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Top esports earners of 2018: How much have they made?

Photo source: pexels.com – Credits: Jamie McInall
Esports continues to grow and top players are making more money than ever before. New sponsors, tournaments, and technology are making it possible for esports athletes to make a great living playing video games. In some cases, esports athletes are making more than traditional sports stars. Fans of esports can play free online slots when they are not following the great esports action. With 2018 nearly over, here are the top esports earners for 2018.
- Anathan Pham – $2.25 million
Melbourne’s Anathan Pham became an “esports millionaire” this year. Pham is just 18-years old, but already he is an experienced esports athlete at the top of his chosen game. The DOTA 2 player is currently the No. 11 ranked player in the world. Pham participated with his team OG at the 2018 International DOTA 2 Championship. OG won the tournament and the victory made Pham Australia’s 19th highest earning sportsperson for 2018. Pham has done well and so can esports fans when playing online casino games.
- Topias Taavitsainen – $2.25 million
Topias Taavitsainen is the 14th ranked DOTA 2 player in the world. Taavitsainen plays alongside Pham on the OG team. The Finnish esports athlete has had a rapid rise and is now seen as one of the world’s best. According to reports, before 2018’s amazing $2.25 million in earnings, Taavitsainen’s best year was in 2017 when he made just under $900 in winnings. It has been a rapid rise.
- Sebastien Debs – $2.28 million
Sebastien Debs is a teammate of both Pham and Taavitsainen on the OG team. The trio’s success at the 2018 International Dota 2 Championship is why they are so highly ranked in earnings this year. The trio shared the more than $15m prize pool for DOTA. Debs’ best earnings year prior to 2018 was 2015 when he took home over $21,000. The Frenchman will hope OG can repeat at next year’s DOTA 2 Championship.
- Johan Sundstein – $2.28 million
Of course, Johan Sundstein is a part of the OG team that won the DOTA 2 Championship. Currently ranked No. 2 in the world, Sundstein has been winning serious cash for six years. He started out playing Heroes of Newerth at age 15, but switched to DOTA with HoN fading in popularity. For the last four years as a DOTA player, Sundstein has made at least six figures in earnings, and each year he has seen his finances increase. At only 24, Sundstein is living a life that millions of young men wish they had.
1.Jesse Vainikka – $2.29 million
Jesse Vainikka was the fifth and final member of the OG Dota 2 Championship team. This year marks the 26-year-old’s first million-dollar season as an esport athlete. However, he has been killing it in earnings since 2015 when he made over $51,000. The last two years of competitive action have seen Vainikka earn six figures. Considered the No. 6 DOTA 2 player in the world, Vainikka isn’t even the top-rated player in his home country of Finland. Despite not receiving the top ranking, Vainikka is the top earner in esports, which is a big middle finger to the ranking system.

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Vindral appoints Henrik Fagerlund as Chairman of the Board
Vindral has strengthened its board of directors with the appointment of iGaming industry veteran Henrik Fagerlund as Chairman of the Board.
Henrik brings more than 20 years of experience across both B2C and B2B gaming. He has held senior leadership roles at Evolution and NetEnt, and most recently spent three years as Managing Director of RAW Live at RAW iGaming, where he oversaw the development of new live gameshow formats. After many years in Malta, Henrik recently returned to Stockholm, where he has also been running his own consultancy business supporting a range of gaming companies.
Founded a decade ago by a team of Swedish technologists with expertise in video, audio, real-time streaming, and AI, Vindral provides a high-performance live video platform purpose-built for the demands of modern live gameshow broadcasting studios, where quality, control, innovation, and scalability are essential.
Daniel Alinder, Chief Executive Officer at Vindral, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Henrik as Chairman of the Board, and also as an active working member who will contribute to both business development and marketing. Beyond his extensive industry knowledge, Henrik brings a proven ability to grow businesses and build strong teams. At Vindral, we’re scaling our platform across multiple verticals, from live auctions and sports to broadcasting and, most importantly, iGaming. Henrik’s insight into both the product and commercial sides of this industry will be invaluable as we strengthen our position and accelerate growth. His appointment marks an exciting step forward for the company.”
Henrik Fagerlund, newly appointed Chairman of the Board at Vindral, said:
“I’m very pleased to join Vindral at such an exciting stage of its journey. Having known the team since their RealSprint days, I’ve seen first-hand their ability to solve complex challenges in live streaming and gaming. With innovations like AI-powered Computer Vision and Custom Trackers, Vindral is pushing boundaries in a way that few others can. I look forward to contributing my experience and network to support the company’s continued growth.”
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Elantil integrates FIRST, the tier one sportsbook solution, into its marketplace
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Industry-leading platform gains direct access to FIRST’s world-class sportsbook technology and trading excellenceÂ
Elantil, the pioneering platform solutions provider, has announced the integration of FIRST – the tier one sportsbook supplier redefining global sports betting technology – into its online marketplace.
FIRST is widely recognised for delivering the highest lifetime value in the industry through its unrivalled combination of cutting-edge technology, in-house trading expertise, and global reach. Its proprietary platform powers some of the most ambitious operators worldwide, offering them a true alternative to legacy solutions.
By joining forces with FIRST, Elantil’s marketplace now connects its clients with a sportsbook solution built for operators aiming to compete at the very top of the industry. The integration provides Elantil partners with streamlined access to FIRST’s premium sportsbook technology and allows them to scale with confidence and independence.
John Debono, Chief Technical Officer at Elantil, said: “Much like Elantil, FIRST is a company that has used its years of industry experience to identify operators’ most common pain points and come up with innovative solutions. Now combining cutting-edge technology with trading excellence and local expertise, we’re sure they’ll go on to be a huge addition to our marketplace.”
Tom Light, CEO, at FIRST, said:“At FIRST, we have built the sportsbook solution that redefines what operators can expect from a partner – combining proprietary technology, world-class trading, and proven scalability. Integrating with Elantil, a leading platform technology supplier, ensures more operators can directly access a truly tier one sportsbook and unlock their full potential.”
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Push Gaming advances in Switzerland with Grand Casino Baden partnership
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Push Gaming has expanded its profile in the regulated Swiss market through a new partnership with Grand Casino Baden, one of the country’s most prominent online casino operators.
The collaboration sees Push Gaming’s acclaimed portfolio of slots rolled out in batches across the jackpots.ch platform, with a strong initial launch week featuring fan-favourites such as Big Bamboo, Razor Shark, and Retro Tapes.
The phased rollout of Push Gaming’s titles on Jackpots.ch will continue, with more popular games set to become available in the coming weeks.
This strategic partnership marks a significant step in Push Gaming’s continued expansion into regulated markets and its second collaboration in Switzerland.
Grand Casino Baden is recognised for its strong presence and reputation within the Swiss iGaming landscape, providing an ideal platform for the studio to solidify its foothold and expand its player base in the region.
Daniel Kevan, Business Development Manager at Push Gaming, said: “This partnership is a testament to our commitment to expanding our reach in regulated markets, and Grand Casino Baden’s position as a key player in Switzerland makes it an invaluable partner.
“We are confident that its players will thoroughly enjoy the engaging and innovative gameplay that our titles, including recent major releases like 3 Magic Pots and Wild Swarm Triple Hive, deliver.”
Brian Christner, Chief Online Gaming Officer at Grand Casino Baden, added: “Bringing Push Gaming’s high-quality content to our players is an exciting development for us.
“Its portfolio of games is renowned for its entertainment value and strong performance, and we believe it will be a significant draw for our audience. This collaboration strengthens our offering and reinforces our commitment to providing the best possible gaming experience to Swiss players.”
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