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gamescom 2020: ‘A strong signal in challenging times’

Published

6 years ago

September 9, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

game draws a positive balance after first all-digital gamescom
More than 2 million people worldwide simultaneously view grand kick-off show ‘gamescom: Opening Night Live’
Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer announces start of major games funding programme at gamescom

gamescom 2020 sends a strong signal in challenging times: the world’s biggest games event was successfully implemented in digital form, despite turmoil in the development plans of numerous games studios due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a comparatively short planning phase. Millions of players worldwide followed gamescom 2020, which took place in parallel on many digital platforms. The digital concept of gamescom 2020, developed in just a few weeks in collaboration with Koelnmesse and the top gamescom exhibitors, shows the great potential of gamescom for the coming years: many companies participated for the first time this year as official partners; in addition, the fair’s international reach has continued to increase significantly. This is the conclusion drawn by game – the German Games Industry Association, the co-organiser of gamescom.

Jens Kosche, game Executive Board member and Managing Director of Electronic Arts for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, says: ‘Even though the use of games has increased in the last several months, the COVID-19 pandemic is a huge challenge for the international games industry too. Physical events have been cancelled and, in many cases, the development of games also hasn’t continued in the usual manner, with the focus on the safety and health of all involved requiring that thousands of developers work from home. This made it all the more important that gamescom could be held successfully online: it was an anchor in the event calendar and attracted the attention of the community worldwide. I expressly thank all of the partners who, this year especially, have dedicated themselves to the success of gamescom, our most important industry event.’

The special highlight of gamescom 2020 was the show that kicked it off, ‘gamescom: Opening Night Live’. Over two million people viewed the event simultaneously, a fourfold increase from last year’s strong premiere. This makes it one of the top three gaming events worldwide that have taken place online in 2020. The livestreams and events of the approximately 370 official gamescom partners have contributed to its global reach. These included, for example, the ESL One Cologne and the numerous livestreams with influencers from around the world who disseminate the content of gamescom in a wide range of languages. Partnerships with platforms like Twitch and YouTube as well as TikTok and Steam also helped gamescom 2020 reach the community everywhere in the internet.

Felix Falk, Managing Director of game, says: ‘The extraordinary circumstances made gamescom 2020 extremely challenging, yet especially exciting. The digital concept demonstrates how big the international potential of our games event – already the largest in the world – still is. At the same time, however, it has become clear how important the on-site conference, in addition to further digital development, is for the community and the games industry. So, we now have to take our experience from this year and use it to develop the ideal combined on- and offline event for 2021. We’re also especially happy about the political signals that were sent by gamescom 2020. The launch of the major games funding programme announced by Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Andreas Scheuer is historic and marks the start of our race to catch up as a competitive international site for games development. Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’s contribution to the gamescom congress, as well as the Debatt(l)e Royale and the participation of over 200 guests in digital tours, show that, this year too, gamescom remains one of the most important platforms for the exchange between policymakers and the digital generation.’

Further information on gamescom 2020 online participation and international audience can be found here

Next year’s gamescom will be held as a hybrid event in Cologne and on the net from Wednesday, 25 August, to Sunday, 29 August 2021.

About gamescom

gamescom is the world’s largest event for computer and video games, as well as Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry. In 2021, gamescom is planned as a hybrid event to be held on-site and digitally, from Wednesday, 25 August, to Sunday, 29 August. gamescom is jointly organised by Koelnmesse and game – the German Games Industry Association.

game – the German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members include developers, publishers and many other games industry actors such as esports event organisers, educational establishments and service providers. As a joint organiser of gamescom, we are responsible for the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. We are an expert partner for media and for political and social institutions, and answer questions relating to market development, games culture and media literacy. Our mission is to make Germany the best games location.

betting innovation

DATA.BET Expands at SiGMA South America 2026

Published

16 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Wladimir P.

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DATA.BET has reinforced its ambitions in Latin America by making a strong return to BiS SiGMA South America 2026, one of the region’s most influential iGaming events.

With a significantly larger presence and an expanded product suite, the company demonstrated a clear evolution from its earlier identity as an esports-centric provider into a comprehensive sportsbook solutions partner.

Held in São Paulo, the event provided the perfect stage for DATA.BET to showcase its full-scale betting ecosystem. The company presented an integrated portfolio that spans traditional sports betting, esports wagering, and virtual sports—positioning itself as a one-stop solution for operators targeting regulated markets, particularly in Brazil.

A key highlight of DATA.BET’s offering is its GLI certification for Brazil. This certification is a major advantage for operators, as it removes the need for additional technical approvals and significantly shortens time-to-market. In a rapidly developing regulatory environment like Brazil’s, this capability gives partners a competitive edge when launching or scaling their betting platforms.

At the exhibition stand, visitors explored several product enhancements designed to improve both operator efficiency and player engagement. Among the updates were revamped Statistical Widgets and the esports-focused Timeline Widget, both aimed at delivering richer real-time insights and more immersive user experiences. The introduction of features such as One-Click Bet and Early Payout further underscores DATA.BET’s commitment to streamlining the betting journey while adding flexibility and excitement for end users.

In addition to officially announced upgrades, the company also teased an upcoming feature currently in development. While details remain under wraps, DATA.BET indicated that this innovation will push engagement standards even higher, reflecting its ongoing investment in next-generation betting technology.

