eSports
DreamHack Dallas Hosts Over $1M in Esports Competitions Across Marquee Titles
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DreamHack-Dallas-Hosts-Over-1M-in-Esports-Competitions-Across-Marquee-Titles.png)
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, and DreamHack, a leading global gaming festival, have announced a full slate of esports programming for DreamHack Dallas, taking place the weekend of May 31-June 2, 2024, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
One of DreamHack’s longest-running North American gaming festivals, DreamHack Dallas features everything gaming under one roof. From the world-famous bring-your-own-computer (BYOC) LAN party, panels, and an expo, to art, cosplay, creator meet-and-greets, and much more, DreamHack Dallas offers attendees a great variety of activities for an unforgettable experience. Furthermore, the festival will host 13 unique esports competitions – including iconic titles like Counter-Strike 2, Overwatch, StarCraft® II, and more to come – with over $1 million in total prizing.
For the first time, several DreamHack Dallas esports events – including competitions in EA SPORTS FC™ 24, Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, and more – will offer aspiring competitors the chance to qualify for this summer’s debut Esports World Cup. With new pipelines to a $60 million prize pool and a global audience in Riyadh, DreamHack is offering more opportunities than ever for grassroots talent to fight their way to the world stage.
“Esports has been part of the fabric of DreamHack Dallas since the festival’s inception, and we’re excited once again to welcome tens of thousands of fans this summer to celebrate their favorite competitive titles,” said Shahin Zarrabi, Vice President, Festivals, ESL FACEIT Group. “From the 100th IEM event to the first-ever OWCS live event and qualifiers for Esports World Cup, DreamHack is celebrating every type of gamer, from world-class competitors to the next breakout stars.”
Dallas Hosts 16 Top Counter-Strike 2 Squads for 100th IEM Event
The birthplace of North American Counter-Strike esports will invite 16 of the world’s best teams to clash in Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Dallas, the 100th IEM event. With an ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Masters trophy, $250,000 in prizing, and qualification to an EPT Championship up for grabs, fans will watch as hometown heroes challenge international hopefuls in the US’s biggest Counter-Strike event of the year.
Overwatch Luminaries Assemble for First-Ever International Live Event for OWCS
The first-ever in-person Major tournament of Blizzard Entertainment and EFG’s Overwatch Champions Series invites eight of our competitive region’s top teams for a three-day showcase of industry-class talent. Featuring a prize pool supported by crowdfunding, fans can watch the action unfold live – or at home with the official broadcast or partnered co-streams – as teams face off to be the first team to claim an international OWCS title and qualify to compete at Esports World Cup.
ESL Impact Returns to DreamHack Dallas with $123K Season Finale
ESL Impact, a global all-women Counter-Strike circuit, returns to DreamHack Dallas for the exciting conclusion of Season 5 of competition. Eight of the world’s best women’s Counter-Strike teams representing North America, Europe, South America, and Asia will face off to see who will claim the title and the lion’s share of the $123,000 prize pool.
ESL Pro Tour in StarCraft® II Makes Masters Stop at DreamHack Dallas
The EPT in StarCraft® II, the title’s premier global esports circuit, continues with the ESL SC2 Masters: Spring 2024 Finals at DreamHack Dallas. Not only will competitors battle for their share of the $100,000 prize pool, but the opportunity to qualify for StarCraft® II competition at this summer’s inaugural Esports World Cup.
EA SPORTS FC™ 24 at DreamHack Dallas Kicks off Esports World Cup Qualifications
Electronic Arts’ soccer title, EA SPORTS FC™ 24, comes to DreamHack Dallas for the first time this summer with a world-class tournament. With the top two players securing their spot at Esports World Cup this August, the competition offers up to 250 competitors their first opportunity to qualify for EWC, in addition to $100,000 USD in total prizing.
Fighting Games take Center Stage with New DreamHack Fighters, Esports World Cup Tournaments
DreamHack’s marquee fighting game hub, DreamHack Fighters, brings six open tournaments to Dallas, including a mix of modern mainstays and FGC classics. Open to all registered attendees, competitors can face off to claim a slice of the $16,000 total prize pool. Participating titles include:
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Singles ($5,000)
- UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes (UNI 2) ($2,500)
- Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising ($2,500)
- Guilty Gear Strive ($2,500)
- Mortal Kombat 1 ($2,500)
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Doubles ($1,000)
For the first time, DreamHack will also host competitions in Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, which include the chance to qualify for Esports World Cup. Both tournaments offer $50,000 in prizing each, as well as pipelines to compete on some of the titles’ biggest stages in Riyadh this summer.
