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InvestorBrandNetwork Announces Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast featuring Tony DiMatteo, CEO and Co-Founder of Lottery.com

LOS ANGELES, July 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — – via InvestorWire – InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company for private and public entities, today announces that Tony DiMatteo, CEO and co-founder of Lottery.com, a leading technology company that is transforming how, where and when the lottery is played, recently appeared on the Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast, an inspirational forum hosted by entrepreneur and social media expert Jordan Mendoza featuring interviews with people from around the world who have blazed their own trails in business and life.
To hear the full interview, visit The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast.
During the interview, Mendoza inquired about DiMatteo’s background and his persistent approach to entrepreneurship focused on maximizing every available opportunity.
“I was born and raised in the Denver area. … [My parents] were just very down to earth, working-class folks who just were trying to do the best they could. … They really had a drive to succeed and just tried to take opportunities. I learned a lot very early on about entrepreneurship,” DiMatteo said. “About two weeks before graduation, my [high school] history teacher, Mr. Mantooth, he sort of took a break … to educate us about what the real world looks like. … With the current system that we have, your goal is to squirrel away money, then you retire, you downsize and if you die before you run out of money, you’re a success. … When I looked at that future when I was 18 years old, I didn’t want to have anything to do with that.”
“I thought, ‘What if I just become a homerun hitter, and every time that I get an opportunity I just swing for the fences and I try to do the absolute best that I can possibly do?’ I became okay with the idea that I was going to strike out a lot of times. … It’s taken a long time. I have failed many more times than I’ve ever succeeded, but all of those failures are why I am successful now. It’s because I just took the risk,” DiMatteo added. “I got into IT and tech. I was really just an IT guy for a long time … and being in IT led me to so many relationships that I would not have had. … I would be able to sit down at the CEO’s desk of whatever the client was and we would just go back and forth and just talk. … That helped me build my network. … Your job is to make people happy. If you make people happy, some amazing things happen. They refer you to other people. … They believe in you, and they want you to succeed.”
“In 2015, my co-founder Matt [Clemenson] met Jason Calacanis, a really impressive angel [investor], in San Francisco. We, at the time, had about six projects that we had been self-incubating,” DiMatteo continued. “Matt pitched him everything we had … the very last thing on the list was AutoLotto, which is where [Lottery.com] started. … Jason said, ‘Great, you’re on stage [at LAUNCH Festival] in two weeks, get ready.’ … We decided that I should go and present at the LAUNCH Festival, and all of a sudden, we had a tremendous amount of interest. … We raised about $700,000 in maybe two weeks. … The lottery is about an $80 billion a year market just in the U.S. and about another $400 billion, roughly, outside of the U.S., but it has not gone online the way it should’ve probably about 10 years ago. … That’s our goal, to take something that already exists and bring it online to different people, different demographics. … You’re trying something that’s never been tried before, and everybody has resistance to that.”
Throughout the interview, DiMatteo discussed his career leading up to the early days of Lottery.com and the regulatory hurdles the company is currently navigating as it works to expand to new states and international markets in the years to come.
Lottery.com and Trident Acquisitions Corp. (NASDAQ: TDAC) entered into a definitive agreement relating to a business combination on Feb. 21, 2021. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company is expected to be named Lottery.com and its common stock and warrants are expected to remain listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the new ticker symbols “LTRY” and “LTRYW,” respectively.
About Lottery.com
AutoLotto Inc., doing business as Lottery.com (“Lottery.com” or the “Company”), is a leading technology company that is transforming how, where and when lottery is played. Its engaging mobile and online platforms enable players and commercial partners located in the U.S. and internationally to remotely purchase legally sanctioned lottery games. Fans and subscribers look to Lottery.com for compelling, real-time results on more than 800 lottery games from more than 40 countries. Additionally, through WinTogether.org, Lottery.com is fundamentally changing how nonprofit donors are incentivized to action by gamifying charitable giving. In all that it does, Lottery.com’s mission remains the same: an uncompromising passion to innovate, grow a new demographic of enthusiasts, deliver responsible and trusted solutions, and promote community and philanthropic initiatives. For more information, visit www.lottery.com.
About InvestorBrandNetwork
The InvestorBrandNetwork (“IBN”) consists of financial brands introduced to the investment public over the course of 15+ years. With IBN, we have amassed a collective audience of millions of social media followers. These distinctive investor brands aim to fulfill the unique needs of a growing base of client-partners. IBN will continue to expand our branded network of highly influential properties, leveraging the knowledge and energy of specialized teams of experts to serve our increasingly diversified list of clients.
