Latest News
SCCG Management Announces Sponsorship Partnership with Thunder Fight Center
SCCG Management, a leading consulting and advisory firm in the gambling and sports entertainment industry, announced its new sponsor partnership with Thunder Fight Center, Brazil’s premier martial arts events venue. This collaboration coincides with the debut of Versus FC in mixed martial arts (MMA), scheduled for Wednesday 24 January at the Thunder Fight Center. The agreement includes the prominent display of SCCG branding within the octagon.
Thunder Fight Center, conceptualized in 2019 and inaugurated amidst the challenging times of the 2020 pandemic, has been a cornerstone in keeping combat sports active in the São Paulo region. As the only venue in Brazil dedicated exclusively to martial arts events, it has successfully hosted 79 events over the past three years, promoting an incredible 1335 bouts in its state-of-the-art cage and ring.
The center’s journey has been marked by continuous enhancements, boasting superior lighting, advanced audiovisual technology, and meticulously crafted interiors. This has established Thunder Fight Center as an unrivaled location for both fighters and spectators, offering everything necessary for a flawless martial arts event.
Additionally, the Thunder Fight Center has played host to a variety of unique sports events, including a major event by the Pillow Fight Championship (PFC). This event not only showcased the versatility of the venue but also highlighted its capability to support a diverse range of sports entertainment. The successful hosting of the PFC event at Thunder Fight Center is a testament to the venue’s adaptability and commitment to bringing innovative and engaging sports experiences to its audience.
The venue has seen the rise of numerous fighters to international acclaim. André Mascote, for example, debuted at Thunder Fight Center and has since ascended to the highest levels of the sport. Similarly, Jailton Almeida, now in line for a UFC belt, had his last two pre-UFC fights at this esteemed venue.
As a rising star in the global sports entertainment space, SCCG Management has been investing and advising on behalf of the next generation of sports leagues and fan engagement technology. This includes partnerships with niche sports leagues such as the Pillow Fight Championship and Major League Pickleball, demonstrating SCCG’s commitment to diversifying the sports entertainment landscape and championing emerging sports alongside traditional ones.
“We are excited about the partnership between SCCG Management and Thunder Fight Center, coinciding with Versus FC’s debut. This aligns with our commitment to nurturing sports entertainment. Thunder Fight Center’s dedication to martial arts complements our vision to support emerging talents. We anticipate this collaboration will enhance experiences for both fighters and fans, setting new standards in martial arts and sports entertainment,” Stephen Crystal, Founder & CEO of SCCG Management, said.
eSports
Esports community establishes Latin-American Esports Institute (ILAE)
The Latin-American Esports Institute (ILAE) was established following a General Assembly held on 6 March 2026 in Rio de Janeiro. The organisation was founded with the stated goal of promoting competitive integrity, legal safety, and institutional research within the esports sector.
Carlos Gama, Vice President of Games and Esports at the Rio de Janeiro branch of the Association of Brazilian Information Technology Companies (ASSESPRO) and President of the Advisory Council of FERJEE (Rio de Janeiro Esports Federation, involved with the upcoming IEM Rio) was elected as Executive President to lead a multidisciplinary team tasked with developing frameworks for the industry’s regional growth.
One of the primary objectives of the ILAE is the creation of a local Esports Arbitration Chamber. This mechanism is intended to serve as a specialized venue for the mediation and resolution of conflicts, such as contractual disputes between players and organisations. The model aims to offer a technical alternative to the traditional judicial system, seeking to provide greater legal security and faster resolutions for administrative and professional disagreements within the competitive environment.
The ILAE’s structure is centered on an Executive Board that includes:
- Vice-President Marcella Ferreira (former pro player and current sports psychologist),
- Administrative-Financial Director Vinicius Verly (FERJEE), and
- Project Director Marianna Muniz (FERJEE and OnFire Agency).
Technical oversight is managed by lawyers:
- Dr. Antonio Carlos Bratefixe (Research and Knowledge) and
- Dr. Osmar Berardo, who will direct the institute’s Arbitration Chamber.
The Fiscal Council is led by: Dr. Soraya Vasconcelos, who also leads Brazilian organisation Galorys, responsible for financial and institutional oversight.
Regarding the institute’s mission, Carlos Gama stated that the organization intends to facilitate dialogue across the Latin American esports community. “We want to bring together athletes, teams, researchers, organizations, companies, and public managers to build a common development agenda for the region,” Gama noted. He also highlighted that a priority for the ILAE will be the production of research on strategic themes, such as social inclusion and competitive integrity policies.
The ILAE’s governance framework also incorporates individuals with competitive backgrounds, aiming to ensure the organisation remains informed by the practicalities of the sector. This includes the participation of former FPS and eFootball pros Marcela “Callax”, Renato “Rentão”, Monik Bisoni, Gabriela Tavas, and Gabriel “Franja” within the various councils and administrative chairs.
