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Riot Games promotes John Needham to President, Esports

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After growing LoL Esports into the world’s largest esport, Needham steps up to unify, introduce, and evolve Riot Games’ esports titles globally 

Riot Games announced the promotion of esports and gaming executive John Needham to the role of President, Esports. In this elevated position within Riot Games, Needham will lead the organization under which all of Riot’s esports titles and operations will now be unified.

After two-plus years as Riot’s Global Head of Esports following his previous roles as Managing Director of Europe and Head of the League of Legends European Championship (LEC), Needham will helm the world’s most successful and sustainable collection of esports.

“As we head into 2022, we’re placing our biggest bets yet on esports to deliver the most connected, immersive experiences for the millions of players worldwide who love our games,” said Nicolo Laurent, CEO of Riot Games. “John Needham’s leadership and vision for our esports business has helped us grow our fandom exponentially over the past few years. It’s why I’m excited to formalize a major division at Riot Games, with John reporting directly into me, to support and drive our big, bold swings that make it even better to be a player.”

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The promotion elevates Needham to be one of the senior most executives within Riot Games, now reporting into Laurent along with Riot’s four other presidents: Shauna Spenley, President, Entertainment; Scott Gelb, President, Games; Ryan Crosby, President, Publishing; and Dylan Jadeja, President, Enterprise.

Within Needham’s governance will be 11-year old industry pioneer League of Legends Esports (LoL Esports), the rising FPS esport VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), Wild Rift Esports (which concludes its first global tournament on Sunday), and multiple other games under a new Organized Play umbrella at Riot Games (Teamfight Tactics, aka TFT; Legends of Runeterra, aka LoR; and future games).

“Riot Games has led the explosive growth of esports over the past decade, and I’m proud to be part of the team charged with establishing our portfolio as a foundation for the future of sports,” said Needham. “Esports embodies Riot’s mission to inspire the most meaningful and lasting player experiences.

“By further professionalizing our sports, innovating and focusing on sustainability and competitive integrity, and making esports at Riot Games inclusive to all, we will thrive together with new and existing fans. We also will create additional value for our partners and plan to set the highest player-driven standards for competitive gaming well into the next decade.”

The new Riot Games esports structure being established by Needham has been informed by a combination of traditional sports leagues and governing bodies as well as Riot’s company-wide goal to innovate around and ultimately define the future of gaming. Needham plans to bring a new strategic and operational focus across the multiple sports and leagues, extend Riot’s esports’ impact into complementary entertainment and gaming categories, and create and shape viewing and content platforms for the future growth of its esports audience.

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To that end, Needham recently green-lit a multi-million initiative known as Project Stryker, an innovative initiative to increase capacity of Riot’s esports content and events with a centralized broadcast model anchored by Remote Broadcast Centers (RBCs) strategically located around the world. Three years in the making, these RBCs will increase capacity for Riot Esports content and events while lowering operating costs, ensuring top-tier quality and consistency across all esports productions, and built for scale as the volume of Riot’s live esports broadcasts continues to grow. The first center will come online in Dublin, Ireland, in early 2022.

To also help him achieve Riot Games esports’ mission to bring joy to billions of fans around the world, Needham recently promoted several key executives to new positions and has begun a search for a new Global Head of Organized Play:

  • Whalen Rozelle to Head of Global Esports Operations*;
  • Naz Aletaha to Global Head of LoL Esports;
  • Leo Faria to Global Head of Wild Rift Esports.

*Rozelle will maintain his role overseeing the VALORANT Champions Tour until a replacement is identified and hired

Riot Games’ esports, with 2021 Worlds behind it and the inaugural VALORANT Champions set to kick off in Berlin in December, has seen growing audience demand as well as the need to establish an umbrella structure for brands eager to tap into this rapidly growing global sports category. To date, Riot’s global esports partner roster includes Mastercard, Verizon, Mercedes-Benz, Bose, Unilever, Red Bull, Spotify, Bose, Louis Vuitton, YouTube, Twitch, Cisco, Amazon, Coca-Cola, and State Farm. Red Bull, Verizon and SecretLab are among the first global partners to support multiple titles or events within Riot’s esports portfolio, an opportunity that will be more readily available in the years ahead.

 

Biography

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John Needham serves as the President, Esports at Riot Games, overseeing League of Legends Esports, VALORANT Champions Tour and Wild Rift Esports global international events and driving the overall vision for esports at Riot Games worldwide. John is responsible for shaping and defining an accessible, modern sports entertainment property for a multi-generational fanbase, while creating a strong sustainable business ecosystem that attracts top-tier sponsors and investors.

Under his leadership, the sport of League of Legends has experienced rapid maturation with continued investment in infrastructure and broadcast capabilities needed for long-term growth, digital products, and measurement standards (e.g. AMA). LoL Esports’ two major international events — The World Championship and Mid-Season Invitational — have hit record viewership and seen incredible growth in fan engagement and value, with some of the most recognizable global brands signing partnerships.