Through NetworkNewsWire (“NNW”) and its affiliate brands, IBN provides: (1) access to a network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets; (3) enhanced press release solutions to ensure maximum impact; (4) full-scale distribution to a growing social media audience; (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions; and (6) a total news coverage solution.
For more information on IBN, visit https://www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com.
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorBrandNetwork website, applicable to all content provided by IBN wherever published or re-published: https://IBN.fm/Disclaimer
Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this presentation, regarding the proposed business combination, Trident and Lottery.com’s ability to consummate the proposed business combination, the benefits of the transactions and the combined company’s future financial performance, as well as the combined company’s strategy, future operations, estimated financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words “could,” “should,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, Trident and Lottery.com disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Current Report. Trident and Lottery.com caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of either Trident or Lottery.com. In addition, Trident cautions you that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to the following factors: (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could delay the business combination or give rise to the termination of the agreements related thereto; (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Trident or Lottery.com following announcement of the transactions; (iii) the inability to complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of Trident, or other conditions to closing in the merger agreement; (iv) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts Lottery.com’s current plans and operations as a result of the announcement of the transactions; (v) Lottery.com’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of Lottery.com to grow and manage growth profitably following the business combination; (vi) costs related to the business combination; (vii) risks related to the rollout of Lottery.com’s business and the timing of expected business milestones; (viii) Lottery.com’s dependence on obtaining and maintaining lottery retail licenses or consummating partnership agreements in various markets; (ix) Lottery.com’s ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, including the remediation of identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting relating to segregation of duties with respect to, and access controls to, its financial record keeping system, and Lottery.com’s accounting staffing levels; (x) the effects of competition on Lottery.com’s future business; (xi) risks related to Lottery.com’s dependence on its intellectual property and the risk that Lottery.com’s technology could have undetected defects or errors; (xii) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (xiii) the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect directly on Lottery.com and the economy generally; (xiv) risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed business combination; (xv) risks relating to privacy and data protection laws, privacy or data breaches, or the loss of data; (xvi) the possibility that Lottery.com may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (xvii) the Company’s ability to achieve all or any of its stated goals, including the ability to grow the business in domestic and international jurisdictions and deploy innovative technology to do so. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this Current Report materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may impact the operations and projections discussed herein can be found in the reports that Trident has filed and will file from time to time with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. Trident’s SEC filings are available publicly on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Important Information and Where to Find it
The proposed business combination will be submitted to shareholders of Trident for their consideration. Trident has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, which includes a preliminary proxy statement and will include a definitive proxy statement to be distributed to Trident’s stockholders in connection with Trident’s solicitation for proxies for the vote by Trident’s stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination and other matters as described in the Registration Statement, as well as the prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to Lottery.com’s shareholders in connection with the completion of the proposed business combination. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective, Trident will mail a definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its shareholders as of the record date established for voting on the proposed business combination. Trident’s shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read the preliminary proxy statement / prospectus and any amendments thereto and, once available, the definitive proxy statement / prospectus, in connection with Trident’s solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of shareholders to be held to approve, among other things, the proposed business combination, because these documents will contain important information about Trident, Lottery.com and the proposed business combination. Stockholders may also obtain a copy of the preliminary proxy statement or, once available, the definitive proxy statement, as well as other documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed business combination and other documents filed with the SEC by Trident, without charge, at the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Cody Slach, (949) 574-3860, [email protected]. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.
Participants in the Solicitation
Trident and its directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of Trident’s stockholders in connection with the proposed business combination. Lottery.com and its officers and directors may also be deemed participants in such solicitation. Security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of certain of Trident’s executive officers and directors in the solicitation by reading Trident’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and the Registration Statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC in connection with the business combination when they become available. Information concerning the interests of Trident’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of their stockholders generally, will be set forth in the proxy statement relating to the business combination when it becomes available.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.
Corporate Communications
InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN)
Los Angeles, California
www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
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International Chess Day: How India’s ancient game is evolving into a rising force in esports

Few games can boast a history as rich and enduring as chess. Originating in ancient India as Chaturanga, chess has evolved over centuries into one of the world’s most popular and celebrated sports. For a game with roots tracing back nearly 1500 years, it is rare to find renewed relevance in the digital era, but chess has done exactly that. Today, it thrives not only as a timeless sport of intellect and strategy but also as a modern source of entertainment, with millions of active players, vibrant communities, and massive global viewership.
