Latest News

Parimatch appoints Dmitry Sergeev to lead Eastern European expansion

Published

5 years ago

November 22, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Parimatch Russia (a franchise-based partner of Parimatch Tech) has announced its latest move as it eyes further rapid expansion across the CIS and Eastern European (CEE) Regions, with the appointment of Dmitry Sergeev.

Formerly CEO of Parimatch CIS, Sergeev will be tasked with developing the brand in Russia, as well as taking charge of Parimatch Tech’s franchise implementation as Parimatch Russia separates from Parimatch CIS to develop independently, effective at the start of next year.

As part of its separation, Sergeev will also take charge of Parimatch Russia’s expansion across the CEE region based on local betting licences.

Parimatch CIS will now be headed by Yuliya Leshkova, current Deputy CEO Parimatch Belarus, a key veteran of the company for almost a decade, with her appointment following a track record of consistent outstanding quarterly growth across the Belarusian market.

Despite the changes, no additional structural transformations of the Russian based arm of the company are expected to be announced.

Led by its current CEO Ruslan Medved, Parimatch Russia will aim to continue to target its recent legacy of outstanding growth across multiple sectors. More specific development plans for the Eastern European regions will be announced later next year.

Commenting on his appointment, Dmitry Sergeev, who will be responsible for the development of Russia and new regions in Eastern Europe, said:

“Russia represents a huge potential for future growth, and our continued expansion across the region increasingly demands more and more from each of us on the team, which I’m delighted to be leading.

“Our franchise-based development in the Eastern Europe is a new direction and will prove a highly ambitious challenge massive that both myself and our team will relish. Always dedicated to delivering the best, we will do our utmost to deliver upon the expectations of our shareholders and raise brand awareness in Europe.

“I appreciate the cooperation on the part of the holding and stand proud of the achievements we have earned together. Each of our CIS regional markets have evolved into a strong business unit demonstrating great financial performance and exponential growth. I wish all the best to Yuliya in her new role and will support and help her in every way possible.”

Already considered an established figure at Parimatch, Sergeev was appointed to Parimatch CIS in May 2020 as part of the brand’s business development ambitions across its core markets – with his leadership proving integral to the company’s closing of 2021 with its key goals met.

Under Sergeev’s leadership, Parimatch CIS has recorded exponential growth across its core markets, while simultaneously tripling the base of active players across all CIS regions where the brand is live.

With extensive experience across marketing, business development, and commercial growth, Sergeev was the founder of “Championat” in 2005, which is now considered one of the major sports media platforms across Russia and the CIS region.

Between 2016 and 2019 Sergeev played a crucial role in establishing Parimatch as the first international betting player on the Russian market, having previously served as CEO for bwin Russia. In 2019 and 2020 Dmitry Sergeev was ranked among the leading top managers in the Top 1000 Russian Managers, a rating organised by the Association of Managers and Kommersant Publishing House.

Recipient of multiple additional accolades, the international Bispo Awards presented awarded Sergeev Discovery of the Year award for his work with Parimatch CIS in 2020, and later that year MarSpo Awards rated him one of the top 100 sports industry managers. In 2021 Sport Business Awards acknowledged him as Manager of the Year.

eSports

Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028

Published

8 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-foundation-names-faker-game-ambassador-for-ewc-and-enc-through-2028

Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Magnus Carlsen in the Esports Foundation’s Ambassador Program.

The Esports Foundation (EF) has appointed Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok as a Game Ambassador for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Esports Nations Cup (ENC) through 2028, the organization said on July 15, 2026 in a statement issued from Riyadh and Paris.

EF said Faker joins Cristiano Ronaldo, listed as the Foundation’s Global Ambassador, and Magnus Carlsen as part of the Esports Foundation Ambassador Program. The Foundation said Faker will represent “the perspective of esports players” across its international events, athlete initiatives, media engagements and leadership forums.

