eSports

Game World and OKTO launch Romania’s first cashless-operated slot machines

Published

4 years ago

September 21, 2022

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Game World Romania, a leader in the entertainment industry in Romania, is rolling out OKTO’s cashless, mobile-first, responsible payments in its high-end Game World Bucharest Mall Vitan venue, the largest gambling hall in South-East Europe. The award-winning OKTO.WALLET payment app and platform are now available on the first set of slot machines and will gradually be available across all slot machines and electronic roulettes of the main venue, with further rollout across the entire Game World network to follow.

The new service introduced by Game World in the region is made possible thanks to OKTO’s expertise in e-money services and payment technologies for gaming operators and their customers. The rollout marks a significant step forward in the ongoing digital transformation of Romania’s entertainment industry, driving the adoption of digital payment solutions and providing customers with a secure, convenient, flexible, and affordable digital wallet to manage their funds at any time and from anywhere.

Simon Dorsen, OKTO CCO, says: “This is another major partnership and one that we are incredibly pleased to confirm with Game World, one of the most respected and recognized operators in the Romanian gaming market. OKTO views Romania as a core strategy territory and will seek to continue investing in the market.

We are glad to provide mobile-first cashless payment experiences in an extremely important and substantial market. OKTO.WALLET ticks a number of important boxes for operators, regulators, and players alike. Our solution is entirely software-driven, and because it provides a fast, smooth, and trouble-free digital experience, it connects with a younger adult demographic, which in turn will increase the level of consumer engagement, help to broaden the player base, and drive up gaming halls’ footfall.

Not only does the OKTO solution satisfy the exacting digital demands of today’s consumers, but it also satisfies the requirements set out by regulators in terms of safer gambling.”

“One of our main goals is to strengthen our leading position on the local market by constantly coming up with innovative actions in Romania and offering our customers the best entertainment experience and options to play, simply and easily”, says Attila Otto Török, Game World Romania Strategy Director.

“Everything we implement is based on the needs of our customers, offering them a wide range of options. It is no secret that the new generation of customers is looking for a fast, smooth and seamless digital experience. We are fully aligned with OKTO’s mission and values. OKTO’s market-leading digital payment solution enables us to offer seamless digital payment solutions that align with our responsible gaming commitments and compliance rules set by the authorities.”

OKTO.WALLET allows users to load credits directly from their mobile phones through the OKTO app to gaming machines, online or any other touchpoint and collect winnings straight into their OKTO account in real-time and in a secure and safe way. OKTO supports an easy, and fast mobile onboarding (KYC) while users can fund their account with multiple sources for free, like instant bank transfer, card-in and wire transfer. In addition, users can send and receive money from their friends for free while the OKTO app makes users’ life sweeter through rewards schemes.

Alongside, OKTO.WALLET is an open loop, giving players the freedom to move and use their funds as they wish instantly, while also as a universal wallet that has applications beyond gaming, consumers can make transactions anywhere.

Designed to protect the user and the operator and fully aligned with the modern requirements of gaming regulators, the wallet is fully equipped with a responsible gambling toolkit, incorporating all the major levels of safer gaming: age verification, gaming/betting limits, betting time-out period, P&L calculator, problem gambling helplines, aligned with social responsibility.

eSports

Esports Awards adds player-voted EWC Players’ Choice Award, extends Esports Foundation deal

Published

1 day ago

June 19, 2026

Wladimir P.

esports-awards-adds-player-voted-ewc-players’-choice-award,-extends-esports-foundation-deal

The Esports Awards and the Esports Foundation (EF) on June 18, 2026, announced a three-year extension of their partnership through 2028 and introduced a new player-voted honor, the EWC Players’ Choice Award. The announcement was made in London, with voting tied to Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Paris.

The EWC Players’ Choice Award will be decided exclusively by professional esports players. According to the announcement, competitors attending EWC 2026 will vote in person, while a secure digital voting platform hosted by the Esports Awards will allow participation from additional eligible players and clubs.

Eligibility requires players to have competed in at least one qualifying S, A or B-Tier tournament during the official competitive season. Players will not be able to vote for themselves or teammates, with the Esports Awards overseeing the process.

“The talent and innovation of our sector should be getting the exposure it deserves.,” said Michael Ashford, CEO of the Esports Awards. “The Esports Foundation has done an incredible job in generating mainstream attention, and industry exposure outside of the standard circuit. Our partnership has enabled us to expand our operations and footprint and it’s through our continued collaboration that I hope we can bring the Esports Awards to the global community, and provide the industry with better visibility all year round.”

The Esports Awards also confirmed its 2026 ceremony will take place in the United States, starting what it described as a rotating host city model featuring “previously unvisited destinations.” The event previously staged its 2024 awards ceremony and the 2025 Decade Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of the Esports World Cup program.

EWC 2026 is scheduled for Paris from July 06 through August 23, 2026, with more than 2,000 players and 200 Clubs from over 100 countries set to compete in 25 tournaments across 24 games. Voting for the EWC Players’ Choice Award will run from July 1 through August 18, 2026, with the winner to be revealed during the Esports Awards ceremony later this year. The Esports Awards said additional details about its 2026 event will be announced in the coming weeks.

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chess

ENC 2026 chess qualifiers wrap as 82 nations and territories make the field

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2026

Wladimir P.

enc-2026-chess-qualifiers-wrap-as-82-nations-and-territories-make-the-field

The Esports Foundation (EF) has completed the online regional qualifiers for the Chess tournament at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), scheduled to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2-29, 2026.

EF said the 128-player chess field is now largely set. 64 players from 64 countries and territories received direct invitations via official Champions Chess Tour (CCT) rankings at the end of May, while 61 players qualified through online regional events operated by Chess.com across North America, South America, Africa, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East/India/Central Asia, and East Asia/Southeast Asia/Oceania.

A further slot was awarded to Amani Alazmi (Kuwait) via the Host Region Wildcard as the next highest-placing competitor from the host region. Two Wildcard Solidarity slots for underrepresented regions remain and will be announced at the end of August after all ENC qualifiers are completed. With qualifiers concluded, EF said at least 82 countries and territories will be represented in chess at ENC 2026.

EF highlighted that Jamaica, Paraguay, Singapore, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, and Turkmenistan each secured two qualifying slots despite not receiving a direct invitation. Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador, Venezuela, Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Jordan, Australia, and New Zealand secured one slot each.

The chess competition runs November 2-8. EF said the event will open with a round-robin group stage featuring 16 groups of eight players, before moving to a 64-player single-elimination playoff bracket. The full list of qualified players and nations is available on the ENC website’s chess page.

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1xBet

HLTV Awards returns to Belgrade on January 9, 2027, adding Lifetime Achievement honor

Published

3 days ago

June 17, 2026

Wladimir P.

hltv-awards-returns-to-belgrade-on-january-9,-2027,-adding-lifetime-achievement-honor

HLTV will stage the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet in Belgrade, Serbia on January 9, 2027, returning to the Sava Center. The company said more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to attend.

HLTV also confirmed Dust2 creator David Johnston will feature as an award announcer. HLTV linked the booking to the 25th anniversary of Dust2.

For 2026, HLTV is updating its Hall of Fame process and eligibility rules. Four players will be inducted again, with “at least two and up to three” slots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early eras. HLTV also removed the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles such as coaching.

HLTV is adding a Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board. The ceremony will also move Community Awards onto the main stage show for the first time, rather than the pre-show segment.

Separately, HLTV will kick off the 2027 Awards season with an invite-only “HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID” in Cologne during the Major. HLTV said industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony via its awards page.

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