By integrating these perspectives alongside legal and academic professionals, the institute intends to address the specific needs of the regional ecosystem. The organization has opened associations to professionals, researchers, and entities.
The post Esports community establishes Latin-American Esports Institute (ILAE) appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Latest News
SPORTRADAR AND BSN STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP TO ELEVATE BASKETBALL IN PUERTO RICO
Sportradar AG (NASDAQ: SRAD) has expanded its agreement with BSN Puerto Rico (Baloncesto Superior Nacional), reinforcing its long-term commitment to supporting professional basketball in Puerto Rico through advanced technology, data and integrity solutions. Basketball is the most bet upon sport in Puerto Rico and the second most popular across the LATAM region.*
Sportradar holds the exclusive betting and gaming audiovisual (AV) and data rights for BSN basketball competitions worldwide, alongside non-exclusive coaching and talent scouting rights, to drive the growth of Puerto Rican basketball and strengthening fan engagement across international markets.
The agreement features the provision of Integrity Services, such as Sportradar’s proprietary Universal Fraud Detection Service (UFDS AI) for comprehensive real- time betting market surveillance. Additionally, BSN Puerto Rico will access a portfolio of sports performance and management solutions, including Synergy Stats and the Competition Management Platform, to support league operations, performance analysis and regulatory compliance.
“We are proud to deepen our ties with BSN to accelerate the development of basketball in Puerto Rico,” said Raphael Sobral, Sports Partnerships Director, LATAM at Sportradar. “By combining our cutting-edge technology with our unmatched data and integrity services, Sportradar is providing the backbone for BSN’s next phase of global growth and operational excellence.”
“This partnership reaffirms BSN’s commitment to modernization and operational excellence across the league. Having a partner like Sportradar allows us to strengthen our processes, elevate the use of official data, and ensure the highest standards of integrity and performance as we look ahead to the 2026 season and the future of professional basketball in Puerto Rico,” said Ricardo Dalmau, President of BSN.
The extended partnership further strengthens Sportradar’s role as a trusted technology and data partner for more than 20 basketball competitions in regulated markets worldwide, including the NBA, EuroLeague, ACB Spain, LNB France, Lega Basket Italia and NBL Australia.
The post SPORTRADAR AND BSN STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP TO ELEVATE BASKETBALL IN PUERTO RICO appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Conferences
R. Franco Digital to showcase premium portfolio at GAT Expo Cartagena 2026
At the heart of the exhibition is the IRIS platform, R. Franco Digital’s GLI-certified, open-architecture solution. Designed to deliver a seamless experience across casino, sports betting, and retail operations, IRIS gives operators the flexibility, scalability, and security required to grow efficiently across multiple Latin American markets.
In addition to its robust infrastructure, R. Franco Digital will present its latest high-performance gaming titles, including Strange Spins, Genie Triple Bonanza, Diamond King Gorilla, Luxury Blast, Zorro: Final Duel, and The Phantom. Each game incorporates localized mechanics and culturally relevant themes, ensuring maximum engagement for LatAm players.
Javier Sacristán Franco, International Business Director at R. Franco Digital, commented:
“Latin America is a cornerstone of our global strategy. GAT Expo Cartagena provides an essential platform to connect with partners and showcase how our technology evolves alongside the region’s regulatory landscape. We are excited to highlight the latest advancements in our IRIS platform and our expanding game portfolio, both designed to deliver operational excellence and support regulated operators across LatAm.”
Visitors to the expo will be able to experience live demonstrations of the IRIS platform and explore R. Franco Digital’s diverse content offerings, emphasizing the company’s commitment to innovation, localization, and operator success in the region.
The post R. Franco Digital to showcase premium portfolio at GAT Expo Cartagena 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Cod of Thunder Dream Drop6 days agoPrime Casino Rolls Out Exclusive Slot Developed by Relax Gaming
-
Africa6 days agoEGT Digital Announces New Partnership with Sunbet
-
Canada5 days agoSoft2Bet Evaluates Alberta Market Entry to Strengthen its Canadian Footprint
-
CULT.6 days agoPragmatic Play Earns a Spot in Cult’s Inner Circle
-
ANJL5 days agoBrazil betting market adjusts to regulation as football sponsorship boom slows
-
Edvardas Sadovskis CPO at ICONIC215 days agoPatrick’s Lucky Fortune by ICONIC21 Rolls Out to Power Operator Growth and Seasonal Offers
-
AiGC5 days agoSoft2Bet Eyes Alberta iGaming Market Expansion in Canada
-
Games Global5 days agoGames Global and Stormcraft Studios dive into aquatic adventure with Mermaid’s Millions Cashingo™



