awards
ESPORTS AWARDS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN ESPORTS CLASS OF 2023 ANNOUNCED
The Esports Awards presented by Lexus, the most prestigious night in the esports calendar, is excited to present the inductees for this year’s Lifetime Achievement in Esports award, which celebrates those that have dedicated their professional life to improving the industry. This year’s Lifetime Achievement inductees include Michael “Odee” O’Dell co-founder of Dignitas, 38x COD Champion Ian “Crimsix” Porter and esports host and Vice President of Programming for MLG .tv Chris Puckett.
The Lifetime Achievement inductees are carefully chosen by the esteemed Esports Awards panel, with each member nominating an individual they deem deserving of the accolade. This year’s selection will join the likes of Dennis ‘Thresh’ Fong, the first professional gamer in history, Stephanie “missharvey” Harvey, Chief Culture Officer at Fly Quest and retired CS:GO player who achieved a staggering 5 World Championships, and Ralf Reichert, Co-CEO, Founder, and Chairman at ESL FACEIT Group.
To merit this distinction, candidates must fulfil three essential criteria: a substantial and enduring impact on the advancement of esports throughout their professional journey, a significant and sustained dedication to the industry’s progress, and a distinguished status as a longstanding advocate who has achieved widespread recognition through their contributions. To celebrate the arrival of the 2023 inductees, the Esports Awards will host them at the Lifetime Achievement Mixer, a unique event in the industry that allows all classes of the Lifetime Achievement Award to meet and network.
The full list of lifetime achievement inductees are:
- Chris Puckett – Former professional Halo player, long-standing esports host who made his name in MLG -Call of Duty but has been a mainstay from 2004 to the present day.
- Michael “Odee” O’Dell – One of the founders of Dignitas, who has been a part of the esports industry since 1999.
- Victor “Nazgul” Goossens – Retired professional StarCraft: Brood War Player who founded Team Liquid at 17 years old.
- Shane “rapha” Hendrixson – Considered the greatest Quake player of all time, with his esports career spanning from 2002 to the present day.
- Manuel “Grubby” Schenkhuizen – One of the most successful real-time strategy players of all time, playing Warcraft III, Age of Empires and Starcraft II.
- Lee “Flash” Young Ho – Began his career in 2007 as a Starcraft professional player and quickly became one of the best players of all time.
- Marc Merrill – Co-Founder, Co-Chairman, and President of Games for Riot Games.
- Ian “Crimsix” Porter – Currently, the ESL R1 Driver for FaZeClan, who retired from professional Call of Duty after becoming 38x COD Champion and winning 3 COD World Championships.
“I am elated to share the Lifetime Achievement Class of 2023 inductees. All of these individuals have laid the foundation for the current generation of esports. Through their hard work, dedication, and perseverance, they have been instrumental in shaping the esports industry into what it has become today. We are proud to welcome eight of the most influential inductees into the Lifetime Achievement Awards” said Michael Ashford, CEO, Esports Awards.
The Esports Awards 2023 campaign key dates:
- 13th – 20th November: Turbo voting period–votes are worth double
- 20th November: Voting closes on all categories but 3
- 25th November: Voting closes for Esports PC Player, Esports Organisation and Esports Team of the Year
- 27th & 28th November: Inaugural Scholars
- 29th November: Lifetime Achievement Mixer
- 0th November: Esports Awards 2023 presented by Lexus
The 2023 Esports Awards is brought to you in partnership with Lexus, Xfinity, Oakley, and 5GRV.
awards
Vibra Gaming win double awards at SBC LatAm 2024 – “Bingo & Lottery Supplier of the Year” AND silver for “Casino & iGaming Supplier”
Go-to LatAm online and land-based content and platform technology provider claims biggest prizes so far
Vibra Gaming, the ‘go-to’ content and platform developer for the LatAm region, has won its most significant awards in its five-year history, claiming both ‘Bingo & Lottery Supplier of the year’ and silver for ‘Casino & iGaming Supplier of the year’ at the SBC LatAm Awards.
