Esports has long been popular in the CIS region, with various top-tier teams and players all calling it home. How has the landscape evolved over the last few years? Have any particular trends emerged that have surprised you at all?

Esports boomed in the CIS region in 2008 when Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games became really popular. While esports had been a thing as far back as 2003, the rise of games such as Counter-Strike and DOTA2 was a major catalyst for the upward trajectory the sector has been riding ever since. In recent years, the infrastructure needed to support esports has improved drastically across the CIS region, including the construction of the Pixel Esports Arena in Minks, Belarus, and the Cyberspace Arena in Almaty, Kazakhstan, both of which hold top-flight contests. Internet connectivity has also improved, while support from local and international sponsors such as Monster Energy, Red Bull and War Gaming have provided funds for further investment while also driving awareness. Ultimately, this has seen the landscape evolve into a thriving industry with lots of opportunities for further growth.

In terms of trends, and especially relating to esports betting, I’ve been surprised by the high demand for betting on console games – we call them eBattles and they include disciplines such as eSoccer and eBasketball. I think this is just a natural development that has occurred off the back of strong demand for video game content, which is often the bridge between traditional sports and esports.

What factors have contributed to esports’ growth in the CIS over the past few years?

One of the biggest factors for me is that teams have become more professional and are now training and playing in well-run clubs. This takes place in dedicated buildings and rooms, set up with high-speed internet and the absolute best gaming equipment. Player salaries have also gone up, which has increased the calibre of players taking part in contests across the region, taking competitiveness to the next level. Today, many CIS players now play for high-ranked teams such as Virtus.pro, Team Spirit, Betboom or Na`Vi which compete on the international stage. This in turn is helping esports grow across the CIS region.

Given how many countries are in the CIS region, can you walk us through some of the biggest regulatory differences when it comes to betting on esports? And how does PandaScore navigate these changes?

The legality of betting and esports betting differs from country to country within the CIS region. Some are super strict or even prohibit gambling, while others take a more liberal approach, regulating the activity and licensing operators. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest markets and their approach.

In Ukraine, esports has been recognised as a sport since 2018 and in 2020 the country regulated and licensed gambling for the first time. The law focuses mostly on standard betting – sports and casino – but is likely to also include esports betting given that esports is a recognised sport in the country with tier-one Ukraine sportsbooks like Favbet and Parimatch offering it to their players.

Kazakhstan has a growing gambling industry with betting shops and casinos operating in major cities such as Almaty and Nur-Sultan. Gambling is regulated by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and while the regulatory framework is somewhat restrictive, sports betting – which is likely to include esports betting – is permitted.

Navigating the constant changes in betting regulation across the CIS region can be challenging, so we make sure to keep up to speed with the latest developments by monitoring legislative updates and amendments to regulatory guidelines. We also track industry trends and best practices to anticipate regulatory changes ahead of time, allowing us to adapt quickly if needed. This can involve benchmarking against competitors, attending conferences and networking with key stakeholders.

In your view, are there any unique opportunities for the expansion of esports and esports betting within the CIS region? And how does this differ to other regions?

It’s important to understand that CIS, especially Ukraine and Kazakhstan, play by their own rules. By that I mean they are very different to other esports markets, so don’t think what works in Italy will work in Ukraine. For example, while League of Legends is very popular in Europe, in CIS, it’s Dota 2 that takes the top spot. But for those who can understand the region and each market, there are plenty of opportunities to explore.

Let me elaborate. Dota 2 is thriving in the broader CIS, with regular tournaments and events attracting large audiences both offline and online. teams like Natus Vincere (Na’Vi), Virtus.pro and Team Spirit have achieved significant success in Dota 2 competitions, contributing to the game’s popularity in the region. While Dota 2 is big, other video games also enjoy significant popularity, including CS2, World of Tanks and Fortnite among others.

Operators need to consider this when deciding their markets and odds, marketing strategies and plans for player engagement.

What would you say is the key to creating a successful esports product for a CIS audience?

Understanding layer preferences in each market and delivering an experience that exceeds their expectations. For the CIS region, this means focusing on Dota 2 – this is a game that offers deep and strategic gameplay requiring teamwork, communication and skilful execution of plans and strategies. Its competitive nature appeals to gamers as they enjoy the challenge of multiplayer experiences – this goes back to the original MOBAs back in 2008. These factors must be present in the esports betting experience offered to players – at PandaScore, this means a comprehensive Dota 2 offering that covers markets such as Kills, Towers, Roshans and Barracks, with players able to challenge themselves in a betting competition against others.

Support is also key to delivering a quality player experience. We offer round-the-clock assistance and are regularly rolling out updates to improve the experience players receive when betting on esports at sportsbooks using our data, odds and betting tools such as our Bet Builder. We are always working hard to expand our offering to cover the most in-demand games including CS2, Valorant, Call of Duty and many more.

What trends or developments do you anticipate shaping the future growth of esports in the CIS region over the next few years?

The industry will continue to grow and become more professional. Esports is different to traditional sports and it still lacks recognition in some markets, even though it is considered an official sport in a growing number of countries across the CIS region. I think as it evolves, more governments will provide more support for esports as it brings tremendous economic, cultural and social benefits. This could include funding for esports initiatives, rolling out regulatory frameworks, helping to foster partnerships with esports organisations or simply recognising it as a sport.

