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Gambling Business Group Appoints Steve Sharp as Chairman

Published

5 years ago

January 25, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

British cross-sector organisation Gambling Business Group has appointed Steve Sharp, an executive with Gauselmann Group’s UK arm, as its new chairman.

Steve is having 40 years of experience in the gambling industry. He has gained an unrivalled breadth of experience representing high profile organisations including Global Draw/SG, Inspired Gaming Group, Stanleybet Group and Leisure Link.

Peter Hannibal, chief executive of Gambling Business Group, said: “With over four decades in UK gambling and from humble beginnings as a Service Engineer, through to clocking up some 13-years working with SG Gaming – formerly Global Draw – Steve has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience touching most, if not all gambling products and services. That same breadth of insight and knowledge also underpins his current role working across the Gauselmann UK owned brands active across the AGC, Bingo and Pub sectors.

The industry is facing arguably its most challenging year on record for both consumer-facing brands and the business supply chain which has been largely overlooked by the government support measures during Covid. Added to this we have what is the increasingly toxic negative narrative being driven by groups lobbying against the industry and of course the government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act which itself represents a once in a generation opportunity to bring gambling up to speed with other sectors in the entertainment and retail space.

There has never been a more crucial time for the Gambling Business Group to ensure that members’ interests are represented through evidence-based arguments and a compelling vision for the future. I welcome Steve to the role of GBG Chair and the opportunity to draw on his cross-sector experience as we navigate these unprecedented challenges.”

Steve Sharp said: “The Gambling Business Group has recorded some notable achievements since its formation seven years ago and it has done so by bringing a strategic approach to the development of the industry and also to its engagement with government.

I am honoured to be named as GBG Chairman and I look forward to bringing my hands-on, 40+ year career experience including my current role with Gauselmann UK to the task. The Review of Gambling is a seminal opportunity which we cannot waste. It provides a chance to re-set the gambling entertainment proposition that we are able to provide consumers set against a robust commitment to safe gambling which is at the heart of everything GBG members do.”

eSports

PUBG MOBILE confirms 31 teams for Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh

Published

35 minutes ago

July 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

pubg-mobile-confirms-31-teams-for-esports-nations-cup-2026-in-riyadh

124 countries and territories registered for selection; the 32nd “Solidarity” Wildcard slot is still to be confirmed.

PUBG MOBILE has confirmed 31 of the 32 national teams for PUBG MOBILE at the Esports Nations Cup 2026, scheduled for November 3-8 in Riyadh. The publisher said 124 countries and territories registered and submitted official rosters for the selection process. The event will play for a $1.32 million USD prize pool.

The confirmed lineup includes 14 teams advancing from nine regional qualifiers: Indonesia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Jordan, KSA, France, Italy, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Mauritania and Madagascar.

A further 12 teams are invited via ENC Rankings: Türkiye, Mongolia, Brazil, Pakistan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Nepal, South Africa, United States, Ukraine and Argentina. Four Special Invite teams—China, South Korea, India and Japan—also join the Group Stage.

Two Wildcard slots are listed: Kuwait as the Host Region representative, and one “TBD (Solidarity)” team still to be confirmed. From November 3, teams will be split into four groups of eight for a round-robin Group Stage, with the top four from each group advancing to the Grand Finals.

The Esports Nations Cup was announced in August 2025 as a multi-title national-team competition, with future international iterations planned, according to the company. PUBG MOBILE also claimed it is the “#1 game title at the Esports Nations Cup in terms of participating countries and territories,” citing the 124 registered countries and territories for its selection process.

The post PUBG MOBILE confirms 31 teams for Esports Nations Cup 2026 in Riyadh appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

Tonybet player in Canada claims $20,000 CAD golden World Cup card prize

Published

9 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

tonybet-player-in-canada-claims-$20,000-cad-golden-world-cup-card-prize

Tonybet says a player in Laurier-Station, Canada has claimed the “golden card” prize worth $20,000 CAD in the operator’s World Cup Card Collection. The announcement was made Tuesday 21st July 2026.

The World Cup collection featured 51 cards in total, including 48 digital cards representing participating World Cup nations, plus three unique prize cards in bronze, silver and gold. Tonybet said the bronze card—available during the group stage—was previously found by a customer in Saint-Colomban, Canada, while the silver card—available during the knockout rounds up to the quarter-finals—was won by a player in County Kildare, Ireland.

The golden card became available for the semi-final, third-place play-off and final, and has now been claimed, Tonybet said.

Tonybet Head of Product Kiryl Liudvikevich said: “You can plan a campaign down to the last detail, but you can’t plan what the World Cup brings.

“We designed the collection to evolve with the tournament, and every knockout round created new stories we couldn’t have predicted. Seeing players complete their collections and discovering who would uncover each prize was the most rewarding part of the campaign.

“I hope everyone enjoyed the experience for what it was meant to be: a fun addition to the tournament, played responsibly and always within their limits.”

Tonybet said the collection will remain open until 31 July for players who are still completing sets and spending coins, although all grand prizes have been awarded.

The post Tonybet player in Canada claims $20,000 CAD golden World Cup card prize appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

Tonybet player in Canada claims $20,000 CAD golden World Cup card prize

Published

9 hours ago

July 21, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

The golden card became available for the semi-final, third-place play-off and final, and has now been claimed, Tonybet said.

Tonybet Head of Product Kiryl Liudvikevich said: “You can plan a campaign down to the last detail, but you can’t plan what the World Cup brings.

“I hope everyone enjoyed the experience for what it was meant to be: a fun addition to the tournament, played responsibly and always within their limits.”

Tonybet said the collection will remain open until 31 July for players who are still completing sets and spending coins, although all grand prizes have been awarded.

The post Tonybet player in Canada claims $20,000 CAD golden World Cup card prize appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.