The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) is pleased to announce Kambi and Abios, its esports data subsidiary, as new ESIC Anti-Corruption Supporters. This partnership signals the alignment of Kambi’s longstanding commitment to corporate probity and sports integrity with ESIC’s ongoing battle against match-fixing and corruption in esports.

Kambi and Abios join a distinguished class of other Anti-Corruption Supporter stakeholders who have historically worked with ESIC to ensure that attacks against the competitive integrity of esports competition are appropriately reported and dealt with. Anti-Corruption Supporters assist ESIC in investigating suspicious betting activity, supporting ESIC’s broader mission to combat cheating and betting fraud in the esports industry. Kambi and Abios’ entrance into the Anti-Corruption Supporter class will see the entities actively work with ESIC to assist in ESIC’s mission to disrupt, prevent, investigate and prosecute all attempts to compromise competitive integrity in esport competition.

Abios’ Managing Director and Founder, Anton Janér commented:

“Our mission at Abios has always been to enable the sustainable growth of esports. As such, we’re incredibly excited to join ESIC in their mission to future-proof esports through combatting match-fixing and other integrity-related malpractices. Fair play is a crucial component in ensuring the viability of esports as a long-term community and investment and we hope to be able to support the industry together with ESIC going forward.”

Stephen Hanna, ESIC’s CEO commented:

“We are delighted to announce this membership. Kambi and Abios are well trusted and recognised operators in their respective industries, and their entrance into the Anti-Corruption Supporter class of ESIC membership emphasises their shared commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fair play within the esports industry.”

Spotlight Sports Group (SSG), a world-leading technology, content, and media company specialising in sports betting, has today agreed to showcase Smart View in racecards at York’s Dante meeting.

The racecards are powered by the industry-leading racing media and tech supplier, the Racing Post, and have already been utilised in racecards at Naas racecourse, Ireland.

The feature races of each day of York’s early season highlight will host Smart View racecards, as well as a QR code to allow racegoers easy access to all races at the Dante Meeting in Smart View via mobile.

Smart View has already produced strong success at major festivals, beginning at the Cheltenham Festival at which it accurately forecast eight winners out of 27 races, and posted a 76% ROI. Smart View selections have included Monmiral at 25/1 in the Coral Cup, Minella Crooner at 25/1 at the Punchestown Festival, and last week Zoffee in the ultra-competitive Chester Cup.

Spotlight Sports Group’s Retail Director, Alan Pepperell, shared his excitement at partnering with York racecourse: “Following a strong Cheltenham Festival, Smart View has gone on to offer big-priced winners at recent festivals. We are delighted to partner with York racecourse for their early season highlight and hope that Smart View can continue to provide racegoers with positive returns.”

The product itself is live in more than 1,000 retail outlets in the UK and Ireland and continues to provide customers with an engaging, dynamic and accessible experience.

With further enhancements to come, such as the addition of international racing, Smart View offers a user-friendly, industry-leading technology that improves bettors’ experience.

Spotlight Sports Group’s retail services are powered by the Racing Post and are proven to drive revenues with a rich content experience for betting audiences. To learn more about Smart View and other retail services visit: racingpostretailservices.com

Sharp Alpha Advisors announced the closing of Sharp Alpha Fund II, an oversubscribed $25 million venture capital fund investing in early-stage sports, gaming, and entertainment businesses.

Existing investments in Fund II include C15 Studio, which recently emerged from stealth mode as the operator and distributor of Formula 1’s new streaming channel. Previous investments include Almost Friday Media, Jackpot.com, and Betcha (acquired by Vivid Seats).

The fund targets seed investments ranging from $1 – 2 million. Sharp Alpha also operates a co-investment vehicle that provides limited partners the ability to invest additional capital in select deals alongside the fund.

Managing Partner Lloyd Danzig was recently named to Business Insider’s Top Venture Capitalists in Sports and ELG’s 40 Under 40. He is frequently featured by CNBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

The fund is backed by public companies, US fnancial institutions, pro sports team owners, family offces, top venture capitalists, and funds of funds, among others.

According to Danzig, there is a signifcant opportunity at the intersection of sports, gaming, media, and technology. “The competitive entertainment category is experiencing exponential growth but at the same time is desperate for innovation that early-stage companies are best positioned to supply.”

The fund has exceeded its $25 million capital raise target and expanded the size of its deal team.

Commenting on current market conditions, Danzig explained, “we are entering the most favorable period in the last 15 years to bet on great founders.”

Sharp Alpha’s advisory board includes Keith Horn, founder of Loring Capital Advisors and former COO of Elliott Management and Global Head of Leveraged Finance at Merrill Lynch; Emanuel Pearlman, the former Chairman of Empire Resorts and board member at several public companies; Daniel Bernard, Founder and Chairman of Redwood International Sports; Roy Behren, the President and Chief Investment Offcer of a $5.2 billion asset manager; and Don Kornstein, the Vice Chairman of Caesars Entertainment and former executive at numerous successful gaming companies.

In addition to investment capital, the frm provides portfolio companies with a suite of resources and opportunities spanning fundraising, revenue generation, brand awareness, commercial strategy, fnancial planning, and product development.