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How the Gaming Industry Utilises the Power of Football
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After a glorious FIFA World Cup summer, we once again make the return to domestic matters with all of Europe’s elite leagues now underway. Yes, the football season has resumed in all its relentless glory, and while not all of us can be top players, earning millions and enjoying the Instagram lifestyle, we can, in part, join in. How? Through video games where football isn’t just about pretending to be Mo Salah or Pep Guardiola—it’s about so much more.
Following the success of the World Cup-based, free-to-play competition, the “$100 MILLION Challenge”, The Stars Group rebooted their Spin & Go games into Spin & Goals—and their game Football Star is just the latest example of the gaming industry piggy-backing off of football’s popularity to promote its products. However, when it comes to video games, there are two staples of any new football season, the first of which is Football Manager. This year’s management sim is released on November 2 and will be titled “Football Manager 2019”. Evolving over the last 25 years from the original title “Championship Manager”, this game created—and then defined—the genre, and since its conception, no one else gets remotely close. For those of you looking for the ultimate football management experience, you need Football Manager 2019 in your life.
This game covers everything from on-field tactics to squad management. You must ensure that you keep rested players happy while working with the medical staff to maintain peak squad fitness. The real beauty of the game, though, comes from the transfer market where you get to scout, buy, and, of course, sell players in order to construct your winning team. Makers Sports Interactive have produced a game so definitive that scenarios mirror real-life situations that today’s managers have to deal with. It also comes with an accurate global database so massive that it contains pretty much every player in every league around the world. The only major league that the game didn’t hold the licence rights for was Germany’s Bundesliga, but that, too, will now be added in this year’s edition.
Play the Real Thing
The other staple of a new football season is EA Sport’s FIFA 19 (as it will be titled this year). The makers spare no expense, and it shows. It’s expensive and luxurious and it is unquestionably the “football game of football games”. Popular the world over, and now considered to be an e-sport, FIFA 19’s graphics are so accurate that you feel like you could be watching a live match. And the commentary comes off as real and authentic, too. Thanks to the related mini-game, FIFA Ultimate Team, the game also encourages you to purchase in-game Panini-style stickers to build up your dream team. This feature also works on mobile. Also popular is the “journey mode” that puts you in control of an aspiring pro’s career; it’s your job to turn him in to an international superstar. FIFA 19 is due out on September 28, and, for the first time, it will include the full Champions League licence.
The other sim, very much in FIFA’s shadow but still very much loved, is Pro Evolution Soccer 2019. There was a time when Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) and FIFA were going head-to-head, but this feels like a long time ago now, as FIFA has pulled away in such style. This is largely due to budgets, as Konami never had all the licences that its richer rival had. Whereas FIFA offered all teams, PES offered “North London Reds” and “Man Blue”. They do, however, have Barcelona and Liverpool (whom they sponsor) on their books so it’s not all bad. And, for the record, the gameplay is not bad either—thanks to the silkiness of its passing system and the on-pitch feel— which is why PES still has many fans. PES 2019 is already available for the loyalists among you.
90’s Arcade Classic
Sensible Soccer ruled the nineties. Photo Credit: Gary Denham, CC BY
Speaking of loyalists, back in the 90’s there was a cherished classic, pixel-heavy, no-frills football game that gained an army of fans, thanks to its vastly different offering. Back then, Sensible Soccer was considered to be the king of football games, even when considered among better-looking releases. Now, almost 25 years on, the arcade-style game will soon be making a return under the name Sociable Soccer. And, comfortingly, this will be released using 3D tools from Jon Hare’s Tower Studios, the studio that brought us its beloved predecessor. However, this is very much a “watch this space” matter at the moment, as Sociable Soccer is currently only available via Steam Early Access for PC. One early teaser to look out for is a player-card in-game feature similar to FIFA’s Ultimate Team, and while it looks as though it will initially be a PC game, console versions are also planned. These new releases and rebooted, old favourites just go to prove that there remains a healthy appetite for football games and, quite frankly, long may that continue.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
Latest News
Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards
Despite the cold winter, the iGaming industry is entering its hottest season — awards season. This is the time when international experts evaluate the most innovative products, technologies, and services, highlighting the companies that set the standards for the year ahead. This season, Betandyou is kicking off with a strong start, making it onto the shortlist of several prestigious international awards.
Betandyou has been named a finalist at the European iGaming Awards in the category Sports Betting Platform of the Year, which recognizes brands delivering exceptional innovation, operational excellence, and user experience. At the same time, the brand has been shortlisted in the same category at the International Gaming Awards, one of the most influential global iGaming awards, where judging focuses on technology, UX, responsible gaming, and platform reliability.
Additionally, Betandyou has made it to the finals of the LCB Awards, earning recognition in three separate categories. This award is particularly meaningful because it combines expert evaluation with feedback from the real user community, reflecting both industry acknowledgment and players’ trust.
The Betandyou team commented on these nominations:
“This is an important milestone for us and a sign that our approach to product and service resonates with both the professional community and our users. We are grateful to the experts, partners, and players for their trust. Being shortlisted is already an achievement, and the wins are just the next step.”.
The team would like to thank partners, industry experts, and users for their support and high evaluation of the project. Awards season is just beginning, but Betandyou is already gaining international recognition as a strong player in the sports betting market.
Betandyou is a next-generation sports betting platform offering a seamless and secure experience for players worldwide. With a focus on innovation, fast payouts, and user-friendly design, Betandyou continues to set new standards for the online betting industry.
The post Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
Betandyou shortlisted for three international awards
Despite the cold winter, the iGaming industry is entering its hottest season — awards season. This is the time when international experts evaluate the most innovative products, technologies, and services, highlighting the companies that set the standards for the year ahead. This season, Betandyou is kicking off with a strong start, making it onto the shortlist of several prestigious international awards.
