Conferences
eSports betting vs classic sports betting in North America, a hot topic at Sports Betting & Casino Summit North America
All major sports leagues have been postponed and most of the major sports leagues have been cancelled until further notice – more and more countries are banning major events, fewer and fewer sporting events are taking place. But how should sports betting providers react when enthusiastic betting customers, who want to pursue their hobby, no longer have an offer to bet on? What can you do as a provider who wants to remain relevant and maintain a corresponding offer for your players?
The answers are Virtual Sports (betting on virtual sports events) and eSports (betting on competitions in computer games).
Bets on popular online video games such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Starcraft 2 and CS: GO can hardly be ignored on today’s betting market. Especially in the target group of under 30s, eSports are becoming more and more popular and are now being broadcast 24 hours a day via channels such as Twitch. The worldwide turnover on eSports betting amounts to more than USD 1.8 billion, a figure that is all the more impressive considering the comparatively small fan base. But eSports are steadily gaining more fans, on the one hand due to an aging target group and on the other hand due to an increasing awareness.
The top players themselves, who are comparable in their professionalism and skill to professional soccer or tennis players, are now activating more fans than the Superbowl, for example. The Intel Extreme Masters eSports tournament in Katowice, Poland welcomed more than 173,000 spectators on site and 46 million online in 2019. With prize pools of up to USD 100 million (Fortnite World Cup 2019), player salaries are in no way inferior to those of many professional footballers.
Just like with traditional sports, bets are placed on individual teams and players in eSports. Due to the large number of different types of eSports, the resulting number of betting markets is enormous – the simplest and most suitable betting type for beginners, of course, remains the bet on the overall winner of the game.
The offer of eSports betting is growing steadily – and since it is already common in eSports to play without an audience (most of the season matches are held in small studios), eSports events are a great alternative to the sports events that are currently being canceled.
Depending on the legislature of the respective target market, eSports can complement their offer and are becoming increasingly important. Particularly during the current crisis, interest in eSPorts is likely to experience a rapid increase.
The top industry companies have all confirmed their interest to join the Sports Betting & Casino Summit North America (Virtual Conference), which will open its virtual doors between 23-24 June.
The virtual seats are limited, so hurry and register now to secure your seat(s)! REGISTER HERE
And among the many topics, we are putting together a special panel discussion which is titled “ESPORTS BETTING VS CLASSIC SPORTS BETTING IN NORTH AMERICA”
The panel discussion will be joined by leading experts such as J Moses (Investor & Board Advisor of Bet.Works), Grant Johnson (CEO at Esports Entertainment Group), David McDowell (Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at FSB) and Mark Robson (Co-Founder at Champion Sports). The discussion will be moderated by Marek Suchar (Head of Partnerships at Oddin.gg).
J Moses
Investor, Advisor at Bet.Works
I have nearly 40 years of experience in sports, entertainment, technology, betting & games as a CEO, Founder, Investor, Advisor, Producer & a Director for public & private businesses around the world.
Currently I am hyper focused on the confluence of Technology, Games, eSports, Sports, Betting and Entertainment. I serve as a Director at Take-Two Interactive (Nasdaq: TTWO), publisher of Rock Star, 2K & Private Division Games. I’m also an investor & Board Advisor of Bet.Works (sports betting), ReadyUp (eSports team building), Prize Payments Pro (eSports), and SimulMedia.
After Princeton, I had the dream job of working at ABC Sports where I worked on sporting events around the world, including 4 Olympic Games. I spent 2 years as Special Assist to Roone Arldege, President of ABC News & Sports.
Grant Johnson
CEO at Esports Entertainment Group
Grant Johnson, B.A., Chairman and CEO, Esports Entertainment Group
Grant has served as Chairman and CEO of Esports Entertainment Group since 2015, where he oversaw the Company from its’ inception as an esports wagering company long before most of the world knew of the existence of esports, to a successful NASDAQ IPO and $8.4M raise in April 2020.
