Press Releases

Winners from Industry best Mobile Games Awards Announced; Tencent win big

Published

4 years ago

July 27, 2021

MiHoYo’s Genshin Impact took home the biggest prize as it scooped Game of the Year at Steel Media’s fourth annual and industry-leading Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards, supported by Game Insight, held last week.

The ceremony saw the action role-playing title also awarded Best Audio/Visual Accomplishment, while Tencent and TiMi Studio Group secured Best Publisher and Best Developer, respectively.

Innovation of the Year went to Niantic for its ingenious reworking of augmented reality hit Pokémon Go for the 2020 lockdown, Pollen VC was voted Best Service Provider, and Supercell’s Clash Royale conquered the opposition to the Best Live Ops trophy.

As ever the event, which in this pandemic-affected year took place later than its traditional January slot and adopted a hybrid live/digital format hosted by London’s Ham Yard Hotel, aimed to shine a spotlight on the work of the top mobile games companies over the previous year.

Further highlights from the night included the Rising Star award, shared – an event first – by Jana and Sham Al Bdour of Sakura Games, Unity continuing its Best Game Engine dominance with a fourth win in as many years, and Jam City CEO Chris DeWolfe joining the ranks of Mobile Legend.

The coveted People’s Choice Award, nominated for and voted on by readers of Steel Media’s leading consumer site, PocketGamer.com, went to Tilting Point’s SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off.

“We believe the MGAs have a vital role to play in recognising the efforts and achievements of the entire ecosystem that makes mobile gaming the best industry in the world,” said Steel Media CEO, Chris James.

“This is doubly important considering the forced disconnects of the last 16 months and also the incredible role that the mobile games industry has paid not just in contributing to the economy and keeping people in jobs, but moreover in keeping billions of citizens feeling a little more connected and engaged.”

As the full winner breakdown below demonstrates, the 22 categories (including three new additions this year) represent firms spanning the whole industry, from the games developers and publishers to the tools companies, service providers, support agencies, investors and recruiters that all contribute towards this $90 billion sector being the largest and most pervasive in gaming.

After the lobbying and shortlisting phases – the biggest and most complex to date – which took place from March to May, the finalists were subsequently voted on throughout June by our panel of 100-plus mobile games experts from every corner of the industry.

Steel Media is hugely grateful to everyone who took the time to submit themselves, their colleagues, company, or contemporaries, as well as everyone who attended the ceremony itself during these tricky times – whether in person or digitally.

Additionally, we would like to thank main sponsor Game Insight, together with Admix, Huawei Ads, Jam City, Scopely and Tilting Point for coming on board as category sponsors – their support helped make the event a success in a particularly challenging year.

And last but by no means least, congratulations to all the finalists – it really was a hard-fought affair this year – and, of course, the heartiest of praise to the winners themselves.

More info on all things PG Mobile Games Awards at the official website: www.mobilegamesawards.com

//Full Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards 2021 Winners List

Pocket Gamer People’s Choice – SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off (Tilting Point)

Best Advertising & UA Service – Unity Ads

Best Analytics / Data Tool – AppsFlyer

Best Developer – TiMi Studio Group

Best GAAS Tools & Tech – Azure PlayFab

Best Audio/Visual Accomplishment – Genshin Impact (miHoYo)

Best Game Engine – Unity

Best Storytelling – Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (ustwo games)

Rising Stars – Jana and Sham Al Bdour (Sakura Games)

Best Tools Provider – Game UI Database

Best Games Industry Law Firm – Sheridans

Best Service Provider – Pollen VC

Best Live Ops – Clash Royale (Supercell)

Best QA and Localisation Service Provider – Amber Studio

Best Indie Developer – Innersloth

Best PR / Marketing Team – Scopely

Best Influencer Marketing Agency – Game Influencer

Investor of the Year – Play Ventures

Best Publisher – Tencent

Best Innovation – Niantic (Pokémon GO lockdown reworking)

Game of the Year – Genshin Impact (miHoYo)

Mobile Legend – Chris DeWolfe (Jam City)

//notes for editors//

ABOUT THE POCKET GAMER MOBILE GAMES AWARDS

The Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards are the UK’s leading mobile games awards, established to celebrate the very best businesses and individuals who are driving the $90 billion mobile games industry forward. They shine a light on every part of the ecosystem, from the game developers and publishers through the advertising and monetisation companies, to the tool-makers and support companies that enable the magic to happen. They also pay homage to true industry legends who have made their mark on this industry.

