eSports

Entain extends responsible gaming partnerships Into video-gaming and esports

Published

5 years ago

February 11, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Entain Teaming with Counter-Strike Professional Players Association, EPIC Risk Management, Kindbridge and Rise Above the Disorder to Provide Support and Resources

Entain, the global sports betting and gaming entertainment provider, today announces that in line with its commitment to raise both the quality of entertainment and protections to customers worldwide it has extended its initiatives in responsible gambling to new areas including video-gaming and esports.

The new partners include the Counter-Strike Professional Players Association, Kindbridge, Rise Above the Disorder, and an expanded partnership with EPIC Risk Management. These four organizations will provide mental health support services and education for players potentially at risk and will work internationally with Entain and the Entain Foundation, the company’s non-profit charity dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity, and corporate compliance.

Each organization seeks to bridge the gap between demand and availability of affordable professional, individual therapy and care. The Entain partners include:

Counter-Strike Professional Players Association – The CSPPA is the worldwide association for professional players of the largely popular Counter-Strike videogame, which regularly features in esports events.
EPIC Risk Management – An international consultancy specializing in prevention of gambling-related harm, EPIC already works with Entain both internationally and the U.S. and will now be extending its activity further, also to address videogaming and esports.
Rise Above the Disorder – A non-profit universal mental health care system, RAD covers the cost of mental health care for tens of thousands of people around the world. Once a video game group selling in-game items to crowd fund therapy, RAD is now celebrated by the United Nations for having helped over 36,000 people receive free support.
Kindbridge – The world’s first teletherapy company focused specifically on the successful treatment of gamblers and gamers struggling with their mental health, Kindbridge is a U.S.-based mental health services organization that provides access to online professional mental health counselors and specialized support services.

Entain’s strategy for sustainability and growth underscores its commitment to delivering the highest possible levels of player safety and protection across all its markets. As part of its safer gambling strategy, the Entain Foundation supports customer protection through a mix of education and support projects, as well as research and data analysis, using Entain technology to pioneer new and higher standards of online player protection.

Martin Lycka, Entain Senior Vice President for American Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gambling and Trustee of the Entain Foundation US, explains, “We are committed to supporting initiatives that encourage responsible gambling and gaming in every way we can. The vast majority of people enjoy playing for fun have no problems whatsoever, and we want to leverage our capabilities to offer them additional experiences whilst keeping all our customers safe. These new partnerships are initial steps in this and other new directions as we both expand our offer to customers and the protections we put in place to protect the very small number who may be at risk.”

Today’s announcement supports Entain’s planned expansion into video-gaming and esports alongside furthering its commitment to responsible gaming. Entain recently unveiled its Advanced Responsibility and Care (ARC) initiative, pioneering use of data science, behavioral analysis, and technology to develop protective and preventative measures that work in real time.

Late last year Entain appointed Dr. Mark Griffiths as Distinguished Professor of Behavioral Addiction and Psychology, a title he also holds at Nottingham Trent University. Professor Griffiths is advising Entain on triggers for problems with online play and addiction, which is supporting the ongoing development of ARC. Professor Griffiths was previously involved in work with the World Health Organization around online addictions, resulting in the first official recognition of gaming disorder as a psychological problem among video-gamers.

PARTNERS HOLD UNIQUE EXPERTISE

The Entain Foundation US is a first-of-its-kind non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting responsible gambling, sports integrity and corporate compliance in the U.S. The Foundation was launched last year by the Entain Global Foundation and the Entain Group.

Trustees of the Entain Foundation US include Entain’s Martin Lycka, former New York Giants wide receiver and Super Bowl Champion Amani Toomer and international gambling regulatory expert Bill Pascrell III, a partner at Princeton Public Affairs Group. The Entain Foundation US already sponsors a variety of information and education programs on problem gambling for college and university athletes and coaches, professional athletes, teams and leagues. Globally, the Entain Foundation has committed more than $100 million to responsible gambling programs over the next five years.

Rise Above the Disorder (RAD) A non-profit universal mental health care system, RAD covers the cost of mental health care for tens of thousands of people around the world. Once a video game group selling in-game items to crowd fund therapy, now celebrated by the United Nations for having helped over 36,000 people receive free support.

Kindbridge Kindbridge is the world’s first teletherapy company with a focus on the successful treatment of gambling and gaming addictions. Launched in 2020 Kindbridge is dedicated to a centralized, value-based approach to delivering timely, efficient, and effective care on-demand across the US. Diagnosing and treating qualified mental health, gambling & gaming disorders, and any related co-morbidities in a teletherapy setting allows their clients access to a treatment plan from the comfort of their own homes.

