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IEM Cologne 2021: how major events increase the popularity of esports betting
IEM Cologne is one of 2021’s best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournaments. This newsworthy event brings together 24 teams from all around the world, has a $1 million prize pool and three stages of play.
Counter-Strike is flourishing
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is the fourth game in the Counter-Strike series of games. As with its forerunners, the game is a multiplayer first-person shooter in which two teams (Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists) compete against each other in various game modes.
Just imagine, the first release of Counter-Strike was published on November 9, 2000. This game has existed for more than 20 years. Even though the last game in the Counter-Strike series Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was released nearly 9 years ago, in August 2012, the game is still top-rated online and has millions of fans.
According to Statista, as of February 2020, Counter-Strike had 24 million monthly active users, more than double the figure from May 2016. In May 2021, CS:GO reached more than one million concurrent players on Steam.
More than just a game
And what’s interesting is, it’s not just a game for millions of gamers, but for watchers of esports content too, of course. ELEAGUE Major, which took place in January 2018, was the most-watched CS:GO tournament that year, reaching nearly 1.9 million viewers. With such a large number of supporters, it is par for the course that CS:GO competitions are worth big money.
The game’s annual cumulative tournament prize pool reached $21.77M in 2019. And in 2020, the estimated prize money for CS:GO tournaments stood at $15.85M, making it the online game with the highest cumulative prize pool in that year.
Gamers are not short of attention and cash rewards. For instance, the Danish gamer, a member of Astralis, Andreas Højsleth, known by his online alias, Xyp9x, has earned over $1.88M playing CS:GO competitively. Currently, he is in second place in the earnings table for players of CS:GO. Another Danish player, Peter Rasmussen, who goes by the alias dupreeh, occupies the first spot with around $1.91M.
CS:GO betting
Professional gaming quickly became a matter of interest to sportsbooks. Today, as reported by iGB, the most popular esports betting titles fall under two categories. The first includes the “Big Three”: League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. They’re also some of the most popular video games globally.
The growth of popularity of these games turned the attention of the majority of sportsbooks. Global betting operators are widening their portfolio with popular online PC games. Some of the most popular CS:GO events are commercial CS:GO tournaments with 24/7 schedules that allow sportsbooks to fill free airtime with engaging content.
Betting on commercial CS:GO events works the same way as betting on major CS:GO events. Bettors wager on various markets: the outcome of a match, top-performing players, final scores, etc.
One of the platforms that provide fast and dynamic 24/7 esports tournaments is ESportsBattle. It is worth noting that the organizers of ESportsBattle CS:GO tournaments have noticed the huge spike in bettors’ engagement rate in the run-up to big matches.
ESportsBattle & CS:GO
Because of increased global demand, ESportsBattle decided to expand its horizons and became the first platform to launch 1×1 CS:GO matches, guaranteeing beginner players an opportunity to have a shot at it. Earlier, ESportsBattle had only a 5×5 format and later became the first to offer 2×2 CS:GO matches.
This variety of formats and modes allows pro and amateur players to face off in EsportsBattle tournaments, develop their skills, and make money on it.
For bettors of EsportsBattle CS:GO tournaments, operators provide the following markets: match winner (2-way or 3-way), match handicap, total maps, correct map score, map winner (2-way and 3-way), total rounds.
During July 2021, when IEM Cologne 2021 took place, ESportsBattle CS:GO matches chalked up far more views, which, in turn, led to increased bettor engagement. The number of views of ESportsBattle tournaments has risen dramatically: from 120K in June to almost 200K in July.
Furthermore, the number of views increased by 73% from the beginning of 2021. Betting on CS:GO gives bettors a chance to feel even more engaged in the whole IEM Cologne 2021 experience, as though they are participating in the tournament.
Thanks to regular broadcasts of esports events that boosted the gaming, esports and betting markets began to enjoy particular popularity. Moreover, one of the betting operator stated that there was almost 40% uptake in the number of active bettors engaged with EsportsBattles’ CS:GO events between June and July. Since the beginning of 2021, the number of people betting on EsportsBattle CS:GO events has increased by 10,000%.

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Gamblers Connect Launches Dedicated ‘Game Providers’ and ‘B2B Providers’ Sections to Strengthen Industry Partnerships and Visibility
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, officially announced the launch of two new partner-focused destinations on its website: the Game Providers section and the B2B Providers section.
These hubs are designed to give verified partners richer exposure, clearer positioning, and a single home for comprehensive company profiles, reviews, and work highlights.
