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Investor files case against esports gambling startup Unikrn
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John Hastings, a resident of Las Vegas and one of the investors of Unikrn, a Seattle-based esports gambling startup, has sued the company for violations in securities law in connection with the sale of its cryptocurrency, UnikoinGold. The start-up has the backing of some big names like Ashton Kutcher and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
Unikrn launched its cryptocurrency UnikoinGold, based on the Ethereum blockchain network, last September. It is marketed as the chosen currency to be used on the Unikrn gambling platform, which allows users to bet on esports titles such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and more. During that September offering, Las Vegas resident John Hastings purchased UnikoinGold tokens with 10 Ethereum, worth approximately $2800 at that time.
Hastings filed suit Monday in King County, Washington, against Unikrn, a Bermuda-registered subsidiary of the company and its founders, former Microsoft Ventures general manager Rahul Sood and Karl Flores. In the suit, Hastings is seeking class-action status for all purchases of UnikoinGold. In a statement to GeekWire, Sood acknowledged the lawsuit and said Unikrn has retained Seattle-based law firm Perkins Coie to “vigorously defend” the company.
Hastings argues that statements made by Sood and other Unikrn staff contradict the assertion that UnikoinGold was intended to be used as a method to participate in the Unikrn gambling platform. Hastings alleges that the continuous offering of these tokens to the public, the alleged intent for purchasers to resell them at a later date and a private presale to accredited investors before the coin was offered to the public constitute an investment and that the company thus violated Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.
“Defendants have crafted a flimsy facade that UKG Tokens are not securities by claiming they are utility tokens,” Hastings alleges in the complaint filing, which was obtained by ESPN. “In reality, the UnikoinGold ICO was an offer and sale of securities. Indeed, it is evident that investors were purchasing UKG Tokens with the expectation that those tokens would increase in value and become worth more than the virtual currencies invested.”
In the suit, Hastings also cites an SEC investigative report released in July that states the cryptocurrency DAO Tokens were subject to federal security laws. Hastings argues that the case made by the SEC in the ruling against DAO applies to Unikrn and UnikoinGold.
At the time of the September initial coin offering, Unikrn Bermuda Ltd. filed a notice of exempt offering of securities with the SEC, stating that it offered $20 million and as of Sept. 19 had sold $16.02 million of those shares. UnikoinGold was first listed at 30 cents per token when the initial coin offering launched in September; it now rests at just under a nickel.
In October, Unikrn announced it had raised 112,720 Ethereum, worth approximately $31 million at that time, in a two-phase UnikoinGold initial coin offering that spanned 112 countries. Among the participating buyers in the first phase, an exclusive presale, were Cuban and Ethereum co-founder Anthony Diiorio.
Unikrn launched in November 2014 as one of the first regulated esports gambling sites. In June 2015, Unikrn raised $10 million from Cuban, Kutcher, Binary Capital and a number of high-profile investors. In May, Cuban told ESPN that Unikrn would “benefit significantly” from the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow states to legalise sports gambling.
Unikrn has continued to expand its presence across the world. In December, it signed a partnership deal with MGM Resorts International to run esports tournaments in Las Vegas. It also is a shareholder in Berlin International Gaming, a professional esports team with a large foothold in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Source: espn.com
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Paysecure wins “Best Online Payment Service 2025” at SiGMA Americas Awards
Paysecure has been named Best Online Payment Service 2025 at SiGMA Americas Awards, held during the opening night of the SiGMA Americas event at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo.
The awards ceremony, hosted by BetConstruct and held on April 7th, brought together leading names in the iGaming, fintech, and digital payments industries to celebrate excellence and innovation. The Best Online Payment Service award, presented in association with Megaposta, recognized companies offering outstanding online payment infrastructure. Paysecure was selected among strong contenders including Online IPS, Nuvei, Payment.Center, and Payku.
Paysecure’s solutions include its unified payments hub, designed to simplify operations for merchants in various sectors, Host-2-Host integrations, cashier services, and plug-in modules for seamless deployment on external platforms. With PCI DSS certification, a focus on 360-degree user trust, and advanced tech capabilities, Paysecure empowers merchants to optimize their payment operations with full control and transparency.
“This award is a testament to our mission: delivering payment technology that is smart, secure, and scalable”, said Viktoriia Degtiarova, Co-founder and CCO of Paysecure, who attended the ceremony alongside Sridhar Sethuraman, Co-founder and COO.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized at SiGMA Americas, especially amongst such outstanding peers.”
This year, Paysecure exhibited at Booth N115, showcasing its orchestration platform, global PSP coverage, and market-specific solutions tailored for LATAM and beyond. To learn more about Paysecure and its payment orchestration platform, contact the team at: paysecure.net/contact-us/
The post Paysecure wins “Best Online Payment Service 2025” at SiGMA Americas Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ACR POKER’S NEXT HIGH STAKES ADVENTURE TAKES PLAYERS TO MONTENEGRO FOR PRESTIGIOUS SUPER HIGH ROLLER SERIES
Two $110,000+ Montenegro packages available during ACR Poker’s Main Satellite on Sunday, April 27th
The next chapter of ACR Poker’s High Stakes Adventure is taking shape. Two players are set to win their way to stunning Montenegro in Southeast Europe to compete against top poker pros and high stakes legends for huge prizes during the prestigious Super High Roller Series, scheduled for May 13th to 27th.
