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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Adam Pentecost Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps
Gaming Corps Taps Betty to Boost Content Options for Ontario Players
Gaming Corps, a publicly traded game development firm located in Sweden, has entered into a new distribution deal with Betty, one of the rapidly expanding iGaming operators in Ontario. The agreement enhances Betty’s platform with Gaming Corps’ growing collection of content, increasing options for players in a market where the brand currently provides over 2,800 slot titles.
Thanks to the collaboration, Betty customers will soon enjoy the latest slot releases from Gaming Corps, featuring 3 Easter Pigs, the latest chapter in the well-known 3 Pigs series, which adds a new seasonal element to one of the studio’s most iconic franchises. Players will also gain access to the latest release, Vendetta Fury, from DEGEN Studios, Gaming Corps’ newest RGS partner.
This launch leverages the solid success of the broader 3 Pigs franchise, featuring games like 3 Pigs of Olympus and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean that are already part of Gaming Corps’ collection. These are included with the studio’s wider range of Slots, Plinko, Mine, Crash, and Table games.
Adam Pentecost, Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Ontario has become one of the most exciting regulated markets in North America, and Betty has built an impressive reputation by offering players both quality and variety. We’re delighted to partner with such a progressive operator and look forward to showcasing how our latest content can bring something genuinely different to their already rich portfolio.”
Paraskeva Smirnova, Senior Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty has built its identity on being a homegrown Ontario brand with a clear focus on what local players want. Working with Gaming Corps allows us to continue that mission, adding content that stands out and gives our players something new to discover alongside the thousands of titles we already host.”
The post Gaming Corps Taps Betty to Boost Content Options for Ontario Players appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Adam Pentecost Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps
Gaming Corps partners with Betty to expand content choice in Ontario
Gaming Corps has signed a new distribution agreement with Betty, one of Ontario’s fastest-growing iGaming operators. The deal adds Gaming Corps’ expanding suite of content to Betty’s platform, strengthening the choice for players in a market where the brand already offers more than 2,800 slot titles.
Through the partnership, Betty customers will soon have access to the latest Gaming Corps slot releases, including 3 Easter Pigs, the newest instalment in the popular 3 Pigs series, which introduces a fresh seasonal twist on one of the studio’s most recognisable franchises. Players will also have access to Gaming Corps’ newest RGS partner, DEGEN Studios’, latest release, Vendetta Fury.
This launch builds on the strong performance of the wider 3 Pigs franchise, with titles such as 3 Pigs of Olympus and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean already established within Gaming Corps’ portfolio. These sit alongside the studio’s broader offering of Slots, Plinko, Mine, Crash and Table games.
Adam Pentecost, Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Ontario has become one of the most exciting regulated markets in North America, and Betty has built an impressive reputation by offering players both quality and variety. We’re delighted to partner with such a progressive operator and look forward to showcasing how our latest content can bring something genuinely different to their already rich portfolio.”
Paraskeva Smirnova, Senior Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty has built its identity on being a homegrown Ontario brand with a clear focus on what local players want. Working with Gaming Corps allows us to continue that mission, adding content that stands out and gives our players something new to discover alongside the thousands of titles we already host.”
The post Gaming Corps partners with Betty to expand content choice in Ontario appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Canada
Peter & Sons Goes Live in Ontario with Ellipse Entertainment
Innovative iGaming studio Peter & Sons has strengthened its North American footprint by launching its portfolio in Ontario through a new partnership with Ellipse Entertainment, a fully licensed operator in the province.
The collaboration marks another step in the studio’s international expansion, bringing its distinctive slot titles to one of the most dynamic regulated markets in North America. Players in Ontario can now access Peter & Sons’ games via HighFlyerCasino.com, Ellipse Entertainment’s flagship platform designed specifically for the local market.
Entering a Key Regulated Market
Ontario has quickly established itself as a leading jurisdiction for regulated iGaming, attracting both operators and content providers seeking long-term growth opportunities. With a strong regulatory framework and a growing player base, the province offers a stable environment for companies looking to scale their presence in North America.
By partnering with Ellipse Entertainment, Peter & Sons gains access to a platform that prioritizes compliance, security, and user experience. HighFlyerCasino.com combines a wide-ranging portfolio of casino content with a seamless interface tailored to local players, ensuring a high-quality gaming experience.
Distinctive Content Meets Local Demand
Peter & Sons has built a reputation for delivering unconventional slot experiences, characterized by indie-inspired visuals, imaginative storytelling, and highly detailed game worlds. Its portfolio stands out in a crowded market, appealing to players looking for something beyond traditional slot design.
The launch in Ontario introduces these unique titles to a broader audience, aligning with increasing demand for diverse and engaging content within regulated markets. As competition intensifies, distinctive game design has become a key differentiator for studios aiming to capture player attention and retention.
Building a Long-Term Partnership
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to delivering premium entertainment within a trusted regulatory environment. Both companies are focused on creating value for players while ensuring compliance with Ontario’s gaming standards.
Yann Bautista, Founder and Commercial Director at Peter & Sons, said:
“We are delighted to launch our portfolio with Ellipse Entertainment and bring our games to players in Ontario. The region has quickly established itself as a key regulated market in North America, and HighFlyerCasino.com provides a strong platform for introducing our distinctive titles to Canadian audiences.”
Larry Galansky, Founder of Ellipse Entertainment, added:
“We are pleased to welcome Peter & Sons to our platform as we continue expanding our entertainment offering. Their games are known for their artistic style and engaging gameplay, and we are confident they will resonate strongly with our audience.”
As the Ontario market continues to grow, partnerships like this highlight the importance of combining innovative content with reliable distribution platforms. For Peter & Sons, the move represents a strategic step toward strengthening its global reach while delivering its unique gaming experiences to new audiences.
The post Peter & Sons Goes Live in Ontario with Ellipse Entertainment appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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