The rapidly growing provider, that has made huge inroads in the LatAm market in 2023-24 across its three divisions; Vibra Gaming, Vibra Solutions and Vibra VLT, claimed the awards ahead of several larger and more well-established competitors.
In the bingo and lottery category the judges recognized Vibra for its pioneering approach to instant lottery products. Its Scratch-a-lot titles are unique in the market, and its EGM platform is specifically designed for LatAm.
Plans are already in place to expand its content portfolio across hundreds more video lottery terminals in Brazil following the great reception of its games on VLTs in the states of Paraíba and Maranhão. The company also plans to distribute content in terminals in Mexico, Peru, and Argentina in the coming months.
In the casino and iGaming category Vibra was rewarded for its high-performing proprietary content development and distribution that has formed the bedrock of the business since its foundation.
Ramiro Atucha, CEO, Vibra Gaming, said: “To see our efforts recognised across flagship categories that touch all three of our business divisions, and to win ahead of so many fantastic other suppliers, is one of the highlights of our journey as a company so far. To say we’re thrilled would be an understatement!
“These awards prove how far we’ve come in such a short space of time and justify all the effort every individual puts into Vibra every single day. I’m so pleased for everyone involved and I’d like to thank them all. They deserve this success.”
Founded four years ago by a management team of highly experienced industry experts with decades of land-based and online experience, Vibra Gaming has emerged as one of the most exciting and innovative content studios and software developers in the industry and rapidly grown to become the LatAm market’s ‘go-to’ partner for local and international operators.
Betsson Group celebrates its success at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024, winning two prestigious awards: Sportsbook Operator of the Year and Leader of the Year, which was awarded to Kevin Saliba, Commercial Director (Business Development) for Latin America. This marks the second consecutive year Betsson has earned the Leader of the Year accolade, following Andrea Rossi’s win in 2023 – an achievement that underscores our consistent leadership in the region.
The company also secured three silver awards, highlighting its ongoing commitment to excellence across various aspects of its business:
• Sponsorship of the Year: Recognising the partnership with Boca Juniors, which continues to resonate deeply with fans across Latin America.
• Marketing Campaign of the Year: Celebrating the successful Copa America campaign, which captured the excitement of the region’s most anticipated football tournament.
• Employer of the Year: A testament to the dedication to fostering a positive workplace culture that supports the growth and development of our employees.
Betsson’s win as Sportsbook Operator of the Year reflects its commitment to delivering a top-tier experience for sports fans across Latin America, supported by over 350 promotions, streaming services, and exclusive features like the Betsson Million and SUPER ODDS. These offerings, paired with high-profile partnerships with clubs like Boca Juniors and Racing Club, as well as ambassadors like Zé Roberto and Iván Zamorano, continue to enhance the brand’s visibility and appeal in the region.
Guiding this growth is Leader of the Year Kevin Saliba, whose market-focused leadership has driven Betsson’s expansion and opened new opportunities across Latin America. His strategic initiatives have strengthened Betsson’s brand presence throughout the region, underscoring his commitment to Betsson’s values of passion, teamwork, and market leadership.
Rush Street Interactive Inc. has announced that it has been named Casino Operator of the Year at the prestigious SBC Latinoamérica Awards 2024. This accolade highlights RSI’s exceptional growth and commercial success in the Latin American market.
“We are honored to receive the SBC’s Latinoamérica’s Casino Operator of the Year award. This recognition is a testament to our strategic focus on expanding our presence in Latin America and delivering a superior gaming experience to our players. Our commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and responsible gaming continues to drive our success in this dynamic market. RSI has significantly expanded its footprint in Latin America, launching operations in new markets and strengthening its position as a top-tier operator. We have introduced a range of innovative gaming products and services tailored to the preferences of Latin American players,” said Richard Schwartz, CEO of RSI.
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