Canada
Everything you need to know ahead of Intel® Extreme Masters Rio 2023
Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) is returning to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with 16 of the world’s best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) teams from around the world competing for a share of the prize pool and a spot in the IEM Cologne 2023 competition. Fans will witness intense competition and have the opportunity to experience the action live during the Playoff Stage held at the iconic Jeunesse Arena.
Here is all you need to know about IEM Rio 2023:
Following the immense success of last year’s IEM Rio CS:GO Major Championship Made of Madness, ESL, an ESL FACEIT Group brand, is bringing IEM back to the Brazilian coastal city on April 17-23.
The ESL Pro Tour Masters competition, IEM Rio 2023, will see 16 top-tier CS:GO teams from around the globe battle it out for a total prize pool of $250,000 and a spot in the IEM Cologne 2023 tournament. The competition kicks off with the Group Stage on April 17 in which the participating teams will face off in two groups of eight.
The six best teams will then proceed to the live Playoff Stage on April 21-23. During those final three days, fans from Brazil and beyond are set to experience the unrivalled atmosphere once again as the top squads enter the stage and come face to face at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
Schedule & Format
Group Stage: April 17-19
- The Group Stage will feature two double-elimination format (GSL) groups with eight teams in each group. The opening matches will be best-of-one with the subsequent matches being best-of-three.
- The top three teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs with Group Stage winners advancing to the semi-finals, 2nd places advancing to the quarter-finals as High Seeds, and 3rd places advancing to the quarter-finals as Low Seeds.
Playoffs: April 21-23
- The Playoffs will feature a single elimination bracket with the quarter and semi-finals being a best-of-three to win. The Grand Final will be a best-of-three to win.
Competing Teams
- Natus Vincere
- Faze Clan
- Team Vitality
- MOUZ
- Fnatic
- Ninjas In Pyjamas
- FURIA
- Heroic
- Cloud9
- Imperial Sportsbet
- OG
- 9INE
- BIG
- The MongolZ
- MIBR
- 9Z Team
Commentators and Analysts
In-Arena Experience During the Breaks
- Alexandre “gAuLeS” Borba
- Jean “mch” Michel D’Oliveira
- Andre ‘Liminha’ Kenzo
- Fillipe “bt0” Moreno
- Victor “VelhoVamp” Augusto Taube
- Diego ‘LLAUQS’ Sanches
- Alessandro “Apoka” Marcucci
Prize Money:
| TOTAL | $250,000 |
| 1st | $100,000 |
| 2nd | $42,000 |
| 3rd – 4th | $20,000 |
| 5th – 6th | $10,000 |
| 7th – 8th | $6,000 |
| 9th – 12th | $5,000 |
| 13th – 16th | $4,000 |
Side Activities
IEM Rio 2023 will feature a variety of on-site activities and event for attending fans, including:
- Signing sessions: There will be multiple signing sessions from competing teams, hosts, commentators and on-site narrators happening throughout the tournament, including home-favourite FURIA
- Tribo Booth: The booth will feature all of the on-site narrators and entertainers hosting signing sessions as well as others. While on-site, the narrators will provide entertainment during the breaks, with Liminha and Bt0 reporting from the crowd.
- FURIA Booth: Fans have the opportunity to get to know one of Brazil’s biggest esports organizations, meet their favourite players and fellow fans, compete in activities, play games, win prizes and much more
- Intel® Booth: At the official Intel® booth, fans can try out the latest games and the newest hardware
- ESL Shop: The ESL Shop offers a wide variety of esports merch, including team products and ESL Collectibles
- Counter-Strike 2 free-play area: Fans eagerly waiting to jump into Counter-Strike 2 can expect a unique experience and play the game at IEM Rio 2023
- Food trucks: For those looking for a bite or something to drink, IEM Rio 2023 offers several options at the on-site food trucks
- Partner activations inside the arena:
- The DHL booth: Delivered by DHL, fans have the opportunity to open CS:GO cases and win amazing skins
- 1xBet Booth: Fans can compete for prizes, participate in 1v1 challenges and art sections, meet some of their favourite players, and more
- Monster Energy Booth: Performers will show off their skills on their skateboards, while fans can also grab a drink to keep them going throughout the day
Stay tuned as additional side activities will be announced.
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Acquisitions/Merger
Great Canadian Entertainment and Semiahmoo First Nation Announce Purchase and Sale Agreement for Elements Casino Surrey
Great Canadian Entertainment and the SE-MI-AH-MU Development Corporation, the economic development arm of Semiahmoo First Nation (SE-MI-AH-MU) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for the purchase by SE-MI-AH-MU from Great Canadian of Elements Casino Surrey.
Great Canadian’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the transaction, which remains subject to financial commitments, customary closing conditions as well as customary approvals by the regulatory authorities and the City of Surrey, which owns the underlying real property at Elements Casino Surrey. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the Company will provide transition services to SE-MI-AH-MU for up to one year post-closing.
