Latest News
MOUZ Crowned Back-To-Back ESL Pro League Champions After 3-0 Victory During Season 19 Grand Finals
The 19th season of the ESL Pro League (EPL) has come to a spectacular conclusion in St. Julian’s, Malta, as MOUZ triumph during an action-packed Grand Final. Keeping the fans on the edge of their seats during three electrifying rounds, MOUZ maintained their position as EPL Champions and crushed Team Vitality 3 – 0.
Having been victorious during ESL Pro League Season 18 as well, MOUZ have been showing off their remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament to win yet another EPL trophy. By laying claim to the coveted title, the German organization will take home $170,000 out of the $750,000 total prize pool and they have secured themselves a direct invite to the Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2024 Group Stage.
Furthermore, the squad now adds their second win in the race to secure Intel® Grand Slam V in their attempt to become the first team victorious at three ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Masters and one EPT Championship tournament in a span of ten consecutive competitions. The team to do so will not only obtain the $1,000,000 cash prize and iconic gold bars, but also etch their name in Counter-Strike history.
EPL Season 19 saw a peak viewership of over 376,000*. Moreover, the final three days of the tournament were played out in front of an intimate live audience, with fans from 40 different countries gathering in Malta to experience the culmination of the action.
Group Stage
The 19th season of the world’s biggest Counter-Strike league took off on April 23, as the 32 competing teams were split up in four groups of eight during the Group Stage. The top four of each group would make their way into the Playoffs, with the group’s winners going directly to the Quarterfinals, the group’s runners-up making their way to the Round-of-12, and the remaining teams continuing their battle in the Round-of-16.
In the first week of the league season, the stage was set for the teams in Groups A and B as they clashed in an attempt to secure one of 16 spots in the Playoffs. In Group A, the Danish squad of Astralis and 3DMAX’ French roster went head-to-head in the upper-bracket, with the Danes eventually being the first to claim their spot in the final stage of the tournament without dropping a single map. FaZe Clan and Virtus.pro also secured their Playoffs tickets, winning the mid-bracket and lower-bracket finals respectively.
Meanwhile, the competition in Group B was heating up as well, with Team Vitality remaining unbeaten and topping their group. The MongolZ, BetBoom Team, and G2 Esports finished second to fourth, thereby also proceeding to the Playoffs.
During the second week of EPL Season 19, it was time for the teams in Groups C and D to show off their skill and prove their worth. In Group C, MOUZ had a successful run and came out on top unbeaten, with Team Liquid claiming the second place. GamerLegion also managed to advance to the Playoffs via the mid-bracket, and so did Monte via the lower-bracket.
In Group D the battle was also on with many close rounds being played out. Eventually however, Complexity was the first to prevail, with Natus Vincere, BIG, and FlyQuest completing the top four and claiming the final Playoffs spots.
Playoffs
The Playoffs took place from May 7-12 and saw the top 16 teams compete in a single elimination bracket for a spot in the Grand Final. By the end of the second day there were just eight teams remaining, including EPL Season 17 winners FaZe Clan and IEM Cologne 2023 Champions G2 Esports. Despite an impressive run from both these teams, their journeys were cut short in the Quarterfinals by Team Vitality and reigning EPL Champions MOUZ respectively.
The Semifinals saw Astralis pitted against Team Vitality, and MOUZ pitted against Complexity in the latter team’s first-ever EPL Semifinal appearance. In an impressive display of resilience when tensions were at their highest, both Team Vitality and MOUZ managed to reverse sweep their opponents to secure their well-deserved spots in the Grand Final.
Team Vitality put on an especially notable performance against Astralis in the Semifinals, winning through overtime in the second game and using their newfound momentum to secure the game 3 win.
Before Team Vitality and MOUZ continued their journey into the Grand Final for the moment of truth, however, it was the time for broadcast talents Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill and Janko “YNk” Paunović to show if they, too, have what it takes during the Grand Final of the Qiddiya 1v1 tournament. Following 20 fast-paced rounds, YNk came out on top with a score of 13-7. Pitting all ESL Pro League broadcast talent against each other over the course of the three-week-long season, the Qiddiya 1v1 tournament provided fans tuning in during the live broadcast with an additional unique and exhilarating competition.
Grand Final
Reigning EPL Champions MOUZ started off the first game strong on Inferno, picking up momentum and reaching 9-3 at halftime with little resistance. Despite some good rounds in the second half, Team Vitality were unable to bring it back, and MOUZ ultimately claimed the win with a score of 13-9.
