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Digital & Entrepreneurship in Sports: Former sport’s pro taking Sport Integrity and Management lessons for a new career in the digital economy

Published

5 years ago

April 16, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The training program launched by SKS365 through its brand dedicated to CSR, Training Program, and LVenture Group, a listed VC operator among the main startup accelerators at European level, gets to the heart. The goal is to transform the former professional sportsmen who are taking part at the Digital & Entrepreneurship in Sports course, into digital business managers.

After the first two workshops organized by the LVenture Group’s Open Innovation division, dedicated to personal branding and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the third appointment, which is going to take place on Monday the 19th April, is entirely dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility and Sport Integrity. The experts of the SKS365 team, one of the leading players in the Italian betting and gaming market, will lecture on these matters, with the valuable contribution of ex football player and example of sporting integrity Simone Farina as special speaker.

The 30 former professionals participating in the course comes from different disciplines (volleyball, swimming, athletics, football, tennis, rowing and rugby) including sportsmen of the likes of Stephen Makinwa, 120 appearances and 16 goals in Serie A with Lazio, Chievo Verona, Reggina, Palermo, Genoa and Atalanta; Giovanbattista Venditti, 44 caps and 8 tries with the Italian Rugby team; former baseball and modern pentathlon Olympians Roberto Cabalisti and Stefano Pecci.

The main theme and purpose of the workshop is to provide an overview about the “behind the scenes of the sport system”, to understand the main risks that lie behind a business project in the sports world. Illicit phenomena such as match-fixing are concrete and serious dangers that anyone who wants to start a business in this market must be able to recognize, using the tools that regulate the sector.

“We wanted to set up this workshop to offer valuable information for those who are planning their professional future within the sports industry”, explains Brian Dean, Chief People Officer of SKS365. “As part of the gaming and sports betting sector, we are focused on providing a safe and compliant form of entertainment for our customers. We are fully committed to protecting our customers and upholding these values, and, as a consequence, we provide support in defending the regularity of competition. We see training and education of staff as well as customers as fundamental, as knowledge and information are the most effective weapons to tackle similar dynamics. Each sport has its rules, but awareness and responsibility are common to all disciplines. We will use our corporate social responsibility initiatives to build awareness around integrity in support and to tackling undying legacy issues associated with our industry.”

For example, the match fixing, which occurs when a match is played to a completely or partially pre-determined result, is an integral part of a circle of illegal business, that is worth 120 million euros globally [Europol data, 2020]. Antonio Papa, Director of Business Analysis of SKS365 will explain the dynamics and methods to preserve the integrity of the whole system. The seminar will go on with the speech of Farina, who in 2011 reported an attempt of match fixing and whose testimony kicked off the second part of the “Last Bet” operation on clandestine bets and settled matches. Farina will talk about his personal path and the goals he has achieved internationally after his sporting career ended.

“Training contributes to the progress, and the growth for the new generations – Farina added – Attending this workshop on defending the values of sport, represents for me an important opportunity for development. I am happy to bring my contribution to the understanding of match-fixing, one of the main dangers for the sport integrity. I firmly believe that in-depth knowledge and sharing of information, experiences and thoughts are the best tools in defence of the sports world, which must transmit healthy and positive values.”

Regarding the CSR and entrepreneurial management topics, there will be also a session about HR and resource management. Alessia Casonato, Group HR Operations Director of SKS365 will analyse the life cycle of a typical employee within a company.

Thanks to LVenture Group expertise in the digital field and SKS365‘s deep understanding of the sports world, Digital & Entrepreneurship in Sports responds to the need of many ex professional athletes to have a second opportunity, once their sport career ends. Most of them, in fact, find it difficult to reintroduce themselves into the labour market, without the appropriate skills or knowledge. The training program will end in June with the presentation of the best projects created by the participants during the course, which will be ready to be launched on their respective markets.

More information is available at: https://www.digitalinsportstraining.com/.

Latest News

Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates

Published

51 seconds ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

xpoint-gains-massachusetts-vendor-license-as-north-american-expansion-accelerates

Xpoint, a leading geolocation and compliance technology company, has officially secured a vendor license to enter the regulated sports betting market in Massachusetts. The approval marks another strategic milestone in the company’s accelerating North American expansion, reinforcing its role as a core provider of gaming infrastructure.

Xpoint’s geolocation solution is now available to operators across the Bay State, delivering high-precision tools designed to ensure player activity remains fully compliant with the strict regulatory framework established by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

With Massachusetts added to its portfolio, Xpoint is now authorized to support regulated online sports wagering across 28 states and territories, as well as Ontario in Canada.

The license follows a period of sustained global expansion, including recent market entries in Missouri, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.

Built specifically for the gaming industry, Xpoint’s platform uses advanced geofencing technology to deliver precise location verification. By leveraging multiple data points, the system helps prevent wagers from unauthorized jurisdictions while identifying suspicious activity in real time.

The company’s platform development has also been supported by a recent investment round aimed at accelerating growth and enhancing product capabilities.

Manu Gambhir, CEO of Xpoint, said: “Securing our license in Massachusetts is a vital step as we continue to make strides in the geolocation space. Massachusetts has a passionate sports culture and a sophisticated regulatory framework, and we are excited to provide the precision technology necessary to maintain the integrity of the state’s sports betting ecosystem.

“Our growth into the Bay State demonstrates our team’s ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes quickly and efficiently. This expansion underscores the global demand for more innovative and adaptable compliance solutions, and we remain committed to being the most reliable partner for regulated operators worldwide.”

The post Xpoint gains Massachusetts vendor license as North American expansion accelerates appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

eSports

NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4

Published

52 seconds ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

nodwin-gaming’s-valorant-challengers-south-asia-2026-set-for-broadcast-kickoff;-registrations-close-march-4

With registrations entering their final phase, NODWIN Gaming, in partnership with Riot Games, is set to kick off the broadcast phase of VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026, marking the start of another high-stakes competitive season in the region.

