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It Is Time To Brawl As ESL One Powered By Intel® Returns to Birmingham, United Kingdom
Announced last week as ESL One Europe 2024 – part of the second season of the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) for Dota 2 – ESL One Birmingham 2024 will feature 12 teams battling it out for the lion’s share of the $1,000,000 total prize pool.
The competition will also be awarding 22,520 EPT leaderboard ranking points. With these points, contenders increase their chances of rising on the leaderboard and thereby receiving a direct invite for EPT tournaments as well as the EPT Finals later in the year.
Teams and Qualifiers
The top four squads on the leaderboard will receive a direct invite to ESL One Birmingham 2024. Which teams will fill the remaining eight slots will be decided via a set of Open and Closed Qualifiers taking place on FACEIT, the world’s leading platform for competitive gaming:
- The Open Qualifiers will take place on January 22 – 25;
- The Closed Qualifiers will take place on January 26 – 30.
Stay tuned as more details will be revealed in due course.
Format
On April 22 – 24, these 12 squads will enter the Group Stage of ESL One Birmingham, which will see two round-robin groups featuring six teams battling it out in a two-game-series. The two best teams of each group proceed to the Playoffs Upper Bracket, while the teams placing third and fourth in their groups advance to the Playoffs Lower Bracket.
During the Playoffs on April 26 – 28, these eight teams will then face off against each other in a double elimination bracket. During this final stage of the tournament, all matches will be best-of-3, except for the Grand Final, which will be best-of-5.
Where to watch and tickets
The competition will be broadcast live on the ESL Dota 2 Twitch (Main, Ember, and Storm) and YouTube channels, and via dedicated broadcast partners. Fans looking forward to enjoying the culmination of the competition live at the Resorts World Arena on April 26 – 28 can anticipate the ticket sale commencing on December 14, 2023, at 15:00 GMT.
Wave 1 prices for 3-day tickets start at £62,20 (including service fees; excluding £2,95 administration fee per order). Ticket categories include: 3-day Premium tickets, 3-day Plus tickets, and Regular 3-day tickets. Day tickets will be released during later waves, depending on availability. More details about ticket types and information on how to secure your particular ticket can be found on esl-one.com/birmingham.
Fans visiting the event live can also look forward to multiple on-site side-activities, including Dota 2 cosplay. Those looking to take their experience a step further and anticipating to visit the Resorts World Arena in character can apply for a cosplay ticket which grants them Premium access for two people and access to a dedicated cosplay lounge and dressing rooms throughout the weekend. Furthermore, all cosplayers have the opportunity to show off their costume live onstage during the official Showcase. Regardless of experience level, all cosplayers can sign up here. Additional on-site activities will be announced in due course.
Time to Brawl
Throughout the tournament, ESL One Birmingham’s theme – Time to Brawl – encapsulates Birmingham’s pubculture, while also recollecting and expanding on the competition’s previous editions in the city – live in 2018 and 2019, and online in 2020. Fans, players, and teams alike will be invited to join the open-minded and positively spirited Brewmaster in a daring challenge and prove themselves.
“The Dota 2 community, especially in the UK, has truly proven itself for being fun-loving, engaged with the show, and not afraid to get involved,” said Shane Clarke, Director Game Ecosystems – Dota 2 at ESL FACEIT Group. “Bringing live Dota 2 to Birmingham once again, we are therefore thrilled to create more memorable and electrifying moments for fans, not just for those uniting at the Resorts World Arena next April, but also for those joining us from their homes around the globe.”
Fans looking forward to experiencing the nail biting Dota 2 action sooner can tune in to ESL One Kuala Lumpur powered by Intel® commencing on December 11, 2023, with the final three days of the competition taking place live at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tickets are still available and can be purchased here.
For more details about ESL One Birmingham 2024 and the latest news, head over to the official website, and follow ESL Dota 2 on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. For more general information, check out eslfaceitgroup.com and follow ESL FACEIT Group on LinkedIn.
