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ESIC Publicly Addresses False Narrative That the Commission Works for the Esports Betting Industry

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ESIC Publicly Addresses False Narrative That the Commission Works for the Esports Betting Industry
ESIC Publicly Addresses False Narrative That the Commission Works for the Esports Betting IndustryReading Time: 5 minutes

 

The Esports Integrity Commission has, over the past few years, mistakenly been accused of working for the esports betting industry or being an organisation formed by the betting industry for the betting industry’s purposes. Whilst we have historically tried to address this misconception privately, it has now surfaced again in a way that damages the integrity of esports and the Commission in a way that needs to be publicly addressed.

 

BACKGROUND CONTEXT OF STATEMENT

First: In Nevada a Bill being sponsored through the State Senate by Senator Ben Kieckhefer, SB 165, seeks to establish an Esports Commission for the regulation of esports related activities in the State. In the sponsoring process, the Judiciary Committee considering SB 165 were told that ESIC, (who has worked with the Nevada Gaming Control Board since 2016 and was a founding member of the Nevada Esports Alliance) was in favour of the Bill. This is false. ESIC opposes SB 165 and has now taken steps to provide explanations to the Committee relating to its position. However, quite apart from certain parties purporting to speak on our behalf without authority, an underlying narrative emerged that: ‘ESIC’s views should be dismissed because the Commission is a servant of the betting industry’.

Second: The same false narrative was put forward to the Entertainment Software Association (“ESA”), the body representing most video game publishers and developers and all of those who publish titles prominently used in esports, by some of its members urging the ESA not to engage with ESIC because ESIC was alleged to “work for the betting industry”.

Third: Disaffected players banned by ESIC for betting related offences and some of their supporters have been reported to be coordinating a broad effort to spread this same false narrative that ESIC works for and serves the betting industry in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of competitive integrity in esports. This coordinated effort has been reported to ESIC to include rhetoric such as ‘ESIC falsely asserting certain matches are fixed so that the betting operators don’t have to pay out the winning bets on those matches’. This is both an ignorant and damaging narrative not only to ESIC but to the integrity of esports broadly. Such assertions would be entirely antithetical to the purpose and demonstrated work ESIC has undertaken for the sake of competitive integrity in the esports industry for more than five years.

 

STATEMENT

Despite the differing points of origin and the various malicious motives of those propagating them, all of these narratives need to be addressed and resolved and so ESIC Commissioner, Ian Smith, has considered it prudent to make the following statements:

“ESIC is neither for or against betting on esports. We are not advocates for betting nor crusaders against it.

It is noted, however, that betting on esports is a form of entertainment for most bettors and drives sponsorship revenue and fan engagement for the esports ecosystem. Conversely, the existence of betting opportunities does also raise challenges including, of particular concern to ESIC and central to our mission, the incentive for punters to commit betting fraud by match-fixing. In this respect, our role is to protect the esports industry from that danger.

ESIC exists for the esports industry; primarily for the protection of the players who would be the first and main casualty of any match-fixing scandal (please refer to the detrimental effects that match-fixing has historically had on the competitive Starcraft2 esports scene following the 2015/16 match-fixing scandals in Korea).

When betting fraud is perpetrated, competitive integrity is tarnished (among other negative outcomes). Coincidentally, the legitimate esports betting industry also suffers loss when betting fraud is committed. Therefore, it is of common and synergistic interest to both the esports industry and the betting on esports industry to address the issue of match-fixing through ESIC.

In fact, it is impossible to combat match-fixing without working with the legitimate esports betting industry. Betting data is at the heart of determining whether or not a match might be fixed and betting data is the key evidence in any prosecution of a match fixer. Furthermore, every traditional sport works with the betting industry to combat match-fixing and relies upon such data in a similar manner. This approach is not unique to ESIC.

ESIC is a not for profit members association – we are owned by our members. We have two categories of membership: Our esports members (primarily Tournament Organisers) and our Anti-Corruption Supporters (primarily betting operators, but also government and state gambling regulators, law enforcement, monitoring companies, data providers and industry bodies). From a constitutional point of view, the two do not overlap. Only the Esports Members determine the strategic aims and priorities of ESIC. The Anti-Corruption Supporters participate in our Suspicious and Unusual Betting Alert Network in service of ESIC and our Esports Members. In other words, ESIC works with the betting industry on behalf of the esports industry; we do not work for the betting industry. Accordingly, this dynamic serves only to promote competitive integrity and legitimacy of esports competitions.