Game 2 started with an early 2-0 lead for Team Vitality, but MOUZ quickly shut that down, once again securing a 9-3 lead at halftime. Team Vitality’s resilience shone through with back-to-back clutches in rounds 14 and 15, but it was not enough to keep MOUZ from closing out the game 13-8.
At this point, MOUZ were unstoppable, and their dominance continued into game 3, dropping only two rounds in the first half, and three in the second. Despite Team Vitality’s Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut having his highest rated S-tier LAN performance, the French organization ultimately fell short and it was MOUZ who secured the Champions title in a triumphant finish for the second season in a row.
“Back-to-back, it feels amazing,” said Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo of MOUZ. “It means a lot. It’s been a long time since we won so it’s good to win a Tier 1 trophy again, especially with this team. It’s amazing that we won.”
With their well-deserved win, MOUZ take home the $170,000 grand prize, qualify for IEM Cologne later this year, and take one step closer to securing Intel® Grand Slam V.
Additionally, MOUZ’ Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek was awarded the EPT DHL MVP award for his exceptional performance, and said: “We came into this tournament very fired up and the form that we showed here was amazing. I can only perform well with my teammates playing so good as well, so thank you very much to them.”
The post MOUZ Crowned Back-To-Back ESL Pro League Champions After 3-0 Victory During Season 19 Grand Finals appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News
2025 Gaming in Holland Conference announces headline speakers
The 2025 Gaming in Holland Conference, which will take place June 5, 2025, at the KIT Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam, is proud to announce its first confirmed speakers.
The Gaming in Holland Conference is THE place to meet the key decision makers in the Netherlands’ regulated gambling market.
First speakers announced
We are very happy to welcome the following key decision makers to our speaker line-up:
- Arjan Blok, CEO, Nederlandse Loterij
- Renske Fikkers, Head of Market Supervision, Netherlands Gambling Authority
- Justin Franssen, Partner, Franssen Tolboom Advocaten
- Dr. Andreas Ditsche, CEO, iGaming.com
- Josh Hodgson, COO, H2 Gambling Capital
About the 2025 GiH Conference: A Change is Gonna Come?
Recently, Teun Struycken, State Secretary for Legal Protection, announced a far-reaching revision of the Dutch Remote Gambling Act.
This month, the Dutch Lower House will hold roundtable discussions on the current state of the regulated gambling market. These roundtable discussions will be followed by an in-depth debate with the state secretary on March 27.
Naturally, this means that there will be plenty to discuss at this year’s Gaming in Holland Conference. Don’t miss it if you want to keep abreast of the latest developments.
As always, all-day networking, our traditional canal boat tour, and networking drinks at Holland Casino are included in the event.
Last but not least, the “Dutch Online Casino of the Year” award ceremony will be part of the post-conference networking drinks. Don’t miss the festivities!
Registration now open
Early bird registration is now open: https://bit.ly/GiHC2025. Don’t miss it!
The post 2025 Gaming in Holland Conference announces headline speakers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Irish company MiFinity Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a Major Milestone: 1 Million Users and Growing!
This St. Patrick’s Day, MiFinity, the world’s fastest-growing eWallet, has an extra reason to celebrate – surpassing 1 million user accounts worldwide! As a proud Irish company, reaching this milestone on one of Ireland’s most globally recognised days is a happy coincidence, marking another chapter in MiFinity’s journey of rapid expansion and innovation.
Paul Kavanagh, CEO at MiFinity, commented: “There’s no better day than St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate 1 million users worldwide! Our roots are proudly Irish, and this milestone is a testament to our global ambitions, continuous innovation, and commitment to providing seamless, secure, and customer-focused payment solutions. We’re raising a glass of the black stuff to our users, partners, and team – this success is down to you!”
Recognised for Growth and Innovation
MiFinity’s rapid growth has not gone unnoticed. In addition to being named Best Cross-Border Payments Service for the second year running at last year’s Payments Awards, the company received a further 5 award wins over 2024. MiFinity was also ranked as the 8th fastest-growing Financial Services company in the UK by the UK Fast Growth Index. This recognition underscores MiFinity’s commitment to continuous innovation, operational excellence, and delivering outstanding user value.
