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IESF: The Philippines Won the Grand Champion Trophy, Saudi Arabia Announced as the Next Host Country
Over 10,000 eSports fans showed up to watch the action live and 750,000 unique viewers tuned in to watch the finals online
The International Esports Federation (IESF) proudly concludes the 15th World Esports Championship where the Philippines emerged as the Grand Champion after ten days of thrilling competition and an unforgettable closing ceremony.
WEC23 Gold Medalists:
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang – Philippines
- PUBG Mobile – Kyrgyzstan
- eFootball 2023 – Iran
- Tekken7 – Pakistan
- CS:GO – Sweden
- CS:GO Female – Netherlands
- Dota 2 – Mongolia
For ten days, the global eSports community remained engaged throughout the tournament, breaking last year’s viewership record with a peak of 700,796 viewers during the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Grand Final. The Philippines and Indonesia once again showcased their power in eSports, reaffirming their status as global leaders in both national success and eSports popularity.
Philippines: Grand Champions
A historic 601 eSports players from 111 countries competed across six game titles: CS:GO, Dota 2, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, eFootball 2023, Tekken 7 and PUBG Mobile with all the action live-streamed on IESF’s YouTube and Twitch channels. This year’s championship also featured the women’s CS:GO tournament, doubling the number of teams from last year with the Netherlands emerging as the champions.
Beyond the eSports excitement, the 15th WE Championship included insightful panel discussions with thought leaders, activations with IESF partner FitGMR and a ComicCon event, creating an interactive and engaging experience for attendees.
IESF hosted a three-day music festival during the finals in partnership with Digital Throne, Romania’s biggest pop culture festival, featuring performances by international artists like Armin van Buuren and Lost Frequencies. The extravagant closing ceremony at the Palace of Culture featured speeches by IESF President Vlad Marinescu and Iasi mayor Mihai Cirica with HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud presenting the Philippines with the Grand Champion Trophy to celebrate the athletes’ hard work and performances.
“We are proud to crown the Philippines as the Grand Champion and congratulate all our finalists for their outstanding performances throughout the tournament,” the General Secretary for the IESF, Boban Totovski, said. “This event further cemented IESF as the home of international eSports. We would like to thank our athletes, the city of Iasi, our partners and everyone who made it possible to unite the world eSports family and make history in Romania.”
“Being a Grand Champion is a long-time dream and testament of what Filipinos can achieve when working in unity in the most beautiful sport of the future,” the President of the Philippine Esports Federation, Brian Lim, said. “eSports Mabuhay Pilipinas.”
The city of Iasi’s culturally rich and youthful atmosphere exceeded expectations as 100,000 fans came together to celebrate eSports and support their countries, solidifying Romania’s position as a leading eSports destination.
Saudi Arabia to Host 16th World Esports Championship
At the closing ceremony, the President for the IESF, Vlad Marinescu, officially handed over the IESF flag to Saudi Arabia, which will host the 16th World Esports Championship in 2024. This marks the first time Saudi Arabia will host IESF’s flagship event, where athletes compete under their national flags.
“We are thrilled to host the IESF’s 16th World Esports Championship in Saudi Arabia in 2024 to demonstrate our strong support for the IESF,” the Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, said. “A warm welcome is extended to eSports enthusiasts from around the globe. Our unwavering commitment lies in delivering a world-class event that not only reflects our passion for eSports but also underscores our dedication to its expansion. Together, we look forward to creating an unforgettable championship experience in the heart of Riyadh.”
“As we wrap up a truly historic edition of the World Esports Championship, it is an honor to announce Saudi Arabia as the next host country that will welcome the world eSports family,” Marinescu said. “We look forward to working with Saudi Arabia, the local organizing committee, the Saudi Esports Federation and our incredible partners to keep the momentum going and continue to grow and promote eSports on the global stage.”
