Press Releases
Esports Players League Aims for Accelerated Growth with Esports During the Lockdown, Enters into a Strategic Partnership with Paytm First Games
Esports Players League (ESPL), the new global esports tournament network and platform has entered into a strategic partnership with Paytm First Games, India’s leading gaming destination.
Paytm First Games is India’s fastest growing gaming destination and sees more than half a million daily active gamers on the platform, spending anywhere between 30 to 45 minutes per session. It has witnessed 200 percent growth in the last month, with over 75,000 new users joining the platform every day. Paytm First Games is the digital gaming platform of Gamepind Entertainment Private Limited, which is a joint venture between AGTech Holdings Limited and One97 Communications Limited, which is the parent company of India’s largest digital payments & financial services platform Paytm (valued at $17 billion).
With its strong position, Paytm First Games will introduce ESPL’s unique, mobile and online focussed tournaments to gaming enthusiasts in India. It will oversee the rollout of ESPL’s amateur esports platform in India and execute tournaments, acquire users, secure local sponsorship and partnership deals, and create local media content. ESPL will support Paytm First Games’ efforts by delivering the complete tech solution, global sponsorships, media deals, and winning esports strategy. The first ESPL season is scheduled from May to November 2020.
ESPL’s tournaments platform is largely online focussed and is expected to gain traction in the current global COVID-19 pandemic situation that has forced more than 1 billion people to stay at home due to the various movement restrictions imposed by governments.
“India has over 300 million gamers and will roll out 5G connectivity in 2020, making the country a key market for ESPL’s rapidly expanding network of amateur esports tournaments that create a bedroom-to-champion pathway for online gamers,” said ESPL CEO Michael Broda. “We can’t think of a better-positioned partner than Paytm for our expansion into the highly-desirable Indian mobile gaming market.”
Sudhanshu Gupta, COO – Paytm First Games said, “As malls, movie theatres and popular hangout options shut down temporarily in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, online gaming is picking up as a popular option for stay at home entertainment. E-sporting is fast expanding its gamer base in India. Our partnership with ESPL focuses on grass-root amateur leagues and the mobile esports space. This partnership will help us to launch the unique esports tournaments in India that will further expand the online gaming landscape in India.”
ESPL is a global esports tournament platform provider focused on creating mobile and online ecosystems for amateur esports leagues globally. Through ESPL’s national franchise model, up-and-coming esports talents can easily participate in global competitions. By facilitating grassroots participation in what is a rapidly expanding market, ESPL has direct access and exposure to a large, valuable and often overlooked segment of the esports industry.
Phase one of ESPL’s global roll-out has yielded franchise partnership agreements in Southeast Asia and Latin America. ESPL also entered its first media partnership with eGG Network, the largest esports TV network in Southeast Asia and Australia that reaches approximately 100 million TV viewers. ESPL will announce additional key international partnerships soon.
ESPL is co-founded by former eSports.com CEO Michael Broda, Kin Wai Lau, founder of iCandy Interactive Limited (ASX: ICI), and Datuk Azrin Bin Mohd Noor of behavioral data and technology firm Sedania Innovator Berhad. eSports.com is a leading global esports media company, and iCandy Interactive is a mobile game developer that serves a community of 350 million gamers.
Central America
FeedConstruct takes exclusive data and streaming rights for Nicaragua’s Liga Primera
Deal covers worldwide distribution of Liga Primera and Copa Primera content for sportsbooks and betting suppliers.
FeedConstruct has acquired exclusive worldwide streaming and data rights for Nicaragua’s top-tier football competitions, Liga Primera and Copa Primera.
The company said the agreement delivers start-to-finish coverage of every match across both competitions and expands its Central American football portfolio for sportsbook operators and providers using its data integration and streaming.
Ani Isakhanyan, Head of Rights and Content at FeedConstruct, stated, “Securing these exclusive rights is a highly valuable addition to our portfolio. Liga Primera and Copa Primera deliver the consistent football content that the global iGaming industry demands. This acquisition ensures our partners can offer comprehensive coverage of a rapidly emerging betting market.”
Allan J. Chamorro, Managing Partner at Apollo Sports Business Group, added, “Nicaragua has rapidly established itself as one of Central America’s fastest-growing football markets, attracting growing regional recognition and international commercial interest. Our partnership with FeedConstruct builds on that momentum by expanding the global distribution of Liga Primera and Copa Primera while powering sustainable commercial opportunities that strengthen clubs, elevate the competitions, and accelerate the long-term growth of the game.”
Liga Primera and Copa Primera are the main competitions in Nicaragua’s professional football calendar. FeedConstruct said the competitions are gaining regional recognition in Central America, supported by regular participation in CONCACAF tournaments.
The post FeedConstruct takes exclusive data and streaming rights for Nicaragua’s Liga Primera appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Cool Bus Shelter
The UAE Lottery backs Cool Bus Shelter initiative for outdoor workers
The UAE Lottery has partnered with SmartLife Foundation to support outdoor workers during the UAE summer, backing the Cool Bus Shelter initiative in Abu Dhabi on July 20, 2026.
The programme aligns with the UAE’s Midday Break rules, which require outdoor work to stop between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM during peak heat. As part of the initiative, air-conditioned buses were stationed near labour sites to provide workers a place to rest before returning outdoors.
Volunteers from The UAE Lottery and SmartLife Foundation provided cold towels, cold water and drinks, according to the organisations. Workers also received portable rechargeable neck fans intended to provide additional cooling after the break.
Suzan Kazzi, Associate Director – Corporate Social Responsibility at Momentum- The UAE Lottery, said: “Outdoor workers are the backbone of our cities’ urban development, and initiatives like the Cool Bus Shelter ensure they receive the care and recognition they deserve during the most challenging months of the year. This is our small way of saying thank you and reminding them that their wellbeing truly matters”.
Abhijeet Oak, Vice President at SmartLife Foundation, added: “At SmartLife Foundation, we believe that protecting the wellbeing of outdoor workforce is a shared responsibility. Through the Cool Bus Shelter initiative, we are proud to collaborate with organizations such as The UAE Lottery and other community partners to create moments of comfort, appreciation and human connection that leave a lasting impact”.
The post The UAE Lottery backs Cool Bus Shelter initiative for outdoor workers appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Africa
Playson partners with Hollywoodbets for South Africa slots rollout
Playson has partnered with South African operator Hollywoodbets to roll out a selection of its slot titles to players in South Africa’s regulated market, the company said on 20th July 2026.
Under the deal, Hollywoodbets will integrate Playson content via Light & Wonder’s aggregation platform. The operator said the addition will broaden its “live games” portfolio.
The initial rollout includes Coin Strike: Hold and Win, Thunder Coins: Hold and Win, Thunder Coins XXL: Hold and Win, Diamonds Power: Hold and Win, Energy Coins: Hold and Win and 3 Carts of Gold: Hold and Win, with more releases planned.
Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “Partnering with Hollywoodbets represents another important milestone in our African growth strategy. As one of South Africa’s household names, Hollywoodbets offers an outstanding platform through which we can introduce our high-performing portfolio to an even wider audience.
“We are confident our games will resonate strongly with players, and we look forward to building a successful long-term partnership together.”
Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, said: “Playson’s portfolio has earned an excellent reputation for delivering engaging gameplay and consistent results across regulated markets, making it a valuable addition to our product offering.
“We are always looking to enhance the entertainment experience available to our players, and we are delighted to welcome a selection of Playson’s top-performing titles to the Hollywoodbets platform.”
The post Playson partners with Hollywoodbets for South Africa slots rollout appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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