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Rugby sevens pools announced for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Published

4 years ago

June 29, 2021

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The pools for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic rugby sevens competitions have been announced by World Rugby exactly one month ahead of the men’s final at Tokyo Stadium

Tokyo 2020 Olympic rugby sevens pools announced with less than a month to go; The 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams are in three pools of four teams; Reigning men’s gold and silver medalists Fiji and Great Britain will face hosts Japan; Women’s Olympic champions Australia to play USA, China and Japan; Rugby sevens set to thrill fans from 26-31 July at Tokyo Stadium.

The pools for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic rugby sevens competitions have been announced by World Rugby exactly one month ahead of the men’s final at Tokyo Stadium.

The 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams have been allocated to three pools of four teams, according to rankings based upon performances in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and other World Rugby sanctioned tournaments over the past two years.

There are some mouth-watering encounters for fans around the globe to look forward to as rugby sevens makes its second appearance at the Olympic Games following an unforgettable debut in Rio.

Men’s competition

The men’s competition sees three of the top four placed teams from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games together in Pool B as reigning Olympic champions Fiji will face silver medalists Great Britain and hosts Japan, who finished a very creditable fourth in Rio, along with Olympic debutants Canada who claimed bronze at the last HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event, which took place in Vancouver last year.

Pool A sees a renewal of the mouth-watering antipodean rivalry between current Rugby World Cup Sevens and World Series champions New Zealand and Australia, who met in the final of the last Series event in Vancouver, with the All Blacks Sevens winning a tightly contested match 17-14. Joining them in Pool A are Argentina, who finished sixth in Rio, alongside Olympic debutants the Republic of Korea who qualified for Tokyo by winning the Asian qualification tournament with an extra-time ‘golden point’ try to overcome Hong Kong.

South Africa, bronze medalists in Rio, and USA are in Pool C having both achieved direct Olympic qualification by finishing in the top four of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2019, where the USA Eagles finished runners-up after reaching the medal podium in seven of the 10 Series rounds. Joining them are Kenya, who qualified courtesy of their first Rugby Africa men’s sevens title since 2015, and Olympic debutants Ireland, who secured the final spot thanks to a thrilling 28-19 victory over France in the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco earlier this month.

Women’s competition

The women’s competition is equally fascinating with Pool C seeing hosts Japan grouped with Rio 2016 Olympic champions Australia alongside a powerful USA team, who qualified directly for Tokyo after finishing runners-up in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2019, reaching the medal podium in five of the six rounds. The pool is completed by Olympic debutants China, who secured their place in Tokyo with an emphatic 33-0 victory over Hong Kong in the Asian qualifier final.

Pool B is the only pool without an Olympic debutant as Rio 2016 bronze medallists Canada are joined by France, Fiji and Brazil. France were in fine form as they swept all before them to qualify for Tokyo via the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco earlier this month. Brazil qualified for Tokyo thanks to a 28-15 victory over Colombia in the South American qualifier, while Rio 2016 quarter-finalists Fiji overcame Papua New Guinea to qualify from Oceania.

In Pool A, current Rugby World Cup Sevens and World Series title holders New Zealand will face the Russian Olympic Committee team, Great Britain and Kenya. New Zealand beat both Kenya and Great Britain on the way to claiming the silver medal at Rio 2016, while Russia ended the Black Fern’s record-equalling 37-match winning run on the Series with a 17-17 draw in Kitakyushu in April 2019. The Russian team secured their Olympic debut via this month’s Repechage.

The top four placed teams in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2019 qualified directly for Tokyo while Japan were awarded their place as host nation. The remaining seven teams qualified via regional tournaments and the World Rugby Sevens Repechage in Monaco.

Following a successful test event involving members of the Japan national teams in April, preparations are on track for a world-class tournament at Tokyo Stadium, which proved to be an excellent host venue during Rugby World Cup 2019.

To ensure teams are as best prepared as possible to perform on the greatest sporting stage of all, World Rugby has invested US$4 million into Olympic qualified unions’ sevens programmes and towards the costs of hosting a number of high-performance preparation events, the last of which took place in Los Angeles, USA, and Townsville, Australia, over the past weekend.

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: “Today’s announcement marks a very exciting step on the road to Tokyo with less than a month to go until the players run out in Tokyo Stadium to compete on the Olympic stage.

“These will certainly be unique Olympic Games and we have been working very closely with the IOC, Tokyo 2020 and all other stakeholders towards delivering a safe, secure and highly impactful rugby sevens competition in Tokyo.

