The world’s best Counter-Strike teams are heading to the capital as the BLAST Premier London Open lands at OVO Arena Wembley this week (5–7 September). The three-day spectacle is set to be the biggest esports event to take place in the UK this year, attracting thousands of fans and millions more watching around the globe.

The event will showcase elite Counter-Strike competition, with a prize pool and participation fees totaling over £800,000, and will welcome thousands of fans across the weekend. It is projected to reach more than 89 million global viewers across 100+ territories in over 30
languages. Last year’s BLAST Premier Spring Final generated £30 million in economic impact for London.

This week’s event is expected to build on that success, further boosting the capital’s economy while reinforcing London and the UK’s position as a global hub for gaming, sport and live entertainment.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted to see the prestigious BLAST Premier London Open come to the capital this weekend. It will showcase the very best of esports as gamers and fans from across the globe flock to London, creating a significant estimated £30
million economic boost for our city.

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“London is a leading destination for esports – a hugely exciting and fast-growing industry – and I will continue to work hard to support its growth in the capital, as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”

Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing elite esports back to London for what is set to be the UK’s biggest esports and gaming event of the year. The capital has a rich history of hosting world-class sporting and entertainment events, and we
are delighted to add esports and gaming to that list. We can’t wait to welcome fans from across the UK and beyond to witness the world’s best Counter-Strike players compete. London will once again be at the centre of a truly global moment for competitive gaming.”

Ailsa Buck-Dell, Head of Major Events & Experiences at London & Partners, said: “We’re incredibly excited to see the return of the BLAST Premier Open to London. Previous events have been a huge success, bringing the capital’s gaming community together while also
introducing new audiences to the exciting world of esports. Live entertainment is one of the many things that makes London so special, and hosting world-class events like this, shows how our city continues to bring people together and create unforgettable moments.”

BLAST has teamed up with Live Nation, one of the world’s largest live entertainment companies, along with leading business growth and destination agency London & Partners to bring the BLAST Premier Open to London this week. The partnership forms part of BLAST’s ambition to create the best esports experiences by working closely with destinations and the biggest and best live entertainment partners.

The event aligns with London & Partners’ ambition to reinforce London’s standing as a leading destination for esports and gaming. The UK’s esports market was valued at approximately $2.09 billion in 2024, and continues to grow rapidly.

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Over the past 18 months, London has cemented its position as a leading esports destination, hosting tier-one events including the BLAST Premier Spring Final 2024 at OVO Arena Wembley, the RLCS London Major at the Copper Box Arena, and the League of Legends World Championship Finals at The O2 Arena – all generating tens of millions of pounds in economic impact for the city.

Securing an iGaming license is a non-negotiable condition to start offering services to players in almost any country. This can only be achieved after completion of thorough regulatory vetting, where a business is required to provide a clear source of funds and business plan, pay license fees, and meet other requirements.

Just as no traveler can cross a border without a valid international passport, no gambling business can run in the UK, France, Spain, or other regulated markets without first securing a license, the iGaming industry passport. Unlike with the international passport, however, the license may be revoked at any time if businesses fail to comply with the ever-evolving regulations.

After going through all the rigorous checks and becoming a license holder, most operators mistakenly assume they are legally protected for life; yet, many of them soon find this was an illusion. Regulations rarely stay still, with new rules introduced constantly, often forcing operators to completely restructure the way they operate.

Getting a gaming license is just the beginning of a long story. For a business, maintaining compliance over the long term requires a far greater effort than simply starting.

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The main reason is the need to always keep a finger on the pulse. What was a gray zone today may require operators to obtain a local license and comply with international standards tomorrow to avoid being subject to criminal prosecution. This is too often the case in the industry, with iGaming companies putting everyday compliance as their first priority to avoid risks involved with not doing so.

Ongoing monitoring and decoding regulatory change come hand in hand with rising expenses, which only tend to increase over time. Companies spend more on compliance, including investments in advanced KYC systems, transaction oversight, reporting, responsible gaming protocols, and others. Compliance is not a one-time investment but “an ongoing business concern,” according to Inteliumlaw, a team of legal professionals specialized in advising iGaming businesses in both license acquisition and ongoing compliance.

Furthermore, regulators in multiple jurisdictions require iGaming operators to regularly advance their compliance systems by performing annual internal and external audits designed to identify and address any potential weaknesses or gaps. If any significant compliance defects are identified, operators are required to both eliminate them promptly and report the corrective measures to the regulator in a very specific way.

Entering new jurisdictions during scaling also introduces additional layers of regulatory complexity. The fragmented nature of gambling regulations across the world translates into significant investment of both time and money for companies to decode and comply. In the process, firms often need to open a local branch, align their terms and conditions with applicable laws, and fulfill other country-specific requirements.

From new marketing restrictions and self-exclusion rules to additional obligations for a whole gaming vertical, the emergence of a local licensing framework, and a complete ban on specific gambling activity in a targeted jurisdiction(s) – everything can disrupt companies’ operations.

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Failing to adapt or simply deciding to ignore new rules, however, can trigger regulators and ultimately lead to news headlines like “[…] fined $1.5M for failing to […],” “[…] license revoked by gambling regulator,” or “[…] regulator orders […] to shut down.”

Therefore, ignoring is not the way, but seeking professional assistance is. Maintaining compliance post-licensing is best done with the help of expert gambling law advisors, who make this process seamless and risk-free, allowing iGaming operators to focus on growth rather than regulatory hurdles. While many of them are limited to assistance with license acquisition, law firms like Inteliumlaw provide comprehensive ongoing legal support and genuinely invest in businesses’ long-term success.

In a landscape where ignoring compliance is impossible and in-house legal staff proves inefficient, relying on expert iGaming lawyers at Inteliumlaw or other industry advisory firms is the most effective way to maintain compliance while sleeping well at night.

GoldenRace, leading provider of award-winning Virtual Sports and betting solutions, is announcing a new partnership with Inbet, the biggest Retail operator in Bulgaria and one of the most important iGaming companies in the market.

This collaboration brings Penalt2Win – GoldenRace’s dynamic football game created for sports fans who enjoy simple and fast betting formats – to Inbet shops.

“We are excited to join forces with GoldenRace to bring Penalt2Win to Bulgarian players through our Retail locations. This Virtual Football game delivers a fast, immersive experience with realistic gameplay and popular betting options. Our customers enjoy quick rounds and rewarding opportunities, making it a great addition to our offering. Together, we are committed to raising the bar for football entertainment and innovation in the market,” said Mihail Hadzhiev, CEO of Inbet.

Penalt2Win will further strengthen Inbet’s leadership in the country by offering a product that combines GoldenRace’s advanced technology with our proven retail innovations. Built with motion capture technology, Penalt2Win delivers a highly realistic penalty experience that is quick, easy to follow and packed with players’ favourite football markets.

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“At GoldenRace we value clients who understand their market and know what they need. This helps us to work closely together and find the best approach, and Inbet is exactly this kind of partner,” said Martin Wachter, CEO and Founder of GoldenRace. “With Penalt2Win we are adding something fresh and different to their retail shops. Football is the game that truly engages players, and it has always been at the centre of our innovation. With Inbet we have found the perfect partner to bring this passion to life in Bulgaria.”

This partnership also highlights GoldenRace’s strong commitment to the European market and proves that our innovation strategy is in line with the needs of the best operators in each country. GoldenRace already leads global markets with top football products such as our Virtual Football Leagues. Now, together with Inbet, we will bring a new football experience to the Bulgarian retail market.