Latest News
IAGR announces winners of 2025 Regulatory Awards
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The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has announced the winners of the IAGR International Regulatory Awards 2025, with regulators from Australia, Nigeria and Denmark taking home trophies during the IAGR Toronto conference.
IAGR President Ben Haden, who served on the judging panel, said this year’s winners demonstrate measurable progress and sustainable outcomes.
‘Our judges looked for clear problem definitions, robust interventions and evidence of impact. The 2025 winners show how thoughtful reforms, strong governance and targeted education can improve consumer protection and market integrity over the long term,’ said Haden.
- Regulatory Excellence Award: NSW Independent Casino Commission (Australia)
For leading a three-year, milestone-driven remediation of Crown Sydney following the Bergin Inquiry — eliminating junkets, strengthening financial-crime controls, enhancing harm-minimisation and reforming governance.
- ‘The NSW Independent Casino Commission is proud to be recognised for its dedication to restoring the expected standards at Crown Sydney. This has included three years of intense remediation which has completely transformed the casino’s governance, culture, safety and compliance functions.
- ‘The NICC has proven that it is possible to enact long lasting change and in doing so has set a new standard for Australian casino operations.’ – Murray Smith, Acting Chief Commissioner, NSW Independent Casino Commission
- Regulatory Innovation Award: Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (Nigeria)
For SAFEPLAY, Africa’s first regulator-led, multi-operator self-exclusion platform — centrally managed by the regulator and integrated with operator systems — creating a consistent, replicable model for consumer protection.
- ‘We are honoured to receive the IAGR Regulatory Innovation Award for our SafePlay initiative. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to responsible gambling, player protection, and data-driven regulation that puts the welfare of Lagos residents at the heart of our innovation.’ – Bashir A. Are, Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority
- Best regulatory campaign: Danish Gambling Authority (Denmark)
For an interactive, school-based education programme that engages young people with practical demonstrations and surveys evidencing shifts away from gambling ‘to make money’ towards safer play and awareness of help services.
- This marks the second consecutive year that the Danish Gambling Authority has received the Best regulatory campaign award. ‘I’m very proud that IAGR has bestowed The Danish Gambling Authority with this award. It’s crucial that young people understand that gambling is designed so the player always loses in the long run. By conveying this message, we hope to promote a balanced attitude toward gambling and I’m extremely honoured that our efforts are recognised internationally.’ – Anders Dorph, Director, Danish Gambling Authority
These awards underscore the importance of collaboration, innovation and dedication in the global regulation of gambling.
The post IAGR announces winners of 2025 Regulatory Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Yaspa named among CB Insights’ most promising fintech startups for 2025
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Yaspa, an award-winning company specialising in iGaming payments and identity solutions, has been named among the 100 most promising fintech startups by CB Insights, a leader in predictive intelligence on private companies.
Now in its eighth year, the 2025 list showcases the most promising private fintech companies in the world.
Yaspa’s Intelligent Payments solution combines real-time open banking payments with AI-driven insights to help provide operators with broader and deeper player intelligence to optimise LTV, reduce fraud and promote responsible gambling.
This year has seen Yaspa celebrate a series of key milestones, including attracting $12m investment led by Discerning Capital, the opening of a new tech hub in Leeds and the formation of a US entity in Atlanta.
In 2025, the Yaspa team has grown to more than 70, including the addition of Chris Lowe as CFO and Renuka Rawlins as Head of Public Policy and Affairs. Earlier this month, Yaspa unveiled its new brand identity as it prepares to accelerate global growth.
Yaspa co-founder and CEO, James Neville, said: “It’s an absolute delight to be recognised by CB Insights for our work. “We’re listed alongside some impressive companies on the Fintech 100. From the foundation of Yaspa in 2017 we’ve been driven by a desire to explore the intersection between identity and money, and it’s rewarding to have this focus – and the value we can bring – recognised both by our growing customer base and the CB Insights analysis. Congratulations to everyone on the list.”