The final announcement regarding the dates of the 2024 WE Championship National and Regional Qualifiers and Finals are to be published in the upcoming period.

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Groove Technologies and BetOnGames Forge Strategic Partnership
In a landmark move, platform and aggregator Groove Technologies has announced a strategic partnership with BetOnGames, the RNG game provider arm of BETCORE. This collaboration brings together Groove’s enterprise-grade platform, boasting over 15,000 games from 150+ top-tier providers, and BetOnGames’ lightweight, high-performing content, optimised for real-world conditions.
The alliance promises to deliver unparalleled scalability, engagement, and profitability for operators worldwide.
Groove’s cutting-edge platform is renowned for its precision, scalability, and advanced player engagement tools, making it a powerhouse for operators who demand excellence. By integrating BetOnGames’ portfolio featuring 100+ fast-loading, low-data titles across slots, crash, and instant-win formats, Groove further solidifies its position as the go-to solution for diverse markets, including regions with limited internet coverage.
Rachel Tourgeman, Head of Partnerships at Groove, emphasised the strategic value of the partnership: “BetOnGames’ adaptability and high-converting content perfectly complement Groove’s mission to deliver unmatched performance for operators. Their lightweight design, multilingual UI, and seamless payment integrations, including UPI, QR-wallets, and crypto, make them an ideal partner for both emerging and mature markets. Together, we’re setting a new standard for player engagement and operational efficiency.”
BetOnGames has built a reputation for reliability, offering RNG-certified titles with competitive RTPs (96–97%) and 24/7 technical support. Popular titles like Aerobet (crash-style, 97% RTP), 100 Mega Hot (classic slot, 97.12% RTP), and Bicho da Sorte 25 (lottery-style, 92.26% RTP) cater to a broad spectrum of player preferences, ensuring high retention and conversion rates.
Peter Korpusenko, CEO of BETCORE, highlighted the significance of the collaboration: “Partnering with Groove allows us to expand our reach exponentially while maintaining the speed, fairness, and lightweight efficiency that define BetOnGames. Groove’s robust backend and analytics tools empower operators to maximise our content’s potential, driving growth in even the most competitive markets.”
With full licensing under the Curaçao Gaming Control Board, integrated responsible gaming tools, and AML compliance, BetOnGames provides a secure and scalable foundation for operators. Combined with Groove’s industry-leading platform, the partnership ensures seamless onboarding via Groove’s single-API, optimised cash flow, and data-driven decision-making.
As iGaming continues to evolve, Groove and BetOnGames are poised to lead the charge, delivering a dynamic, player-centric experience that transcends borders and technical barriers. For operators seeking a competitive edge, this collaboration represents the future of iGaming today.
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and COO at Groove, underscored the long-term vision: “This partnership isn’t just about adding games, it’s about enhancing ecosystems. BetOnGames’ performance in low-bandwidth environments and localised payment options align perfectly with our commitment to inclusivity and innovation. Together, we’re not just meeting operator needs; we’re anticipating them.”
The post Groove Technologies and BetOnGames Forge Strategic Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Week 37/2025 slot games releases
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Leroy wakes up every day with a smile on his face! Why you may ask? Well executing is a dirty job but Leroy just loves to swing his axe in Nolimit City’s latest release, Dead Men Walking. The chopping block features a 3-3-3-3-3reel setup with three Fire Pits above the reels each linked to a unique base game feature.
Amusnet has released 100 Art of Gold. This new online casino release brings together the elegance of art and the dynamic feel of modern slot design. Built on a 5-reel layout with 100 fixed paylines, the game stands out with its refined aesthetic and carefully crafted details.
Play’n GO heads skyward with Rosy Orbit Treasure Turn™, a radiant slot where gravity is optional and innovation is key. A mysterious princess, a faithful fox, and a cherished rose – Play’n GO blends character-driven charm and fresh mechanics in Rosy Orbit Treasure Turn™.
