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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.
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Source: espn.com
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HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress 2025 Marks Record Attendance and Announces Marek Plota as Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit
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The 2025 edition of the European Gaming Congress (EGC) closed its doors in Warsaw with record-breaking attendance, a strengthened industry footprint, and an announcement that marks a new chapter for HIPTHER’s European expansion: in 2026, EGC officially evolves into the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit with renowned legal expert Marek Plota appointed as its first Ambassador.
Held across two content-rich stages – the Compliance & Operations Lad and the TechXperience Stage – alongside the hands-on HIPTHER Academy Workshops, EGC 2025 delivered its most ambitious program to date. Attendance has now tripled compared to its reintroduction in 2023, establishing Warsaw as one of the most dynamic conversation hubs for gaming, compliance, and tech in Europe.
A European Outlook With Global Relevance
The Compliance & Operations Lab brought together regulators, lawyers, and industry specialists for a panoramic review of the evolving European ecosystem. Discussions spanned the Polish market’s legal framework, cross-border compliance from Paris to Berlin, key CEE territories, the Czech Republic and Romania, and an outlook on emerging priorities in the Baltics. Experts also explored global trends with a timely update on several LATAM jurisdictions.
A highlight of the Agenda was the IMGL Masterclass – “Regulators, Legislators, and the Power of One Voice: A Legal Strategy for Industry Unity” – which explored the future of collaborative governance and harmonization.
Fintech, taxation, licensing, and responsible gaming standards added essential layers to a program designed to help operators and suppliers navigate an increasingly interconnected regulatory landscape.
Tech, Innovation, and the Human Factor
On the TechXperience Stage, conversations shifted to the future:
– AI for competitive advantage
– The evolution of esports and startup innovation
– AEO & SEO trends redefining discoverability
– Personalization and the new player journey
– Cyber resilience in iGaming
– Strategic Event Preparation in B2B PR, Marketing & BizDev
These sessions brought together marketing leaders, technologists, founders, and innovators across iGaming, fintech, digital entertainment, and cybersecurity, underlining Warsaw’s emerging status as a cross-industry meeting point in Europe.
A Key Voice: Marek Plota’s Impactful Participation
Throughout the Congress, Marek Plota – Founding Attorney at RM Legal & Gaming in Poland – played a leading role as both moderator and speaker. His contributions spanned Poland’s gambling framework, European lessons for CEE markets, and strategic taxation and licensing standards. He also brought legal depth to the IMGL Masterclass, adding critical clarity to one of the most pressing topics for operators in the region.
Marek’s widely respected presence across national and international gaming markets, combined with his years-long collaboration with HIPTHER as panelist, moderator, sponsor, and advisor, made this year’s Congress a natural moment to formalize the partnership.
Introducing the Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit
HIPTHER is proud to announce Marek Plota as the Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit, beginning with the 2026 edition.
In his own words: “It’s a real honor to serve as an ambassador for the Hipther Warsaw Summit and the European Gaming Congress. My collaboration with Zoltan Tundik and the Hipther team goes back many years as a panelist, moderator, sponsor, and above all, as a friend. These events are truly unique in the global gaming and gambling conference calendar — intimate, insightful, and refreshingly personal. Unlike the vast expos, Hipther events give people a genuine chance to meet, talk, and exchange ideas without walking 50,000 steps from one meeting to another. We are already looking forward to the next editions and to working together to make these conferences a true must-have for everyone in the industry.”
Marek is a founder and a head of the legal team at RM Legal Law Firm and Gaming In Poland, jointly providing multidisciplinary and multijurisdictional support for leading international gambling operators in the Polish, European Union, and African markets. His gambling practice includes regulatory support at the pre and post-licensing stage, IT, and taxation services, as well as the unique service of performing a function of a gambling representative. RM Legal is the only law firm in Poland representing offshore companies operating legally in the Polish gambling market. Apart from gambling Marek specializes in corporate commercial law and international investment projects.
A New Era for Warsaw, Europe, and the Global Market
The transition from EGC to the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit marks a strategic evolution with HIPTHER enhancing the region’s growing importance: Poland now stands as a crossroads of regulatory influence, iGaming innovation, and international market expansion – connecting Western Europe, CEE, and fast-emerging global markets, from Africa to LATAM.
In 2026, the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit will continue shaping the conversations and connections that define the future of gaming and tech.
HIPTHER looks forward to welcoming the industry back to Warsaw next year for an even bigger, more influential, and more globally connected event – assisted by the expertise and vision of its new Ambassador.
