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What’s Fueling Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Growth in eSports Gaming?
Saudi Arabia is on track to become a global eSports and gaming hotspot. The country’s gaming festivals attract players from all over the world with unique offers. Its gaming conferences are entertaining and glitzy, and the market projections keep hitting new yearly records. In 2021, the local gaming market’s consumer spending across mobile, PC, and console was projected to raise over $946 million, and this figure is expected to continue to rise over the course of the decade.
The thriving eSports sector reflects the efficient engine that powers it. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently unveiled the country’s eSports strategy. Along with other growth factors, the plan is responsible for Saudi Arabia’s growing global influence in eSports.
A Fresh Approach to Esports
The Saudi Crown Prince’s support, according to Casinoelarabs.com, is the most crucial factor propelling eSports in Saudi Arabia to maturity. The Saudi Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, enjoys playing ‘Call of Duty,’ among other modern games. However, the passionate gamer is recognized for more than just his gaming prowess. The prince recently curated a national eSports plan under which the Saudi kingdom would create 39,000 jobs in the country’s eSports sphere by 2030 and develop over 30 games in local studios.
The prince’s strategy is an excellent starting point for the country’s eSports industry. The ESports sector is also growing in other Arabic countries, and several factors are credited for the observed increase in Saudi Arabia and the Arabic world.
Saudi’s Government Growing Support for Esports
The leadership of Prince Mohammed in the growth strategy is just the tip of the iceberg. The Saudi government actively promotes the country’s eSports sector through the Saudi eSports Federation. The organization fosters players and ensures the local gaming industry meets international standards. Its chairman, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, feels that Saudi Arabia has the potential to become the premier destination for eSports programming.
According to Chester King, CEO of British eSports, the Saudi government’s hands-on approach makes the country’s eSports industry far superior to other nations currently seeking a viable plan.
The Rise of Online Streaming and Gaming
The evolution of the gaming experience is one of the “natural” factors that have contributed to the industry’s wide acceptance and rapid expansion in Saudi Arabia. Online gaming is now possible, unlike a few decades ago, thanks to the advancement of the internet. According to global business and economic data, 97.86 percent of Saudi’s population are active internet users, which is impressive considering it recorded 31.02 percent in 1990. Many people are now obsessed with online gaming and live streaming. The change toward the relatively new and thrilling experience was particularly noticeable during the peak of COVID-19 when stay-at-home mandates compelled finding isolated amusement.
Millions of Saudis have embraced online gaming as a trend. Today, the kingdom is home to more than 20 million gamers. Over 65% of the population enjoys gaming, and more people are joining.
Mobile Gaming’s Popularity
Because of its gamers’ propensity for gaming on mobile devices, Saudi Arabia’s mobile gaming sector is at an all-time high. People devote more time to mobile gaming due to increased smartphone usage. According to a recent report by Arab News, approximately 84% of Saudi players spend time playing mobile games. Many players spend money on mobile games, considerably strengthening the country’s mobile gaming market.
The Rise of Competitive Gaming
Competitive video gaming is the latest trend to hit the kingdom’s gaming industry. For millennials, playing eSports is far superior to watching elite athletes compete in sports. Many Saudis participated in online tournaments during the COVID-19 period. Many got involved in competitive gaming while looking for glory and fortune in remote gaming activities. The competitive gaming spirit has survived to the present day, thanks to the ever-improving online gaming experience.
Many Saudis are interested in competitive gaming for both amusement and financial gain. Gamers8, a summer festival conducted in Saudi Arabia, recently drew participants from eight countries. The festival’s distinct vitality reflected Saudi Arabia’s intense passion for competitive gaming.
The influx of investment into eSports
Saudi Arabia is a well-established oil exporter keen on investing in rising technologies. Earlier this year, the Saudi government authorized a large sum to develop and fund the Savvy Gaming Group. The company acquired ESL Gaming and FACEIT, two top eSports companies, for $15 billion. In October, the Saudi government announced plans to invest another $37.8 billion in eSports-related businesses in the Middle East. This investment, along with others, is credited with driving the industry’s explosive rise.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia is on the verge of becoming a global eSports powerhouse. The carefully devised strategy of Prince Mohammed, the profits of oil exports, government backing, and other enabling factors reveal a kingdom poised to rise to unfathomable heights. The future of eSports in Saudi Arabia is foreseeable, thanks to the growth boosters.
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7-Eleven selects Jackpot.com as their official lottery partner
Online Lottery Courier Service Jackpot.com Announces Exclusive Collaboration with 7-Eleven, Inc.
Jackpot.com will serve as the official lottery courier service of 7-Eleven, Inc., initially launching in Ohio and Massachusetts
Jackpot.com – the online lottery courier service that allows consumers to purchase official state lottery tickets on their phone, tablet, or computer – announced today an exclusive collaboration with 7-Eleven Inc., the largest convenience store chain in the world, to serve as their official lottery courier service.
