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FANDOM SPORTS Allows Sports Fans to Unleash Their Primal Sports Passions
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 07, 2018 – FANDOM SPORTS Media Corp. (CSE: FDM) (OTC: FDMSF) (FRANKFURT: TQ42) (“FANDOM SPORTS” or the “Company”), creator of FANDOM SPORTS, the new app that aggregates, curates and produces fan-focused content, is today pleased to provide an overview and management summary of the last two quarters.
Overview
FANDOM SPORTS Media Corp. is a sports entertainment and gaming company “Hell Bent” on finding and creating the best sports content. FANDOM SPORTS allows passionate fans to unleash their primal sports passions by engaging with other fans, cheering for their favorite teams, players and jeering their opponents.
Investment Highlights
- Revolutionary blockchain-based sports entertainment platform targets global market
- App scalable through its backend infrastructure to support commercial growth, global reach and potential third-party fiat currency sports gaming settlement
- Apps will be available on both Android and iPhone during Q4 2018
- Worldwide gaming is forecasted to rise to more than $144 billion by 2018; online gaming is pegged to reach nearly $60 billion by 2020, according to NewZoo.com
- Blockchain platform partnership with HHS Technology Group enables global reach and telecom-grade platform maintenance and operations
- Global technology providers range from blue-chip companies like IBM, Google, Amazon and Facebook all the way to cutting edge start-up companies covering interactive video players and Augmented Reality solutions.
- In-house technology team and game studio for eSports will further strengthen FANDOM SPORTS’ operations
- Multiple, partnership-based revenue streams maximize sports fan-focused meta data and provide income opportunity across advertising, brand sponsorship, curated content and white-label app options on the blockchain sports entertainment platform
- Strong management team with track record in successful business development, best-in-class design team that previously built NBA and NASCAR apps, and digital marketing specialists that apply hyper-targeting data analytics and techniques
FANDOM SPORTS: The Brand
FANDOM SPORTS exists to allow sports fans to unleash their primal sports passions, to express their adoration for their teams and players, as well as their deep scorn for their opponents.
Building on the success of its current, 2015 designed, FANDOM Sports App, the company is phasing out systematically the legacy product and will launch an enhanced IBM Blockchain Platform accompanied by a new iOS and Android sports app in the fourth quarter of 2018. This core mobile product – the FANDOM SPORTS App – taps into the passion of sports fans around the world, bringing “trash talk” to a new level.
Currently in development with HHS Tech Group and overseen by IBM, the new platform will give FANDOM the flexibility to expand into new global markets by tailoring a shell app, based on demand, to that specific market. While the shell app will look and perform the same globally, it will produce new results depending on the user’s geographic location. For example, a FANDOM Sports App user in China may not be as interested in the NFL, NBA or NHL like a North American market. Instead, their interests could be in eSports and sports leagues native to their country.
With these features, the FANDOM SPORTS App is the ultimate destination for die-hard sports fans. The app enables users to follow their favorite live-action and fantasy teams and players, as well as test their sports knowledge and track viral sports highlights. During Online and live sporting events, professional athletes, commentators and users can engage and debate. It provides a place for fans to connect and square off in real-time with raw, authentic sports debates.
Users are able to log in, celebrate and commiserate with like-minded fans or debate the enemy. The FANDOM SPORTS app currently targets major sports, including football, basketball, baseball and hockey, with future global expansion based on demand and market expansion plans. FANDOM SPORTS’ mighty live sports metadata provider is the Sports radar.
The app’s FanFights feature allows sports fans to engage other users and unleash raw opinions, predictions and uncensored debates. Application-use is further driven when sports lovers can keep up with their favorite teams and players, trash talk, invite friends to “Pick a Fight” to win virtual currency and experience points status.
Business Strategy
FANDOM SPORTS has identified a relatively untapped sports market ripe with demand. Large-scale social media players are not nimble enough to fill this gap in the sports entertainment market, and this is where FANDOM SPORTS enters the game. As a newcomer to the market, the company has chosen best-in-class partners to make its platform and sports app.
Monetization is based on multiple potential revenue streams, including in-house advertising sales, brand partnerships, in-app purchases and more.
In addition to its one-of-a-kind, mobile-only IBM Cloud and IBM Blockchain platform, the company’s business model is based on unique features and gamification of FANDOM SPORTS to bring fans, athletes and celebrities together by blending user-generated and curated content.
