eSports

Fantasyexpo has become a strategic business partner of PGL

Published

5 years ago

May 20, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The gaming agency Fantasyexpo has become a strategic business partner of PGL and will represent it in establishing marketing cooperation related to the most important CS: GO tournament in 2021 – PGL Major Stockholm 2021.

PGL Major Stockholm 2021 is the most important CS:GO event in history, with the largest prize pool ever. Twenty-four teams from around the globe will compete for the title of the best squad in the world and for a prize pool of $2,000,000. The event will take place at the turn of October and November 2021.

According to a signed agreement by both sides, Fantasyexpo became the official marketing and business agency of the PGL. The company will be responsible for the full process of servicing and acquiring advertising clients. The agency received the exclusive right to represent the tournament organizer in establishing cooperation with potential sponsors.

The Polish gaming agency has completed a number of excellent activations in the area of gaming for brands such as Old Spice and KFC. Fantasyexpo’s extensive portfolio includes many regional tournaments, a growing number of tier two international events, and broadcasts from several past Majors. For the brands that decide to enter into an advertising partnership at PGL Major, Fantasyexpo has prepared many creative solutions, also offers consulting and advisory services to jointly create unique branded content that will attract, engage and evoke emotions in the audience. One of the new solutions planned by Fantasyexpo is ADditional Major Show – an event inspired by the Super Bowl halftime show. Thus, the agency introduces a new advertising format to the electronic sports market, increasing the possibilities of brand exposure around the most important esports games in the world.

Collaboration of this caliber is the best recognition for many years of our contribution to the esports scene. We have known each other with PGL for a long time, so we are very pleased that we can take our partnership to the next level. As their business partner, we will try to ensure that the cooperation will result in the acquisition of the most attractive partners.

Krzysztof Stypułkowski, Co-founder of Fantasyexpo

“PGL MAJOR STOCKHOLM 2021 is going to be the biggest CS:GO event ever, and we must deliver an incredible show for the viewers and the clients. We decided to partner with Fantasyexpo, an agency that we trust with a solid history in esports, to materialize our ideas and activations. We cannot wait to show the world what we have prepared for this fantastic event.”

Silviu Stroie, CEO PGL

The marketing potential of esports is growing at an incredible rate. The global income of the esports industry in 2020 was $950 million, and according to preliminary forecasts, by the end of 2021, esport will break the billion-dollar barrier for the first time in history. The vast majority of this sum is made up of money from sponsorships and other marketing activities. Of the 500 million viewers of electronic sports, 50% qualify themselves as avid enthusiasts of the sport. This number is expected to grow by 9% every year, but the group is not only naturally growing, but also maturing – almost half of the esports viewers are people between 25 and 44 years old.

These numbers are a prime example that esports marketing activities can be a great investment for every brand. This is reflecting in the actions of various companies over the last two decades – after years of domination of typically endemic brands in the world of electronic sports, non-endemic brands appear and are increasingly boldly involved. However, in order for their marketing campaigns to be noticeable and effective, they must be created by industry specialists. Fantasyexpo meets these needs.

eSports

DATA.BET says esports betting GGR nearly doubles in Q1 2026

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

data.bet-says-esports-betting-ggr-nearly-doubles-in-q1-2026

DATA.BET reported stronger esports betting performance in Q1 2026 across its partner sportsbook network, citing year-on-year gains in gross gaming revenue (GGR), turnover and player activity versus Q1 2025.

The supplier said esports GGR nearly doubled YoY, while turnover rose 70.6%. It also reported higher activity levels, with placed bets up 33.2% and combo bets increasing 72.1%. DATA.BET attributed the combo bet lift in part to recent UX changes to its Single Page Application (iFrame) and said higher-value wagering from “premium-segment partner platforms” supported a rise in average single bet size.

By title, DATA.BET said CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends and Valorant all delivered “strong double-digit growth” across profit, turnover, bet counts and active users. It also highlighted “niche disciplines” as a profit driver, reporting a 245% YoY increase in profit for that segment. Rainbow Six was singled out for growth following the addition of new markets, including combined Total Over + Win and Win First Half + Win Map, and expanded match coverage, with the company pointing to Latin America as a key audience.

Rocket League posted quarter-on-quarter growth, according to DATA.BET, with turnover up 85.3%, bet counts up 18.7% and active players up 50.1%, alongside a stated 94% live coverage conversion rate. The company also pointed to Valorant EMEA Clash 2026 as a contributor to acquisition, saying newcomers made up 68.6% of all new players and 55.4% of total bets placed.

