WONDR NATION, the online gaming and entertainment company owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, announced a strategic partnership with Sparket, an innovative startup in social gaming technology. Through this initiative, WONDR NATION will launch several products under the iWondr brand, beginning with an immersive free-to-play pop culture-themed prediction contest.

Fusing technology, entertainment, and gaming, the inaugural pop culture prediction contest invites users to forecast and weigh in on trending moments, ranging from the top-grossing box office movies to music and television. Unlike traditional betting platforms, iWondr contests are built on Sparket’s proprietary Social Betwork technology, which combines prediction contests and community.

“This partnership allows us to bring a completely new, culturally relevant experience to audiences who may not typically participate in traditional gaming. At WONDR NATION, we’re committed to innovation that blends culture, technology, and community, and iWondr is a great example of that vision coming to life,” said Anika Howard, CEO of WONDR NATION.

Through WONDR NATION’s continued partnership with Sparket, additional product rollouts and themed contests are planned for the iWondr engagement tool for select events and activations, allowing for real-time interaction among attendees and spectators. From entertainment news to viral trends, iWondr is designed to evolve with cultural moments, engaging with users through the topics they care about.

“We created Sparket to make social gaming a more interactive experience. WONDR NATION’s vision and commitment to audience-first innovation make them the perfect partner to roll out a new form of play that’s engaging and culturally in tune,” said Aaron Basch, CEO and Co-Founder of Sparket.

The pop culture prediction contest is open to participants ages 18 and older nationwide, except where prohibited. Designed for social engagement, the contest is free to play with no purchase required. Users move up the leaderboard by accurately forecasting real-world outcomes in entertainment, with top scorers winning digital gift cards.

PokerGO and PokerStars announced the long-awaited return of the legendary National Heads-Up Poker Championship presented by PokerStars, marking the tournament’s first edition in more than a decade. Episodes of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship presented by PokerStars will premiere exclusively on Peacock in the fall of 2025, before becoming available to stream on PokerGO and PokerStars at a later date.

Known for its single-elimination, bracket-style format, unforgettable moments, and blockbuster personalities, the National Heads-Up Poker Championship returns with a $25,000 buy-in and a renewed commitment to high-stakes, one-on-one competition.

Among the confirmed players are Michael Mizrachi, Jason Koon, Liv Boeree, Bryce Hall, Richard Seymour, Chris Moneymaker, Erik Seidel, Doug Polk, Phil Galfond, Shaun Deeb, Nick Wright, T.J. Lavin, and Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano, with more celebrity names expected.

“The National Heads-Up Poker Championship helped define the golden era of televised poker. We’re proud to partner with PokerStars to bring back a truly iconic brand and share it with a new generation of fans,” said Mori Eskandani, President of PokerGO.

“Bringing back shows like the National Heads-Up Poker Championship is one of the most exciting ways to reignite interest in poker. With a mix of celebrities and top pros, it’s the kind of event that draws in poker enthusiasts while appealing to the masses,” said Francine Watson, Associate Director, of Content & Creative Services.

The event marks the first edition of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship under PokerGO’s ownership, following its recent acquisition of the brand and archived content from NBC Sports.

Asia’s award-winning B2B provider to offer LatAm some of best commercial terms available

Zenith, Asia’s premier iGaming platform provider and a leading B2B ecosystem enabler, has today announced a pivotal move set to transform the iGaming landscape across the world: the provision of PGSoft games at unbeatable rates via its award-winning OneAPI platform and a direct integration through GamesAPI.

As the world’s largest distributor of PGSoft games, Zenith’s position means it can leverage the most competitive commercial terms for operators throughout the LatAm continent.

This strategic initiative directly addresses the soaring demand for PGSoft titles, which have become immensely popular in the region, with fan favourites like Fortune Tiger dominating engagement charts, particularly in Brazil.

PGSoft’s portfolio resonates deeply with LatAm players due to its mobile-first design, culturally relevant themes, and engaging gameplay mechanics. By offering these high-demand games at unrivalled rates, Zenith empowers its partners to significantly boost player acquisition and retention, thereby accelerating their revenue generation in a highly competitive market.

Zenith’s latest strategic offering underscores the provider’s rapid and sustained expansion across Latin America, building on recent, significant partnerships. Zenith’s OneAPI platform, recognised as SiGMA Asia’s Best Aggregator in both 2023 and 2025, provides a seamless, single-integration gateway to an expansive library of over 10,000 games from 150+ global and local studios.

This comprehensive solution, bolstered by Zenith’s robust, localised server infrastructure across LatAm, ensures optimal performance, minimal latency, and a superior player experience for even the most popular and high-traffic titles.

Karina Moral, Senior Business Development Manager at Zenith, commented: “As the world’s largest distributor of PGSoft games, we’re now able to offer truly unbeatable rates to our LatAm partners via both OneAPI and GamesAPI.

“This is a game-changer, giving operators direct access to incredibly popular content at the best commercial terms on the continent. Combined with our robust localised infrastructure and recent partnerships like CP Games and Jugamax, Zenith is firmly committed to driving sustainable growth across Latin America.”

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As Zenith continues to deepen its footprint in Latin America, it remains dedicated to delivering a comprehensive, end-to-end ecosystem of solutions tailored to the unique dynamics of the region’s diverse markets.