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Japan sees a surge of popularity in Esports
Japan, the global leader in the manufacturing and consumption of video games, is fast catching up on Esports too.
The country, rather surprisingly, was a bit slow to get off the blocks in the Esports arena. However, as the global profile of Esports starts rising, especially with the decision to include it as a demonstration event in the upcoming Asian Games in Indonesia and as a full medal event at the 2022 Asian Games in China, Japan is witnessing a sudden spurt of interest.
Japan is of the home of  game: developers Nintendo Co., Sony Corp., Capcom Co. and Konami Holdings Corp., you name it. But esports faces legal restrictions, such as a law that made it difficult for game-makers to hold competitions offering substantial prize money, in the country.
 âLetâs say a company were to come out with a game that costs „10,000 and hold a game tournament to promote its sales. If the top prize was set at „100,000 that would be construed as inappropriate sales promotion because it would move many people to buy the product in order to go for the prize money,â explained lawmaker Jin Matsubara, head of the secretariat of a suprapartisan group of lawmakers promoting online games and esports.
âJapan is the only country that has this kind of law,â said Matsubara, who was previously state minister for consumer affairs.
To set the stage for growth in the domestic esports market, the group negotiated with the Consumer Affairs Agency and helped make it possible for esports tournaments to offer large monetary prize pools on condition that the contestants are professional competitors.
The Japan Esports Union (JESU), formed in February this year through the merger of five related entities aimed at unifying administrative activities, is tasked with issuing professional licenses.
JESU has so far issued licenses to more than 100 people for game titles including âStreet Fighter V Arcade Edition,â âCall of Duty: WWIIâ and âWinning Eleven 2018,â known internationally as âPro Evolution Soccer 2018.â
JESU Vice President Hirokazu Hamamura said the esports movement in Japan is accelerating. This has drawn the interest of companies outside the industry, including entertainment firm Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., which formed a professional esports team in March.
Still, the remuneration in Japan lags the rest of the world, peaking at around „60 million. Hamamura said prize money is merely one index.
âA bigger prize may bring excitement about esports, but another aspect is to attract attention,â he said, referring to such events as the Olympics, which do not directly offer prize money to the medalists but succeed in exciting athletes and spectators alike.
Source: japantimes.co.jp / SARAH SUK
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Fast Track releases new AI Player Churn Model
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Fast Track has announced the release of a new AI-driven Player Churn Prediction Model, now available to all partners within its CRM platform. The model enables operators to identify players at risk of churning as early as the first day of inactivity, supporting more proactive and efficient retention strategies.
Built on Fast Trackâs proprietary machine learning platform, FTML, the model uses seven sub-models to analyse player behaviour and make accurate predictions tailored to each operatorâs player base. The system continuously trains itself on live data, ensuring predictions remain relevant and effective over time.
The Churn Model is already in use by several Fast Track partners and is fully integrated into the platformâs core workflows. Once activated, operators receive clear, actionable insights into which players are likely to churn, along with data-informed recommendations on timing and incentive levels for re-engagement.
âChurn is one of the most impactful use cases for AI in player engagement,â said Simon LidzĂ©n, Co-Founder and CEO of Fast Track. âWith this model, operators can focus their efforts where it matters most; targeting players who are truly at risk with the right offer at the right time. Itâs a smarter, more cost-effective approach to retention.â
The Churn Model addresses a common challenge in the industry â overuse of reactivation bonuses â by helping teams deliver more relevant and timely incentives based on predictive insights, not guesswork.
To support the launch, Fast Track will host a live webinar on Thursday, 10 July 2025 at 16:00 CEST, offering a walkthrough of the new Churn Model and its practical applications. Save your spot at app.livestorm.co/fast-track/save-your-players.
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Evolution and Hasbro sign exclusive online live casino and slots partnership agreement
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Evolution today announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, to be their exclusive licensing partner for online live casino and slot games for MONOPOLY and other Hasbro Games titles.
