eSports

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

Published

4 years ago

November 30, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

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.

eSports

TEAM VITALITY RUN IT BACK FOR THEIR 2026 LEC ROSTER

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Wladimir P.

team-vitality-run-it-back-for-their-2026-lec-roster

Team Vitality is kicking off the new LEC season with renewed energy and a hunger to prove themselves on the international stage.
With superstar mid laner Marek “Humanoid” Brázda joining the lineup, alongside the support of an experienced coaching staff, the club is confident in its ability to compete at the highest level in 2026.
The squad’s goal is straightforward: become a top team in the LEC and qualify for Worlds in North America next year.
Next year marks a new chapter in the club’s long-term strategy to develop and elevate European talent, creating an environment built to deliver results.

Team Vitality is proud to present its new LEC roster for 2026. Throughout the upcoming season, the club aims to build on its existing core and further develop the team’s talent, while welcoming a new mid laner and a strategic Head Coach to elevate performance.

BACK WITH NEW FIREPOWER

The stage is set, and Team Vitality returns to the LEC more determined than ever. At the heart of this ambitious new roster is Kaan “Naak Nako” Okan, the Turkish superstar top laner, who will anchor the team. With the roster built around his talent, communication, and leadership, Team Vitality aims to make a deep run and achieve its first EMEA title.

Roster composition

Kaan “Naak Nako” Okan (Turkish) – 20 years old: The centrepiece of Team Vitality’s project, Naak Nako is an incredibly talented player known for his versatility and impact. A former high-level volleyball player, he began his professional League of Legends career in 2022 with Fenerbahce. Team Vitality then picked him up in December 2023, spent a year developing in the academy, and promoted him to the main roster, bringing both potential and dedication to the LEC squad.

Linas “Lyncas” Nauncikas (Lithuanian) – 21 years old: The hardworking engine of Team Vitality, Lyncas brings his relentless drive and consistency to the refreshed roster. Having played for several teams in the ERL and EMEA Masters, he was recruited by Team Vitality in May 2024. Now entering his third year in the LEC, Lyncas combines experience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the league to power the team’s 2026 ambitions.

Marek “Humanoid” Brázda (Czech) – 25 years old: A veteran of the LEC scene and one of its most consistent mid laners over the past five years, Humanoid is repeatedly ranked among the league’s top 3 midlaners and has qualified for Worlds multiple times with rosters such as Fnatic and MAD Lions. Joining the Hive, Humanoid reunites with longtime teammate and fellow Czech Carzzy, bringing renewed motivation, experience, and leadership that the club hopes will translate into success and lead them to the Worlds stage.

Matyáš “Carzzy” Orság (Czech) – 23 years old: Consistently recognised as one of Europe’s best ADCs, Carzzy enters his seventh LEC year with a wealth of experience and a proven track record, having previously lifted three LEC trophies with MAD Lions. He brings a great personality as well as undeniable skill to Team Vitality. This season, he looks to flourish alongside his new teammate Humanoid, building strong synergy and impact in the hopes of bringing the teams to new heights.

Kadir “Fleshy” Kemiksiz (Turkish) – 24 years old: Having played for Vitality.Bee for seven months, Fleshy was promoted to the main roster last year ahead of the Summer Split. He quickly made his mark in the scene by bringing stability and reliable performances to the bot lane, leaving a strong impression on fans and teammates alike. Now entering his first full year in the LEC, Fleshy is ready to fully prove himself and make a lasting impact on Team Vitality’s road to Worlds.

Coaching staff

Patrick “Pad” Suckow-Breum (Danish) – Head Coach: A competitor through and through, Pad brings a lifelong passion for sports, having previously competed at a high level in football. He has been a coach in League of Legends since 2017, taking his first steps into the LEC with MAD Lions in 2020. Joining Team Vitality in December 2023 alongside Head Coach Mac, Pad is now taking the next step in his career as the team’s Head Coach, ready to lead Team Vitality to new heights with his experience, discipline, and vision.

Danusch “Arvindir” Fischer (German) – Strategic Coach: An ambitious coach, Arvindir began his career in professional League of Legends as an analyst for top LEC organisations, including SK Gaming and Splyce, before transitioning into coaching. He has worked across all the major ERL leagues, including a 3.5-year tenure at BIG, before moving on to KOI and Team BDS Academy, where he led the team to victory in the 2024 EMEA Masters Summer Split. Joining Team Vitality in 2025 as the Head Coach of the LFL roster, he has proven his worth in developing Vitality.Bee, and has now been promoted to Strategic Coach of the LEC team.

Luka “Lukezy” Trumbić (Croatian) – Assistant Coach: Lukezy has been involved in competitive League of Legends since 2014, initially as a semi-pro player before transitioning to coaching in 2023. He has previously worked with UCAM and NNO, gaining valuable experience across several competitive environments. Joining Team Vitality in December 2024, Lukezy now enters his second LEC season as the team’s Assistant Coach, where he has a hands-on role in player development.

”The addition of Marek to the roster reflects our strategic ambitions for the upcoming LEC season. Over the past 18 months, we have focused on developing Lynacs and Naak, making 2026 a key performance year for the team. We are confident that we now have all the pieces in place to compete for the top positions in LEC. While this season will be decisive, our team thrives under pressure, positioning us well to meet the challenge.” explains Patrick “Pad” Suckow-Breum, Head Coach of the team.

