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Premier League Football Stars, Shaun Wright Phillips and Jordan Stewart, Lead Investment in The Sports Metaverse
The Sports Metaverse pioneers esports with virtual land sales, metaverse personal training, sports betting and fan engagement
The Sports Metaverse, the world’s first virtual world specifically focused on sports, has announced that former professional football players, Shaun Wright Phillips and Jordan Stewart, have purchased land in the Sports Metaverse.
Shaun Wright Philips will use his land for events and to display his NFTs:
“I’m really excited to be involved in the Sports Metaverse. This is the new frontier when it comes to sports. The metaverse and owning a piece of it is about interaction and co creation – watching live sports with friends all around the world, hanging out with friends, and buying and selling NFTs are some of the things I’m really looking forward to doing here.“
Investment into VR real estate in the metaverse has grown exponentially, with brands like Adidas and top influencers looking to establish themselves in the virtual world. In the metaverse where possibilities are endless, investors see the potential to rent a virtual space for parties with sports stars, private lodges to view sporting events in VR stadiums, or offer key brands a space for sponsorship appearances. As a result, early investors are already making tenfold, million dollar profits. The returns are expected to continue to grow as Grayscale Research predicts annual revenues for the metaverse at $1 trillion, with $400 Billion for gaming worlds alone.
In addition to Shaun Wright Philips, Sports Metaverse announced that four companies have already pre-bought land. They include Phat Fantasy, Own the Moment, ThriveFantasy, Press Sports, and Beyond The Game Network. Brands can apply for the private sale here.
SportsIcon COO and Co-Founder Alexi Yovanoff said:
“Both Shaun and Jordan have played at the top of their profession, so it’s an honor to have these athletes join the Sports Metaverse. I still remember the goal that Shaun scored against Manchester United in 2004, and Jordan has had a great career here in the UK and in the USA.
What strikes me the most about these two is their passion for web3, communities, and the interaction with athletes that the Sports Metaverse will give to consumers.”
Shaun Wright Phillips is one of the best players of his generation, playing for England in the National Team, and for Manchester City and Chelsea. Jordan Stewart has had a successful career in both England and the United States at clubs such as Leicester City and the San Jose Earthquakes.
The Sports Metaverse is a digital world devoted solely to sports. It unites the most prominent sports stars, brands, and clubs together in one place. Sports Metaverse is built by SportsIcon and industry veterans from Sony, Doom, Playstation Home, and Nvidia. You can trade NFTs, buy land, interact with iconic sportspeople, and visit stadiums.
SportsIcon is backed by rapper turned investor Nas, Dapper Labs, Dapper Labs CEO Roham Gharegozlou, Youtube Founder Chad Hurley, Hedera and Reserve Founder Andrew Masanto, and ex NBA star Andrew Bogut.
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Eastern Europe
ELA Games reports 244.52% active user growth in Romania
Supplier links the uplift to classic-style slots with modern features, including Joker Winpot, as bet counts rise 239.74%.
ELA Games says it has expanded in Romania after rolling out titles that pair classic slot aesthetics with modern gameplay features.
The supplier reported a 244.52% increase in active users in Romania and a 239.74% rise in bet counts. The company attributed the performance to what it described as a “natural path” for traditional players to move into more feature-led play.
Marharyta Yerina, Managing Director of ELA Games, said: “It is great to see how Romanian players are enjoying the way we combine classic symbols with modern features. Joker Winpot works well for those who love the traditional look but actually want more excitement from their play. We also see that once players feel comfortable with these mechanics, they are happy to explore our other top titles which have proved to be successful in Romania like Cash of Gods and Flames Fruit Frenzy. It proves that respecting what players like is the best way to introduce new ideas to the market.”
ELA Games did not disclose the timeframe for the reported increases, which operators it works with in Romania, or how the metrics were calculated.
The post ELA Games reports 244.52% active user growth in Romania appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Belatra
Belatra Games confirms Lima trip for Peru Gaming Show 2026
Slots developer plans partner meetings and private events around PGS on 17-18 June at the Jockey Exhibition Center.
Belatra Games will attend Peru Gaming Show (PGS) 2026 in Lima on 17-18 June, with the company confirming plans to use the event for meetings with existing clients and prospective partners.
PGS, now in its 23rd year, will be held at the Jockey Exhibition Center. Belatra said it will have a team present throughout the show to discuss its slots portfolio and explore commercial opportunities in Peru as part of its broader Latin America strategy.
Alongside the trade show schedule, Belatra said it will host a private “Belatra Cocktail Experience” for partners and run a watch party on 16 June for Argentina’s match against Algeria.
The company also noted it will attend SBC Americas in Fort Lauderdale ahead of PGS, describing the event as an opportunity to meet operators from North and Latin America and present “LatAm-ready content”.
Lucila M. Barletta, Head of Accounts LatAm at Belatra, said: “Peru is an exciting and growing market and PGS is the perfect place to build on our relationships with partners already working with us and to connect with new ones. We look forward to an amazing couple of days in Lima and, of course, rooting for Argentina with our friends and partners throughout the evening. It’s going to be a special occasion all around.”
The post Belatra Games confirms Lima trip for Peru Gaming Show 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BC.GAME
BC.GAME adds BETBY to BC Engine as staker rewards pass $2.5m
BC.GAME has partnered with sportsbook supplier BETBY, bringing the supplier into BC Engine, the platform’s rewards and participation model powered by its native $BC token.
BC Engine launched in April and is positioned by BC.GAME as a mechanism that links platform-generated profits and activity to ongoing rewards for $BC holders. Under the model, players earn $BC by playing casino games on BC.GAME, with tokens allocated and staked in BC Engine. Rewards are then distributed based on users’ holdings.
BC.GAME said stakers have earned more than $2.5 million in rewards since launch. The company also cited on-platform data showing more than $74.3 million in total wager and over 5.8 million bets.
Kar Kheng Giam, Chief Executive Officer of BC.GAME, said: “Our vision for BC Engine has always been to create a model where platform growth and player participation are more closely aligned.
“The addition of BETBY is significant because it demonstrates how the ecosystem can continue to expand through strategic partnerships. Every new contributor helps strengthen the engine, creating additional utility for $BC and reinforcing the long-term sustainability of the model.
“As we continue to grow the network, our focus remains on delivering a simpler and more transparent rewards experience that allows players to participate more directly in the success of the ecosystem.”
Christos Nikolopoulos, Chief Commercial Officer at BETBY, said: “We’re pleased to become part of the BC Engine ecosystem and support an initiative that brings a different approach to player engagement.”
“At BETBY, innovation has always been at the heart of our business, and BC Engine represents an interesting evolution in how gaming platforms can connect product performance, community participation and rewards. We look forward to contributing to its continued growth.”
BC.GAME said the BETBY deal is part of a wider push to expand $BC utility and add more ecosystem partners contributing to BC Engine. The company also pointed to recent international expansion, including moves in Africa via Nigeria and Kenya, alongside initiatives in Latin America.
The post BC.GAME adds BETBY to BC Engine as staker rewards pass $2.5m appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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