Stake is thrilled to announce that Brazil’s Ministry of Finance has officially included Stake Brazil Ltda. in the country’s list of authorised betting operators.

The decision was made following a thorough review of Stake’s application and supporting documents and will allow the brand to operate in Brazil’s booming iGaming market.

While the Ministry of Finance is in the process of evaluating a full licence application, Stake’s inclusion on the authorised operator list will allow Stake Brazil to continue offering the best-in-class gaming and betting experience that local consumers have come to expect.

Stake’s commitment to Brazil will soon be further enhanced, with plans to open an office in São Paulo. The operator will also hire a dedicated country manager, just as it has in other key Latam territories, to bolster operations and hire additional team members. This is in order to grow the local footprint in the region, while complementing Stake’s global operations.

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From a partnerships point of view in Brazil, Stake has already enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Série A side Juventude during its first season with the club, which culminated in a journey to the Campeonato Gaucho Final & Copa do Brazil Quarter Final.

Stake’s partnership with UFC in Brazil has also gone from strength to strength over the years while working with athletes like Alex Pereira and Alexandre Pantoja as they aim to cement their champion status.

Stake would like to extend its gratitude to customers, partners, and the Brazilian regulatory authorities for their support and cooperation during this process.

WPT@ Global is excited to announce the signing of professional hockey player and poker fan Phil Kessel as its latest brand ambassador. Kessel, a 3-time Cup champion and fan-favorite
across the NHL, brings his love of poker to the WPT Global community in Canada, kicking off an exciting partnership linking his passion for poker and sports on a worldwide scale.

A seasoned poker player, Kessel has been a regular member in the Canadian poker community, creating a unique fan base in NHL cities through his engaging presence at Iocal card rooms. He now brings that cool demeanor and fun energy to the online tables at WPT Global, a great collaboration to celebrate his influence as a poker fan and hockey icon.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Phil to the WPT Global brand,” said Alex Scott president
of WPT Global. “Phil has not only excelled as a world-class ice hockey player but is also a huge poker enthusiast who embodies the values we hold dear. He’s engaging, passionate, and always striving to improve – qualities that make him a perfect fit for the WPT Global poker
community. His unique connection to both sports and poker gives him the ability to bridge those worlds, and we’re excited to deliver unforgettable experiences for our players, especially in Canada, both on and off the felt.’

In his new role, Kessel works closely with WPT Global’s Team Canada” player engagement
team, helping create memorable and exclusive experiences for the poker community. To celebrate his signing, Kessel and WPT Global are holding an event during the Oct. 14-30 WPTO Playground Festival in Montreal. Media outlets, hockey fans and poker players are invited to participate and enjoy this event, with opportunities on-site to meet Kessel in person.

“I’m incredibly excited to work with WPT Global. I have been an avid poker player for over 20 years, and a huge fan of the World Poker Tour,” said Kessel. “I can’t wait to kick-off this relationship in Montreal and bring some cool experiences to fans.

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Media Interviews at WPT Montreal:

Members of the media are invited to meet and interview Kessel Oct 14-20 at the WPT Playground Poker Club Festival in Montreal. This is a unique opportunity to discuss his new role with WPT Global, his passion for poker, and his upcoming tournament providing the winner a VIP experience with Kessel in Las Vegas.

In addition to his in-person appearance in Montreal, Kessel is hosting his very own lronman
Tournament on WPT Global on Nov. 27 at 7PM EST. This event is exclusive and invite-only,
offering the following prizes:

• 1st Place: A VIP WPT World Championship Package including travel to Las egas, hotel accommodations, dinner, golf with Phil, and entry to the $10,400 WPT World Championship Main Event.
• 2nd-5th Place: Kessel-signed jerseys
• 6th – 18th Place: Kessel-signed pucks or 8×10 photographs.
• Bounty Prize: The player who eliminates Kessel receives a special prize package,
  including signed jersey, photo, puck, and a WPT Global Swag Bag along with a personalized message from Kessel.

Players can receive an invitation by registering on WPT Global using the code IRONKESSEL81
and depositing $100+. For existing WPT Global players, they can engage in CRM campaigns to
get a free ticket to lock up their tournament seat.