Needham joined Riot in 2017 as the Managing Director of Europe and North America. During his time in that position, he led the rebranding of the League of Legends European Championship (LEC), which included the move to a long-term partnership model with 10 teams and an influx of new partnerships including Kia, Logitech, Red Bull, and Foot Locker.

Needham is an accomplished senior-level executive with a demonstrated history of results. He has developed high-performing teams, departments, and studios through his ability to communicate, motivate, and align teams from across different regions and cultures.

Prior to Riot, John served as Partner, Microsoft where he worked on Hololens experiences, 3DCreation, Microsoft Casual Games, and Age of Empires. He previously served as Microsoft’s Studio Head of Lionhead where he transitioned Lionhead from a traditional console developer to a games-as-a-service studio. In that role, he also launched Fable Anniversary, Warface, and Quantum Break. John also has held leadership positions at Cryptic Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Telemundo, Gazillion Entertainment, and Sony Online Entertainment.

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CasinoCanada Started a New Partnership With Ocean Spin by LaLa Stars

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CasinoCanada, the number one gambling guide for players in Canada, is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Ocean Spin a brand under the umbrella of LaLa Stars.

This collaboration marks an exciting step in CasinoCanada’s mission to provide its audience with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on top gaming experiences.

The partnership agreement will grant LaLa Stars premium visibility across high-traffic sections of CasinoCanada’s website, which has been a trusted source for Canadian players for over 20 years.

LaLa Stars presents itself as an affiliate program that generates double-digit profits by making it easy and enjoyable to promote the brands. The program features a memorable design, a player-centric retention system, top-tier payment options, and game providers. Fast payments, flexible commission models, high-converting brands, powerful reporting, no middlemen, and outstanding conversion make LaLa Stars a popular choice. Additional company benefits are: a revenue share of up to 60%, a CPA of up to €500, hybrid CPA.

Ocean Spin Casino, a brand of LaLa Stars company, despite being quite new on the iGaming market, is a huge online gambling platform where all casino newcomers are greeted with a welcome bonus of 100% for up to €500, and 200 free spins plus one Bonus Crab. It comes as a first deposit bonus for a minimum deposit amount of €20. Sports-betting enthusiasts can also claim a welcome bonus of 100% for up to €100.

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Ocean Spin Casino’s games include: gaming machines, roulette blackjack, betting, video poker, bingo, baccarat, jackpot games, and live games.

“We are excited to meet our new partner Ocean Spin Casino, and hope to bring maximum use and value to our community,” said Aleksandra Drigo, Sales Director at CasinoCanada. “This partnership perfectly reflects our dedication to highlighting the best in the gaming industry while offering our audience valuable insights and chances to experience top-notch gaming. We hope for a productive and long-term partnership!”

The partnership is now live, featuring LaLa Stars reviews and exclusive offers on the CasinoCanada website. This collaboration is set to deliver even more thrilling updates, exclusive content, and personalized promotions for the Canadian gambling community.

The post CasinoCanada Started a New Partnership With Ocean Spin by LaLa Stars appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Blueprint Gaming

Blueprint Gaming partners with Rush Street Interactive to further expand Ontario reach via BetRivers platform

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Blueprint Gaming, the leading UK slots developer and member of the Merkur Group, has doubled down on its Canadian footprint following a partnership with industry leading online casino and sports betting company, Rush Street Interactive, in Ontario.

The agreement will see a host of Blueprint’s top performing games made available to a new wave of slot enthusiasts, including its Megaways™ offering featuring Napoleon Megaways™ and Majestic Fury Megaways™, as well as the company’s renowned branded library offering the likes of Rick and Morty™: Strike Back and The Lost Boys™.

Founded in 2012, RSI has become a market leader in online casinos and sportsbooks across the Americas and is set to have its expansive portfolio of slots elevated by Blueprint’s engaging titles featuring sought after mechanics.

The agreement underlines Blueprint’s ever-expanding global footprint and aligns with its strategic roadmap for Canada where its games continue to resonate with players across the country.

Samuel Haggblom, Director of Key Accounts at Blueprint Gaming, said: “The popularity of Blueprint slots continues to grow across Canada and the Americas, and so we are delighted to go live with an industry renowned operator in the region.

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“This exciting deal pays further testament to how our games can resonate with players in multiple markets worldwide and we look forward to seeing the response from BetRivers players.”

Richard Schwartz, CEO for Rush Street Interactive, said: “Blueprint Gaming boasts a growing collection of exciting titles, and we are thrilled to be working with them to bring these games to our BetRivers players in Ontario.

“We are happy to partner with Blueprint Gaming and look forward to watching this collaboration flourish.”

The post Blueprint Gaming partners with Rush Street Interactive to further expand Ontario reach via BetRivers platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Nearly half of Ontarian viewers wagering on Super Bowl LIX

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The latest sports betting survey from the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) shows the majority of Ontarians plan to watch Super Bowl LIX (63 per cent) and almost half of viewers will place a wager on the big game (48 per cent).

