BetBlocker the ground-breaking initiative which provides a free, anonymous, accessible, and robust gambling-blocking tool that empowers users to control their gambling behaviour, has been named Clarion Gaming’s charity partner for 2024/25. 

The Award will cover the first editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate to be held in Barcelona as well as the July 2025 edition of iGB L!VE, the first to take place at ExCeL London.

Responding to the news Pedro Romero Chief of SG Partnerships at BetBlocker said: “Being named Clarion Gaming charity partner is a fantastic honour and is recognition of our commitment to promoting safer gambling worldwide. This partnership also underscores the gaming industry’s growing awareness and commitment to social responsibility.”

He added: “ICE, iGB Affiliate and iGB L!VE  provide us with a trio of powerful global platforms which will enable us to amplify our message, connect with key stakeholders, and showcase how BetBlocker can make a real difference in minimising gambling harm. This opportunity strengthens our resolve to collaborate with all stakeholders, including the gambling industry, to prioritise the well-being of players.”

Focussing on how BetBlocker plans to activate its presence Pedro Romero explained: “At the three sector-leading events we intend to host engaging sessions on safer gambling to highlight BetBlocker’s role and its impact, demonstrate the functionality and effectiveness of the BetBlocker tool through live demos from our stand and facilitate networking opportunities with stakeholders to explore collaborations and funding opportunities.

“Throughout the year, we’ll leverage the visibility and connections arising from this partnership in order to expand awareness campaigns globally, develop educational materials and initiatives targeting operators, affiliates, and players and enhance our technology to ensure that BetBlocker remains at the forefront of innovation in player protection.”

The 2025 editions of ICE and iGB Affiliate will welcome a projected 55,000 gambling industry professionals from throughout the world. Comprising 120,000 square meters (sqm) of space compared to the 100,000 sqm at ICE 2024 Fira Gran Via Barcelona will be home to the industry’s best ever line-up of exhibitors comprising the world’s biggest and most respected innovator brands from every gambling vertical.  The industry’s leading trade associations, strategic bodies, regulators, CEOs of tier-1 operators and games creators will all be at Barcelona in record-breaking numbers underlining the show’s reputation for being the ‘Davos of Gambling’.

For more information on ICE Barcelona and iGB Affiliate Barcelona and to register visit:  icegaming.com and barcelona.igbaffiliate.com

Soft2Bet, a leading provider of iGaming turnkey solutions, has been recognised as the Best iGaming Solutions Provider in Romania at the 12th edition of the Reunion of Gambling Professionals. Highlighting its excellence in the region, the company’s brand, Don.ro, received the title of Best New Launch of 2024, reinforcing Soft2Bet’s reputation for delivering innovative and tailored solutions to Romanian players.

Soft2Bet has established itself as a global leader in the iGaming industry by developing exceptional brands and delivering solutions tailored to the unique needs of local markets. With its innovative technology, deep market expertise, and unwavering commitment to quality, Soft2Bet has consistently exceeded expectations for both operators and players alike. In Romania, this dedication is exemplified by the remarkable success of Don.ro, a brand designed to set new standards in player experience and engagement.

Launched earlier this year, Don.ro offers players an intuitive design, a diverse gaming portfolio featuring over 3944 slot games, table games, live dealer options, and unique engagement tools. Powered by Soft2Bet’s proprietary Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), the platform combines entertainment with cutting-edge technology to deliver an unmatched user experience.

Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer at Soft2Bet, remarked: “These awards are a testament to Soft2Bet’s position as a leader in the iGaming industry. They highlight our commitment to innovation, quality, and creating solutions that resonate with local markets. The success of Don.ro reflects not only our ability to deliver tailored, high-quality brands for the Romanian market but also our broader vision of redefining gaming experiences. We’re proud to be recognised for our efforts and are excited to strengthen our presence in Romania with new and innovative offerings.”

The Pokémon Company, with Skyesports as the esports partner, has announced an exciting new grassroots esports tournament, the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025. Open for all players across the country, this competition offers an opportunity for aspiring pro players to represent India on the global stage.

Registrations for the tournament are now live and will remain open until Jan. 29, 2025. Players from across the country can sign up on the official website to secure their spot and compete for national pride and international glory.

The Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament boasts a massive prize pool of $10,000. The stakes are even higher, though, as the tournament winner will join the champion of the Pokémon UNITE ACL India League as India’s representatives in an international tournament. This international competition is the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2025 Finals which will bring the best-of-the-best from across Asia to Shinjuku, Japan on March 29 and 30 to fight for the ultimate title!

• The Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 will begin with the Qualifier Stage, which will follow a single-elimination bracket.
• The top 16 teams from the qualifiers will advance to the Group Stage. Here, they will be evenly split into 4 groups where a single round-robin format will be followed.
• Finally, the top two teams from each group will progress to the Playoffs. These top 8 teams will compete in this penultimate stage across a double-elimination bracket for glory and the chance to represent India on the international stage.

The Pokémon Company executive said, “While the ACL India League supports the top-tier organizations of the country, the Winter Tournament highlights our commitment to grassroots development. By supporting players at every level—from grassroots to the pro scene—we aim to ensure the sustainable growth of Pokémon UNITE esports in India.”

Commenting on the tournament, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports, said, “With the ongoing Pokémon UNITE ACL India League bringing esports action to thousands of players, we are now thrilled to introduce the open-for-all Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament. This competition gives every aspiring pro player a chance to shine and represent the country in Japan. As long-term partners of The Pokémon Company, the tournament underscores Skyesports’ vision of giving Indian players and teams a chance to compete on the global stage. I wish the best of luck to all participants.”

With its intense 10-minute matches, Pokémon UNITE has seen remarkable growth in India, attracting a vibrant community of players and fans. The Winter Tournament is the latest effort to nurture and expand this ecosystem.

Today’s announcement follows the Pokémon UNITE ACL India League, where The Pokémon Company has directly invited India’s top eight esports organizations to compete, which includes the likes of S8UL, GodLike, Revenant XSpark, and Global Esports. The tournament, currently ongoing, is set to wrap up on Jan. 26, 2025. Immediately after, Skyesports will kick off the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament to continue the momentum of Pokémon UNITE esports in the country.

The complete schedule for the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 is as follows:

• Registrations: Until Jan. 29
• Qualifier Stage: Feb. 1 and 2
• Group Stage: Feb. 8
• Playoffs: Feb. 9