Latest News
Exclusive interview w/ Thomas Kolbabek, CTO at Golden Whale Productions
To kick things off, could you give our readers a bit of background on what Golden Whale does? What is the company’s primary focus and what systems does it have in place to help its customers?
Golden Whale is a next-generation gaming infrastructure supplier that aims to streamline the process of integrating, modelling and orchestrating strategically relevant models derived from large data sets. We use a combination of data science and machine learning to assist companies in taking their player retention to the next level and maximise the expected lifetime value of their customers. The systems we use greatly reduce the time required to generate learnings and insights from a company’s data, which they can then apply to their products. Ultimately, we believe this will change the way that games and gaming systems are built and operated.
Are there any aspects of Golden Whale’s offering that makes it unique from other data tech companies? If so, how do the solutions that you provide differ from what the competition is doing?
While all data science companies claim to have the best model when it comes to making accurate predictions and segmentations, these are typically black box processes with little to no transparency. One of the things that makes Golden Whale unique is that we build a second layer on top for model orchestration and competition so users can compare all the outcomes from similar data sets. This allows companies to be more independent from single sources and helps them build an evolving system around their modelling that easily can be configured to find specific target values.
Apart from that the combination of long-standing domain know-how and latest methods in data-science lets us increase the learning speed of our customers systems significantly and reduces time between general analysis and useful execution!
Being a relatively new company in the iGaming industry, what were the main challenges that you encountered while establishing Golden Whale and how have you tackled these up until now?
The challenges that we’ve faced have been largely the same as any other innovative company aiming to make an impression in market – that is to say converting initial curiosity and scepticism into excitement and opportunity. Fortunately for us, we began operating at a time when the first wave of machine learning companies had already laid solid foundations for how this incredible technology can be used to benefit the industry. Our goal is now to really push the boundaries of what data science and machine learning can do for platforms and game systems and it’s a challenge we’re really relishing.
How has the experience your team has gained in the past helped to shape what Golden Whale does? Have there been any previous learnings that have influenced your approach to data science?
Our team has accumulated a lot of domain know-how from our backgrounds in gaming and data science that has enabled us to fine-tune our models to deliver optimal results. Of course, our previous experience has allowed us to identify gaps in the market that can be plugged by doing things a little differently, but it’s important to also respect the pace at which data science and machine learning is moving forward. In our field, it’s vital to stay on top of the latest developments and ensure this is what’s influencing and enhancing your product, rather than relying on insights from several years ago.
Golden Whale’s mission statement is to provide tools that “convert gaming companies into learning companies” – what are the key insights that they can expect to gain by using your product?
Our main focus is building products that directly interact with customer behaviour and player experience across different levels of product. We build on existing machine learning and data exploration tools to give partners new insights on how they can maximise efficiency and profits by improving their systems. In order to make full use of these insights, our models are ideally connected to gaming systems in real time with the resulting feedback loop being designed in a smart way. Our unique approach in this area can drastically speed up the process of how businesses can understand and enhance their offering based on the information they already have at their fingertips.
What does Golden Whale have lined up for 2023? Is there a clearly-defined plan for what you hope to achieve and can we expect to see any specific product launches over the coming months?
All younger companies in the data science sector are likely to experience a period of exponential growth during their first few years of operation, and Golden Whale is certainly no different in this respect. We currently have a pipeline with new customer launches, a product roadmap that encompasses many exciting projects and a bank of real-life results that we’re eager to share with our customers. We’re really excited about what’s coming up over the next 12 months and believe our future innovations will help Golden Whale make a real splash in the industry.
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Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday 29 November, when Red Bull’s one-of-a-kind League of Legends tournament ‘Red Bull League of Its Own’ is set to make its grand return.
Taking place in the iconic SAP Garden in Munich, reigning champions and esport titans T1, along with some of Europe’s most celebrated teams – G2 Esports, Karmine Corp, NNO Old and Los Ratones, will go head-to-head in an unmissable end-of-year showdown.
Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 is set to light up Munich’s SAP Garden, turning the state-of-the-art arena into an electrifying esports stage in the heart of Olympic Park. 11,500 fans will fill the stands, with countless more watching online, as international icons and Europe’s elite face-off in this year’s ultimate League of Legends clash. Red Bull League of Its Own is all about pushing the action to the limit, delivering high-energy matchups, unexpected twists, and the possibility of mixed rosters that keep every game fresh. All matchups will be played in a Ultimate Fearless best-of-1 format, keeping every game high-stakes and unpredictable.
The 2024 Red Bull League of Its Own delivered an unforgettable spectacle in Paris’ Accor Arena as T1 swapped roles, Los Ratones stunned after causing an upset, and Rekkles made a triumphant reunion on stage. This year’s edition aims to raise the bar even higher, promising elevated competition and moments that will captivate the global League community once again.
Returning as the official Monitor Partner for 2025, AGON by AOC will once again deliver high-performance gaming monitors to ensure contestants get the ultimate gaming experience. Razer makes its debut as the official Chair Partner of Red Bull League of Its Own, bringing the Razer Iskur V2 – an ergonomic chair built for comfort, durability, and focus – to keep players at their best throughout every match. MSI also joins as the official Gaming PC and Laptop Partner, while KFC comes on board for the first time as an event partner.
With record viewership last year, Red Bull League of Its Own 2025 promises unforgettable clashes, daring strategies, and moments fans will talk about long after the final match.
