World’s largest online casino operator is first to introduce Animo’s live-action, animated hosts designed specifically for iGaming sector

Animo Studios, founded by top livestreamer and Fortnite champion Harley Fresh, has launched a suite of live, animated characters for live online games, exclusively on Stake for a limited time.

Through a combination of advanced motion capture, live broadcasting, machine learning, and proprietary software and hardware, Animo allows human hosts to transform into live-action characters with unique names, storylines, and personalities. These characters have been created to provide an incredibly immersive experience for online gamers and bettors.

Advertisement

Animo’s proprietary technology is also designed to scale, with ambitions to extend beyond table games and into live game shows, with other products in development. This partnership unlocks vast potential for IP and branding in the live sector, where Animo’s team have joined forces with IP veterans, who have executed campaigns with Netflix, Warner Bros and Universal Studios, among others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLe-iZdD0Sw

“Animo is set to reshape table games, game shows, and beyond, reimagining how we play, connect, and engage online,” said Animo CEO Fresh, who boasts almost 8 million subscribers on YouTube. “The live entertainment space has stagnated for too long, and we see enormous potential to bridge the gap between gaming and iGaming.”

Real-time interaction

Animo’s animated hosts interact with physical objects in immersive environments. Players can communicate directly with their hosts, creating a new level of engagement and trust.

Advertisement

Animo will also offer celebrities and influencers the opportunity to insert IP-based characters into platforms, game shows, and other formats – bringing their profile to a wider audience.

“Animo’s innovative use of software and hardware pushes the entertainment experience to the next level,” said Brais Pena, Chief Strategy Officer of Easygo, the Melbourne-based tech powerhouse behind Stake. “It’s exactly the type of project we want to support.”

Animo is positioned to attract entirely new audiences and bring online players back to live table games. It has partnered with some of the world’s largest iGaming operators and aggregators, starting exclusively with Stake after going live for the first time on Monday 8 September.

The Finnish Ski Association and the Åland-based gaming company Paf (Ålands Penningautomatförening) have signed a long-term partnership agreement extending through 2030. Paf will become the official main partner of the Finnish Ski Association when the new Finnish licensing system enters into force, provided that Paf is granted a licence.

“This new partnership with Paf, a domestic company with a strong set of shared values, is of great importance to us and it provides a solid foundation for long-term development. Financially, it is one of the most significant sponsorship agreements in the history of the Finnish Ski Association,” says Marleena Valtasola, Executive Director of the Finnish Ski Association.

National teams and FIS World Cup events

Advertisement

The agreement covers the national A-teams in cross-country skiing, nordic combined, and ski jumping, as well as the U23 and U20 national teams in cross-country skiing. In addition, Paf will be an official partner of the FIS World Cup events in Ruka and Lahti, as well as the Finnish Cup in cross-country skiing. The partnership will be implemented through concrete actions in line with the upcoming reform of Finland’s gambling legislation.

“Our new strategy clearly defines us as a high-performance sports organization, with success measured by the achievements of our athletes and stakeholders. In addition to domesticity and responsibility, a key value of this agreement is that it includes all our disciplines, the World Cup events in Ruka and Lahti, and the Finnish Cup. The long-term nature of the agreement enables us to build impactful cooperation over time,” says Marleena Valtasola.

Skiing is important to Finns

In recent years, Paf has experienced strong growth and is particularly recognized for its leadership in responsible gaming. Founded in 1966 by Save the Children, the Finnish Red Cross, and the public health organization Folkhälsan, Paf’s mission is to generate funds for the benefit of society. The company’s ambition is to become the most responsible gaming operator in the world.

“We are truly excited about this new main partnership with the Finnish Ski Association. The disciplines governed by the association are a major part of Finnish identity and deeply valued by the public, both as hobbies and as elite sports. From the perspectives of brand visibility and recognition, cross-country skiing, nordic combined and ski jumping are highly important to us. Our shared values provide an excellent foundation for building a long-lasting and successful collaboration. We aim to lead the industry in responsible gaming,” says Thomas Näsman, Manager at Paf.

Advertisement

According to the proposed new gaming legislation, Veikkaus’ monopoly on online betting, bingo and casino games is set to end by the end of 2026. These markets are intended to open up to competition. Gaming operators would be able to apply for licences from early 2026, with licensed services expected to launch at the beginning of 2027.