eSports
eSports in the CIS region , Q&A w/ Viktor Block, Senior Sales Manager/PandaScore
Esports has long been popular in the CIS region, with various top-tier teams and players all calling it home. How has the landscape evolved over the last few years? Have any particular trends emerged that have surprised you at all?
Esports boomed in the CIS region in 2008 when Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games became really popular. While esports had been a thing as far back as 2003, the rise of games such as Counter-Strike and DOTA2 was a major catalyst for the upward trajectory the sector has been riding ever since. In recent years, the infrastructure needed to support esports has improved drastically across the CIS region, including the construction of the Pixel Esports Arena in Minks, Belarus, and the Cyberspace Arena in Almaty, Kazakhstan, both of which hold top-flight contests. Internet connectivity has also improved, while support from local and international sponsors such as Monster Energy, Red Bull and War Gaming have provided funds for further investment while also driving awareness. Ultimately, this has seen the landscape evolve into a thriving industry with lots of opportunities for further growth.
In terms of trends, and especially relating to esports betting, I’ve been surprised by the high demand for betting on console games – we call them eBattles and they include disciplines such as eSoccer and eBasketball. I think this is just a natural development that has occurred off the back of strong demand for video game content, which is often the bridge between traditional sports and esports.
What factors have contributed to esports’ growth in the CIS over the past few years?
One of the biggest factors for me is that teams have become more professional and are now training and playing in well-run clubs. This takes place in dedicated buildings and rooms, set up with high-speed internet and the absolute best gaming equipment. Player salaries have also gone up, which has increased the calibre of players taking part in contests across the region, taking competitiveness to the next level. Today, many CIS players now play for high-ranked teams such as Virtus.pro, Team Spirit, Betboom or Na`Vi which compete on the international stage. This in turn is helping esports grow across the CIS region.
Given how many countries are in the CIS region, can you walk us through some of the biggest regulatory differences when it comes to betting on esports? And how does PandaScore navigate these changes?
The legality of betting and esports betting differs from country to country within the CIS region. Some are super strict or even prohibit gambling, while others take a more liberal approach, regulating the activity and licensing operators. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest markets and their approach.
In Ukraine, esports has been recognised as a sport since 2018 and in 2020 the country regulated and licensed gambling for the first time. The law focuses mostly on standard betting – sports and casino – but is likely to also include esports betting given that esports is a recognised sport in the country with tier-one Ukraine sportsbooks like Favbet and Parimatch offering it to their players.
Kazakhstan has a growing gambling industry with betting shops and casinos operating in major cities such as Almaty and Nur-Sultan. Gambling is regulated by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and while the regulatory framework is somewhat restrictive, sports betting – which is likely to include esports betting – is permitted.
Navigating the constant changes in betting regulation across the CIS region can be challenging, so we make sure to keep up to speed with the latest developments by monitoring legislative updates and amendments to regulatory guidelines. We also track industry trends and best practices to anticipate regulatory changes ahead of time, allowing us to adapt quickly if needed. This can involve benchmarking against competitors, attending conferences and networking with key stakeholders.
In your view, are there any unique opportunities for the expansion of esports and esports betting within the CIS region? And how does this differ to other regions?
It’s important to understand that CIS, especially Ukraine and Kazakhstan, play by their own rules. By that I mean they are very different to other esports markets, so don’t think what works in Italy will work in Ukraine. For example, while League of Legends is very popular in Europe, in CIS, it’s Dota 2 that takes the top spot. But for those who can understand the region and each market, there are plenty of opportunities to explore.
Let me elaborate. Dota 2 is thriving in the broader CIS, with regular tournaments and events attracting large audiences both offline and online. teams like Natus Vincere (Na’Vi), Virtus.pro and Team Spirit have achieved significant success in Dota 2 competitions, contributing to the game’s popularity in the region. While Dota 2 is big, other video games also enjoy significant popularity, including CS2, World of Tanks and Fortnite among others.
Operators need to consider this when deciding their markets and odds, marketing strategies and plans for player engagement.
What would you say is the key to creating a successful esports product for a CIS audience?