“Rugby sevens is a key priority for World Rugby and the inclusion of the sport for the first time in the Games at Rio 2016 had a profound effect, attracting an estimated 30 million new fans globally. With the recent launch of our new ‘This Is How We Sevens’ campaign we are confident millions more fans will engage with the thrilling, fast-paced and action-packed spectacle that is rugby sevens.

“As always, player welfare is at the heart of all our planning and we are confident that as it proved during Rugby World Cup 2019, Tokyo Stadium will be an excellent venue for the teams to inspire the world with their skill, athleticism, determination and the core rugby values of solidarity, integrity and respect.

“With the pools decided, we can now countdown the days and look forward what promises to be another memorable edition of Olympic rugby sevens.”

Mikako Kotani, Sports Director for Tokyo 2020, said: “Today, rugby sevens’ pool allocations for Tokyo 2020 are announced. This year, rugby sevens will return to the Olympic Games for the second time after its inclusion at the Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016 for the first time.

“We had a successful test event at Tokyo Stadium in April and we are confident that we have an excellent venue for the players so that they will be able to show their best performances to inspire the world and connect the world together once more.

“We are excited to welcome an international rugby tournament back to Japan and we hope rugby’s One Team Spirit will touch the hearts of people in Japan and in the world. I wish the very best of luck to all the 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams. Good luck to all the athletes and look forward to welcoming you all soon.”

Rugby sevens is expected to be one of the most highly anticipated events of the Tokyo Games, following the outstanding success of Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, which captured the nation’s imagination with record-breaking broadcast audiences and huge numbers of new rugby fans across Japan and Asia.

The men’s competition will take place from 26-28 July, with the women’s tournament following on 29-31 July with the gold medal match happening on ‘Super Saturday’. All the action will take place at Tokyo Stadium, which was the venue for the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2019.

Anja Ortmanns Account Manager at Push Gaming

Push Gaming strengthens Dutch market presence with Starcasino.nl partnership

Published

32 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

George Miller

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B2B gaming supplier Push Gaming has broadened its profile in the Netherlands through a new commercial deal with prominent operator Starcasino, increasing access to its award-winning content within the regulated market.

Now live, the partnership makes Push Gaming’s full portfolio available on www.starcasino.nl, giving players access to popular titles across Push Originals, Push Action, and Reel Hot Games. These include hits such as Razor Returns, Goat Getter, and Wild Swarm 2.

The deal strengthens the strong relationship between the two companies, following a successful rollout with Starcasino in Belgium. It also supports Push Gaming’s wider growth strategy in the Netherlands, one of its key regulated markets in Europe.

The agreement marks the latest milestone in Push Gaming’s ongoing expansion, as the supplier continues to grow its operations with trusted partners and proven content strategies.

Anja Ortmanns, Account Manager at Push Gaming, said: “The Netherlands remains a key market in our European strategy, and we’re pleased to be expanding our presence there with Starcasino in the Netherlands.

“It’s a trusted name with a strong local following, and this partnership enables us to reach even more Dutch players through a platform that shares our commitment to quality content and regulation growth.”

Pieter Van den Bos, Director at Starcasino.nl, said: “Push Gaming’s reputation precedes it, and we’re excited to bring its acclaimed content to our players in the Netherlands.

“Our mission is to provide the best possible experience, and this partnership is another step towards achieving that. We look forward to a fruitful relationship together.”

The post Push Gaming strengthens Dutch market presence with Starcasino.nl partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

ICE 2026

Setting the benchmark for 2026: NOVOMATIC at ICE Barcelona

Published

32 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

George Miller

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

At ICE 2026, NOVOMATIC will once again take to the global stage in Barcelona with a showcase that sets a clear direction for the year ahead. As the largest exhibitor at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the Group – together with its subsidiaries and technology partners NOVOMATIC Italia, NOVOMATIC Spain, NOVOMATIC Gaming UK, LÖWEN ENTERTAINMENT, APEX, and Ainsworth Gaming Technology – will present a portfolio shaped by performance, player engagement, and future-oriented innovation. And the centerpiece of this presentation is XTENSION LINK, accompanied by a range of powerful new multi-feature progressives, as well as a brand-new premium cabinet that is designed to unlock fresh dimensions of immersive play.

XTENSION LINK: Expanding the global success story

Building on the proven success of the global hit series, XTENSION LINK will headline NOVOMATIC’s appearance at the show, introducing entirely new game worlds and evolved feature mechanics that broaden the entertainment spectrum across international markets. The XTENSION LINK brand has become a standout performer in casinos around the world, consistently demonstrating strong and sustainable floor results in a wide range of jurisdictions.

On top of this, NOVOMATIC will unveil a lineup of brand-new multi-feature progressives, each designed to offer distinctive engagement dynamics, compelling bonus features, and lasting floor performance. The development of these game concepts reflects a clear focus: more choice for operators, deeper engagement for players, and sustained results over time.