Burning Classics 2 is here to ignite your winnings with all the fiery thrills of the original, plus even hotter rewards. The sequel to Booming Games’ most popular game, Burning Classics, keeps the classic 5×3 grid and 20 variable paylines, along with the iconic stacked symbols, including stacked wilds.
Blueprint Gaming™ takes one of its strongest internationally performing series to new heights in Cash Strike Hotstepper 2, with Super Strike and mystery symbols among the new additions designed to elevate the gameplay experience on offer.
BGaming is excited to announce the launch of Bonanza Trillion, the highly anticipated sequel to the hit slot, Bonanza Billion. The game builds on the success of its predecessor while also upping the ante with a range of captivating features, enhanced visuals, and higher volatility. Bonanza Trillion upgrades the classic fruit and crystal theme that players loved from the original title.
Step into the heart of the untamed frontier in Bison Moon – Power Combo, a slot from Northern Lights Gaming that captures the rugged beauty and boundless thrill of the Great Plains with plenty of big wins in store. This action-packed slot introduces the provider’s latest mechanic, Power Combo, where three unique Scatters unlock incredible bonus features via its proprietary Link&Win feature.
The vast plains are alive with the sound of rampant hooves, the roar of predators, and helpful animals along the way. ELA Games proudly presents its latest release, Buffalo Force, an energetic game that celebrates the sheer power of nature.
Spinomenal is welcoming players to ascend to Valhalla with its latest mythology-inspired slot, Majestic Odin. The game joins Spinomenal’s hugely popular Demi Gods series. Majestic Odin is set against a breathtaking Nordic landscape of towering mountains, deep fjords, and glowing torches that frame the game with mythic grandeur.
The post Week 37/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Wraps Season 1 with Stephen Crystal—From Las Vegas Legends to Global Gaming Leadership
GR8 Tech’s drive-time podcast Bet It Drives closes out its debut season in the fast lane with Stephen Crystal, Founder of SCCG Management and a 30+ year veteran of the gaming world. From reshaping tribal and riverboat gaming to owning iconic Las Vegas casinos and driving more than $3 billion in finance, M&A, and technology projects, Stephen has spent his career at the center of the industry’s biggest moves.
In the passenger seat with host Yevhen Krazhan, GR8 Tech’s CSO, Stephen takes listeners from the glitter of Vegas to the global stage—where he has advised 120+ client-partners across 100 countries, built US operations for the UK’s largest bookmaker, and cut high-profile sports betting deals with teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Vegas Golden Knights.
On this ride, Stephen opens up about:
- Whether industry events really bring the business
- Why he believes in connecting people to people above everything else
- How he’d reshape iGaming conferences (hint: more case studies, less fluff)
- The single-sentence keynote he’d deliver if given the mic
- The people and principles that shaped his journey
- The art of closing deals and the mindset behind his business approach
- Which song he cues up when it’s deal-done time
- His take on when it’s “network” and when it’s definitely “not work”
“Stephen brought the kind of wisdom you only get from decades at the very top of gaming and a career spent building, betting, and believing in people,” said Krazhan. “It was a very inspirational, motivational talk—and Stephen officially earned a Bet It Drives seatbelt of honor.”
As always, Bet It Drives trades the studio for the streets of London, filming each episode entirely on the move with a multi-camera crew capturing both the ride and the real talk. The result is a podcast that has blended insider insights with unscripted, human moments all season long—from Alex Pratt and Helen Walton to Rohini Sardana, and now Stephen Crystal in the finale.
Watch Episode 4 with Stephen Crystal now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
That’s a wrap for Season 1. But don’t unbuckle just yet—Bet It Drives will be back soon. Follow GR8 Tech and stay tuned: Season 2 is already on the horizon, promising more bold voices, more candid conversations, and more reasons to hit play.
The post GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Wraps Season 1 with Stephen Crystal—From Las Vegas Legends to Global Gaming Leadership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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