Beyond technology, the company ensured its booth stood out through an engaging and interactive atmosphere. Cosplayers portraying popular League of Legends characters Jinx and Ahri attracted steady attention, reinforcing DATA.BET’s roots in esports culture while bridging the gap to mainstream sports betting audiences. A dynamic kinetic screen added a visual centerpiece, helping to maintain strong visitor engagement throughout the event.

According to Natalie Loshatynska, Head of PR & Marketing at DATA.BET, the company’s return to SiGMA South America marks a significant milestone. She emphasized that the transformation from an esports-focused provider to a full sportsbook ecosystem reflects both strategic growth and a deep commitment to local markets. With expanded coverage, localized certification, and tailored tools, DATA.BET is positioning itself as a leading supplier across key verticals including esports, traditional sports, and virtual betting.

This strategic shift aligns with broader industry trends, as Latin America—particularly Brazil—continues to emerge as one of the fastest-growing regulated betting markets globally. By investing in technology, compliance, and localized solutions, DATA.BET aims to empower operators to capitalize on these opportunities while delivering high-quality betting experiences to users.

As competition intensifies in the region, companies that can combine regulatory readiness with innovative product offerings are likely to lead the market. DATA.BET’s performance at BiS SiGMA South America 2026 suggests it is well on its way to becoming a dominant force in the evolving Latin American betting landscape.

The post DATA.BET Expands at SiGMA South America 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

DATA.BET Returned to BiS SiGMA South America 2026

Published

16 hours ago

April 11, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

data.bet-returned-to-bis-sigma-south-america-2026

The company showcased its full betting portfolio to São Paulo.

DATA.BET, a leading sportsbook solution supplier, has successfully wrapped up its participation at BiS SiGMA South America 2026, one of the largest iGaming events in Latin America. The company was back on the expo floor with a significantly larger stand and a wider portfolio, marking a clear shift from the previous positioning as an esports-first company to a full-spectrum betting ecosystem.

The team presented a complete sportsbook offering covering sports, esports, and virtual specifically tailored for casino and sports betting brands looking to enter or expand in the regulated market. The company holds GLI certification for Brazil, which eliminates the need for additional technical validation and allows operators to reduce time to launch.

At the stand, attendees got a closer look at a range of recent updates, including refreshed Statistical Widgets and the esports Timeline Widget. The company unveiled One-Click Bet and Early Payout, and shared an early look at a new feature yet to be officially announced, aimed at raising the bar for player engagement.

The stand brought the energy visitors have come to expect from DATA.BET. Cosplayers dressed as Jinx and Ahri, fan-favorite characters from League of Legends, drew consistent attention throughout the event, while a kinetic screen added an interactive visual element that kept foot traffic engaged.

“Returning to BiS SiGMA South America this year felt like a natural checkpoint for the team. Last time we were here, DATA.BET was an esports-focused company. This time, we came back with a full sportsbook solution, strengthened by extended coverage, local certification, and products and tools specifically adapted for local clients. All of these steps demonstrate the commitment to establishing ourselves in Brazil as a leading supplier with expertise in key betting verticals: esports, sports, and virtual sports,” said Natalie Loshatynska, Head of PR & Marketing at DATA.BET.

DATA.BET continues to invest in its technology and coverage to support partners targeting one of the fastest-growing regulated betting markets in the region.

The post DATA.BET Returned to BiS SiGMA South America 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Basketball Federation of Ukraine

GGBET UA and FBU Host “Media Slam”: A Landmark Open Media Event for Ukrainian Basketball

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

ggbet-ua-and-fbu-host-“media-slam”:-a-landmark-open-media-event-for-ukrainian-basketball

In a historic move for Ukrainian sports, the Basketball Federation of Ukraine (FBU) and title sponsor GGBET UA recently hosted Media Slam in Kyiv. This inaugural open media event served as a high-level forum to analyze the regular season results of the GGBET SuperLeague and the recent performances of Ukraine’s men’s and women’s national teams.

Since becoming the league’s title sponsor in January 2026, GGBET UA has prioritized transparency and engagement. The event highlighted a significant milestone: the return of fans to stadiums despite the ongoing challenges of martial law, signaling a resilient recovery for the domestic game.

Highlights and Recognition

The “Media Slam” wasn’t just about statistics; it was a celebration of the sport’s current momentum:

MVP Honors: The regular season’s top five players were officially recognized for their outstanding contributions.
Kyiv-Basket Victory: The Ukrainian Cup winners received a formal check in honor of their championship win.
Market Discussion: Stakeholders engaged in a candid dialogue regarding the increasing competitiveness of the league.

Sergii Mishchenko, CEO of GGBET UA, commented:

“We didn’t get involved in Ukrainian basketball just to have our logo on a banner. This is a systematic approach. We see the increasing interest in basketball and want to be a part of that growth. The tougher the competition, the stronger Ukrainian basketball becomes.”

A Strategic Expansion

Basketball marks a major pillar in GGBET UA’s diversifying sports portfolio. Following high-profile partnerships with FC Dynamo Kyiv, FC Polissya Zhytomyr, and the Usyk vs. Dubois 2 rematch, the brand is now cementing its status as a cornerstone of the Ukrainian basketball ecosystem.

The post GGBET UA and FBU Host “Media Slam”: A Landmark Open Media Event for Ukrainian Basketball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.