This transformation has been driven by the meteoric rise of online chess, especially during the 2020 lockdown, which acted as an unexpected catalyst. The global success of the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, combined with the rapid growth of chess streamers across platforms like Chess.com, Twitch, and YouTube, propelled the game into mainstream pop culture.
Tournament series like PogChamps, launched by Chess.com in 2020, introduced chess to millions by featuring popular streamers and celebrities, each mentored by elite Grandmasters. Adding to this momentum were leading streaming personalities like Levy Rozman, known as GothamChess, and the Botez sisters, Alexandra and Andrea, who have built massive followings on both Twitch and YouTube. The accessible, educational, and entertaining style of these streamers has made chess more engaging and relatable to younger audiences than ever before.
Since then, online chess has seen explosive growth. In 2024 alone, Chess.com recorded over 7.6 billion games played. The platform has surpassed 200 million registered users globally, with India contributing over 9 million monthly active players and adding an average of 550,000 new signups each month. Beyond gameplay, viewership numbers have soared, with chess amassing 925 million organic views this year, reflecting an incredible 640 percent year-on-year growth. With its easy-to-play format and accessibility anytime, anywhere, chess has cemented itself as a universal sport for the digital generation.
This digital success naturally extended into the competitive esports world. The chess esports revolution accelerated in 2020 when world-renowned Grandmasters such as Qiyu Zhou, Hikaru Nakamura, and Andrew Tang joined established esports organizations like Counter Logic Gaming, Team SoloMid (TSM), and Cloud9 respectively, blending the traditions of chess with the excitement of competitive gaming.
The momentum continued when the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Chess.com included chess in the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in 2023 in Singapore. This evolution reached a landmark moment with chess officially becoming part of the prestigious Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 in Riyadh, with Norwegian legend Magnus Carlsen serving as the tournament’s ambassador. Organized in partnership with Chess.com, this year’s EWC features a prize pool of $1.5 million (approximately INR 12.8 crore), bringing together the world’s top chess players to compete in the fast-paced 10+0 rapid format, while representing leading esports organizations from across the globe.
Indian chess is making its presence felt on this grand stage. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, signed with global esports organization Gen.G, has already secured his place at EWC 2025 through the Champions Chess Tour. The final four spots will be decided through the Last Chance Qualifier from July 24 to 26, where top Indian players, including Grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram, will compete.
Both Nihal and Aravindh have joined S8UL, a global powerhouse in esports and gaming content to compete at EWC 2025. S8UL is the only Indian organization selected among the 40 elite global teams in the Esports World Cup Foundation’s (EWCF) Club Partner Program. The organisation has earned its place to compete among the world’s best in Apex Legends and EAFC, and will also be fighting for qualification in Tekken 8 through the Last Chance Qualifier, further expanding its presence across multiple esports titles.
“It’s incredible to watch chess evolve from a quiet, traditional sport into a bold, global movement. Being part of S8UL has introduced me to the world of esports and content creation, opening up new ways to connect with people. Today, chess isn’t just about strategy, it’s about storytelling, culture and community. I’m proud to be part of this exciting shift, as the game steps into a whole new era,” shares Nihal Sarin.
The chess esports revolution in India is also being championed by NODWIN Gaming, a leader in South Asia’s esports and gaming ecosystem. The company recently announced a strategic partnership with Chess.com and ChessBase India aimed at building the future of chess esports in the country. This collaboration has already delivered remarkable success, most notably with the exclusive streaming of the recent World Chess Championship, where India’s Gukesh Dommaraju defeated Ding Liren to become the World Chess Champion. The event garnered over 24 million views, with peak concurrent viewership reaching 200,000.
Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, says, “The rise of online chess shows how even the most traditional games can reinvent themselves in a digital-first world. Chess has always stood for intellect and discipline, but with streaming, new formats, and structured esports competitions, it’s now more accessible and entertaining than ever, especially for younger audiences.”
Over the years, NODWIN Gaming has consistently driven the mainstream growth of chess through innovative initiatives. The Chess Super League in 2021 brought together a unique mix of top international Grandmasters, leading Indian Grandmasters, International Masters, and promising junior players, offering fans a fresh, competitive, and entertaining viewing experience. Chess has also featured prominently at DreamHack Hyderabad, India’s largest gaming festival, further reinforcing its place within the broader gaming and esports ecosystem.
