Latest News
Sporjo secures $2 Mn in Pre Series A Funding
– First ever online platform to focus on education, training & employability in the Indian sports industry
– Backed by Punit Balan of Punit Balan Group & Punit Balan Studios
– Indian legend Leander Paes on board as Strategic Advisor & Ambassador
Sporjo, an online education, training & employability company focused on sports, announced that it has raised $2 million in a Pre Series A round led by private investor Punit Balan, Chairman Punit Balan Group & Punit Balan Studios, in participation with other private investors. The company will use the funds for expanding its product offerings, improving product experience, scaling its team, driving expansion Pan India and in key overseas markets.
Founded in May 2020 by G Srinivvasan, a sports industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, Sporjo is a one-stop destination for building a successful career in the Indian sports industry. Based on the tenet of transforming passion into profession in sports, the company aims to create an ecosystem of half a million professionals to support the Indian sports industry by 2030. Sporjo offers a trademarked assessment tool that allows for participants to decipher a road map based on their skill set and personality, as well as education & training modules led by industry experts across a variety of categories such as Digital and Social media, Data & Analytics, Operations, Sports Science, Coaching etc., to further hone their skills.
Says G Srinivvasan, Founder & CEO, Sporjo, “While the Sports industry is in its infancy in India, the landscape has witnessed a significant transformation in the last decade. With the advent of IPL and other subsequent leagues, the industry has seen a massive shift towards investments in sports. Sports’ lucrative potential is clear with large corporations entering the segment. However for a market estimated at INR 100 billion, Sports India contributes 0.1 percent to the GDP compared to the global average of 0.5%. This indicates tremendous potential for expansion.
Challenges exist for both candidates and employers. A lack of credible sources, information and knowledge is a major hurdle for the candidates. Skill gaps, understanding of the business of sports, and incredible lead times to find the right person ail the employers. With jobs in Sports projected to grow at a CAGR of 6% by FY24, addressing this gap between candidate and employer through assessing, training and eventually placing professionals has been Sporjo’s genesis.”
Punit Balan, Investor, “What Sporjo is doing for the Indian sports industry is transformative. With the Indian sports market poised for growth, there is an ever-growing need for professionals in the industry. Having backed athletes as well as a few teams over the years, I am acutely aware of the gap that exists in recruiting the right talent. It is also the right time to start educating parents, children and professionals about the varied careers that exist in the sports industry and providing them with a roadmap backed with an action plan. I am very proud to back innovators like Sporjo that provide that solution while empowering & building a community of sports professionals. I believe in their vision and I look forward to their continued growth and evolution.”
Leander Paes, Strategic Advisor & Ambassador, “In the journey of a career spanning 31 years, I’ve had many learnings and one of my greatest understandings has been that having that right group of skilled professionals by your side to aid your success can make all the difference between winning and becoming a champion. The evolution of sports and the refinement of professional athletes over the past few years has created a valid need for skilled professionals that understand the nuances of the industry. Sporjo is a brand that has identified this and is making strides to equip the entire Indian sporting industry. I personally am very excited to be associated with a brand that is working towards creating an ecosystem of excellence right from the grassroots level. Becoming successful isn’t random or a matter of luck, it’s a mindset and through this association I hope we are able to aid and create an ecosystem that breeds successful individuals in the field of sports across all mediums.”

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Velocity Gaming Clinches VCT Ascension Pacific Slot After Dominant LAN Finale Victory at OMEN VCSA 2025
- Velocity Gaming Clinches VCT Ascension Pacific Slot After Dominant LAN Finale Victory at OMEN VCSA 2025
- Velocity Gaming bests S8UL 3-1 in the Grand Finale of the OMEN VCSA 2025 Ascension Qualifiers LAN
- Multi-Million Viewership Milestone Marks New High for South Asian VALORANT
Velocity Gaming has secured its place at VCT Ascension Pacific 2025 after beating S8UL 3-1 in the Grand Final of the OMEN VCSA 2025 Ascension Qualifiers LAN, held at Ardee Mall in Gurugram. The team takes home ₹24.3 lakhs in prize money and will now represent India on the international VALORANT stage this October in Bangkok. S8UL, who made it to the finals through the lower bracket, finishes as runner-up and wins ₹12.15 lakhs.
“Been practicing and getting better as a team to achieve this one goal. It’s a really special one for us. This is step one, however, and it’s time to represent South Asia at VCT Ascension Pacific and make all of us proud!” said Adarsh Singh, Organization Manager, Velocity Gaming.
