eSports
X-Bet.co and BUFF.bet merge and fuel eSports betting IPO
The two eSports betting brands are merging due to a signed deal at the end of February between XB Systems, a start-up organization managing X-Bet.co and one of the strongest white labels of UltraPlay – BUFF.bet.
Since XB Systems operations began in May 2017, the company has grown rapidly within the eSports betting sector under the brand name X-Bet.co. BUFF.bet, on the other hand, is a standalone business affiliated with UltraPlay and powered by its advanced betting solutions.
For over three years XB Systems has been working closely with its platform provider UltraPlay. The effective management team of XB Systems and the surging growth rates on X-Bet.co in terms of betting volume and user numbers encouraged UltraPlay to take the next step and initiate talks to merge BUFF.bet with XB Systems operations and management. Due to the signed agreement, X-Bet.co effectively and fully takes over the management and operations, as well as the domain and all assets of the merged business. UltraPlay will remain the platform provider for the newly formed venture for the foreseeable future.
Mario Ovcharov, CEO of UltraPlay commented: “We believe that X-Bet.co and BUFF.bet will form a great synergy together. With the two sites joined forces and the experienced management team of XB Systems firmly in place, BUFF.bet will undoubtedly go from strength to strength becoming one of the leading eSports betting operators worldwide”.
Daniel Miller, CEO of XB Systems said: “The merger is an absolute recipe for success and a win-win situation for everyone. Under the BUFF.bet brand we are targeting a major slice of the global eSports market. With our unique proposition of media portal and eSports betting site powered by UltraPlay’s data and betting solutions, we are certain that our market share will grow massively over the next 24 months“.
The newly formed organization will come under the name of BUFF.bet and will incorporate the two brands’ vision of providing the ultimate eSports betting experience.
A major contributing factor in this success story has been the close collaboration with Swiss-based firm Raptor Consulting GmbH, which has accompanied XB Systems since its foundation specializing in the capital raising for the company.
Furthermore, the acclaimed international financial boutique JP Capital Investments Ltd., with its wealth of experience and exclusive network, has been assigned as partners in the upcoming IPO of XB Systems.
Australia
PandaScore signs landmark deal with Tabcorp
Australian wagering giant Tabcorp selects French supplier PandaScore as its dedicated esports data and odds provider
One of Australia’s biggest operators, Tabcorp, has partnered with specialist esports supplier PandaScore to expand its esports offering in Australia.
Tabcorp will initially incorporate PandaScore’s esports data and odds services for the Big 3 esports titles: Counter-Strike, League of Legends and Dota 2. Tabcorp is keen on integrating the full suite of PandaScore titles, markets and products to drive future expansion in esports.
The agreement will see Tabcorp offer an expanded range of markets and market lines, including PandaScore’s lucrative player markets.
Powered by PandaScore’s market-leading esports products, Tabcorp’s multichannel distribution will see its levelled up esports offering available over digital and physical options, including web, mobile app, betting shops and terminals in licensed venues.
For Tabcorp Trading General Manager, David Beirne, “this partnership with PandaScore is invaluable to our investment in esports. It gives us access to dedicated esports trading and odds creation services for the most popular titles, with eyes to build out a full esports offering fit for the next generation of bettors. This partnership is another step in creating the ultimate sports entertainment experience for our customers.”
Oliver Niner, Head of B2B at PandaScore stated that he’s “very excited about working with one of the biggest operators in Australia. Tabcorp is an Australian institution with outstanding visibility and market penetration and a pedigree for success. Rolling out our best-in-class esports products to a market leader in Australia builds on our existing successes in this market, and it’s one we’re confident we can continue fostering growth in.”
eSports
GIANTX announces its Valorant team for 2025
Westside, Runner, and Tomaszy join Purp0 and Cloud to aim for a return to the top of one of the most prestigious international esports competitions
The global esports organization GIANTX has unveiled its new Valorant team for the 2025 Valorant Champions Tour (VCT). The primary goal is to qualify for the Valorant Champions, the world championship that will take place in Paris, after an uneven 2024 season.
The roster includes Cloud, Purp0, Westside, Runner, and Tomaszy. Cloud and Purp0 remain with the organization, while Westside, Runner, and Tomaszy are new additions.
- Cloud will take on the role of in-game leader (IGL).
- Purp0 will continue to bring his ability to perform in key situations.
- Westside joins from Diamant Esports and makes his debut at the highest level.
- Runner, previously with Team Vitality, played in the 2024 world championship.
- Tomaszy, formerly of Rebels Gaming and Karmine Corp, also joins the project.
The coaching staff will be led by Pipson, with Waylander as assistant coach. Both bring extensive experience from the competitive scenes of Valorant and Counter-Strike.