Betandyou has been named a finalist at the European iGaming Awards in the category Sports Betting Platform of the Year, which recognizes brands delivering exceptional innovation, operational excellence, and user experience. At the same time, the brand has been shortlisted in the same category at the International Gaming Awards, one of the most influential global iGaming awards, where judging focuses on technology, UX, responsible gaming, and platform reliability.
Additionally, Betandyou has made it to the finals of the LCB Awards, earning recognition in three separate categories. This award is particularly meaningful because it combines expert evaluation with feedback from the real user community, reflecting both industry acknowledgment and players’ trust.
The Betandyou team commented on these nominations:
“This is an important milestone for us and a sign that our approach to product and service resonates with both the professional community and our users. We are grateful to the experts, partners, and players for their trust. Being shortlisted is already an achievement, and the wins are just the next step.”.
The team would like to thank partners, industry experts, and users for their support and high evaluation of the project. Awards season is just beginning, but Betandyou is already gaining international recognition as a strong player in the sports betting market.
Betandyou is a next-generation sports betting platform offering a seamless and secure experience for players worldwide. With a focus on innovation, fast payouts, and user-friendly design, Betandyou continues to set new standards for the online betting industry.
Latest News
MENA Emerges as Global Growth Engine for Blockchain Gaming, BGA 2025 Report Finds
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has emerged as the fastest-rising region in blockchain gaming, now representing nearly one-fifth of all industry professionals surveyed by the Blockchain Game Alliance (BGA), according to the newly released 2025 BGA State of the Industry Report.
The findings were unveiled on stage at the Global Blockchain Show Abu Dhabi 2025 by Sebastien Borget, Co-President of the BGA and Co-Founder of The Sandbox, during a panel discussion titled ‘Web3 Gaming’s Big Bet’ with Yat Siu, Chairman of Animoca Brands, and Cathy Hackl, CEO of Future Dynamics, moderated by Wissam Younane, CEO, Entrepreneur Middle East.
“Sharing this year’s BGA State of the Industry Report in Abu Dhabi shows the promise and huge potential of blockchain gaming’s next phase, and MENA’s rapid growth is a big signal that new regions around the world are stepping into leadership roles,” said Borget. “What we’re seeing in the data is an industry becoming more global, more disciplined, and more focused on building great games for real players.”
MENA’s representation has surged from virtually no presence in the survey sample just five years ago — under 1% in 2021 — to 19.8% of respondents in 2025, marking the most pronounced regional shift since the survey began. When combined with Africa’s steady growth, rising from 0.5% in 2021 to 5.5% in 2025, the two regions now account for more than a quarter of all global responses to the survey.
This momentum reflects a broader realignment in the gaming and technology landscape. MENA has become one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets, underpinned by a youthful, digitally-native population and extensive government investment into gaming, esports, and digital infrastructure. As global capital increasingly flows into the region through strategic acquisitions, large-scale development initiatives, and major esports events, blockchain gaming’s rising professional footprint signals that MENA is actively shaping the future of the sector.
The BGA’s growth across MENA and Africa has been strongly attributed to the leadership and regional advocacy of Yasmina Kazitani, who was elected by the BGA membership as the organization’s first female Co-President in March 2025.
An Algerian-born ecosystem builder with deep ties across both regions, Kazitani has focused on community partnerships and grassroots outreach in emerging markets, broadening participation while championing access for previously underrepresented groups. She is also a long-standing advocate for gender diversity and inclusion as Co-Founder of the Women in Web3 Alliance, working to reduce barriers to entry and elevate female leadership within the industry.
“The survey results reflect what we see on the ground: new communities with new talent and stewardship,” said Kazitani. “With more voices entering the conversation, we are reminded that diverse representation is essential because this is what influences the ideas, products, and priorities that will define our industry’s next phase. A broader range of perspectives strengthens decision-making, contributes to a more resilient ecosystem, and ultimately underpins a global industry that better reflects its players and creates games that resonate across cultures.”
This increasing focus on diversity and broader participation was reflected directly in the survey methodology itself. For the first time, the BGA survey was offered in multiple languages beyond English, resulting in nearly a quarter of responses being submitted in other languages including French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese, with the majority received in Arabic. This expansion has provided a more accurate picture of industry participation while lowering barriers to inclusion in non-English-speaking markets.
Beyond its geographic findings, the report provides a comprehensive snapshot of a maturing industry navigating a challenging market environment. Respondents highlight rising confidence in regulatory clarity as a key driver of growth, alongside an increasing focus on high-quality game development and sustainable business models. At the same time, industry professionals identify scams and fraud as the greatest threats to credibility, funding scarcity as the most pressing operational constraint, and AI-enabled exploitation as a growing concern.
Key takeaways from the BGA 2025 State of the Industry Report are highlighted below:
Respondent Demographics
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19.8% of respondents come from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), up from under 1% in 2021.
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22.7% female participation marks the highest level recorded in the survey’s history.
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32.6% of respondents work in studios or publishing, dominating industry representation.
Industry Drivers
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64.4% expect policy and regulation to have a positive impact on industry development.
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29.5% cite high-quality game launches as the primary driver of future industry success.
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27.5% point to sustainable, revenue-driven business models as a key growth factor.
Industry Challenges
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36.0% view scams and fraud as the greatest threat to industry credibility.
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32.6% report lack of funding or investment as their company’s biggest operational challenge.
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38.9% fear AI-enabled cheating, bots, and exploits as the largest risk of AI adoption.
The post MENA Emerges as Global Growth Engine for Blockchain Gaming, BGA 2025 Report Finds appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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