Over a third of Ontario adults have initiated a bet after seeing a gambling advertisement online or on TV (35 per cent); more so among populations at-risk for problem gambling, including those under age 44 (42 per cent) and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals (44 per cent).

Two thirds believe their sports knowledge gives them an edge in predicting outcomes (67 per cent), particularly men and those aged 18-44 (70 per cent). While knowledge and skill does inform a bet, it doesn’t guarantee a win. The misconception that one can accurately predict an outcome can lead to over confidence that their knowledge will give them an advantage and ultimately, a win. This is known as the illusion of control. This false belief paired with persuasive gambling advertising can increase risk, influencing some to bet more than they can afford to lose. More than a third report doing so in the past 12 months (36 per cent).

Key survey highlights

How Ontarians plan to bet:

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  • 50 per cent will bet online with a sportsbook website
  • 30 per cent will bet with family and friends
  • 27 per cent will buy sport-based lottery tickets
  • 20 per cent will bet in a pool

How much they plan to wager:

  • 55 per cent say they will bet $100 or less
  • 19 per cent will bet between $101 and $500
  • 8 per cent plan to wager more than $500

Number of bets they’ll make:

  • 55 per cent will bet a single time on the outcome of the game
  • 25 per cent will bet multiple times throughout the game using one sportsbook website
  • 15 per cent will bet using several sportsbook websites

“Gambling is random but your plan shouldn’t be,” says Sarah McCarthy, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council. “Perceived knowledge of the game, persuasive advertising, and substance use can all influence how we gamble. A smart plan includes being mindful of the illusion of control and remembering that even with sports expertise, understanding the game, players or stats won’t boost your chances of predicting a random outcome.”

RGC tips for safer sports betting

  • Be mindful of the illusion of control. Remember that even with sports expertise a win is not guaranteed and understanding the game, players or stats won’t boost your chances of predicting a random outcome
  • Be aware that time spent, and knowledge gained won’t help you “beat the odds”
  • Plan before you play – pre-set betting limits and stay within your budget
  • Only gamble with money you can afford to lose – never borrow money or use money intended for necessities, like rent/mortgage or food
  • Never chase losses by trying to win back what you’ve lost
  • Limit your alcohol, cannabis, and/or other substance intake
  • Don’t bet if you are upset or stressed
  • View sports betting as entertainment, not a way to make money

Detailed survey insights

Half of those who will wager on the Super Bowl say their main reason to bet is to win money (48 per cent), followed by adding to the excitement of the game (47 per cent). About a fifth bet because they believe they are knowledgeable about the teams and players (22 per cent), they feel confident about their chances of winning (20 per cent), or because their favourite team or player is playing (18 per cent). One in ten bets in a mistaken attempt to make up for last year’s losses (10 per cent).

Over half of those who will bet on the big game will place their bets while consuming substances, which are associated with the additional risks of impaired judgement and decision-making (52 per cent). The majority plan to consume alcohol while betting (86 per cent).

While men and women are similarly likely to watch the Super Bowl, men are slightly more likely to place a wager (49 vs 45 per cent). Age and ethnicity also play significant roles. Ontario sports bettors aged 45+ are more likely to bet on the big game (52 per cent) than those aged 18-44 (45 per cent). White individuals are significantly more likely to bet on Super Bowl LIX (54 per cent) compared to BIPOC Ontarians (42 per cent).

Staying onside

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Of those planning to bet on the Super Bowl, the most common strategies to manage their gambling risk remain the same as last year: deciding on a pre-set betting limit (37 per cent), betting to have fun and not to make money (31 per cent), and not betting more to recoup losses (25 per cent).

A quarter of all respondents say they always or often feel anger or frustration at losing a bet (25 per cent), while a third sometimes do (36 per cent). This increases when placing bets while using substances. A third report their gambling has caused them to experience health problems, including feelings of stress or anxiety (36 per cent) over the last 12 months, and that they might have a problem with gambling (36 per cent). These rates are highest among BIPOC Ontarians and those aged 18-34.

As a result, more Super Bowl betters are now paying attention to mood and state of mind when they gamble. Encouragingly, a quarter will avoid betting when feeling emotionally distressed (25 per cent) and a fifth will refrain from betting while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (21 per cent).

To help keep online gambling safer, all regulated sportsbook websites have responsible gambling features. Of those who plan to use online sportsbooks to bet during the Super Bowl, a quarter read online information about the odds of winning and how certain games work (25 per cent) or use money limit-setting tools (23 per cent). A fifth use personalized spending reports or take a cooling off period (20 per cent). Notably, a third don’t plan on using any features to help them manage their betting (33 per cent).

Methodology
An online survey of 1,147 Ontario residents aged 18+ was completed between November 22 – December 6, 2024, using Leger’s online panel. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of +/-2.9%, 19 times out of 20.

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The post Nearly half of Ontarian viewers wagering on Super Bowl LIX appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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