CrossCheck Media, the parent company of Biz Talk Today TV (BTT), announced the promotion of Jo Madden to Vice President of Sports Gaming Media, expanding her leadership role within the rapidly growing media organization.

Madden will continue serving as host of the popular sports betting and analysis program Madden On The Line while assuming broader executive responsibilities across sports programming, content development, talent acquisition, audience growth, strategic partnerships, and sports gaming initiatives.

The promotion comes as CrossCheck Media continues to expand its presence across streaming television, podcasts, digital media, and mobile platforms. Madden is expected to play a key role in shaping the company’s long-term sports media strategy, including the development of future sports-focused programming and network initiatives.

“Jo Madden has quickly become one of the most recognizable and respected voices within our organization. She possesses a rare combination of on-camera talent, industry knowledge, audience engagement skills, and leadership ability. As we continue to expand our footprint in sports media and sports gaming, Jo will be instrumental in helping define our vision, attract top-tier talent, develop new programming, and strengthen our connection with sports fans and sports bettors nationwide,” said Todd M. Schoenberger, Chief Executive Officer of CrossCheck Media Inc.

Since joining Biz Talk Today TV, Madden has helped establish Madden On The Line as a destination for sports wagering insights, game analysis, betting strategy, and discussions surrounding the rapidly evolving sports gaming industry. Her ability to break down complex betting concepts while maintaining broad appeal to casual and experienced fans alike has helped the program build a loyal and growing audience.

In her new executive role, Madden will oversee strategic initiatives designed to expand CrossCheck Media’s sports content offerings, strengthen relationships throughout the sports gaming ecosystem, and identify opportunities for new original programming across television, streaming, social media, and podcast platforms.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to take on this new role with CrossCheck Media. The company has built something truly unique with Biz Talk Today TV, and I believe we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible. Sports fans today want more than highlights and scores—they want insight, strategy, storytelling, and authentic conversations. I look forward to helping build the next chapter of sports media while continuing to connect with our audience through Madden On The Line,” said Jo Madden.

Madden added: “We have an opportunity to create a fresh, modern sports media experience that embraces sports betting, sports business, documentaries, personalities, and fan engagement in ways that traditional networks often overlook. I’m excited to work alongside Todd and the entire CrossCheck Media team as we continue to innovate and grow.”

The appointment reflects CrossCheck Media’s continued commitment to investing in original content and executive leadership as the company expands distribution across connected television platforms, mobile applications, podcast networks, social media channels, and digital publishing properties.

Biz Talk Today TV currently distributes business, investing, economics, politics, sports, gaming, and cultural programming across multiple streaming and digital platforms worldwide.

Altenar, a leading sportsbook platform provider, and Anakatech Interactive Limited have agreed to extend their long-term sportsbook technology partnership, reinforcing continued collaboration across key regulated markets.

Anakatech Interactive Limited, established in 2013, develops a powerful gaming platform built in-house with its own game studios producing 220+ online and mobile-friendly scratch, slot, crash, table and lottery games, and this broader gaming expertise underpins its growing sportsbook and casino operations.

The partnership spans key regulated markets, with a strong focus on the UK, where Anakatech operates brands such as Betnero and Luckymate.The renewal reflects strong commercial performance and sustained business growth driven by the partnership.

Under the agreement, Anakatech will continue to leverage Altenar’s fully managed sportsbook solution across its portfolio, supporting both existing brand expansion and the planned launch of new brands.

The decision to extend the partnership was driven by solid performance and consistent month-on-month growth, with Anakatech achieving more than 103% growth over the past 18 months while operating on Altenar’s platform.

The deal also reflects Anakatech’s confidence in Altenar’s stable and scalable environment, with the operator also highlighting the value of receiving not only core platform delivery, but also tailored support aligned with its specific business needs.

Altenar provides Anakatech with a fully managed sportsbook solution including:

• End-to-end sportsbook platform management
• Advanced risk management tools
• Customised betting markets
• 24/7 operational and technical support
• Ongoing product enhancements and feature development aligned with operator needs

Vasilis Betzelos, Head of Commercial Account Managers at Altenar, said: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Anakatech Interactive Limited. The growth they have achieved demonstrates the strength of the collaboration, and we remain committed to supporting their continued expansion across existing and new brands.”

Ivan Di Pieri, Head of Sportsbook at Anakatech, said: “Adding a sportsbook vertical to our range of services has been a long-considered move. We are pleased to partner with one of the industry’s top providers and are confident that our offering will continue to improve over time.”

As the World Soccer Cup captures global attention, Gaming Intelligence introduces a new free-to-play competition format designed to let fans do more than watch or follow the tournament. The experience gives fans a way to make predictions, build a virtual bankroll, climb a leaderboard, and stay in the action as the tournament unfolds.

The Gaming Intelligence World Soccer Cup Challenge turns matchups into an interactive contest experience built around behavior sports fans know well: tracking results, reacting to momentum shifts, backing their picks, chasing bragging rights, and competing as the tournament advances.

Unlike a traditional bracket, pick’em, or fantasy game, the competition is built around GI Coins, Gaming Intelligence’s virtual promotional credits, which players use to build a bankroll, move up the leaderboard, and compete round by round. GI Coins have no cash value and cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash.

Players can join anytime during the tournament, instantly receive a starting bankroll, and compete for prizes. After each round, players earn additional coins, giving them new opportunities to keep competing, climb the leaderboard, and stay in the action through the final match.

“Our goal is to create a new category of interactive sports competition around major live events. Fans should be able to follow the event, test their instincts, compete with friends, and feel like they are part of the competition as it unfolds,” said Edward Kahl, Founder and CEO of Gaming Intelligence.

Each matchup also includes an “Inside the Game” report powered by Gaming Intelligence’s proprietary data models and AI engine, giving fans game summaries, matchup insights, and picks designed to add another layer of context and excitement to every game.

The result is a new kind of sports competition experience: not gambling, not a bracket, and not a basic pick’em. It’s a new format that turns a major sporting event into an ongoing interactive challenge where every round, result, upset, and leaderboard shift can change the competition and pull fans deeper into the tournament.

The World Soccer Cup Challenge is free to enter and open throughout the tournament.