Eastern Europe
Kyiv hosted an international esports tournament: WePlay! Mad Moon
On Feb. 19-23 the Ukrainian capital hosted an international esports tournament WePlay! Dota 2 Tug of War: Mad Moon with a $300,000 prize pool. The event included players from Sweden, Poland, Jordan, Germany, Serbia, Argentina, Peru, and other countries.
Between Feb. 20 and 23, the players competed in front of a live audience at Kyiv concert-hall VDNG (pavilion #9). The residents and guests of the city had an opportunity to attend the event for free and meet esports legends such as Danil “Dendi” Ishutin, Clement “Puppey” Ivanov, Kuro “KuroKy” Salehi Takhasomi, and many others.
At the venue, WePlay! Esports and the event partners provided various activities. For example, the visitors could participate in amateur tournaments and win prizes at the WePlay! Tournament Platform stand. After their matches, the professional teams participated in autograph signing sessions.
Now that the tournament has ended, the WePlay! Esports team has received a plethora of positive feedback about the show component of the event. From SFM-clips, augmented reality, music performances, and the atmosphere of cyberpunk, the viewers were delighted by what they saw on live streams and on the stage. The approach to organizing esports events where competitive matches are a part of a show is something we call esportainment.
“Each tournament is another challenge on the quest for our goal — organizing the most popular esports shows in the world. We thrive not only to live up to the expectations of our audience but also to exceed them. WePlay! Mad Moon proved once again that we are on the right path. In March, we will announce a new event plan. Trust me; it will be impressive.”
– Managing Partner of WePlay! Esports Yuriy Lazebnikov
One of the most extraordinary moments of the show happened when teams arrived on stage on board the Madmoontruck. This moment was extensively covered in the press and went viral on social media.
In the finals of WePlay! Mad Moon, champions of the two previous Dota Pro Circuit events went toe to toe in a nail-biter series. Team Secret won the first two games of the best of 5 series, but Team Nigma managed to come back and win the championship.
WePlay! Mad Moon prize pool allocation:
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1st Team Nigma — $130,000
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2nd Team Secret — $60,000
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3rd Virtus.pro — $30,000
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4th Gambit Esports — $20,000
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5th/6th B8 — $12,000
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5th/6th Aggressive Mode — $12,000
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7th/8th Infamous — $8,000
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7th/8th Ninjas in Pyjamas — $8,000
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Amer “Miracle-“ Al-Barkawi (Team Nigma) won $10,000 as the core MVP
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Maroun “GH Merhej (Team Nigma) won $10,000 as the support MVP
WePlay! Mad Moon is the final tournament of the Dota 2 Tug of War trilogy series. It also included WePlay! Radiant with a prize pool of $50,000 and WePlay! Dire with a prize pool of $30,000.
According to analytical company Esports Charts, the event attracted 295,110 peak viewers during the series between Team Nigma and Virtus.pro. The official English-speaking broadcast peaked at 91,093 viewers.
“We are happy about breaking yet another record in viewership. The WePlay! Esports team once again organized a show that WOWED! We’ve set the bar even higher for ourselves and esports in general. We will only allow ourselves to get better with time.”
– Business Development Manager компании WePlay! Esports.
#MadMoon, #WePlayDota2
Source: WePlay! Esports Press Office
Compliance Updates
Ukraine Launches Online Portal for Gambling Licence Applications
Businesses can now obtain licenses for organising and conducting gambling activities online through the Diia portal, without paper documents or in-person interaction with the state, according to a statement by PlayCity, the state agency regulating Ukraine’s gambling and lottery market.
According to the release, applications can be generated in the Diia electronic cabinet and signed using a qualified electronic signature (QES). Some data will be automatically retrieved from state registries, including information about the company, its owners and beneficiaries.
PlayCity will review submitted applications, and applicants will receive decisions on license issuance or refusal online via Diia.
Companies will be able to apply for licenses covering casino operations, bookmaking, slot machine halls, online poker, as well as B2B services in the gambling sector.
Acting Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Borniakov said on Telegram that the ministry, together with PlayCity, has also prepared amendments to sector-specific legislation aimed at strengthening entry checks for companies in terms of reputation, integrity, ownership structure and absence of ties to the aggressor state.
“Our goal is to create a transparent and controlled market in which digital tools ensure both convenience for businesses and trust in the state,” Borniakov said.
The post Ukraine Launches Online Portal for Gambling Licence Applications appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Best Slot Developer
Amusnet Named Best Slot Developer at GamingTECH Awards 2026
Amusnet has been awarded the title of Best Slot Developer at the GamingTECH Awards 2026, marking a notable acknowledgment of the company’s innovative and technical prowess. Unveiled on March 25th in Prague at the 10th-anniversary edition of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, this recognition emphasizes the influence of the company’s varied, high-achieving slot collection throughout Central and Eastern European markets.
This accolade highlights the organization’s capacity to provide a diverse array of titles that satisfy the changing needs of both operators and players. By prioritizing technical dependability, dynamic animations, and captivating features, Amusnet has positioned itself as a key partner in the area.
“We are truly honoured to receive the Best Slot Developer award,” commented Julia Peeva-Sertov, CEO & Director at Amusnet Gaming, Malta. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences for players. Empowering our partners continues to inspire us to push boundaries and set new benchmarks in the industry.”
The Prague Gaming & TECH Summit united industry leaders and top executives to explore the connection between gaming, AI, and fintech. During the event, representatives from Amusnet Gaming participated in strategic networking and high-level discussions within the industry, enhancing connections with partners in the CEE area. Winning this title at a milestone anniversary occasion reinforces the company’s position as an innovative leader in the digital entertainment industry.
The post Amusnet Named Best Slot Developer at GamingTECH Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
GLI Becomes First International Gaming Lab to be Accredited in Ukraine
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has become the first international gaming lab to be accredited in Ukraine.
GLI Europe B.V. was appointed by Ukrainian regulatory authority, PlayCity, as both a testing/certification and inspection body for gambling equipment in the country and is currently the only foreign entity to be accredited.
GLI Europe B.V. will perform testing and certification of all gaming related hardware and software in accordance with the requirements of PlayCity and the Ukrainian gaming regulatory framework. GLI will deliver all Ukrainian certification services through its European operational hub, GLI Europe B.V., ensuring certification is conducted under GLI’s ISO/IEC 17025, 17020, and 17065 accreditations.
The company will work with both foreign and Ukrainian suppliers, whereas Ukraine is considered a regulated market, and suppliers will need to hold a certificate of approval from PlayCity in order to request certification for the market.
“We are grateful for the trust PlayCity has placed in GLI. At GLI, we work with regulators in more than 710 jurisdictions, and we will bring our global expertise to PlayCity and to suppliers who wish to enter the Ukrainian market, guaranteeing the highest levels of testing quality and compliance,” said James Boje, Managing Director, EMEIA.
The post GLI Becomes First International Gaming Lab to be Accredited in Ukraine appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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