Latest News
Paf commits to Net-Zero by 2040
Paf’s climate goal is to reach Net-Zero emissions for the entire business by 2040. The target has now been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and it is in line with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C.
The Nordic gaming company Paf will work actively to reach Net-Zero. This means that Paf will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 from 2019 emission levels. The remaining 10% of emissions will be addressed through neutralization and carbon offset.
“We are proud to be one of the very first in our industry to set ambitious Net-Zero targets. Having our targets approved by SBTi is an important milestone in our environmental responsibility work,” says Daniela Johansson, Deputy CEO & Chief Responsibility Officer at Paf.
A powerful commitment
Paf’s climate goal represents a strong and clear ambition to take responsibility for its environmental impact. Paf has already had its Near-Term target approved by SBTi: to reduce Paf’s direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 46% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.
“Reaching Net-Zero is not something you can do alone and it requires a broad collaboration. We will work closely with our suppliers and partners to achieve this goal,” says Anna Ingman, Environmental Specialist at Paf.
To ensure that the climate goals are reached, climate work needs to be integrated into every aspect of the business. Engaging the entire supply chain strengthens the commitment and creates a common ground for sustainable development.
“Paf’s Net-Zero goal is an ambitious and important step in the right direction. We hope to inspire other companies to take responsibility for their emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future,” says Daniela Johansson.
Although it is not a requirement from SBTi, Paf plans to continue climate financing along the way.
This is SBTi
The Science Based Targets initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The initiative was launched in the context of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
SBTi offers companies a robust and scientific framework of climate targets and methodologies. The targets should be in line with what science says is needed to keep global warming below 1.5°C.
SBTi counts greenhouse gas emissions according to the GHG protocol which consists of:
Scope 1 / Direct emissions
Direct greenhouse gas emissions that come from sources owned or controlled by Paf (in Paf’s case company vehicles).
Scope 2 / Indirect emissions from purchased energy
Emissions from heating, cooling and production of electricity purchased by Paf.
Scope 3 / Indirect emissions from business activities
Indirect emissions caused by Paf’s activities such as business and customer travel, purchased technology, electricity consumption for physical games and server services, as well as capital goods, waste management and employee commuting to and from Paf’s offices. Scope 3 contains a total of 15 categories, eight of which are relevant to Paf’s operations.
Depending on their size, companies apply in different pathways to have their climate targets approved by SBTi. As Paf has fewer than 500 employees, the climate target was approved as an SBT-target for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Agganis Arena
RLCS Boston Major Becomes Most Watched Event in Rocket League History
The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Boston Major 2026 has officially become the most-watched event in Rocket League esports history, setting a new benchmark for global engagement and competitive excellence.
Held at Agganis Arena in Boston, the Major concluded with a thrilling all-French Grand Final, where Gentlemates defeated tournament favourites Team Vitality 4:2 to claim the first Major title of the 2026 season.
Record-Breaking Viewership Milestone
The RLCS Boston Major 2026 delivered unprecedented audience numbers:
- Peak Viewers: 624,316 concurrent viewers
- Average Viewership: Over 270,000 viewers
- First RLCS event ever to surpass 600,000 concurrent viewers
This milestone represents a 33.3% increase over the previous all-time peak recorded at the 2022–23 RLCS World Championship, highlighting sustained year-over-year growth and expanding global interest in Rocket League esports.
The event’s performance reinforces RLCS as one of the fastest-growing competitive circuits in modern esports.
A Grand Final Worthy of the Record
The Boston Major culminated in a high-stakes French showdown between Gentlemates and Team Vitality. The 4:2 victory secured Gentlemates’ first Major trophy of the season and signaled a shift in competitive power dynamics heading deeper into 2026.
The all-French final further amplified international audience engagement, particularly across European broadcast markets, contributing significantly to the event’s record-breaking concurrent viewership.
Global Broadcast Reach and Multi-Language Coverage
Beyond peak numbers, the Boston Major showcased:
- Multi-language broadcast streams
- Cross-platform digital distribution
- Strong in-arena attendance
- Expanded regional fan engagement
Hosted in front of thousands of live fans at Agganis Arena, the event combined traditional arena esports spectacle with robust online streaming performance — a formula that continues to fuel RLCS’s accelerating global momentum.
What This Means for Rocket League Esports
The 2026 Boston Major marks a defining moment for the RLCS ecosystem:
- Sustained Global Growth – The consistent upward trend in viewership confirms Rocket League’s staying power within the esports landscape.
- Mainstream Momentum – Breaking the 600K peak threshold positions RLCS among elite-tier esports events globally.
- Competitive Depth – The diversity and intensity of international competition continue to elevate the broadcast product.
- Commercial Validation – Record audience metrics strengthen sponsorship, media rights, and long-term circuit investment potential.
As the 2026 season progresses, the Boston Major sets a new performance benchmark that future Majors and the World Championship will aim to surpass.
The post RLCS Boston Major Becomes Most Watched Event in Rocket League History appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Competitive Poker
David Lappin Named PokerStars Ambassador
PokerStars has officially named Irish poker professional David Lappin as the winner of its inaugural Live League ambassadorship, marking a major milestone for both the seasoned pro and the global poker brand. The announcement follows the conclusion of the 2025 PokerStars Live League season, where players competed across European events for leaderboard supremacy and a coveted ambassador position.
Lappin, widely respected as a poker player, writer, commentator, and industry voice, now joins the prestigious PokerStars ambassador roster after emerging as the standout candidate among top leaderboard performers.
A Season-Long Path to Representation
The 2025 PokerStars Live League introduced a structured, merit-based pathway for players to earn ambassador status. Competitors accumulated points across three buy-in-based leaderboard tiers — High, Medium, and Low — throughout major European live events.
