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Unraveling the Most Impressive Prize Pools in Esports History
The eSports world will have its collective eyes focused on Seattle starting on October 27th. This is because the Emerald City will once again be hosting The International. For those who don’t follow eSports, The International is the flagship event for Dota 2 and it has been an annual occurrence since 2011. That year, Ukraine’s Natus Vincere won the event earning a share of the $1.6 million prize pool.
While a $1.6 million prize pool is impressive, it is a mere drop in the bucket compared to some of the cash prizes that have been paid out in more recent eSports competitions. While bettors can earn a nice chunk of money betting on eSports at top Dota 2 betting sites or other top-tier bookmakers specialising on other eSports,, the big money remains in those massive prize pools.
Let’s examine a few of the most popular eSports and find out about the record-breaking prize pools they have offered.
PUBG – $4.13 Million
PUBG launched to much fanfare in 2018, and it didn’t take long to establish itself as a major eSport. By 2020, PUBG competitions were offering millions of dollars in prizes. The Peacekeeper Elite League 2020 season set a new record with its $3.1 million prize pool. New records would be set in 2021 and then again in 2022 when the prize pool for the Peacekeeper Elite League generated $4.1 million in cash prizes.
Just three months after that record-breaking prize pool was disbursed, the Peacekeeper Elite League once again broke records with $4.13 booty. It’s safe to say that this PUBG record will eventually fall, but it currently stands as the biggest prize pool for a PUBG event.
Call of Duty – $4.6 Million
In 2018, the Call of Duty World League Championship offered the biggest prize pool the eSport had ever seen. That record of $1.5 million quickly fell as the 2019 iteration of the CoD World League Championship saw $2 million in cash divided amongst the competitors.
While the 2022 and 2013 Call of Duty League Playoffs both broke the $2 million barrier, neither one really came close to the record-breaking $4.6 million prize pool offered at the 2020 CoD League Finals. That one still reigns supreme.
League of Legends – $5 Million
League of Legends is one of the most popular eSports on the planet. The game was released in 2009 and it quickly became popular among players and viewers. When the first LOL World Championship was held in 2011, the event boasted a prize pool of $100,000.
Things were a lot different at the 2016 World Championship when the prize pool eclipsed the $5 million mark. While the prize pool of the 2017 World Championship rang in at an impressive $4.95 million, subsequent events have seen prize pools average about $2.25 million. As such, that $5 million prize pool offered at the 2016 World Championship stands as the record in the realm of League of Legends.
Fortnite – $30 Million
Fortnite was released in 2017 making it one of the newer eSports to find success in a global market. Two of the earliest Fortnite competitions were the Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Ams in 2018 and 2019. Both had $3 million up for grabs. However, it was the $6 million prize pool at the Fortnite Fall Skirmish in 2018 that set the bar. Albeit temporarily.
The biggest prize pool in Fortnite history was offered less than a year after the record-breaking Fall Skirmish. The Fortnite World Cup Finals 2019 didn’t just break the record, but the $30 million prize pool obliterated the previous record. It wasn’t only a record prize pool for Fortnite, but it stands out as one of the most lucrative prize pools in eSports history.
Dota 2 – $40 Million
When it comes to offering massive prize pools, no eSport does it quite like Dota 2. And when it comes to Dota 2 competitions, the annual International is in a league of its own. The inaugural International was held in 2011 and boasted $1.6 million in cash prizes. The prize pools would exponentially grow over the next decade. The International 2019 had a staggering $34.3 million up for grabs which set an all-time eSports record.
Then came The International 2021. Eighteen of the world’s most talented Dota 2 players gathered in Bucharest with an eye-watering $40 in cash prizes at stake. This was and still is the largest chunk of cash ever awarded in any eSports competition.
Stake Colombia is proud to announce its sponsorship and the incorporation of Juan Sebastián Cabal, the Colombian tennis legend, as its new ambassador. This alliance celebrates Cabal’s unparalleled career and reinforces Stake Colombia’s commitment to sports, excellence, and the Colombian community.
