Latest News

Ronaldinho makes footballing return with GAMING1’s Circus brand

Published

4 years ago

September 20, 2022

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Football icon to feature in Circus Cup match in September

Ronaldinho, the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year, will take part in a unique gala match between KAA Gent and Standard de Liège on 21^st of September, in the Ghelamco Arena in Ghent, Belgium.

Now regarded as one of the most technically gifted players football has ever seen, Ronaldinho will return to play for 20 minutes with each team in a match that has been dubbed The Circus Cup. The Brazilian will also be joined by Standard de Liège and KAA Gent legends, with Gunther Schepens and Jean-Francois Gillet captaining both sides.

The match is an initiative by the Belgian gaming brand Circus, a historic sponsor of Standard de Liège and also KAA Gent’s partner since the start of the season.

The Circus Cup is seen as a way of enhancing the company’s involvement in both football clubs, with Circus aiming to be more than just a financial investor for its teams. The 20,000-seater stadium will operate at full capacity with the event expected to sell out, as 15,000 supporters have already registered their interest.

Supporters of both clubs can attend the match for free, with Circus promising the winning team a prize that they can add to their future tifo. Once the game ends, fans will be able to vote for which prize they want, whether it’s an XXXL flag, a statue of a club legend or a fresco in the stadium.

Part of GAMING1, Circus is a Belgian sports betting brand that has grown rapidly in recent times, illustrated by its signing of one of the most well-known names in the sports industry.

Discussing the deal, Circus CEO, Emmanuel Mewissen said: “We’re extremely proud of our partnership with Ronaldinho, one of the best footballers of this – or the last – century.

“Everyone knows his iconic smile, his amazing technique, and inimitable feints. Playfulness is one of Circus’ core values, so Ronaldinho is a perfect match. We want to link that playfulness to being able to have fun in a responsible way.

“I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we can’t wait for him to make a return to football in the Circus Cup. It’s bound to be a fantastic spectacle with Ronaldinho swapping shirts and playing for both teams.”

Former professional footballer, Ronaldinho added: “It’s very exciting for me to be teaming up with such a prestigious Belgium company. I’m also looking forward to the Circus Cup match, a great chance to show what I can still do.

“But overall, this cooperation with Circus in Belgium is more than just about football, it’s an ideal collaboration because I see a lot of similarity between the brand’s personality and my own, especially its playfulness.

“I’ve always been about play but pushing this message and tying a meaningful story to it makes a lot of sense, especially regard responsible play. I believe it can have a hugely positive impact on people watching.”

Latest News

WinSpirit Launches Alchemy of Passion: A Birthday Campaign Combining Gamification, Rewards, and Player Engagement

Published

25 minutes ago

June 30, 2026

Master Editor

This summer, WinSpirit celebrates its birthday with Alchemy of Passion, a large-scale promotional campaign designed to create deeper player engagement through gamification, storytelling, and immersive rewards.

Built around the concept of discovering the legendary Elixir of Passion, the campaign transforms traditional promotional mechanics into an interactive journey. Players are invited to collect ingredients, complete quests, unlock rewards, and explore new experiences — turning every spin and action into part of a larger adventure.

Throughout the campaign, players can access multiple engagement features, including the Gift Portal, Gift Shop, Mystery Elixirs, quests, tournaments, and exclusive bonuses created specifically for the celebration.

From a product perspective, Alchemy of Passion highlights WinSpirit’s approach to developing creative promotional solutions that help operators increase player interaction, strengthen loyalty, and deliver memorable brand experiences. By combining narrative-driven mechanics with rewarding gameplay elements, the campaign provides partners with a flexible engagement tool designed to support retention and long-term player relationships.

The campaign also reflects WinSpirit’s continued investment in innovation, exploring new ways to connect entertainment, technology, and player-focused experiences within the iGaming ecosystem.

This birthday celebration is WinSpirit’s way of thanking the community that continues to shape the brand. Instead of simply marking another milestone, the company is creating new opportunities for players to interact, discover rewards, and celebrate together.

While Alchemy of Passion is already live, another major experience is being prepared behind the scenes. Soon, players and partners will get their first look at Euphoria Lab — a brand-new concept designed to bring an entirely new level of engagement.

The celebration has begun. The formula continues to evolve, and the next chapter is about to unfold.

Beyond Bancard

SCCG Management Partners with Beyond Bancard to Bring Full-Service Payment Processing to the Global Gambling Industry

Published

53 minutes ago

June 30, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

sccg-management-partners-with-beyond-bancard-to-bring-full-service-payment-processing-to-the-global-gambling-industry

SCCG Management, a global advisory firm specializing in the gambling and sports entertainment industries, has announced a strategic partnership with Beyond Bancard, a full-service payment processing company headquartered in Orange, California. The partnership positions SCCG as Beyond Bancard’s market representation and business development channel into the gaming, sports betting, tribal gaming, and regulated entertainment sectors.

Beyond Bancard provides credit and debit card processing, POS systems, payment gateways, and merchant services to businesses across retail, e-commerce, live events, hospitality, B2B, and high-compliance verticals. The company serves thousands of merchants nationwide and holds PCI Level 1 compliance, the highest standard for payment security and has built a reputation for solving complex payment challenges in markets where compliance, scalability, and reliability are critical.

