eSports
Inter Miami keeper Luis Robles invests in promising esports business
MLS goalkeeper Luis Robles has joined the growing band of sports stars to make an investment in esports.
The Inter Miami stopper has followed in the footsteps of Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Odell Beckham Jr, who have all backed projects in pro gaming in recent years.
Robles, who is part of the Inter Miami squad owned by David Beckham, is among the investors in Luckbox – a fully licensing betting company that allows esports fans to make wagers on their favourite professional games.
And Robles’s timing appears to be perfect. Luckbox has reported record figures in the first half of 2020 and is now preparing to go public on the TSX Venture Exchange.
Robles, 36, has a degree in finance from the University of Portland and is a keen investor. He has seen first-hand the boom in popularity of esports among his team mates.
Robles said: “On the road, I’ll be watching Netflix, while my room-mate is watching Twitch.
“My team-mates, they’re watching in the same way they watch an opponent for a football match. They like to see tactics and strategies, what people are using and what works so that they can use those things in their own game.
“That to me was mind-blowing. And yet, it’s what people are doing and it shows the importance of esports in our culture right now.”
With the MLS among the many traditional sports on hold during the COVID-19 lockdown, pro players have taken to online FIFA matches as a way of keeping alive competition between teams and rivalry between fans.
Robles said: “With what’s going on in the world right now, a lot of the way we’ve been able to maintain a connection with our fanbase, is through FIFA – using FIFA as an avenue through which players can still compete, while entertaining and engaging fans. To some degree, it’s been successful.
“I think everyone wants us to be back on the field and playing, because that’s how they know us but it’s still a creative way of staying engaged with fans.
 “From what I’ve seen, not only is a great way to continue to engage our fanbase but it’s great for the players – to keep the camaraderie and the banter going, the spirit in the locker room.
“It is different but times are very different right now and you have to find other avenues in which to do things.”
The big question, of course, is who is Inter Miami’s best FIFA player?
Robles said: “It depends on who you ask. If you ask Rodolfo Pizzaro, he’s going to say it’s him. Same if you ask Julian Carranza or Lee Nguyen.
“These are all guys who are heavily into it. They have their stations in their house. They’re very competitive, they put a lot of pride into their game.
“You have Lewis Morgan, from Scotland, who also seems to be really good. I think if you ask those four different players, you’d get four different answers but I can confidently say that I am not the best FIFA player and I would probably be competing for the worst FIFA player.
“But I love investing, I love diversifying my portfolio and looking at different decks and wishing I could get involved and Luckbox has given me a great opportunity to do that.”
Luckbox’s CEO Quentin Martin said: “It’s well documented that esports is super-hot right now and many famous names from the world of sports and entertainment have recognised this by backing a host of projects.
“We’ve been live in 100 countries for just over a year now, so we’re still a very young company. To have the support of someone as highly respected as Luis is clearly a massive boost for our company.
“For sports fans, betting on outcomes is often an extra way to enjoy the match experience. Safe, legal and legitimate betting is increasingly important to esports and, over the coming years, it will be the dominant driver of revenue for the industry.”
Asia
Red Bull, Nissin Cup Noodles, and Kreo Join College Rivals Season 2 as Associate Sponsors
India’s premier college esports and gaming talent hunt, College Rivals, has secured three major Associate Sponsors for its highly anticipated Season 2. Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo have all come on board to support the Ampverse DMI-conducted event, each contributing their distinct energy and enthusiasm, as the official Energy Partner, Snacking Partner, and Kreative Partner, respectively.
College Rivals Season 2, featuring participation from over 2,00,000 students across various competitions, offers a prize pool of INR 50,00,000 and a prestigious professional gaming contract. Having kicked off in July 2024, the championship will continue in the following months before culminating with a Grand Finale scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
âWeâre thrilled to welcome top brands like Nissin Cup Noodles, Red Bull, and Kreo to College Rivals Season 2, which has grown exponentially this time around and is bigger and better than ever. These incredible partners will further enhance the student experience with immersive gaming, exciting activities, and creative engagements, adding new energy and thrill as we continue to inspire college-going students to engage with esports and gaming opportunities,â said Ashwin Haryani, Country Head, Ampverse DMI.
Red Bull, returning to College Rivals after a successful first season, brings extra excitement with their racing simulators and product samples in interactive zones, giving students a taste of the fast-paced energy of Esports. Nissin Cup Noodles, the eventâs Snacking Partner, is bringing a flavorful twist to the action. With wet product sampling of their instant noodles, Nissin Cup Noodles seamlessly blends snack breaks with gaming.
Meanwhile, with their branded gaming peripherals, Kreative Partner Kreo is hosting interactive activities such as typing tests and giveaways, inviting students to engage with top-tier gaming gear at the countryâs biggest collegiate gaming event.
âWeâre absolutely fired up to be part of College Rivals Season 2! The energy is electric, with thousands of students from all over the country bringing their A-game. The fast-paced action, intense competition, and pure thrill of gaming make this event a perfect match for Nissin Cup Noodles which is the go-to snacking option for gamersâ said Varun Oberoi – Vice President, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Indo Nissin Foods.