The post HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress 2025 Marks Record Attendance and Announces Marek Plota as Ambassador of the HIPTHER Warsaw Summit appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Asensi Technologies Obtains Accreditation as an Online Gaming Laboratory in Malta
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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has officially recognized Asensi Technologies as a System and Compliance Audit Service Provider, thereby granting the company authorization to conduct technical audits (System Audits) and regulatory compliance reviews (Compliance Audits) on online gaming systems operating under Maltese jurisdiction.
Following a rigorous accreditation process, Asensi Technologies expands its international presence and demonstrates its ability to meet the demands of a sector that is constantly growing and evolving.
“Malta, one of the leading international hubs for the online gaming industry, represents a strategic step in the company’s global expansion,” states Teté Asensi, CEO of the company.
“This recognition is particularly gratifying as it strengthens our position as a specialized laboratory for the evaluation and certification of online gaming systems in a key market such as Malta, and reflects further confidence in our work,” she adds.
Since its accreditation in 2017 by the DirecciĂłn General de OrdenaciĂłn del Juego (DGOJ) as an authorized laboratory in Spain, Asensi Technologies has maintained a strong commitment to technical excellence and regulatory compliance, earning recognition on numerous occasions as one of the best service providers in the sector within the country.
Over the past year, the company has embarked on an international expansion process, achieving official accreditation from MINCETUR to operate in Peru, recognition from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Kahnawake, and now this milestone in Malta, where it expects to replicate the positive results already recorded in the three jurisdictions where it currently operates.
CEO Teté Asensi highlights the significance of obtaining these accreditations and international recognition for a company like Asensi Technologies: “We are extremely proud of this new achievement. We are a boutique laboratory undergoing rapid expansion thanks to a highly qualified and committed team capable of offering a close and personalized approach to our clients, accompanying them throughout their processes with tailored solutions that meet their needs. This milestone reflects and acknowledges all our effort and dedication,” she concludes.
The post Asensi Technologies Obtains Accreditation as an Online Gaming Laboratory in Malta appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Max Level wins PR & Communications mandate for LVL Zero Gaming Incubator
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Max Level, a leading marketing and PR agency built by gamers, has been appointed as the official PR and communications partner for LVL Zero, a first-of-its-kind incubator program spearheaded by ChimeraVC in partnership with MIXI Global Investments and Nazara Technologies. The initiative aims to accelerate the growth of early-stage gaming startups in India through a 100-day structured program combining mentorship, product acceleration and capital access.
LVL Zero offers an equity-free grant pool worth USD 100,000, open to all startups across the gaming ecosystem. Each cohort will see 10 startups receive a USD 10,000 equity-free grant. The program is designed to help startups accelerate product development through targeted mentorship, access to funding opportunities, and connections with publishing networks. Over the next five years, LVL Zero aims to empower more than 100 promising startups to build sustainable businesses and compete globally.
Speaking on the partnership, Krish Anurag, Managing Partner at ChimeraVC and Founding Partner at LVL Zero said: “LVL Zero is our commitment to catalysing the next generation of gaming founders from India and Asia. We’re thrilled to have Max Level on board as our communications partner. Their deep understanding of the gaming ecosystem, narrative expertise, and proven network within the media landscape make them the ideal agency to help us amplify this initiative and the founders who will shape the future of gaming.”
As the PR and communications partner for LVL Zero, Max Level will lead the initiative’s storytelling and thought leadership strategy, spotlighting the success stories emerging from each cohort to highlight the program’s impact on the gaming startup ecosystem. With a proven track record as the communications partner for some of India’s leading gaming and esports brands, including NODWIN Gaming, S8UL Esports, Riot Games, and CyberPowerPC India, Max Level brings deep industry insight, strategic narrative expertise, and an authentic understanding of the gaming community to help LVL Zero achieve its vision and amplify its influence across the region.
Siddharth Nayyar, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Max Level, added: “LVL Zero is an incredible incubator program for gaming startups in India, and we’re excited to help tell its story. The program is perfectly aligned with our mission to support the growth of India’s gaming and creator economy, and we look forward to driving awareness around the founders, ideas, and innovations emerging from LVL Zero’s cohorts.”
In addition to PR and communications, Max Level provides gaming and esports brands with an array of services, including campaign management, brand building, production, video editing, social media marketing, influencer programs, and consultancy. The agency’s portfolio spans leading names such as NODWIN Gaming, S8UL, Riot Games India and South Asia, CyberPowerPC India, KRAFTON, the Saudi Esports Federation, ESL FACEIT Group, The Esports World Cup, ASUS ROG, Jio Games, TVS, and HyperX, among others.
This partnership marks another milestone in Max Level’s mission to power narratives that elevate India’s gaming, esports, and tech ecosystem globally.
The post Max Level wins PR & Communications mandate for LVL Zero Gaming Incubator appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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