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Exclusive Interview with Matthew Stafford, CEO at BlockChain Innovations Corp

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It is my great pleasure to bring to you my latest interview. This week we once again focus on the role of blockchain in the gambling industry as it still is a trending topic. And what better way to get a glimpse into the vertical, then asking the experts of the industry. Matthew Stafford has been appointed as CEO of BlockChain Innovations Corp. this April and he has since than given speech at many industry events. It is high time we got the chance to pick his brain in our unique style. See below our interview with Matthew.

Let’s start with a few words about yourself. Our readers love to hear top-class professionals describing themselves.

Matthew: Thank you for a very kind introduction. I’ve spent 10 years in regulated gaming and public markets as an attorney, most recently with Scientific Games and NYX Gaming Group where I helped take that company public in Toronto in 2014 through its acquisition of Openbet Technologies Limited; the world’s largest sportsbook platform provider in 2016. I’ve had the opportunity to work with hundreds of gaming clients both brick-and-mortar and in the digital space, as well as payment providers, data and compliance vendors and the multitude of gaming software platforms around the world.

You took over as CEO of Blockchain Innovations Corp (BCI) about four months back. What are your early reflections on the job?

Matthew: It’s a very exciting and busy time. We are bringing a disruptive technology to two markets – both the commercial gaming industry for operators and the public market in Toronto for investors.

There is a lot of interest in both sectors around the technology and what it can do. In the capital markets, it’s about building blockchain companies as a value-added segment that gives depth to cryptocurrencies beyond price speculation and mining. For the gaming industry, it’s about building a modern gaming and payment platform that is compatible with conventional technologies so that our operator clients can offer blockchain wagering now and be poised for the future.

You studied law and started your career as a legal intern. How does your legal background help in your functioning as the CEO of BCI, especially as cryptocurrencies and other blockchain financial solutions are still viewed with suspicion by the regulators in several countries. 

Matthew: I was fortunate enough to work in gaming – at leading slot manufacturer Aruze Gaming America, Inc. – before graduating law school. As the Assistant General Counsel there, I obtained over 150 gaming licenses for the company worldwide and won approval for hundreds of devices. I also oversaw regulatory compliance at NYX and that foundation provided me with the ability to navigate complex regulatory issues, just like the treatment of crypto and blockchain with regulators. A working partnership and understanding of the regulatory schemes behind those agencies is crucial in terms of finding a viable solution for the industry in any circumstance.

What is important to note regarding uncertainties around crypto and blockchain is that, although perhaps skeptical, regulators are addressing the issue. There is positive movement towards adoption; the regulation/licensing frameworks that are being considered are being conducted by many jurisdictions and the outcome is to find that balance of providing the industry with competitive technology while meeting the regulatory objectives within a particular jurisdiction.

Can you tell us more about BCI’s soon to launch cryptocurrency wallet, Pebwallet, and its PebbleShare tipbot?

Matthew: Pebwallet.com is our fully-functional cryptocurrency wallet for users to manage and exchange multiple cryptocurrencies for smart-contract coins. They can also buy, sell, and exchange wagers via our PebbleShare tipbot. The wallet communicates to any existing operator’s PAM via an API and, in addition to standard transaction accounting and reporting, operators may permit wagering between players using pay-as you-go cryptocurrency where no money is on deposit as well as players with fiat currency on deposit, in their existing operator account.

Once activated, users with popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum may then exchange those coins for PebbleCoin and begin placing smart-contract wagers. PebbleCoin, the gaming-by-design crypto-currency BCI’s technology utilizes, is one of the first cryptocurrencies to use smart contracts and trade them as freely as coins.

BCI claims that its blockchain social betting solution has something unique and innovative that the competitors, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum, do not have: basically, BCI’s solution does not have a lag in provable transaction confirmation. Could you explain about its practical real-time implications?

Matthew: BCI has provably instant confirmation of transactions, or bets integrated within its technology and our cryptocurrency PebbleCoin. The confirmation time for Bitcoin is 1 hour and Ethereum is 180 seconds. The implication of that 180 seconds to 1 hour is that live wagering environments are not possible with Bitcoin or Ethereum since there is an ability for one side to “roll-back” the transaction on the blockchain. If this were the case, users could cancel bets when the line prices move against their position – that’s not feasible in a betting market.

These are good times to be a betting solution provider in the USA, as the US supreme court has repealed PSPA, which would inevitably lead to the legalization of sports betting in many US states. How do you see the prospects for BCI?

Matthew: We see a lot of opportunity for operators to be “born on the blockchain”, that is to have a blockchain wagering offering for their players as their sole platform or a complementary offering to their player base. With the 6-3 United States Supreme Court decision striking down a 1992 law prohibiting such sports betting outside of Nevada, and the American Gaming Association estimating there is over $250 billion wagered annually in the US, it is a promising time for the sector.

