• Stats Perform’s Opta analysts to Collect and Distribute Official NZC Data to Betting, Fantasy, Broadcasters, Media and Sponsors
• World Cup finalists choose world’s largest live cricket scores and statistics provider to power official digital platforms, social media content and professional player analysis tools
• Innovative agreement also includes expansion in live video streams for betting and news video distribution

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has renewed its innovative agreement with Stats Perform, the SportsTech leader in data and AI technology, as their Exclusive Official Data Partner for international and domestic competitions.

Under the agreement, Stats Perform’s trusted Opta data analysts will collect, analyse and deliver official ultrafast ball-by-ball event data and insights to the NZC high performance team as well as broadcast, media, fantasy and betting operators, including NZC’s official digital and social media platforms, providing insights and information to deepen the engagement of fans and bettors with NZC’s competitions, teams and players.

Stats Perform will also distribute live match video streams to licensed sportsbook operators through their Watch&Bet live streaming platform from an expanded set of NZC competitions including the T20 Super Smash and the previously un-broadcast Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield.  NZC news video clips will also be distributed to media worldwide through Stats Perform’s sports news content service.

The deal covers all of NZC’s international fixtures across all formats and domestic competitions including the Ford Trophy 1 Day competition, the Plunket Shield 4 day competition and all Super Smash men’s and women’s T20 competitions.

Stats Perform is the largest provider of cricket data in the world and the new NZC renewal represents an important part of the company’s comprehensive official cricket data service.

It is now the exclusive official data partner of the ECB, Cricket Australia, New Zealand Cricket and Cricket South Africa, as well as the ICC, providing world-class data services and analysis to media and the coaching units that include three of the four semi-finalists at the last Cricket World Cup. Stats Perform’s unique commercial model, extensive distribution network and innovative products provides an unrivalled ability for leading cricket boards to elevate the performance of their professional teams whilst also growing fan and sponsor interest in their properties.

“We are thrilled to have renewed our partnership with New Zealand Cricket. We look forward to continuing to provide extensive coverage for all of the premier Cricket New Zealand matches and supporting the production of live streams from previously un-broadcast competitions,” Chief Rights Officer, Alex Rice, said. “Through our new agreement, Stats Perform data and video will be used to maximise significant opportunities for global engagement and improve the way it is experienced and understood by fans. We look forward to providing an expanded premium in-play gaming experience, improved data insights and providing more content for sponsors.”

CNZ will welcome the West Indies to New Zealand when the visitors tour New Zealand on 27th November.

Entropiq, one of the rapidly-growing esports organisations, has entered into a new partnership with global sportswear brand PUMA.

The German company, which specialises in sportswear design and manufacturing, becomes Entropiq’s exclusive merchandising partner. From jerseys to shirts and hats, the apparel will be available for purchase on Queens.cz.

“In the last few months, we were in touch with several global brands, and after considerations and mutual agreement, we decided to sign with PUMA. I am delighted that we will be able to provide our players and fans with merchandising of the highest quality,” Ondřej Drebota, Managing Director of Entropiq, said.

“While the fans’ interest in buying our merchandise has been imminent ever since our organization entered the esports realm, we understood the importance of the decision. It is a privilege to join forces with such a renowned brand, which provides sportswear for the Czech national football team and several first division clubs,” Drebota added.

“PUMA follows the global trend of connection between sports and esports. We believe that, in today’s world, sports and esports are closely linked entities with many common features. I am very pleased that we can start our collaboration with esports organization Entropiq and together become a part of the gaming community on the Czech-Slovak as well as international stage,” Jan Sochor, Area General Manager Eastern Europe, PUMA, said.

“Esports events may take many hours, and it is important to feel comfortable while playing. All of us in the team were thrilled to hear that PUMA would be our new partner and provide our sportswear. The timing of the announcement just ahead of the Czech National Championship makes the partnership even more exciting,” Entropiq’s PUBG player Filip “RedgieBeardo” Tutko revealed.

“I am happy that Entropiq signed with PUMA, the designer of the national football team. It is a great connection, which ticks all the boxes,” Entropiq Ambassador Vladimír Šmicer said.

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has published its first set of guidelines on advertising real-money gaming.

ASCI advised its members to exercise caution when promoting real money games, an advertising segment deemed to be high-risk by the watchdog.

ASIC guidelines state that members must ensure that real-money advertisers cannot promote games or services “depicting any person under the age of 18 years” – a requirement enforced across all mediums.

All real money gaming adverts must carry a “Please Play Responsibly” disclaimer, warning consumers of the associated financial risks and potential addictions – with warnings implemented across audio and video platforms.

Also, Indian broadcasters and media owners must ensure that participation in real money games is not depicted as an “income opportunity or employment option.”