Press Releases

SKS365: “Covid-19 has not stopped our desire to innovate”

Published

6 years ago

June 12, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

READY TO LAUNCH THE STORE LOCATOR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YEXT

The Company takes stock of the development and expansion path carried out during lockdown. Cox (SKS365’s CCO): “Thanks to several innovations in every field, we have transformed an unprecedented threat for the business into an incredible opportunity for growth.”

These have been difficult months for the entire international gaming industry, with the retail network’s forced closure and the main sports competitions’ cancellations all over the world. The end of the lockdown means for many the unavoidable count of the damages and losses, but among the leading gaming operators there are also those who took the opportunity to come up with clear ideas and a plan of action that has never stopped.

SKS365, the group owner of the Planetwin365 brand carried on tirelessly an important path of innovation already started before the lockdown by completing several fundamental projects in these past months in lockdown.

“We can proudly say that we can face the recovery of normality with an even stronger identity, and a solid awareness because of the concrete results achieved during the Coronavirus lockdown– said Troy Cox, Chief Commercial Officer in SKS365 – We had to react and redesign our offer, adapting both to the limitations dictated by the stop of world sport events and to the related new needs of the Italian customers. And most of all, we had to provide a lot of support to the retail network which has been the most affected business branch during the Covid-19 emergency. From enhancing the offer on eSports to adding new Casino titles in our portfolio, thanks to important partnerships and improvements, plus the launch of ad hoc initiatives for the retail network and supported it constantly in view of the reopening, to be able to start over with the business from day one. As it has been said, the future of the companies will depend on how they managed and acted when everything was frozen. So, we have never stopped. One of the results of this work is an important development of the online presence of our retail market. This project is conceived to support and enhance the shops’ online visibility and the engagement with the customers”.

SKS365 has taken this opportunity to give greater impetus to the company’s IT soul, meeting the need for digitization that this pandemic has greatly enlarged and accelerated. This effort has resulted in a project in partnership with Yext – one of the most innovative suppliers in digital sector – that makes SKS365 keeping the pace with innovation technology: the Planetwin365 STORE LOCATOR.

“With the reopening of our shops, I am thrilled to announce major updates to point of sale systems for customers and shop owners – commented Jim Parkins, Chief Product and Technology Officer of SKS365 – The new Planetwin365 self-service bet booking system represents the biggest change for our customers since the launch of our retail systems. Apart from significantly improving the speed and experience placing bets, along with our market leading betting terminals, the new software will help shop owners and customers maintain safe social distancing. Additionally, locating all our 1000 Planetwin365 shops are now easily findable for customers in: Google maps, Apple maps, Waze and 45 other social mapping solutions. We look forward to welcoming back customers with our strongest product offering ever.”

The platform crosses Google Maps and network data to provide the user with an updated and complete map of all the shops in the proximity, including contacts, directions for reaching the shop and many other information that will soon be implemented. The Store Locator represents just the beginning of SKS synergy with Yext. More has to come in the following months.

“We are thrilled to work with SKS365 and to enhance their innovations – commented Wendi Sturgis, Yext CEO Europe -. As with any highly regulated industry, our goal is to make sure we can provide a better customer experience and increased discoverability while supporting the team at SKS in driving efficiencies. Especially now, in a challenging time with COVID-19, we’re proud to keep pushing to drive excellence.”

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

10 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

17 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

17 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.