Those figures mean that the demand for suppliers in the US will exceed the capabilities of conventional platform providers. We anticipate operators that want to be live when authorized by their state will look to blockchain as a modern technology that is able to offer a full solution for their sports wagering operations. Along those lines, because of the near-zero cost to operate our system, Tribes and state sports lotteries stand to gain the most from a blockchain solution since those savings go directly back to the taxpayer or tribal entities managing gaming operations for the tribe.

About BlockChain Innovations Corp.

Blockchain Innovations is headquartered in Las Vegas. The company designs and develops market ready blockchain technology for public and private real-money wagering and peer-to-peer gaming companies across the globe.

The company’s blockchain technology consists of a fully functional crypto-currency wallet, a tipbot – PebbleGo for easily sending and receiving smart contracts, and its smart contracts platform – the ideal wagering eco-system for instant confirmation, where contracts are tradeable, divisible, transferable and new wagering not available in traditional retail or online markets.

The company’s technology is built around PebbleCoin, a gambling-by-design cryptocurrency that has been mined since 2015. Pebblecoin’s unique features make it the only crypto-currency that can facilitate real-time wagering.

For more details visit www.blockchaininnovations.info


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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ASUS ROG BECOMES THE OFFICIAL PARTNER OF TEAM VITALITY

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Leading French club Team Vitality and ASUS Republic Of Gamers (ROG), an iconic global brand in the gaming technology industry, are pleased to announce their partnership until the end of 2026. The partnership includes the use of ROG’s industry-leading peripherals including keyboards, mice, mice mats & headsets for Team Vitality’s elite Counter-Strike 2 and VALORANT rosters.

United by a shared ambition, the two entities aspire to reach the top of the podiums at the biggest international esports competitions, with ROG’s products providing advanced technology and unparalleled quality for the club’s FPS teams.

TEAM VITALITY ROSTERS POWERED BY PERIPHERALS LEADER

Team Vitality is delighted to welcome ROG as an official partner. During competitions, ROG logo will be included on the left sleeve of the official jerseys of the CS2 and VALORANT teams.

ROG, recognized as an essential reference in the world of esports, offers equipment that combines durability, performance, ergonomics, and precision – essential qualities to excel at the highest level. The brand has already supported prestigious esports teams.

Official Team Vitality player gear includes:

  • The ROG Delta II headset, guaranteeing clear and flawless communication.
  • ROG Keris II Ace mouse, offering unrivaled precision and comfort with a pro-approved shape and leading technology.
  • ROG Hone Ace XXL mouse pad, providing players with a wide surface for movement consistency and control.
  • The ROG Falchion ACE HFX keyboard, incorporating Rapid Trigger technology, specially designed for gamers.

These products will allow gamers to achieve optimal performance: ultra-responsive keyboards, high-precision mice adapted to different gaming strategies, and headsets ensuring impeccable communication.

Aiming to establish new standards for players and fans worldwide, the collaboration will series of exciting activations that will be carried out throughout the year during key international events, bringing together esports enthusiasts, Team Vitality supporters, and the broader gaming community

Over the course of the year, the club will integrate ROG into its communications, particularly on its X accounts dedicated to Counter-Strike and VALORANT, as well as across its other social media platforms

We are delighted to welcome such a prestigious brand as ROG to Team Vitality! This partnership mirrors our standards and ambitions: to equip our players and our staff with cutting-edge peripherals, offering precision, responsiveness, and comfort, whilst also supporting our international development strategy. 2025 is going to be an exciting year for VALORANT and CS2, and this partnership will guarantee unmissable activations for all our fans.” explains Nicolas Maurer, CEO of Team Vitality.

“We are proud to collaborate with Team Vitality, an organization that shares our values of excellence and innovation. This partnership offers us a unique opportunity to be closer to professional players, enabling us to further understand their needs and refine our products to meet the highest expectations. Together, we want to inspire the gaming community and help elevate esports to greater heights,” stated Kris Huang, General Manager of the ROG Gaming Gear and Accessory Business Unit.

AIMING FOR NEW HEIGHTS IN THE ESPORTS SCENE

Following a successful 2024, Team Vitality aspires to reach even greater heights in 2025. The partnership with ROG unlocks a range of opportunities to enhance the club’s global visibility and further its ambitious goals on the world stage.

This year’s international esports calendar features unmissable events for fans, including the two CS2 Majors and the VALORANT Champions, which will be held in Paris next September. With star-studded roasters boasting talents such as Derke, Sayf, zywOo, and apEX, Team Vitality is ready to shine and offer ROG unprecedented visibility among its global community of 13 million fans.

