Latest News

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

Published

5 years ago

on

February 1, 2021

By

George Miller

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/.

Powered by WPeMatico

blask

When LATAM gambles: Blask reveals seasonality patterns across six countries

Published

3 hours ago

on

February 12, 2026

By

Wladimir P.

when-latam-gambles:-blask-reveals-seasonality-patterns-across-six-countries

Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia represent six distinct iGaming markets — each with its own regulatory framework, player base and cultural rhythms. Yet beneath these differences lie powerful shared drivers: domestic football seasons concluding in Q4, mandatory year-end bonuses injecting billions into local economies, and national holidays that stretch into multi-day celebrations.

Using Blask’s Seasonality feature, player activity across all six countries was analyzed to map engagement peaks by month, day and hour. While regional trends are visible, the execution varies sharply at the local level.

Here’s what the data reveals.

Brazil: The Q4 Convergence Effect

In Brazil, November and December form a clear peak driven by three converging factors.

The Brasileirão season concludes in early December, with title races and relegation battles intensifying betting activity. At the same time, the Copa Libertadores semifinals and final fall in October and November — and Brazilian clubs’ recent dominance has kept engagement high.

The economic boost comes from the décimo terceiro, Brazil’s mandatory 13th salary paid in two instalments by November 30 and December 20. In 2024 alone, it injected R$321 billion into the economy, increasing disposable income during football’s decisive phase.

Saturday edges out Sunday as the top-performing day, reflecting the league’s fixture concentration. Weekends dominate overall, with a pronounced spike between 1 AM and 5 AM on Friday-to-Saturday nights — a sign that late-night casino sessions complement live sports betting.

Argentina: Aguinaldo and League Finals

December leads the calendar in Argentina, driven by the Liga Profesional’s mid-December conclusion and the aguinaldo, the country’s mandatory 13th salary paid by June 30 and December 18.

Sunday ranks highest for engagement, closely followed by Saturday, aligning with concentrated weekend fixtures. The peak activity window — midnight to 3 AM on Saturday-to-Sunday nights — reflects pre-match anticipation and late-night casino play following the workweek.

The pattern closely mirrors Brazil’s Q4 surge, but with a stronger Sunday bias.

Mexico: Liguilla and Late-Night Culture

December again stands out, coinciding with the Liga MX Apertura playoffs (Liguilla) and the championship final in mid-December. The aguinaldo — at least 15 days’ salary, paid by December 20 — provides additional liquidity at the same time.

Sunday leads weekly activity, with Saturday close behind. However, Mexico’s most distinctive feature is its consistent 2–3 AM activity peak across all days, amplified on weekends.

This pattern suggests a strong late-night gambling culture, where casino verticals such as slots, crash games and live dealer experiences drive engagement alongside sports betting.

Chile: September Over December

Unlike its regional peers, Chile’s biggest month is September — not December.

The surge is powered by Fiestas Patrias (September 18–19), the country’s most significant national celebration. When calendar alignment allows, festivities can stretch into a full week, with fondas, music and social gatherings creating a nationwide party atmosphere that extends into online gambling.

Saturday is the dominant day, with activity elevated throughout. Peaks occur around midnight on Friday-to-Saturday nights and again during Saturday afternoon (3–5 PM), indicating a blend of late-night casino play and daytime sports betting.

Peru: The Purple Month Effect

October and November represent Peru’s peak period, with November slightly ahead.

The Clausura tournament reaches its decisive stretch in early November, while October is dominated by Señor de los Milagros — the country’s largest religious festival. Celebrations extend into All Saints’ Day (November 1) and Day of the Dead (November 2), creating a sustained festive period.

Unlike Brazil and Mexico, Peru’s engagement is concentrated during daytime weekend hours, particularly morning and afternoon. This suggests a stronger alignment with live Liga 1 fixtures rather than late-night casino sessions.

Colombia: Primetime Precision

In Colombia, November leads, with October close behind.

The Torneo Finalización enters its cuadrangulares (semifinal group stage) during this period, building toward a December final. Anticipation around the prima de servicios — a mandatory half-month salary bonus due by December 20 — also supports late-year liquidity.

Sunday is the clear weekly leader, with evening primetime activity standing out. Engagement closely mirrors Liga BetPlay broadcast schedules, indicating sports betting is the primary driver rather than late-night casino behaviour.

The Bigger Picture: Regional Liquidity, Local Execution

Across LATAM, the Q4 bonus cycle — décimo terceiro, aguinaldo, prima de servicios and similar payouts — represents a predictable liquidity event spanning six major markets within an eight-week window. Crucially, it coincides with domestic football seasons reaching their climax.

However, peak timing differs significantly:

Mexico’s engagement spikes at 2 AM, while Peru’s is daytime-focused.
September outperforms December in Chile.
Colombia revolves around Sunday primetime broadcasts.
Brazil peaks on Saturday nights.

The takeaway is clear: while seasonality patterns are regional, execution must be hyper-local. Campaigns, product pushes and marketing spend need to align not just with the right month — but the right day and even the right hour in each individual market.

The post When LATAM gambles: Blask reveals seasonality patterns across six countries appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.