Having expanded to 20+ cities and 58+ colleges, College Rivals Season 2 is engaging 11,00,000 students across India, providing the ideal stage to connect with brands that resonate with them. Nissin Cup Noodles satisfies with its instant snacks, Red Bull keeps the energy high with its action-packed drinks, and Kreo connects creative minds with top-tier gaming gear.
eSports
IESF and ITTI Open Applications for Scholarships in Esports Management
The International Esports Federation (IESF) and the International Institute of Technology and Innovation (ITTI) are thrilled to announce the launch of the IESF x ITTI Scholarships, an initiative designed to empower the next generation of Esports leaders. This scholarship program brings together the industryâs best resources to select young talent ready to make their mark in Esports management and gaming.
Four scholarships are available for promising students who will join ITTIâs Masterâs in Esports Management and Gaming program. This scholarship opportunity opens on November 4, 2024, and closes on November 20, 2024. The project is also part of IESF and Busan Cityâs World Esports R&D Center Program, supporting education and development in the Esports industry.
Scholarship Allocation:
-
One student who is a Resident of Busan, aged 18 – 24.
-
Three international students, aged 18-24.
How to Apply:
Open to applicants aged 18 to 24, the program invites candidates to submit a completed application form and an introduction video addressing specific questions about their goals, interests, and vision for Esports. With support from NASEF, IESFâs educational partner, the selection committee will evaluate each applicantâs creativity, dedication to Esports, and unique ideas to shape the industry.
Applicants can access the Application Form and should complete both the form and video submission by the deadline.Â
The IESF x ITTI Scholarships offer a great path into Esports management, and recipients will gain access to ITTIâs advanced curriculum designed to equip students for impactful roles in Esports. We invite all eligible young enthusiasts to apply and join this exciting journey with us. Letâs help shape the future of Esports!
eSports
SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Doubles Esports Turnover in Q3 2024
1 November 2024 â Esports has experienced explosive growth in Q3 2024, doubling turnover compared to the previous quarter. The average bet on cybersports increased by 17.6% quarter-on-quarter. SOFTSWISS, a global tech expert with over 15 years of experience providing innovative iGaming solutions, shares the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Q3 2024 report.
The top five sports by Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) remain consistent: Football, Tennis, Basketball, Table Tennis, and eFootball. For the second consecutive quarter, eFootball has outperformed Counter-Strike 2, indicating a shifting interest within the esports sector. Nevertheless, football continues to dominate, contributing nearly half of the total GGR.
The average live bet grew by 10% quarter-on-quarter, a positive development for operators as live bets hold 78.6% of turnover. The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team is actively enhancing the live betting experience, aiming to capitalise on this trend and provide operators with even greater revenue opportunities.
The average bet grew by 9.7% quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2024, and the number of bets increased by 18.7%. GGR saw a modest growth of 1.5% quarter-on-quarter.
Despite the large number of projects launched for the UEFA Euro 2024, month-on-month statistics show that with the right promotional strategies, projects continue to operate successfully even after such massive events.Â
Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, adds: âAligning a launch with a major sporting event can be a successful strategy, but football is not the only sport that can be leveraged in this way. The growth of cybersports presents new opportunities; for specialised projects targeting specific audiences, esports events can also serve as an effective starting point.Â
We continuously focus on product growth and development, enhancing features and user experience to drive further engagement and profitability for our partners.â
The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is expanding its global presence. The product team is on track to secure certification in Brazil, conducted by an authorised testing laboratory. Furthermore, for the South African market, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook has recently integrated a Horse Racing Module. This addition offers operators new business opportunities by covering over 2,400 international and local races monthly. The solution engages players with race cards, silks, and multiple bet types while providing operators unique skins and configurations to align with various brand identities.
The SOFTSWISS team is working on The iGaming Trends Report 2025, which offers a deep dive into key industry developments based on over 50,000 media headlines and insights from industry experts. Covering areas like regulation, marketing, technology, and business growth, this report provides a data-driven perspective on the trends shaping the upcoming year. The SOFTSWISS team shares the possibility of joining the waiting list.
All SOFTSWISS products will be showcased at the final major industry event, SiGMA Europe, at stand 2145.
-
Asia6 days ago
NODWIN Gaming partners with Japanese gaming company KONAMI for âeFootball Diwali Showdownâ
-
Australia7 days ago
Australiaâs BetStop Receives International Regulatory Award
-
Latest News7 days ago
BETBY WELCOMES MAGNUS CARLSEN AS GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
KSA Imposes a Fine of âŹ675,000 on NetX Betting Limited
-
Asia6 days ago
Revenant Esports and Team XSpark Join Forces to Form Revenant XSpark, ScoutOP Revealed as Brand Ambassador
-
Central Europe6 days ago
NOVOMATIC builds the Groupâs largest photovoltaic system in Lower Austria
-
Latest News6 days ago
Videoslots Launches DBET in Sweden with International Tipset Pools
-
Gaming7 days ago
The mobile gaming market is growing and attracting new companies. GAMIVO is the latest example