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Games and eSports partnership based around ESforce

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Mail.ru Group Limited, one of the largest Internet companies in the Russian-speaking Internet market, today announces the creation of a partnership around ESforce eSports business with Modern Pick, which will allow Mail.ru Group and Modern Pick to build a well-diversified eSports business, with presence in Russia/CIS as well as Europe, with access to a broader games portfolio and expertise in AAA+ games development, eSports teams, broadcasting, video production, streaming, tournament organization and venues, combined with an extensive set of media and global brand partnerships.

The BoD of Mail.ru Group approved signing of the partnership agreement. Implied valuation of ESforce as part of the transaction is $110mn (including SK Gaming, catering and merchandise businesses, disposed by Mail.ru Group previously for >$10mn, implied overall valuation of all ESforce assets acquired by Mail.ru Group totals $120mn+). Mail.ru Group is to transfer 51% stake of ESforce into Modern Pick. The transaction is anticipated to be completed in the coming months, with ESforce to be deconsolidated from the Mail.ru Group’s financials as of Q2 results reporting on a pro forma basis. In FY 2018, ESforce generated RUB2.7bn in revenues and had an EBITDA of RUB0.7bn.

Following the closure of the deal, Mail.ru Group will work with ESforce on arms-length basis, including around target advertising activity using Mail.ru Group’s services.

Deal structure:

– MRG already holds 3% of Modern Pick
– MRG transfers 51% of ESforce as contribution to Modern Pick at an implied $56mn valuation ($110mn for 100%) with the combined company having a total initial value of $350mn
– The ultimate long term size of MRG’s stake will depend on a number of operational KPIs for the combined company set for 2022 and could increase or decrease from initial level
– MRG will remain 49% shareholder of ESforce post transaction
– Third year ratchet: Mail.ru Group’s share is to be re-valuated depending on 2022 financial performance. In case the combined 2022 revenue is below certain minimum threshold MRG may exit the merged company and get 51% of ESforce shares back. Mail.ru Group also has an option to reverse the deal in case certain fundraising and asset consolidation conditions agreed as part of the Transaction are not met by Modern Pick

We remain committed to games and eSports and see this partnership as adding optionality around new monetization channels for our existing and future game content, potential to operate eSports leagues and generally play a much larger role on the global eSports market, which offers significant growth potential, in our view, having already risen by 75% since 2016 to $865.1mn in 2018 and expected to break $1bn in revenues this year, according to Newzoo. PwC sees the global e-sports market growing at a 2018-22F CAGR of 18%, from $805mn in 2018 to $1,580mn in 2022.

We expect synergies from access to a much broader European sponsorship market with wide opportunities in eSports and media projects as well as from broadening our non-violent games portfolio, attractive for sponsorship. This also means an opportunity for MY.GAMES to receive access to global advertisers and opens up opportunities for cooperation and global expansion with overall diversification of our games and eSports business.

Commenting on the transaction Vladimir Nikolsky, COO (Russia) at Mail.ru Group, said: “We are very pleased to be entering into this new business together with Modern Pick, the strong partner who works in close cooperation with such brands as ZDF, Red Bull, etc. We are pleased with the progress that ESF has made since our acquisition but we see larger opportunities for the business being part of a wider eco-system. This is entirely constant with our strategy of leveraging our dominant position in our home market while also working with partners in some areas. We look forward to working with our talented and energetic partners to further expand ESF’s reach and user offering.”

Commenting on the transaction Mathias Lauda, Vice president at Modern Pick, said: “We are really excited to be able grow the business jointly with Mail.ru Group and gain the ESF distribution expertise and the wider partnership with Mail.ru Group to expand the reach of our world class racing games. There are obvious synergies between Modern Pick with its great partnership network of ZDF and Red Bull amongst others and the ever expanding eSports network of ESF. With the number of racing and arcade genre games continuing to increase interest from the wider auto industry continues to increase both in terms of brand recognition and also as a new avenue for marketing. We look forward to working together in this.”


Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Games and eSports partnership based around ESforce

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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GGPoker to Broadcast WSOP Online 2025 Final Tables Live, Featuring GGPoker.tv Broadcast Debut of Poker Legend Phil Hellmuth

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Join Jeff Gross and his legendary co-hosts on September 23 and September 30

GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, today announced it will live stream the final table action of two of the most prestigious events from the ongoing WSOP Online 2025 tournament series. The broadcasts will be available on GGPoker.tv, the brand’s official YouTube channel, and will feature the debut of poker legend Phil Hellmuth as a live GGPoker.tv broadcast host.

The first broadcast, on September 23, will showcase the high-stakes drama from the final table of the $5,000 WSOP Online Main Event, arguably online poker’s most important annual tournament. This landmark event will be co-hosted by frequent GGPoker anchor Jeff Gross and the 17-time WSOP bracelet winner, Phil Hellmuth. Known for his “poker brat” persona and unparalleled tournament record, Hellmuth’s inclusion will provide viewers with an unprecedented look into the mind of one of poker’s greatest champions.

The action continues on September 30, with the final table of the $10,300 GGMillion$ High Rollers event. Joining Jeff Gross for this broadcast will be GGPoker Global Ambassador and fellow poker icon, Daniel Negreanu. Negreanu, with his engaging style and deep understanding of the game, will provide expert commentary and analysis, making this broadcast another must-watch for poker fans everywhere.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the WSOP Online 2025 action directly to our fans with these two live broadcasts,” said Paul Burke, Head of Public Relations at GGPoker. “Having Phil Hellmuth and Daniel Negreanu on air alongside Jeff Gross to break down the action will be a true treat. This will be more than just watching a final table; it’ll be a masterclass in poker strategy from two of the best to ever play the game.”

