eSports

TEAM LIQUID APPOINTS LONGTIME MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY LEADER CLAIRE HUNGATE AS PRESIDENT AND COO

Published

4 years ago

September 9, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

International esports organization Team Liquid announced that entertainment, media and digital veteran Claire Hungate will become the company’s new president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. Hungate will split her time between London and the company’s European headquarters in Utrecht.

In her new role, Hungate will oversee Liquid’s profit and loss and overall global business strategy and operations, defining and leading plans for global expansion, acquisitions and new revenue streams. In addition to leading the organization’s business and commercial planning, she will provide oversight for the company’s ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

“I believe that quality is the best business model and Team Liquid embodies that through its direct relationship with its engaged, loyal and growing audience,” said Hungate. “Liquid is a foundational player in esports and has grown into a global and multi-generational brand. As the industry continues to grow, we have a real opportunity to help set the agenda for the future of esports both culturally and commercially. Team Liquid have played a critical part in establishing esports history to date and I hope I can help them continue to make that mark.”

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

For more than 20 years, Hungate has exhibited an expertise in establishing or redeveloping businesses built around the monetization of content-driven audience engagement. Most recently, she served as independent director at international games publisher Avalanche Studios Group and chair of production music library The Nerve.

Beginning in 2014, Hungate spent several years as CEO of Warner Bros. TV Production UK. She stepped into the role after facilitating Warner Bros.’ purchase of her previous company, UK-and US-based television production group Shed Media PLC. At Shed, Hungate served as COO, leading a team that acquired and integrated multiple independent production companies to form the so-called ‘super indie’. This included the acquisition of Wall to Wall, where she was managing director. The independent company is known for its Oscar-winning theatrical documentary Man on Wire, and reality entertainment formats Who Do You Think You Are and Supernanny – both of which were remade for the US market.

Subsequent to her tenure at Warner Bros,, Hungate helped transform multi-channel network Brave Bison Group PLC into a profitable social content studio and media network, making it the second-largest global, media and entertainment digital publisher on Facebook. Hungate is a qualified lawyer and spent the first few years of her career at the BBC in a legal role.

“From the moment we first met Claire, we’ve admired her knowledge, experience and passion, as well as how closely they align with our business and cultural endeavors,” said Team Liquid Founder and Co-CEO Victor Goossens. “She already embodies the ‘Liquid Way’ and is the right fit to help us advance our priorities and drive the industry forward.”

In addition to Hungate’s appointment, Liquid also elevated Boudewijn Kryne to vice president of fan management, an area of continued growth and focus for the organization. Kryne, who previously served as the department’s director and remains instrumental in the development of the growing Liquid+ platform, will report directly to Hungate.

eSports

2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP FINALISTS LOCKED IN AS 16 TEAMS MAKE THE CUT

Published

4 days ago

July 31, 2025

George Miller

2025-pubg-mobile-world-cup-finalists-locked-in-as-16-teams-make-the-cut

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The prestigious 2025 PUBG MOBILE World Cup (PMWC) is shifting into high-gear as the pivotal Survival Stage has concluded after two days of high-stakes plays and fierce competition which saw Horaa Esports take pole position. In total, eight elite teams have emerged victorious, earning a spot to compete in the 2025 PMWC Grand Finals, where they’ll be reunited with the eight teams that came out on top during the Group Stage last weekend. Only one team will take home the lion’s share of the $3 million prize pool, and the crown position as the 2025 PMWC Champion, as part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

Over the course of three action-packed days, the Survival Stage delivered intense battles in 12 adrenaline-fueled matches, as 16 teams fought for the final eight coveted slots in the Grand Finals. Early momentum was set by Fire Flux Esports on day one, consistently securing top finishes, while POWR Esports made a strong impact on day two with aggressive plays and smart rotations. Throughout the stage, teams such as Regnum Carya and eArena demonstrated their resilience and adaptability, skillfully navigating high-pressure situations to place in the Top 3 for four of their matches. The MEA region also proved itself a powerhouse, with both Team Falcons and POWR Esports advancing to the Grand Finals. Surprisingly, last year’s reigning champions, Alpha7 Esports, were eliminated in this Survival Stage, ending their run in the tournament after a series of hard-fought matches, guaranteeing a new team will take the throne.

Showcasing their strategic brilliance, Horaa Esports earned an impressive 108 points, marking them as the top dogs of the Survival Stage. Along with seven other finalists from this stage, they have secured their spot in the Grand Finals.

