eSports
All eyes on esports as COVID-19 wipes out sporting calendar
Esports betting is braced for a boost as sportsbook punters look for action during the Coronavirus outbreak. With the sporting calendar decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, betting opportunities are significantly reduced.
Most major football, golf, racing and tennis events have been cancelled or postponed as authorities try to tackle the virus.
But many esports events are able to be played online, allowing them to go ahead.
Quentin Martin, CEO of esports betting site Luckbox, said: âWhile the esports calendar has also been affected, itâs much more resilient in this situation because matches can be played online, without players needing to be in the same place.
âAnd, while having fans live in an arena generates a great atmosphere, it doesnât make too much difference to the hundreds of thousands of fans watching via live stream.
âSo far, the early indications are that esports betting volumes will increase – weâve seen a 54 per cent increase in new player registrations in the past week – since it was announced the English Premier League would be postponed.
âIt figures that players who enjoy sports betting are more inclined to give esports a try, with little else to bet on.
âMany sports fans are self-isolating or in lockdown and esports is pretty much the only show in town at the moment.â
The show goes on
ESL Pro League Season 11 – a CS:GO event that started on March 16 – was forced to switch to an online format by the Coronavirus outbreak and saw a significant increase in peak viewership on its first day. Some 146,000 fans tuned into the live Twitch stream, up from 115,00 in the previous season.
The number of fans playing esports games also seemingly increased, with CS:GO breaking the 1,000,000 mark for concurrent players for the first time in its 20-year history on March 14.
The League of Legends European and North American regions will resume online this weekend, while matches in China have returned to an offline format, with the situation improving there.
Overwatch League is another top-level esports event set to resume this weekend in an online-only format.
Mr Martin said: âClearly, these are challenging times for many people across the world but, for many, esports and gaming is a welcome distraction.
âPerhaps now is the time fans of traditional sports will take a look at esports and realise what all the fuss is about.â
eSports
Vlad Marinescu Re-Elected as 10th IESF President
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The International Esports Federation (IESF) concluded its 17th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, alongside the 17th World Esports Championship Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Finals. Member federations from around the world gathered to review the federationâs annual progress, adopt key motions, and participate in the 10th IESF Elections, marking a milestone moment in the federationâs governance history.
During the election session, Vlad Marinescu was re-elected as the 10th President of the IESF, securing his second term. His re-election reflects the continued confidence of the membership in his leadership and vision for the future of the World of Esports.
âI am truly grateful for the trust placed in me to continue leading the International Esports Federation,â Marinescu said. âAs we mark our 10th election cycle, we remain steadfast in our commitment to unity, transparency, and the sustained growth of the World of Esports.â
Delegates reviewed strategic priorities for the year ahead, including enhanced governance standards, expanded athlete development initiatives, and strengthened international cooperation. Voting on member-submitted motions underscored the federationâs collective commitment to advancing integrity, professionalism, and institutional maturity across the esports ecosystem.
The assembly also elected the IESF Board for 2026, comprising:
Board Members:
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HRH Prince Omar Bin Faisal â Jordan
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Afiq Fadhli Bin Narawi â Malaysia
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Elin Yoojung Moen â Norway
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Clint Kennedy â United States
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Flip De Bruyn â Namibia
The OGM concluded as the 17th World Esports Championship MLBB Finals continued, highlighting IESFâs ongoing mission to unite nations through Esports and support athletes, federations, and fans worldwide.
The post Vlad Marinescu Re-Elected as 10th IESF President appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Bet builder
GG.BET launches Bet Builder for a new way to bet
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Customers can now use Bet Builder, a format that lets them build their own set of markets on one match into a single bet with higher odds. Bet Builder is available for both esports and sports events. You can try out the new feature with a deposit bonus of up to 150% and a free bet worth up to $50.
Customers can now place a combined bet on a single match by picking various options for how events in the match will play out. For example, in CS2, customers can choose which team will win on a specific map, how many kills a specific player will rack up, how many rounds will be played on a single map, and so on.
To place a Bet Builder bet, pick an event that hasnât started yet, press the âBet Builderâ button, put together your selection of markets from those available, get higher combo odds, and finish placing the bet in one click. At this initial stage, GG.BET is offering Bet Builder on football, basketball, hockey, CS2, Dota 2, LoL, and VALORANT, with more sports and disciplines to be added down the line.
âGG.BET has always been known for embracing unconventional markets and elaborate betting options. Bet Builder is there to meet customer demand for more interesting formats in a single match. The ability to make predictions right down to a specific round and any other tiny detail of a match is what gives users variety and improves their skills,â the GG.BET press office explained.
GG.BET is offering customers the opportunity to test out the Bet Builder format with a deposit bonus of up to 150% and a free bet of up to $50.
The post GG.BET launches Bet Builder for a new way to bet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur
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The World Esports Championship 2025 (WEC25) is officially open in Kuala Lumpur, welcoming athletes, fans, and delegations from around the globe. With 19 nations taking part in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), this yearâs event stands as the most internationally diverse MLBB competition in IESF history.
After a year filled with national and regional qualifiers and preparations from teams around the world, the worldâs top esports athletes have arrived in Malaysiaâs capital, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony set the tone for the days ahead, offering fans a first glimpse of the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this yearâs championship.
âWEC25 reflects the continued growth of esports as a space for connection, competition, and shared passion,â said IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski. âBringing together 19 nations for MLBB is a milestone not just for the title, but for the entire esports ecosystem. We are proud to bring this edition of the championship to Kuala Lumpur.â
As the competition officially kicks off, the schedule is fully packed with exciting match-ups among Nations, competing for their flag and country. The best from all over the world will have the unique opportunity to become the MLBB World Champion.
IESF extends its gratitude to the Malaysian government and the Ministry for Youth and Sports, partners, athletes, and global supporters who continue to elevate the championshipâs reach and impact.
The post IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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