Latest News
How Saudi Arabia intends to Become a Global Hub for Gaming and Esports
Qatar is hosting the FIFA World Cup, but Saudi Arabia is making sure it is not left behind. The Kingdom has made a whopping investment worth $37.8 billion which is designed to serve a single purpose – elevating Saudi Arabia’s status as a global hub for gaming and esports. Much of this is owed to the forward-thinking Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown prince, who has seen competitive video gaming as a way to appeal to young voters and beckon to international youth that Saudi Arabia is more progressive than previously thought.
Building the Esports and Gaming Future of Saudi Arabia
All of the recent events seem to help the Saudis on their way to becoming a major force in the world of competitive video gaming. According to reports, Shily, Electronic Arts, Valve, and Riot Games are considering holding events in Saudi Arabia. Qatar will be a test site to see if the country can use esports and gaming to bring in tourists.
Prince bin Salman is very perceptive, as he realizes that competitive video gaming alone is not the solution. The prince is adamant about creating jobs in the region and ensuring everyone has opportunities. In the meantime, esports has taken off in the Kingdom and viewers of digital eSports content from Saudi Arabia have drastically increased during 2022. eSports betting is no exception and accounts for most visitors to www.arabwinners.com. Saudi Arabian viewers also account for the majority of subscribers to their YouTube channel where they live stream local and international eSports events in Arabic.
But Prince Bin Salman himself is making a gamble on eSports. He similarly wants to create more employment opportunities for young Saudis, having encouraged investments from overseas developers, such as Ubisoft and Electronic Arts who are exploring the idea of setting up more permanent offices in the Kingdom. By 2030, bin Salman wants to see as many as 39,000 jobs linked to video gaming created in the Kingdom.
As the west strongly shifts towards battery-powered means of transportation and renewable energy, this should give the Saudi Arabian economy yet another outlet to make it more adaptable and nimble as fuel revenue is beginning to slowly but noticeably dry up. Additionally, investing in video games makes a lot of sense. The multi-billion dollar esports business is continually growing.
Even while there are some worries that China would ban esports and reduce their total value, the rest of the world appears to be catching on. Saudi Arabia and the Middle East joining is a good thing for video games all over the world, especially since eSports in China are on the decline because of their strict rules. But only time will tell whether the Saudis’ bid is successful.
All the Tell-Tale Signs of Success Are Already There
Even though Saudi Arabia is a relatively new destination for eSports betting, the country is already exhibiting clear signs of sustainability and long-term success. The officials tasked with changing Saudi Arabia’s reputation as an esports and gaming-friendly nation are doing a good job of building the local ecosystem.
People don’t usually play video games in public, but attendance at FIFA and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds tournaments has stayed the same. In a report released earlier this year, Boston Consulting Group observed that the country’s move toward more eSports and gaming is unquestionably a beneficial move and that it reflects well for both its image and future investment potential.
According to the group, the nation already has more than 23.5 million gamers living there, so there is unquestionably the grassroots power to move things along quickly. But it seems that Saudis may still be a little cautious to seek a career in professional video gaming, unlike gamers from Asia, Europe, and North America. It will be clear that Saudi Arabia’s eSports market is expanding once we start to see more professional players there as well.
Compliance Updates
Booming Games’ premium content is now certified in Brazil
Booming Games has successfully obtained the required certification to operate in Brazil, fully complying with the regulations set by Brazil’s gambling regulator, the Secretariat of Evaluation, Planning, Energy, and Lottery (SECAP).
Booming Games became one of the first providers to get approval and be compliant. This milestone enables them to offer its wide array of gaming content to licensed operators in Brazil, allowing Brazilian players to dive into fan favourites like Burning Classics, Gold Gold Gold, TNT Bonanza 2, Cash Pig, Buffalo Hold and Win Extreme, and Ronaldinho Spins, enhancing their gaming experience.
Expanding into Brazil’s iGaming market represents a pivotal achievement for Booming Games, reinforcing its presence across Latin America and strengthening its position as a leading gaming content provider on the continent. Booming Games remains dedicated to delivering high-quality entertainment globally, with this Brazilian expansion highlighting its commitment to serving diverse gaming audiences worldwide.
Frederik Niehusen, Chief Commercial Officer at Booming Games, commented: “We’re excited to have achieved full certification in Brazil, marking an important step in strengthening our presence in this rapidly expanding market. We’re eager to build on this success, driving growth and bringing exceptional gaming experiences to players throughout Brazil. 2025 promises to be an exciting year, and we look forward to sharing more updates soon.”
Gambling in the USA
Spin Your Way to Political Fun in Slotland and WinADay’s Race for Office MegaMatrix Slot
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As the Game of the Month on Slotland and WinADay, Race for Office will be featured with special Match bonuses—55% at Slotland and 44% at WinADay. Players using cryptocurrency can enjoy a 75% Match on Slotland deposits of $5 to $500, and a 66% Match on WinADay deposits of $40 to $200!
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View a video version of this story
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Compliance Updates
Tennessee Sports Wagering Council Takes Action Against Illegal Sportsbook
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council through its executive director issued $50,000 in fines to Bovada.lv, an unlicensed and therefore illegal sportsbook operating in Tennessee.
Bovada failed to comply with cease and desist letters delivered to addresses in Curaçao, and Council investigators placed wagers through Bovada’s platform on three separate occasions, including as recently as October 16, 2024.
The Sports Gaming Act authorizes the Council to impose a $10,000 fine for the first offense of accepting wagers without a license, which rises to $15,000 for the second offense, and $25,000 for the third offense. Subsequent offenses may lead to the imposition of a $25,000 fine for each occurrence, an occurrence being a single wager accepted in Tennessee.
In the cease and desist letters, the Council ordered Bovada to allow all Tennessee users to withdraw any funds currently held by the unlicensed sportsbook.
“The Sports Wagering Council recommends that Tennessee users of Bovada withdraw their funds immediately. Our primary role is the protection of the public interest through a safe, regulated environment, and Tennessee sports bettors need to know that just because they can access a sports betting website or app inside Tennessee’s borders does not mean it is licensed to do business here,” Mary Beth Thomas, Executive Director of Tennessee Sports Wagering Council, said.
Legal sportsbook operators provide important bettor protections not found in the illegal market. If an individual wagers with unlicensed sportsbooks, their sensitive financial and personal information may not be protected and could even be shared with criminal enterprises. The bettor’s money could be withheld or disappear without a way to recover it.
The SWC is working closely with its network of law enforcement at the state and federal level to eradicate illegal sportsbooks such as Bovada and others.
Tennessee is the largest “online-only” sports betting market in the US, with more than $4.7 billion wagered in Tennessee last fiscal year through online sportsbooks licensed by the Council.
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