The 16 top-performing teams to compete in the Grand Finals from tomorrow include:

Horaa Esports
Fire Flux Esports
POWR Esports
Regnum Carya
eArena
NS RedForce
Team Falcons
Yangon Galacticos
Alter Ego Ares
4Thrives Esports
DRX
Weibo Gaming
Alpha Gaming
Team Secret
TT Global
IDA Esports

This Grand Finals will also feature a brand new theme song Smash!, a hype beat that will play once the SMASH ruleset is active and a team is just one Winner Winner Chicken Dinner away from overall victory. With the placements confirmed and schedule locked in, the 2025 PMWC Grand Finals weekend is set to be an exceptional display of top PUBG MOBILE Esports talent. As the second edition of the PUBG MOBILE World Cup (PMWC), and part of the Esports World Cup, these dedicated teams will be doubling down on their competitive edge, leaving everything on the battleground as they fight for the crown, and the lion’s share of the $3 million prize pool.

The post 2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP FINALISTS LOCKED IN AS 16 TEAMS MAKE THE CUT appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

JBO Thailand Launches Esports World Cup Promotion

Published

5 days ago

July 30, 2025

Niji Narayan

jbo-thailand-launches-esports-world-cup-promotion

Reading Time: < 1 minute

JBO, a well-established online gaming and entertainment platform, has announced an exciting new promotion tailored for the highly anticipated Esports World Cup 2025. Esports enthusiasts in Thailand now have a compelling opportunity to win up to 30,000 Jcoin by placing wagers on the thrilling “World Cup Qualifiers” matches. This shows JBO Thailand’s commitment to giving great value and fun experiences to all its players.

This exclusive event is ongoing and will conclude on August 24, 2025, at 23:59 (GMT+8). This period strategically aligns with the intensified global esports calendar, leading up to the Esports World Cup and its critical qualifying rounds. JBO Thailand is actively creating an immersive environment that allows fans to engage more deeply with preferred teams and competitive events. Participation in the promotion is straightforward. Players are simply required to place bets on eligible “Esports World Cup Qualifiers” matches through JBO’s designated esports betting providers, IM Esports and TF Esports. The promotion is conveniently accessible via the “Reward Corner” section on the JBO platform, ensuring a seamless and intuitive user experience for all participants.

At the core of this attractive offer is JBO’s innovative Jcoin reward system. Players who log in to JBO and achieve a weekly turnover exceeding 3000 in the Esports category will automatically qualify for Jcoin rewards. The reward system gives bigger prizes as you play more, with up to 30,000 Jcoin available each week.

JBO also ensures a smooth and secure experience through the easy-to-use JBO app available for both Android and iOS devices. With fast withdrawals and smooth gameplay, the platform is ideal for esports fans to enjoy and earn real rewards. JBO is trusted across Asia and has Dimitar Berbatov as its brand ambassador, showing it as a top sportsbook and esports operator.

The post JBO Thailand Launches Esports World Cup Promotion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Compliance Updates

Oddin.gg Officially Registered with LOTBA as a Supplier in the City of Buenos Aires

Published

6 days ago

July 29, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

oddin.gg-officially-registered-with-lotba-as-a-supplier-in-the-city-of-buenos-aires

Oddin.gg has been officially registered as a supplier by the Lottery of the City of Buenos Aires (LOTBA). This authorization clears the way for Oddin.gg to provide its end-to-end esports betting ecosystem—including its Odds Feed, Risk Management, BetBuilder, Widgets, and more—to licensed operators in the City of Buenos Aires. The milestone reinforces Oddin.gg’s strategic focus on supporting partners across Latin America.

LOTBA, the regulatory authority for online gaming within the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is well known for its rigorous compliance and technical standards. While the body manages licensing and enforcement, suppliers must undergo a formal registration process before providing services to local operators. Oddin.gg’s successful registration confirms that it has met all relevant technical, financial, and compliance requirements.

Juana Bischoff, Senior Business Development Manager LATAM at Oddin.gg, said: “Being officially registered with LOTBA marks an important step in Oddin.gg’s long-term commitment to the Latin American market. Esports is gaining real traction across the region, and we want operators in Buenos Aires—and beyond—to have the tools and insight to deliver a top-tier esports betting experience. We’re not just bringing leading technology—we’re bringing the local expertise and regulatory awareness needed to help our partners like Betsson and Jugadon grow.”

The post Oddin.gg Officially Registered with LOTBA as a Supplier in the City of Buenos Aires appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.