Under the partnership, SCCG will deploy its commercial network, media footprint, and industry relationships to identify, qualify, and introduce gaming and entertainment operators to Beyond Bancard’s payment processing platform. Target verticals include tribal casino operators, commercial casino groups, online gambling operators covering sports betting, online lottery, and online casino, sweepstakes platforms, sports entertainment companies, and other regulated-industry merchants that require compliant payment infrastructure.

“Payment processing is the connective tissue of every gaming operation, and most operators are underserved when it comes to finding processors who understand the compliance requirements of this industry. Beyond Bancard brings a mature infrastructure, a strong compliance posture, and real experience working with high-volume merchants. That is exactly the kind of partner our network needs.”

Stephen Crystal, Founder and CEO, SCCG Management

SCCG’s engagement with Beyond Bancard spans four service areas: industry network access and lead generation, marketing and content distribution, event sponsorship and activation, and strategic advisory on market positioning within the gaming vertical. Beyond Bancard will be featured across SCCG’s marketing channels, including the SCCG Weekly Newsletter, which reaches over 26,000 gambling industry professionals, LinkedIn amplification through Stephen Crystal’s professional network, and targeted thought-leadership content.

Beyond Bancard will also participate as a named sponsor of SCCG’s 5th Annual G2E Party on September 29, 2026 at Tom’s Watch Bar in Las Vegas, providing branding visibility and direct networking access to SCCG’s invite list of gaming industry executives and decision-makers.

“The gaming industry requires payment partners that understand far more than transaction processing. Operators need scalable infrastructure, strong banking relationships, sophisticated risk management, seamless pay-in and payout capabilities, and a deep understanding of regulatory compliance. SCCG has built one of the most respected networks in gaming, and we’re excited to partner with their team to bring our payment solutions to operators around the world. Together, we believe we can help gaming businesses navigate complexity, optimize payment performance, and unlock new growth opportunities.”

Jimmy Virk, Chief Executive Officer, Beyond Bancard

The partnership reflects a growing need among gaming operators for payment processing partners who can navigate the compliance, risk management, and regulatory demands of the gambling industry. Beyond Bancard’s experience across high-compliance verticals, combined with SCCG’s established operator network and market intelligence, creates a direct commercial pathway between operators seeking compliant payment infrastructure and a proven processing partner.

About SCCG Management

SCCG Management is a global advisory firm with more than 33 years of experience connecting clients to strategic partners across the gambling industry. With an ecosystem of over 130 gaming-related partner companies, SCCG provides market representation, business development, capital introductions, and managed services to operators, technology providers, and brands worldwide. For more information, visit sccgmanagement.com.

About Beyond Bancard

Beyond Bancard is a leading payment and merchant services company based in Orange, California. The company provides payment processing, POS technology, payment gateways, and risk management services to businesses across retail, e-commerce, hospitality, gaming, B2B, and highly regulated industries. With a focus on innovation, compliance, and long-term partnerships, Beyond Bancard helps businesses navigate complex payment environments while delivering secure, scalable, and reliable payment solutions. The company maintains PCI Level 1 compliance and operates as a registered ISO/MSP of Esquire Bank, Merrick Bank, and Mission Valley Bank. For more information, visit beyondbancard.com.

The post SCCG Management Partners with Beyond Bancard to Bring Full-Service Payment Processing to the Global Gambling Industry appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Conferences

Groove confirms iGB L!VE 2026 attendance in London

Published

3 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

groove-confirms-igb-l!ve-2026-attendance-in-london

Aggregator and platform provider says it will bring a full commercial delegation to ExCeL on 1-2 July.

Groove has confirmed it will attend iGB L!VE 2026, running 1-2 July at ExCeL London. The company said it will bring a full commercial delegation to meet operators and affiliates.

The supplier positions the event as a key mid-year deal-making moment. Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Groove, said: “iGB L!VE is the industry’s mid-year performance review. It is where conversations become commercial realities. We are bringing our most advanced platform yet, designed to help operators launch fast, adapt locally, and scale across complex regulatory environments.”

Meltzer also pointed to seasonality and content breadth, adding: “The timing is critical. With the European football season revenue peak approaching, operators need a partner who delivers structural resilience and content that performs. Groove delivers exactly that. Our 20,000+ games from 150+ providers, unified through a single API, give partners the agility they need to capture momentum and convert it into measurable growth.”

Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove, said: “iGB L!VE is where the industry’s most ambitious decision-makers converge. We are not here to hand out brochures. We are here to have conversations that turn into performance.” She added: “Every meaningful partnership starts with a conversation, and this event is where those conversations happen at scale. Whether it is emerging affiliates seeking new opportunities, established operators evaluating MarTech solutions, or startups seeking investor visibility through the iGB Startup Accelerator, Groove is positioned to deliver exactly what they need: speed, stability, and commercial precision.”

Giusy Campo, Business Development Director at Groove, who will lead the company’s presence on the show floor, said: “We are arriving with a clear objective: to forge strategic partnerships that unlock new markets and drive sustainable growth. Our platform’s modular architecture, combined with advanced player engagement tools and real-time analytics, gives operators a genuine competitive edge.”

The post Groove confirms iGB L!VE 2026 attendance in London appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.