Understanding layer preferences in each market and delivering an experience that exceeds their expectations. For the CIS region, this means focusing on Dota 2 – this is a game that offers deep and strategic gameplay requiring teamwork, communication and skilful execution of plans and strategies. Its competitive nature appeals to gamers as they enjoy the challenge of multiplayer experiences – this goes back to the original MOBAs back in 2008. These factors must be present in the esports betting experience offered to players – at PandaScore, this means a comprehensive Dota 2 offering that covers markets such as Kills, Towers, Roshans and Barracks, with players able to challenge themselves in a betting competition against others.
Support is also key to delivering a quality player experience. We offer round-the-clock assistance and are regularly rolling out updates to improve the experience players receive when betting on esports at sportsbooks using our data, odds and betting tools such as our Bet Builder. We are always working hard to expand our offering to cover the most in-demand games including CS2, Valorant, Call of Duty and many more.
What trends or developments do you anticipate shaping the future growth of esports in the CIS region over the next few years?
The industry will continue to grow and become more professional. Esports is different to traditional sports and it still lacks recognition in some markets, even though it is considered an official sport in a growing number of countries across the CIS region. I think as it evolves, more governments will provide more support for esports as it brings tremendous economic, cultural and social benefits. This could include funding for esports initiatives, rolling out regulatory frameworks, helping to foster partnerships with esports organisations or simply recognising it as a sport.
The continued proliferation of smartphones across the region will be a further catalyst for esports growth. Titles such as PUGB Mobile, Free Fire and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will attract large audiences and provide new opportunities for teams, players, sponsors and other stakeholders to explore. This is a really exciting time for esports and esports betting in the CIS region, and PandaScore is thrilled to be part of it.
The post eSports in the CIS region , Q&A w/ Viktor Block, Senior Sales Manager/PandaScore appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Africa
Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 esports title to do battle against Namibia – AEC25
Mind Sports South Africa’s Protea Female CS2 team, led by captain Jess Greeff and featuring Avonique van Rooyen, dominated IESF’s AEC24, and emerged undefeated, and punched their ticket to the world stage. The female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title are trailblazers in female esports and are already making their mark internationally.
To qualify for IESF’s World Esports Championships 2025 (WEC25), South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title will be taking on Namibia at15H00 on 21 June 2025.
South Africa’s Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title has never lost to Namibia, and both MSSA and the team are confident that the result will be the same as all previous encounters.
The team has shown a few changes from 2024. Jessica Greeff remains the captain, and Avonique van Rooyen and Megan van der Westhuizen too stay on the team with their vast international experience. The two new additions are Kiera McCullum and Kalee Ludick who further add to the team.
MSSA is of the belief that the 2025 Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 Esports Title is the strongest female Counter Strike 2 team to ever represent South Africa.
The full team to represent South Africa at15H00 on 21 June 2025 is:
| Name | Club | Nick | Province |
| Jessica Eleez Greeff (Capt.) | ZAG Academy | heartjess | KwaZulu Natal |
| Avonique van Rooyen | ZAG Academy | avo | Gauteng |
| Kiera McCallum | ZAG Academy | queen | KwaZulu Natal |
| Megan van der Westhuizen | ZAG Academy | m3gz | Gauteng |
| Kalee Ludick | ZAG Academy | creative | Gauteng |
The post Female Protea Team for the Counter Strike 2 esports title to do battle against Namibia – AEC25 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Global esports organisation Gen.G Esports (Gen.G) announced the official grand opening of GGX (Gen.G Gaming Xperience), a multi-dimensional cultural gaming space that brings its brand philosophy to life to an offline space in the heart of Seoul. Launching on Saturday, June 21, GGX marks the first-ever flagship venue by an esports brand that redefines the traditional PC café, offering a high-performance gaming zone alongside curated lifestyle experiences across food, merchandise, community and coaching.
Located near DDP, a cultural and artistic landmark in Seoul at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, GGX spans 1570 square meters and includes 252 premium gaming stations equipped with top-tier specs. Each seat features NVIDIA RTX 5070 GPUs, LG UltraGear monitors, Logitech gaming peripherals, ultra-fast internet and Gen.G x SIDIZ custom-designed gaming chairs, with an estimated hardware value of KRW 4.5 million (USD 3300) per station, delivering a fully immersive play environment.
