Executives from football, chess and global sports media set to take the stage alongside esports pioneers at NGSC 2025 in Riyadh

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has confirmed a new wave of speakers for the New Global Sport Conference 2025 (NGSC 2025), with sporting legends and media pioneers joining this year’s line-up alongside esports leaders.

Held on 23–24 August at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh during the Closing Weekend of the Esports World Cup, NGSC 2025 is the leading global platform at the intersection of gaming, esports and sport.

Confirmed speakers include World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, LA28 Olympic Games Chairman Casey Wasserman, football executive and former EA Sports President Peter Moore and CBS Sports Vice President of Production and Senior Creative Director Pete Radovich, each bringing insights into the convergence of digital and physical competition.

Peter Moore, former CEO of Liverpool FC and current owner of Santa Barbara Sky FC, joins NGSC 2025 with decades of experience bridging traditional sports and digital innovation, having held senior roles in both gaming and sports.

“Esports and traditional sports reflect the same energy; tribal loyalty, elite competition and global reach,” said Moore. “I’ve seen how a full stadium and a full Twitch stream trigger the same elevated heartbeat. The smartest clubs and brands are building bridges and owning their audiences on the pitch and on screen.”

Pete Radovich, the Emmy-winning Vice President of Production at CBS Sports, brings broadcast expertise to the growing conversation around how esports and traditional sports are experienced on screen.

“After years producing global events in football, tennis and basketball, I’m looking forward to joining NGSC 2025 to explore how esports is changing the viewing experience,” said Radovich. “Today’s audiences want new formats, interactivity and authenticity, all things the esports world is pioneering in the broadcast space.”

Magnus Carlsen, a five-time World Chess Champion and EWC ambassador, will also take the stage to discuss how chess is expanding into digital ecosystems. Chess joined the Esports World Cup 2025 as part of its cross-game format, reflecting its evolution into a digital-first sport reaching new global audiences.

The sports leaders join figures from the world of esports, including Victor Goossens, Founder and Co-CEO, Team Liquid;  Danny Tang, Co-Founder and CEO of Hero Esports; and senior figures from the Esports World Cup Foundation – the team behind the largest esports and gaming event in the world. Together, they will join over 1,500 founders, investors and creators for two days of keynotes, panels, private forums and strategic roundtables.

The full NGSC 2025 speaker line-up includes leaders from Sony, SEGA, LA28, Bandai Namco and more.

Tickets for NGSC 2025 are available at newglobalsportconference.com.

To learn more about the New Global Sport Conference and the Esports World Cup, visit newglobalsportconference.com and esportsworldcup.com, and follow the New Global Sport Conference and the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn.

• Long weekend of live music to celebrate rebranding of Britain’s biggest casino
• New owners plan to invest seven-figure sum to upgrade popular London venue

The UK’s biggest casino is celebrating its relaunch as Genting Casino Stratford with a four-day celebration featuring top DJs, live music and exciting gaming promotions.

Genting Casinos UK, one of the country’s biggest leisure and entertainment businesses, acquired the casino from former owners Aspers last April, and is planning a high seven-figure revamp to the venue, introducing new electronic gaming equipment and refreshing the food and drinks areas.

The relaunch celebrations will begin with a VIP event on Thursday July 31^st, and continue on Friday August 1st with a live show from popular singer songwriter Beverley Stone, who has previously played at iconic venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and the 606 Club.

On Saturday August 2^nd, guests can enjoy free sets from DJs Dean McCollough, Rickie & Melvin and Kimberly Watt from 7pm with a 4pm-10pm happy hour with 2 for 1 cocktails. The celebrations will be rounded off on Sunday August 3^rd by Sirene, a female vocal and multi-instrumentalist duo who will bring their unique brand of feel-good energy to Stratford.

Located in the popular Westfield Centre, the casino attracted 1.3 million visitors in 2012, the first full year after opening. Genting are confident its investment will see a return to these exciting levels of visitation. It boasts a licensed betting office and the UK’s biggest casino floor with 150 slot machines and 100 Electronic Gaming Terminals, providing a wide variety of play experiences and all the latest games.

All IGT products have been updated with new curve cabinets, new progressives, new LED signage and offer pay-outs of up to £20,000. Novomatic Electronic Gaming Terminals terminals offer play from 10p upwards, including single zero, double zero, Spreadbet roulette and live dealer dealt Baccarat games.

Genting plans to grow the casino’s popular poker offering, continuing to offer daily cash games and hosting big tournaments throughout the year, including British Poker Series events. The casino is known as a leading poker venue, with more than 35 poker tables; two Heads Up Hold’em Progressive Poker tables; and two Prime 3 Card Progressive Poker tables.

Both existing and new members will benefit from the market-leading My Genting rewards scheme, allowing them to earn points on every visit, which can be put towards free play on Slots, E-tables and live gaming, or redeemed on food and drink. The Genting Rewards App gives 10% off all drinks and a chance to earn more points by completing App Badges and Challenges.

Paul Willcock, President and Chief Operating Officer of Genting Casinos UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome regular guests and new visitors to the new-look Genting Casino Stratford for a fantastic series of launch events and a chance to experience our first-class hospitality. We pride ourselves on offering customers the best in gaming and entertainment across our portfolio of 32 casinos and we are confident that Stratford will grow from strength to strength as it becomes part of the Genting family”.

Scientific Games has been honored with the Top GCC award in the Organizational Excellence category at the GCC Workplace Awards 2025. Held on July 11, in Bengaluru, India, these awards recognize global capability centers in India that are transforming the future of work through innovation, culture and forward-thinking strategies.

This honors marks the third award in the past year for Scientific Games’ India operations, building on its 2024 Great Place to Work certification and inclusion in Jombay’s WOW Workplaces of 2025.

“Scientific Games India has proven once again that we are creating a high-performance, future-focused workplace,” said Pat McHugh, CEO of Scientific Games. “Our team in India plays an important role in supporting and enhancing the way we deliver technology solutions across our global lottery business.”

The GCC Workplace Award highlights Scientific Games’ exceptional progress in building a high-performance, people-first workplace supporting both business outcomes and employee well-being. The company’s Bengaluru-based operations serve as a strategic hub for software development, technology operations, research and quality assurance.

“What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects how we’ve grown as a team, scaling up in capabilities while staying true to our company culture,” said Mahesh Nanjundappa, Managing Director of Scientific Games India. “Over the past year, we’ve sharpened our focus on leadership development, cross-functional collaboration and building an environment where people feel trusted to solve complex challenges.”

The GCC Workplace Awards celebrate organizations in India that are redefining what a great workplace looks like. Scientific Games was recognized from a competitive pool of 450 nominated organizations. The selection involved a rigorous, multi-stage process, including quantitative reviews, qualitative assessments of internal policies and programs and benchmarking against peer organizations. Key evaluation areas included leadership and culture, diversity and inclusion, employee well-being, innovation and external reputation.

The judges awarded the company 5 out of 5 ratings for employee engagement and well-being, as well as workplace culture, citing strong leadership support and structured feedback mechanisms. Its formal rewards and recognition programs, comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision coverage and diversity and inclusion efforts.

Scientific Games’ India location contributes to delivering the company’s high-performance lottery and sports betting solutions to government-regulated lotteries in 50 countries.

PHOTO CAPTION: Scientific Games India was celebrated at the GCC Workplace Awards 2025 as a Top GCC Workplace in the Organizational Excellence category. Two of the company’s HR leaders, Vijaykumar Holeyachi and Naveen Ilager (center, left to right), were on hand to accept the award, which recognizes innovative organizations in India.

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