Through its ability to engage users in a one-of-a-kind social media and competitive mobile sport experience, FANDOM SPORTS is well-positioned within the booming North American and international gaming markets, targeting sports super fans.
FANDOM SPORTS utilizes the IBM Watson learning algorithm, which predicts and services user preferences while building relevant personalized FANFIGHT channels. This brings sports entertainment to a new level, delivering competitive conversation and interaction that rival a sports bar into the user’s hand.
FANDOM SPORTS is led by a strategic management team with combined expertise and a great track record in business development, finance, technology and content curation. The team holds veteran expertise across entertainment, media and music industries, while the company’s advisory board boasts high-level executives, professional athletes and celebrities. New additions to the advisory board cover the massively growing arena of eSports.
Gamification
Functionality of the FANDOM SPORTS App enables users to engage in sports debates that have definite resolution from live games. The company is implementing strategies extensively used in the mobile gaming industry to attract its users in continued engagement with the FANDOM SPORTS App. Within the application environment, users become invested as “players” to build their profile (“Player Card”) while competing for rewards and prestige.
The app further engages players with a unique in-game virtual currency. Not intended for use in real-world gambling, the virtual currency holds in-app value. With the in-app currency, fans are able to create their own “FANFIGHTS,” “Pick a Fight,” and debate the outcome of arguments. Users are provided a fixed amount of app currency upon initial sign up. As the user contributes and engages with other fans, they accumulate more virtual currency FANCOIN, as well as a higher experience on the platform.
Within the application in Q4, users in certain regions can make in-app purchases to speed up their gaming experience, as well as “Pick A Fight” for prizes, in-game items and potentially live sporting events.
Market Opportunity
FANDOM Sports is establishing routes to take advantage of strong growth of mobile gaming and mobile games. The worldwide gaming market is forecast to rise to $137.9 billion in 2018, according to Newzoo.
Worldwide gaming is forecasted to rise to US $144.31 billion by 2018. In 2015, the online gaming market had a volume of US $37.91 billion, and this figure was forecasted to increase to US $59.79 billion in 2020. In 2015, the online gaming gross win accounted for 10 percent of the total gaming gross win, and this was forecasted to increase to 14 percent in 2020.
Within this space, the FANDOM SPORTS App is the ultimate destination for die-hard sports fans to dive deeper. The app provides engaging and authentic real-time interactive content aimed right at the company’s targeted age demographic of 18-34. The FanFights on the app create a platform in which intense sports fans can engage other users, unleashing raw opinions, predictions and debates that you don’t want your mom to see on Facebook. Application use is further driven when sports lovers can keep up with their favourite teams and players, vent, gloat, invite friends to Pick A Fight and play to win virtual currency and experience points status.
Management
Henri Holm – Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Henri Holm is president and CEO of FANDOM SPORTS Media Corp. Mr. Holm has an extensive track record of business success, bringing over 20 years of international hands-on strategy execution experience. A Harvard Business School alumni, Henri’s career accomplishments include scaling-up functions of multinational firms and expertise in various leadership roles, including covering digital content and implementing as well as enhancing gamification, brand management, licensing, mobile technology, manufacturing, distribution and retail operations processes and functionality.
With key focus on consumer and partner value, Henri’s most recent executive position covered leading video products, billing and sports content services within the Middle-East region. Additionally, Mr. Holm was Senior Vice President at Rovio Entertainment, where he oversaw the development and growth of the highly successful Angry Birds franchise across Asia. Prior to these roles, Henri held progressive titles ranging from Chief Financial Officer, Head of Business Operations, Global Category Marketing Manager, Key Account Manager and Product Manager at various divisions of Nokia from 1995 to 2011.
Jonna Birgans – President and Chief Content Officer
A 25-year veteran of the entertainment industry, Ms. Birgans has had an influential career across all entertainment mediums; Television, Film, Radio and digital media. Ms. Birgans has worked extensively with global brands like Billboard Magazine, Viacom Networks and Lexus, producing content for their marketing campaigns as well as for their on-air shows. She has also had two development deals for TV shows she co-created at GSN and USA Networks. Ms Birgans also has had a successful career as a Music Video Producer, working alongside infamous Directors, Hype Williams and Spike Jonze, to name a few. For the last decade, Ms Birgans has made a name for herself in the world of out-of-home and digital media landscapes performing in Executive roles creating Content Strategy, developing business plans, executing brand partnerships and managing teams of creative and sales professionals.
