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.
Latest News
PokerStars Big Game on Tour returns May 17 with Koon, Deeb and Berkey
Season 3 runs weekly on PokerStars’ YouTube channel through June 14 and includes a $50,000 staked ‘Loose Cannon’ amateur spot.
PokerStars will launch a new run of PokerStars Big Game on Tour episodes on May 17, with Jason Koon, Shaun Deeb and Matt Berkey set to headline the line-up. The series will air on the PokerStars YouTube channel, with weekly episodes through June 14.
The cast for the new instalment also includes MMA fighter Sean O’Malley and high-stakes cash game player Randy ‘3Coin’ Sadler, according to the company. The episodes follow the Big Game format, featuring No Limit Hold’em cash game play.
PokerStars said the season’s ‘Loose Cannon’ will be Canadian operations manager Andy Taylor, who will be staked $50,000 and will keep any profit made at the table. The company described Taylor as running a property maintenance company and, with his wife, a non-for-profit organisation focused on supporting young athletes in Toronto.
A teaser for the new episodes aired during the livestream of the €100,000 High Rollers Invitational at PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte Carlo, which featured Koon. PokerStars noted Koon “took home €1,000,000” from the event.
Release schedule: May 17 (Episode 1), May 24 (Episode 2), May 31 (Episode 3), June 7 (Episode 4), and June 14 (Episode 5).
The post PokerStars Big Game on Tour returns May 17 with Koon, Deeb and Berkey appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
Jason Koon, Shaun Deeb, and Matt Berkey Headline New Instalment of PokerStars Big Game on Tour
Poker’s most thrilling televised cash game, PokerStars Big Game on Tour, will return on May 17 with a brand-new set of episodes featuring a stellar line-up headlined by PokerStars Ambassador and number three in the all-time poker money list Jason Koon, reigning two-time World Series of Poker Player of the Year Shaun Deeb, and American high-stakes poker pro and coach Matt Berkey.
MMA Fighter and poker enthusiast Sean O’Malley, and well-known high stakes cash game player and businessman Randy ‘3Coin’ Sadler complete the line-up, who will take to the felt against the ‘Loose Cannon’ to win big.
As always, each episode will showcase high stakes No Limit Hold’em cash game action in the beloved Big Game format, where one amateur player or ‘Loose Cannon’ is staked $50,000 and gets to keep any profit they make at the table.
Canadian Operations Manager Andy Taylor will shake up the felt as the ‘Loose Cannon’ hoping to beat the pros. Andy runs a property maintenance company as his main job and, alongside his wife, runs a non-for-profit organisation aimed at improving the skillset and mindset of young athletes across Toronto.
The teaser for the new Big Game episodes was aired during the live stream of the €100,000 High Rollers Invitational at PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte Carlo, featuring Big Game player Jason Koon. Koon took home €1,000,000 after topping a field of some of the best in the world.
The first Big Game episode will air on PokerStars YouTube channel on May 17, with new episodes airing weekly and culminating on June 14.
- Sunday, May 17 – BGOT Season 3 Episode 1
- Sunday, May 24 – BGOT Season 3 Episode 2
- Sunday, May 31 – BGOT Season 3 Episode 3
- Sunday, June 7 – BGOT Season 3 Episode 4
- Sunday, June 14 – BGOT Season 3 Episode 5
The post Jason Koon, Shaun Deeb, and Matt Berkey Headline New Instalment of PokerStars Big Game on Tour appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Apple
IBJR hails App Store approval as a milestone in the fight against illegal betting in Brazil
The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) considers Apple’s decision to allow the distribution of regulated sports betting and online gaming applications on its Brazilian App Store a key milestone for the consolidation of a transparent and integrity-driven sector.
This measure strengthens regulation by making it easier for users to clearly identify operators that are duly authorized to operate in compliance with national rules.
Following Google’s decision, made less than a year ago, to authorize the distribution of sports betting apps on the Play Store in Brazil, this initiative acts as a powerful cybersecurity filter and helps protect consumers from the risks of the illegal market.
Since only operators licensed by the SPA are allowed to offer services to iOS users, the process of channeling traffic into the regulated environment is further strengthened.
However, for the measure to be fully effective, continuous enforcement is required, as several illegal apps can still be found on major platforms.

Data from Instituto Locomotiva, in partnership with LCA Consultoria, indicate that the illegal environment—much of it controlled by organized crime—moves around R$40 billion per year in Brazil and generates an estimated annual loss of R$10.8 billion in tax revenue.
In this context, actions that help distinguish legal operators from unauthorized ones are essential.
The presence of applications on both the Play Store and Apple Store reinforces the commitment to Responsible Gaming, as they integrate functionalities required by legislation and audited by the platforms.
These include strict age verification to prevent access by minors under 18, clear risk warnings related to gambling, and self-exclusion tools.
The post IBJR hails App Store approval as a milestone in the fight against illegal betting in Brazil appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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