According to Bohdan Holovnov, Head of Esports at DATA.BET, partners increased activity as returns improved: “High margin efficiency has been a real catalyst this quarter. Partners have increasingly recognized that esports can deliver meaningful commercial returns, encouraging them to scale up promotional campaigns and drive more traffic into the vertical. That feeds directly into more new users, higher turnover, and stronger margins. At the same time, we continue to offer the broadest match and discipline coverage on the market, and the impact is also reflected in the rapid growth of combo bets across our partner platforms.”

DATA.BET said official data events were up 5.2% YoY and the overall event calendar increased 10.8%. It added that top-tier events outperformed low-tier events on turnover, profit and bet count, while low-tier volume grew—particularly in CS2—following Valve’s restructured Major qualification system. Holovnov added: “Q1 of 2026 set a new benchmark for what esports betting can deliver. GGR nearly doubling year over year, combined with a player base growing by more than 56% and increasingly sophisticated betting patterns, suggests the vertical is maturing in exactly the right direction. We’re entering the rest of 2026 with strong momentum, an expanding market portfolio, and partners who are seeing tangible commercial impact quarter after quarter.”

The post DATA.BET says esports betting GGR nearly doubles in Q1 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Cyril Abiteboul

Genesis Magma Racing Launches GMR Esports as Official Esports Team

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

genesis-magma-racing-launches-gmr-esports-as-official-esports-team

Genesis Magma Racing has entered the realm of esports and sim racing for the first time with the launch of GMR Esports. The expansion into esports is a key part of Genesis’ goal to increase awareness of the brand and Genesis Magma Racing among a diverse audience, including further raising the profile of the team in South Korea.

Esports Squad Supports Main Goals of Team

The team will compete in official esports events organised on the official game of the series, Le Mans Ultimate, developed by Motorsport Games, including Online Championships, World Endurance Championship Special Events and future official esports competitions.

In joining these events, GMR Esports will support the work of Genesis Magma Racing. The Esports team will compete in virtual models of the same GMR-001 Hypercar from the WEC, carrying a similar distinctive livery as their on-track counterparts. The team’s presence in the events will help further expand the awareness of the Genesis brand outside of the traditional motorsport audience, just as Genesis Magma Racing aims to expand the following of the manufacturer with its more performance-orientated image and approach.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “Genesis Magma Racing is a large project and we want to be successful everywhere we compete, including with GMR Esports. The creation of GMR Esports makes the team, GMR-001 Hypercar and the Genesis brand more accessible to a wider audience and the success of our drivers in online competition will complement the work of the race team on track.”

He continued: “Esports is increasingly becoming an entry point to motorsport, so it is very important to have Genesis and Genesis Magma Racing represented there. Esports provides a gateway for would-be drivers to develop their talents, prove themselves to teams in official events, and build a professional racing career. If GMR Esports and our work with Le Mans Ultimate can provide a route for new drivers and fans, then we can certainly take that as a positive, on top of any event results.”

The launch of GMR Esports builds on Genesis Magma Racing’s existing partnership with Motorsport Games, with Le Mans Ultimate branding featured on the GMR-001 Hypercar. This close collaboration has already enabled the GMR-001 Hypercar to be brought to Le Mans Ultimate ahead of its first competitive outing, giving fans an early opportunity to experience the car in action and underlining a shared commitment to authenticity.

Virtual and Real-world Racing Experience Combined

GMR Esports is made of a stable of seven drivers — six main drivers and one reserve, similar to the makeup of the Genesis Magma Racing FIA World Endurance Championship team. The esports drivers are a mix of European and Korean talent and blend proven professional virtual racing and real-world experience, including competing in some of the biggest races in the world.

The team is led by Dutchman Collin Spork. A former Formula Sim Racing World Champion and a Virtual Endurance World Championship winner in the Hypercar category, Spork combines elite-level sim racing with ongoing work supporting professional race teams as a Simulation and Development Driver. He brings a strong focus on detail and collaboration, helping translate simulator learning into actionable performance gains.

As well as a driving role, Spork will also take on the technical and development lead within the team.

Spork said: “This program is about more than just results — it’s about building a team that can push the limits of the GMR-001 Hypercar in the virtual world and feed that learning back into everything Genesis Magma Racing stands for. Le Mans Ultimate gives us a platform that rewards detail, discipline and teamwork, and that’s exactly the environment we want to develop in. My focus is to make sure we arrive prepared, keep improving every session and represent the Genesis brand with the same professionalism and ambition you see on track.”

Further leadership is provided by Nissan GT Academy alumni Jesper Pedersen and Slovenian Jernej Simončič, two of endurance sim racing’s most established competitors. Pedersen is an Endurance eRacing World Champion and a Virtual Endurance Championship Division 1 GT3 champion and also a Le Mans Virtual Bahrain 8 Hours overall winner. Alongside his esports record, the Dane brings real-world experience including Formula Ford and national endurance racing.