His experience in online gambling came from 1996 to 1999 where has Vice President of Vancouver based Starnet Communications International, Inc. a recognized leader in the Internet gambling industry. As Vice President of Business Development, Mr. Johnson led Starnet’s sales team and was a driving force behind Starnet’s leading market position in the B2B sector of the Internet gambling industry.
Mr. Johnson was instrumental in the business development activities at Starnet and was directly involved in establishing many of Starnet’s strategic industry partnerships. A subsidiary of Starnet, World Gaming, still exists today.
David McDowell
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at FSB
David is the co-founder and CEO of FSB. FSB was established in 2007 with the vision to build the industry’s first highly automated sports betting platform driven by live data. The company has become established as a leading B2B solutions supplier best known for its live sports betting technology and as a pioneer of delivering fully managed trading services.
Mark Robson
Co-Founder of Champion Sports
Mark Robson is the co-founder of Champion Sports, an innovative sports betting platform licensed by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. Over the last 15 years, Mark has held a number of high-profile positions within the iGaming industry, including the Head of eGaming for the Department of Economic Development on the Isle of Man.
Marek Suchar
Head of Partnerships at Odding.gg
Marek Suchar, Head of Partnerships at Odding.gg started his career in financial services where he held senior and managerial roles in various areas including business development and sales. His passion for esports brought him to the industry, specifically to the betting vertical. Leveraging the newest technologies at Oddin, Marek aims to significantly improve the engagement within esports betting and build partnerships that will shape the future of esports and esports betting.
Do not miss this unique opportunity to attend a virtual conference that gathers all North American gaming industry experts for 2 days of discussions and networking. Register your seat now!
Conferences
CEO Alona Shevtsova: Leo Messenger Team at SiGMA Europe Conference 2024
The Leo Messenger team has officially arrived at the SiGMA Europe Conference 2024 in Valletta and is excited to meet with partners, clients, and potential collaborators. This premier iGaming event, which takes place from November 11 to 14, brings together global leaders and innovators in the industry, making it the ideal platform for Leo Messenger to showcase its cutting-edge communication technology.
Visitors are invited to the Leo Messenger booth to discover the app’s latest features tailored for the iGaming sector, with exclusive insights into messaging solutions that enhance user engagement and streamline business communication. The Leo Messenger team will also offer promo codes and opportunities for in-depth discussions on its upcoming developments.
“With a wide range of panels, talks, and workshops, SiGMA delivers the latest insights and trends in the gaming and tech sectors. This is an opportunity for us to stay updated with industry shifts and adapt strategies accordingly. Also, the face-to-face environment helps build trust, which is crucial for lead generation and converting prospects into clients.” said Alona Shevtsova, CEO of Leo Messenger.
Leo Messenger has recently introduced payment functionality within its app, allowing users to purchase in-app content easily. More payment capabilities are planned in the coming months. With a focus on privacy and security, Leo Messenger is committed to providing seamless, encrypted communication solutions worldwide.
Those interested in connecting with the Leo Messenger team are encouraged to reach out via LinkedIn or visit the booth to schedule a meeting.
For more information, visit SiGMA Europe 2024 or learn about Leo Messenger at leomessenger.app.
About Leo Messenger:
Leo Messenger is a global communications platform focused on user safety and privacy. Available on iOS and Android, it offers end-to-end encrypted messaging, calls, and media sharing. Leo Messenger is free to download on the Apple Store and Google Play.
Canada
IAGR announces Toronto as host city for 2025 conference
Hot on the heels of its most attended conference in history, the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) is excited to announce that its 2025 conference will take place in Toronto, Canada, from October 20 to 23, 2025.
The event will be held in partnership with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) at the Westin Harbour Castle, offering stunning waterfront views and a premier, downtown Toronto location.
‘Fresh off the success of our Rome conference, we’re thrilled to continue the momentum with next year’s event in Toronto,’ said Ben Haden, IAGR President.
‘The IAGR 2025 conference promises to be another unparalleled opportunity for our global community to come together, collaborate and shape the future of gaming regulation. We’re looking forward to working with AGCO to bring it all together.’
AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr, added, ‘We’re excited to welcome IAGR and its members to Toronto. This partnership provides a great opportunity to share Ontario’s innovative regulatory practices and foster meaningful discussions that drive positive change in the industry.’