“At NODWIN, we’ve always focused on youth entertainment across gaming, esports, and digital culture. Chess fits right into that vision. We’re excited to keep reimagining how the game is experienced and to help it grow as a meaningful part of the broader digital entertainment ecosystem,” adds Akshat Rathee.
On the occasion of International Chess Day, it serves as a fitting reminder that chess has always been more than just a game in India. Its digital evolution has unlocked exciting new avenues for competition, community building, and content creation. The board may remain the same, but the game continues to evolve, inspiring new generations of players and fans in the digital era.
The post International Chess Day: How India’s ancient game is evolving into a rising force in esports appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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More Patient Transport Vehicles donated to military units, LGU

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) turned over five Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to select military units and a local government unit on Tuesday, July 16, in line with the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enhance emergency medical services in underserved and high-risk areas.
The newest PTV recipients were the Municipality of Liliw in Laguna; the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, Light Reaction Regiment and Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital, all based in Nueva Ecija; and the Headquarters Force Reconnaissance Group of the Philippine Marines in Ternate, Cavite.
The turnover ceremony was held at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City and was led by PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.
“These donations are part of our ongoing commitment to boost the government’s emergency response efforts, especially in areas where every second can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.
“It also reflects PAGCOR’s commitment to national service beyond gaming as ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.”
The donated vehicles are expected to boost the recipients’ capacity for medical evacuation and transport during military operations, natural disasters, and other emergencies in remote or conflict-prone areas.
Lt. Col. Arsen Boy D. De Guzman, the 7thID’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, thanked PAGCOR for the support and cited the critical role of PTVs during calamities and rescue missions.
“Taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa ibinigay ninyong Patient Transport Vehicle. Rest assured po na ito ay pangangalagaan namin at gagamitin sa tamang layunin,” he said.
To date, PAGCOR has donated a total of 40 PTVs to LGUs, public hospitals, and frontline agencies nationwide as part of its socio-civic programs.
The post More Patient Transport Vehicles donated to military units, LGU appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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InnoGames Unveils Cozy Coast, a Heartwarming Beach Adventure Featuring Relaxed Gameplay and a Captivating Story

InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, is announcing Cozy Coast, an adventure game that combines an emotional storyline, richly developed characters, and engaging puzzle mechanics based on the popular Merge-2 system. The game will launch later this year on iOS and Android. Pre-registration is already available in selected regions.
With Cozy Coast, the studio highlights its versatility by introducing a new genre to its portfolio, which includes internationally acclaimed strategy games like Forge of Empires, Tribal Wars, and Heroes of History. The game combines a sunny, feel-good atmosphere with diverse entertainment, targeting discerning casual gamers who appreciate relaxing gameplay just as much as an engaging story.
Adventures Featuring Building Mechanics and Puzzle Challenges
In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island holds treasured memories of a carefree childhood, yet the once idyllic place has somehow lost its charm. Together, the two young women set out on a mission to restore the original beauty of Calista.
Merging items is the central gameplay mechanic in Cozy Coast. By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents while gathering resources to repair buildings and unlock new areas. Along the way, Mia and Elara encounter other characters and gradually uncover the island’s secrets. With its lovingly crafted environments, Cozy Coast invites players to explore every hidden corner of Calista.
“With Cozy Coast, we’re creating an inviting game world that offers players a break from everyday life while delivering challenging gameplay. For the first time in InnoGames’ history, we’re introducing a title that combines emotional storytelling with strategic merge mechanics. We look forward to welcoming players from around the world to Cozy Coast very soon,” says Christian Reshöft, Chief Product Officer at InnoGames.
Key Features of Cozy Coast
- Merge items: Strategically combine items to create new and higher-value objects
- Restore the seaside promenade: Renovate abandoned buildings to unlock new areas
- Adventure in paradise: Discover hidden places together with your best friend and uncover the secrets of a corporation with questionable intentions
- Characters with personality: Meet fascinating characters. Every encounter comes with a story – sometimes touching, sometimes mysterious, but always full of emotion
- Fresh challenges every day: Participate in daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
- Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
- Free to play without restrictions: Launching soon worldwide on iOS and Android
Cozy Coast was already launched in selected regions on iOS and Android, with players giving it an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Pre-registration on the App Store and Google Play is now available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. More regions to follow soon.
The post InnoGames Unveils Cozy Coast, a Heartwarming Beach Adventure Featuring Relaxed Gameplay and a Captivating Story appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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