OpenBet to deliver fully compliant end-to-end betting and gaming ecosystem, including Player Account Management, BetBuilder, Responsible Gaming Technology, Geolocation Product OpenBet Locator™, and Managed Trading Services

OpenBet, a leading global provider of betting content, platforms, and services, has been selected by Bell Ventures Digital Ltd (“Company”) in Brazil to power the Company’s online betting and gaming brand. The partnership marks OpenBet’s first move to launch a betting and gaming brand in the country. In addition to providing the platform’s core technology, the Company enters the market with the BandBet brand, licensed from Grupo Bandeirantes de Comunicação (“Band”).

This landmark agreement, which has the financial advice of the Investment Banking team at BTG Pactual, the largest investment bank in Latin America, brings together two major entertainment forces to introduce BandBet, a new and innovative offering for Brazil’s regulated betting and gaming market. BandBet is currently under a soft launch period, operating on the domain www.bandbet.com, with Bell Ventures being among the authorized entities from the Ministry of Finance to operate during the transition period following the terms of ordinance 1475/24.

Band is one of the largest and most traditional and influential media conglomerates in Brazil, with a legacy spanning over 87 years. Known for its extensive network of Free to Air Television, PayTV, Radio and digital platforms (social networks, mobile app, website), Band delivers a diverse range of content, including sports, news and entertainment, reaching millions of users on a daily basis across the nation. In addition to Bell Ventures licensing the BandBet brand from Band, the Company has entered into an agreement to acquire media space from the media conglomerate.

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Leveraging the licensed BandBet brand reputation linked to one of the biggest TV networks in Brazil, and OpenBet’s unparalleled expertise in betting technology and regulatory compliance, this collaboration is poised to deliver a superior betting and gaming experience for players in the region. As part of the agreement, OpenBet will supply its complete end-to-end sports betting and iGaming ecosystem inclusive of player account management, providing BandBet with the technology, content, and compliance infrastructure required to succeed in Brazil’s newly regulated market.

In addition to sports betting, OpenBet is also empowering BandBet to deliver a comprehensive iGaming experience to players. This includes a seamlessly integrated online casino, featuring a cutting-edge user interface, access to a wide variety of content from leading gaming studios, and a unified platform for managing promotions across both sports and iGaming verticals.

At the heart of the ecosystem is OpenBet’s Player Account Management platform, enabling the sports betting and iGaming verticals while supporting safe gaming practices. Central to the platform is the responsible gaming and anti-money laundering (AML) technology, powered by Neccton, ensuring BandBet upholds the highest standards of player protection. Additionally, BandBet will benefit from OpenBet Locator™, an advanced geolocation solution powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), ensuring full compliance with Brazil’s strict regulatory requirements.

This agreement highlights OpenBet’s role as the partner of choice for operators looking to succeed in Brazil’s regulated market. With more than 25 years of experience, OpenBet will deliver a scalable, localized, and modular product offering tailored to meet the specific needs of the region.

Claudio Giordani, CEO of Band, said: “For decades, Band has been synonymous with high-quality entertainment in Brazil, and our sports coverage has been a key driver of our success. We are excited that Bell Ventures decided to enter the market with a brand licensed from our media group, as Band consistently contributes to international and local companies entering Brazil’s economy.”

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Ricardo Bianco Rosada, Board Member of Bell Ventures, said: “Partnering with OpenBet was a natural choice. Their unrivalled expertise in the global betting industry will ensure BandBet is built on a state-of-the-art platform. Their ‘open’ system, integrating sports and iGaming, equips us with the flexibility and tools to thrive in a regulated, competitive market while ensuring responsible growth.”

Jordan Levin, CEO of OpenBet, said: “At OpenBet, we pride ourselves on supporting leading brands with the highest standards in the industry. By leveraging our comprehensive betting ecosystem, BandBet will offer an outstanding player experience, positioning itself as a leader in Brazil’s emerging gaming space. We look forward to supporting BandBet’s growth and furthering our mission to help operators thrive in this rapidly evolving market.”

Bell Ventures applied for a federal license with the Ministry of Finance in August, with the expectation that the Company will be among the entities that will be granted a license by December 31^st 2024.