Compliance Updates
Esports suppliers must lead from the front – PandaScore’s Colorado licence
![Esports suppliers must lead from the front – PandaScore’s Colorado licence](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/niner.png)
Esports betting in the United States is a yet to be fully tapped, and with more regulatory progress the total market and opportunity in esports continues to grow.
It’s why at PandaScore, we recently acquired our first license in the lucrative American market, in the esports-friendly state of Colorado. The move is a strong signal of our ambition in the US, but it also sets out our methodology for solving the uncertainty problem that US esports betting currently suffers from.
Supplier licensing should lead the way
The unknowns about what markets and lines can be offered are a key piece of the puzzle in many jurisdictions. Uncertainty around the legislation means operators are tentative to jump in with both feet. At PandaScore, we’re helping operators navigate US esports betting regulation on a state-by-state basis, so they can make business led decisions in markets with right balance of stability and opportunity.
Except for a few states, esports betting regulation is relatively new: there’s not a great deal of precedent to work from, and its quickly evolving nature means there’s likely more work to be done in the future. We plan to be at the forefront of making sure that esports betting works for the whole ecosystem: operators, suppliers, regulators and the betting public.
The regulatory framework across the country may be shifting at different paces, but almost all states are going in one direction: expansion.
Esports suppliers have a duty to show operators the way and give them the tools, knowledge and expertise to make the right decision. We don’t believe in going all guns blazing, but entering markets with some certainty around esports in a considered fashion.
We can be more confident that those specific markets are built for esports, with Colorado being PandaScore’s first step for several reasons.
Why Colorado
When deciding which market to enter, we consulted heavily with our customers and whittled it down to states that had the right mix of commercial opportunity, solid regulatory environment and straightforwardness in licensing.
Since regulating esports, Colorado has had a friendly framework for esports. The catalogue for regular betting includes a wide range of esports titles based on approved games and tournaments by the publisher or regulator – which follows some similarities to how traditional sports betting is structured.
The process itself was simple and clear, with clear terms and commercials that promote investment, entrepreneurship and innovation – all key ingredients for growing new markets and ambitious organisations to build new audiences.
Colorado is the natural next step in PandaScore’s service-minded, client-first approach. There’s already a generation of bettors who are seeking out esports betting products, esports suppliers need to be the source of knowledge and expertise that helps guide and amplify the esports ambitions of their clients.
Service-minded approach, client-led growth
We bring operators into the licensing conversation from the outset, exploring the licenses most valuable to them and then leveraging our lean, efficient operating model to get it done.
We’ve proven we’re serious about the US market, and that we can get a license efficiently, so if an operator desires a specific jurisdiction, we base our decisions on the revenue potential, give them a clear, no-spin picture of the market, and put in the hard work of licensing to provide our services in the US.
Player age verification as a mandatory service
A huge part of that no-spin picture is addressing the concern and risk around player age verification in esports. Compliance is paramount for suppliers and operators alike, so knowing the requirements from state to state is essential.
PandaScore has been offering player age verification for years and is well established on this front thanks to years of servicing jurisdictions like Australia and Sweden. We already have an API that clients use for peace of mind, and are beefing it up as a standalone service intended to support regulators and governing bodies to ensure compliance, confidence and growth.
Suppliers need to lead from the front for US esports betting to succeed. It’s not just about having the best product – they need to be an expert on relevant regulation, genuinely serve the expansion interests of clients and be a truly safe pair of hands that actively supports and serves operators, bettors and regulators alike.
Author: Oliver Niner, Head of Sales at PandaScore.
eSports
Max Level bags PR Mandate of US-based CyberPowerPC; to strengthen their India positioning
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Max-Level-bags-PR-Mandate-of-US-based-CyberPowerPC-to-strengthen-their-Ind_20240813_101351_0000.png)
Max Level, a holistic marketing and PR agency built by gamers, has been awarded the public relations mandate for CyberPowerPC India, a premier US-based gaming PC brand, who debuted in the Indian market earlier this year. CyberPowerPC, known for its high-quality custom and pre-built gaming PCs, has chosen India as its first Asian market through a collaboration with Creative Newtech Ltd.
