Press Releases
Winners from Industry best Mobile Games Awards Announced; Tencent win big
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].
New approvals in U.S. states and applications in Canadian provinces drive Catalist Sports’ latest expansion across regulated North American markets
Catalist Sports, a leading licensed supplier of sports betting content to the regulated U.S. marketplace, has continued to expand its regulated market footprint with new supplier licenses secured in Arkansas and Nebraska, alongside recently submitted Canadian applications in Ontario and Alberta.
Arkansas’ regulated sports betting market is set for significant growth, with major operators including DraftKings and FanDuel entering the state in March 2026. In addition to Arkansas, Catalist Sports has successfully obtained a supplier license in Nebraska.
Following the approval of its supplier license in Missouri, the latest state to regulate online gambling, in December, Catalist Sports is now licensed in 30 U.S. jurisdictions, with two Canadian provinces expected to follow.
These license updates reinforce Catalist Sports’ commitment to serving both U.S. and Canadian regulated betting markets with compliant, high-quality content and services.
“Securing licenses in new jurisdictions and strengthening our regulatory standing is fundamental to serving as a trusted, key supplier to our operator partners,” said James Monk, Vice President & General Manager of Catalist Sports.
“Arkansas represents an exciting next step for us, particularly as major brands prepare to enter the market. At the same time, our licenses in Nebraska, along with applications in Ontario and Alberta, and ongoing license upgrades, position Catalist to continue delivering scalable, compliant, and differentiated services to our partners.”
Catalist Sports’ expanding North American footprint supports the company’s broader strategy to provide licensed operators with premium data, live streaming, and advanced trading capabilities, helping partners maximize in-play engagement, product innovation, and long-term growth in regulated markets.
Catalist Sports distributes official data and live streaming rights from a vast portfolio of events to licensed U.S. sportsbooks. This includes top-tier tennis properties such as the Australian Open, ITF World Tour, Davis Cup, and Billie Jean King Cup, as well as events across soccer, basketball, and ice hockey, which power year-round engagement for sportsbooks seeking continuous, high-frequency, high-quality live betting content.
The post CATALIST SPORTS SECURES NEW SUPPLIER LICENSES IN ARKANSAS AND NEBRASKA appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Catalist Sports, a licensed supplier of sports betting content to the regulated U.S. market, has strengthened its North American presence with newly secured supplier licenses in Arkansas and Nebraska, alongside fresh applications submitted in Ontario and Alberta, Canada.
Arkansas is expected to see significant growth in its regulated sports betting market, with major operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel set to enter in March 2026. Alongside this, Catalist Sports has also successfully obtained a supplier license in Nebraska, further extending its reach across key U.S. jurisdictions.
Following its recent approval in Missouri—the latest state to regulate online gambling—Catalist Sports is now licensed in 30 U.S. jurisdictions, with Canadian expansion expected to follow pending approvals.
These developments reinforce the company’s commitment to delivering compliant, high-quality betting content and services across regulated markets in both the U.S. and Canada.
“Securing licenses in new jurisdictions and strengthening our regulatory position is essential to supporting our operator partners,” said James Monk, Vice President and General Manager of Catalist Sports. “Arkansas represents an exciting opportunity, particularly as major brands prepare to enter the market. Combined with our Nebraska license and Canadian applications, we are well positioned to deliver scalable, compliant, and differentiated services.”
Catalist Sports’ continued expansion supports its broader strategy of providing operators with premium data, live streaming, and advanced trading capabilities, helping to drive in-play engagement, product innovation, and long-term growth.
The company distributes official data and live streaming rights from a wide portfolio of events to licensed U.S. sportsbooks, including leading tennis competitions such as the Australian Open, ITF World Tour, Davis Cup, and Billie Jean King Cup, alongside coverage across soccer, basketball, and ice hockey to power year-round betting engagement.
The post CATALIST SPORTS SECURES NEW SUPPLIER LICENSES IN ARKANSAS AND NEBRASKA appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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How Midnite and WST used an April Fool’s stunt to take snooker engagement to a new level
Midnite and the World Snooker Tour (WST) have combined to deliver a standout campaign moment for snooker, using an April Fool’s stunt to build anticipation ahead of the 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship, before expanding into a broader fan engagement programme in Sheffield.
Earlier this week, the partners revealed that the sport’s iconic white cue ball would be replaced with a neon green version in Midnite’s signature colour, aligning with its role as the tournament’s official UK betting and casino partner.
The announcement quickly gained traction, sparking debate across social media and drawing reactions from players before being confirmed as an April Fool’s joke. While the cue ball will remain unchanged, the stunt successfully generated conversation without compromising the integrity of the sport.
Andrew Mook, Head of Brand Marketing at Midnite, said the goal was to “spark conversation and shine a light on everything happening around the tournament,” noting that the response highlighted the passion of snooker fans.
From attention to engagement
Rather than altering the game itself, Midnite’s strategy focuses on extending the fan experience beyond the table, turning awareness into active participation across the 17-day event.
At the centre of this is the return of the Midnite Lounge in Sheffield, a dedicated fan activation space running throughout the البطولة. Building on its debut at the 2026 Masters, the venue will host exhibition matches, amateur competitions featuring local snooker clubs, free-to-play sessions, and appearances from current and former professionals.
The brand is also reviving its “Midnite Maximum” mechanic—a giveaway that previously awarded £25,000 to a fan following a maximum break. For this year’s championship, the prize pool has been increased to as much as £100,000, reinforcing engagement across the tournament.
Respecting tradition while building the brand
For WST, the campaign highlights how commercial partnerships can enhance the fan experience while preserving the heritage of the sport.
World No.2 Kyren Wilson emphasised that “snooker doesn’t need to move away from the traditions it’s built on,” while welcoming initiatives that give fans more ways to engage beyond the matches.
WST Chief Commercial Officer Peter Wright added that Midnite’s activations will “add to the experience for anyone coming to the Crucible,” pointing to interactive formats such as amateur competitions and exhibition play as key to broadening appeal.
A modern sponsorship playbook
The campaign demonstrates how brands can use cultural moments—even light-hearted ones—to capture attention before converting it into meaningful engagement.
By combining a high-impact stunt with on-the-ground activations and repeatable mechanics like Midnite Maximum, Midnite and WST have created a layered approach that blends awareness, participation, and reward.
As competition for audience attention intensifies, this kind of integrated strategy—merging social-first creativity with real-world experiences—is becoming central to modern sports sponsorship.
For Midnite, the message is clear: the game remains the same, but how fans experience it is evolving.
The post How Midnite and WST used an April Fool’s stunt to take snooker engagement to a new level appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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