“Today’s announcement marks the eighth agreement we have executed with B.C.-based First Nations for the sale of our B.C. operations. We are thrilled that the Semiahmoo First Nation is eager to enter the province’s casino sector with the purchase of Elements Casino Surrey. Our next step will be to continue to work with the SE-MI-AH-MU team to timely close this transaction and then work with SE-MI-AH-MU and the Elements Casino Surrey team members for long term success,” said Matt Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Canadian.
“This acquisition represents an important step forward in strengthening economic opportunity for Semiahmoo First Nation and reaffirming our presence within our traditional territory as a strong and capable business entity. Through this new venture, we look forward to creating meaningful benefits for our people, supporting employment opportunities in the region, and contributing to the long-term well-being and prosperity of our community,” said Chief Harley Chappell of Semiahmoo First Nation.
McMillan is serving as legal counsel to Great Canadian and Munnings Law is serving as legal counsel to SE-MI-AH-MU.
The post Great Canadian Entertainment and Semiahmoo First Nation Announce Purchase and Sale Agreement for Elements Casino Surrey appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Canada
Wazdan taps Green Brick Labs partnership via Maverick Games to strengthen Ontario market
Wazdan, the top developer focused on gaming, has initiated its collaboration with Green Brick Labs (GBL) following the launch of several of its titles with Maverick Games, the well-known operator based in Ontario.
The agreement entails an initial selection of Wazdan’s best-performing titles being launched with Maverick Games through an integration from GBL’s seamless aggregation platform, featuring Mighty Fish
: Blue Marlin, 36 Coins
, Mighty Wild
: Panther Grand Diamond Edition, and Mighty Wild
: Gorilla.
After Wazdan’s recently disclosed alliance with GBL, the quickly developing North American platform provider, the partnership has now made significant progress by launching with Maverick Games, featuring its extensive slot collection and sportsbook services.
Wazdan’s captivating games and interaction-enhancing features, such as Cash to Infinity
, Sticky to Infinity
, and the Hold the Jackpot
bonus game, are poised to enhance Maverick Games’ collection as it aims for greater growth across North America.
Wazdan’s newest collaboration highlights the studio’s goal to further establish itself in regulated iGaming markets globally, offering players cutting-edge slot experiences.
Magdalena Wojdyla, Head of Account Management at Wazdan, said: “Going live with Maverick Games through our partnership with GBL marks an exciting moment for Wazdan in Ontario.
“Our innovative titles and engagement-boosting features are designed to deliver memorable experiences for players, and we are confident this collaboration will help Maverick Games strengthen its position in one of North America’s most dynamic markets.”
James Gummerson, UX/UI and Product Manager at Green Brick Labs, said: “We are thrilled to launch our collaboration with Wazdan.
“Our mission is to connect operators with world-class content quickly and seamlessly, and this launch demonstrates how our technology helps accelerate growth for both suppliers and operators in North American markets.”
The post Wazdan taps Green Brick Labs partnership via Maverick Games to strengthen Ontario market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Canada
Wazdan launches Green Brick Labs partnership via Maverick Games to expand Ontario reach
Wazdan, the leading-gain focused developer, has launched its partnership with Green Brick Labs (GBL) after taking a series of its titles live with Maverick Games, the established Ontario-based operator.
The deal will see an initial pool of Wazdan’s top-performing releases launch with Maverick Games via an integration from GBL’s seamless aggregation platform, including Mighty Fish
: Blue Marlin, 36 Coins
, Mighty Wild
: Panther Grand Diamond Edition and Mighty Wild
: Gorilla.
Following Wazdan’s recently announced partnership with GBL, the rapidly emerging North American platform provider, the collaboration has now taken its first major steps after going live with Maverick Games with its comprehensive slot portfolio and sportsbook offering.
Wazdan’s immersive titles and engagement-boosting mechanics, featuring the likes of Cash to Infinity
, Sticky to Infinity
and the Hold the Jackpot
bonus game, are set to further elevate Maverick Games’ portfolio as it seeks increased expansion throughout North America.
Wazdan’s latest partnership underlines the studio’s ambitions of continuing to gain ground in regulated iGaming territories worldwide, providing players with state-of-the-art slot experiences.
Magdalena Wojdyla, Head of Account Management at Wazdan, said: “Going live with Maverick Games through our partnership with GBL marks an exciting moment for Wazdan in Ontario.
“Our innovative titles and engagement-boosting features are designed to deliver memorable experiences for players, and we are confident this collaboration will help Maverick Games strengthen its position in one of North America’s most dynamic markets.”
James Gummerson, UX/UI and Product Manager at Green Brick Labs, said: “We are thrilled to launch our collaboration with Wazdan.
“Our mission is to connect operators with world-class content quickly and seamlessly, and this launch demonstrates how our technology helps accelerate growth for both suppliers and operators in North American markets.”
The post Wazdan launches Green Brick Labs partnership via Maverick Games to expand Ontario reach appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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