eSports
Inter Miami keeper Luis Robles invests in promising esports business
MLS goalkeeper Luis Robles has joined the growing band of sports stars to make an investment in esports.
The Inter Miami stopper has followed in the footsteps of Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Odell Beckham Jr, who have all backed projects in pro gaming in recent years.
Robles, who is part of the Inter Miami squad owned by David Beckham, is among the investors in Luckbox – a fully licensing betting company that allows esports fans to make wagers on their favourite professional games.
And Robles’s timing appears to be perfect. Luckbox has reported record figures in the first half of 2020 and is now preparing to go public on the TSX Venture Exchange.
Robles, 36, has a degree in finance from the University of Portland and is a keen investor. He has seen first-hand the boom in popularity of esports among his team mates.
Robles said: “On the road, I’ll be watching Netflix, while my room-mate is watching Twitch.
“My team-mates, they’re watching in the same way they watch an opponent for a football match. They like to see tactics and strategies, what people are using and what works so that they can use those things in their own game.
“That to me was mind-blowing. And yet, it’s what people are doing and it shows the importance of esports in our culture right now.”
With the MLS among the many traditional sports on hold during the COVID-19 lockdown, pro players have taken to online FIFA matches as a way of keeping alive competition between teams and rivalry between fans.
Robles said: “With what’s going on in the world right now, a lot of the way we’ve been able to maintain a connection with our fanbase, is through FIFA – using FIFA as an avenue through which players can still compete, while entertaining and engaging fans. To some degree, it’s been successful.
“I think everyone wants us to be back on the field and playing, because that’s how they know us but it’s still a creative way of staying engaged with fans.
“From what I’ve seen, not only is a great way to continue to engage our fanbase but it’s great for the players – to keep the camaraderie and the banter going, the spirit in the locker room.
“It is different but times are very different right now and you have to find other avenues in which to do things.”
The big question, of course, is who is Inter Miami’s best FIFA player?
Robles said: “It depends on who you ask. If you ask Rodolfo Pizzaro, he’s going to say it’s him. Same if you ask Julian Carranza or Lee Nguyen.
“These are all guys who are heavily into it. They have their stations in their house. They’re very competitive, they put a lot of pride into their game.
“You have Lewis Morgan, from Scotland, who also seems to be really good. I think if you ask those four different players, you’d get four different answers but I can confidently say that I am not the best FIFA player and I would probably be competing for the worst FIFA player.
“But I love investing, I love diversifying my portfolio and looking at different decks and wishing I could get involved and Luckbox has given me a great opportunity to do that.”
Luckbox’s CEO Quentin Martin said: “It’s well documented that esports is super-hot right now and many famous names from the world of sports and entertainment have recognised this by backing a host of projects.
“We’ve been live in 100 countries for just over a year now, so we’re still a very young company. To have the support of someone as highly respected as Luis is clearly a massive boost for our company.
“For sports fans, betting on outcomes is often an extra way to enjoy the match experience. Safe, legal and legitimate betting is increasingly important to esports and, over the coming years, it will be the dominant driver of revenue for the industry.”
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BETBY strengthens its Asian position with agreement to power leading brand SABA Sports
Premium sportsbook provider BETBY has entered into a strategic partnership with renowned sports gaming supplier SABA Sports, marking a significant step in bringing BETBY’s award-winning esports feature, BETBY Games, to the Asian-facing market.
The partnership with SABA Sports, the largest sports betting provider in Asia, will kick off with the integration of NBA focused eBasketball content in its esports portfolio. Going forward SABA Sports will be expanding its e-sim offering with additional BETBY Games titles, which are renowned to increase player engagement through fast-betting content designed for the next generation of players.
“This partnership with SABA represents an important milestone for BETBY as we expand our footprint into the Asian market,” said Chris Nikolopoulos, BETBY’s Chief Commercial Officer. “SABA’s exceptional market presence and reputation make them an ideal partner to bring BETBY Games content to life for operators across the region. Together, we aim to deliver unparalleled esports experiences and redefine how players engage with these dynamic esports offerings.”
The post BETBY PARTNERS WITH SABA SPORTS TO DELIVER ESPORTS CONTENT THROUGH BETBY GAMES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
ESIC and WIPO Unveil IGET: A Landmark Dispute Resolution Body for the Global Video Games and Esports Industries
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation Arbitration and Mediation Center (WIPO AMC) announced the launch of the International Games and Esports Tribunal (IGET), a groundbreaking not-for-profit dispute resolution body designed to meet the unique needs of the global video games and esports industries.
IGET represents a pioneering effort to provide tailored, professional and accessible Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services for stakeholders in gaming and esports. Its innovative platform addresses the broad scope of disputes that arise in these fast-evolving sectors, ranging from anti-doping violations and player disciplinary matters to intellectual property (IP) conflicts and contractual disagreements.
A Game-Changing Approach to Dispute Resolution
Traditional legal frameworks often fail to accommodate the complexity, pace and global nature of disputes within gaming and esports. IGET fills this critical gap with:
• Specialised Expertise: IGET’s panel consists of arbitrators and mediators with in-depth knowledge of esports, video games, and intellectual property. This ensures disputes are resolved by professionals who understand the industry’s nuances and challenges.
• Global Accessibility: With a fully international approach, IGET enables parties from anywhere in the world to resolve disputes seamlessly and efficiently, regardless of jurisdiction.
• Comprehensive Coverage: IGET addresses a wide range of dispute types, from integrity-related matters like match-fixing and cheating to a wide range of commercial disputes including but not limited to IP disputes, player contracts, sponsorship agreements and beyond.
• Efficient Procedures: IGET’s bespoke ADR processes are designed for swift, effective resolutions, minimising disruption to the industry’s fast-moving ecosystem.
With the establishment of IGET, the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) will immediately transition the functions of its Independent Appeals Panel to IGET, making IGET the exclusive jurisdiction for all ESIC appeals.
Stephen Hanna, CEO of ESIC, said: “The launch of IGET is a significant and important milestone for the global video games and esports industries. By combining ESIC’s expertise in maintaining integrity with WIPO’s authority in intellectual property dispute resolution, this initiative will ensure that disputes are handled professionally and swiftly, maintaining the integrity that underpins these industries’ growth and credibility. IGET is a critical step towards fostering trust, professionalism, and fairness across our industries.”
Marco M. Alemán, Assistant Director General of WIPO’s IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector, added: “At WIPO, we understand the increasing relevance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in evolving sectors such as video games and esports. Our partnership with ESIC to establish IGET highlights our dedication to providing the essential infrastructure for impartial and effective dispute resolution within the esports and video gaming communities.”
To support stakeholders in understanding IGET’s services and processes, a series of public webinar information sessions will soon be made available. These sessions will provide an overview of IGET’s dispute resolution offerings, the steps involved in bringing a matter to the tribunal and guidance on how to incorporate the IGET model clause into agreements.
The post ESIC and WIPO Unveil IGET: A Landmark Dispute Resolution Body for the Global Video Games and Esports Industries appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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.
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