Gaming

SBC Summit North America: 5,000 Decision-Makers to Convene for Industry-shaping Talks

Published

1 year ago

November 22, 2023

SBC Summit North America is gearing up for another edition, set to gather 5,000 senior decision-makers for a dynamic event filled with learning, networking and business opportunities.

The leading iGaming and sports betting event in North America will return to the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey (May 8-9). Preceding the core event, a pre-day conference (May 7) will unfold in New York City and showcase the well-regarded Player Protection Symposium and Compliance & Leadership conferences as well as the newly-established Earnings+More: Capital Markets Forum, organized in collaboration with +More Media.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of SBC said: “The goal is to leverage the momentum we gained last year when we gathered the key operators, affiliates, suppliers, regulators, and media from the North American region. We anticipate a 66% surge in delegate numbers and are focused on attracting both industry newcomers and those who missed out on the opportunity to attend last year. The early numbers are promising, and the exhibition floor is approaching full capacity, even though we had added 15 extra booths this year to meet the demand.”

The exhibition floor is set to showcase a diverse lineup, with over 75 prominent companies taking the spotlight. Standout exhibitors include leading game providers like White Hat Gaming and Relax Gaming, alongside notable affiliates such as Better Collective, MediaTroopers, Spotlight Sports Group, and KeyAffiliates. Key payment providers like Trustly, PayNearMe, TransUnion, PXP Financial, and PayBrokers, operators like Betsson, risk management platforms like Kinectify, real-time content and data providers such as SportsDataIO and hosting providers like Internet Vikings will further enhance the comprehensive range of offerings, making the exhibition a must-visit for industry enthusiasts seeking the latest innovations.

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The conference, spanning five stages and featuring over 300 expert speakers, will showcase a diverse selection of tracks: Leaders, Sports Betting, iGaming, Affiliates & Marketing, Payments & Tech, and Compliance & Regulation.”

In terms of themes, the conference will delve into several crucial topics shaping the multifaceted nature of the industry, highlighting its intersection with technological advancements, regulatory considerations and the critical balance between innovation and responsibility. These include the recent trend of revising existing sports betting bills instead of introducing new ones, the strategic considerations for second movers within the saturated sector, the influential role of social media personalities, and the challenge of interpreting extensive big data to gain insights into customer behavior across diverse channels. Furthermore, discussions will center around the role of artificial intelligence in promoting responsible gaming practices, the ongoing expansion of iGaming in new states, the evolving dynamics of sports integrity, and the ongoing regulatory deliberations in regions such as California and Canada.

Some of the speakers that will grace the stage include Kim Barker Lee (EVP & Chief Legal Officer, Bally’s Corporation), David Denenberg (SVP, Global Media Distribution & Business Affairs, NBA), Matthew Sunderland (SVP of iGaming, Caesars Digital), Dave Rivers (SVP Marketing, PointsBet Canada), Sarah Brennan (Senior Director-Compliance, BetMGM), Justin Barrett (Treasurer, Eastern Shawnee Tribe), Noam Klivitzky (VP US Marketing, 888 Holdings), Jon Steinbrecher (Commissioner, Mid-American Conference), Michael Golub (Deputy Attorney General, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement), Catherine Meade (VP Community, Sustainability & Social Responsibility, OLG), Jacob Coin (Director of Public Affairs, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians) and more.

Alongside other notable event features, the SBC Awards North America* ceremony will be back on the final day, celebrating outstanding industry talent across various categories and verticals. Additionally, the third annual SBC First Pitch competition will be a key highlight, providing a platform for five industry startups to showcase their innovative ideas to a panel of judges specializing in investment and innovation. Another addition to this year’s roster will be the so-called Tribal Symposium—a series of conference panels dedicated to exploring the intricate landscape of tribal gaming. One session will focus on the regulatory roadblocks in California and another one offering advice on identifying and effectively addressing signs of human trafficking in land-based casinos.

In the evenings, attendees can seize the chance to network before the main event by attending the Pre-Registration & Networking Drinks at Slate NYC on May 7. Furthermore, they can shift discussions away from the exhibition floor to a more laid-back setting at the Official Networking Party and Sports Betting Hall of Fame on May 8, followed by the Official Closing Party on May 9.

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Gaming

SPGA Announces Social Sweeps Game Sector Video Briefing

Published

1 month ago

October 9, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA) has released a video briefing designed to provide insight and information on the social sweeps gaming model. This briefing is designed to address the growing attention and interest in how the social casino with sweepstakes prizing functions and why millions of players across America enjoy this safe and legal form of entertainment.

This inaugural SPGA briefing features insights from Matt Kaufman, Managing Director, Digital & Interactive Gaming at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, and Jon Kaplowitz, CEO and Co-Founder of Clubs Poker. The discussion is moderated by prominent sports betting industry founder and investor Chris Grove.

eSports

CS2 Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024 SuperComputer: NaVi to bounce back after Blast Fall Final loss

Published

2 months ago

October 7, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Final: Natus Vincere (36.5%) to beat Team Vitality (28.1%)

Semifinal 1: Natus Vincere (52.6%) to beat MOUZ (16.3%)

Semifinal 2: Team Vitality (47.7%) to beat G2 Esports (18.7%)

Quarterfinal 1: G2 Esports (39.8%) to beat FaZe Clan (32.8%)

Quarterfinal 2: MOUZ (35.9%) to beat Eternal Fire (24.7%)

Group stage:

