Groove Technologies, a prominent iGaming aggregator and platform provider, has today revealed a strategic enhancement of its sweepstakes operations through the internal elevation of Michael Kitseliuk to the newly established position of Sweepstakes Account Manager. This action highlights Groove’s dedication to continue expanding in one of the industry’s most vibrant and swiftly growing sectors.

The appointment comes after a phase of rigorous technical advancement and evaluation, placing Groove’s enterprise-grade platform to provide unmatched sweepstakes solutions. The platform, famous for its cutting-edge player engagement features, live analytics, and a collection of more than 15,000 games from over 150 leading providers, is now enhanced to achieve new heights of scalability and profitability for operators using the sweepstakes model.

Michael Kitseliuk, with three years of essential experience from Groove’s technical operations team, will lead this initiative in his new role. His profound technical knowledge guarantees a smooth and straightforward integration experience for partners.

“I’m thrilled to be leading the charge on Groove Sweepstakes,” said Kitseliuk. “This vertical represents the forefront of market accessibility. The lighter regulatory footprint allows operators to launch faster and tap into vast audiences with incredible speed. We’re not just following a trend; we’re empowering our partners to unlock a significant new revenue stream and open doors to previously complex markets.”

The need for high-quality sweepstakes material has reached unprecedented levels. Groove’s strong entertainment ecosystem, which introduces more than 150 new games each month, is distinctly suited to drive this expansion. The firm has assembled a robust stream of content, prepared for delivery via its sophisticated platform.

Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove, highlighted the extensive preparation and market offering: “This isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. We’ve undertaken rigorous, bespoke technical testing for each provider to guarantee a flawless experience for both the operator and the player. This diligence means we can now offer our operator cluster access to a vast network of nearly 50 premier game providers specialising in sweepstakes coins, all integrated and ready for launch.”

This strategic focus amplifies Groove’s core strengths: speed, variety, and technological excellence. By dedicating new leadership to the sweepstakes vertical, Groove ensures its partners can capitalise on this growth with a competitive edge.

Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO at Groove, concluded: “Our promotion of Michael into this dedicated role signals a new era for our sweepstakes platform. We are harnessing its full potential to offer operators super-fast integrations, a proven and diverse game library, and a technically superior platform. This is a definitive step in providing a complete, market-leading solution for every segment of the iGaming industry.”

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SportsGrid has confirmed its renewed media partnership with NEXT.io, attending NEXT Summit: New York to deliver live coverage of North America’s premier iGaming and sports betting event. Event content will be syndicated across SportsGrid’s streaming and digital platforms, offering viewers unparalleled access to industry insights and discussions.

Taking place March 10–11 at Convene, 225 Liberty Street, the Summit will bring together 1,400 senior-level delegates for two days of high-impact sessions and networking. This year, the event will feature Emerging Verticals, a dedicated track spotlighting fast-growing sectors shaping the industry, including sweepstakes, micro-markets, crypto, esports, new betting formats, and the intersection of technology and capital.

Key speakers include:

• Adam Greenblatt, CEO, BetMGM

• Adam Rosenberg, Senior Advisor, Gaming & Leisure, Blackstone

• Benjie Cherniak, Principal, Avenue H Capital

• Lloyd Danzig, Managing Partner, Sharp Alpha Advisors

• Roger Ehrenberg, Managing Partner, Eberg Capital

• Ramy Ibrahim, Managing Director, Moelis & Company

• Joey Levy, Founder & CEO, Betr

• Gavin Isaacs, Former CEO, Entain

Regulatory, legal, and association leaders will also participate, including Tres York (VP, American Gaming Association), Paul Burns (President & CEO, Canadian Gaming Association), Kelci S. Binau (Gaming Law Attorney, McDonald Carano), and Katie Lever (General Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation).

Sessions will further cover emerging tech, capital markets, and casino operations, with speakers such as Brooke Hilton (Head of Casino, PointsBet Canada), Chris Garrow (Director of Gaming, Prairie Band Casino & Resort), Davis Catlin (Managing Partner, Discerning Capital), Jeffrey Haas (Venture Partner, DreamCraft VC), Jamison Selby (CEO, Rubystone), Desiree Dickerson (Founder, THNDR), Kevin Scott (CTO, PGA of America), and Darren Woodson (Former NFL Player).

