Klaas van der Stroom

🚨 Breaking News in Esports 🚨 The Russian Esports Federation has announced a boycott of the Esports World Cup Foundation World Cup Championship qualifiers due to a ban on displaying their national flag 🇷🇺🚫. This move comes in response to the IESF's enforcement of sanctions related to geopolitical tensions. Dmitry Smith, President of RESF, called the actions illegitimate. 🎮🌍. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eamvNuWG #Esports #GamingNews #IESF #RussianEsports #CompetitiveGaming #LegalNews #SportsLaw #GeopoliticsInGaming

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His talk will be about how the BEF and SEF cooperation will contribute to Vision 2030.

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🎮 Versatility in Gaming with AceZone 🎮 While AceZone are deeply rooted in professional esports, the review below shows that their headsets are perfect for anyone seeking the best gaming audio experience! Check them out! #AceZone #GamingHeadset #NoMansSky #Esports #SuperiorAudio #Gamerant #VersatileGaming

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Calling all affiliates: Investment partners wanted (read below) I'm heading to iGaming Club in Malaga this Friday, hosted by Affpapa. I know a lot of affiliates are struggling right now within the current climate. So I want to connect with affiliate companies that need help growing, entering new markets, and improving revenue or efficiency. With my 17 years in affiliation and 5 years with a world-class operator, I've got the experience and network to help turn things around. My companies, Belianin and Already Media, are actively looking to buy, merge, invest in or partner with affiliates worldwide in any territory, using any traffic models, but SEO is the priority. We’re open to many cool options, partial investments, full buyouts, JVs. We have proven case studies of helping affiliate businesses boost revenue, profitability and even achieve successful exits. In the current climate, operational efficiency, entering new markets and transitioning away from SEO dependency is important. In some cases, we’ve managed to boost revenue by 15% in just a few months with this approach. Not going to be at iGaming Club? No worries, shoot me a DM anyway, and we can chat when I’m back. Looking forward to some great conversations on Friday! P.S. Feel free to tag someone in the comments that you feel I should connect with.

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The latest Sporting Crypto newsletter just dropped! Manchester City and OKX Launch 'Unseen City Shirts', free limited-edition NFT jerseys 🎽 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱: 𝟭) 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 ‘𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘀’ 👕 a) User Journey b) Sponsor-led activations are the short-term future c) Free NFTs in data-poor environments make sense 2) Further Analysis and Concluding Thoughts 🧠 a) Exchanges are powering through b) How does sports aggregate disparate Web3 propositions? 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀: Manchester City Football Club and leading crypto exchange OKX have launched ‘Unseen City Shirts’ — a campaign which features re-designed commemorative football shirts that are minted as digital collectibles for free. The digital shirts are minted via the OKX NFT platform, and owners of the collectibles are in with a chance to redeem a series of exclusive prizes. There are two designs in the campaign, that have been launched separately over the last several days: 1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗲𝘀: 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰. This jersey is designed by artist Christian Jeffery. It’s a homage to Manchester, the shirt includes the Lancashire Rose and the Manchester Worker Bee, an emblem of the city for generations. 2. 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻. This jersey is by artist Charli Cohen and it is a nod to Manchester City fans themselves. This design took inspiration from the song itself, Blue Moon, which is played before every home game and serves as the anthem of Manchester City fans. The shirt design illustrates phases of the lunar cycle with a subtle touch of the OKX brand on the shoulders integrating its brand colours. Each jersey is assigned a rarity level - Classic, Rare or Ultra Rare, providing fans with a chance to win exclusive prizes. The chart below outlines the different tiers of rarity and what those collectibles could potentially win. *** 📌 Read the latest newsletter via the '𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵 𝘔𝘺 𝘞𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦' button at the top of this post!

