partnerships
Southampton FC scouting sports tech startups for Future of Football challenge
The Future of Football challenge is open to innovative companies ready to shape and test their solutions for updated football experiences in either the football development or fan engagement space. In spirit with its values of innovation and doing things differently, Southampton FC will offer a 4-week virtual programme — powered by Sport Republic and Yolo Group — to create opportunities and break away from conventional methods.
The challenge welcomes Web3 and sports tech startups and scaleups with novel solutions to:
- Football development (scouting, training, recovery, game analytics etc.)
- Fan engagement (gamification, loyalty programmes, matchday experiences, global fan engagement etc.)
Selected teams will rapidly test and pilot their solutions, participate in tailored workshops, and have regular and direct access to Southampton FC, Sport Republic, and Yolo Group decision-makers. At the St. Mary’s finale, teams will pitch for a commercial relationship with SFC and a £100k discretionary prize pool for post-programme solution development.
“Southampton FC’s commitment to innovating and creating a positive impact is central to the way we operate and make decisions. We’re excited to see programme participants create the future of football” said Sarah Batters, Director of Marketing and Partnerships as SFC.
Sport Republic, the owner of Southampton Football Club is a London-based investment firm in the sports and entertainment industry. Founded by Henrik Kraft and Rasmus Ankersen and backed by Lead Investor Dragan Šolak, Sport Republic’s vision is to grow high potential sports businesses and sports tech companies.
“Sport Republic are really looking forward to being part of the Future of Football challenge to power innovation in sports tech. We are continuously seeking the most innovative sports tech companies to join our portfolio and leveraging our clubs to drive growth and achieve digital transformation. ” said Henrik Kraft, Sport Republic and SFC Chairman.
Yolo Group is the managing partner for the Future of Football challenge. Yolo Group is a leader at the cross section of gaming, fintech, and blockchain, and operates the Sportsbet.io brand. Sportsbet.io is Southampton FC’s Main Club Partner.
“This programme is designed to push boundaries, to bring together a spectrum of solutions from startups around the globe. It’s a chance to create truly unique approaches — and test them. We’re driven by innovation; so, we’re looking forward to seeing the results,” said Tim Heath, GP at Yolo Investments, and founder of Yolo Group. The application deadline is 23 February 2023. Find more information and apply here: https://www.southamptonfc.com/saints-partners/future-of-football-challenge
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The agreement signed between MGA Games, a leading provider of slots and casino games, and the operator Betano has resulted in the launch of 51 titles for the Portuguese and Belgian markets. Betano, one of the most prominent online casinos worldwide and part of the international Kaizen group, has entrusted the Spanish provider with the release of these new products, which include 3-reel slots, 5-reel slots, Megaways, and video bingos.
Among the 28 titles already available in Portugal are high-grossing games such as Popeye Caça Tesouros and the Portuguese Celebrities collection, an innovative series of slots featuring renowned figures from the country. Characters like chef Chef Chakall, DJ Diego Miranda, and other well-known personalities such as football legend Paulo Futre and TV star Teresa Guilherme provide a 100% localized experience.
MGA Games’ entry into the Belgian market has materialized with the launch of 23 slots, including hits like The Explosive Bandit and The Wizard Cat. With this move, the Spanish company strengthens its international presence and offers Belgian players an innovative gaming experience.
“This launch on Betano Portugal and Belgium reinforces our presence in the market and allows us to offer our games to a broader audience through a top-tier operator. We are confident that the combination of our technology and content, along with Betano’s expertise, will be a resounding success,” said Javier Lanfranchi, Commercial Director of MGA Games.
The post Betano, a Global Leading Operator, Launches MGA Games Content in Portugal and Belgium appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Leading sportsbook technology provider grows European footprint with major local operator
Altenar, a leading sports betting and iGaming software provider, has signed an agreement to provide its fully-managed sportsbook solution to Czech operator MerkurXtip.
The Merkur brand, formerly known as the Gauselmann Group, was founded in the 1970s. Its Czech online brand MerkurXtip CZ launched in 2022 and provides more than 200 slots and sports betting across a wide variety of sporting events..
Altenar’s sportsbook solution will replace the existing sportsbook product on the operator’s merkurxtip.cz website, providing a range of innovative features to elevate the betting experience for players, enhance retention rates and increase revenue.
The agreement strengthens Altenar’s position in the Czech market, where it secured its first deal in 2024. It has enjoyed successful ongoing partnerships with Kingsbet CZ and DATA.BET.
Sam Hill, Sales Director at Altenar, said: “The Merkur Group is a fantastic business with real heritage across the industry.
“To be trusted to take their brand forward in the Czech market is testament to the quality of product and service that Altenar provides today across numerous regulated markets. We can’t wait to get started and look forward to the development of our partnership with the Group.”
Stanislav Sopko, CEO of MerkurXtip CZ, said: “This collaboration marks the start of a promising journey together. Through this partnership, we aim to provide MerkurXtip’s customers with exceptional sports betting products from Altenar and deliver the best-in-class gaming experience in the market.
“We will combine our strengths and expertise to create new opportunities, improve offerings, and drive forward innovation. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting venture together. We look forward to achieving great things in the months and years ahead.”
The post Altenar delivers sportsbook solution to MerkurXtip in Czech market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Elena Alvarez
Hard Rock International and Shakira Announce Year-Long Women Empowerment Initiative This International Women’s Day
In celebration of Hard Rock International’s annual “International Women’s Month” in March and International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8, Hard Rock and global superstar & humanitarian, Shakira, announce a year-long partnership that aims to empower women around the world to tell their stories, be their authentic selves and unite through the power of music. The company is raising funds through its charitable arm, Hard Rock Heals Foundation, throughout International Women’s Month. A portion of proceeds will benefit Pies Descalzos Foundation—Shakira’s non-profit organization enhancing the education and social development of girls in Colombia’s most vulnerable communities—as well as local women’s organizations within the communities of Hard Rock locations.
“I’m excited to partner with Hard Rock, an organization with an incredible history of uplifting women through the power of music, to empower my sisters this International Women’s Day and beyond. Together we can use our voices to break barriers and make the world a more inclusive space where every woman feels confident being themselves,” Shakira said.
Hard Rock and Shakira collaborated on menu items including food, a delicious “Hips Don’t Lie” cocktail and unique clothing designed to celebrate women. Hard Rock will also host 1000 women-led performances in March—including the incomparable global star Diana Ross and standup comedian Iliza Shlesinger among many others—at its cafes, hotels, casinos, and live music venues across the globe.
“From concerts to her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran album release party and being part of the Unity by Hard Rock loyalty program commercial, Hard Rock and Shakira’s shared values of honoring women through music has connected us over the course of her groundbreaking career. This year, we encourage women to raise their voices, share their stories and lift each other up,” Elena Alvarez, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International, said.
The Hard Rock Heals Foundation will donate $250,000 to Pies Descalzos Foundation in addition to guest contributions to the program.
“We are grateful to Hard Rock for its generous donation, which will support our mission of providing access to education for Colombia’s young girls, giving them a brighter future,” Patricia Sierra, Executive Director at Pies Descalzos Foundation, said.
The post Hard Rock International and Shakira Announce Year-Long Women Empowerment Initiative This International Women’s Day appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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