Latest News
ESL FACEIT Group Unveils the ESL Impact 2024 Program in Counter-Strike 2
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, announced the 2024 program for ESL Impact – the all-woman Circuit in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2). As the ESL Impact Season 4 Global Finals draw near and teams are getting ready to battle it out in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the immersive gaming lifestyle festival, DreamHack Valencia, the anticipation is running high among players and fans alike to discover plans for the following year.
Launched at the beginning of 2022, ESL Impact is one of EFG’s #GGFORALL program initiatives. For almost two years, it has inspired women Counter-Strike players and fans to follow their dreams of being a part of the professional esports scene. ESL Impact provides teams, talent, players, fans, and more with a dedicated ecosystem, creating a more diverse and equal gaming environment for everyone. Since its launch, the circuit has paved the way for numerous professional and aspiring women rosters to showcase their skills, compete at the highest level, and further their development in the esports scene.
To consolidate and improve the ESL Impact Circuit, there will be a number of changes to the tournament approach and regional slot distribution in the upcoming year, all of which are available on their website.
The 2024 program for ESL Impact will again elevate the excitement and competition to the highest with two online league seasons, live Global Finals at DreamHack festivals, and monthly Cash Cups on FACEIT:
ESL Impact League Season 5 Open Qualifiers
- February 12 – 18, 2024.
- Teams from Europe (EU), North America (NA), and South America (SA) can battle it out in their regional open qualifiers to secure 12 spots (four for each region) in the ESL Impact League Season 5.
ESL Impact League Season 5
- March 6 – April 21, 2024..
- The 28 best teams (16 requalified teams from the previous season and 12 teams from the open qualifiers) from EU, NA, and SA will battle it out in their regional online league.
- The top four teams from EU, the top two teams from NA, the top one team from SA, and the Wildcard Qualifiers winner qualify for the Global Finals at DreamHack Dallas.
ESL Impact League Season 5 Global Finals in Dallas
- May 31 – June 2, 2024.
- Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
- Competing for a share of the $150,000 total prize pool and the coveted title, the eight top teams from around the globe face off in front of a live audience at DreamHack Dallas.
ESL Impact League Season 6 Open Qualifiers
- August 2024.
- Teams from EU, NA, and SA can battle it out in their regional open qualifiers to secure 12 spots (four for each region) in the ESL Impact League Season 6.
ESL Impact League Season 6
- September – October 2024.
- The 28 best teams (16 requalified teams from the previous season and 12 teams from the open qualifiers) from EU, NA, and SA will battle it out in their regional online league.
- The top five teams from EU, two teams from SA and one team from NA qualify for the Global Finals at DreamHack Stockholm.
ESL Impact League Season 6 Global Finals in Stockholm
- November 22 – 24, 2024.
- Stockholmsmässan, Stockholm, Sweden
- With $150,000 of the total prize pool at stake once more, the eight world’s best teams will gather in the capital of Sweden to battle it out in front of a live crowd at DreamHack Stockholm.
Additionally, fans and players of all levels can expect thrilling matchups with Cash Cups, taking place online on FACEIT twice a month. These feature a $4,500 prize pool per Cash Cup, split between Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South Africa, and South America.
Stay tuned for more updates on the 2024 ESL Impact program. For more information about the all-women Counter-Strike circuit, make sure to follow ESL Impact on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram and visit the official website.
For more general information, check out eslfaceitgroup.com or follow ESL FACEIT Group on LinkedIn.
Latest News
Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: This is a classic “Cross-Sell” play. Meridianbet has already spent seven years building a sports betting database in Belgium. By securing this B+ license, they can now monetize those same users with higher-margin casino products (slots, table games) without needing to acquire new traffic from scratch. With the Belgian casino sector growing at 20% year-over-year, this is a significant revenue unlock for the GMGI portfolio.
The Full Story
Meridianbet, the sports betting and gaming operator owned by Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint in Europe by securing a B+ online gaming license in Belgium.
The new license (B+ 4016) authorizes the company to launch a comprehensive online casino platform—featuring slots, table games, and automated live games—starting in January 2026. This move significantly broadens the operator’s capabilities in the country, complementing its existing sports betting operations which have been active in the Belgian market for seven years.
Targeting the Largest Market Segment The strategic rationale behind the license is clear: Casino is now the dominant force in Belgian gambling. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, the online casino vertical generated €455 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.