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📍 2024 Drake Star Global Gaming Report ➡ Q1 2024 Summary 2024 has started on a strong note with multiple high value deals and the momentum extended in early Q2 with Embracer continuing to divest major businesses. Existing and new VCs continue to raise more capital focused on gaming investments (A16Z’s Gaming Fund II: $600M and BITKRAFT III: $275M) and public markets have improved since bottoming out in October last year • With 47 announced deals and disclosed deal value of $2.4B, M&A activity continues to pick-up and was higher than any quarter last year. CVC/Haveli acquired Jagex ($1.1B) and Take-Two picked up Gearbox from Embracer ($460M). Volume in the mid to small size deals segment with mostly undisclosed deal value increased significantly • Private financings reported a notable uptick in Q1 with over $2.4B raised through 188 deals, reversing a downward trend in deal volume since mid 2022. Disney invested $1.5B in Epic Games, Build a Rocket Boy raised $110M and True Gamers raised $45M • Early-stage financings continue to be the major portion of total deals while the mid to late-stage deal activity remained low. With the recent upswing in the blockchain market, early-stage blockchain deals were 40% of the total deal volume. For investments over the last 12 months, BITKRAFT led the VC league table, followed by Andreessen Horowitz, Griffin Gaming, Play Ventures and Vgames ➡ 2024 Outlook With a strong start of the year, we expect M&A activity to steadily increase in 2024. Savvy/Scopely, Tencent, Take-Two and Playtika are expected to be some of the active buyers. As we predicted last year, PE firms’ interest in the gaming sector has increased (i.e., Jagex/CVC deal) and given the attractive public company valuations, we except several acquisitions and take-private deals to be led by PE firms in the coming quarters • With funding trends finally breaching the downward trend and growing for Q1, we expect overall growth in private financings during the year. While early-stage companies will continue to dominate the deal volume, we expect a modest increase in mid / late-stage deals. AI, mixed reality, platform and tools continue to be hot segments   • We saw the first successful consumer tech IPO in Reddit this quarter and we anticipate that several IPO ready gaming companies such as Discord and EPIC are starting to plan for a listing in the second half of 2024 or 2025 

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Finland proposes gambling licensing system launch in January 2027 https://lnkd.in/dpeWhTwB (Finland).- Under the proposed system, state-owned operator Veikkaus would retain its monopoly over lotteries, land-based casino games and physical slot machines, as well as totalisator and pool betting. Meanwhile, private licensed operators would be permitted to offer sports betting and iGaming under a 22% GGR tax rate, while B2B licences would also be available for software suppliers.

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Topic: Esports Journalism: Reporting on the Thrilling World of Competitive Gaming Category: Sports & Gaming White Space Blogs - “Unexplored Potentials and Opportunities…” #WhiteSpaceBlogs #WhiteSpaceGlobal #EsportsJournalism #GamingNarratives #PlayerProfiles #LiveCoverage #IndustryInsights #CommunityBuilding #CompetitiveGaming #EsportsStories #PlayerJourneys #blog #video

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"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." 2018 - Many of us met with the IOC in Switzerland to explore esports. 2024 - IOC proposes the Esports Olympic Games! Could start next year. Some good ideas just take a while. I am optimistic about the additional cultural legitimacy the Olympics can provide to esports. And the generational relevancy and digital engagement esports can provide to the Olympics. There WILL be stumbles out of the game. More likely than not the very first games selected by the IOC will not be ideal. But ultimately more competitive gaming and more media content and coverage benefits the games industry, the esports industry and most importantly the esports competitors themselves -- given patience and time.

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Affiliate Showdown: Netherlands vs. Austria! Top Affiliates from the Netherlands: ▪ Casinonieuws.nl - Leading source for casino news and updates. ▪ Voetbalweddenschappen.com - Expert football betting tips and strategies. ▪ Meneercasino.com - Comprehensive casino reviews and guides. ▪ Gambling.com - Dominating in both countries with top-notch gambling content and insights. ▪ Pokeren.nl - Your go-to for poker news and strategies. Top Affiliates from Austria: ▪ Wettbasis.com - Premier site for sports betting tips and analysis. ▪ Wettfreunde.net - Trusted for its in-depth betting reviews and guides. ▪ Casino.at - The ultimate destination for Austrian casino enthusiasts. ▪ Gambling.com - Renowned for its extensive gambling content and insights. ▪ Casino.guru - Comprehensive casino reviews and player guides. The competition in SEO market share traffic among these top affiliates is heating up! Stay tuned to see who will emerge victorious! 🏆 "We monitor all the brands, all the affiliates, all the pages, and all the keywords 24/7" #iGaming #AffiliateMarketing #SEO #Euro2024 #Netherlands #Austria #DeepCI