The PG Mobile Games Awards have been created by the Steel Media Ltd, a consumer and b2b technology publisher and events company based in the UK which has over 16 years’ experience covering and connecting the mobile games industry with leading media such as PocketGamer.com and PocketGamer.biz. Steel Media Ltd also organises numerous international events, including the world-renowned Pocket Gamer Connects conference series and the developer-focused Big Indie Pitch competitions.

https://www.mobilegamesawards.com

https://twitter.com/MobileGameAward

For enquiries, please contact [email protected].

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CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026

Published

8 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

cgcc-gaming-policy-advisory-committee-(gpac)-meeting:-jan-20,-2026

The California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) has scheduled a meeting of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The committee is established under Business and Professions Code Section 19817 to provide advisory recommendations to the Commission on regulatory policy, with a specific focus on integrity and problem gambling.

Meeting Attendance Information

The meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation.

In-Person Location: 2399 Gateway Oaks Drive, Hearing Room 100, Sacramento, CA 95833.
Virtual Access: Zoom Meeting Link
Phone Access: 1-888-475-4499 (Toll-free) | Meeting ID: 285 757 8614

Key Agenda Items

The agenda focuses on internal governance, regulatory controls for third-party providers, and administrative updates:

GPAC Roles and Responsibilities: A review of the mission statement, adherence to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and expectations for member conduct and responsiveness.
Current Projects: Update and discussion on Third-Party Providers of Proposition Player Services (TPPPS) – Internal Controls, led by subcommittee members Kirill Yermanov and Michael Hill.
New Discussion Items:
- Third-Party Provider Employee Table Coverage.
- Procedures for Lost or Damaged Employee Badges.
Administrative Updates: An update on the Category G vacancy (Public Member with accounting/business background).

2026 Committee Composition

The committee consists of 10 members (expanding to 12 if pending legislation like AB 77 is finalized), split equally between the cardroom industry and the public.

Member Name	Category / Role	Term Expiry
Trevor Dewar	Category A (Bureau of Gambling Control)	12/31/2026
Sosha Marasigan-Quintero	Category B (Problem Gambling/Addiction)	12/31/2026
Michael Hill	Category C (TPPPS Representative)	12/31/2027
David Fried	Category D (Cardroom with 25+ Tables)	12/31/2026
Michael Koniski	Industry Representative	—
Emmanuel Macalino	Industry Representative	—
Linda Ng	Public Representative	—
John Stacy	Industry Representative	—
Kirill Yermanov	Public Representative	—

Advisors: Lisa Wardall (Executive Director) and Jason Pope (Chief Counsel).

The post CGCC Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) Meeting: Jan 20, 2026 appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Alexander Stevendahl

Immense Group and Coast is Clear: A Three-Year Commitment to a Greener Malta

Published

1 hour ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

immense-group-and-coast-is-clear:-a-three-year-commitment-to-a-greener-malta

Immense Group, the corporate powerhouse behind leading iGaming brands Mr Vegas, Videoslots, and DBET, has reaffirmed its dedication to environmental sustainability by extending its partnership with the Maltese NGO Coast is Clear.

Marking their third consecutive year of collaboration, the initiative highlights Immense Group’s transition from corporate sponsorship to active, community-led participation. Unlike traditional CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) models that focus on one-off donations, this partnership is built on the principle of ongoing stewardship.

Practical Action for the Maltese Coastline

Malta’s unique coastal ecosystem faces significant pressure from plastic pollution and urban development. Coast is Clear, founded by Mark Galea Pace, specializes in “practical environmentalism”—relying on a dedicated truck and a personal family boat to access areas of the island that are otherwise unreachable by land.