Contrary to some assertions, the betting industry does not use us to avoid making legitimate payouts. The primary benefit for betting stakeholders which engage with us is access to what our Suspicious and Unusual Betting Alert Network sees (a network which they also contribute data to).

Importantly, some players are asserting that their betting activity on the game that they play professionally was “innocent”. With respect, that is either naive or disingenuous. No traditional sport allows its professional participants to bet on the sport they play for a living. In the cases ESIC has dealt with, the players against whom we have taken action have bet on the game, league, tournament or match in which they have participated. There is no scenario in which this is acceptable and we will continue to prosecute players who do so where we have jurisdiction. At the highest level of any esports game, the players all know each other, have played with and against each other and have both inside information and the potential to influence each other in a way that gives them an unfair advantage in betting markets and undermines the perception of competitive integrity. In many countries it is also illegal or criminal. Consequently, we are unapologetic about our rule prohibiting betting on the game they play professionally or semi-professionally. This is for the protection of the esports ecosystem and the players in particular. It is not a service to the betting industry but a service to the esports industry broadly in the interest of youth protection, competitive integrity and commercial longevity.”

Conclusion

Individuals attempting to propagate the narrative that ESIC works for the betting industry either have their own adverse agenda or are naïve about the realities of betting and the relationship between esports and betting on esports.

ESIC accepts that the existence of betting in esports is a contentious matter for some people and that they would rather it didn’t exist, but that is not an excuse to ignore the challenges posed by its existence. Any extension of opposition to betting in esports which operates to prohibit or hamper ESIC from effectively engaging with and mitigating the issue of match-fixing through sourcing data from Anti-Corruption Supporters, however, should be entirely discouraged and expelled from the industry. The stark reality is that match-fixing poses a real and demonstrable threat to the youth, competitive integrity, and commercial viability of the esports industry globally. Accordingly, ESIC implores all stakeholders Interested in the common good of esports to work together to combat such threats. Indeed, that includes, of necessity, close cooperation, via ESIC, between the esports ecosystem and the esports betting industry.

 

NOTE: THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE INTENDED RELEASE RELATING TO THE AU CS:GO INVESTIGATION. A SEPARATE RELEASE WILL BE MADE RELATING TO THAT INVESTIGATION IN DUE COURSE.

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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Bacta encouraged by Gambling Minister support for White Paper

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The UK’s Minister for Gambling, Baroness Twycross, has provided the clearest indication yet that the industry will not have too long a wait before the proposals on gambling reform contained in the White Paper are implemented.

Speaking at the Labour Party Conference Baroness Twycross underlined the cross-party support that the White Paper enjoyed before it was side-lined by the snap general election. She said: “In opposition we (the Labour Party) were broadly supportive of the Gambling White Paper and we do not believe that gambling is wrong in and of itself and we do recognise that most people who gamble do so safely but we absolutely believe that we need to strengthen protections to protect those that are at risk of gambling addiction and of harmful gambling.”

Answering a question from the floor she stated: “I am clear that people have been waiting for things to proceed for some time and I know from Civil Servants that they have some things that have been ready to go for a long time.

“It would be wrong for me to not speak to those involved in the sector before proceeding but I am clear that this will not be years of conversation before we start outlining the direction of travel, that this is something that is my absolute priority as a new Government Minister.”

George McGregor, Executive Director (Government Relations) at UK trade association Bacta, who attended the Labour Party Conference alongside Bacta President John Bollom was encouraged by what the Minister had to say. He stated: “This was the first occasion that the Minister had spoken about the gambling brief. Her reference points in terms of the timetable for implementation were weeks and months and the feeling in the room was that we have a Minister who is both pragmatic and proportionate.”

He continued: “Bacta’s contributions to the White Paper were all evidence-based and I am confident that our arguments including the commitments to safer gambling and our ability to contribute to the government’s growth agenda will resonate with the Minister. I am looking forward to developing further our social and economic case when we meet with Baroness Twycross on 3 October.”