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Enhancing Sportsbook Brands with Unique Player Props: Ladder Gaming’s Expertise in Top-Tier Esports 🚀 In today's competitive esports betting landscape, differentiation is not just beneficial—it's essential. Ladder Gaming stands at the forefront, offering unique player props that not only captivate sports enthusiasts but also serve as a powerful marketing tool for sportsbook operators seeking to attract and retain a dedicated customer base. Unique Player Props in Global Esports Tournaments 🌐 Focus on Major Events: At Ladder Gaming, we specialize in creating bespoke betting options for global tournaments in popular games like Counter-Strike and Dota 2. These high-stakes events draw large audiences, offering sportsbooks the perfect opportunity to showcase innovative betting products. Player-Specific Betting Lines: Our exclusive player props delve into the performances of individual players, allowing bettors to utilize their knowledge and passion. This personalized betting approach transforms the user experience, making each bet more engaging and strategic. Strategic Advantages for Sportsbook Operators 🎯 Marketing Power of Unique Props: Offering unique player props is a compelling marketing strategy. They differentiate sportsbook offerings, making them stand out in a crowded market. This uniqueness not only attracts new users but also retains existing ones who seek a more tailored betting experience. Enhanced Customer Engagement: Exclusive props encourage deeper interaction with the platform, as bettors spend more time analyzing player stats and potential outcomes. This increased engagement leads to longer session times and more frequent visits, translating into sustained revenue streams. Driving Customer Loyalty: The uniqueness of our player props fosters loyalty. Bettors who enjoy these tailored experiences are more likely to return, preferring the depth and variety of betting options that standard sportsbooks may not provide. Join Ladder Gaming: Your Partner in Innovation 🌟 Partner with Ladder Gaming to leverage our unique player props in your sportsbook offerings. We are committed to helping you captivate and retain a diverse customer base with our cutting-edge betting solutions. 🔗 For more details on our services and to explore partnership opportunities, please visit Ladder-gaming.com. Let’s innovate together and make your sportsbook a preferred choice for esports bettors worldwide. #esports #betting #gambling #sportbookoperators #igaming

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Listing fees in iGaming: necessary insurance or highway robbery? Having worked for an operator and in affiliate businesses, I see both sides...and the solution. (I break it down in Thursday’s newsletter btw - link in comments) It’s a conversation I empathise with both sides on. 👉🏻 Affiliates argue that listing fees are the only way to protect against rogue operators who play nice but then disappear without paying up. It's a necessary shield in an industry where some abuse the affiliate-operator relationship. Those upfront fees help cover the real setup costs that affiliates shoulder. 👉🏻 But operators have a different take. Too often, big listing fees never generate the promised traffic, leaving them in the red before they even start. And some affiliates demand king's ransoms just to get in the game, making it nearly impossible for new operators to get traction. So who's right? The truth is, there is no definitive answer. But there are ways to make them safer for both parties. So tell me... What is your opinion on listing fees? And tell me if you’re an affiliate or operator when sharing your perspective :)

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Excellent insights from WA.Technology on the strategic value of Free-to-Play (F2P) games in the iGaming sector! 🌟 F2P games are pivotal in engaging users and building loyalty, especially under stringent regulatory environments. While F2P games excel at user engagement, at GamerPro, we've seen that our Pay-to-Win (P2W) model also offers significant benefits. It captivates players and effectively converts mobile gamers into first-time depositors, providing a direct, impactful route to generating valuable FTD leads. Excited to see more innovative approaches like WA.Fantasy's F2P Predictor Games are making waves in the industry! 🚀

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❓Are two worlds colliding in the development of #sportsbetting and #igaming products? - https://lnkd.in/ebX-jeXq That's the view from NE Group CEO Imran Bukhari, who tells iNTERGAMINGi Issue 3's #LatAm market report that sports betting brands are aiming to incorporate more gamification and igaming-focused content developers are “trying to introduce more sports betting elements” such as instant gratification. 💭 "Previously, sports betting used to be around 70 per cent of revenues and casino 30 per cent of revenues,” he says. “That has switched; we see most are now 50-50 and some of them are flipped.” 🇧🇷 He adds that the Brazilian market is "now at a level where people will start appreciating better products" after the "first influx" of content. 🌎 I also hear from IBJR - Instituto Brasileiro de Jogo Responsável CEO Andre Gelfi on the developing regulatory situation in Brazil, and Cibelae executive director Rodrigo Cigliutti talks the growing impact of digital lotteries on a region dominated by their land-based counterparts.

