Blockchain
Michael Owen Announced as Brand Ambassador for Punt Casino
English football icon and BT Sports pundit Michael Owen has officially joined the Punt Casino team as its new Brand Ambassador.
Michael Owen started a professional career in football with his Premier League debut in 1997 as a striker for Liverpool FC. Known as one of the “greatest living footballers” in Pelé’s FIFA 100, Owen is one of only 10 players to have scored 150 goals or more in his Premier League career.
Michael Owen has also received the most prestigious award in football, having claimed the Ballon d’Or trophy in 2001. He has played in three FIFA World Cups and even captained the England national team.
With this partnership in the bag and a true football icon on their side, Punt Casino is making 2022 a year to remember with the hottest action the industry has ever seen.
Hitting the back of the net
As a strong advocate for crypto and blockchain in general, Michael, along with his influential media presence and 3.7 million Twitter followers, will see Punt Casino secure its position as the fastest-growing crypto casino in the industry.
“Online casinos are more exciting than ever these days, but with its crypto focus, Punt Casino is doing something different – they really are changing the game,” said Owen, who has been involved with numerous crypto projects in the past.
He went on by saying “I’m a strong believer in the power of crypto, so teaming up with an innovative platform like Punt Casino feels like a natural fit.”
As a world-famous football commentator, respected businessman, and active media personality, Owen is the perfect representative to stand behind such an innovative crypto project. Digital currencies need every ounce of positive publicity they can get, and an endorsement from such a reputable name stands for a lot.
Michael Owen’s stamp of approval
The announcement comes with exciting news for crypto gaming enthusiasts, as Punt plans to take the industry by storm with huge prize-packed competitions.
With the 2022 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, Punt players can expect unique Michael Owen merchandise and football-related giveaways throughout the year in the build-up to the tournament.
Speaking on the announcement, Alexander Bowring, Head of Marketing at Punt Casino, said: “Michael Owen is a football icon in every sense of the word, so to have him come on board as our brand ambassador is a major moment for us. Since launching last year, Punt Casino has been changing the game, delivering exciting crypto casino action that our rivals just can’t match. Expect big things from Punt Casino in 2022 and beyond.”
Punt Casino is revolutionizing crypto gaming
Punt Casino has quickly become a strong player in the crypto casino scene with its super-powered giveaways and outstanding online casino platform. Players also get to take advantage of 24/7 customer support available instantly from the site to answer any questions or queries.
With a next-level gaming experience delivered by over 200 crypto-friendly (and handpicked!) casino games, Punt offers its players the advantage of using leading cryptocurrencies to deposit, withdraw, and play.
As crypto enthusiasts know, this allows for faster, safer, and totally anonymous transactions, which is yet another reason why Punt has become such a prominent online casino destination.
#OWEN10 has arrived at Punt Casino
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Blockchain
Tequity and MINT Partner to Launch Bespoke, Branded “Originals” for Crypto-First Gaming
Tequity, the premium technology partner for custom iGaming solutions, has announced a landmark partnership with MINT, the upcoming AI-driven, crypto-first operator platform. Under the agreement, Tequity will supply its suite of Originals—fast, provably fair house games—which will be fully customized to reflect the MINT brand identity.
The collaboration centers on the “Originals” category, which has evolved from a niche preference to a foundational product for modern crypto-first brands. These games are designed for high-frequency play, making them a significant driver of player engagement and volume.
A New Standard in Fully Brandable House Games
Tequity’s Originals allow operators to launch 16 diverse house games—including popular formats like Crash, Mines, and Plinko—built on a technical stack optimized for speed and stability.
Through this partnership, MINT will move beyond off-the-shelf content, utilizing Tequity’s modular RGS and partner-ready tooling to create a “native” feel. Key features of the rollout include:
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Complete Brand Control: Full customization of the UX/UI to match MINT’s aesthetic.
