Latest News
Games and eSports partnership based around ESforce
Reading Time: 3 minutes
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

Latest News
Americas Online Gambling Market To Soon Eclipse Europe’s, Finds Vixio Forecasts
- Vixio forecasts that regulated online GGR in North and Latin America will grow at a compound annual rate of 3 percent from US$22.3bn in 2023 to US$56.3bn by 2028, drawing level with regulated European market.
Vixio, a leading provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, ahead of SBC Americas forecasts that the regulated online gambling market in the Americas to be worth US$32.5bn by 2026, compared to US$15.6bn in 2022, more than doubling in size in a period of four years. This growth rate is more than double the equivalent in Europe, with the European regulated online gambling market projected to be worth €37.3bn in 2026, up from just under €30bn in 2022.
By 2028, regulated online gambling markets in the U.S., Canada and Latin American countries are expected to generate US$56.3bn, drawing level with Europe or potentially surpassing it depending on currency fluctuations.
“Prior to 2018, the regulated online gambling market was highly euro-centric but legalization of sports betting and iGaming in various U.S. states as well as the major markets of Ontario and Brazil has coincided with stricter regulations in European countries that has restricted growth in a number of cases,” said James Kilsby, Chief Analyst, Vixio.
Vixio will be showcasing its data forecasting and regulatory intelligence solutions in more detail at the SBC Summit Americas 2026 at stand B175, with additional information in its Latin America Online Outlook report, available at vixio.com/research/latin-america-outlook-2025.
Vixio forecasts that regulated online GGR in North and Latin America will grow at a compound annual rate of 20.3 percent from US$22.3bn in 2023 to US$56.3bn by 2028, drawing level with regulated European market.
Providing further insight into one of the most closely watched online gambling markets globally, Kilsby, Vixio’s award-winning analyst, will be speaking during a panel session titled “Brazil 2025: A Surge in Licensing and Lessons So Far.” James was recently recognized as a Silver Stevie® Award Winner for Thought Leader of the Year in the 2025 American Business Awards®. The panel will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at 11 a.m. in conference room four.
In addition, Vixio has been shortlisted for Compliance Solution of the Year at the 2025 SBC Awards, which will be announced on the second day of the conference.
Visit us at stand B175 at SBC Summit Americas to learn more about how Vixio can help your business navigate the regulatory challenges of the gaming industry.
For more information, or to book a meeting with a Vixio representative at SBC Americas, visit vixio.com.
The post Americas Online Gambling Market To Soon Eclipse Europe’s, Finds Vixio Forecasts appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
ACR POKER’S FANTASY POKER LEAGUE RETURNS FOR VEGAS’ HOTTEST SUMMER SERIES
Drafting opens from today through Monday, May 26th, giving players the chance to compete for cash rewards
ACR Poker is bringing back its fan-favorite Fantasy Poker League promotion this month, offering players the chance to cash-in on Vegas’ biggest summer series without playing a single hand.
Building on the success of 2024’s inaugural Vegas edition, where over 700 teams were created, the Fantasy Poker League: Vegas 2025 gives fans and players worldwide a unique opportunity to engage with the action by drafting their ultimate lineup of poker pros and competing for cash prizes, glory and bragging rights.
“Fantasy sports are wildly popular, and after last year’s epic Vegas edition, bringing the Fantasy Poker League back was a no-brainer,” said 2003 WSOP Main Event champion and ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “Whether you’re railing your favorite pros or competing with friends, it’s the best way to stay connected to all the hot poker action in Vegas this summer.”
The drafting period for the Fantasy Poker League kicks off today and runs until Monday, May 26th (12pm ET). From Tuesday, May 27th through Wednesday, July 16th, participants will earn points every time their drafted players cash in live poker events during Sin City’s hottest summer series.
Here’s how the 2025 Fantasy Poker League works:
- Draft your fantasy squad(s) (between 4 to 8 players), staying within the $300 salary cap (May 12th–26th)
- Choose between three fantasy league buy-in options: $20, $100, and $500 (May 12th–26th)
- Check the leaderboard daily to see how your selected team(s) are performing against the competition (May 27th–July 16th)
In addition to the Public League, ACR Poker is enhancing this year’s Vegas edition with the introduction of Private Leagues. Players now have the ability to design their own custom league experience with friends and choose their own buy-ins, salary caps, and participation limits to create the perfect competition.
