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BLAST.tv Major 2023 set to be first Counter-Strike Major to take place in France
Esports entertainment company BLAST has revealed it will host and produce next year’s Counter-Strike Major in France. The BLAST.tv Major will take place at the Accor Arena in Paris in May 2023 and be the first CS:GO Major to take place in France.
Ths announcement follows on from French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments back in April this year, where he stated a desire for France to host leading esports events such as the Counter-Strike Major in the future and become the ‘country of video games’.
The BLAST.tv Major will be France’s first ever Counter-Strike Major and BLAST’s first time hosting one of the most watched and loved esports events in the world.
The esports entertainment company has built up a reputation for delivering esports events and experiences that focus on innovation, fan-first moments and high production quality.
Robbie Douek, CEO for BLAST, said: “BLAST has always had an ambition and dream to be involved in a Major, an event that is rightly viewed as the pinnacle of esports and competitive gaming. We’ve been watching and waiting for the right moment to deliver an unforgettable Major. The time is now, with the BLAST.tv Major 2023! Over the last few years we’ve been working hard to deliver the best esports entertainment on the planet, and more recently investing in a digital platform that will allow fans to get even closer to these experiences.
“Paris is a world class location to host the tournament and will precede another high profile international event in the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Next year marks 10 years of Majors and we are highly confident of marking this occasion by delivering the greatest Major to date for CS:GO fans to experience and enjoy. We will be working closely with Valve to ensure we meet and exceed the community’s expectations and deliver an incredible event.”
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, confirmed the news on Sunday night: “From next year, in May, in less than 10 months, our country will host an event that will celebrate its 10th anniversary: the BLAST.tv Major Counter-Strike, the very first CS:GO Major organised in France and it will be at the Accor Arena in Paris.”
The BLAST.tv Major joins a list of high-profile international events taking place in France over the next few years, alongside: 2023 Rugby World Cup, 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.
Over the last few years France has become a hotbed for producing some of esports and Counter-Strike’s leading talents. Deep-rooted in the CS:GO scene, France has developed some of the scene’s most loved teams and players.
2023 will mark 10-years of Counter-Strike Majors and the BLAST.tv Major will look to celebrate this momentous occasion through highlighting and looking back at some of the most iconic moments from the pinnacle of esports and Counter-Strike.
BLAST.tv will be the home of 2023 France Major, where fans can get closer to the action than ever before. Innovative and fan-first viewing features will allow fans to tailor their viewing experience, relive key and exciting moments and impact the action unfolding before their eyes.
The BLAST.tv Major will also be available to watch across BLAST’s global broadcast network, which is shown in 154 territories and in 25 languages. BLAST will work with Webedia Group, a leading French esports company, to deliver an unforgettable Major.
BLAST.tv Major dates and schedule:
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RMR’s Qualifiers: February – March (exact dates TBC)
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RMR’s: 3rd-9th April
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Major stage: 8th-21st May
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Challengers stage: 8th-11th May
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Legends stage: 13th-16th May
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Champions stage: 18th-21st May (Accor Arena)
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Latest News
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 10-16
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.
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Fennica Gaming has announced that it has been granted a gaming supplier license in Ontario, Canada. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy, allowing it to offer its cutting-edge gaming experiences to gaming operators in one of North America’s most dynamic regulated markets. The supplier license, granted by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), enables Fennica Gaming to introduce its portfolio of entertaining and high-quality games to gaming operators across the province. This registration empowers Ontarian operators, whether online or land-based, to access the omnichannel offerings developed in the Nordics.
PrizePicks announced it has received Internet Compliance Assessment Programme (iCAP) accreditation from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). PrizePicks is the first and only fantasy sports operator to receive the recognition. iCAP certification is granted to operators that meet the NCPG’s high standards for responsible gaming and consumer protection practices. Developed by the NCPG, iCAP is the leading online responsible gaming assessment Programme in the US. The rigorous certification process involves an independent, comprehensive review of an operator’s responsible gaming policies and practices, spanning Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, staff training programmes, work culture, consumer protection measures, RG tool offerings, customer service standards and regulatory compliance.
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) at Northeastern University School of Law supports Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as they reintroduced the SAFE Bet Act, which addresses the risks associated with legalised gambling. As of 2025, 39 states and the District of Columbia have legalised sports betting, but the necessary safeguards are not in place to address the public health risks that legalising sports betting creates. The SAFE Bet Act, first introduced in September 2024, addresses those public health concerns. The SAFE Bet Act establishes federal standards while preserving the opportunity for anyone who wishes to participate in legal sports betting. These standards will address advertising, affordability and artificial intelligence issues.