CSPPA Counter-Strike Professional Players’ Association (CSPPA), is the worldwide representative association for professional Counter-Strike (CS:GO) players. The CSPPA aims to safeguard, protect, and promote professional Counter-Strike players’ interests both during and after their active career. The CSPPA will work to secure the best possible working conditions for the players, while taking into account the special nature of the industry. Any player who is contracted or actively seeking a contract as a professional Counter-Strike player and who competes at an elite level is eligible to be an active member of the CSPPA.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is the multiplayer first-person shooter video game developed by Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment. It was released in 2012.

EPIC Risk Management is a globally leading independent gambling harm minimization consultancy. Working across the highest risk sectors for gambling-related harm, EPIC has worked in 21 countries on ground-breaking harm-minimization programs, sector leading gambling operator training, and class-leading advisory. EPIC draws on lived experience to help individuals and organizations across financial services, elite sport, the military, criminal justice, education, and the gambling industry to minimize the risks posed by gambling harm.

eSports

Esports World Cup Takes Over Paris For 2026 with Star-Studded Opening Ceremony

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-world-cup-takes-over-paris-for-2026-with-star-studded-opening-ceremony

The Esports World Cup 2026 officially kicked off in Paris, France, with a grand Opening Ceremony at La Seine Musicale, welcoming the world’s best players, leading esports Clubs, publishers, partners, creators and fans to the first international edition of the world’s largest esports and gaming event.

Combining music, cinematic storytelling, competition and Parisian culture, the ceremony marked the beginning of seven weeks of competition that will bring together more than 2,000 players, 200 clubs, and representatives from over 100 countries competing across 25 tournaments in 24 games for a record-breaking $75 million prize pool.

From the first moments of the show, the ceremony celebrated the journey that brings players to the Esports World Cup 2026 while introducing Paris as the host city for a new chapter in the competition’s history. Live performances from Aya Nakamura, Theodora, DJ Snake and Mosimann were woven throughout a production that combined orchestral music, dance, augmented reality, large-scale stage design and cinematic visuals to connect esports with the culture of its host city.

One of the defining moments of the evening saw the Esports World Cup Club Championship trophy revealed before representatives from the world’s leading esports Clubs took to the stage, signalling the start of the race to become the world’s best.

The evening opened with an esports-focused pre-show hosted by Doigby before transitioning into the Opening Ceremony, which was designed for both the live audience at La Seine Musicale and millions watching around the world. DJ Snake closed the global broadcast before continuing with an extended live performance, followed by a closing set from Mosimann for the audience in Paris.

“The Opening Ceremony is our welcome to the world – that our historic event is open,” said Mike McCabe, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer at the Esports Foundation. “As we bring EWC 2026 to Paris for the first time, we wanted to celebrate the city through artists who have helped shape music and culture in France today. Aya Nakamura, DJ Snake, and Theodora each represent something different, but together they reflect the creativity and influence that make Paris such a special place to host this event.”

Known for building a sizable global following through her distinctive combination of R&B, Afrobeats, zouk, and contemporary French pop, Aya Nakamura showcased to the crowd a stunning performance that embodied the wide-reaching spirit of the Esports World Cup.

As France’s top export artist and a dominant force on the global music scene, multi-platinum superstar Aya Nakamura boasts over 9 billion streams and countless charts. She delivered a stunning performance of her global hit “Copines” that perfectly embodied the wide-reaching spirit of the Esports World Cup.

Emerging from the Paris underground electronic scene to working with the biggest names in music such as Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Pitbull, DJ Snake has evolved to become one of the pioneers of modern global record production.

France’s rising star Theodora, or ‘Miss Kitoko’ now, has emerged as one of the country’s breakout artists of a new generation. With millions of streams on her music, she blends rap, pop, and club music with the sensibilities of an always-online generation, harnessing a digital-native and fearless ambition that shines through her performances.

DJ, record producer, and live artist Mosimann is one of the hottest names in electronic music right now, and the Swiss-born French national delivered a thrilling closing set for the live crowd in Paris. His viral Dream Track series has seen over 280 million views worldwide and has evolved into a string of official releases and his own Dream Tour. With a debut residency in Ibiza this summer, along with sets at Tomorrowland later this month in Belgium, Mosimann brought an electrifying finish to the Opening Ceremony.

Throughout the ceremony, audiences also heard the EWC 2026 Orchestral Anthem, created in collaboration with 2WEI Music and Hollywood Scoring. Written as the musical identity of this year’s tournament, the anthem accompanies the journey of players and fans throughout the competition, from qualification to championship, and features throughout the Opening Ceremony and tournament broadcast.