CyberPowerPC has been a trailblazer in the gaming industry, becoming the #1 OEM in the US during 2014-2015 with over 100,000 Microsoft Windows sales, and achieving the distinction of Amazon’s Choice for Gaming Desktop PCs in 2018. In 2022, the brand further solidified its reputation by being the only non-MNC to rank in the top 10 for desktop units sold, with five of the top 10 best-selling gaming desktops.
Widely available across major retailers like Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart in the US and Canada, CyberPowerPC has consistently led the gaming PC segment. Its presence at major events like Anime Expo and its expansion into licensing has further established its brand credibility.
Commenting on the new partnership, Vishal Parekh, Chief Operating Officer, CyberPowerPC India, said, “The India launch marks the first Asian market for CyberPowerPC. With the rise of the gaming sector in India, our objective with the launch was to contribute to this growth and bring top-notch experiences for Indian gamers. Max Level’s deep-rooted understanding and extensive experience in the Indian gaming and esports ecosystem make them an ideal partner to elevate our brand presence in the country. Their holistic approach to PR, founded on the principles of passion and expertise in gaming, aligns perfectly with our mission to provide gamers with the best possible immersive experiences. Together, we aim to make CyberPowerPC a household name among Indian gamers.”
The addition of CyberPowerPC to its diverse portfolio of brands underscores Max Level’s growing influence in the Indian gaming, esports and tech market. With clients like NODWIN Gaming, SuperGaming, KRAFTON, Saudi Esports Federation, ESL Faceit Group, The Esports World Cup, ASUS ROG, Jio Games, TVS, and HyperX, Max Level continues to diversify its client base while maintaining a focus on delivering tailored B2B services that resonate with gaming and esports audiences.
Siddharth Nayyar, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Max Level stated, “Being entrusted with the India PR mandate of the number one Gaming PC manufacturing brand in North America is a testament to our expertise and understanding of the Indian as well as global gaming market and media landscape. Our success with national and international gaming brands reflects the collective passion of our team to craft the right stories that matter for brands looking to reach out to the gaming and esports audience. We are excited to contribute to CyberPowerPC’s growth journey as it aims to elevate the Indian PC gaming landscape.”
As CyberPowerPC embarks on this exciting new chapter in India, Max Level will be instrumental in driving its communication strategies, ensuring that the brand resonates with India’s burgeoning gaming community.
Compliance Updates
Oddin.gg obtains its 4th North American license, further strengthening company’s impact on the US esports betting market
![Oddin.gg obtains its 4th North American license, further strengthening company's impact on the US esports betting market](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/oddin-x-west-virginia.jpg)
Oddin.gg is proud to announce that it has received a temporary license from the West Virginia Lottery Commission. After obtaining licenses in New Jersey, Colorado, and the Canadian province of Ontario, the esports betting industry leader has now secured its fourth North American betting license. As a B2B esports specialist, Oddin.gg has taken another major step in its North American expansion. The West Virginia license demonstrates that Oddin.gg offers services that fully comply with the state’s regulatory system, which is known for its rigorous standards and comprehensive framework for sports betting.
The West Virginia sports betting license allows operators to offer both online and retail betting, ensuring broad reach and accessibility for users across the state. The licensing process includes stringent checks on financial stability, operational integrity, and compliance with state laws, underscoring the reliability and trustworthiness of Oddin.gg’s services.
Vlastimil Venclik, co-founder and CEO of Oddin.gg, said, “We are thrilled to achieve yet another important milestone for Oddin.gg. Acquiring the West Virginia license strengthens our position in the US market. Combined with new US-based operators becoming our clients, this license marks another significant step in our North American expansion strategy. The work doesn’t stop here; we are actively working on acquiring further US licenses to support both existing clients and future prospects.”
He added, “The esports betting volume is approximately 80 billion USD with 5.5 billion USD revenue at app. 7 % margin. We offer US betting companies a partnership that will allow them to surge opportunities in the booming segment. The new generation of bettors, the fans of competitive gaming, are constantly on a lookout for a solution that will bring them more markets, more live opportunities, higher engagement, simply said, more fun. In reward, they offer loyalty and high ARPU to operators that demonstrate understanding and passion for esports. Oddin.gg has both.”.
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