eSports
DreamHack Dallas Hosts Over $1M in Esports Competitions Across Marquee Titles
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, and DreamHack, a leading global gaming festival, have announced a full slate of esports programming for DreamHack Dallas, taking place the weekend of May 31-June 2, 2024, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
One of DreamHack’s longest-running North American gaming festivals, DreamHack Dallas features everything gaming under one roof. From the world-famous bring-your-own-computer (BYOC) LAN party, panels, and an expo, to art, cosplay, creator meet-and-greets, and much more, DreamHack Dallas offers attendees a great variety of activities for an unforgettable experience. Furthermore, the festival will host 13 unique esports competitions – including iconic titles like Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch, StarCraft® II, and more to come – with over $1 million in total prizing.
For the first time, several DreamHack Dallas esports events – including competitions in EA SPORTS FC
24, Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, and more – will offer aspiring competitors the chance to qualify for this summer’s debut Esports World Cup. With new pipelines to a $60 million prize pool and a global audience in Riyadh, DreamHack is offering more opportunities than ever for grassroots talent to fight their way to the world stage.
“Esports has been part of the fabric of DreamHack Dallas since the festival’s inception, and we’re excited once again to welcome tens of thousands of fans this summer to celebrate their favorite competitive titles,” said Shahin Zarrabi, Vice President, Festivals, ESL FACEIT Group. “From the 100th IEM event to the first-ever OWCS live event and qualifiers for Esports World Cup, DreamHack is celebrating every type of gamer, from world-class competitors to the next breakout stars.”
Dallas Hosts 16 Top Counter-Strike 2 Squads for 100th IEM Event
The birthplace of North American Counter-Strike esports will invite 16 of the world’s best teams to clash in Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Dallas, the 100th IEM event. With an ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Masters trophy, $250,000 in prizing, and qualification to an EPT Championship up for grabs, fans will watch as hometown heroes challenge international hopefuls in the US’s biggest Counter-Strike event of the year.
Overwatch Luminaries Assemble for First-Ever International Live Event for OWCS
The first-ever in-person Major tournament of Blizzard Entertainment and EFG’s Overwatch Champions Series invites eight of our competitive region’s top teams for a three-day showcase of industry-class talent. Featuring a prize pool supported by crowdfunding, fans can watch the action unfold live – or at home with the official broadcast or partnered co-streams – as teams face off to be the first team to claim an international OWCS title and qualify to compete at Esports World Cup.
ESL Impact Returns to DreamHack Dallas with $123K Season Finale
ESL Impact, a global all-women Counter-Strike circuit, returns to DreamHack Dallas for the exciting conclusion of Season 5 of competition. Eight of the world’s best women’s Counter-Strike teams representing North America, Europe, South America, and Asia will face off to see who will claim the title and the lion’s share of the $123,000 prize pool.
ESL Pro Tour in StarCraft® II Makes Masters Stop at DreamHack Dallas
The EPT in StarCraft® II, the title’s premier global esports circuit, continues with the ESL SC2 Masters: Spring 2024 Finals at DreamHack Dallas. Not only will competitors battle for their share of the $100,000 prize pool, but the opportunity to qualify for StarCraft® II competition at this summer’s inaugural Esports World Cup.
EA SPORTS FC
24 at DreamHack Dallas Kicks off Esports World Cup Qualifications
Electronic Arts’ soccer title, EA SPORTS FC
24, comes to DreamHack Dallas for the first time this summer with a world-class tournament. With the top two players securing their spot at Esports World Cup this August, the competition offers up to 250 competitors their first opportunity to qualify for EWC, in addition to $100,000 USD in total prizing.
Fighting Games take Center Stage with New DreamHack Fighters, Esports World Cup Tournaments
DreamHack’s marquee fighting game hub, DreamHack Fighters, brings six open tournaments to Dallas, including a mix of modern mainstays and FGC classics. Open to all registered attendees, competitors can face off to claim a slice of the $16,000 total prize pool. Participating titles include:
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Singles ($5,000)
- UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes (UNI 2) ($2,500)
- Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising ($2,500)
- Guilty Gear Strive ($2,500)
- Mortal Kombat 1 ($2,500)
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Doubles ($1,000)
For the first time, DreamHack will also host competitions in Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, which include the chance to qualify for Esports World Cup. Both tournaments offer $50,000 in prizing each, as well as pipelines to compete on some of the titles’ biggest stages in Riyadh this summer.