With the opening ceremony now complete, the world’s attention now turns to the competition at the heart of the EWC. Fixtures featuring the world’s best players in the biggest competitive titles will unfold daily across multiple arenas throughout the French capital. Clubs compete for the ultimate prize in all of esports: the Esports World Cup Club Championship.

The post Esports World Cup Takes Over Paris For 2026 with Star-Studded Opening Ceremony appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

Esports World Cup 2026 opens in Paris with $75m prize pool

Published

4 days ago

July 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-world-cup-2026-opens-in-paris-with-$75m-prize-pool

Seven-week event runs through August 23 with 2,000 players, 200 clubs and 25 tournaments across 24 games at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

The Esports Foundation has opened the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris, marking the first international edition of the event. The tournament runs through August 23 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles and will feature more than 2,000 players and 200 esports Clubs from over 100 countries competing across 25 tournaments in 24 games for a $75 million prize pool.

Organisers said the Paris finals follow the largest “Road to EWC” qualification programme to date, with more than 1.5 million players participating across 330 qualifying events spanning tournaments, publisher leagues and international circuits.

The opening press conference took place at the Hôtel de Ville with opening remarks by Emmanuel Grégoire, the Mayor of the City of Paris.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation, said: “Competitive gaming has always had great players, great games and unforgettable champions. The Esports World Cup brings them together in one defining annual stage. For seven weeks in Paris, every title crowns its own winner, but every result also contributes to a bigger race: the Club Championship. That is what makes EWC different. It rewards not only individual brilliance, but the depth, consistency and ambition of an entire Club.”

The Esports Foundation said Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen return as Esports World Cup Global Ambassadors. The event’s Club Championship will distribute $30 million of the overall prize pool, including $7 million for the winning Club, with Team Falcons aiming to defend its title after wins in 2024 and 2025.

On distribution, the organiser said EWC 2026 will be available in 160 countries via more than 100 broadcast and OTT partners, with more than 7,000 hours of live programming planned and coverage in over 40 languages. The Esports Foundation also said it expects up to 5,000 official co-streamers via its Creator Program, which it described as up 42% year-on-year.

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Astana

Astana to host IESF World Esports Championship 2027

Published

1 week ago

July 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

astana-to-host-iesf-world-esports-championship-2027

IESF signs host agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Qazaq Cybersport Federation in Astana.

Astana has been confirmed as the host city for the IESF World Esports Championship 2027 (WEC27), following a host agreement signing ceremony involving the International Esports Federation (IESF), the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Qazaq Cybersport Federation.

IESF said the event is expected to draw participation across more than 150 IESF Member Federations through the qualifiers, with national teams competing via IESF-recognized national member structures.

“WEC27 will be more than a championship. It will be a global celebration of nations, athletes, and the future of esports,” said Vlad Marinescu, President of IESF. “For every player, there is no greater honor than competing under their national flag and officially representing their nation on the world stage. That is what makes the World Esports Championship so powerful and so unique. In 2027, Astana will welcome the world and proudly stand as the Esports Capital in the World of Esports, uniting our Member Federations, athletes, fans, and communities. Kazakhstan has shown remarkable vision, ambition, and commitment, and we are confident that WEC27 will deliver an unforgettable championship and a lasting legacy for the global esports family.”

Yerbol Myrzabosynov, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said: “We are honored that the International Esports Federation has entrusted Kazakhstan with hosting the World Esports Championship 2027. This reflects the confidence in our country’s ability to deliver an event of the highest international standard. Hosting WEC27 reinforces our commitment to advancing esports and creating new opportunities for young people through sport, technology, education, and international cooperation. We look forward to welcoming the World of Esports to Astana and showcasing Kazakhstan as a destination capable of delivering world-class international events.”

Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Qazaq Cybersport Federation, added: “We sincerely thank the International Esports Federation for the trust and confidence placed in Kazakhstan to host the World Esports Championship 2027. This is a historic milestone for our esports community and a testament to the progress we have achieved together with our partners. Alongside IESF, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and our national stakeholders, we are committed to delivering an outstanding championship for athletes, fans, and the World of Esports. WEC27 will inspire future generations, accelerate the growth of esports in Kazakhstan, and strengthen our country’s position as a leading esports and digital innovation hub.”

IESF said more details, including schedule, qualification pathway, venues, official titles, ticketing, and the event program, will be announced in the coming months via its official channels.

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