Alex Helmel – Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Alex Helmel is CFO of FANDOM SPORTS Media Corp. He has extensive career experience with over 12 years in Canadian capital markets and over 20 years in the technology sector, focusing on asset development. He has served in leadership positions for various successful companies including in roles as president, secretary and chief financial officer.
Follow FANDOM SPORTS at instagram.com/fandomsportsapp or @FandomSportsApp on Twitter. Android users can download the FANDOM SPORTS App from Google Play, register. Now you can Pick A Fight. Talk Trash. Get Rewarded!
About FANDOM SPORTS:
“Pick A Fight. Talk Trash. Get Rewarded.”
FANDOM SPORTS Media is an entertainment company that aggregates, curates and produces unique fan-focused content.
The FANDOM SPORTS App is the Company’s core product, which is the ultimate destination for unfiltered raw sports talk. The app allows passionate sports fans to unleash their primal sports passions, pick fights and earn rewards.
Download the app and bring your crew. Talking trash is better with friends. The more you invite, the more in-app virtual currency FANCOINS you can earn.
The Company’s profile may also be viewed on the following websites:
Network Wire:
NNW : https://www.networknewswire.com/clients/fandom-sports-media-corp/?symbol=fdmsf
Investing News Network:
INN: https://investingnews.com/company-profiles/fandom-sports-media/#disclaimer
For additional Information about the Company, please contact:
FANDOM SPORTS: [email protected];
Investor Relations
Tel: (647) 236-4895
Or
Sales & Partnerships
Email: [email protected]
You may also visit the Company’s website: www.fandomsports.net
DISCLAIMER:
The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of this information. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements do not guarantee future events or performance and should not be relied upon. Actual outcomes may differ materially due to any number of factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Some of these risks and uncertainties may be described in the Company’s corporate filings (posted at www.sedar.com).
The Company has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements due to new information or events. This press release contains forward-looking statements about FANDOM SPORTS. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “consider,” “project,” and similar references to the future. Forward-looking statements reflect FANDOM SPORTS’ good-faith evaluation of information available at the time the forward-looking statements were made. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and our actual results may differ materially from those projected. Please refer to FANDOM SPORTS’ annual and quarterly reports filed on SEDAR for a full discussion of those risks and uncertainties we view as most important. Forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as, a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at or by which any such performance or results will be achieved. As a result, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.
Corporate Communications Contact:
NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
[email protected]
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
Online poker’s not the sleepy mix of static cash tables and rinse-repeat tourney grids it used to be. Business Wire predicts that by 2030, the market will hit $11.4 billion, fuelled by cross-platform play and new competitive formats. But here’s the catch: growth brings noise. And in 2025, grabbing attention is only half the game — keeping it has become just as critical. And we all know that retention is the table you can’t afford to fold.
Over the recent years, gamification has turned into one of poker’s strongest retention plays. When it’s done right, it keeps players around, sparks repeat visits, and forges loyalty. They come back tomorrow, next week, next month — and your competitors can’t pry them away. The idea sounds simple enough — weave in game-style mechanics to make poker richer and more engaging, without killing the skill game underneath.
EvenBet Gaming’s research breaks it into three targets:
- Give players more reasons to return.
- Make onboarding smooth and rewarding.
- Build loyalty with experiences that feel personal, competitive, and worth bragging about.
Churn burns profit. Gamification done right is an infrastructure that breeds loyalty. Done wrong? You’re just another site with flashing badges that no one cares about.
Gamification, Not Gamblification
Before diving into mechanics, it is important to set one thing straight. Gamification boosts engagement — leaderboards that show you who’s climbing, missions that push you to try new formats, achievement badges you actually want to unlock. It challenges players, rewards skill, and deepens the game. “Gamblification” is where it all turns sour. That’s when mechanics push for profit at the expense of player wellbeing — pressure-loop rewards, unclear payout systems, anything designed to keep people clicking long after the fun’s gone. These tactics can backfire, invite regulatory attention, and eat away at players’ trust.
Gamification should make the player-platform bond stronger. It’s open, skill-focused, and it stays within responsible-gaming boundaries. Otherwise, you’re just playing short-term roulette with your long-term survival.
Core Gamification Mechanics in Poker
Here’s the thing — gamification works best when it’s layered, not just thrown on top of the existing game. You’ve still got poker at the centre, but now there’s more to play for. EvenBet Gaming’s toolkit has a bit of everything, with a mix of proven features that operators need to keep players active and returning.