“NEXT Summit: New York continues to set the standard as North America’s premier meeting point for senior leaders in online sports betting and iGaming,” said Jeremy Stein, CEO, SportsGrid, Inc. “With Emerging Verticals joining the Summit this year, we’re excited to provide on-the-ground coverage of the event’s most important discussions to a wider audience across our streaming and digital platforms.”

Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder & Managing Director at NEXT.io, added:
“NEXT Summit: New York is where the industry’s biggest names come together to define the future of online gaming and sports betting. With more than 1,400 senior decision-makers attending, having SportsGrid on-site strengthens our mission to share critical insights and discussions with the broader iGaming community.”

SportsGrid will cover conference sessions, interviews, and key discussions, syndicating curated content across its network to extend the reach of emerging trends, innovations, and strategic insights shaping the global gaming industry. This initiative continues the long-term collaboration between SportsGrid and NEXT.io, highlighting their shared commitment to delivering timely, high-quality media coverage of iGaming and sports betting developments.

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Kochi Comic Con, presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena and powered by Crunchyroll, concluded its inaugural edition at AICC Angamaly, Ernakulam, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 20,000 attendees across two days. This marks the first-ever Comic Con to be hosted in Kerala, reflecting the state’s strong reading culture, growing anime communities, and vibrant fandoms.

From February 28, fans of all ages—families, students, creators, and long-standing fandom groups—immersed themselves in artist alleys, panel discussions, gaming arenas, and live stage performances. Attendees enjoyed interactions with internationally acclaimed comic creator Dan Parent, who conducted sessions on storytelling, character creation, and global comic traditions, resonating with audiences familiar with both Malayalam comics and international pop culture.

The Creators’ Corner was a highlight, with established publishers such as Amar Chitra Katha, Balarama Comics, and Alpha Book Publishers, alongside independent creators like Abhijeet Kini, connecting directly with fans through signings and interactive discussions.

“Kerala has always had a strong artistic culture, visible in Kathakali, Theyyam, Koodiyattam, and mural traditions,” said Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic Con India. “Cosplayers approached their craft seriously, audiences engaged thoughtfully during panels, and the overall warmth made this debut incredibly special for us.”

Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD, NODWIN Gaming, added:
“People in Kerala show up wholeheartedly for what they believe in. That same energy carried into Kochi Comic Con. In our very first year here, fans cheered for local favourites like MHR and Joker, attended every session, and explored every zone with real enthusiasm.”

Cosplay Highlights:
Cosplayers brought an impressive range of characters to life, from global favorites such as Denji (Chainsaw Man), Luffy (One Piece), Tanjiro (Demon Slayer), Dr. Strange, Moon Knight, Izuku Midoriya, and Bakugo Katsuki (My Hero Academia), to regional icons including Mayavi, Luttappi, and Minnal Murali. The Kochi Qualifier of the Indian Championship of Cosplay concluded with Indrakshi Haldar, cosplaying as Neverend, True Destiny King from Duel Masters, winning the title and ₹50,000 cash prize.

Gaming and Interactive Experiences:
The NODWIN Gaming Arena featured live gameplay, competitive challenges, VR experiences such as Chandrayan and Best Saber, racing simulators by Logitech, and a Just Dance booth, keeping attendees engaged throughout both days. Maruti Suzuki Arena and Crunchyroll experience zones attracted anime enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike, with exclusive perks for Crunchyroll Power Pass holders, including the immersive Suzume Door installation.

Main Stage Entertainment:
Musical performances from MHR & Joker energized the crowd with interactive singalongs, while Sreenath Bhasi & Crew drew a strong local response. Comedy sets from Gautham Govindan, Nirmal Pillai, Pilot Gomma, and Rohan Joshi, alongside pop-culture acts like Geek Fruit and Purple Line, rounded out the weekend’s entertainment offerings.

Kochi Comic Con’s inaugural edition successfully brought together comic readers, anime fans, gamers, cosplayers, and families, demonstrating that Kerala’s fandom culture balances nostalgia with a global outlook. With strong attendance and enthusiastic engagement, Kochi has firmly established itself on India’s pop-culture calendar, setting the stage for even larger celebrations in the coming years.

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