A NEW ERA BEGINS

With a clear goal in mind of reaching the international stage, Team Vitality enters 2026 determined to make this its breakthrough season. The team’s mission is bold, yet simple: establish itself as a top contender in each LEC split and secure qualification to Worlds. The organisation is committed to elevating European talent and building a team capable of competing at the highest level.

“We are building on the momentum from 2025, with results continuing to improve. We’ve added experience and an X-factor in a key position, in the hope that this will serve as a catalyst to confirm the potential of the young players we backed last year. We are confident that they can demonstrate that European talent is capable of competing for the qualifying spots at the World Championships.” says Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and co-founder of Team Vitality.

See you at the LEC 2026 Versus tournament in Berlin, starting on January 17th for the beginning of the competition!

The post TEAM VITALITY RUN IT BACK FOR THEIR 2026 LEC ROSTER appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Asia

Insurgence Gaming Company Introduces La Imperia, a Community-First All-Female VALORANT Tournament

Published

2 days ago

December 18, 2025

Wladimir P.

insurgence-gaming-company-introduces-la-imperia,-a-community-first-all-female-valorant-tournament

La Imperia, a new all-female esports IP by The Insurgence Gaming Company, will make its competitive debut this month with an online VALORANT invitational tournament running from December 19 to 21, 2025. Designed as a visibility-first platform for women competitors, the event brings together four invited Indian teams for a three-day broadcast competition.

La Imperia marks the inaugural tournament by the Insurgence Gaming Company, a newly founded esports company led by Jasper Shabin, who previously served as a poject manager at Skyesports. Positioning itself as a community-first tournament operator, the Insurgence Gaming Company aims to refocus attention on grassroots competition and long-term ecosystem building at a time when entry-level and women-led esports pathways remain limited.

The tournament will be played in VALORANT and feature a round-robin group stage followed by single-elimination playoffs, culminating in a BO5 Grand Final. All matches across the three days will be broadcast live on YouTube, along with additional watch-parties.

The four invited teams competing at La Imperia include Huntrix, Sin Sisters, Plushie Gang and MyKil. All teams feature all-female rosters, aligning with La Imperia’s positioning as a dedicated women’s esports IP.

Broadcast production for the event will be handled by Momentum Gaming, serving as the official Broadcast Partner. The on-air talent lineup includes Star Tania, Nekroz, Odawg, and Hikari Jane, who will guide viewers through the tournament across all three days.

Beyond competition, La Imperia is also placing emphasis on player well-being. Sattva by Pallavi joins the tournament as the Mental Health Partner, integrating conversations around mental health and holistic wellness into the event’s broadcast and content output. The partnership reflects a growing recognition of sustainability and mental resilience within competitive gaming environments.

Speaking on the launch, Jasper Shabin, Founder of The Insurgence Gaming Company, said: “La Imperia is built to be a visibility platform first. There is no shortage of talent in the women’s VALORANT scene, but there are very few consistent stages where that talent can be seen, supported, and taken seriously. With the Insurgence Gaming Company, we want to return focus to grassroots competition and create formats that players can grow with, not just compete in once.”

The tournament carries an INR 15,000 prize pool, with the primary focus placed on competitive exposure, broadcast quality, and long-term ecosystem value rather than one-off incentives.

With its inaugural edition, La Imperia sets the foundation for a new women-led esports property in India—one that combines structured competition, professional broadcast standards, and a community-first philosophy.

The post Insurgence Gaming Company Introduces La Imperia, a Community-First All-Female VALORANT Tournament appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

eSports

Vlad Marinescu Re-Elected as 10th IESF President

Published

1 week ago

December 10, 2025

George Miller

vlad-marinescu-re-elected-as-10th-iesf-president

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The International Esports Federation (IESF) concluded its 17th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, alongside the 17th World Esports Championship Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Finals. Member federations from around the world gathered to review the federation’s annual progress, adopt key motions, and participate in the 10th IESF Elections, marking a milestone moment in the federation’s governance history.

During the election session, Vlad Marinescu was re-elected as the 10th President of the IESF, securing his second term. His re-election reflects the continued confidence of the membership in his leadership and vision for the future of the World of Esports.

“I am truly grateful for the trust placed in me to continue leading the International Esports Federation,” Marinescu said. “As we mark our 10th election cycle, we remain steadfast in our commitment to unity, transparency, and the sustained growth of the World of Esports.”

Delegates reviewed strategic priorities for the year ahead, including enhanced governance standards, expanded athlete development initiatives, and strengthened international cooperation. Voting on member-submitted motions underscored the federation’s collective commitment to advancing integrity, professionalism, and institutional maturity across the esports ecosystem.

The assembly also elected the IESF Board for 2026, comprising:

Board Members:

HRH Prince Omar Bin Faisal – Jordan
Afiq Fadhli Bin Narawi – Malaysia
Elin Yoojung Moen – Norway
Clint Kennedy – United States
Flip De Bruyn – Namibia

The OGM concluded as the 17th World Esports Championship MLBB Finals continued, highlighting IESF’s ongoing mission to unite nations through Esports and support athletes, federations, and fans worldwide.

The post Vlad Marinescu Re-Elected as 10th IESF President appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.