Latest News

AstroPay Signs Sponsorship Deal with Newcastle United Football Club

Published

4 years ago

September 10, 2021

Reading Time: < 1 minute

AstroPay, the global leader in online payment solutions, has signed a sponsorship deal with Newcastle United Football Club.

As part of the sponsorship deal, AstroPay will have its branding and logo visible on the pitchside LED advertising at the Premier League matches and on the club’s press conference backdrop. AstroPay’s branding will feature regularly on matchdays at St James’ Park, providing the company with wide exposure from both national and global reach as it looks to expand its range of products and services worldwide.

This partnership follows the recent renewal of AstroPay’s sponsorship deal with Burnley Football Club and its tie-up with Wolves, which all help the business’ profile among sports fans in the UK and around the world.

Mikael Lijtenstein, CEO of AstroPay, said: “As a major football team with a strong fan base, Newcastle United FC is an ambitious club which matches the global spirit of AstroPay. We are thrilled to be joining forces with them as a sponsor and are looking forward to working together.

“The English Premier League has always been very competitive, popular and global, which sees brands using the event as the perfect vehicle for driving brand awareness, interest and revenue. This partnership with Newcastle United FC is part of our global strategy to continue boosting brand visibility within the UK and Europe.”

Dale Aitchison, Head of Commercial at Newcastle United, said: “We are really excited to welcome AstroPay as our new Official Payment Solutions Partner and look forward to launching beginning of a new, mutually beneficial relationship. AstroPay is a pioneer in global payment solutions and we look forward to assisting in providing a platform to engage with our international audience.”

Central Europe

game’s 2026 industry barometer – the mood in the German games industry is beginning to brighten

Published

5 minutes ago

December 3, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

• Nearly one third of games companies in Germany foresee an industry upswing in the coming year

• More than half expect a positive business development for their own company in the next twelve months

• Around one in three games companies anticipate new hires

After three challenging years, games companies in Germany are looking ahead with increased optimism. Nearly one in three companies (29 per cent) anticipate a positive development in the games industry in the coming twelve months, as compared with just 17 per cent one year ago. 31 per cent of games companies expect a negative development in the industry – a considerable drop from last year’s level of 45 per cent. These are the results of game’s annual industry barometer, which was published by game – The German Games Industry Association. Games companies in Germany look towards their own business development in the coming year significantly more positively, with over half (53 per cent) expecting business to be good in 2026, similar to last year’s number of 52 per cent. Only 12 per cent anticipate a downturn in business, compared to 15 per cent last year. In their personnel planning, the companies nonetheless remain initially cautious: around one third of games companies in Germany (32 per cent) anticipate hiring new employees in 2026, the same percentage as last year.

‘Confidence is returning to Germany’s games industry,’ says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game. ‘Following a difficult phase both here and abroad, positive signals, such as the strong gamescom 2025, and important policy initiatives, like the increased federal games funding and the announced federal tax incentives, are bringing improved prospects and greater optimism compared to a year ago.’

About game’s 2026 industry barometer

The data is based on an online survey conducted by game – The German Games Industry Association between 12 and 21 November 2025, involving a total of 202 German games industry association members, including in particular developers and publishers.

The post game’s 2026 industry barometer – the mood in the German games industry is beginning to brighten appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur

Published

5 minutes ago

December 3, 2025

George Miller

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The World Esports Championship 2025 (WEC25) is officially open in Kuala Lumpur, welcoming athletes, fans, and delegations from around the globe. With 19 nations taking part in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), this year’s event stands as the most internationally diverse MLBB competition in IESF history.

After a year filled with national and regional qualifiers and preparations from teams around the world, the world’s top esports athletes have arrived in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony set the tone for the days ahead, offering fans a first glimpse of the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this year’s championship.

“WEC25 reflects the continued growth of esports as a space for connection, competition, and shared passion,” said IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski. “Bringing together 19 nations for MLBB is a milestone not just for the title, but for the entire esports ecosystem. We are proud to bring this edition of the championship to Kuala Lumpur.”

As the competition officially kicks off, the schedule is fully packed with exciting match-ups among Nations, competing for their flag and country. The best from all over the world will have the unique opportunity to become the MLBB World Champion.

IESF extends its gratitude to the Malaysian government and the Ministry for Youth and Sports, partners, athletes, and global supporters who continue to elevate the championship’s reach and impact.

The post IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Aquisitions/Mergers

Merkur Group Strengthens its Market Presence in Spain

Published

5 minutes ago

December 3, 2025

Niji Narayan

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Reading Time: < 1 minute

Merkur Slots Spain has completed the acquisition of a total of eleven arcades operated by arcade operator Operjoku S.L.U. in the Basque Country. In addition, the subsidiary of Merkur Group, headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, will take over the operation of gaming machines in 108 bars previously serviced by Operkale S.L.U., a specialist in the placement of gaming machines in gastronomy in the autonomous region of northern Spain. Implemented in cooperation with the Spanish distributor Merkur Dosniha, the acquisition marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the company’s brand presence, representing its first entry into Spain’s highly profitable hospitality installation segment.

With this step, the East Westphalian corporate group continues its international growth trajectory. Meik Sellenriek, Management Board Member, Merkur Operations at Merkur.com AG, welcomed the development: “Spain is a market of great importance and long-term potential for the Merkur Group. This acquisition clearly underlines that. We are proud to welcome around 50 new employees to the company and look forward with confidence to strengthening our market position.”

Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member, Merkur Games at Merkur.com AG, said: “There are strong synergies between the Merkur Group’s business divisions. The successful acquisition of Operjoku and Operkale demonstrates how effectively we leverage these synergies to support our sustainable growth. We are particularly pleased to now offer our innovative gaming machines and games in our own arcades and bars in the Basque Country – one of Spain’s most economically powerful regions.”

The post Merkur Group Strengthens its Market Presence in Spain appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.