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🚨‼️ GAMBLING OPERATORS IN THE NETHERLANDS ‼️🚨 Are you prepared for the incoming changes from the KSA to monthly financial deposit limits? From October 1st 2024, you will be required to intervene should: - A player between the ages of 18 and 24 make net deposits of more than €300 💶 - A player over the age of 24 make net deposits totalling more than €700 💶 DID YOU KNOW... Scout® is able to monitor your players' transactions? Meaning that as soon as someone hits either of the above thresholds, we could alert your analyst to inform them that they need to take action in real time. If you'd like to learn more on how we could help, feel free to send me a message. #Scout #Compliance #ResponsibleGambling #ResponsibleGaming #ResponsibleGamingPolicy #Gambling #Gaming #Netherlands #KSA #Kansspelautoriteit #EnablingBetterDecisionsFaster

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Further clarity this morning from the KSA on the updates to the Responsible Gaming Policy (article in comments)... The KSA have now stated that, from October 1st, should a player hit the below thresholds, a financial check must be done within an hour of the limit being hit, whilst the player must be addressed either in person (should the player be playing inside a casino), or via phone, email or chatbox. Want to know when your players hit the thresholds within seconds? Why not reach out today to see how our Transactional Monitoring solution can alert your analysts in real time, ensuring you are compliant with the incoming regulatory changes. #Scout #Compliance #ResponsibleGambling #ResponsibleGaming #ResponsibleGamingPolicy #Gambling #Gaming #Netherlands #KSA #Kansspelautoriteit #EnablingBetterDecisionsFaster

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I wrote about Blizzard's Overwatch 2 esports efforts last week, and one thing that stood out is how omnipresent Saudi Arabia is... - in 2022, Saudi Arabia announced a government-funded gaming company called Savvy and said it had bought esports orgs ESL/FaceIt for $1.5 billion - the new 2024 version of Overwatch 2 esports is an open competition (anyone can get on a team and compete) that runs on the FaceIt platform - the two in-person events for the Overwatch Champion Series this year will be held at Dreamhack (first was Dallas, next one's in Sweden). Dreamhack is part of ESL/FaceIt, now owned by Savvy - Overwatch is one of the games that'll be in July's Esports World Cup, a tournament in Riyadh and backed by the government. (Games from Riot, Capcom and others also involved; Sony is a co-sponsor) So, if you thought Saudi Arabia was all about spending its way into being the global leader for golf and boxing.. add esports to the list https://lnkd.in/eVGVNn6P

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🚨 FINANCIAL VULNERABILITY CHECKS 🚨 Have you ever dreamed of having an automated solution that will immediately identify players hitting a risk threshold, with a report then being performed automatically to identify any risks with that player? Then read on... Huge news coming from the UK Gambling Commission yesterday, with confirmation of thresholds and dates for the incoming Financial Vulnerability Checks that remote UK operators must perform on players who deposit £500 in a month. As stated by the UKGC, these checks will be focused around CCJ and Insolvency information, allowing operators to identify their at-risk players. Here at SYNALOGiK Innovative Solutions Limited, thanks to our brand new Transactional Monitoring solution we are able to automatically detect when your players are depositing £500 within a month and alert you of this. Not only this, but through our existing Scout® platform we can then perform a search within seconds to identify any CCJs or Insolvencies associated with those players, allowing the analysts to solely analyse the pre-populated report containing the returned information. Interested in hearing how we could perform Financial Vulnerability Checks quicker than you can say "August 30th"? Reach out to me or any of the SYNALOGiK Innovative Solutions Limited team. #Scout #FinancialVulnerabilityChecks #UKGC #Affordability #SaferGambling #WhitePaper #GamblingReview #Compliance #PlayerProtection #EnablingBetterDecisionsFaster

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