eSports
Gen.G and University of Kentucky Bring Back Award Winning Conference “Campus Takeover” Designed to Drive the Future of Collegiate Esports
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/8-12.jpg)
Global esports and gaming organization Gen.G and the University of Kentucky (UK) are bringing back their award winning collegiate esports industry conference, Campus Takeover, on March 30 and April 6. This two-day event will bring together esports professionals with students and administrators from different universities. UK continues to pave the way as an esports ecosystem leader in the SEC and Midwest region.
Campus Takeover Day 1 is a student-focused event leading up to the professional conference, and will be live-streamed at twitch.tv/universityofky on March 30 starting at 4:30 PM EST. Campus Takeover Day 2, the flagship professional conference, will be hosted at the Don & Cathy Jacobs Science Building on the University of Kentucky campus on April 6, starting at 10:00 AM EST.
“Since we started this event, we had a responsibility to uphold what future students expect of the University of Kentucky when it comes to their budding esports careers. There’s a lot expected about the future of gaming and esports, and we want to make sure our students are well equipped to be that expected change for years to come,” Heath Price, Associate Chief Information Officer at University of Kentucky, said.
Additionally, many esports professionals hailing from different segments of esports business will participate in various panels during Campus Takeover. The panels and discussions will cover a bevy of topics, including how to maximize your time when looking for new jobs, a conversation around esports, influencers, business, and video games, a look at intersectionality in games, and much more. Other clubs and programs will also be welcome to have tables within the Atrium during Campus Takeover, so even newer students get to see everything UK has to offer.
“University of Kentucky has been our long term collegiate partner; their investment in this community allows us to have a small hand in making sure the future of gaming and esports is secure. We all want to see this industry thrive, and we hope Campus Takeover is a stepping stone for other schools to form their own ways to develop the collegiate esports ecosystem,” Martin Kim, Chief Revenue Officer at Gen.G, said.
Campus Takeover was recognized at the 2023 Esports & Gaming Business Summit Tempest Awards, where it won the award for the Collegiate Esports Program of the Year.
Compliance Updates
PandaScore secures their first US betting license, by entering Colorado
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/PandaScore-secures-their-first-US-betting-license-by-entering-Colorado_20240723_130839_0000.png)
After a meticulous and measured research process in consultation with the needs of its clients, PandaScore has acquired a license to operate in the US state of Colorado.
Through the license, PandaScore has signalled its intentions in the US market: forging a supplier-led path to esports betting success in the US. Existing PandaScore clients can now enter the Colorado market, scale up their esports offering and build their future audience in the state’s esports-friendly regulatory framework.
Future clients can also be confident that working with PandaScore supports their growth strategy in the lucrative US market. The state’s esports-friendly regulatory framework serves as a solid foundation to cultivate an esports audience and take advantage of PandaScore’s innovative, revenue-driving products such as BetBuilder, player props and microbetting.
PandaScore selected Colorado as its first point of entry into US licensing thanks to the state’s large catalogue of esports titles and competitions that are eligible for regular betting, and the wide range of markets that can be offered. Additionally, the state’s flexible and innovation-friendly licensing regime makes it a strong market for PandaScore and its clients.
Securing the license also serves as proof of concept for the French esports supplier, PandaScore Legal Counsel Alexis Brunet noted that “securing the Colorado license is a strong signal of our intentions in the US and are serious about its potential. Esports in the United States is a fast-evolving regulatory environment, but it’s only going in one direction: expansion. We intend to provide our best-in-class products and services to our customers no matter where they are, and service one of the largest markets in the world.”
For PandaScore CEO Flavien Guillocheau, entry into Colorado in the US market was the natural next step in the company’s client-first, service-oriented approach: “For esports to succeed in the US, suppliers must lead from the front. Suppliers need to address the uncertainty around regulation which has held back operator investment and thus growth of the vertical.
“We’ve proven we know the market, get a license efficiently and do it in a way that puts operators first. We’re confident that if our clients are seeking entry into a given market, we can be completely straight with them, show them the viable pathway to success, and create the foundation and access they need to fully harness the potential of esports in one of its biggest consumer markets.”
eSports
the*gamehers and Thunderpick Extend Partnership into 2025
![the*gamehers and Thunderpick Extend Partnership into 2025](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/thegamehers-and-Thunderpick.png)
Leading esports brand kick off a year of empowering women gamers, exclusive content, and tournaments
the*gamehers, the women-focused community gaming platform, and Thunderpick, the leading online esports betting platform and host of Thunderpick World Championship today announced the continuation of their partnership into 2025. The collaboration aims to empower the gaming community, specifically focusing on women and femme-identifying gamers and content creators, through an immersive 12-month campaign.