Leaderboards
People like to see where they stand, and a good leaderboard hits that primal “beat the other guy” instinct. Doesn’t matter if it’s hands played, rake pulled, or weird challenges only five people care about. Timeframes can be daily, weekly, or monthly, ensuring fresh challenges and preventing leaderboard fatigue. Players stick around to climb, rivals get personal, and your community gets tighter.
To avoid burnout and excessive gamblification, EvenBet’s customer success department doesn’t recommend creating only leaderboards based on pure game volume. As a flexible tool, leaderboards have a better use for boosting attention to specific game or tournament types (for example, hands played in 5-card Omaha), creating targeted demand.
Missions, Quests, and Challenges
Give a player a target and they’ll chase it. Win with pocket sevens, log 50 games, or try that Sunday knockout tourney — whatever keeps them moving. Segment it: beginners get gentle ramps; grinders chase big targets. Toss in tickets, cash, or even just brag-worthy status bumps — and suddenly, casual play has a storyline. This meta-layer adds structure to casual play, nudging players into consistent engagement.
“Different mission types work specifically on various segments of a poker room audience”, explains Nikita Golodaev, Business Account Manager at EvenBet Gaming. “For example, guided missions targeted to explore poker room features and game types keep new players on the platform and decrease early churn. Soft streaks (3-5 days) encourage regular sessions without burnout”.
Achievements and Badges
First win, first deep run, first time they actually fold kings preflop — badges give players proof they’re climbing. Badges make progress visible, they’re milestones and conversation starters. This visual recognition encourages players to develop their skills and makes long-term goals more tangible.
Progressive Systems
Experience points (XP) and rakeback have always been staples in poker loyalty systems. They’re poker loyalty basics. EvenBet’s Progressive Rakeback with a tiered, time-limited structure turns the game into a race — 6 tiers from Aluminium all the way up to Platinum. Every tier gives you a little more, but fall behind — and you drop. The gamified progression adds urgency, encouraging regular play to maintain or advance the level.
According to Nikita Golodaev, clear and balanced progressive systems work best for projects with an existing core of regular mid-core players: they are already investing significant time into the game and are still tempted by rewards provided in the progressive tracks, unlike VIP and high-stakes players who are more interested in recognition of their status.
Put it together, and you’ve got a cycle: play, check your rank, tick missions, unlock the badge, check the board, eye the next tier. And then do it again tomorrow. It’s sustained engagement without sacrificing poker’s competitive core.
Advanced Applications — Tournaments and Hybrid Formats
Think of tournaments not as one-off events, but as frameworks. They aren’t just a product — they’re an engagement machine. You can hang all sorts of engagement hooks on them — the kind that keep players checking in and keep them motivated from registration to the final hand. Layer in gamification, and you have a retention funnel operators dream about.
Formats with a Twist
EvenBet’s flexible setup allows operators to launch virtually any format: high-GTD marathons, Spin&Go sprints with random multipliers, quick-fire Sit & Gos for casuals, and velvet-rope VIP tables for the whales. Add Mystery Bounty, Progressive Knockout, or Multi-flight qualifiers, and you’ve got unpredictability on tap. Which means the game always stays interesting.
Linking Tournaments to Gamification Layers
Hybrid play is where tournaments meet missions, leaderboards, and badges:
- “Climb the Ladder” challenges that pay points for each event played.
- Leaderboards stretching over weeks and sparking long grinds.
- Achievements for milestones like “Final Table Three Times in a Week” or “Knock Out 10 Players in a PKO.”
This crossover keeps casual players chasing goals and competitive players grinding for prestige — all while strengthening retention loops. When you nail it, tournaments become recurring, gamified events that handle acquisition, retention, and loyalty in one package.
Why It Works for Operators
Gamification in online poker is not just a UX add-on — it moves numbers if done properly.
- Retention and monetisation: longer sessions, more logins, bigger rake, and better LTV. Plus, new players convert faster when there’s a mission to chase.
- Skill development: challenges teach strategy, confidence, and adaptability without feeling like homework.
- Audience segmentation: freerolls for newbies, high-stakes bounties for veterans. You serve each player just the right challenge without losing focus.
Risks and Implementation Challenges
Gamification’s upside is clear — but mess it up, and it quickly becomes a liability. When these risks are managed, gamification pays off big time. Treat it with respect and care like a strategy, not a shortcut or gimmick.
Over-Gamification
Stack too many overlapping mechanics, and the gaming experience turns into a mess. Players get overwhelmed, quit the game altogether, or even fall into unhealthy patterns. The balance is in adding enough variety to motivate, without creating constant pressure to act. It’s a fine line between motivation and overload.