By joining forces, Team Vitality and ROG are sending a strong message: esports is a dynamic, innovative, and increasingly attractive sector for brands. This strategic partnership will engage millions of fans worldwide while creating unique opportunities for impactful activations, engaging content, and memorable experiences.

The post ASUS ROG BECOMES THE OFFICIAL PARTNER OF TEAM VITALITY appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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High Roller Technologies Welcomes Kristofer Muscat as Chief Operating Officer

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High Roller Technologies, Inc. (“High Roller” and the “Company”) (NYSE American: ROLR), operator of www.HighRoller.com and www.Fruta.com, each a premium brand in online gaming and a destination for high rollers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristofer Muscat as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective January 5th, 2025. In this role, Mr. Muscat will oversee operational strategy, drive growth initiatives, and enhance High Roller’s commitment to delivering premium experiences in the online gambling and iCasino gaming industry.

“Kristofer’s operational expertise in the gambling industry and his proven track record of driving growth through innovation will be instrumental as we continue development of our technologies focused on machine learning to automate key functionality to enhance the player experience and reduce operational overhead,” said Ben Clemes, CEO of High Roller Technologies. “His leadership will play a vital role in optimizing our operations and enhancing our mission to provide engaging, seamless, and world-class experiences for our users.”

Mr. Muscat brings a wealth of industry experience to High Roller. As the former Chief Operating Officer of Eastrock Group, he was pivotal in streamlining operations across offices in Sweden, Malta, and Hong Kong. He successfully enhanced efficiency, built customer-centric cultures, and supported Eastrock’s expansion in the competitive iGaming sector. His leadership at Eastrock reinforced his reputation as a forward-thinking executive with a deep understanding of operational excellence in the gambling industry. Prior to Eastrock, Mr. Muscat held a management position at Bally’s.

“I am so excited to be joining High Roller at such a pivotal time in the company’s evolution. The team’s vision for innovation and their unwavering focus on creating exceptional experiences for players perfectly align with my values and expertise. I am eager to leverage my background in operations and strategy to help drive growth, strengthen High Roller’s position as an industry leader, and elevate the brand’s appeal to high-stakes players around the globe.” commented Kristofer Muscat, new COO of High Roller Technologies.

The post High Roller Technologies Welcomes Kristofer Muscat as Chief Operating Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Robin ‘ropz’ Kool joins Team Vitality’s CS2 roster

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Team Vitality is thrilled to announce the signing of global esports star and former FaZe Clan player Robin ‘ropz’ Kool to their CS2 roster.

Ropz is one of the most decorated Counter-Strike players on the circuit, having secured numerous victories, a plethora of MVP honours, and building a strong reputation for precision, consistency, and success. His experience, coupled with his superb understanding of CS2, will bolster Team Vitality in the club’s hunt for success in 2025.

  • Robin ‘ropz’ Kool, the 25-year-old Estonian, has officially joined Team Vitality’s CS2 roster.
  • With Ropz’s addition to the team, the rosters current rifler Lotan ‘Spinx’ Giladi will be moved to the inactive roster.
  • The move further positions the French club as one of the most formidable teams in the space, following on from the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne win in 2024, underscoring the organisation’s commitment to success in CS2.
  • Ropz is widely regarded as one of the most skilled CS2 players worldwide, with a career highlighted by numerous tournament wins, MVP accolades, and a legacy of consistent and high-level performance. Known for his tactical expertise, adaptability and sharpshooting, he brings a wealth of experience to Team Vitality.
  • The French club’s roster now boasts an elite combination of in-game expertise, strategic minds, and sheer firepower, positioning them as one of the most forbidding rosters globally. The roster now consists of Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire, Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut, Shahar ‘flameZ’ Shushan, William ‘mezii’ Merriman, and Robin ‘ropz’ Kool. The team will be coached by Rémy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam and assistant coach Mathieu “MaT” Leber, and led by new Team Manager, Amy May ‘Aphiren’ Snowdon.
  • The roster will first be seen in action during the BLAST Bounty Spring 2025: Closed Qualifier later in January.

“Signing ropz is the culmination of several years of discussions and mutual respect. We have followed his journey with great admiration, and this year, the stars aligned for him to join us. We understand that he’s leaving more than just a team behind – he’s leaving a family. We’re determined to show him that he made the right choice. He fits perfectly into our vision, with the ambition to make history and build a legacy for the club on CS,” explains Fabien “Neo” Devide, President of Team Vitality. “His experience, versatility, and game intelligence are invaluable assets. He is a player with a heart of gold, one of the most inspiring figures in the history of Counter-Strike, and someone who truly embodies the values we stand for. With him, we are solidifying our place among the global elite of CS, and this is an incredible opportunity for Team Vitality.”

The post Robin ‘ropz’ Kool joins Team Vitality’s CS2 roster appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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