eSports
Sergey Portnov: Perspectives & predictions
Speaking at PM:GO: In Touch with the Future, Parimatch CEO Sergey Portnov opened the floor to questions on topics ranging from why Parimatch and Conor McGregor are a great match, how to survive in a crisis, to predictions for the betting industry and sport in the wake of COVID-19. In typical fashion, Sergey spoke candidly to give the audience insights into some of the most pressing industry issues as well as his plans for Parimatch…
The esports boom
Parimatch is one of the few betting companies to have already shifted its focus to esports – and we are now looking to consolidate our position in the sector. Parimatch has a dedicated team with influential leaders responsible for our development strategy for esports. We will continue to seek out sponsorship deals in the esports sector and innovate our esports offering. The reality is that esports is here to stay and this is not just a temporary attempt to participate and jump on the hype bandwagon. Esports is in our DNA, it is our top priority.
With sports fixtures cancelled across the world, many sports fans have turned to esports, and the popularity of esports will continue perhaps even with the return of sports matches. Looking to the near future, it might be that traditional sports matches are held without crowds of people. For the betting industry, it actually doesn’t matter. We just need the match to take place and to be broadcast. Looking further ahead, there will likely be plans drawn up to avoid having to stop all sport like this again, and there will be conditions agreed for how the sport industry can continue to operate if faced with another situation like the one we’re in now.
At Parimatch, we are also considering creating our own sports, to increase the opportunities for betting and entertainment for our players. For example, we could broadcast penalties, involving just a player and a goalkeeper. During normal times, you don’t have these kinds of ideas – which is why a crisis can be an opportunity to innovate.
Emerging from a crisis stronger and faster
With sports fixtures cancelled around the world, betting companies are seeing the majority of their players fall away. The challenge is how to engage wider audiences with simulated sports – and this is a challenge shared by all bookmakers who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Some operators will withstand this crisis better than others, because they have adapted their business model, by pivoting to online casinos or adding alternative sports – such as FIFA and table tennis.
Although Parimatch has been affected, we are poised to be one of the structural winners to emerge from the crisis, as we are adapting and finding new solutions so that we remain one step ahead. In every sector, this is great time to optimize your business, identify weak spots in the company and fulfil goals that have been put off.
For me personally, I feel comfortable during a crisis, maybe because I love fighting and it has given me the fighting spirit that you need to prosper during difficult conditions. My advice to those who struggle is to always stay calm to avoid being guided by emotions and making rash decisions under pressure. A person who can distinguish between truth and artificial pressure will be right in their decisions.
Parimatch & The Notorious: A meeting of minds
Our contract with UFC was a prerequisite for Conor as our brand ambassador – and Conor is picky, he doesn’t just collaborate with any brand for money. It was our connection to UFC that initially attracted him. But why did Parimatch choose Conor? Firstly, because there a few examples of celebrities who have really changed their industry. Conor is one of those few people – he has made the UFC popular globally, bringing MMA into the mainstream. In fact, Conor is the face of MMA, and has attracted millions of fans to UFC not just because of his fighting skills, but for what he does
outside the ring. He can gather a crowd of people at a click of a finger – you could say he is a great magician! That kind of power and energy is what we wanted for our brand.
In the ring: Beating the competition
At Parimatch, we of course keep an eye on our competitors, but we mostly compete with ourselves – not on a personal level, but on a company wide scale. We are focused on meeting our own goals, and not trying to copy competitor products, no matter how great they are. We know our weaknesses as a business and we know how to fight them.
For Parimatch, the main priority is solidifying our position as a technology company. Already 99.9% of our business operates online and 70% of it is mobile based. However, we want to become a leading technology business, and not just within the betting sector. We want to be a role model for related industries. We know this may take a few years, but we are confident that we will do it – and will become one of the very few betting companies to have made a major technology breakthrough.
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Asia
Skillhub Online Games Federation and Global Esports Federation Unite to Bring Global Esports Tour 2025 to India
In a landmark moment for India’s esports ecosystem, Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) proudly announces its collaboration with the Global Esports Federation (GEF) to bring the Global Esports Tour (GET) 2025 to Mumbai. This historic event marks the first-ever Global Esports Tournament in India, further cementing the nation’s role as an emerging force in global esports.
The first ever Global Esports Tournament in Mumbai will bring together top-tier professional esports athletes and teams to compete on a world-class stage. This initiative is a direct outcome of the Strategic Framework Agreement signed between SOGF and Global Esports Federation (GEF) in October 2024, signifying a long-term commitment to developing esports across South Asia, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The Global Esports Tour Mumbai will not only showcase high-stakes competition but also serve as a launchpad for India’s esports talent onto the international stage. By hosting a prestigious event of this scale, SOGF aims to bolster India’s esports industry, drive investments, and create unparalleled opportunities for athletes, developers, and organizations within the ecosystem.