The 2026 roadmap for the partnership includes a structured schedule of events designed to provide both immediate and long-term ecological benefits:

Beach Clean-ups: Two major coastal operations are planned for the first half of the year, focusing on removing microplastics and “ghost nets” from sensitive marine habitats.
Tree Planting: Two afforestation initiatives will see staff volunteers planting indigenous Maltese trees, contributing to the NGO’s goal of exceeding 1,000 trees planted across local valleys and nature reserves.

Leadership Perspectives on Community Impact

For Immense Group, the initiative is a way to give back to the island that serves as a primary operational hub for its global workforce.

“Malta is home to many of our people,” said Alexander Stevendahl, CEO of Immense Group. “Encouraging our teams to take part in initiatives like beach clean-ups and tree planting is a practical way to contribute to the communities we’re part of. It reflects a shared commitment to keeping Malta cleaner and greener over the long term.”

Mark Galea, Founder of Coast is Clear, emphasized the value of long-term corporate allies: “Support from companies like Immense Group helps us keep our work going. Having people turn up, get involved, and stick with us over time makes a real difference when it comes to protecting Malta’s coastline.”

The post Immense Group and Coast is Clear: A Three-Year Commitment to a Greener Malta appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Andrew Harding

World Pool 2025: Record HK$10.9bn Turnover Signals Global Racing Maturity

Published

1 hour ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

world-pool-2025:-record-hk$10.9bn-turnover-signals-global-racing-maturity

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has reported a spectacular 2025 for World Pool, confirming its status as the premier liquidity hub for international horse racing. With a 20% surge in overseas turnover and a series of history-making betting handle records, World Pool is effectively globalizing the sport’s revenue streams.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 2025

The numbers for 2025 reflect a strategic expansion into new jurisdictions and a focus on high-quality IFHA-rated races.

Metric	2024 Result	2025 Result	Growth
Overseas Turnover	HK$7.8bn	HK$9.3bn	+20%
Total Global Turnover	HK$7.8bn	HK$10.9bn	+40%
Single Race Record	HK$66.2m	HK$83.0m	+25%
Groom Awards	HK$1m	HK$1.2m	+20%

The “Ka Ying Rising” Phenomenon

The standout moment of 2025 occurred on The Everest Day at Randwick. The appearance of the world’s highest-rated sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, drove a wagering surge that redefined modern betting records.

New Single Race Record: HK $83.0 million was wagered on The Everest, shattering the previous high held by the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (HK$ 66.2m) at Royal Ascot.
Jurisdictional Reach: Betting was commingled from 27 different jurisdictions, ensuring massive pool depth and stable dividends for punters worldwide.

Global Scale: 10 Jurisdictions and IFHA Quality

World Pool didn’t just grow in volume; it grew in quality. Of the 329 races run under the banner in 2025, 70 featured in the IFHA Top 100 rankings within the last three years.

For the first time, all of Hong Kong’s Group 1 contests were commingled as World Pool races, adding HK$1.6 billion in liquidity to the local fixtures.

Supporting the Sport: Moment of the Year

World Pool’s commitment to stable staff saw HK$1.2 million awarded to 30 grooms.

The 2025 Moment of the Year went to Kevin Daffy, the trainer-owner-groom of the Australian “fairytale horse” Oh Too Good. Daffy beat out international heavyweights like Forever Young and Via Sistina in a public vote, securing a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong in 2026.

2026 Outlook: Expansion and Innovation

Andrew Harding, Executive Director of Racing at the HKJC, highlighted that 2026 will focus on further “globalization of racing.”

Next Fixture: World Pool returns on 10 January 2026 with King’s Plate Day from Kenilworth, South Africa.
Strategy: Expect an expansion of fixtures and deeper integration into North American and Middle Eastern racing calendars.

The post World Pool 2025: Record HK$10.9bn Turnover Signals Global Racing Maturity appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.