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Provably Fair Infrastructure: Transparent, blockchain-verified mechanics that align with MINT’s Web3 roadmap.
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Streamer-Friendly Design: Fast-paced gameplay loops optimized for the burgeoning live-streaming community.
Strategic Vision: Launching the Next Generation of Web3 Gaming
The partnership comes as MINT prepares for its official February launch, positioning itself as a platform that prioritizes product quality over speculative hype. By integrating Tequity’s performance-driven infrastructure, MINT can deliver a premium, localized content suite from day one.
“MINT gets full branding control to make the games feel truly their own, while we provide the underlying performance and reliability,” said Dominic Sawyer, VP Growth at Tequity. “They are building a new kind of operator platform that combines a strong iGaming core with a Web3 roadmap, and we’re excited to be their technical foundation.”
Zak Manhire, CEO of MINT, added: “For us, Originals aren’t just another game category, they’re a foundation. Tequity gives us a very strong technical base, and we’ll push it hard—iterating quickly and building new games together as one. We treat our partners as collaborators, not service providers.”
The post Tequity and MINT Partner to Launch Bespoke, Branded “Originals” for Crypto-First Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
2025 BGA State of the Industry Report
MENA Emerges as Global Growth Engine for Blockchain Gaming, BGA 2025 Report Finds
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has emerged as the fastest-rising region in blockchain gaming, now representing nearly one-fifth of all industry professionals surveyed by the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA), according to the newly released 2025 BGA State of the Industry Report.
The findings were unveiled on stage at the Global Blockchain Show Abu Dhabi 2025 by Sebastien Borget, Co-President of the BGA and Co-Founder of The Sandbox, during a panel discussion titled ‘Web3 Gaming’s Big Bet’ with Yat Siu, Chairman of Animoca Brands, and Cathy Hackl, CEO of Future Dynamics, moderated by Wissam Younane, CEO, Entrepreneur Middle East.
“Sharing this year’s BGA State of the Industry Report in Abu Dhabi shows the promise and huge potential of blockchain gaming’s next phase, and MENA’s rapid growth is a big signal that new regions around the world are stepping into leadership roles,” said Borget. “What we’re seeing in the data is an industry becoming more global, more disciplined, and more focused on building great games for real players.”
MENA’s representation has surged from virtually no presence in the survey sample just five years ago — under 1% in 2021 — to 19.8% of respondents in 2025, marking the most pronounced regional shift since the survey began. When combined with Africa’s steady growth, rising from 0.5% in 2021 to 5.5% in 2025, the two regions now account for more than a quarter of all global responses to the survey.
This momentum reflects a broader realignment in the gaming and technology landscape. MENA has become one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets, underpinned by a youthful, digitally-native population and extensive government investment into gaming, esports, and digital infrastructure. As global capital increasingly flows into the region through strategic acquisitions, large-scale development initiatives, and major esports events, blockchain gaming’s rising professional footprint signals that MENA is actively shaping the future of the sector.
The BGA’s growth across MENA and Africa has been strongly attributed to the leadership and regional advocacy of Yasmina Kazitani, who was elected by the BGA membership as the organization’s first female Co-President in March 2025.
An Algerian-born ecosystem builder with deep ties across both regions, Kazitani has focused on community partnerships and grassroots outreach in emerging markets, broadening participation while championing access for previously underrepresented groups. She is also a long-standing advocate for gender diversity and inclusion as Co-Founder of the Women in Web3 Alliance, working to reduce barriers to entry and elevate female leadership within the industry.
“The survey results reflect what we see on the ground: new communities with new talent and stewardship,” said Kazitani. “With more voices entering the conversation, we are reminded that diverse representation is essential because this is what influences the ideas, products, and priorities that will define our industry’s next phase. A broader range of perspectives strengthens decision-making, contributes to a more resilient ecosystem, and ultimately underpins a global industry that better reflects its players and creates games that resonate across cultures.”
