eSports
IESF Expands Female’s CS:GO Tournament for 2023 World Esports Championships
International Esports Federation (IESF) announced the expansion of the women’s CS:GO tournament from four to 10 teams at the 2023 World Esports Championships Finals, taking place from August 24 to September 4 in Iași, Romania. The expansion comes after the success of the inaugural installment of the tournament at the 2022 WE Championships Finals in Bali, Indonesia.
The 2022 WE Championships was a historic moment for female gamers, as the introduction of the women’s CS:GO tournament drew large crowds and was a massive stride towards greater inclusion in esports. IESF aims to uplift and empower female gamers in all competitions, and the women’s CS:GO tournament allows for more of the world’s best all-female teams to compete at the highest level.
IESF President Vlad Marinescu said: “We are thrilled to announce the expansion of the women’s CS:GO tournament at this year’s World Esports Championships. This reflects the progress we have made in making esports more inclusive for all. We can’t wait to see what these incredible teams will bring to this year’s competition. IESF strongly believes in removing barriers to access for female gamers, and providing them with more opportunities to shine on the world’s biggest stage.”
MSSA President, and IESF past president, Colin Webster stated: “Since 2012 IESF had introduced tournaments for females – sometimes with very stiff opposition from sectors of the gaming community. For a while it was only MSSA that would submit all female teams to IESF. I, and MSSA as a whole, therefore welcomes this action by IESF and hopes that IESF will expand on the programme to have more opportunities in many more game titles”.
Webster then went on to state, ” MSSA is proud to have had fourteen (14) females officially represent South Africa as members of the Protea team at various IESF World Esports Championships. One such athlete, Gabriella Isaacs even finished second in 2012 in the StarCraft II tournament.
IESF Chief Marketing Officer Ana Karakolevska said: “I am proud of IESF for leading the charge in making esports more inclusive for all. We have made rapid progress in just a few years and IESF hopes to continue providing opportunities to promote gender equality in the World Esports Family and beyond. We can’t wait to watch 10 of the world’s best teams battle it out in fast-paced CS:GO action in Iași!”
IESF’s regional qualifiers for the WE Championships will get underway in May and June, and the top ten female CS:GO teams will secure their spots in the Finals, which will begin in August. IESF also works with several organizations, including Women in Games and Girl Gamer Esports Festival, to help foster and promote a safe and equitable environment for women in the esports industry.
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eSports
Vlad Marinescu Re-Elected as 10th IESF President
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The International Esports Federation (IESF) concluded its 17th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, alongside the 17th World Esports Championship Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Finals. Member federations from around the world gathered to review the federation’s annual progress, adopt key motions, and participate in the 10th IESF Elections, marking a milestone moment in the federation’s governance history.
During the election session, Vlad Marinescu was re-elected as the 10th President of the IESF, securing his second term. His re-election reflects the continued confidence of the membership in his leadership and vision for the future of the World of Esports.
“I am truly grateful for the trust placed in me to continue leading the International Esports Federation,” Marinescu said. “As we mark our 10th election cycle, we remain steadfast in our commitment to unity, transparency, and the sustained growth of the World of Esports.”
Delegates reviewed strategic priorities for the year ahead, including enhanced governance standards, expanded athlete development initiatives, and strengthened international cooperation. Voting on member-submitted motions underscored the federation’s collective commitment to advancing integrity, professionalism, and institutional maturity across the esports ecosystem.
The assembly also elected the IESF Board for 2026, comprising:
Board Members:
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HRH Prince Omar Bin Faisal – Jordan
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Afiq Fadhli Bin Narawi – Malaysia
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Elin Yoojung Moen – Norway
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Clint Kennedy – United States
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Flip De Bruyn – Namibia
The OGM concluded as the 17th World Esports Championship MLBB Finals continued, highlighting IESF’s ongoing mission to unite nations through Esports and support athletes, federations, and fans worldwide.
The post Vlad Marinescu Re-Elected as 10th IESF President appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Bet builder
GG.BET launches Bet Builder for a new way to bet
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Customers can now use Bet Builder, a format that lets them build their own set of markets on one match into a single bet with higher odds. Bet Builder is available for both esports and sports events. You can try out the new feature with a deposit bonus of up to 150% and a free bet worth up to $50.
Customers can now place a combined bet on a single match by picking various options for how events in the match will play out. For example, in CS2, customers can choose which team will win on a specific map, how many kills a specific player will rack up, how many rounds will be played on a single map, and so on.
To place a Bet Builder bet, pick an event that hasn’t started yet, press the ‘Bet Builder’ button, put together your selection of markets from those available, get higher combo odds, and finish placing the bet in one click. At this initial stage, GG.BET is offering Bet Builder on football, basketball, hockey, CS2, Dota 2, LoL, and VALORANT, with more sports and disciplines to be added down the line.
“GG.BET has always been known for embracing unconventional markets and elaborate betting options. Bet Builder is there to meet customer demand for more interesting formats in a single match. The ability to make predictions right down to a specific round and any other tiny detail of a match is what gives users variety and improves their skills,” the GG.BET press office explained.
GG.BET is offering customers the opportunity to test out the Bet Builder format with a deposit bonus of up to 150% and a free bet of up to $50.
The post GG.BET launches Bet Builder for a new way to bet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur
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The World Esports Championship 2025 (WEC25) is officially open in Kuala Lumpur, welcoming athletes, fans, and delegations from around the globe. With 19 nations taking part in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), this year’s event stands as the most internationally diverse MLBB competition in IESF history.
After a year filled with national and regional qualifiers and preparations from teams around the world, the world’s top esports athletes have arrived in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony set the tone for the days ahead, offering fans a first glimpse of the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this year’s championship.
“WEC25 reflects the continued growth of esports as a space for connection, competition, and shared passion,” said IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski. “Bringing together 19 nations for MLBB is a milestone not just for the title, but for the entire esports ecosystem. We are proud to bring this edition of the championship to Kuala Lumpur.”
As the competition officially kicks off, the schedule is fully packed with exciting match-ups among Nations, competing for their flag and country. The best from all over the world will have the unique opportunity to become the MLBB World Champion.
IESF extends its gratitude to the Malaysian government and the Ministry for Youth and Sports, partners, athletes, and global supporters who continue to elevate the championship’s reach and impact.
The post IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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