Latest News

World-class drivers go head-to-head in The Microsoft GP – Powered by YAS HEAT

Published

5 years ago

March 31, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Jamie Chadwick, MaximeMXM and Ramez Azzam were among high-profile entrants
Commentary team comprised F1 YouTube sensation Aarava and esteemed esports commentator George Morgan
Ultimate collaborative brand event streamed via Forza Motorsport 7

Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 30 March 2021: YAS HEAT Esports held a one-of-a-kind, invitational event in collaboration with Official Technology Partner, Microsoft, which displayed the team’s huge range of regional talent in its driver stable, as well as welcoming several guest stars from the worlds of esports and motorsport to the grid.

Hot off the heels of a spectacular P3 result in the 12HR iRacing Sebring Special Event, 17 of YAS HEAT’s world-class drivers from its professional squads and academy system hit the track while the all-star wildcard entries of W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick, Dutch content creator MaximeMXM and Simmsa Esports racer Ramez Azzam had their work cut out against the region’s top talent.

Meanwhile, the phenomenal commentary team provided expert analysis from the side-lines. F1 YouTube superstar and Team Quadrant member Aarav Amin (Aarava) was joined by esports commentating veteran George Morgan.

The event format comprised a five-lap qualifying session followed by the headlining feature race, then a drama-filled reverse grid race of approximately 10 minutes each. The sessions took place on the Forza Motorsport 7 video game and the drivers battled it around the Yas Marina Circuit (YAS HEAT Esports HQ) in Porsche 918 Spyders – a well-balanced hypercar – with fixed setups to ensure equal performance.

YAS HEAT Assetto Corsa racer Eamon Murphy eventually took the feature race victory after a thrilling last-lap battle with stablemate and iRacing competitor Dean Woods. The reverse-grid race meanwhile produced the expected chaos up and down the grid with Jaroslav Honzik or ‘Jardier’ emerging as the winner.

Saif Al-Noaimi, Team Principal, YAS HEAT said:

“We’re really thrilled to have delivered this ambitious and entertaining esports project to the fans and to have our Official Technology Partner, Microsoft so heavily involved. All the drivers had so much fun going up against some truly huge names in the motorsport and esports spheres, and everyone behind the scenes loved watching the action unfold!

“It’s been an honour to work with a company like Microsoft so far and I think this kind of event is a sign of things to come. YAS HEAT want to keep growing, continue to deliver the outstanding results we have to date and to bring the fans closer to the action with races like The Microsoft GP. Watch this space!”

Leila Serhan, Public Sector Director, Microsoft UAE added:

”The esports industry is increasingly becoming a part of the cultural mainstream. This phenomenon holds a lot of potential to scale with many of the local talents making their mark globally.

“Our association with Yas Heat comes at an exciting time and we continue to build a path in the ultra-competitive arena of virtual gaming – hosted on the intelligent cloud to increase performance, speed and agility.”

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

6 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

13 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

13 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.