Stay tuned for registration details early next year.
Conferences
SBC Summit Rio to Close with a Bang as DJ Megastar Alok Headlines INFINITY Rio
SBC is raising the bar with Brazilian DJ megastar Alok headlining the unmissable INFINITY Rio party on 27 February at SBC Summit Rio 2025.
Building on the incredible success of the first INFINITY edition in Lisbon, Alok’s world-class talent, global fame, and electrifying sets will ensure yet another unforgettable night of high-energy music, creating an extraordinary closing experience as the industry’s biggest party, INFINITY, makes its Brazilian debut in Rio.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “Having Alok, one of the most listened-to Brazilian artists and one of the most followed electronic stars, headlining INFINITY Rio demonstrates the size and scale of SBC Summit Rio. Our delegates are in for a true Tomorrowland experience, blending business networking with genuine world-class entertainment.”
The Riocentro Super Stage, a fresh addition to SBC Summit Rio, will shed its conference atmosphere to host the party, with Alok setting the tone for the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, starting the next day on the 28th of February.
“We’ve timed SBC Summit Rio 2025 perfectly so attendees can dive into business and then roll straight into the Carnival. And with Alok’s performance, there’s no better way to kick off the party,” Sojmark added.
Alok has roots in a family of musical pioneers—his parents, Ekanta and Swarup, are psytrance legends—which has helped him become a global name through the combination of Brazilian rhythms with innovative electronic dance music (EDM). His breakout single ‘Hear Me Now’, created alongside Bruno Martini and Zeeba, has racked up nearly 800 million streams on Spotify alone.
Recognized as a leading force in the Brazilian Bass genre, Alok’s powerful basslines and infectious beats have earned him consistent recognition as one of the world’s top DJs. Ranked 4th in DJ Mag’s Top 100 for three consecutive years (2021-2023), he remains a major force in the EDM world.
The DJ’s success goes beyond just his chart-topping music. With nearly 30 million monthly listeners on Spotify and 30 million Instagram followers, he has become a worldwide phenomenon. He has headlined some of the biggest festivals, including Tomorrowland, Ultra Music Festival, and Lollapalooza, and has collaborated with renowned artists such as Dua Lipa, Jason Derulo and Ed Sheeran.
In addition to his music, Alok has left his mark on popular culture by becoming a character in the popular battle royale game, Garena Free Fire. His impact on the industry has earned him spots on several prestigious charts, including Billboard’s Dance 100, Forbes Brazil’s 30 Most Influential Brazilians, and Spotify’s Top 100 Global.
Aside from his career, Alok is deeply committed to philanthropy. He founded the Alok Institute, which focuses on supporting education, environmental conservation, and social causes in Brazil. As Alok himself said: “Giving is the very purpose of life, and what makes me the happiest.” His efforts to give back extend to the music industry as well—he founded Controversia Records, a sub-label of Spinnin’ Records, and UP Club Records to promote emerging talent.
Sojmark believes that Alok is the perfect act to headline SBC’s second INFINITY: “The INFINITY brand was born in Lisbon, where we hosted our very first EDM-style festival concert featuring big names like Don Diablo, Miss Monique and Darude and the energy that night proved we had created something special. That success confirmed we’re on track, and now INFINITY Rio is taking it to the next level, with star talent like Alok leading the charge and setting a new standard for industry events.”
SBC Summit Rio has quickly established itself as the must-attend event for Brazil and has moved to Riocentro, one of Latin America’s largest convention centers, for its 2025 edition. February’s event is projected to attract more than 15,000 attendees.
Alongside this growth, the introduction of the Super Stage will elevate the attendee experience, while the Affiliate Leaders Summit and Payment Expert Summit brands—both of which debuted in Lisbon—are set to make their Rio debut.
Curious about Brazil’s biggest betting and iGaming event? Visit the official website for more details. Want to join us at the event and INFINITY Rio? Early Bird tickets are available now at R$2000 ( ~ $550 USD). Operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary tickets.
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