. Segev LLP is ranked by Chambers and Partners as a “Leading Firm” and “Band-1” in Canada for Gaming Law and are also recommended by The Legal 500 and Lexology. These rankings reflect the team’s ability to deliver strategic, high-quality legal solutions that align with their clients’ business goals.
Recognized for their unique ability to exceed expectations and deliver out-of-the-box solutions, Segev LLP’s clients have affirmed: “The firm demonstrates its capability not only to understand complex matters, but also to offer solutions that are practical, pragmatic, and value-adding.”
“Segev possesses outstanding resources and maintains global partnerships, enabling it to deliver precise and informed responses to any queries related to the iGaming industry.”
“Epic service, very good, I won the case!”
“Great service, friendly atmosphere, and support.”
Several Segev team members also reflected on the milestone: “There was a moment early in my time here when I realized I wasn’t just being brought in to help; I was expected to contribute, take initiative, and run with big ideas. That stuck with me,” said Negin Alavi.
“Together with our clients, [Segev] has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade. I’m honored to have contributed to this journey and to celebrate these shared successes,” said David McHugh.
“Segev has cultivated a thriving law practice on the principle that challenges are to be embraced as opportunities. The approach has enabled us to grow as lawyers, but more importantly, it has enabled us to ensure the success of our clients,” said Mark Balestra.
“Since joining through Segev’s Ontario expansion, I’ve had the chance to work alongside some of the sharpest and most collaborative lawyers in the gaming space,” added Manav Bhargava. “As a full-service firm and industry leader, Segev stands out for its ability to support innovative businesses with practical, forward-thinking legal advice.”
Segev LLP will commemorate the anniversary with a series of internal and external initiatives throughout the remainder of the year.
The post Segev LLP Celebrates 10 Years of Business-Focused Legal Innovation appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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