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The Pokémon Company Announces Open-For-All Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 With $10,000 Prize Pool, Skyesports To Serve As Esports Partner
The Pokémon Company, with Skyesports as the esports partner, has announced an exciting new grassroots esports tournament, the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025. Open for all players across the country, this competition offers an opportunity for aspiring pro players to represent India on the global stage.
Registrations for the tournament are now live and will remain open until Jan. 29, 2025. Players from across the country can sign up on the official website to secure their spot and compete for national pride and international glory.
The Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament boasts a massive prize pool of $10,000. The stakes are even higher, though, as the tournament winner will join the champion of the Pokémon UNITE ACL India League as India’s representatives in an international tournament. This international competition is the Pokémon UNITE Asia Champions League 2025 Finals which will bring the best-of-the-best from across Asia to Shinjuku, Japan on March 29 and 30 to fight for the ultimate title!
- The Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 will begin with the Qualifier Stage, which will follow a single-elimination bracket.
- The top 16 teams from the qualifiers will advance to the Group Stage. Here, they will be evenly split into 4 groups where a single round-robin format will be followed.
- Finally, the top two teams from each group will progress to the Playoffs. These top 8 teams will compete in this penultimate stage across a double-elimination bracket for glory and the chance to represent India on the international stage.
The Pokémon Company executive said, “While the ACL India League supports the top-tier organizations of the country, the Winter Tournament highlights our commitment to grassroots development. By supporting players at every level—from grassroots to the pro scene—we aim to ensure the sustainable growth of Pokémon UNITE esports in India.”
Commenting on the tournament, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO of Skyesports, said, “With the ongoing Pokémon UNITE ACL India League bringing esports action to thousands of players, we are now thrilled to introduce the open-for-all Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament. This competition gives every aspiring pro player a chance to shine and represent the country in Japan. As long-term partners of The Pokémon Company, the tournament underscores Skyesports’ vision of giving Indian players and teams a chance to compete on the global stage. I wish the best of luck to all participants.”
With its intense 10-minute matches, Pokémon UNITE has seen remarkable growth in India, attracting a vibrant community of players and fans. The Winter Tournament is the latest effort to nurture and expand this ecosystem.
Today’s announcement follows the Pokémon UNITE ACL India League, where The Pokémon Company has directly invited India’s top eight esports organizations to compete, which includes the likes of S8UL, GodLike, Revenant XSpark, and Global Esports. The tournament, currently ongoing, is set to wrap up on Jan. 26, 2025. Immediately after, Skyesports will kick off the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament to continue the momentum of Pokémon UNITE esports in the country.
The complete schedule for the Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 is as follows:
- Registrations: Until Jan. 29
- Qualifier Stage: Feb. 1 and 2
- Group Stage: Feb. 8
- Playoffs: Feb. 9
The post The Pokémon Company Announces Open-For-All Pokémon UNITE Winter Tournament India 2025 With $10,000 Prize Pool, Skyesports To Serve As Esports Partner appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News
GRAI Publishes 2025-2027 Strategy Statement
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The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has published its Statement of Strategy for 2025 to 2027, setting out its strategic priorities over the next three years as it establishes a robust regulatory and licensing regime for the gambling sector and delivers on its public protection mandate.
Established on a statutory basis in March 2025, the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the GRAI which will operate as an independent, self-financing regulator under the remit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration launched the new Strategy alongside Mr Paul Quinn, Chair of the Authority, and Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI.
The Statement of Strategy sets out the GRAI’s priorities over the next three years with particular focus on six functional areas with related strategic goals reflecting the GRAI’s legislative mandate:
• Licensing
• Monitoring and Compliance
• Enforcement
• Consumer Protection and Awareness
• People, Organisation, and Governance
• Digital First
Each goal is supported by objectives and deliverables which will guide the GRAI’s progress through to 2027.
Jim O’Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs Migration, said: “I commend the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland on the publication of its first Statement of Strategy, which is an important milestone for the Authority, the gambling sector in Ireland and for the wider public.
“This strategy is not just about regulation; it is about educating the public, protecting those vulnerable to gambling harm, and ensuring that the industry operates to the highest standards of integrity and social responsibility. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am committed to supporting the Authority in delivering on its mandate.”
Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, said: “As a newly established independent regulator, we have been entrusted with a vital public mandate: to ensure that gambling in Ireland is conducted in a safe, fair, and transparent manner, with the interests of individuals, families, and the wider community at its heart.
“Our work is grounded in the principles of prevention, protection, and evidence-based regulation. This Statement of Strategy sets out the roadmap to delivering a modern, fair, and trusted regulatory regime that reflects the constantly evolving nature of gambling and the expectations of the Irish public.
“Establishing the new licensing arrangements, compliance management, and enforcement functions during the term of this Strategy is central to reducing the likelihood of gambling harms and will underpin a well-regulated gambling market in Ireland.”
Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, said: “The Statement of Strategy outlines the vision, mission, and values of the Regulator through to 2027. Each goal within the Strategy outlines a thorough approach to our main functions, from building a robust licensing regime that will ensure operators are consistently adhering to standards to supporting research and educational initiatives that enhance our capabilities as a Regulator.
“The GRAI’s Statement of Strategy 2025 – 2027 has been approved by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and we look forward to achieving our strategic goals together.”
The post GRAI Publishes 2025-2027 Strategy Statement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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NLGRB Intensifies Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Gaming Operations
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The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board Uganda (NLGRB) intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal gaming operations, seizing over 80 unauthorised gaming machines in Mbarara and Ibanda cities under its operation name “Mashine Haramu.”
According to the NLGRB Operations Manager, Mr. Steven Tabaruka, more than 6000 illegal gaming machines have so far been impounded across Uganda as part of the ongoing enforcement operation.
The operation targets unregulated gaming operators, suppliers, and manufacturers that exploit unsuspecting Ugandans and undermine the integrity of the industry.
Mr. Tabaruka said that the Board’s goal is to protect Ugandans by eliminating illegal gaming activities and promoting responsible gaming. He encouraged individuals in the gaming business to reach out to the NLGRB offices in Mbarara or the head office in Kampala to regularise their operations.
The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board continues to urge the public to report suspicious or illegal gaming activities as part of efforts to ensure a safe and regulated gaming environment for all.
The post NLGRB Intensifies Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Gaming Operations appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ACMA Blocks More Illegal Online Gambling Sites
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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has requested the Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block more illegal online gambling sites, after investigations found these services to be operating in breach of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
The latest sites blocked include Crown Gold, Maxispin Casino, Rain.gg, Didibet, LuckyBet, Malina Casino and Spins of Glory.
Website blocking is one of a range of enforcement options to protect Australians against illegal online gambling. Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1338 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked. Around 220 illegal services have also pulled out of the Australian market since the ACMA started enforcing new illegal online gambling rules in 2017.
The post ACMA Blocks More Illegal Online Gambling Sites appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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