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From athletes to digital entrepreneurs: SKS365 and LVenture Group launch ‘Digital & Entrepreneurship in Sports’

Published

5 years ago

February 1, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The free training course is addressed to ex sport professionals and consists of five workshops where digital business ideas will be developed

A path to acquire skills in the field of digital economy after having been a sports star: this is the challenge launched to all former professional athletes who want to join the Digital & Entrepreneurship in Sports course, a free training program powered by LVenture Group in collaboration with SKS365 through its brand dedicated to CSR, “Training Program”. Former athletes will have time until February 20th to apply and participate in the selections for the course that is going to start in March.

The program has an intensive quarterly calendar, with classes between Rome and Milan which will be accessible also remotely. It is addressed to former athletes who, once their professional career is over, want to develop a business idea, launch an entrepreneurial project and seize the opportunities of the digital economy. The program consists of five workshops on different topics such as digital entrepreneurship, personal branding, communication, Social Responsibility and it is aimed at teaching an effective methodology in building and promoting one’s image in the business environment.

In a global context still strongly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, sport is one of the most damaged sectors. A study carried out by PwC[1] estimated an average loss of 220 billion euros in 2020 and 55 billion euros in 2021. This scenario further highlights the need for “re-skilling” and repositioning in the digital field in order to acquire the strategic skills necessary to succeed in the “new-normal”.

Based on this experience, the SKS365 Training Program together with the Open Innovation division of LVenture Group, a listed VC operator and one of the main start-up accelerators in Europe, has developed the Digital & Entrepreneurship in Sports program.

“During their career, sportsmen develop unique and personal ‘skills on the field’, which are difficult to understand by those with a purely academic background. However, this experiences risk to be lost if not put into practice – commented Brian Dean, Chief People OfficerSKS365 – With this program, we aim to leverage on previous knowledge in the sports sector and offer, thanks to LVenture Group know how, the tools and the appropriate skills for a new career path in the digital economy. We want to focus on the people element – adds Dean – because we believe that every professional experience, when supported with the right tools, can generate new and successful business ideas. Training is one of the core values of our Corporate Identity. SKS365 has been investing energy and ideas for some time to support the professional growth of its employees. Among the various projects, we launched a training program in Covid-19 times with Udemy, a leading e-learning platform.”

A recent study by the FIGC[2] (Italian football Federation) underlined the difficult situation experienced by many former athletes. FIGC interviewed over 3,000 players after their sport retirement: 61% were unemployed and only 1 out of 10 had gotten a job within five years. This trend is also confirmed internationally. In the United States, some research has underlined that 78% of NFL[3] players and 60% of NBA[4] basketball players face serious financial difficulties within 5 years since their sport retirement. Planning the professional future at the end of the sport career is an even greater need for less-paying sports athletes: that is the reason why the International Olympic Committee introduced the career programs for sportsmen in 2005.

“The transition from competitive activity to the beginning of a new professional career can present various obstacles, considering the evolution of the labour market and the new skills required in the digital field. With this program made in cooperation with the SKS365 Training Program, we want to enhance the personal skills and mindset acquired by the athletes during their careers and offer them an opportunity to launch new professional projects, whether they are self-entrepreneurial or not, and strengthen the image and reputation of these pros to fully seize all the opportunities that the digital economy offers today”, said Antonella Zullo, Head of Open Innovation at LVenture Group.

More info about contents and on how to apply for the Digital & Entrepreneurship in Sports course are available on the website dedicated to the project: https://www.digitalinsportstraining.com/.

Brazil

RubyPlay expands Brazilian presence through partnership with Esportes da Sorte

Published

37 minutes ago

February 12, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

rubyplay-expands-brazilian-presence-through-partnership-with-esportes-da-sorte

RubyPlay goes live with Esportes da Sorte, the flagship Esportes Gaming Brasil Group brand, to elevate player engagement across Brazil’s regulated market

RubyPlay, a studio-based content ecosystem, has strengthened its position in Brazil after partnering with leading online casino operator, Esportes da Sorte.

The launch features a selection of RubyPlay’s most popular titles, including Mad Hit® Diamonds and Mad Hit® Mr Coin. Content from Koala Games, RubyPlay’s market-focused studio with a strong focus on the Brazilian market, has also gone live with Esportes da Sorte, including Voltage Blitz® Rapid, 3 Big Barrels® Buffalo, and Voltage Blitz® Vortex.

The launch with the tier 1 operator forms part of RubyPlay’s wider expansion strategy in Brazil’s regulated market and is part of a broader go-live across the Esportes Gaming Brasil group, which includes additional launches with group brands LOTTU and OnaBet.

RubyPlay has established a strong track record of delivering high-performing, localised content tailored to Brazilian player preferences, driving engagement and delivering value for its partners.

By combining RubyPlay’s distinctive Latin American game design expertise with Esportes da Sorte’s strong market presence, the partnership is set to deliver a compelling entertainment experience to a broad audience of online players across Brazil’s rapidly growing market.