Juan Sebastián Cabal, an iconic figure in Colombian tennis, reached the top of the doubles world ranking in 2019, forming one of the most prominent duos of the last decade with Robert Farah. Together, they conquered Wimbledon and the US Open, were finalists at Roland Garros and the Australian Open in men’s doubles, and Cabal also won the Australian Open in mixed doubles. Furthermore, they achieved multiple victories in ATP 1000, 500, and 250 tournaments. His career is a clear example of perseverance, talent, and excellence, leaving an indelible mark on global tennis.
“Having Juan Sebastián Cabal as an ambassador is key for Stake Colombia. At a time when paddle is experiencing an explosion in popularity across the country, fostering entertainment among young people is fundamental. Supporting, connecting with the community, and offering new experiences is what drives us, and this alliance is an opportunity to truly excite both paddle and tennis enthusiasts alike,” stated Diana Otálora, Country Manager of Stake Colombia.
Beyond his impressive records and titles, Juan Sebastián Cabal embodies the fighting and resilient spirit of Colombian athletes. He has represented Colombia in three editions of the Olympic Games and has been a fundamental pillar in the Davis Cup for more than 15 years. Currently, Cabal continues his legacy in padel and sports development through his club “Padeling by Cabal,” which promotes well-being and physical activity in his hometown, inspiring new generations of athletes and strengthening national pride.
Regarding this new alliance with Stake Colombia, Cabal stated that “it is a fantastic opportunity to continue promoting the values of sport and dedication that have accompanied me throughout my career. I am excited about the idea of working together to inspire more people and support sports development in our country.”
The collaboration between Stake and Juan Sebastián Cabal is a testament to their shared passion for sports and entertainment. Through this partnership, Stake Colombia will seek to promote sports integrity and connect communities with innovative and exciting experiences.
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Buffalo Run Casino & Resort Selects QCI Go to Empower Hosts and Enhance Guest Engagement
Buffalo Run Casino & Resort has chosen Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Go, a native mobile app designed specifically for casino hosts, to elevate host productivity and deliver a superior guest experience.
QCI Go provides hosts with powerful tools including player card scanning, real-time player lookup, seamless access to QCI Meet and QCI Events, and robust task management features—all in a user-friendly mobile interface. By putting these capabilities directly in the hands of hosts, QCI Go enables faster service, deeper guest relationships, and greater operational efficiency on the casino floor.
Mary Jewett, Vice President and General Marketing at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort, expressed excitement about the implementation:
“Bringing QCI Go to Buffalo Run Casino & Resort represents a significant advancement in how we empower our hosts to serve guests. With mobile access to key player information, events, and task management, our team can deliver personalized service in real time, enhancing both the guest experience and host effectiveness.”
Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his perspective on the partnership:
“We are thrilled to deploy QCI Go at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort. By providing hosts with mobile access to the QCI platform, we enable them to deliver exceptional, timely service and foster stronger player relationships. This is a great example of how our mobile-first innovations help operators improve team productivity and guest satisfaction.”
QCI Go is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s broader commitment to innovation in the gaming industry, providing operators with state-of-the-art tools that support host teams, streamline operations, and drive meaningful guest engagement.
BMM Testlabs (“BMM” or “the Company”), the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and certification services, today announced that Amit Sharma, former Chief Executive Officer of its BIG Cyber business, has not been affiliated with the Company in any capacity since October 2024.
BIG Cyber is focused on delivering world-class cybersecurity solutions to the global gaming industry under the leadership of Marzia Turrini, President, iGaming & Cybersecurity at BMM Testlabs. Turrini provides executive oversight for BIG Cyber’s strategy, services, and partnerships, ensuring the highest standards of security, professionalism, and customer care.
BMM Testlabs Chief Executive Officer Martin Storm said, “We take the integrity of our brand and communications seriously. While we thank Amit for his past contributions, we want to make it clear that he no longer represents BIG Cyber, BMM Testlabs, or BMM Innovation Group in any form. Our BIG Cyber solutions business continues to grow under the trusted leadership of Marzia Turrini and our global team of experts.”
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