Sibtain Baqri, Chief Executive Officer of SOGF, expressed his excitement about this milestone,“Bringing the Global Esports Tour to India is more than just a tournament—it’s a movement. This event underscores India’s potential as a global esports powerhouse, providing athletes with an international platform to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level. SOGF is committed to nurturing this ecosystem, and GET Mumbai is just the beginning of our larger vision to shape the future of esports in India and South Asia.”
Echoing this sentiment, Rustam Aghasiyev, Chief of Staff & Operations at Global Esports Federation, stated: “We are thrilled to expand our global footprint with the Global Esports Tour in Mumbai, which will introduce a new wave of opportunities for Indian and South Asian esports communities. Our partnership with SOGF is a significant step toward fostering an inclusive, competitive, and world-class esports environment in the region.”
Global Esports Tour, the GEF’s professional team series, showcases elite-level esports athletes and teams competing in high-stakes tournaments across iconic global cities. The arrival of GET in India underscores GEF’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and delivering impactful experiences for athletes, audiences, and stakeholders alike.
The post Skillhub Online Games Federation and Global Esports Federation Unite to Bring Global Esports Tour 2025 to India appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
FeedConstruct, a trusted provider of sports betting solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with GRID Esports (GRID), a pioneer in esports data and services. This collaboration will see FeedConstruct leveraging GRID’s advanced esports scouting data to enhance the speed and accuracy of its odds feed.
By integrating GRID’s official esports live data into its trading team’s operations, FeedConstruct ensures its odds feed remains highly accurate and reliable. This improvement will not only augment FeedConstruct’s exclusive offerings but also provide betting operators with a competitive edge through fast and precise odds.
Narek Harutyunyan, CEO of FeedConstruct, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Grid as a partner. This collaboration allows us to enhance our odds feed offering with their esports scouting data, and we look forward to working together to deliver valuable solutions to our clients in the sports betting industry. We are confident this partnership will benefit sports betting operators and providers worldwide, empowering them to stand out in the market.”
As part of this partnership, GRID will supply FeedConstruct with data and livestreams for leading esports titles such as League of Legends, VALORANT, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Dota 2, BLAST and Rainbow Six Siege.
“We’re thrilled to partner with FeedConstruct and extend our data solutions across the entire ecosystem. Our mission has always been to provide the most reliable, real-time esports data, and this partnership represents a significant milestone in bringing professional-grade esports insights to a global betting audience,” said Mikael Westerling, Chief Strategy Officer at GRID.
The post FeedConstruct Partners with GRID Esports to Enhance Odds Feed with Esports Scouting Data appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
NIP Group Partners with Abu Dhabi Investment Office to Accelerate Abu Dhabi’s Esports Industry
NIP Group Inc., a leading digital entertainment company, announced that it has entered a multi-year partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to drive gaming, media and entertainment growth in Abu Dhabi.
The five-year landmark agreement will see ADIO support NIP Group’s expansion in the region. Under the agreement, ADIO will support the Company with access to financial and non-financial growth opportunities valued at up to US$40 million over a four-year period. The NIP Group will establish its global headquarters in Abu Dhabi and will contribute to local employment in the esports and gaming sector. The Company will also increase its capacity across key business verticals in the region, including esports operations, creative studios and game publishing, alongside events and talent management.
Through the partnership, NIP Group will work directly with ADIO to advise on its gaming and esports strategy, leveraging Abu Dhabi’s location and resources to build a thriving local gaming ecosystem and deliver innovative digital entertainment solutions worldwide.
“We’re delighted to partner with ADIO as we bring together our Eastern and Western businesses, establishing a truly global headquarter that represents not only our growth as a company but the growth of gaming and entertainment in the Middle East. Our selection as a key partner is the ultimate testament to NIP Group’s industry legacy and leadership,” said Hicham Chahine, Co-CEO of NIP Group.
Mario Ho, Chairman and Co-CEO of NIP Group, said: “This partnership underscores our dedication to sustainable global expansion and operational excellence. This collaboration with ADIO not only reflects our growth ambitions but also our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for local talent. By creating new jobs and amplifying Abu Dhabi’s leadership in esports and gaming, we aim to empower a new generation of professionals who will drive the gaming and entertainment sector forward in the Middle East and beyond.”
H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, said: “ADIO’s partnership with NIP Group reflects our shared ambition to lead in innovative industries of the future at the cutting edge of entertainment and technology. Welcoming NIP Group to Abu Dhabi represents an important addition to this endeavour, and we look forward to collaborating to ensure a dynamic future for Abu Dhabi’s esports and gaming industries.”
Through the partnership, NIP Group will have support from the broader Abu Dhabi ecosystem, which will help the Company expand its business in the Middle East and globally.
The post NIP Group Partners with Abu Dhabi Investment Office to Accelerate Abu Dhabi’s Esports Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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