By entering this vertical, Meridianbet gains access to the largest and fastest-growing segment of a market that generated a total of €944.6 million last year.
Tech-First Entry Meridianbet plans to deploy its proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology for the Belgian launch. This system analyzes player behavior and preferences in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, a crucial differentiator in a highly concentrated market where just ten operators account for 94% of all online wagers.
Regulatory Context Belgium is known for having one of Europe’s strictest regulatory frameworks, characterized by rigorous compliance standards and player protection protocols. Securing this license validates Meridianbet’s operational standards and deepens its foothold in a “mature” market that is notoriously difficult for new entrants to penetrate.
The post Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: In the iGaming affiliate space, the five-year mark is a critical survival threshold. Many media startups fade away before reaching it. LinkDataMedia’s decision to rebrand now is a classic “graduation” signal. By shedding their startup skin for a more corporate, “blue-chip” aesthetic (the stability-focused blue triangle), they are telling operators and partners that they are no longer just an affiliate project, but a stable infrastructure partner ready for larger commercial deals.
The Full Story
LinkDataMedia, the parent company behind the popular affiliate portal Gamblers Connect, has announced a comprehensive corporate rebrand to coincide with its fifth anniversary.
The overhaul includes a completely refreshed brand identity, a redesigned logo, and a fully revamped website, all of which are now live. The move is described by the company not as a mere cosmetic update, but as a strategic pivot designed to distance the business from its “startup roots” and reflect its current status as an established player in the competitive iGaming media landscape.
Visualizing Maturity The new visual language features a modernized blue triangular logo, a shape chosen to represent “stability and forward momentum.” The digital user experience has also been streamlined, offering partners a cleaner interface that aligns better with the company’s matured operational capabilities.
Management Commentary Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder and CEO of LinkDataMedia, commented on the significance of hitting the half-decade milestone in such a volatile industry:
“Surviving the first five years in business takes more than luck. It takes belief, resilience, and the right people around you. This milestone, and the rebrand, reflect exactly that.”
Implementation The new branding has already been deployed across the main corporate website and is currently being rolled out across LinkDataMedia’s social media channels and internal communication platforms. As the company enters its sixth year, the refreshed identity aims to set the stage for a new phase of expansion and innovation.
The post LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Latest News
Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: As ICE makes its historic move to Barcelona, established tech providers like Win Systems are under pressure to bring their “A-game” to the larger venue. The focus here isn’t just on cabinets; it’s the ecosystem. By highlighting WIGOS (their CMS) alongside WIN PAY, Win Systems is positioning itself as an infrastructure partner, not just a hardware supplier. The debut of the Gold Club Colors roulette specifically targets the growing demand for visually customizable electronic table games (ETGs).
The Full Story
Win Systems, the global provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, has confirmed its product roadmap for ICE Barcelona 2026, the sector’s most significant international event taking place from January 19 to 21.
Exhibiting at Stand 3M30 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the company will leverage the new venue to showcase a broad portfolio designed to cover the entire casino floor—from management systems to the gaming floor itself.
Systems and Fintech At the core of the showcase is WIGOS, the company’s flagship Casino Management System (CMS). WIGOS is widely recognized for connecting thousands of machines across multiple countries, and the Barcelona display will focus on advanced tools that streamline daily operations and optimize player retention.
Complementing the CMS, Win Systems will present WIN PAY, its secure transaction platform. As cashless and seamless payment solutions become standard requirements for operators, WIN PAY offers the necessary efficiency and security controls for modern gaming environments.
Hardware: Roulette and Slots On the hardware side, Win Systems is refreshing its electronic table game offering with the new Gold Club Colors electronic roulette. The Gold Club line has long been a staple in the company’s portfolio, known for its compact footprint and reliability; the “Colors” iteration promises to maximize visual impact on the floor.
Alongside the roulette, the company will display its latest slot hardware, including the Sublime and Rhapsody cabinets. These units are designed to house the company’s extensive game library, which has been adapted to suit diverse market profiles from Europe to Latin America.
Strategic Goals Win Systems aims to use the three-day event to reinforce its 30-year legacy in the industry. The company described its participation as a commitment to “continuous innovation,” inviting operators and regulators to explore how their integrated solutions can improve in-room performance.
The post Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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