Road to the Finals
Before the final, S8UL faced DOT EXE Esports in the Lower Bracket Final and won 3-1, setting up the last match against Velocity Gaming. Velocity, who had stayed undefeated through the upper bracket, closed out the final in four maps to win the series.
Showmatch Brings Creators to the Fore
Fans at the venue also got to enjoy a creator showmatch on Day 2, featuring popular names like Sikhwarrior, Mackletv, Chhabra Saab, and Pooja Bisht. The match added a fun break between the competitions and gave the audience a chance to see their favorite creators play live.
“Big congratulations to Velocity Gaming for an outstanding performance against the best in the region. With OMEN VCSA, NODWIN Gaming, and Riot Games have worked to build a long-term, sustainable ecosystem for VALORANT in South Asia that gives top talent the stage they deserve. This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from our partners and the passion of the fans who showed up in full force. We’re proud to have played a part in pushing the VALORANT esports scene forward, and we’re excited to see Velocity Gaming carry that momentum onto the global stage.” said Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder & Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming.
“This tournament was a reflection of how far the VALORANT community in South Asia has come. The passion from fans, the level of competition, and the support behind these teams show that this region is ready for the global stage. At Riot, we’ve always believed in building player-first experiences, and it’s incredible to see that vision come to life through events like OMEN VCSA. We’re proud of every team that competed and excited to see Velocity Gaming carry the community’s hopes to Ascension.” added Sukamal Pegu, Esports Lead, South Asia, Riot Games.
OMEN VCSA 2025 Draws Record-Breaking Viewership
The OMEN VCSA 2025 Ascension Qualifiers witnessed an overwhelming response from fans across South Asia and beyond. With over 12 million views and more than 50,000 peak concurrent viewers across creator and official pages, the tournament emerged as one of the most-watched VALORANT events in the region this year.
With broadcasts in both Hindi and English, the event reached a diverse and passionate audience, underscoring the growing popularity of competitive VALORANT in South Asia.
What’s Next?
Velocity Gaming will now represent South Asia at the VCT Ascension Pacific 2025, scheduled to take place from October 13 to 26, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand. The tournament will feature 10 elite teams from across the Asia-Pacific region, all competing for promotion to the VCT Pacific League 2026.
The post Velocity Gaming Clinches VCT Ascension Pacific Slot After Dominant LAN Finale Victory at OMEN VCSA 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP KICKS OFF WITH GROUP DRAW AHEAD OF ESPORTS WORLD CUP
- The PUBG MOBILE World Cup has returned, marking its second year as part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh
- 24 teams from PUBG MOBILE Esports regional leagues have been placed into Groups Red, Yellow, and Green
- The Group Draw has determined the matchings for the Group Stage, where three groups will fight to secure their place in the Grand Finals or the Survival Stage
- This marks the first step in the biggest PUBG MOBILE Esports event of the summer, with each team aiming for the mighty $3,000,000 USD prize pool
PUBG MOBILE Esports is pleased to announce that the PUBG MOBILE World Cup (PMWC) is back for a thrilling second edition, once again taking centre stage as part of the prestigious Esports World Cup in Riyadh. Its momentous return kicks off with the Group Draw, where 24 teams from across the globe have been split into three groups to go head-to-head in the Group Stage, from July 25th-27th, for a chance to move one step closer to glory in this year’s official mid-season tournament. With an impressive lineup and a mighty $3,000,000 USD prize pool on the line, only one team will rise to the occasion to take the 2025 PMWC title.
Debuting last year, the 2025 PMWC is the headline PUBG MOBILE Esports tournament of the summer, making its comeback this year as a key part of the Esports World Cup. PUBG MOBILE Esports returns to represent its larger commitment to growing the global mobile esports ecosystem. Raising the stakes even higher for this year’s competition, the dynamic SMASH ruleset has had a refresh. In the updated ruleset, a team must first reach the match point, defined by the top team’s score after Day 2 plus 10 points, then win a match to claim the 2025 PMWC Championship title. If no team does this in 18 matches, the team with the highest overall points wins the tournament.
The Group Draw not only shapes the first battles of the tournament but also sets the tone for the breakout performances to come. The 2025 PMWC Group Draw has followed a strategic format — the 24 elite teams have been seeded into five pools based on their regional qualification results, and drawn into three groups: Red, Green, and Yellow. Battling their way through the Group Stage, these three groups will consist of eight teams seeking the number one title at the Grand Finals this August.