Moneymaker also noted that participants can easily register and assemble their dream poker team(s) by visiting the My Account page – Rewards tab in the ACR Poker client. Plus, they can enter as many teams as they like.
Alongside the Fantasy Poker League, players looking for more poker action this May can jump into ACR Poker’s largest Online Super Series XL, guaranteeing over $50 Million. Plus, the ‘Moneymaker May-Hem’ offers players a chance to join Chris Moneymaker in Las Vegas for the $10K Main Event when they play in any $109 Sunday Moneymaker Tournament this month.
To learn more about the Fantasy Poker League: Vegas, visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER’S FANTASY POKER LEAGUE RETURNS FOR VEGAS’ HOTTEST SUMMER SERIES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Rapid growth in sports traffic and 400+ participating teams – the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 results.
The Golden Boomerang Awards 2025, a global affiliate traffic tournament hosted by Boomerang Partners, has officially concluded after three thrilling months of intense competition. From February 3 to May 11, the tournament brought hundreds of affiliate teams across two dynamic leaderboards: Sports betting and Casino.
Boomerang shared some impressive numbers and results from the tournament:
- Over 400 affiliate teams from around the world participated (last year, 226)
- The share of sports traffic to the Boomerang portfolio brands increased by 39% during the competition;
- Sports traffic attracted to the active segment during the competition remained at 86%;
- The top sports event during the contest period was the Champions League semi-final match between Barcelona and Inter;
- During the same period, the top game on the casino leaderboard was the Sugar Rush 1000
In addition to awards in 11 categories (these will be awarded to the winners in May at a special ceremony), Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 participants competed for exclusive prizes in monthly drawings. There were a total of four such drawings:
- Month 1 winner — RevPanda. They attended AC Milan vs Inter.
- Month 2 winner — HighRoller Gaming. The prize was a trip to F1.
- Month 3 winner — Boring Seo. The Boomerang Partners team will fulfil their wish.
Boomerang also held a special competition as part of GBA 2025. It was timed to coincide with the Champions League semi-finals. The winner was team FUMMA, which will receive the coveted ‘Home Stadium Fan’ VIP experience.
With the competition closed, the Top 30 affiliate teams are receiving official invitations to an exclusive award ceremony and networking event at the legendary San Siro Stadium in Milan. As the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan, Boomerang Partners is proud to host the winners in true Italian style — with a show-stopping evening that combines recognition, entertainment, and football heritage. At the center of the celebration will be Andrea Pirlo, football icon and AC Milan legend, who will personally present the award nominations to the top-performing teams.
More details about the final event and winners will follow soon.
About Boomerang
Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Betting Partner of AC Milan and collaborates with women’s football star and influencer Alisha Lehmann. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards 2024, the first annual global affiliate tournament. Boomerang Partners’ betting segment surged 5x, and gambling — 2x in 2024. Its affiliate program demonstrated a 120% increase in partners, and the number of sports betting offers surged more than 6 times. Six new products were launched by Boomerang in 2024, which contributed to an almost 1.5-fold increase in product users.
Boomerang’s portfolio contains 15+ gambling brands, including sportsbooks. They cover over 35 GEOs and offer a wide range of betting options with favorable odds. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.
The post Rapid growth in sports traffic and 400+ participating teams – the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025 results. appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News1 month ago
Exclusive Q&A With Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame
-
Latest News3 weeks ago
Week 17/2025 slot games releases
-
Latest News1 month ago
SARA TENDULKAR JOINS JETSYNTHESYS’ GLOBAL E-CRICKET PREMIER LEAGUE AS MUMBAI FRANCHISE OWNER FOR SEASON 2
-
Latest News3 weeks ago
Fortuna Partners with 2025 UEFA Under-21 EURO
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
Esports World Cup Foundation Confirms Full Game Lineup, Schedule, and Club Championship Rules for EWC 2025
-
Latest News4 days ago
ELA Games Receives Key Nomination at EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards
-
Latest News1 month ago
DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
ACR POKER’S NEXT HIGH STAKES ADVENTURE TAKES PLAYERS TO MONTENEGRO FOR PRESTIGIOUS SUPER HIGH ROLLER SERIES
You must be logged in to post a comment Login