Gamblers Connect has specially curated profiles for official Game Provider partners, featuring company history, entertainment categories, flagship titles, and direct links to online casinos where their games are available. Profiles also showcase notable projects and media mentions, with direct navigation to games, categories, and live operator placements. To extend reach, partners enjoy ongoing amplification through Gamblers Connect’s media network and communications channels.
The B2B Providers Section provides in-depth profiles and reviews for official B2B partners—covering background, core services, market presence, and notable projects—built to help operators, studios, and peers evaluate capabilities at a glance. Unlike standard directories, these hubs serve as an exclusive showcase, designed to provide clarity, context, and visibility for partners while helping decision-makers connect with the right collaborators.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “These hubs for Game Providers and B2B Companies are not just pages, they are powerful tools that help partners tell their story and reach decision-makers. Our goal is simple: to make it easier for the industry to discover, compare, and connect.”
Companies interested in being officially featured and reviewed on Gamblers Connect can request inclusion. [email protected] [email protected] | Telegram: @lukadimitrijevic
The post Gamblers Connect Launches Dedicated ‘Game Providers’ and ‘B2B Providers’ Sections to Strengthen Industry Partnerships and Visibility appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Gamblers Connect Shortlisted for Prestigious Affiliate Awards at SiGMA EURO-MED and SBC Summit 2025
Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for two major industry accolades: Best Affiliate 2025 at SiGMA EURO-MED and Affiliate Traffic Source of the Year at the SBC Summit Affiliate Leaders Awards.
These nominations highlight Gamblers Connect’s continued commitment to transparency, innovation, and delivering meaningful value to both players and partners across the global iGaming landscape.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “Being shortlisted for two such prestigious awards is a true recognition of the hard work and dedication our entire team has invested over the past year. It reinforces our mission to stand out not only as a trusted affiliate partner but also as a key driver of visibility and sustainable growth within the industry.”
In 2025, Gamblers Connect expanded its ecosystem with dedicated Game Provider and B2B Provider sections, introduced exclusive PR collaborations and interviews, and strengthened its role as a reliable traffic source for operators and providers worldwide.
With a focus on SEO excellence, responsible gambling practices, and long-term partnerships, Gamblers Connect has cemented its reputation as one of the most influential affiliates in the sector.
These nominations showcase the strength of Gamblers Connect’s dual identity — both as a trusted content hub for players and as a strategic growth partner for B2B companies, operators, and providers.
The post Gamblers Connect Shortlisted for Prestigious Affiliate Awards at SiGMA EURO-MED and SBC Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Favbet × Spinner: An Exclusive Live Studio That Has Already Gained Recognition in Ukraine
Ukraine now has its first full-fledged Ukrainian-language live product, created by local specialists for local players.
The format combines modern technology with national identity, turning gameplay into a space where native language is heard from the very first moment.
Favbet opened a new opportunity for the market in the live segment. Without waiting for audience demand, the company shaped it itself, introducing its own branded live studio powered by Spinner. This proactive step secured Favbet’s reputation as an innovator that sets standards and creates trends.
The project was entrusted to Spinner — a modern and ambitious B2B provider with Ukrainian DNA and technological expertise, capable of delivering a fully branded studio in the state language. The partnership united shared values, high standards, and a clear understanding that players choose content closest and most relatable to them.
The studio’s atmosphere reflects Ukrainian character and hospitality. Hosts communicate in a relaxed manner, respond in real time, keep conversations flowing, and add light humor. It is a place players come not only for the game but also for live interaction and a sense of community.
Deep customization, Ukrainian-speaking hosts, and instant support create the comfort level every Favbet user deserves. Demand has grown so rapidly that in just one year the number of tables doubled from six to twelve.
Most importantly, these games are available exclusively on Favbet’s website and mobile applications.
Favbet × Spinner made Ukrainian the foundation and raised the quality bar to the level of global best practices.
PARTICIPATION IN GAMBLING CAN LEAD TO ADDICTION. PLEASE FOLLOW RESPONSIBLE GAMING PRINCIPLES.
License for online casino operations dated 20.04.2021 issued to LLC “BC Favbet” under CRGL Decision No. 137 of 05.04.2021 (as amended), and license for bookmaking operations dated 28.12.2022 issued to LLC “BC Favbet” under CRGL Decision No. 433 of 13.12.2022.
The post Favbet × Spinner: An Exclusive Live Studio That Has Already Gained Recognition in Ukraine appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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