 

The post Bacta encouraged by Gambling Minister support for White Paper appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Soft2Bet CEO and Founder Uri Poliavich recognised Leader of the Year Award by SBC Awards

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Uri Poliavich Recognized Among Industry Leaders for Exceptional Leadership, Obsession with Innovation, and Dedication to Philanthropy

Soft2Bet, the leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider, announced that during the SBC Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sept. 26, founder and CEO, Uri Poliavich, won the Leader of the Year award from SBC Awards, a leading event organizer and publisher in the iGaming industry. Regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the gaming industry, Poliavich was selected for this honor based on his exceptional leadership, passion for innovation, and dedication to philanthropy.

Uri Poliavich’s exceptional leadership has been at the core of Soft2Bet’s innovative spirit since he founded the company in 2016. With his clear strategic vision and a commitment to fostering a cohesive team culture focused on growth and innovation, Soft2Bet has evolved from a small team into a leading global B2B and B2C iGaming company, developing revolutionary industry solutions. Over the past year, Soft2Bet has made significant investments and experienced massive growth with its innovative Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), which has been proven to enhance retention and engagement.

Poliavich’s commitment to innovation extends beyond Soft2Bet. The company recently launched Soft2Bet Invest, a fund aimed at supporting growth-stage and mature companies harnessing pioneering technologies in casual gaming, AI, and high-margin gaming software solutions. With an initial fund of over $55 million, Soft2Bet is looking to collaborate with companies and educate participants at G2E about its vision for revolutionizing the iGaming industry.

In 2020, Poliavich established The Yael Foundation — named after his wife — to support and build Jewish schools in the diaspora. The foundation, which fuels his commitment to business growth and success, currently supports nearly 13,500 children across 83 schools in 35 countries.

“It is a great honor to be named Leader of the Year and for Soft2Bet to be recognized for their Innovation in Mobile and Casino Entertainment by SBC,” said Poliavich. “This recognition highlights Soft2Bet’s significant achievements in product development and global expansion over the past year, as well as our team’s commitment to raising the bar as a forward-thinking iGaming platform provider.”

“Through our SBC Leaders initiative and events, leadership is something we like to highlight with our audience,” commented Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & founder of SBC. “It’s clear how much the Soft2bet employees have been inspired by Uri over the past 12 months, so he was an extremely worthy recipient of one of our Leaders of the Year Awards. Here’s to another successful 12 months for the company.”

Now in its eleventh year, the SBC Awards recognize the achievements of operators, affiliates, and suppliers across all major disciplines, including payments, marketing, platform providers, and data.

 

The post Soft2Bet CEO and Founder Uri Poliavich recognised Leader of the Year Award by SBC Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Week 39/2024 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

PG Soft has released Three Crazy Piggies slot, a modern twist on the classic fable that sees the tables turned on the cunning grey wolf. Three Crazy Piggies is a 5-reel (3 rows in reel 3, 4 rows in reels 1, 2, 4 and 5) video slot starring symbol transformations and x10 multiplier. A rocking soundtrack builds the atmosphere in Everloom Forest, as the youngest brother’s stone house is challenged to stand against the wolf’s might.

Get set for a party in the USA as Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and supplier of unique content unveils its latest release, Quackin’ Reels. This 3×3 slot is populated by birds who are enjoying life at a backyard party in true American style! Quackin’ Reels’ cast ofcolourful characters enhances the feature-filled gameplay which can potentially see players win a maximum of 8,850x their stake.

Stakelogic invites players to enjoy the thrill of the Super Wheel™ once again with the launch of the Big Cash Super Wheel™ slot. From the moment Big Cash Super Wheel™ loads up, it is clear this isn’t your typical online slot. The title puts a unique spin on the standard game grid, using a 2x3x4x5x6 reel shape with a connected ways win system to captivate audiences, while also offering wins of up to 5,000x their stake.

Inspired Entertainment, Inc. in partnership with William Hill announces the launch of William Hill Vegas Gold Cash Freespins™. This bespoke game combines renowned William Hill Vegas imagery with the engaging mechanics of Inspired’s popular Gold Cash Freespins theme.

Nolimit City is back behind bars with San Quentin 2: Death Row. It’s been nearly 4 years since the OG San Quentin xWays® escaped into the world, and the fans have been hungry for more ever since. Well, the wait is over. It’s time to do hard time… again.

Thunderkick has launched The Gunman of Goldwood, the latest addition to its distinctive product portfolio that places players at the heart of a duel on the American frontier. The titular Gunman is the game’s highest-paying symbol, surrounded by revolvers, knives, and whiskey bottles.