“You can’t talk about esports without mentioning Faker. He is the defining athlete of competitive gaming: a champion whose excellence, discipline and longevity have inspired an entire generation,” said Ralf Reichert, Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Foundation. “As our Game Ambassador, Faker represents something fundamental to the Ambassador Program: esports creates its own global sporting icons. Across EWC, ENC and NGSC, he will help ensure that the players who built this sport have a voice in shaping where it goes next.”

Faker said: “Competition has shaped my life, and I am proud to join the Esports Foundation as Game Ambassador. I want to continue competing for the biggest titles with T1 while representing the players and fans who have helped esports grow worldwide. Through the Esports World Cup, Esports Nations Cup and the Foundation’s wider platforms, I hope to inspire the next generation to pursue excellence, remain resilient and believe in how far competitive gaming can take them. There is still much more to achieve.”

EF highlighted Faker’s competitive record, describing him as a six-time League of Legends World Champion, EWC 2024 winner, two-time MSI champion and ten-time domestic champion with T1. The Foundation also said Faker became the first esports athlete to receive the Blue Dragon Medal in 2026, describing it as the Republic of Korea’s highest sporting honor awarded by President Lee Jae-myung.

The post Esports Foundation names Faker Game Ambassador for EWC and ENC through 2028 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Brand Partnerships

Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season

Published

15 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-signs-as-middlesbrough-fc-principal-partner-for-2026/27-season

Midnite has agreed a partnership with Middlesbrough FC that will see the UK bookmaker become the club’s principal partner and front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 campaign, which Middlesbrough describes as its landmark 150th season.

The companies announced the deal alongside a fan activation at Riverside Stadium on Thursday, July 9, branded “This Season’s On Us”. The initiative offered supporters prizes including 2026/27 season tickets, 2026/27 shirts, match tickets, or a £25 club shop voucher, with fans required to answer Middlesbrough trivia and complete a football challenge.

Middlesbrough former players Craig Hignett and David Wheater attended the event, and, according to the company, took bonus attempts on behalf of participants who missed out.

Andrew Mook, Midnite’s Head of Brand Marketing, said:

“Middlesbrough have a storied history and we’re delighted to announce this partnership during such a monumental year with the club celebrating their 150th anniversary.

“It was great to see so many Middlesbrough fans at the “This Season’s On Us” activation, we hope they enjoyed taking part and meeting club legends, with David Wheater hitting top bins on several occasions and allowing fans to win big with season tickets.

“We can’t wait to get to Riverside Stadium in August to kick-off a new season and we’re excited to say that we have plenty of new and captivating campaigns planned.”

Lee Fryett, Middlesbrough FC Chief Commercial Officer, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Midnite as our new Principal Partner.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Midnite to develop engaging campaigns, content and unique experiences that bring our fans even closer to the club.

“We’re confident this partnership will provide real value for our supporters while supporting our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The post Midnite signs as Middlesbrough FC principal partner for 2026/27 season appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AGCO

ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch

Published

15 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Wladimir P.

thrilltech-secures-agco-supplier-licence-for-ontario-launch

ThrillTech has been awarded a Gaming-Related Supplier licence by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), clearing the company to launch in Ontario’s regulated market.

The licence allows ThrillTech to deploy its opt-in side bet jackpots technology with regulated online casino, sports betting and lottery operators across the province.

Benjamin Bradtke, Co-Founder of ThrillTech, said: “Securing our AGCO licence is a major step in our mission to transform how jackpots are delivered at scale across regulated markets. This latest certification is testament to our robust technology and trusted compliance frameworks, allowing us to continue our global growth trajectory. We are thrilled to bring our proven, compliant jackpot technology to Ontario, empowering locally licensed operators to uplift revenue without cannibalising existing spend.”

The company said its “ThrillPots” mechanics sit as an independent, player-funded side bet and do not alter the underlying game’s return-to-player mathematics.

ThrillTech said the Ontario approval enables its existing multinational partners that also operate in the province to launch its side bet jackpots locally, while it also holds talks with potential new operator partners. The company lists its regulated footprint as including the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania, Malta, Gibraltar, Brazil and Peru.

The post ThrillTech secures AGCO supplier licence for Ontario launch appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.