BETBY
BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball
Tier 1 sportsbook supplier BETBY has expanded its proprietary esports feed, Betby.Games, with the launch of three industry-first e-sim titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball. The new releases further strengthen BETBY’s high-frequency betting content portfolio, introducing new sports verticals while continuing to deliver fast-paced, always-on content designed to maximise engagement for operators and players worldwide.
Each of the new titles debuts as a first-of-its-kind esports simulation in the betting industry, reinforcing BETBY’s reputation as a pioneer in developing original betting content.
eHockey launches with four tournaments representing the NHL’s divisions: Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, and Pacific. Each match follows a format of three periods lasting three minutes each, delivering uninterrupted action with no stoppages. Designed to replicate the intensity of real hockey, the title offers 15+ betting markets and is expected to generate over 11,000 matches per month, ensuring a constant flow of high-frequency betting opportunities. Arriving just ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs next month, the new title allows hockey fans to stay immersed in the sport 24/7, extending engagement beyond real-world fixtures.
eMMA introduces a fast-paced combat sports experience featuring two tournaments: UFC Legends and UFC Women Legends, where some of the sport’s most iconic fighters face off in simulated matchups. By bringing together well-known names from MMA history, the title creates an instantly familiar environment for fans and bettors alike. The format focuses on quick fights, with each matchup consisting of a single round lasting around one to two minutes on average. Events begin every five minutes, ensuring continuous action throughout the day. Betting markets focus on the fight winner, creating a simple yet highly engaging wagering experience. Combined, the two tournaments are expected to deliver around 15,000 events per month.
Completing the trio is eTeqball, which introduces a brand-new sport to the Betby.Games portfolio. Combining elements of football and table tennis, the rapidly growing discipline brings a unique dynamic to esports simulations. The title launches with the TQX Cup Hungary – Double Mixed tournament, generating around 1800 matches per month. Each match consists of two games played up to 12 points, with over 20 betting markets available.
Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY, said: “Creating original content has always been at the core of the Betby.Games vision. With Hockey, MMA, and Teqball, we’re introducing three industry-first titles that further diversify our portfolio and bring new experiences to esports betting. Each of these games offers fast gameplay, clear betting mechanics, and a constant stream of events, helping operators keep players engaged 24/7.”
The post BETBY Expands E-Sim Portfolio with Three Industry-First Titles: eHockey, eMMA and eTeqball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
B2B iGaming
Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports
Logifuture, a leading B2B provider of virtual sports and instant gaming solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with BetConstruct AI, a global iGaming platform powering hundreds of operators worldwide. This collaboration integrates Logifuture’s flagship products, Zoom Sports and Simulate, into BetConstruct AI’s platform, significantly expanding access to innovative engagement tools for operators.
Expanding Global Reach
The partnership enables operators to offer next-generation virtual sports and instant betting solutions, enhancing player activity and generating incremental revenue.
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Zoom Sports delivers ultra-realistic virtual football and tennis events in both full-length and turbo formats, offering thousands of daily betting opportunities.
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Simulate allows players to instantly simulate the outcome of betslips, removing waiting times and creating immediate engagement.
These tools extend player retention, increase betting activity beyond live events, and create cross-sell opportunities across the BetConstruct AI network.
Innovation at the Core
Both Logifuture and BetConstruct AI prioritize innovation and product differentiation, helping operators stand out in a highly competitive market.
Niccolò Cassettari, Chief Business Development Officer at Logifuture, commented:
“Partnering with BetConstruct AI is a major step forward. Their global reach makes them the ideal partner to scale Zoom Sports and Simulate worldwide. This collaboration is just the beginning of a long-term partnership to deliver new experiences and stronger operator performance.”
Looking Ahead
The partnership will focus on expanding distribution, delivering new gaming experiences, and introducing innovative products to keep players engaged while helping operators grow revenue worldwide.
The post Logifuture Joins Forces with BetConstruct AI to Expand Virtual Sports appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
betting innovation
Bet It Drives S4 Finale: Oddin.gg’s Marek Suchar on Esports Betting
The global esports betting industry continues to evolve at a remarkable pace, and one of the sector’s most influential voices has recently shared key insights into where the market is heading.