Qualifying tournaments included stops on the renowned European Poker Tour (EPT), regional PokerStars Open events, and even the iconic Irish Poker Open, a long-standing highlight of the European poker calendar.
At the end of the season:
- Top 30 players (Top 10 per tier) earned the right to audition.
- A PokerStars judging panel selected the ultimate ambassador.
- Lappin was chosen for his consistency, credibility, and player-first approach.
This structure reflects PokerStars’ growing emphasis on meritocracy and community representation rather than purely promotional appointments.
Player-Led Representation at the Core
As a PokerStars Ambassador, Lappin’s role extends beyond brand visibility. His focus will center on:
- Competing in flagship EPT Main Events
- Participating in PokerStars Open stops
- Promoting online-to-live qualification routes
- Engaging directly with the player community
PokerStars has made clear that this ambassadorship is rooted in authentic player representation. Lappin has long advocated that ambassadors should serve as bridges between operators and players — not simply brand spokespeople.
His reputation as a thoughtful commentator and outspoken industry analyst positions him as a natural intermediary between grassroots competitors and event organizers.
Cédric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events Operations at PokerStars, emphasized Lappin’s longstanding presence on the circuit and deep understanding of the live ecosystem. According to Billot, Lappin’s authenticity and alignment with PokerStars values made him a “natural fit” for the role.
Strengthening the Online-to-Live Pathway
A key component of Lappin’s ambassadorship will be highlighting PokerStars’ satellite ecosystem — a system allowing online players to qualify for major live tournaments at a fraction of the standard buy-in.
This online-to-live funnel remains central to PokerStars’ brand identity. By promoting satellite qualifiers and digital routes into live events, Lappin reinforces PokerStars’ commitment to accessibility and upward mobility within competitive poker.
For aspiring players, this messaging underscores an important truth: online grinders can convert modest investments into major live opportunities.
The 2026 PokerStars Live League Expansion
The announcement coincides with the launch of the 2026 PokerStars Live League season, which began at PokerStars Open Campione.
Key highlights of the 2026 league include:
- €157,500 in PokerStars LIVE credits awarded
- Prizes distributed across High, Medium, and Low tiers
- A new €100,000 live freeroll at the first EPT stop of 2027
- Expanded rewards structure benefiting top 30 finishers in each tier
The second stop of the 2026 season is currently underway at EPT Paris, offering players additional opportunities to earn leaderboard points.
League standings and live updates are available through the PokerStars Live app, further integrating digital tracking with live competition.
Strategic Implications for PokerStars
Lappin’s appointment reflects broader strategic shifts in the live poker landscape:
- Community Credibility Over Celebrity Marketing
PokerStars continues prioritizing ambassadors with deep player roots rather than purely mainstream appeal. - Reinforcing European Live Dominance
By strengthening the Live League and EPT ecosystem, PokerStars consolidates its hold on Europe’s premier live poker circuits. - Retention Through Gamification
The leaderboard structure encourages year-long engagement, incentivizing consistent participation rather than one-off tournament attendance. - Expanding Reward Distribution
The 2026 freeroll addition broadens prize accessibility, rewarding loyalty across all buy-in levels.
Why This Matters for the Poker Industry
The poker industry has increasingly leaned into hybrid engagement models — combining online platforms, live tours, community ambassadors, and digital content ecosystems.
Lappin’s appointment symbolizes this evolution. As a hybrid figure — competitor, analyst, content creator — he embodies the modern poker ambassador archetype: credible, vocal, accessible, and community-oriented.
The Live League format itself may also influence competitor operators to rethink how ambassador programs are structured, shifting toward performance-based selection models.
The post David Lappin Named PokerStars Ambassador appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
Plaza Hotel & Casino debuts the only live streaming service in Las Vegas to broadcast the excitement of its smoke free gaming area
Three table games also added to the first and only smoke free gaming space in downtown Las Vegas
To highlight the excitement of its smoke free gaming area, the first and only one in downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino has partnered with Vegas Live Casino Network to launch the only live streaming channel dedicated to broadcasting casino play in Las Vegas, seven days a week.
The Plaza has long promoted social media posting by guests and created the smoke free gaming area as a social media friendly space with vibrant backdrops and copyright free music. Now, the Plaza is partnering with Vegas Live Casino Network to be the first Las Vegas property with its own dedicated YouTube channel to broadcast the excitement players are having in its smoke free gaming space at https://www.youtube.com/@VegasLiveCasinoNetwork.
Thanks to the new broadcast stream from Vegas Live Casino Network, guests will be able to subscribe and share the video stream of themselves playing the slots machines or the new table games with friends and family to show the fun they are having at the Plaza.
The broadcast will stream live Sunday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight. To learn more about the live streaming service, watch the launch video for the Vegas Live Casino Network at the Plaza at: youtube.com/watch?v=PfboeigVH_c.
The smoke free gaming space is home to dozens of the industry’s most popular slot machines, and now, the Plaza also added three table games, including blackjack, baccarat, and European roulette. Blackjack will offer bets starting at $25 to $2,000; baccarat will start bets at $25 up to $3,000; and European roulette will be a $200 progressive table. Outside bets: even money is $3,000 maximum and 2-1 is $1,500 maximum bet. The table games will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight daily.
To learn more about the new offerings in the Plaza’s smoke free gaming area visit: plazahotelcasino.com/casino/smoke-free-slots/.
The post Plaza Hotel & Casino debuts the only live streaming service in Las Vegas to broadcast the excitement of its smoke free gaming area appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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