More than just a gaming space, GGX will act as Gen.G’s flagship space – an open, ever-expanding ecosystem where brands, fans and creators come together to create a unique experience. From concept to execution, GGX was co-developed with industry-leading partners such as Otoki, Monster Energy and SIDIZ, creating a space that blends gaming, content and community in new ways.
Inside GGX, visitors can enjoy a variety of immersive experiences, including:
“OTOKI G.ROUND”, a food & beverage lounge co-developed with Otoki, offering exclusive signature menu items
An iconic photo spot and photo booth featuring GenRang, Gen.G’s official mascot
A merchandise store, showcasing Gen.G uniforms, exclusive partner collaboration items and GGX-limited items
A community lounge with a capacity for over 100 people – designed as a space for fans to connect and share their passion for gaming, and engage in community-driven activities.
In collaboration with Gen.G Global Academy (GGA), GGX also offers coaching programmes and skill-up classes for gamers of all levels. Led by former pro players, these sessions include in-depth strategic game analysis, aim training and team-based gameplay. The venue will also host regular fan meetups, watch parties and branded community events, creating a dynamic environment for fans to connect and grow together.
Steve Lee, Head of Partnerships at Gen.G, said: “GGX goes beyond just gaming – it’s a cultural hub where fans, players, and brands come together to create meaningful experiences. Through spaces like this and continued innovation, Gen.G aims to lead the sustainable growth of the esports industry.”
GGX is operated by Superplay, a leading IP management company in the gaming and esports space, with proven experience designing fan-centric spaces such as T1 Basecamp Hongdae, KT Rolster R Café and Genshin PC Lounge. Superplay and Gen.G co-developed GGX over several months, from spatial design to branded content and programming.
Junghyun Kim, CEO of Superplay, said: “After months of development with the Gen.G team, we’re proud to finally unveil GGX. We hope it becomes a must-visit destination for gaming and esports fans from Korea and around the world.”
The post Gen.G Opens “GGX”, the Next-Gen Cultural Gaming Space appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
EWC to open with a celebration of gaming culture on July 10, 2025, connecting global fans through the power of music on the world’s biggest esports stage.
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced that global music icon Post Malone will headline the Opening Ceremony of the Esports World Cup 2025, taking place on July 10, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Post Malone’s performance will kick-off a seven-week event that brings together gaming, music, and culture, reflecting the EWC’s role advancing gaming as mainstream entertainment for a digital generation.
A 9x diamond-certified global artist and lifelong gamer, Post Malone has deep roots in the esports and gaming community – streaming Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, and Hunt: Showdown on Twitch, and collaborating with developers on in-game events, including a recent crossover with Apex Legends. His exclusive live performance will open EWC 2025, blending chart-topping sound with a celebration of gaming culture on the world’s premier competitive stage.
“Esports is becoming a global cultural force – where music, storytelling, and competition converge to create moments that are not just seen, but felt,” said Mike McCabe, Chief Operating Officer, of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “With Post Malone, a global artist and true gamer, opening the tournament, we continue to celebrate the power of music – a universal language that brings fans together and defines the cultural future of esports.”
“This year’s Opening Ceremony will deliver a fresh take on the classic story of ambition, resilience and progress, told through the lens of EWC. ” added Ariel Horn, Executive Producer of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “It’s exciting and new. So many game genres converging on one global stage, the music fuels the competitive fire at the heart of this event and this industry, and Post Malone is the perfect voice to carry that passion and celebrate the beginning of an historic event.”
This announcement follows the launch of EWC Music, a long-term initiative to create an original music identity for the Esports World Cup and establish music as a core pillar of the fan cultural experience. The programme began on April 27 with the recording of a four-track music suite at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, featuring original compositions by acclaimed music collectives 2WEI and Hollywood Scoring. Through original scores, global artist collaborations, and fan-focused soundtracks, EWC Music is designed to connect global audiences through a shared emotional language that elevates every moment of the competition – from broadcast to live stages. Additional artists, performances, and music-driven collaborations will be revealed in the coming weeks as part of the wider EWC Music program.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
The EWC 2025 will feature 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries, competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool.
The post Post Malone to Headline Esports World Cup 2025 Opening Ceremony in Riyadh appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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