The post GGPoker to Broadcast WSOP Online 2025 Final Tables Live, Featuring GGPoker.tv Broadcast Debut of Poker Legend Phil Hellmuth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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WILDZ INTRODUCES CUTTING-EDGE ENTERTAINMENT WITH WILDZ TV

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Ta ‘Xbiex, Malta, September 2025: The Wildz Group is pleased to announce an impressive new addition to its flagship Wildz platform: Video-On-Demand product Wildz TV.

Wildz TV is a rich content offering that takes into account the popularity of Video On Demand (VOD). The service delivers rich media entertainment created by guest presenters that enhances the iGaming user experience within the sportsbook and online casino verticals.

As the first Wildz Group brand to provide a full sportsbook offering that accompanies its popular online casino within the same platform, Wildz  is the ideal space to boost the enjoyment even more by introducing VOD content. Aligning with the brand’s ‘GET MORE’ payoff line, this complete entertainment suite provides streaming, live chat and 24/7 customer support, setting the bar high for one-stop leisure gaming.

Embracing the trend

VOD content is sweeping the globe as the preferred option chosen by customers seeking to make the most of their leisure activities, allowing them exclusive access to content suited to their tastes (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ being notable examples). According to Markets dot com, in 2023 the VOD market size was valued at USD 146.6 billion, and it’s forecast to balloon to USD 270.3 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 13%. It made sense to the Wildz team that this trend will inevitably dominate gambling entertainment, too, leading to the creation of a VOD tier of video action in Wildz TV.

Wildz hosts the phenomenal team at Gämblerscast to showcase how this works. They’re renowned for their razor-sharp commentary and insights. Viewers can enjoy Gämblerscast episodes, explore dedicated Gämblers Picks for selected sports and even dip into the Gämblers Favourite Slots.

About Gämblerscast

The collective at Gämblerscast has been amassing a growing following of enthusiasts on Twitch, YouTube and TikTok. As gambling enthusiasts, they know exactly how to create content that appeals to players, including insights, observations, humour and plenty of fun. This winning combination makes them a great fit as the first-ever team to be hosted on Wildz.

The added value of VOD

Players get the opportunity to access exclusive content for a modest premium, content that’s designed to match their interests. While Hulu and Paramount+ (for example) cater to mass markets, sites such as Wildz TV can provide niche content.

Contained behind a paywall, VOD entertainment is perfect for gambling as it underscores the importance of providing access to content according to Responsible Gaming principles and guidelines. Better yet, this source of revenue for entertainers offers a more sustainable form of entertainment that allows others to explore their creativity, too.

Jani Koskinen, Chief Marketing Officer at Wildz Group, says, “VOD is the way forward for gambling platforms seeking to acquire, entertain, engage, and retain players. We’ve seen a great impact from hosting the Gämblerscast team and premium sports events, and we anticipate quality engagement as we explore the benefits of offering rich and exclusive media to our customers. Welcome to the future of iGaming entertainment!”

Wildz TV is yet another reason players are moving to Wildz and sticking around for more quality gambling entertainment.

The post WILDZ INTRODUCES CUTTING-EDGE ENTERTAINMENT WITH WILDZ TV appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Adidas Arena Set to Welcome the 2026 Six Invitational

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Ubisoft and BLAST are thrilled to announce that the 2026 Six Invitational, the biggest event in the BLAST R6 calendar, will take place at the Adidas Arena in northern Paris for the very first time.

Reopened in 2023 following major renovations, this state-of-the-art venue has quickly become one of Paris’s premier destinations for sport and entertainment. Designed with fan experience in mind, the Adidas Arena regularly hosts top-tier basketball games, concerts, and cultural events, and was a key stage during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

With cutting-edge broadcast capabilities, spacious backstage areas for players, and infrastructure built for live streaming and large-scale digital productions, the Adidas Arena is also positioning itself as one of the most esports-friendly venues in Europe.

“The Six Invitational is not just a tournament, it’s a celebration of the Rainbow Six community,” said Robbie Douek, CEO of BLAST. “Bringing the event to Adidas Arena allows us to create an unforgettable experience for players and fans in one of Europe’s most exciting venues.”

“Hosting the Six Invitational 2026 in Paris, at the Adidas Arena, is a milestone for Ubisoft and for French esports,” said François-Xavier Deniele, VP, Esports & Competitive Gaming, Ubisoft. “France has become a leading hub for competitive gaming, and bringing Rainbow Six’s biggest event here highlights our commitment to the community.”

About the Tournament

The Six Invitational will span three distinct phases, each crafted to deliver intense competition and compelling narratives.

  • Phase 1: Group Stage20 qualified teams will be divided into four groups of five. Each team will face the others in Best-of-3 matches. The top four teams from each group will advance.

  • Phase 2: Playoffs16 teams will enter a double-elimination bracket, with all matches played in Best-of-3 format. Teams knocked to the lower bracket will have one final lifeline to stay in the competition. By the end of this phase, only six teams will remain.

  • Phase 3: FinalsThe final six teams will battle in front of a live Parisian crowd at the Adidas Arena. Across two days of Best-of-3 matches, the field will narrow to the last two contenders, who will face off in a Best-of-5 Grand Final to crown the world champion.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the Six Invitational 2026 will go on sale this week. Ticket categories include the ELITE Merchandise Bundle (€300), Carré Or, and multiple standard categories ranging from €75 to €175 (3-day passes), with 1-day passes starting from €30.

The post Adidas Arena Set to Welcome the 2026 Six Invitational appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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