Elevating cabinet design to a new galaxy of experience

To accompany this expanded multi-feature offering, NOVOMATIC will present a new premium cabinet that is engineered to elevate the player experience and broaden the entertainment landscape. With an expanded visual stage, refined ergonomics, and powerful sound performance, this cabinet sets a new benchmark for immersive gameplay presentation on the casino floor. Its design supports the full depth and energy of the XTENSION LINK universe, enabling operators to create standout entertainment zones with strong visual impact and player appeal.

Systems that power performance

Beyond cabinets and game content, NOVOMATIC will also highlight its latest advances in Electronic Table Games. The presentation of the Novo Unity Pro platform, with its expanded functionality and flexible configuration options, will demonstrate how operators can combine live, automated, and virtual game formats within a single seamless environment. With new interface experiences and scalable multi-game capabilities, Novo Unity Pro continues to offer a powerful solution for venues that are aiming to diversify their table game offering while maximizing floor efficiency.

For the systems sector, NOVOMATIC presents the NOVOVISION Casino Management System, a modular suite of applications built to handle the complexities of modern gaming operations. From biometrically supported cashless gaming and real-time analytics to sophisticated player tracking and loyalty dynamics, NOVOVISION equips operators with tools to run smarter floors and cultivate deeper player engagement.

With their own spectacular Booth #2M70 in the iGaming area, Greentube – the digital gaming and entertainment division of NOVOMATIC – will showcase its latest iGaming offerings, perfectly complementing our land-based portfolio. Dive into an ever-expanding range of online content that includes classic NOVOMATIC hits and exclusive proprietary brands and developments. This is where innovation meets tradition in a truly thrilling way!

The stage is set for Barcelona

As one of the industry’s most anticipated annual gatherings, ICE 2026 will once again provide the ideal setting for international operators, partners, and industry stakeholders to experience NOVOMATIC’s latest developments firsthand. With XTENSION LINK as the leading theme, alongside an expanded multi-feature game portfolio, the debut of a next-generation premium cabinet, and a strengthened systems and ETG offering, NOVOMATIC will present a comprehensive vision for the future of gaming entertainment. Adding to the on-site experience, Max Hopp – one of Germany’s most acclaimed professional darts players – will join the program at the NOVOMATIC booth with a special highlight for attendees. Visitors can look forward to an exciting challenge as well as the opportunity to collect exclusive prizes.

“This year’s showcase reflects our continued commitment to meaningful innovation,” says Thomas Schmalzer, Vice President Global Sales and Product Management, NOVOMATIC AG. “From multi-feature progressives to immersive cabinet design and intelligent system architecture, we are focusing on solutions that deliver sustained value for operators and compelling experiences for players worldwide.”

“ICE Barcelona is a key platform to demonstrate the strength of our localized development and customer-focused approach,” adds Bernhard Teuchmann, Managing Director Product and Technology, NOVOMATIC Spain. “We look forward to welcoming our partners and presenting innovations that are aligned with the needs and dynamics of these markets.”

Visitors are invited to explore this showcase at the NOVOMATIC Booth #3P70 and to see how these developments can shape stronger performance and more engaging gaming experiences.

The post Setting the benchmark for 2026: NOVOMATIC at ICE Barcelona appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Brightstar Lottery

Brightstar Lottery Gains Exclusive Omnichannel Lottery Licensing Rights to Rubik’s® brand

Published

32 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Brightstar Lottery PLC announced that it has signed a five-year exclusive licensing agreement with Spin Master Toys UK Limited (“Spin Master”) to develop and distribute Rubik’s-themed omnichannel lottery games worldwide, including instant tickets, innovative draw-based games and engaging iLottery games.

Created in 1974, the Rubik’s Cube is an iconic puzzle that inspires creativity and problem-solving across generations, with millions of cubes sold worldwide. Spin Master’s partnership with Brightstar to bring this cultural phenomenon into the lottery space creates fresh ways for fans and players to engage.

“The Rubik’s Cube is one of the most iconic symbols of pop culture and Brightstar is thrilled to extend its timeless legacy into compelling, next-generation experiences for lottery players to enjoy,” said Matthew Whalen, Brightstar Senior Vice President, Global Instant Ticket Services. “We look forward to producing exciting omnichannel games featuring Rubik’s Cube, which will include innovations such as our revolutionary Infinity Instants technology, creating an infinite number of possibilities to customize each ticket.”

The post Brightstar Lottery Gains Exclusive Omnichannel Lottery Licensing Rights to Rubik’s® brand appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.