Through ACR Poker’s Main Satellite on Sunday, April 27th at 2:05pm ET, the High Stakes Adventure: Montenegro is guaranteeing two all-inclusive packages, each covering $110,000 in tournament buy-ins / entry fees, plus added business-class airfare, and a 5-night stay at the luxurious Maestral Resort & Casino.
“The High Stakes Adventure is all about creating opportunities for players to escape the ordinary and play alongside poker’s elite in incredible destinations,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “I can still feel the energy from my deep run in Montenegro last year, and I’ve got a good feeling this event is going to be just as unforgettable. If you missed your chance to win a South Korea package earlier this year, this is your chance to get in the game.”
Moneymaker is no stranger to the high-stakes scene in Montenegro, having won last year’s Triton Poker Super High Roller Series $25,000 buy-in event for $903,000. Meanwhile, fellow ACR Pro Nacho Barbero also made waves this year during the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Jeju, finishing 7th in the $100,000 buy-in Main Event, earning $946,000, plus cashing in four other events.
The High Stakes Adventure: Montenegro package winners will have the flexibility to split their $110,000 buy-in budget across multiple events or go all-in on a single high-stakes tourney. Off the felt, players can look forward to exploring Montenegro’s rich history, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.
This latest satellite follows the success of ACR Poker’s High Stakes Adventure: South Korea earlier this year, where two $110,000 packages were awarded to players for the Super High Roller Series Jeju. Players looking to follow in their footsteps and compete for the Montenegro packages can buy into the Main Satellite for $2,650 or qualify for less through satellites running on ACR Poker this month.
For more details on the High Stakes Adventure: Montenegro, visit the promo page at ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER’S NEXT HIGH STAKES ADVENTURE TAKES PLAYERS TO MONTENEGRO FOR PRESTIGIOUS SUPER HIGH ROLLER SERIES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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BetBrothers Introduces Platform Dedicated to Safer Betting in Regulated Markets
BetBrothers announced the launch of its affiliate marketing platform, dedicated to providing detailed information and analysis of regulated sports betting operators. With the core mission of “Connecting Players with Safer Bets,” it will focus on developing and managing affiliate websites within regulated markets, starting with Spain and Greece.
BetBrothers sets itself apart by partnering exclusively with operators who hold valid licenses within these jurisdictions. This strategy ensures full compliance and promotes a safer betting environment for players.
“Licensing isn’t just a checkbox for us. It’s a baseline. By working only with licensed partners in each market, we not only ensure compliance. We’re taking an active role in promoting a safer betting environment and a player-friendly iGaming ecosystem,” said Borja Imbergamo, Head of Growth & Strategy at BetBrothers. “We are confident that this dedicated approach will resonate with both players and operators who value fair play and responsible experience.”
The platform is founded and managed by a team of seasoned professionals with deep expertise in sports betting, affiliate marketing, and product development. The team behind BetBrothers has 25 years of combined experience in the industry.
BetBrothers content strategy is centered around providing players with clear and reliable insights in sports betting operators and their offerings. The team aims to become a compass for players, guiding them towards betting options offered by reputable and licensed brands. This player-first approach prioritizes user safety and promotes sports betting as an enjoyable form of entertainment.
Imbergamo added, “We established BetBrothers with a clear vision. To build a trustworthy bridge between players seeking entertainment and operators committed to the highest standards of user safety and regulation. We believe that the future of affiliate marketing in this industry lies in responsibility, transparency, and a commitment to safer betting experience.”
BetBrothers adopts a strong product-centric approach. The brand’s strategy goes beyond typical formats, building features and content that are engaging and useful for the players. This commitment to product innovation aims to significantly improve the user experience and offer more than just basic operator reviews. In addition to editorials, BetBrothers will also incorporate user-generated content to highlight real player experiences. This blend of expert-driven analysis and player feedback will provide a more well-rounded view of the betting market.
The brand aims to become an authority for responsible affiliate marketing. Offering valuable resources for players to help them make informed choices while delivering high-quality, compliant traffic to its operator partners. BetBrothers team plans a steady expansion into other regulated markets in the near future.
About BetBrothers:
BetBrothers is an affiliate marketing platform operating in the sports betting industry. Founded by seasoned industry professionals, its core mission is “Connecting Players with Safer Bets.” The platform builds and manages affiliate websites that exclusively promote licensed operators within regulated markets. BetBrothers is committed to responsible gambling, transparency, compliance, and creating a safer online betting environment for players.
The post BetBrothers Introduces Platform Dedicated to Safer Betting in Regulated Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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