Latest News

Anzu Brings In-game Ads to Animated Sci-Fi Game Virtuverse

Published

5 years ago

October 27, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Today, Anzu.io, the world’s leading in-game advertising platform, announced a new partnership with the game developers of Virtuverse, a third-person PC-based massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). The deal will allow advertisers to display non-intrusive blended banner and video ads inside the animated fantasy game. Advertisers looking to connect with gamers in North and South America, Europe, and Russia will benefit the most as these are the most active regions for the game.

Virtuverse is built on the Unreal Engine which is what enables the game to have such captivating and stand-out graphics, a factor that attracts plenty of players and places the game in a premium category. Players can venture into any of the different fantasy lands, defeating monsters and collecting the spoils of war which can be traded for in-game items or exchanged for real money. While gamers, who average an unprecedented six and a half hours of playtime per session, explore futuristic worlds, they will encounter video and banner ads displayed on immersive billboards and interior screens in built-up settlements. These objects naturally fit into the futuristic game, with the ads enhancing the environment.

Since its first early access release in 2018, in addition to regularly adding new content, the development team has prioritized community building and listening to player feedback, which shows their ongoing commitment to creating a game that their dedicated fans love playing.

Virtuverse’s team is committed to keeping the game within the free-to-play model and supporting its costs through blended in-game ads. The game’s dedicated community has been vocal about supporting this monetization method, according to CEO and Founder Fin Yeates. The new partnership will contribute to what Yeates refers to as the ‘gaming economy’. Yeates said, “Virtuverse seeks to utilize Anzu to drive down costs for its players and offset operational costs with an immersive, in-game advertising system. Anzu’s the right partner for this!”

As players gravitate towards free-to-play games instead of paying around $60 per game, developers are actively looking for alternate ways to fund their businesses. In-game advertising has become a hot topic because it provides developers with a stable income stream that doesn’t rely on players paying for games. It also gives developers an opportunity to reduce the selling price of games without risking their bottom line. Anzu’s platform is the answer industry players have been waiting for. It provides gaming studios with a sustainable revenue stream, gamers with free game content, and advertisers with the ability to increase brand awareness through in-game ads that are non-disruptive and respect the gamer experience.

Anzu already works with big advertisers including Samsung and Vodafone, and gaming companies such as Ubisoft, Unfinished Pixel and Vivid Games to bring ads to games in the sports, racing, and simulation categories. With this partnership, Anzu extends its game genres to include animated fantasy, abating the doubts that industry had regarding how natural ads could look when placed in such an environment. Once again, Anzu has proved that the solution can work in any type of game content.

“Gamers won’t tolerate disruption anymore so we created a solution that works for them, game developers, and advertisers,” Anzu’s CEO and Co-founder Itamar Benedy said. “Many people were unsure of how video and banner ads could be harmoniously blended into an animated game, but we are happy to prove them wrong through our partnership with Virtuverse.”

Advisory

Brazilian Amilton Noble announced as Advisory Partner at Betshield

Published

2 hours ago

February 24, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

brazilian-amilton-noble-announced-as-advisory-partner-at-betshield

Betshield has announced the arrival of Amilton Noble as Advisory Partner.

The executive joins the company’s strategic core at a time of increased operational demands for licensed operators in the Brazilian betting market.

The move comes alongside a significant shift in how the sector is being evaluated.

Beyond regulatory compliance, recent court decisions have begun to consider not only the existence of formal user-protection policies, but also the platforms’ ability to demonstrate continuous monitoring and preventive action in response to risky behavior.

The evolution toward the “Trust & Protection” concept

Recognized for its pioneering role in Responsible Gaming technology, Betshield is following this evolution by expanding its presence within iGaming operations.

The company is structuring its proposition as a permanent layer of operational trust and protection, incorporating:

Risk management
Internal controls
Ability to demonstrate due diligence

Leadership and experience

Amilton Noble has a consolidated career in the gaming, lottery and iGaming industries.

As Advisory Partner, he will contribute to the company’s institutional positioning and to the consolidation of more structured operational practices in the regulated environment.