Natus Vincere – 48.7% to finish 1st; 17.0% to finish 2nd; 84.1% to make playoffs
Team Vitality – 40.8% to finish 1st; 17.4% to finish 2nd; 77.7% to make playoffs
G2 Esports – 19.3% to finish 1st; 20.4% to finish 2nd; 56.7% to make playoffs
MOUZ – 14.5% to finish 1st; 21.8% to finish 2nd; 53.0% to make playoffs
FaZe Clan – 13.9% to finish 1st; 21.0% to finish 2nd; 50.2% to make playoffs
Eternal Flame – 40.7% to finish 1st; 16.2% to finish 2nd; 40.7% to make playoffs
Liquid – 16.3% to finish 7-8th; 35.7% to make playoffs
Virtus.pro – 15.4% to finish 7-8th; 29.9% to make playoffs
Astralis – 28.9% to finish 9-12th; 31.5% to make playoffs
The MongolZ – 32.7% to finish 9-12th; 25.4% to make playoffs
Complexity – 34.3% to finish 9-12th; 21.2% to make playoffs
Heroic – 26.8% to finish 9-12th; 23.5% to make playoffs
paiN – 36.5% to finish 13-16th; 21.0% to make playoffs
FURIA – 36.4% to finish 13-16th; 20.9% to make playoffs
9z – 44.7% to finish 13-16th; 14.6% to make playoffs
Imperial – 49.1% to finish 13-16th; 13.9% to make playoffs

It has been quite the run for NaVi despite their loss with back to back grand finals in recent weeks but CSDB.gg’s predictive model suggests there will be no let up for the Ukrainian esports organisation.

G2 will also be looking to build more momentum in preparation for Majors season with NiKo on a quest to finally get over the line this year to win his first major title. Hopefully Rio won’t have to see a repeat of his reaction in the semifinals at BLAST Premier Fall Final 2024 where he punched a hole in a table after losing out to Team Vitality in a key moment.

However, the hosts of Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024 may want to lockdown any nearby furniture and reinforce their desks if G2 are set for disappointment at the semifinals stage as predicted by the CSDB.gg SuperComputer.

A victory in Rio could be even more consequential for how the end of the year shapes up for the leading teams on the circuit. The Valve Global rankings have both teams close at the very top (NaVi at 1988 and G2 at 1953) meaning a win for either team could hand them a key advantage when it comes to who enters the Majors as top seed.

Back-to-back wins in T1 events for G2, should they prosper in Rio, would set the Berlin-based team on an incredible trajectory going into the winter months.

Meanwhile, Brazilian hopes for glory look slight according to the CSDB.gg SuperComputer with FURIA, the team co-owned by Neymar, having only been given a 20.9% chance of even making the playoffs.

They are the leading contenders to make an impact for the home crowd but there are other teams flying the flag for Brazil with paiN and Imperial also set to give it their best to give local fans something to cheer on.

In terms of forecasted matchups of note, G2 and FaZe Clan could offer up a fascinating encounter in the quarterfinals should both teams qualify, with each organisation rated as having a strong chance of making the semis with little to separate them should they meet.

How was the CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer created?

The CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer is a predictive model created using world ranking points, team quality ratings and performance trends. An element of randomness is also included in the model to avoid the best teams and players always winning, to reflect the fact that upsets can happen.

Every tournament is simulated 1,000 times with the results aggregated into a percentage rating of the chances teams or players have to achieve the predicted result.

Gaming

NASCAR launches persistent world on Roblox where players can become racing tycoons

Published

4 months ago

July 18, 2024

Peter Tolan

NASCAR is once again taking the virtual racing world by storm, this time with the launch of “NASCAR Tycoon” on Roblox created by Dubit.

Building on the success of its previous “NASCAR Speed Hub,” this new experience promises to deliver an even more immersive and interactive NASCAR world.

Developed in partnership with the renowned metaverse studio Dubit, “NASCAR Tycoon” allows players to dive deep into the management and racing aspects of NASCAR, offering a unique blend of strategy and high-speed thrills in a distinctly Roblox-native way.

Players will have the opportunity to jump in the driver’s seat of cars styled after NASCAR’s Next Gen Cup Series vehicles, competing against each other and managing teams in thrilling races. Earning fame and fortune as they build their virtual tycoon, players can make passive income while they play. As players progress in “NASCAR Tycoon,” they will unlock exclusive perks such as building their own NASCAR racing teams, expanding their garages, collecting new cars, accessing customizations and attracting sponsors.

The launch comes hot on the heels of recent Fortnite activations and follows the debut of NASCAR in Jailbreak and NASCAR Speed Hub last year – a virtual environment built by Dubit, for players to race around tracks linked to real-world races.

“We’re thrilled to launch ‘NASCAR Tycoon’ on Roblox, developed in partnership with Dubit, marking a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to authentically engage with the Roblox community,” said Nick Rend, VP of Interactive and Emerging Platforms at NASCAR. “This initiative is about more than reaching new audiences; it’s about deepening our connection on a platform where we see tremendous potential. By blending the excitement of NASCAR with the interactive and dynamic environment of Roblox, we’re enhancing traditional fandom in ways that are engaging, fun, and distinctly forward-looking.”

With over 300 million monthly active users, Roblox is ripe with opportunities for sporting organisations like NASCAR and offers a chance to engage with audiences in an immersive and interactive environment.

Andrew Douthwaite, Chief Commercial Officer at Dubit, shares his excitement: “We’re thrilled to bring the next phase of NASCAR to life on Roblox, building on the success of previous activations. NASCAR Tycoon allows Roblox players to experience the excitement of NASCAR racing like never before, blending the strategic elements of team management with the adrenaline-pumping action on the track. It has been a true joy working with such a forward-thinking, iconic sports brand in NASCAR, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries together”

Dubit has created Roblox activations, virtual merchandise ranges and experiences for global brands including Unilever, Samsung, Reckitt, Kraft, H&M and adidas.

“NASCAR Tycoon” is now available on Roblox.