eSports
Exclusive Q&A with Alex Shybanov, Senior Sales Manager for CEE Region/PandaScore

What is the difference between PandaScore and big suppliers?
The biggest difference is that we’re solely focused on esports whereas a lot of the bigger suppliers concentrated on traditional sports. For PandaScore esports is the only priority. We’re also fast and agile – we can implement new products and features incredibly quickly allowing our partners to leverage the fast-growing nature of the sector.
Another major difference is the data-led approach we take. We combine this with AI, our own trading models and a team of highly skilled traders which allows us to present one of the best esports betting products in the market.
Our trading models are worth highlighting as this is what really sets us apart. They’re fully automated and cover all of the sports that we have. In comparison, most of the big suppliers are still using manual or semi-manual models.
Finally, the number of markets we offer and our uptime (the percentage of time that lines are open and available for players to place bets) is unrivalled. We are also open to feedback and regularly work with our partners to implement new tools and features.
This enables us to satisfy their individual needs and continually improve performance, something that the big providers cannot offer especially if esports is not considered a priority for them.
What do you have to say about the esports market in Central & Eastern Europe?
It is fast-growing, for sure, and is really well developed when compared with other European regions and markets like the UK. In fact, across CEE esports is often among the top five bets on sports in terms of revenues and turnover.
What is driving this? Several factors but in particular there are some really strong teams that are based out of CEE countries. This includes Na’Vi (CS:GO) and Team Spirit (Dota 2) – 2021 TI champions. This has helped to elevate the popularity of esports across the region.
To bet on esports, you really have to play esports and CEE is a big market in terms of the number of players that play video games. This in turn helps to drive esports engagement and betting on esports as there is a larger pool of consumers that understand how it all works.
What is interesting is the popularity of certain games in CEE, which differs from other European markets. CS:GO is by far the most popular game to play, with Dota 2 number two across the market. But globally, League of Legends is the most popular.
Why is your trading solution specifically suited for the CEE market?
There are several key reasons why PandaScore is perfectly suited for operators targeting the CEE market. The first is our local coverage; we offer odds and markets on all local tournaments across the region including in Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia.
Next, our data-driven approach and unique models allows us to achieve the best uptime. For CS:GO uptime levels are in excess of 90% and with Dota 2 it is 75%. This is between 20-25% more than our rivals which means our partners can offer their players more betting opportunities.
This is achieved via our automated models and not having to change the lines manually. With players able to bet 25% more during the game, this is a major value driver for operators. This is only set to become more significant with the continued growth of live esports betting.
Finally, we have comprehensive margin management, and this is important for operators targeting the region because esports bettors are sophisticated. They are not recreational players and have a deep understanding of how games work and the betting options available to them.
Our partners can set different margins across a range of factors such as pre-match, live, games, markets, and more.
This allows them to maximise their margin but also run promotions around particular games and markets, lowering the odds to make them more attractive on a specific game and then setting a higher margin on second and third-tier games to balance this off.
How do you balance this approach for your partner operators, who may have different needs?
Our trading dashboard has been designed to put the power in an operator’s hands. Their traders can manage everything from booking (such as by game, tournament tier, automated) to margin management (possibility to set different margins for different games, markets, tournaments) and more.We have many different markets, especially for live betting. For CS:GO, for instance, we have 60 pre-match markets and 24 live markets.
As an example, we have recently rolled out player markets for total kills over/under. This allows operators to increase revenues by offering markets on specific players and teams that are popular in that region or market. And it’s becoming more and more popular.
What are PandaScore’s goals for 2022 and esports?
Esports will continue on its rapid growth trajectory. It is already in the top five sports in some markets and I believe this will become the case in more and more regions in 2022. Offline tournaments are also returning which will be a further catalyst for growth.
Regarding PandaScore, we will continue to increase the scale and scope of our coverage and particularly when it comes to local coverage. This will be driven in part by cooperating with local tournaments and securing additional data partnerships.
We will keep building out our market and product offerings – player markets have launched with CS:GO but we plan to extend this to other games such as Dota 2. We are also working on offering multiples for specific games with a bet builder feature also in the works.
2022 is set to be another breakthrough year for esports and esports betting, and as always PandaScore will be at the cutting edge of this incredible sector.
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eSports
2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP FINALISTS LOCKED IN AS 16 TEAMS MAKE THE CUT