According to Noble, the sector is entering a new stage of maturity:

“Market maturity depends on the ability to demonstrate diligence. This is no longer just a licensing discussion, but one of operational responsibility.

Operators will need to present evidence of monitoring and preventive action. Technology becomes part of the company’s own protection.”

A new market positioning

Thiago Iusim, founder and CEO of Betshield, states that the moment represents an evolution in positioning:

“Responsible Gaming has always been our starting point. But we quickly realized it was necessary to go beyond isolated functionality.

The market began to require the ability to demonstrate operational diligence. We structured the Trust & Protection concept: a permanent layer between operator, regulator and user.”

Betshield’s technology performs continuous behavioral monitoring, identifies risk patterns, and generates a documented history of preventive actions.

The platform has also incorporated an anti-money laundering (AML) module, expanding the scope of protection.

Recently, Betshield also announced a strategic partnership with CGS Events, placing player protection as a central theme of the 2026 events agenda.

Who is Amilton Noble

With more than 30 years of experience in gaming, betting, and lotteries, Amilton Noble has built a career closely tied to product design, operational models, and distribution strategies within the Brazilian lottery sector.

He began his career at the Brazilian Jockey Club, where he served as National Betting Manager and oversaw pari-mutuel horse-racing wagering operations.

Starting in 2001, at Hebara, he led the commercial area of Raspadinha do Rio and was responsible for developing products that became market benchmarks.

He also works as a strategic consultant for national and international gaming, iGaming, and lottery companies, focusing on regulation, payout structure, and the economic sustainability of operating models.

His work combines practical experience, critical analysis, and direct involvement in the sector’s evolution.

The post Brazilian Amilton Noble announced as Advisory Partner at Betshield appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Cheltenham Festival

Richard Johnson and Hayley Moore to join Press Box PR’s Cheltenham Festival preview event in Gibraltar

Published

4 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

richard-johnson-and-hayley-moore-to-join-press-box-pr’s-cheltenham-festival-preview-event-in-gibraltar

Two-time Gold Cup-winning jockey Richard Johnson and Sky Sports Racing presenter Hayley Moore will headline a Cheltenham Festival Preview evening hosted by Press Box PR in Gibraltar next month.

Taking place on Thursday, March 5, at Ivy Sports Bar & American Grill in Ocean Village, the event will bring together professionals from across the gambling and racing industries for an exclusive preview of the Cheltenham Festival 2026, which begins on March 10.

Johnson, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished jump jockeys of his era, will share expert insight into the key races, leading contenders, and the demands of competing on racing’s biggest stage. He will be joined by Moore, who will offer analysis of the major storylines, form trends, and narratives shaping this year’s Festival.

The evening will be hosted by racing presenter and writer Kitty Waddell, who will moderate the discussion and lead a live audience Q&A with the panel.

Guests attending the event can expect:

• Detailed previews and tips for the Festival’s headline races
• Behind-the-scenes insights from Johnson’s career at the top level of jump racing
• Expert commentary from Moore on form, trends, and key contenders
• A live Q&A session with the panel
• Networking opportunities alongside complimentary food and drinks

Attendees will also have the chance to win prizes during the evening.

With offices in London and Manchester, Press Box PR — winner at the European iGaming Awards 2026 — is a PR agency specialising in securing media coverage across iGaming, sport, consumer, finance, hospitality, and catering sectors. The agency also supports brands in achieving visibility within AI citations and LLM-driven recommendations.

Jack Mansell, Managing Director of Sport at Press Box PR, said:
“The Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the jump racing calendar and a huge moment for many of the brands we work with across betting and gaming. We wanted to create an event that gives industry colleagues genuine insight from people who have competed at – and covered – the very highest level of the sport.

“Richard and Hayley bring an incredible depth of knowledge and experience, and we’re looking forward to welcoming clients, partners and friends of the industry for what should be an entertaining and informative evening in Gibraltar.”