Partnerships
The NCAA and EPIC Global Solutions announced an extension of their gambling harm education programme collaboration. This extended collaboration reinforces the NCAA’s long-standing commitment to protecting student-athlete well-being and the integrity of college athletics. Educating student-athletes on the dangers of sports betting continues to be a key priority for the Association. EPIC’s sessions have been a crucial piece of this education since January 2022. The NCAA and EPIC Global Solutions have partnered to educate over 80,000 student-athletes through in-person, experiential sessions at more than 270 campuses nationwide across all three divisions, making it the largest programme of its kind globally.
SCCG Management has announced a strategic partnership with Boosted Bets. This collaboration will focus on business development, capital-raising support, and global distribution, connecting Boosted Bets with strategic partners across SCCG’s ecosystem, including sportsbook platforms, operators, data providers, CRM and gamification partners. Boosted Bets introduces a new way for sports bettors to prove their skills through a contest-based wagering model. Players enter a paid challenge, receiving a simulated betting account with a larger bankroll—giving them the ability to place bets as if they were high-stakes bettors.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – March 10-16 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Natural8 India Unveils Its Biggest Exclusive Poker Giveaway Yet!
Nine Indian Players to Compete at APT Taipei 2025 for the Prestigious Lions Trophy: Natural8 India to Unveil its Biggest Poker Giveaway!
Natural8 India is back with yet another thrilling opportunity for Indian poker players to showcase their skills on an international stage. After an unforgettable journey to APT Manila, the platform is now setting its sights on APT Taipei 2025, offering nine Indian players a once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete live and vie for the prestigious APT Lions Trophy. Set to be the biggest APT Taipei series ever, this exclusive event promises high stakes, intense competition, and an unmatched poker experience in an all-new venue.
The road to Taipei begins with the highly anticipated Online MTT on March 23, 2025, at 8:30 PM IST, where players can secure their place in the top nine. With a buy-in of INR 5,500 and satellite tournaments starting at just INR 550, the event ensures that every poker enthusiast has a shot at glory. The stakes are higher than ever, with an additional INR 20 lakh in added benefits—a 33% increase from previous events—making this India’s biggest exclusive poker giveaway yet.
Winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to APT Taipei, including flights and accommodation worth up to INR 1,20,000 each. The top four will also claim Main Event tickets worth INR 1,47,000, while the remaining five will secure Mini Main Event tickets valued at INR 67,000. The live final table, set for April 26, 2025, will be streamed directly from Taipei, ensuring an electrifying showdown as players battle for the coveted Lions Trophy.
Speaking about the event, Kunal Patni, Executive Director and Country Head of Natural8 India, stated, “This is a golden opportunity for Indian players to make history on the international poker circuit. We can’t wait to see the top nine take on Taipei and bring the trophy home!”
As the excitement builds, Natural8 India remains committed to elevating the poker experience for Indian players, ensuring that they get the best possible platform to compete globally. With thrilling action, unparalleled rewards, and a shot at poker glory, APT Taipei 2025 promises to be an event to remember.
The post Natural8 India Unveils Its Biggest Exclusive Poker Giveaway Yet! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Acer Refreshes Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Graphics Cards with New AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series GPUs
Six new models announced for AI-enhanced gaming, streaming, and creation with 8K visuals and optimized thermal design with triple FrostBlade 4.0 cooling fans.
Acer today unveiled its latest Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro graphics cards, powered by the next-generation AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 Series GPUs. This cutting-edge line-up includes six models designed to elevate gaming and creative experiences with next-level performance and visual fidelity. The models include the Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC 16GB, Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 OC 16GB, and two Nitro graphics cards: Acer Nitro Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC 16GB, Acer Nitro Radeon™ RX 9070 OC 16GB.
The new GPUs are engineered for ultra-fast gaming and demanding tasks, leveraging AMD RDNA™ 4 compute units and up to 16 GB of memory to deliver immersive 8K visuals. The advanced cooling technology, featuring three FrostBlade 4.0 fans, and reinforced designs ensures systems can be pushed to their limits while maintaining peak performance. DIY gamers will appreciate new software features such as Acer Intelligence Space, which offers intuitive AI system detection, and Acer Game Assistance’s adaptive aim system to give players a competitive edge.
AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 Series GPUs
The latest Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Radeon RX 9070 Series graphics cards are powered by up to the new AMD Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC Graphics, featuring unified AMD RDNA™ 4 architecture with powerful raytracing capabilities, AI accelerators and up to 16 GB of memory. Gamers can enjoy the latest gaming displays and experience increased visual quality for video streaming and editing as these next-generation designs activate AMD HYPR-RX to instantly enable all supported performance-boosting and latency-reducing technologies across thousands of games. Expect deep immersion with higher quality and clarity thanks to AI-powered AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution 4 image upscaling with advanced frame generation technologies, which boost framerates in supported games. Players can showcase their skills with enhanced multimedia and streaming experiences using the AMD Radiance Display™ Engine.
Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Radeon™ RX 9000 Series Graphics Cards
The Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC 16GB graphics card boasts a boost clock of up to 3,100 MHz and game clock of up to 2,570 MHz, while the Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 OC 16GB graphics card offers boost and game clock speeds of up to 2,700 MHz and up to 2,210 MHz respectively for ultra-smooth responsiveness.
The Acer Nitro Radeon™ Series provides gamers and creators the tools to enhance their digital experiences, featuring maximum boost clock speeds of up to 3,100 MHz and game clock speeds of up to 2,570 MHz for balanced performance and efficiency. All models come equipped with the latest advancements from AMD Radeon™ technology and 16 GB of GDDR6 RAM, pushing the graphics cards to their maximum processing prowess.
Advanced Cooling and Durability
These GPUs are equipped with Acer’s advanced cooling systems, which provide added support in reaching peak performance. Featuring state-of-the-art cooling technology with triple FrostBlade 4.0 fans, counter-spin designs for smoother airflow, and oxygen-free thermal pipes, the Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Radeon™ graphics cards maintain optimal heat dispersion to keep temperatures in check. Supported by dual-ball bearing systems and lubricating oil, the fans are engineered to reduce noise, withstand elevated temperatures, and minimize friction on the fan bearings.
These graphics cards are also built for lasting durability and dominance, crafted with an aluminum backplate and a metal anti-bending design, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of continuous use. Heat-dissipating vents and a reinforced copper base efficiently absorb heat from the GPUs, which is expelled quickly through oxygen-free heat pipes.
Intelligent Features
Acer Intelligent Space serves as the central hub for the device’s AI features, identifying system hardware, suggesting compatible AI applications to optimize performance, and helping players identify more gaming tools. Acer Game Assistance provides a competitive edge by automatically adjusting colors and offering a sniper mode for precise targeting in shooting games. Additionally, Acer ProCam automatically detects and records gameplay highlights to capture key moments in the game.
The multi-display capabilities allow users to connect to four displays, with each graphics card equipped with three DisplayPorts, one HDMI 2.1 port, and up to a PCIe 5.0 bus, providing a seamless and immersive experience across gaming, streaming, and creative applications.
Specifications
Name | Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 XT OC 16GB |
Model | PB-RX9070XT-SOC |
Graphics | AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 Series graphics |
Interface | BUS: PCIe 5.0 x 16 |
Memory | Size: 16 GB GDDR6
Bandwidth: 640 GB/s Speed: 20 GB/s |
Graphics Clock | Boost clock: Up to 3,100 MHz
Game clock: Up to 2,570 MHz |
Cooling | FrostBlade 4.0 ringed fans x 3, counter-spin design |
Output | HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 x3,
Digital Max Resolution: 8K Simultaneous display: 4 |
Total Board Power | 340W |
Dimensions | 295 (L) x 120 (W) x 49(H) mm, 2.5 slots |
Name | Predator BiFrost Radeon™ RX 9070 OC 16GB |
Model | PB-RX9070-SOC |
Graphics | AMD Radeon™ RX 9000 Series graphics |
Interface | BUS: PCIe 5.0 x 16 |
Memory | Size: 16 GB GDDR6
Bandwidth: 640 GB/s Speed: 20 GB/s |
Graphics Clock | Boost clock: Up to 2,700 MHz
Game clock: Up to 2,210 MHz |
Cooling | FrostBlade 4.0 ringed fans x 3, counter-spin design |
Output | HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 x3,
Digital Max Resolution: 8K Simultaneous display: 4 |
Total Board Power | 340W |
Dimensions | 295 (L) x 120 (W) x 49(H) mm, 2.5 slots |
The post Acer Refreshes Predator BiFrost and Acer Nitro Graphics Cards with New AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series GPUs appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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