The EMEA region will feature 12 teams in the 2025 VCT:
- GIANTX,
- Fnatic,
- Natus Vincere,
- Team Liquid,
- KOI,
- Team Heretics,
- Apeks,
- BBL Esports,
- FUT Esports,
- Gentle Mates,
- Karmine Corp,
- and Team Vitality.
The official competition kicks off in January with the Kickoff Tournament, where teams will compete for a spot at the first international event of the year: Masters Bangkok.
This weekend, GIANTX will participate in the preseason tournament Intel Monsters Reloaded 2024 in Istanbul.
Their first opponent will be Team Liquid on Saturday at 6:00 PM. If they win, they will face the winner of the match between BBL Esports and SuperMassive in the final.
eSports
TEAM VITALITY CELEBRATES TWO YEARS OF V.HIVE WITH ALL NEW UPDATES AND FEATURES, V.HIVE 2.0
Leading esports organisation Team Vitality and blockchain platform Tezos are celebrating two years of their industry-pioneering mobile app, V.Hive. An essential for fans of the club, V.Hive 2.0 has received a huge update to commemorate its second anniversary, with an updated look and introducing new, essential features for any esports enthusiast.
The V.Hive app has allowed Team Vitality to position itself as one of the technological leaders in the esports industry. From fan engagement to sales, the app plays an essential role for Team Vitality and establishes itself as the premier platform to support the club and its players.
TEAM VITALITY’S ECOSYSTEM IN YOUR POCKET, THANKS TO V.HIVE 2.0
To celebrate its second anniversary, the V.Hive mobile app is being refreshed with an all-new interface, as well as numerous new features highly requested by fans. V.Hive 2.0 will see a complete User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) overhaul, to enhance the current user experience and integrate the new features.
Following the update, fans can expect:
- A FRESH NEW LOOK
The all-new design of the app will make it easier and clearer to use, and more fluid to navigate. Fans will also be able to discover THE SHOWCASE – a dedicated space on the homepage which will bring together all the latest news and social media posts from Team Vitality’s accounts. Finally, access to exclusive V.Hive content, such as player and roster news, The Member Days, special collections, and merchandise discounts will all be made simpler thanks to a new, optimised interface of the new features.
- A NEW SHOP
With V.Hive 2.0, the new e-Shop will become more intuitive than ever. Team Vitality fans will now be able to shop more easily thanks to all the new filters and categories. Also being launched in V.Hive 2.0 is an exclusive offers and rewards program, in addition to the pre-existing loyalty program, allowing fans to accumulate discounts with ease. In summary – the more you use the app, the more benefits you reap.
- AN OPTIMISED MATCH CALENDAR
V.Hive 2.0 will also allow fans to filter and favourite matches in the all-new match calendar, meaning fans will never miss an event again. The calendar can sync with fans’ iCal and Google calendars and send notifications, ideal for events in different time zones. On top of that, all information and statistics for Team Vitality games and rosters will all be available in-app – whether looking for a stream link, a certain player, stats, or the timing of a game, all information is now available at the push of a button.
The global update of V.Hive 2.0 places fans at the heart of the app, facilitating and rewarding fan engagement with the club. V.Hive is a showcase of technological and innovative vision, designed to embody the ambition of the club.
AN ESSENTIAL TOOL IN TEAM VITALITY’S INNOVATION STRATEGY
Since launching in November 2022, the V.Hive app, in partnership with Tezos, has revolutionised the esports market with its unique ‘support to earn’ features, powered by Web3. In two years, V.Hive has allowed the club to reward fans’ commitment, while directly integrating its partners into the heart of the Team Vitality community.
V.Hive has established itself as a powerful first-party data tool at the heart of Team Vitality’s data strategy. Through Web3 technology and offering an authentic, direct and interactive connection with the community, V.Hive can continue to optimise fan experiences and create tailor-made opportunities for partners. This approach also strengthens Team Vitality’s position as a leading B2B brand in esports.
The message is clear with V.Hive 2.0: Team Vitality wants to remain the most innovative mobile app on the market. A new era for esports begins with the update, where fans and partners are at the heart of the project.
“In just two years, V.Hive has become much more than just an app for our fans. It’s a reflection of our commitment to offering a unique and personalised experience. Thanks to this powerful, first-party data tool, we’ve transformed the way we collaborate with our partners, by offering them exclusive opportunities that are perfectly integrated into our ecosystem. V.Hive is a pillar of our innovation strategy, and allows us to reaffirm our positioning as a premium brand in esports” explains Amélie Canet, Fan Engagement and Marketing Director at Team Vitality.
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