See below for full event details, timings, and where to watch.
Schedule:
- -15:00 CET – Opening Ceremony
- -15:15 CET – G2 Esports vs NNO Old
- -16:00 CET – Los Ratones vs Karmine Corp
- -17:00 CET – G2 Esports vc Karmine Corp
- -18:00 CET – T1 vs Match 3 Winner
- -19:00 CET – T1 vs NNO Old
- -20:00 CET – T1 vs Los Ratones
Talent:
- -Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere – Host
- -Keltoum “Giniro” Baddaje – Host
- -Robert “Dagda” Price – Caster
- -Aaron “Medic” Chamberlain – Caster
- -Joe “Munchables” Fenny – Caster
- -Daniel “Aux” Harrison – Caster
- -Jona “JustJohnny” Schmitt – MC
- -René “MasterPlay” Geigenberger – MC
On-Site Streamers:
- -Caedrel
- -Kameto
- -NNO Old (NoWay, Tolkin, Agurin, Karni, and Broeli)
- -Ilha das Lendas (Baiano, Tay, Brucer, and Pedro Bosco)
Where To Watch:
- -Fans can tune in to Red Bull Gaming’s YouTube and Twitch channels at 3 PM (UTC+1).
- -YouTube: youtube.com/live/mNV9ZU_YunA
- -Twitch: twitch.tv/redbull
The post Legends Collide and the Stage Ignites at Red Bull League of its Own 2025, Munich appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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1xBet has signed a partnership with the VALORANT roster of esports powerhouse MIBR, becoming the first-ever official betting partner in the Riot Games ecosystem.
Under this partnership, 1xBet and MIBR will focus on creating a new, immersive fan experience, strengthening the team’s global fanbase, and boosting overall engagement with VALORANT.
MIBR’s VALORANT roster currently includes players from the United States and Brazil. Over the past few years, the team has been a regular competitor in VCT Americas, and in 2025 they qualified for VALORANT Masters Toronto — the only Latin American team to do so. Later that year, MIBR also earned a spot at VALORANT Champions 2025, finishing in the Top 5 worldwide.
Beyond their esports success, MIBR continues to expand its media presence through collaborations with leading Brazilian influencers such as Sacy, producing original entertainment content, and hosting watch parties during major tournaments — all helping the organization remain one of the most talked-about and fan-favorite names on the regional scene.
Among the team’s stars is Erick ‘Aspas’ Santos, widely regarded as a VALORANT legend in Latin America. In 2025, he set the VCT Americas record for the most kills in a BO3 series and became the first player in VALORANT Champions history to surpass 1,000 kills across tournaments (2022–2024). Outside of competition, Aspas is a three-time Prêmio eSports Brasil “Athlete of the Year” winner and a massive fan favorite — during VCT Americas 2024 Kickoff, he became the most-mentioned player on Twitch chats, with over 11,300 mentions.
1xBet is one of the most recognized brands in esports betting, regularly supporting major global tournaments and sponsoring top-tier teams around the world.
Simon Westbury, Strategic Advisor at 1xBet: “This is a historic step for 1xBet — becoming the first official betting partner of an esports team within the Riot Games ecosystem. MIBR features some of the most talented and visible players in Latin America, and together we aim to strengthen VALORANT’s presence across the LATAM region, elevate its appeal internationally, and deliver a unique fan experience for audiences around the globe.”
Raphael Castanheira, MIBR’s Director of Marketing and Partnerships: “Being the first organization in the entire Riot ecosystem to obtain approval for a betting sponsorship is a direct result of how MIBR operates today, as an organized company with robust governance, clear processes, and protected by policies that put competitive integrity at the forefront. ”
The post 1xBet Becomes the First Official Betting Partner of MIBR’s VALORANT Team appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
ComeOn Group climbs to 21st place in the EGR Global Power 50 following a year of strategic growth
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Leading iGaming operator ComeOn Group has secured the 21st position in the 2025 EGR Power 50 rankings, reflecting a year defined by expansion, product innovation, and strengthened regulatory presence across Europe.
In 2025, the Group broadened its footprint in the regulated European markets with the launch of its casino-first brand Casinostuen in Denmark. The Group also advanced its activities in the Netherlands through the operation of Evoke’s 888 brand within the regulated Dutch market.
ComeOn Group continues to benefit from its strategic focus on locally regulated jurisdictions, which is powered by its own technology platform including an in-house sportsbook platform, proprietary games studio SpinOn, and unique, innovative jackpot products have been key contributors to differentiation and growing market share in core territories.
Juergen Reutter, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our proprietary technology is powering our products and services, giving us a strong competitive edge in highly dynamic and regulated markets. This foundation allows us to innovate faster, deliver differentiated experiences, and scale with confidence.
At the same time, artificial intelligence is transforming how competitive we can operate. We’ve equipped our teams with the tools and governance to experiment boldly and apply AI where it creates the most value. At ComeOn Group, we want to learn faster than our competition, because speed, agility, and innovation are essential to staying ahead in this industry.”
The Group closed the period with strong financial performance, demonstrating consistent growth across all key indicators for the 12 months ending 30 June 2025. Combined with the company’s increased market reach and accelerated innovation initiatives, ComeOn Group enters the coming year with robust momentum and a strengthened market position.
The post ComeOn Group climbs to 21st place in the EGR Global Power 50 following a year of strategic growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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