GR8 Tech is enhancing sportsbook engagement with the new “Fancy Mode” feature—a UI upgrade that offers the look and feel of exchange betting while keeping operators’ revenue models intact

By introducing an exchange-inspired interface without modifying underlying bet calculation mechanics or risk models, GR8 Tech offers operators a powerful tool to expand their audience, differentiate their offerings, and ensure revenue stability during high-traffic events like IPL that starts this weekend.

“The exchange-style sportsbook UI gives operators a smart, low-risk way to appeal to exchange bettors without overhauling their platform,” said Denys Parkhomenko, CPO at GR8 Tech. “This is exactly the type of flexible, player-driven evolution we believe in—small but impactful changes that drive engagement and revenue.”

Key Functionalities of the Exchange-Style Sportsbook UI

Designed to expand audience reach while providing a frictionless betting experience, the feature introduces:

• UI Toggle: Players can switch between “Fixed” and “Exchange” views, with a customizable default setting for new users. Preferences are saved locally for future visits.
• Optimized Market & Odds Display: Odds automatically convert to a Back/Lay-style format, with distinct layouts to help exchange bettors navigate effortlessly.
• Cricket-Specific Enhancements: Dedicated updates to Cricket event pages ensure players experience a more intuitive and familiar interface.
• Refined User Experience: Adjusted CashOut, BetSlip, and BetHistory functionalities ensure smooth tracking and execution of bets.

“Operators need every advantage to capture and retain traffic during the world’s biggest sports tournaments. With the “Fancy Mode”, we provide a high-impact engagement tool that requires no operational risk but delivers significant player retention benefits,” added Parkhomenko.

Available now for Cricket single bets, the “Fancy Mode” can be enabled by operators as a default view or offered as a toggle-on feature within Cricket event pages. Contact GR8 Tech today to unlock a more flexible, high-performance Sportsbook experience—with a touch of fancy.

BLAST, an esports entertainment company, has announced an expanded sponsorship with Progressive Insurance, making it the Presenting Sponsor for the entire Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) 2025 season.

Following its successful sponsorship of the Rocket League World Championship in Fort Worth, Texas, last year, Progressive is deepening its investment in Esports by extending its presence across all Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) events in 2025, including Qualifiers, RLCS Majors, and the Rocket League World Championship.

Progressive is the second largest personal auto insurer in the United States, a leading seller of commercial auto, motorcycle, and boat insurance, and one of the country’s top 15 homeowners insurance carriers. 

The sponsorship will see Progressive featured both digitally and physically across the RLCS 2025 season and includes logo placement on the Rocket League ball in RLCS broadcasts, branded broadcast content and a number of in and out of game logo integrations. 

The RLCS is the official competitive league for Rocket League Esports, which features the world’s best teams and players competing across the year for a place in the much-anticipated arena events – fans can look forward to events such as the RLCS Major in Birmingham, UK and Raleigh Majors and the Rocket League World Championship in Lyon, France.  

Progressive first sponsored Rocket League Esports last September for the Rocket League World Championship in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, where Team BDS claimed the lion’s share of the $1,165,500 total prize pool and coveted world title. 

Alexander Lewin, SVP of Commercial Revenues for BLAST, said: “The expansion of our sponsorship with Progressive highlights the growing global reach of Rocket League Esports, along with its brilliant passionate fanbase and the exciting arena events on offer across the year. We are looking forward to further integrating Progressive into the Rocket League esports ecosystem in 2025.” 

Sean Freeman, Media Business Leader at Progressive, said: “We’re excited to help bring a fun and competitive Rocket League Championship Series season to the Esports community in 2025. We look forward to connecting with the passionate fans of Rocket League both in-game and in the arena all season long through this expanded sponsorship.” 

What is the Ultimate IndieMash Game Contest?

The Ultimate IndieMash is a contest for unique playful makers of the world, to present their work to an international audience. Hosted live from Bristol, UK and Enschede, NL, and streamed all over the world, the participants get three minutes each to show their game, interactive project, immersive installation or playful performance, through an online video connection. So you don’t have to travel to participate!

The evening is for them to share their concepts and gain new fans, and at the end of the program, the viewers and a jury of professionals will vote for their favourite project. Besides receiving the Sickest Trophy, the winner of the Ultimate IndieMash will also get a spot at the Overkill Festival 2025!

What are we looking for?

Not only are we looking for the most original, extravagant and alternative playful concepts, the Ultimate IndieMash is also a celebration of diversity within the indie-game community. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in the gaming world. From coding mothers to queer visual artists and indigenous storytellers, everyone is invited to show their unique project and creations to our audience online!

How will the evening look? 

The Ultimate IndieMash is a two-hour online program, filled with music, playful interactions and of course the gamemakers and their projects! In the first hour, the participants show their work in a 3 minute presentation, that can be as playful as you want! They will get a chance to answer some questions from the audience as well, to explain their projects as well as possible! In the second hour, the participants together with the audience will play some exciting games in which the audience creates prompts, drawings and more for the participants to be creative with! After that, the audience ánd the jury will vote for their favourite project, and at the end of the show the winner will be announced!

When is this all happening? 

The application-deadline for the participants is the 30st of March. Afterwards, the Sickhouse team will make a selection of 10 participants to present their projects! These makers will be announced on the 16th of April, and the show itself will take place on the 24th of May!