Latest News
FUN88’S ONGOING PARTNERSHIP WITH NEWCASTLE UNITED EVOLVES AS ITS OFFICIAL BETTING PARTNER
FUN88 has redefined its association with English Premier League (EPL) football club Newcastle United as its Official Betting Partner for Asia, as a six-year long ongoing partnership naturally evolves with the Champions League club for the 2023/24 season and beyond.
During those six years as Newcastle United’s premium jersey sponsor, FUN88 saw its breakout brand carried to rollercoaster success – from the club’s spell in the EFL Championship, promotion to the EPL, throughout the fluctuating fortunes of the previous administration’s era, and on to this year’s spectacular run to Champions League qualification via fourth place in the Premier League.
FUN88 will continue its ongoing work with the club across a series of activations to engage with fans in both mature and emerging Asian markets. The brand has also developed a popular presence on social media, supported by over 2.5m engaged Newcastle United followers, with thousands of worldwide Magpies supporters interacting with its accounts and many benefitting from its competitions and prize giveaways (such as tickets and shirts) for the majority of the past decade.
The combined collaboration will also open up an increasing number of dedicated local channels and promotional activities, all focused on engaging and retaining this established audience both pre-game and in-play.
Moreover, FUN88 will renew its branding presence on LED perimeter boards inside the storied St. James’ Park Stadium, one of the more commercially valuable and premium pitch-side media spaces in the Premier League. And although FUN88 had the option to continue as shirt sponsor, it was happy to adapt the nature of its partnership, given the changing environment of football sponsorship in the Premier League.
FUN88 has always supported Newcastle United’s commercial development, as has been documented by the club itself, and has hugely enjoyed its time as Newcastle United’s official shirt sponsor. Now this time has come to an amicable end, it is delighted to stay on as an Official Partner of Newcastle United, focusing on growing club-awareness and appreciation in Asia as part of a wider global strategy.
While FUN88 continues to develop its online offerings for football fans across the planet, this latest move underscores its dedication to international club representation and fostering a football-friendly environment within a responsible gaming culture. FUN88 has pioneered the gamified betting experience, thanks to a unique interface and personalised customer service that deliver a cohesive player journey from log-in until the end result. This unified experience has also delivered great levels of retention and consumer satisfaction amongst its active user-base.
A FUN88 spokesperson said: “We are thrilled to seamlessly advance our longstanding relationship with Newcastle United as their Official Betting Partner for Asia. We have seen our brand grow and develop in unison with Newcastle United over much of the past decade, and look forward to promoting further success stories in this next chapter of our enduring journey together.
“We are also excited to organically develop our partnership with Newcastle United for a new era. Of course, during our six years to date, we have witnessed the natural ups and downs of life, but we are in this for the long haul together and FUN88 is proud to move forward with the club and our shared community.
“FUN88 is adamant that this continued collaboration will help us to solidify our status as one of the leading gaming and entertainment platforms in Asia. Our customers will see more in terms of team interaction and exclusive Newcastle United offerings, so watch out for a range of upcoming campaigns with the club, which will now reclaim its rightful spot in the Champions League 2023/24!”
Newcastle United have said: “Thank you, FUN88, for your incredible support as lead shirt sponsors over the past six seasons. Building on the success of our partnership to date, we look forward to this next phase and working together to engage fans and grow our collective reach throughout Asia.”
FUN88 provides one of the broadest offerings of markets and odds for the sports bettor. Customer satisfaction and socially-responsible entertainment remain at its heart, with the latest technology and games, all complemented by impeccable personalised customer service.
The company prides itself on a strong heritage in football and international sports, alongside a stellar line-up of ambassadors which positively sets FUN88 apart from its competitors in the sector. The brand has been very active in global sports marketing over the past decade, notably becoming a partner of Tottenham Hotspur FC in 2012 and the jersey sponsor of Newcastle United FC, before repositioning its support into a betting-partner role this year. Away from football sponsorships, FUN88 has also enjoyed instrumental associations with the late great basketball legend Kobe Bryant, the popular OG Dota 2 team in eSports, and cricketing superstar Daren Sammy.
eSports
Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.
The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.
EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.
“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”
Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”
EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.
The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brand Partnerships
Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season
Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.
The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.
Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.
Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:
“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.
“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.
“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”
Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:
“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.
“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”
The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AGCO
ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch
ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.
The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.
Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”
The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.
ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.
The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoArizona Department of Gaming Issues Cease-and-Desist Orders to Multiple Operators Linked to Underage Gambling and Illegal Activity
-
Latest News6 days agoPG Soft appoints Hugo Baungartner as General Manager LatAm
-
Latest News6 days agoELA Games releases Flames Fruits Frenzy Hold and Win slot
-
Compliance Updates6 days agoKONAMI GROUP’s Konami Gaming Inc. First to Submit Manufacturer License Application in Japan’s Emerging IR Market
-
Canada6 days agoCanada’s Safer Gambling Gap: Why Market Success Doesn’t Always Equal Player Safety
-
Latest News6 days agoBooming Games launches Fish Tales: Double Catch Max Scatter
-
Latest News6 days agoTom Horn Gaming ships Royal Ruby FeatureStorm slot worldwide on 14 July 2026
-
Latest News6 days agoBC.GAME names Guillermo Ochoa brand ambassador for Mexico push