The list features early- and mid-stage startups driving the evolution of fintech. Utilising the CB Insights Strategy Terminal, the 100 winners were selected based on several factors, including CB Insights datasets on deal activity, industry partnerships, investor strength, hiring momentum, and private company signals such as Commercial Maturity and Mosaic Scores.
CB Insights also reviewed Analyst Briefings submitted directly to us by startups and leveraged Scouting Reports, powered by CB Insights’ Team of Agents.
Laura Kennedy, principal analyst at CB Insights, said: “This year’s Fintech 100 showcases a new generation of companies turning Al, automation and digital assets into the backbone of financial infrastructure.”
“This year’s winners are building the infrastructure that will shape the future of financial services.”
Quick facts on the 2025 Fintech 100:
- The 100 winners include 20 companies across digital assets solutions, 16 in financial operations and HR, 14 payments companies, and 13 in wealth management.
- 60+ companies on the list deploy Al in their solutions, and Al agents in particular are moving from workflows to financial infrastructure.
- $5.6B in equity funding raised over time, including more than $2B in 2025 so far (as of 10/22/2025).
- 60 companies from outside the United States, across 26 countries on 6 continents
- 640+ business relationships since 2021, including with industry leaders like Mastercard, Visa, Worldpay, Coinbase, and Circle.
The post Yaspa named among CB Insights’ most promising fintech startups for 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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All Roads Lead to the Helicopter — N1 Partners Turns SiGMA Central Europe 2025 into a Pit Stop for Deals
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N1 Partners is heading to SiGMA Central Europe 2025 with Booth 5056 G, charged with drive, precision, and the spirit of being first — presenting its top offers, products, and entering the final lap of the N1 Puzzle Promo before the grand finale.
After hitting the road in London and conquering the waves in Lisbon, N1 Partners is taking off to the sky — straight to SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome. This time, all roads truly lead to the helicopter.
Inspired by Italian sports car engineering and the spirit of competition, with a true vibe of drive — from Ferrari and Maserati to Formula 1 — the N1 Partners stand merges speed, precision, and style in every detail, creating a space where affiliates can recharge, connect, and explore new opportunities.
Step Up to the HeliRun Challenge
Visitors can take on the HeliRun Challenge — a mechanical time-trial maze where accuracy and focus are key and winners will receive branded mini-helicopters and other limited prizes.
Win a Ferrari
One lucky guest will drive away with a Ferrari — in LEGO form, but full of prestige.
Simply collect a branded card at the booth, follow N1 Partners on social media, and drop your entry into the prize drum.
The draw will take place on Day 3 at 16:00, with results announced on Instagram.
What Awaits at Booth 5056 G
- Meet the N1 Partners team to discuss insights and top-tier deals.
- Enjoy aperol & gelato sessions and exclusive giveaways.
- Take part in interactive activations and surprise drops throughout the event.
- Get exclusive N1 merch featuring the Puzzle Piece — your link to future N1 Puzzle Promo prizes.
Every detail is designed for speed, style, and engagement — making the booth a must-visit destination in Rome.
Why Meet N1 Partners in Rome
For more than eight years, N1 Partners has been accelerating affiliate growth, uniting 14+ licensed casino and betting brands across Tier-1 markets.
The program offers:
- Flexible deals: RevShare up to 45% / Hybrid / CPA up to €700 for partners with top-performing traffic
- Transparent terms: no shave, no delays, guaranteed payouts
- Exceptional performance: Reg2Dep up to 70%
At Booth 5056 G, the team will present personalized offers and partnership opportunities for affiliates working with SEO, PPC, FB, or mixed traffic.
With N1 Partners, you don’t just work with the number one — you become one.
Don’t wait — book your meeting now and take off with N1 Partners.
Next Lap: Helicopter.
The post All Roads Lead to the Helicopter — N1 Partners Turns SiGMA Central Europe 2025 into a Pit Stop for Deals appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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