The campaign will feature a content series highlighting women in gaming through brand features, ambassador Twitch streams, exclusive ambassador content, and a biannual tournament that includes behind-the-scenes footage from the ambassador team. Thunderpick and the*gamehers recently hosted the successful femme-focused CS2 Wildcard Tournament in May of this year in Atlanta. More exciting details will be unveiled as the partnership develops.
“This partnership is the perfect way to promote women’s empowerment in esports and the overall gaming community, and we are excited to have the opportunity to partner with a company that has similar goals for women’s inclusion in gaming,” said Allie Young, President of the*gamehers.
“Thunderpick is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the esports community,” said Kelly Sanders, Head of Strategy at Thunderpick. “Our extended partnership with the*gamehers underscores our dedication to empowering women gamers and supporting femme-led esports organizations. We believe that in collaboration with the*gamehers we can not only better highlight the incredible talent of women in gaming but also inspire the next generation of gamers to pursue their passions without boundaries.”
eSports
HAWKS TALON GC HOSTS PANEL, NBA 2K TOURNAMENT AT WADE WALKER PARK FAMILY YMCA ESPORTS SUMMER CAMP
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HAWKS-TALON-GC-HOSTS-PANEL-NBA-2K-TOURNAMENT-AT-WADE-WALKER-PARK-FAMILY-YM_20240711_135452_0000.png)
Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, hosted a panel and bracket style tournament on Wednesday at the Wade Walker Park Family YMCA as part of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s Esports summer camp.
Director of Marketing and Operations, Affiliate Leagues, Wesley Acuff, Hawks Talon GC Head Coach, Ismael ‘MAELO’ Diaz Tolentino, and Hawks Talon GC players Mark David “MDS” Smith, Ludlow “LOW” Samuels and Elijah “Underratedgoat” Spears spoke to 26 camp participants about their journey to the NBA 2K League, and the uniqueness and innerworkings of the League.
“Being able to work with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and help with their Esports camp was extremely rewarding for our group to be a part of,” said Janice Koon, Vice President of G League, and NBA 2K League Operations for the Atlanta Hawks. “Our Hawks Talon Gaming Club always relish the opportunity to be able to interact with the young kids in our area, and it was a joy for them to talk to and play 2K with the campers this morning.”
After the panel, the group of campers split up into 13 teams to face off head-to-head in a NBA 2K 2v2, single elimination bracket tournament.
In addition to the tournament, the campers were able to utilize another PlayStation within the Wade Walker Family YMCA Esports lab and jump into a 2K game with the official NBA 2K League settings, while utilizing Hawks Talon GC player avatars. The campers were able to play by the official NBA 2K League rules and game settings to experience the authentic feel of being a professional NBA 2K player.
At the end of the tournament, the first, second, and third place teams received Hawks Talon Gaming Club t-shirts and sweatshirts, while all campers will be gifted an official Hawks Talon Gaming Club jersey with the YMCA patch.
“Our Y Esports summer camps help children build self-confidence, practice sportsmanship and gain news skills, while connecting with other gamers,” said Lorna Loh, executive director of the Wade Walker Park Family YMCA. “We greatly appreciate Hawks Talon GC’s partnership and commitment to providing our Y kids with an informative, fun panel about the league and interactive opportunities to improve their skills.”
-
Latest News3 days ago
Fast Track Secures Landmark Deal with Suprema Group – Setting a New Standard in the Brazilian iGaming Market
-
Gambling in the USA5 days ago
BetBlocker Recognised for Outstanding Contribution to the Prevention of Gambling Harm at NCPG Awards 2024
-
Latest News3 days ago
Light & Wonder Expands Presence in Oregon with Additional Placements of KASCADA Dual Screen Multi-Games
-
Industry News4 days ago
Penn Entertainment to Lay Off About 100 Employees
-
Latest News3 days ago
Rakin’ Bacon Sahara® Launches Exclusively in New Jersey at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and online at Hard Rock Bet
-
partnerships3 days ago
GGPoker & Triton Poker Offer High-Roller And Super-High-Roller Events At 2024 WSOP Paradise
-
Latest News3 days ago
bet365 Announces Official Launch in Pennsylvania
-
Daily Fantasy Sports5 days ago
DraftKings Becomes Official Partner of the WNBA