Players can expect ghosts, ghouls and big wins in Boo, the frightening new slot from Big Time Gaming set to hit operator game lobbies in time for Halloween. Only the bravest of players will dare to gather around as the reels spin amidst the haunting air, conjuring excitement with every ghostly apparition. Spines will tingle as each winning symbol triggers a hair-raising reaction that promises to put players on the edge of their seats.

Everygame Casino‘s new Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion is a high-stakes whodunit with a Reel Copy feature and a choice of up to four modes for its Free Games bonus round. In the new Clue Chronicles: Mirror Mansion, players enter the world of candlesticks, daggers, and clues to solve the mystery of Mirror Mansion and spin their way to stacks of cash.

 

Play’n GO dares players to brave the inferno and uncover untold treasures in the newest slot adventure, Kingdom Below. Set in the blistering heart of Hell, Kingdom Below challenges players to join Ignis, the fearsome ruler of the underworld, in a quest for mystery prizes and hidden treasures. In this treacherous 5×4 grid slot, the line between danger and reward blurs, offering thrill-seekers a chance to face the flames and emerge victorious with the spoils of the inferno.

 

 

Spinomenal has enhanced its Wildlife Slot Series with the release of Buffalo Rampage Hold & Hit. This latest title from Spinomenal is set across a vast landscape that stretches along a rugged tapestry of towering mountains and sweeping plains. The medium symbols include an Eagle, Black Bear, Wolf, and Big Cat. A powerful Buffalo represents the Wild and three or more pay when followed by a free spin or a bonus symbol. The Wild substitutes for any symbol except free spins and bonus symbols.

 

Evoplay is taking players to the Colosseum in its new slot Chained Fighters, where wilds unlock the key to big wins. With a backdrop of Ancient Rome, the 5×4 slot sees wilds land in stacks of up to four per reel to boost reward potential in the base game whilst multi-coloured gladiators make up the high-paying symbols.

Booming Games’ latest slot title sets the gold standard with its gilded gameplay and shimmering big win potential. Gold Gold Gold 5000 is the follow-up to the hugely popular Gold Gold Gold, but with an even bigger max win potential. Gold Gold Gold 5000 is set across five reels and three rows with 20 paylines active in the base game.

Playson marks the eagerly anticipated return of its iconic jester in Pink Joker: Hold and Win, offering a host of in-game jackpots, a special Pile of Gold feature and a lavish Bonus Game offering Stacked Multipliers. Donning a deep pink outfit in Playson’s refreshing take on its player-favourite Hold and Win series, the joker unleashes a thrilling adventure on the 3×3 matrix, accompanied by a feast of classic fruit, electric and jackpot-style coin symbols.

Blueprint Gaming’s player-favourite gorilla marks his comeback in style through the company’s latest release King Kong Cash™: Even Bigger Bananas 2, offering slot enthusiasts a host of new features to explore. The 4,096 ways to win slot sees the notorious Kong take centre stage on the 6×4 grid, accompanied by fellow jungle inhabitants and a series of specially themed-bonus icons.

CryptoSlots proudly announces the launch of its latest title, Spartan Conquest, inspired by the heroic Spartan warriors of Ancient Greece. This cutting-edge Mega Matrix 5×4 video slot with 28 paylines is the first on CryptoSlots to introduce Colossal Symbols. Players can take advantage of enticing deposit bonuses until October 4. In Spartan Conquest, players can embark on a journey through ancient battlefields, where epic symbols such as war elephants, Spartan helmets, shields and crossed swords populate the reels.

The new release from MGA Games will take players to the top of Mount Olympus to accompany the mighty Zeus, king of the gods. This new 5×3 game with 25 prize lines also features an epic soundtrack that will immerse the player in a divine atmosphere as the reels spin and fortune is unleashed. The themed symbols on the reels are inspired by the myths of classical Greece.

TaDa Gaming is dishing out the treats with new release Lucky Doggy. Wilds, Scatters, Multipliers and generous Free Spins are further enhanced with a superb bonus game in this six rows, five reels, 50 fixed paylines slot. There are two Scatters in Lucky Doggy. The Bonus Scatter can only appear on reels two and three and the Gamble Scatter on reel four.

Would you dare to summon the most terrifying of Egyptian plagues? That is exactly what’s being asked of players in Fantasma Games’ latest blockbuster slot, Shadow Summoner Egypt, already showing outstanding player engagement KPIs from its initial limited market release. Shadow Summoner Egypt is scheduled for general market release in the very near future.

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