As part of the collaboration, 7-Eleven customers in Ohio and Massachusetts will be able to sign up and play lottery games and scratchers on the Jackpot.com app or website. The program will initially be launched in over 600 7-Eleven and Speedway stores in Ohio and Massachusetts, with a special launch promotion that gives 7-Eleven customers a free lottery ticket on their first deposit by using promo code, “7Eleven”.
“We’re thrilled to work with 7-Eleven, the leading retailer of lottery tickets in the country,” said Akshay Khanna, CEO and co-founder of Jackpot.com. “Leveraging our technology and innovation, we can provide additional convenience for their customers, while adding an additional source of revenue. A true win-win relationship for all.”
By launching in Ohio and Massachusetts in 2023 and 2024, respectively, Jackpot.com aims at adding another avenue for player convenience with one of the most widely recognized brands in the convenience-retailing space. With a presence in Ohio, the nation’s seventh-largest lottery market, and Massachusetts, whose state lottery produced $1.2 billion in net profit for the Commonwealth during the 2024 fiscal year, Jackpot.com’s collaboration with 7-Eleven represents an added layer of accessibility for players.
Jackpot.com remains committed to responsible play and has significantly invested in protocols by allowing customers of legal age to set spend limits and limits on daily deposits, all while providing access to local and national responsible gambling resources, self-exclusion, self-suspension and automated notifications that offer help should problematic behavior be detected. Jackpot.com is also the only lottery courier service to launch with an iCap certification from the National Council on Problem Gambling.
To learn more, visit jackpot.com. First-time users can also download the official Jackpot.com Lottery App on the iOS or Android App Stores, where available.
eSports
The World Esports Summit 2024 Is Here!
The IESF World Esports Summit returns this December to Busan, South Korea. Hosted at the Busan Esports Arena (BRENA) from December 5-6, the Summit will bring together prominent figures from Esports, global brands, government officials, and sports executives for a deep dive into the current Esports trends, its rapid transformations, and future challenges.
This year’s theme, “Building Bridges, Not Barriers, Through the Power of Esports,” will highlight the role of Esports in uniting cultures, ideas, and industries. Under the slogan “We Empower Success,” the
Summit provides a great platform for Esports experts to engage in meaningful discussions and sessions, sharing their insights on trends and presenting forward-looking ideas for our industry.
The event, strategically timed at the close of the competitive season, presents a perfect environment for reflection on the year’s biggest events, industry shifts, and the next steps for Esports. Attendees can follow the expert’s perspectives on topics like:
- (R)Evolution in Esports
- East Meets West
- Esports Integrity: The Role of Referees
- The Rise of International Esports Competitions
- (In Korean) Korea’s Secret Sauce etc.
Also, featured at this year’s event are the IESF World Esports Training Camp and the World Esports Referee Academy.
These are very important IESF programs that are aimed at advancing the skills and professional standards of the next generation of Esports leaders.
Join us in Busan for two days designed to inspire, connect, and empower the international Esports community.
Registration for the World Esports Summit is free and open to all interested attendees.
To register, please complete our online registration form: iesf.formstack.com/forms/wes2024_participation_registration
See you in Busan!
eSports
Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo named as key note at ICE Esports Conference
Clarion Gaming has confirmed that Akhil Sarin CMO at Easygo, the technology powerhouse behind the success of global brands Stake and Kick will headline the Esports & Games Conference (EGC) taking place on 21 January as part of the ICE Barcelona experience. As a key member of the executive team, Akhil Sarin has been instrumental in securing the high-profile partnerships that have accelerated Stake’s growth, including the Stake F1 team, UFC, Drake, and Premier League Everton FC.
Through these strategic alliances he has amplified Stake’s brand presence at the same time as creating unique, immersive player experiences, in the process setting new industry benchmarks.
Announcing the high profile speaker Will Harding, Head of Esports at Clarion Gaming said: “Securing Akhil Sarin as EGC key note at ICE Barcelona represents a remarkable opportunity for our attendees to gain invaluable insight into cutting-edge strategies in digital and influencer marketing .
“Akhil’s expertise with Stake and Kick.com embodies the forward-thinking, innovative approach that defines the digital marketing landscapes. His participation underscores the calibre of knowledge-sharing that we are committed to delivering at ICE and he is sure to both inspire our attendees and elevate their strategic perspective.”
Looking ahead to ICE Barcelona, Akhil Sarin stated: “Collaborating with Clarion Gaming at ICE Barcelona is an exciting opportunity to showcase Stake’s journey and continued focus on bold partnerships and creative marketing strategies that resonate with audiences.”
He added “The EGC is a vital platform for exchanging transformative ideas and shaping the future of gaming and entertainment. I look forward to discussing Stake’s vision and collaborating with industry leaders to inspire growth and innovation across the sector.”
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