This increasing focus on diversity and broader participation was reflected directly in the survey methodology itself. For the first time, the BGA survey was offered in multiple languages beyond English, resulting in nearly a quarter of responses being submitted in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese, with the majority received in Arabic. This expansion has provided a more accurate picture of industry participation while lowering barriers to inclusion in non-English-speaking markets.
Beyond its geographic findings, the report provides a comprehensive snapshot of a maturing industry navigating a challenging market environment. Respondents highlight rising confidence in regulatory clarity as a key driver of growth, alongside an increasing focus on high-quality game development and sustainable business models. At the same time, industry professionals identify scams and fraud as the greatest threats to credibility, funding scarcity as the most pressing operational constraint, and AI-enabled exploitation as a growing concern.
Key takeaways from the BGA 2025 State of the Industry Report are highlighted below:
Respondent Demographics
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19.8% of respondents come from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), up from under 1% in 2021.
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22.7% female participation marks the highest level recorded in the survey’s history.
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32.6% of respondents work in studios or publishing, dominating industry representation.
Industry Drivers
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64.4% expect policy and regulation to have a positive impact on industry development.
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29.5% cite high-quality game launches as the primary driver of future industry success.
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27.5% point to sustainable, revenue-driven business models as a key growth factor.
Industry Challenges
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36.0% view scams and fraud as the greatest threat to industry credibility.
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32.6% report lack of funding or investment as their company’s biggest operational challenge.
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38.9% fear AI-enabled cheating, bots, and exploits as the largest risk of AI adoption.
The post MENA Emerges as Global Growth Engine for Blockchain Gaming, BGA 2025 Report Finds appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Blockchain
Prize AI Technologies Launches $PRIZE Token Presale
Prize AI Technologies, a pioneering Web3 company that integrates AI with physical entertainment machines and blockchain rewards, has launched $PRIZE utility token presale, raising over $100,000 in the first week. Targeting the $400 billion global arcade, casino, and vending market, Prize AI Technologies has built a full-stack ecosystem combining a consumer app, operator dashboard, staking and CertiK-audited smart contracts to reward customers, optimise operations and automate loyalty.
The $PRIZE Token Powers a comprehensive consumer app that enables direct connection to arcade machines, vending units and casino equipment. The platform supports fiat and crypto payments with integrated wallet and bank-withdrawal features, automatically delivering 4-cent crypto rewards per dollar spent. Users receive location-based alerts for nearby machines, promotions and giveaways through the app’s intelligent notification system.
The platform provides an AI-driven dashboard for venue operators, delivering insights on customer behaviour, peak hours and machine profitability. The system enables automated, real-time marketing campaigns with performance tracking capabilities and includes anomaly detection with proactive maintenance alerts. Through transparent profit-sharing, net profits flow directly to token holders via smart contracts.
The infrastructure features staking capabilities offering up to 33% APR real yields derived from verified machine revenue, all secured through a CertiK-audited innovative contract framework.
Presale participants can access Stage 1 pricing at $0.01 per token. The company has launched a $1.5 million airdrop, distributing 5000 tokens each to 2000 eligible users, with a double airdrop bonus of 10,000 tokens for purchases over $100. A 6 million token giveaway will also award 20 winners with 300,000 tokens each.
“We are modernizing an industry that is lagging in tech. With AI and $PRIZE, everyday machines become powerful marketing and rewards engines,” said a prize AI Technologies spokesperson.
The market opportunity spans a $400 billion industry with 1.9% CAGR growth over five years. Prize AI Technologies has selected Australia as its pilot market, leveraging over 200,000 arcade and vending machines. Future expansion phases target Japan’s $22.4 billion gaming market with 6.9% CAGR growth and Southeast Asia’s $14.8 billion gaming segment.
Prize AI Technologies delivers decentralised, AI-powered marketing, rewards and analytics tools worldwide for entertainment venues.
The post Prize AI Technologies Launches $PRIZE Token Presale appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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