The Cheltenham Festival Preview will run from 7pm to 10pm on Thursday, March 5, at Ivy Sports Bar & American Grill, Ocean Village, Gibraltar.

Industry professionals wishing to attend are invited to RSVP to [email protected] by Monday, March 2. Guests are asked to confirm numbers and share any dietary requirements when responding. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The post Richard Johnson and Hayley Moore to join Press Box PR’s Cheltenham Festival preview event in Gibraltar appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Audio Description

Brøndby IF Launches Permanent Audio Description Service for Fans Inside and Outside the Stadium

Published

4 hours ago

February 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

brondby-if-launches-permanent-audio-description-service-for-fans-inside-and-outside-the-stadium

Last night’s clash between Brøndby IF and Sønderjyske in the 3F Superliga became the first match delivered through the club’s new permanent audio description service, designed for fans both in the stadium and at home. Developed in close partnership with the Danish Association of the Blind and main partner Betano, the initiative enables supporters with visual impairments to follow matches more fully from the stands or their living rooms.

Brøndby IF is now the first club in Denmark and across the Nordic region to introduce a permanent audio description service for every home fixture. Available via radio.brondby.com, the service provides real-time spoken narration of on-pitch action, player movement, atmosphere, and key visual moments. A specially trained commentator delivers detailed descriptions to help visually impaired fans experience matches more completely.

Thomas Skov, Marketing Director and Head of Fan Experience at Brøndby IF, said:
“Brøndby IF is a unique community that must be accessible to everyone. Therefore, we must open as many doors as possible into that community. With permanent audio description both at the stadium and for those listening from home, we are taking a very concrete step to make the matchday experience at our home games even more inclusive. As a Brøndby IF fan, you should feel welcome and part of the club’s community no matter what. As a club, we have a strong responsibility to remove barriers that may stand in the way.”

Partnerships in Action

To mark the launch, members of the Danish Association of the Blind attended the home fixture against Sønderjyske, with the initiative receiving strong recognition from the organisation.

Diana Stentoft, National Chair of the Danish Association of the Blind, commented:
“Audio description is about equal access to the community, and it means that even more people can experience football – including those who cannot follow the game visually. Audio description makes a significant difference for blind and visually impaired people, as they are no longer dependent on random radio excerpts or constantly asking others what is happening on the pitch. We are therefore pleased that Brøndby IF is offering audio description at its home matches and thereby improving the opportunity for blind and severely visually impaired fans to follow the club’s games.”

Alongside the Danish Association of the Blind, Betano played a central role in supporting and developing the permanent service. The launch represents the first step in a broader ambition shared by Brøndby IF and Betano to reduce accessibility barriers in football.

Kresten Hougaard, Country Manager for Betano in Denmark, said:
“Inclusion is a key priority for Betano, as we strongly believe that everyone should have equal opportunities to enjoy the game. As the main partner of Brøndby IF, it is important for us to turn our commitments into action. We are proud to have participated in the development of a service that gives fans with visual impairments better access to the full football experience.”

Benefiting All Fans — Beyond the Stadium

The solution at Brøndby Stadium is the first permanent system of its kind in the Nordic region and can be accessed from anywhere.

At the stadium, fans can listen live via their smartphones and headphones through radio.brondby.com. At home, the same commentary can be synchronised with live TV broadcasts, allowing supporters to follow the match in real time from anywhere.

Thomas Skov added:
“The reach of Brøndby IF’s new audio description service extends beyond people with visual impairments. Fans who, for various reasons, are unable to attend the stadium can now follow the match on the go or from home and thereby be part of the club’s community.”

The software powering the service is provided by German technology company Mycrocast, which delivers similar solutions to clubs in the Bundesliga and Ajax Amsterdam.

Lead audio description commentator Selver Elezovic will front coverage of Brøndby IF’s matches. He previously provided commentary for Danish fixtures, including at EURO 2024, and will be joined at Brøndby’s home games by former player Joel Kabongo.

The post Brøndby IF Launches Permanent Audio Description Service for Fans Inside and Outside the Stadium appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.