The worldwide deal, including the USA, covers online content from all Evolution brands, including Evolution, Ezugi, NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming (BTG), Nolimit City and Livespins.
The new exclusive partnership for MONOPOLY and other Hasbro Games titles builds on a highly successful working relationship between the two companies. Evolution has already developed MONOPOLY Live and MONOPOLY Big Baller, two innovative online live casino game shows based on Hasbroâs world famous board game. Both are at the top of Evolutionâs game line-up and are two of the best-performing games in all of online gaming.
As a result of the new partnership, Evolution will be the exclusive licensing partner for online casino games based on much-loved Hasbro Games properties. New games will launch from January 2026 onwards and will be showcased at ICE Barcelona 2026. Amongst the new Hasbro-based titles from Evolution brands will be Game Night, MONOPOLY Filthy Rich, MONOPOLY Roulette (all live online games with live presenters), and a number of online slot titles.
At Hasbro, weâre all about playâwhether itâs classic board games or casino experiences. After a thorough RFP process, weâve chosen Evolution as our exclusive partner for online live casino and online slots for Hasbro Games titles,â said Claire Hunter Gregson, Director Gaming Relationships. âWe trust them to bring our brands to life in fresh, exciting ways for our adult fans and look forward to our partnership.
Todd Haushalter, Evolutionâs Chief Product Officer, commented: âThe combining of Hasbro and Evolution just feels right â we will make magic together! The bidding process was extremely competitive, but showing our commitment to innovation and excellence with MONOPOLY Live and MONOPOLY Big Baller, really helped! The team and I are incredibly excited to bring the Hasbro Games brands to all our various brands. I think MONOPOLY is the worldâs best casino game brand, and we can do so many great things with it, and, of course, with many other Hasbro Games brands. It is hard to believe, but these are still the early days of online gaming, and with Hasbro we will forge a new chapter in our industry.â
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Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification
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Expanse Studios, the B2B game development division of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has received official certification from Croatiaâs Ministry of Finance for its flagship game Super Heli, with additional titles in the companyâs 56-game portfolio expected to receive approval in the coming weeks for the EU member state.
The certification marks a strategic entry into a market that generated US$484.70m in 2024, with projected growth at a CAGR of 8.4% during 2024-2030. Super Heli, Expanseâs most popular crash-style game, becomes the first of the studioâs titles approved for the Croatian market, paving the way for broader portfolio distribution.
Tapping Into High-Growth European Market
Croatia represents a compelling opportunity for B2B gaming suppliers, with the Online Casinos segment alone projected at US$218.10m in 2024. According to iGamingTodayâs latest market research, Croatiaâs gambling market will reach âŹ720.42 million by 2025, making it one of Europeâs fastest-growing regulated markets.
Among the key market benefits are:
- Accelerating digital adoption â Internet penetration jumped from 76% in 2020 to 83% in 2023
- Over 20.6 million tourist arrivals in 2023 following Schengen Zone entry
- Over 500,000 Croatians expected to engage in regular online gambling by 2027
Strategic Value for the Company
The certification strengthens Expanse Studiosâ European footprint at a critical juncture. With 56 proprietary titles and 500+ B2B partners globally, Expanse is expected to capture a meaningful share in the growing EU market.
âCroatia certification is more than market accessâitâs validation of our content quality and compliance capabilities in demanding EU jurisdictions,â said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios. âWith our flagship title Super Heli already approved and more games in the pipeline, weâre very excited for the opportunities this markets brings usâ
Competitive Advantage in Regulated Markets
Croatiaâs regulatory framework favors established, compliant B2B providers. Operators must obtain licenses requiring significant capital investment, and only licensed casino games operators who have at least one brick-and-mortar casino can offer online gambling. This creates high barriers to entry and positions certified B2B suppliers like Expanse as essential partners for operators.
The post Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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