In the latest episode of Bet It Drives, Marek Suchar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Partnerships at Oddin.gg, joined host Yevhen Krazhan to discuss the realities, challenges, and future opportunities shaping esports betting.
Recorded during the ICE event in Barcelona, Season 4 Episode 4 brings together two experienced industry figures for a candid discussion about the mechanics behind esports wagering. Suchar, who helped transform Oddin.gg from a small startup founded by four partners into a global B2B infrastructure provider for esports betting, offered a detailed perspective on the sector’s growth, integrity requirements, and regulatory future.
A Look Inside the Esports Betting Ecosystem
Esports betting has quickly moved from a niche vertical to one of the most dynamic areas of the online betting ecosystem. Oddin.gg has played a critical role in this development by offering odds feeds, trading tools, and risk management solutions to betting operators around the world.
During the conversation, Suchar explained how advanced monitoring systems help identify suspicious betting patterns in real time. As esports wagering continues to scale globally, integrity monitoring and data analysis have become essential tools for protecting both operators and players.
He emphasized that the future success of esports betting will depend heavily on transparency, robust data management, and strong cooperation between operators, regulators, and technology providers.
Addressing Industry Challenges
The podcast also tackled some of the uncomfortable realities facing the iGaming sector. Suchar spoke openly about what he believes the industry often gets wrong when it comes to esports betting.
One of the key issues he highlighted was the misunderstanding of esports by traditional betting stakeholders. While esports audiences are digital-native and highly engaged, many operators still attempt to apply conventional sports betting strategies without adapting to the unique dynamics of competitive gaming.
Suchar stressed that esports requires specialized infrastructure, data expertise, and an understanding of the communities surrounding the games themselves.
He also addressed strict internal policies around betting within odds and trading providers, explaining that integrity protocols and compliance standards are essential in ensuring fair markets and preventing conflicts of interest.
Market Growth and Global Opportunities
One of the most striking points in the discussion was Suchar’s estimate of the potential size of the esports betting market. According to him, the global esports betting handle could approach $100 billion, highlighting the enormous commercial potential of this rapidly expanding sector.
The conversation explored which regions are most likely to emerge as the largest regulated markets for esports betting. As regulatory frameworks evolve across Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia, new opportunities are opening for operators that are prepared to integrate esports properly into their product offerings.
Suchar noted that future growth will largely come from markets that combine strong esports fan bases with clear regulatory structures and advanced digital betting ecosystems.
Entertainment Meets Industry Insight
In addition to serious discussions about market development, the episode also maintains the playful format that Bet It Drives has become known for.
Suchar participated in the segment “Confess or Call,” spinning a wheel that led to a humorous prank acquisition call where he jokingly suggested Oddin.gg might explore purchasing esports organizations NAVI and Vitality.
The lighthearted moment added entertainment value while reinforcing the informal and candid style of the podcast.
A Season Focused on Industry Truths
Season 4 of Bet It Drives has focused heavily on honest discussions about the realities of the iGaming industry. Earlier episodes featured prominent figures such as:
- Cedomir Tomic of Alea
- Oleksandr Feshchenko of GR8 Tech
- Akhil Sarin discussing marketing strategies at Stake
- Max Krupyshev exploring crypto risks and trust within gaming ecosystems
The final episode with Marek Suchar closes the season by focusing on the infrastructure layer that powers esports betting growth.
Why Esports Betting Matters for Operators
For sportsbook operators, the esports vertical represents a massive opportunity to engage younger audiences and diversify betting products. However, the conversation in this episode highlights that success requires more than simply adding esports markets.
Operators must invest in specialized technology, integrity monitoring, and partnerships with providers that understand the esports ecosystem.
Suchar’s insights reinforce a growing consensus across the industry: esports betting is no longer experimental. It is rapidly becoming a central pillar of the digital betting economy.
As esports audiences continue to grow and regulatory frameworks mature, the companies building reliable infrastructure today are likely to shape the industry’s future.
Authority Source (Similar Content)
A leading authority covering esports betting and market growth is ESPN Esports.
You can read related coverage here: https://www.espn.com/esports
This article explores the expansion of esports betting markets and the increasing role of technology providers and operators in shaping the sector.
Watch media coverage: youtube.com/watch?v=V2KQQ8BIf30&feature=youtu.be
The post Bet It Drives S4 Finale: Oddin.gg’s Marek Suchar on Esports Betting appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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