Dima Reiderman, CCO at RubyPlay, said: Brazil is a central part of our growth strategy, and working alongside an influential operator like Esportes da Sorte marks an important milestone in our growth strategy.

“Their firm regional presence, paired with our localised, high-performing content, creates a powerful proposition that we believe will resonate strongly with players.”

Hugo Baungartner, CBO at Esportes da Sorte, added: “We are committed to offering our players engaging, high-quality gaming experiences, and partnering with RubyPlay represents an important step forward in that journey.

RubyPlay’s strong focus on Brazil and its investment in truly localised content make them a highly valuable partner, giving us confidence in the long-term success of this collaboration and in our continued growth within the regulated market.”

The post RubyPlay expands Brazilian presence through partnership with Esportes da Sorte appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Bet Rite

Spintec Expands into Canada with Bet Rite

Published

2 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

spintec-expands-into-canada-with-bet-rite

Spintec is expanding its footprint in North America by partnering with Bet Rite in the Canadian gambling sector. As a prominent developer of electronic table games, Spintec invested significant effort into locating a partner who comprehends the distinctiveness of the Canadian casino industry. Bet Rite is taking on the position of Spintec’s distributor in Canada, leveraging its established reputation and substantial industry knowledge. This collaboration combines global innovation with local expertise in a partnership that is helping Spintec advance its expansion objectives in North America.

Bet Rite’s establishment is rooted in years of industry expertise. The firm focuses on providing top-notch gaming solutions designed specifically for Canadian operators. They aim to provide a sole vendor connection that grants access to numerous top-tier product lines, establishing them as a reliable partner nationwide.

For Spintec, collaborating with a company that prioritizes service, product excellence, and enduring relationships is vital, and Bet Rite is dedicated to prioritizing customer needs. With a solid sales network and a reputation for dependability, their market stance is highly strong.

Through this collaboration, Spintec is guaranteeing that their creative products receive backing from an attentive, community-focused service. The initial product line to be launched in the Canadian market will be Spintec’s premier Charisma line. Charisma’s design, flexibility, innovation, and wide range of product customizations will undoubtedly make it a top seller in Canada as well.

Billy Maclellan, Bet Rite President, says: “Our company has grown by offering best-in-class suppliers the local support that they need. Spintec fits the mold perfectly and together we are well placed to make this partnership a glowing success”

Goran Sovilj, Spintec’s Chief Commercial Officer, agrees: “Bet Rite’s deep understanding of the Canadian market makes this alliance very promising. We are always excited to introduce innovative and exciting products to new markets, especially when our distributors are as experienced and knowledgeable as Bet Rite.”

The post Spintec Expands into Canada with Bet Rite appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Industry News

Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth

Published

2 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

ex-paysafe-vp-justin-fraser-takes-chief-revenue-officer-role-at-yaspa-to-drive-global-growth

Yaspa, the renowned fintech focusing on instant payments and identity solutions, today reveals the appointment of Justin Fraser as its Chief Revenue Officer.

Fraser becomes part of Yaspa’s executive team during a crucial period of global growth. He has more than 20 years of commercial leadership experience in the payments ecosystem, having occupied senior leadership positions at notable industry companies like Cybersource, Visa, and Paysafe.

Having a career centered on maneuvering through intricate payment environments, he offers knowledge in rapidly expanding, regulated sectors such as iGaming, cryptocurrency, and financial technology.

As the new CRO, Fraser will manage Yaspa’s worldwide commercial strategy, concentrating on expanding the company’s Intelligent Payment platform, which integrates open banking with AI-powered customer insights, throughout the UK, Europe, and North America.

Yaspa CEO James Neville said: “We are thrilled to welcome Justin to the team during this period of rapid acceleration. His deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and his proven track record in scaling payment solutions are invaluable assets as we expand our footprint in the US and beyond. Justin’s appointment further strengthens our leadership as we continue to help businesses lower costs, grow revenues, and enhance financial compliance through open banking.”

Justin Fraser said: “Yaspa is at the forefront of the shift toward real-time payments. The company’s unique blend of open banking and AI-verified insights solves genuine friction for merchants, particularly in industries like iGaming. I am excited to join such an innovative team and look forward to driving the next phase of our commercial growth globally.”

Fraser will collaborate closely with the recently strengthened US team, which includes the newly appointed US Sales Lead, Peter Kula, and US Senior Solutions Manager, Jackson Esoda.

This statement comes after a year of significant growth for Yaspa, highlighted by increasing its workforce from 15 to 75 employees and successfully securing a $12 million investment round spearheaded by Discerning Capital. In this timeframe, the firm broadened its international presence with new ventures in Atlanta and Leeds, while winning esteemed honors such as the 2025 Payments Award for Real-Time Payments Innovation and a spot on the CB Insights Top 100 Fintech list.

The post Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.