The prestigious 2025 PUBG MOBILE World Cup (PMWC) is shifting into high-gear as the pivotal Survival Stage has concluded after two days of high-stakes plays and fierce competition which saw Horaa Esports take pole position. In total, eight elite teams have emerged victorious, earning a spot to compete in the 2025 PMWC Grand Finals, where they’ll be reunited with the eight teams that came out on top during the Group Stage last weekend. Only one team will take home the lion’s share of the $3 million prize pool, and the crown position as the 2025 PMWC Champion, as part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
Over the course of three action-packed days, the Survival Stage delivered intense battles in 12 adrenaline-fueled matches, as 16 teams fought for the final eight coveted slots in the Grand Finals. Early momentum was set by Fire Flux Esports on day one, consistently securing top finishes, while POWR Esports made a strong impact on day two with aggressive plays and smart rotations. Throughout the stage, teams such as Regnum Carya and eArena demonstrated their resilience and adaptability, skillfully navigating high-pressure situations to place in the Top 3 for four of their matches. The MEA region also proved itself a powerhouse, with both Team Falcons and POWR Esports advancing to the Grand Finals. Surprisingly, last year’s reigning champions, Alpha7 Esports, were eliminated in this Survival Stage, ending their run in the tournament after a series of hard-fought matches, guaranteeing a new team will take the throne.
Showcasing their strategic brilliance, Horaa Esports earned an impressive 108 points, marking them as the top dogs of the Survival Stage. Along with seven other finalists from this stage, they have secured their spot in the Grand Finals.
The 16 top-performing teams to compete in the Grand Finals from tomorrow include:
- Horaa Esports
- Fire Flux Esports
- POWR Esports
- Regnum Carya
- eArena
- NS RedForce
- Team Falcons
- Yangon Galacticos
- Alter Ego Ares
- 4Thrives Esports
- DRX
- Weibo Gaming
- Alpha Gaming
- Team Secret
- TT Global
- IDA Esports
This Grand Finals will also feature a brand new theme song Smash!, a hype beat that will play once the SMASH ruleset is active and a team is just one Winner Winner Chicken Dinner away from overall victory. With the placements confirmed and schedule locked in, the 2025 PMWC Grand Finals weekend is set to be an exceptional display of top PUBG MOBILE Esports talent. As the second edition of the PUBG MOBILE World Cup (PMWC), and part of the Esports World Cup, these dedicated teams will be doubling down on their competitive edge, leaving everything on the battleground as they fight for the crown, and the lion’s share of the $3 million prize pool.
The post 2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP FINALISTS LOCKED IN AS 16 TEAMS MAKE THE CUT appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
JBO Thailand Launches Esports World Cup Promotion

JBO, a well-established online gaming and entertainment platform, has announced an exciting new promotion tailored for the highly anticipated Esports World Cup 2025. Esports enthusiasts in Thailand now have a compelling opportunity to win up to 30,000 Jcoin by placing wagers on the thrilling “World Cup Qualifiers” matches. This shows JBO Thailand’s commitment to giving great value and fun experiences to all its players.
This exclusive event is ongoing and will conclude on August 24, 2025, at 23:59 (GMT+8). This period strategically aligns with the intensified global esports calendar, leading up to the Esports World Cup and its critical qualifying rounds. JBO Thailand is actively creating an immersive environment that allows fans to engage more deeply with preferred teams and competitive events. Participation in the promotion is straightforward. Players are simply required to place bets on eligible “Esports World Cup Qualifiers” matches through JBO’s designated esports betting providers, IM Esports and TF Esports. The promotion is conveniently accessible via the “Reward Corner” section on the JBO platform, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience for all participants.
At the core of this attractive offer is JBO’s innovative Jcoin reward system. Players who log in to JBO and achieve a weekly turnover exceeding 3000 in the Esports category will automatically qualify for Jcoin rewards. The reward system gives bigger prizes as you play more, with up to 30,000 Jcoin available each week.
JBO also ensures a smooth and secure experience through the easy-to-use JBO app available for both Android and iOS devices. With fast withdrawals and smooth gameplay, the platform is ideal for esports fans to enjoy and earn real rewards. JBO is trusted across Asia and has Dimitar Berbatov as its brand ambassador, showing it as a top sportsbook and esports operator.
The post JBO Thailand Launches Esports World Cup Promotion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
Oddin.gg Officially Registered with LOTBA as a Supplier in the City of Buenos Aires

Oddin.gg has been officially registered as a supplier by the Lottery of the City of Buenos Aires (LOTBA). This authorization clears the way for Oddin.gg to provide its end-to-end esports betting ecosystem—including its Odds Feed, Risk Management, BetBuilder, Widgets, and more—to licensed operators in the City of Buenos Aires. The milestone reinforces Oddin.gg’s strategic focus on supporting partners across Latin America.
LOTBA, the regulatory authority for online gaming within the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is well known for its rigorous compliance and technical standards. While the body manages licensing and enforcement, suppliers must undergo a formal registration process before providing services to local operators. Oddin.gg’s successful registration confirms that it has met all relevant technical, financial, and compliance requirements.
Juana Bischoff, Senior Business Development Manager LATAM at Oddin.gg, said: “Being officially registered with LOTBA marks an important step in Oddin.gg’s long-term commitment to the Latin American market. Esports is gaining real traction across the region, and we want operators in Buenos Aires—and beyond—to have the tools and insight to deliver a top-tier esports betting experience. We’re not just bringing leading technology—we’re bringing the local expertise and regulatory awareness needed to help our partners like Betsson and Jugadon grow.”
The post Oddin.gg Officially Registered with LOTBA as a Supplier in the City of Buenos Aires appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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