Simončič has built a reputation as one of the standout drivers in global esports, with multiple Formula Sim Racing World Championship titles and a record of winning at the highest level across formats, including major LAN finals. He also brings proven endurance credentials highlighted by podium finishes in virtual editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and front-running results in the Virtual Endurance Championship.

Korean Talent Expands Aims of Programme

Genesis Magma Racing’s expansion into esports also provides a new avenue for the team to connect with its growing Korean audience.

“GMR Esports and Genesis Magma Racing will work together to achieve our shared goals. There is no WEC round in the country, but esports are very popular in South Korea. GMR Esports gives us a new, key way to engage with our Korean audience, making Genesis Magma Racing, Genesis and motorsport far more accessible to the new fans we aim to create,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul.

The post Genesis Magma Racing Launches GMR Esports as Official Esports Team appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

“90s”

BETBY launches “90s”, a new retro-inspired genre within BETBY Games

Published

1 week ago

May 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

betby-launches-“90s”,-a-new-retro-inspired-genre-within-betby-games

BETBY, the leading sportsbook supplier, has announced the launch of “90s”, a new genre within its proprietary esports feed, BETBY Games, bringing exclusive retro-inspired content to operators and players.

Designed around the look and feel of classic 90s video games, the new genre introduces a lineup of e-sims that take players back to the pixel era, combining retro-inspired visuals with the simplicity and high-frequency betting mechanics that define BETBY Games. While many modern esports products focus on realism and

advanced graphics, 90s takes a different approach by returning to the roots of gaming, transforming familiar retro aesthetics into a fully optimised betting experience.

The launch responds to a growing demand for greater content variety within sportsbook environments, particularly products that can deliver constant engagement beyond traditional live sports schedules.

With 1-minute match formats, 24/7 availability, and quick settlements, “90s” is designed to offer operators a new layer of always-on entertainment while maintaining the speed and betting intensity that define BETBY.Games.

One of the key strengths of “90s” lies in its distinctive positioning within the modern iGaming market.

By bringing retro-inspired game formats into a fully betting-ready environment, BETBY is offering operators access to a type of content that is rarely available today, creating a differentiated experience inspired by the iconic titles and visual style that shaped a generation of players.

The first wave of titles includes eBasketball’98, eBaseball’95, eTennis’89, and eFighting’93, each bringing its own distinctive retro identity while being fully integrated with modern betting mechanics.

The collection covers a mix of major sports and fighting content, combining familiar retro gaming cues with formats built specifically for sportsbook performance.

eFighting’93 introduces a format that complements BETBY Games’ existing eFighting portfolio, offering fast-paced matchups and simple winner markets across 6,000 monthly matches.

eBasketball’98 delivers a dynamic format featuring a high-speed 1v1 shootout between two players at a single hoop.

Bettors can place wagers on the top scorer, point handicaps, total points, and individual point counts, with the title delivering 6,000 matches per month. eBaseball’95 condenses baseball into a

high-intensity 1-inning format, offering 5,000 monthly events across 1×2, handicap, and totals markets. Completing the lineup, eTennis’89 brings an ultra-fast tennis format focused on single-game action, with 6,000 monthly matches and winner markets.

Inspired by the visual identity of the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, “90s” creates a product that feels instantly recognisable to players who grew up with this style of gaming, while also offering younger audiences a distinctive and visually engaging alternative to conventional esports content.

“90s is an exciting new direction for BETBY Games because it brings something completely different to sportsbooks,” said Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY.

“There is still a very strong emotional connection around retro games, from the pixel art to the sounds and the simplicity of the gameplay.

We wanted to take that nostalgia and transform it into a product that works for modern betting: fast, clear, engaging, and available around the clock.”

“Our goal was to increase content diversity for our partners. Operators need engagement tools that work 24/7, and the “90s” genre provides a unique, fast-paced solution.

This initial launch is just the start, as we will continue to expand the portfolio with a wider mix of 90s-themed sports and casual titles,” he added.

The launch of 90s further strengthens BETBY.Games’ position as one of the most innovative proprietary esports feeds in the market, offering operators a broad portfolio of fast-betting content designed to drive engagement, increase event volume, and deliver a differentiated sportsbook experience.

BETBY

BETBY is a leading B2B provider of top-tier sports betting services, renowned for its groundbreaking technology and dedication to excellence.

BETBY’s team of industry veterans tap into their knowledge and expertise to deliver a premium, adaptable, and scalable sportsbook platform tailored to meet the varied demands of operators across the globe.

From dynamic in-play betting options to robust risk management tools and ground-breaking AI tools, BETBY is committed to propelling the success of its partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of online sports betting.

The post BETBY launches “90s”, a new retro-inspired genre within BETBY Games appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.