Regulatory Compliance
Operating inside responsible gaming guidelines is a must. Rewards should be transparent, achievable, and not designed to exploit compulsive tendencies. As noted by Dmitry Starostenkov, regulators are increasingly wary of features that blur the lines between skill-building and pushing players too hard.
Technical Complexity
Integration has to be smooth. If missions lag, leaderboards glitch, progression breaks, or interfere with core poker gameplay, this erodes trust. EvenBet’s modular system gives control, but operators still need rigorous testing, UX tweaks, and performance checks.
Building Gamification That Lasts
When done right, gamification in online poker isn’t just bells and whistles. It’s a full-on retention driver. Mix leaderboards, missions, badges, and tiered rewards right into the core game, and you create a cycle that hooks players, grows skill, and boosts revenue.
The winning formula is balance: enough variety to keep things fresh. Clarity so players aren’t guessing. Responsibility so the game stays ethical. Data-driven personalisation ensures that every segment — from first-timers to VIP grinders — finds a reason to return.
Our research at EvenBet Gaming is clear: sustainable gamification is a long game. Set measurable goals and transparent rewards, enhance the poker spirit — never overshadow it. Attention is the rarest currency these days. Platforms that get this balance don’t just hold players — they win the loyalty battle.
The post Why Gamification Is Reshaping Online Poker appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
SlotMatrix, the world’s largest casino content aggregator, has expanded Wild Extravaganza’s reach in the U.S launching in West Virginia, alongside existing markets, New Jersey and Michigan.
Wild Extravaganza is a high-energy 5×3 video slot that packs vibrant visuals, dynamic gameplay, and huge win potential in a 10-payline experience. The game pays left to right, right to left, and even from the middle, offering players multiple chances to win on every spin.
The core feature of Wild Extravaganza is its multiplying wilds, which can stack on three of the five reels and can reveal a 2x, 3x, or 7x win multiplier.
Wild Extravaganza is fully supported by EveryMatrix’s suite of advanced engagement tools, including free spins, leaderboards, and tournaments, helping operators drive acquisition and retention in regulated U.S markets.
This U.S release is part of a recent surge of SlotMatrix exclusive games entering the market, including 3 Coin Treasures, Lara Jones Treasures of Egypt 2, and Glorious Diamonds.
EveryMatrix holds licences in key North American markets, including West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Ontario, and powers more than 300 customers globally.
Stephen Orchard, Head of Commercial Operations, SlotMatrix, said: “Wild Extravaganza is all about giving players thrilling, fast-paced action and the chance to land some seriously big wins. We’re excited to bring this experience to West Virginia as we continue our expansion across the U.S.”
The post SlotMatrix ignites the reels of West Virginia with Wild Extravaganza launch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The company strengthens its market position with the recent launch of sports betting
DATA.BET, a trusted sportsbook solution supplier, will present its expanded portfolio at SBC Summit 2025 in Lisbon, stand D160. The company now offers a unified solution covering sports, esports, and virtual sports.
From September 16 to 18, the company’s representatives will unveil the updated product suite. Building on its established presence in esports and virtual sports betting, DATA.BET has expanded into traditional sports betting, covering over 50,000 sports events per month across 63+ pre-match and 38 live sports disciplines. The company’s 24/7 in-house trading team maintains 93% market uptime while delivering 1000+ betting markets backed by official data partnerships.
Each betting vertical, as well as individual sports and leagues within them, can be activated separately or combined based on market needs. Operators can instantly launch the complete sportsbook solution through a ready-to-use Single Page Application (iFrame), while those with an existing betting platform can integrate directly via the Odds Feed API.
At SBC Summit, visitors will explore DATA.BET’s core products: Risk Management system, Odds Feed, Widgets, Streams, SPA (iFrame), and Bet Builder available for all three verticals. The latest features joined our comprehensive suite include Hot Bundles for express betting optimization and Timeline Widget for enhanced game process tracking.
“This marks our first offline presentation of the complete sportsbook solution we launched in May with our full product range and latest features for betting,” said Natalie Loshatynska, Head of PR & Marketing at DATA.BET. “We look forward to showing SBC Summit participants how our technology empowers operators and platform providers to offer their clients a more dynamic and engaging betting experience.”
Discover DATA.BET’s betting technology solution at stand D160. Connect with the team at [email protected] to schedule a meeting.
The post DATA.BET Secures Spot at SBC Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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