Representing top talent from around the globe, the 24 teams have earned their spots through intense regional leagues such as the PUBG MOBILE Super League (PMSL), PUBG MOBILE Challengers League (PMCL), along with invites from all other regions. With the draw now concluded, all teams will advance beyond the Group Stage, with the top eight securing direct entry into the Grand Finals. The remaining 16 will battle through the Survival Stage for a second chance at a spot in the championship, making every match critical as teams fight to extend their 2025 PMWC journey.
Each group and their teams can be found below:
Group Red |
Group Yellow |
Group Green |
Team Falcons | Fire Flux Esports | IDA Esports |
Horaa Esports | Regnum Carya Esports | Alpha Gaming |
eArena | 4Thrives Esports | Alter Ego Ares |
POWR Esports | Team Secret | Gamax Esports |
Alpha7 Esports | Team Vision | INTENSE GAME |
Nongshim RedForce | INFLUENCE RAGE | KINOTROPE Gaming |
Weibo Gaming | DRX | TT Global |
Aryan & TMG Gaming | Yangon Galacticos | R8 Esports |
Key PMWC dates:
- Group Stage – 25th – 27th July
- Survival Stage – 29th – 30th July
- Grand Finals – 1st – 3rd August
For more information on the confirmed teams, schedule and where to watch, please visit the official PUBG MOBILE Esports channels on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.
The post 2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP KICKS OFF WITH GROUP DRAW AHEAD OF ESPORTS WORLD CUP appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 7-13
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Apollo announced the completion of the previously announced acquisitions of International Game Technology PLC’s (doing business as Brightstar Lottery) Gaming & Digital Business and Everi Holdings Inc. (Everi) by a holding company owned by funds managed by Apollo affiliates (the Apollo Funds). The all-cash transaction, valued at approximately $6.3 billion, brings together complementary businesses to form a privately held global leader in gaming, digital and financial technology solutions. The two companies will be integrated into a combined enterprise in the coming months. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the combined enterprise will operate under the IGT name, while retaining the Everi brand in select markets and product lines.
Luckbet has announced Vitor Paulin as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), bringing his expertise in branding, digital marketing, data-driven strategies, performance, CRM and user experience optimisation to lead the brand’s positioning at a strategic moment for the betting sector in Brazil. With a consolidated track record in branding, strategy and communication, Paulin takes on the mission of boosting the company’s marketing initiatives, strengthening its presence in the market. Having worked for renowned companies such as Accenture, Ogilvy, Cadastra, Havas, Dentsu, Digitas, Serasa Experian, Escola Conquer and Grupo Aposta Ganha, Vitor has accumulated experience in leadership positions, including CMO and Chief Growth Officer.
Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel has officially opened its newly expanded non-smoking gaming floor, marking a significant milestone in the property’s continued commitment to exceptional guest experiences. Located adjacent to the hotel lobby, the new, larger non-smoking slot floor will feature nearly 400 of today’s most popular slot machines in a fresh, modern environment designed exclusively for non-smoking guests. This addition enhances the casino’s dedication to providing smoke-free gaming options in a luxury setting. For convenience and ease of access, non-smoking guests can also take advantage of the smoke-free entrance via the hotel’s valet parking. This new space complements Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel’s existing fully enclosed, non-smoking slot area near Falls Buffet and Snoqualmie Café & Deli, offering guests even more choice and accessibility when it comes to their preferred gaming environment.
Partnerships
Hasbro has announced a new slate of multi-year licensing partnerships aimed at transforming and expanding its most popular brands across the casino category. After a comprehensive review and market evaluation, Hasbro has selected Aristocrat Technologies, Evolution, Galaxy Gaming, and Bally’s as its newest partners in casino licensing. The new partners join existing licensee Sciplay. The announcement underscores Hasbro’s “Playing to Win” strategy, revealed in February 2025, which focuses on innovation, partnerships, and bringing beloved brands to life across more formats than ever.
The Indiana Fever announced that one of the world’s leading online betting companies, bet365, is joining the team as its Official Sportsbook Partner for the 2025 season. Bet365 will step into the game with a lineup of fan-focused features that will be integrated across the Fever’s media and game day experience. As part of the partnership, bet365 will have a strong presence throughout the Fever season, including having a brand presence across Fever Radio Network broadcasts, team social content and the Fever mobile app.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 7-13 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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