The continued proliferation of smartphones across the region will be a further catalyst for esports growth. Titles such as PUGB Mobile, Free Fire and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will attract large audiences and provide new opportunities for teams, players, sponsors and other stakeholders to explore. This is a really exciting time for esports and esports betting in the CIS region, and PandaScore is thrilled to be part of it.

After releasing the frenzy of a slot game that was Brick Snake 2000, the award-winning slot provider is now set to release Tombstone No Mercy an upgraded refresh of its 2019 hit slot, Tombstone.

Tombstone No Mercy players return to the porch of a typical Western saloon with a spaghetti western-inspired instrumental playing in the background. Released back in 2019, Tombstone was the first game that Nolimit City dared to venture into the high volatility side. This was one of their first titles to shake the world of online slots, with its huge success pushing the provider to evolve into the company they are today; Daring, ambitious, and most of all, volatile!

The 2024 refresh stays true to the original game and introduces Nolimit Bonus Buys and Nolimit Booster into the mix. With the introduction of Nolimit Bonus Buys, players can buy right into the bonus rounds; Justice Spins, Gunslinger

Spins and Bounty Spins

The Nolimit Booster allows players to double their bet for guaranteed Scatter Symbols or an Outlaw Wild per spin. Optionally, players can guarantee an Outlaw Wild on reels 2, 3 or 4 every spin for a cost of 5 times the bet. True to its name, Tombstone No Mercy remains an “Extremely Volatile” title, boasting an even higher maximum win potential of 16,480x the bet compared to the original. Packed with thrilling new ways to play, Tombstone No Mercy is set to deliver a proper blast from the past – Nolimit City Style.

Per Lindheimer, Head of Product at Nolimit City, said:

“The Original Tombstone was my all-time favourite production! Even though our games have evolved much since then, Tombstone remains a popular title even after 5 years. It was amazing to revisit this gem and give it the boost it needed, bringing a Nolimit City Classic to our modern-day standards!“

‘Tombstone No Mercy’ will be available to all Nolimit City partners on April 16th, 2024.

FairPlay Sports Media (FPSM), the global sports media network fuelled by data and powered by fans, has today announced the addition of Kelly Brooks, Matt Robinson, and Niall Dore to its Executive Team following Richard Gale’s appointment in late 2023, bringing a wealth of technical and commercial expertise into its senior leadership group.

Having joined as Chief Revenue Officer in late 2023, Richard Gale has already been instrumental in refining the group’s commercial strategy, utilising his igaming and affiliate network knowhow from a previous VP Sports role at Catena Media and as founder of marketing and commercial consultants The Anorak Group.

Kelly Brooks, founder and former CEO of recently acquired Quarter4, has been appointed to the role of Chief Product Officer, where she will apply her AI acumen and transformation experience to enhance FairPlay’s BetTech capabilities and manifest Quarter4’s AI potential when integrated across all relevant products and components.

Bringing internal expertise from his previous role as Head of Technology at oddschecker, Matt Robinson has now been named Chief Technology Officer of the FairPlay group. Matt has been working in igaming technology for over 10 years, leading the technology growth of the organisation and expanding the team from 7 to 100 across 3 regions. Robinson will be responsible for implementing a synchronised technical strategy for the sports media network.

Niall Dore completes the C-Level appointments joining as Chief Financial Officer. Dore adds two decades of senior financial experience in scaling both gaming and technology businesses, including roles as Betfair’s Finance Director and, more recently, CFO of SaaS business Findmypast.

Stuart Simms, FairPlay Sports Media’s Group CEO, said of the new additions, “We’re in a unique position to deliver technical solutions and product enhancements that can make a real difference in the global betting space, and bringing Richard, Kelly, Matt, and Niall onto the team will help us execute our ambitious plans with accuracy and expediency.”

Richard Gale, FairPlay Sports Media CRO, commented, “FairPlay Sports Media is trying to set the bar higher for what can be achieved in the sports betting and affiliate spaces, and it’s been a pleasure working with Stuart and the team in shaping what this new vision looks like and how it can benefit our various sportsbook, media and publishing partners.”

Kelly Brooks, FairPlay Sports Media CPO, commented, “Working with the wider FairPlay team over the past few months, I’ve now seen first-hand the talent and tech capabilities across the group, and as CPO, I’m hugely excited to realise the full potential available and deliver truly game-changing products to market in the near future.”

Matt Robinson, FairPlay Sports Media CTO, added, “Creating an aligned and integrated technical approach across our various brands represents a project that I can’t wait to get my teeth into. Working with oddschecker, I know what can be achieved with big data and a strong brand vision, and the potential for FairPlay’s betting technology revolution to make a step change is undeniable.”

Niall Dore, FairPlay Sports Media CFO, said, “In its new era as a sports media network operating beyond just the odds, FairPlay is perfectly placed to harness the combined power of its various brands into more than the sum of their individual parts. I’m eager to apply my experience in both gaming and technology businesses to facilitate this strategy in a profitable, sustainable manner.”

These four recent hires coalesce around FairPlay’s recent rebrand proposition of being a hugely scalable tech-first organisation that leverages its vast data assets with the latest in BetTech to bring about a better betting ecosystem for all.