The official VCSA 2026 broadcast will stream live on the NODWIN Gaming and Valorant Esports South Asia YouTube channels, bringing fans across South Asia closer to the region’s top VALORANT talent as teams begin their Split 1 campaigns.

Registrations for Split 1 remain open until March 4, 2026, inviting eligible teams across South Asia to compete in the region’s premier VALORANT circuit—the official pathway for teams aiming to reach the VCT Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ).

Season Overview

The 2026 season introduces a refined multi-stage competitive structure, featuring Open Qualifiers, two Splits, Promotion & Relegation, and a culminating Grand Final to crown the regional champions.

Key Dates – Split 1

Registration Window: Till March 4, 2026
Open Qualifiers: March 7 – March 11, 2026
Split 1 Broadcast Begins: March 16, 2026
Split 1 Playoffs: April 8 – 9, 2026

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum Rank: Immortal 1 and above (V25 Act 6)
Regions: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan & Maldives
Premier Team Seeding: Based on V25 Acts 4, 5 & 6

Tournament Structure Overview

Open Qualifiers & Playoffs

The competition begins with an open circuit designed to spotlight emerging talent across South Asia.

Open Qualifiers

Single Elimination
Best-of-Three (Bo3)
Top 10 teams advance to OQ Playoffs

OQ Playoffs

Double Elimination
Bo3
Top 5 teams qualify for Split 1

The top three teams from VCSA 2025 receive direct invitations to Split 1.

Split 1

Team Composition

5 teams from OQ Playoffs
3 direct invite teams
Total: 8 teams

Format

Single Round Robin
Bo3
28 matches across 14 match days

Advancement

Top 6 teams advance to Split 2
Bottom 2 teams move to Promotion & Relegation

Split 2 & Grand Finals

Split 2 will feature eight teams competing in a single round robin format. The top four will advance to the Playoff Stage, where a single-elimination bracket (Bo3, Bo5 Grand Final) will determine the VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 champions.

Game Changers South Asia 2026

Running alongside the main circuit, Game Changers South Asia 2026 will feature two competitive splits with open qualifiers, reinforcing inclusive growth within the region’s VALORANT ecosystem. The winner of Split 2 will advance to the Game Changers Pacific Stage.

Building on a Landmark 2025 Season

VCSA 2026 follows a record-breaking 2025 edition, where Velocity Gaming secured the VCT Ascension Pacific slot after a dominant 3–1 Grand Final victory over S8UL at the Ascension Qualifiers LAN.

The 2025 season recorded over 12 million views and peaked at 50,000+ concurrent viewers, cementing VCSA’s position as one of South Asia’s most-watched VALORANT tournaments.

With viewership at an all-time high and competitive standards rising, the 2026 season promises even greater intensity.

From the Organizers

Gautam Virk, Co-Founder & CEO, NODWIN Gaming, said:
“As we head into the broadcast phase of VCSA 2026, the excitement across the ecosystem is palpable. This circuit represents the pinnacle of competitive VALORANT in South Asia, and our structured pathway ensures that every team from open qualifiers to grand finalists earns their position through performance. After the incredible momentum of last season, we are confident that 2026 will further elevate the region’s competitive standard.”

Sukamal Pegu, Head of Esports India and South Asia, Riot Games, added:
“Competing in VCSA continues to be one of the most defining experiences for teams in South Asia. The level of competition, the scale of production, and the passion of the community make this circuit truly special. With the new season underway and the clear path connecting Tier-2 to Tier-1 already announced, we’re excited to see both established rosters and emerging contenders raise the bar even higher.”

With broadcasts set to begin and registrations closing soon, the road to VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 is officially underway. Teams across the region are invited to step forward and shape the next chapter of South Asian VALORANT.

The post NODWIN Gaming’s VALORANT Challengers South Asia 2026 Set for Broadcast Kickoff; Registrations Close March 4 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Adam Miles

DEGEN Studios adds commercial firepower with Adam Miles

Published

53 seconds ago

March 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

degen-studios-adds-commercial-firepower-with-adam-miles

DEGEN Studios has appointed Adam Miles as Director of Sales, accelerating its commercial engine as the studio pushes further into global markets.

Adam joins DEGEN with extensive experience across the iGaming industry, specialising in business development, account management and strategic partnership growth. Most recently, he served as Head of Sales at BetGames, where he led commercial strategy, built high-performing teams and strengthened operator relationships across key territories. Prior to that, he held a senior Business Development role at ARRISE, a global leader in software development and services for the iGaming industry.

In his new role, Adam will lead DEGEN’s global sales strategy, focusing on expanding distribution, deepening operator partnerships and ensuring the studio’s high-volatility, identity-led portfolio reaches the right audiences.

Adam joins at a time of momentum for DEGEN, with new titles launching and the recently unveiled DEGEN Powered initiative broadening the studio’s collaborative ecosystem.

Adam Miles, Director of Sales at DEGEN Studios, said: “What drew me to DEGEN is that it doesn’t try to fit into the safe middle ground. That makes the commercial conversation stronger, not harder. Operators want content that cuts through, and my job is to make sure we’re building the right strategic relationships to support that ambition.”

Danny Gordon, Head of Studio at DEGEN Studios, said: “As we continue to scale, it’s important that our commercial strategy matches the ambition of our roadmap. We have strong momentum behind the product, and now it’s about accelerating that growth in the right markets with the right partners. Adam brings the experience and commercial focus needed to expand our reach while staying true to what makes DEGEN distinct.”

The post DEGEN Studios adds commercial firepower with Adam Miles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.