Kavanagh continued: “These accolades are proof of our ongoing efforts to push boundaries and improve the digital payment experience. We’re growing in terms of user numbers and establishing ourselves as a trusted leader in the payments industry.”
Driving Engagement and Enhancing User Experience
In addition to its growing user base, MiFinity has experienced a surge in transaction volumes and engagement. Thousands of users are actively using the MiFinity eWallet across key sectors. MiFinity’s offering of 80+ integrated payment methods, competitive fees, multi-currency support, and innovative payment products has made it a preferred choice for consumers and merchants alike.
In 2024, MiFinity also surpassed a significant milestone by reaching over 1,000 brand integrations, meaning more online sites now offer MiFinity as a payment option in their cashier
or checkout process. This expansion allows consumers to seamlessly use their MiFinity eWallet on a growing number of popular platforms, enhancing convenience and flexibility for users across the globe. This achievement is another example of MiFinity’s ongoing commitment to building strong partnerships and providing users greater access to their favourite online services.
A Focus on Innovation and Security
MiFinity’s success stems from its ability to balance innovation with security. The eWallet offers cutting-edge features such as biometric authentication, real-time fraud monitoring, and low-cost international transfers. This combination of convenience, flexibility, and safety ensures that MiFinity remains at the forefront of the digital payments landscape.
The post Irish company MiFinity Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a Major Milestone: 1 Million Users and Growing! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Navigating Compliance and Global Expansion: Endorphina’s Journey in the iGaming Industry
HIPTHER, the organizer of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, is delighted to welcome Endorphina as the Awards Party Sponsor and a leading force in the iGaming sector. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Džangar Jesenov, Corporate Compliance Manager at Endorphina, to explore the company’s recent achievements, including new market entries, rigorous security certifications, and their strategic focus on the LATAM region.
Endorphina recently secured authorization as a supplier of online slot games in Peru and obtained B2B licenses in Sweden and Denmark. What were the key challenges in achieving these milestones, and how do they align with your broader market expansion strategy?
Yes, it’s true—we are now officially authorized as a supplier in Peru, Sweden, and Denmark. Expanding into these regulated markets was a carefully structured process that required thorough preparation and deep regulatory understanding.
From a compliance perspective, we dedicated nearly 11 months to analyzing each market, studying regulatory frameworks, and engaging directly with local authorities. This hands-on approach allowed us to interpret legal details correctly and streamline our applications. Once we completed our groundwork, our submissions proceeded as planned, reflecting our meticulous preparation and proactive strategy.
These expansions are part of our long-term vision to strengthen our global presence, ensuring that Endorphina remains at the forefront of regulated gaming. By entering these strategic jurisdictions, we continue to build a trusted brand that delivers premium, compliant, and innovative gaming experiences.
Endorphina completed an ISO 27001 security certification audit, a significant achievement in information security. Can you provide more details about it, and share how this certification impacts your operations in terms of data security and compliance
Security has always been a top priority for us—not just for compliance reasons but because we believe in building trust with our partners and players.
Our decision to pursue ISO 27001 certification was driven by our commitment to establishing the highest security standards across all operations.
Rather than adapting to individual country regulations piecemeal, we chose the most rigorous and internationally recognized approach: an overarching Information Security Management System (ISMS) that meets global best practices. This certification reinforces the security of our infrastructure, protecting both operator partners and players.
Achieving ISO 27001 is a reflection of years of experience and expertise within our compliance team. By implementing this standard, we future-proof our systems against evolving security threats while ensuring seamless compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Now, our partners know that when they work with Endorphina, they’re working with a provider that takes security seriously and operates at the highest level of integrity.
You recently concluded successful security audits in Spain, Italy, Argentina, and Denmark. How do you navigate the diverse compliance requirements across these regions, and what best practices would you share with other iGaming businesses?
Each country has its own regulatory framework, but ultimately, they all share a common goal: ensuring player protection and responsible gaming.
One of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned is that proactivity is key. Instead of reacting to regulatory changes at the last minute, we focus on staying ahead by implementing strong security standards that align with global best practices.
Here are three key best practices we follow at Endorphina:
– Think from the player’s perspective – A safe and fair gaming environment should always be the priority. Our compliance decisions are made with player security and trust in mind.
– Establish a strong, unified security framework – Rather than adapting compliance measures market by market, we implement a universal security model (ISO 27001) that seamlessly integrates into different regulatory landscapes.
– Invest in people – Compliance isn’t just about policies; it’s about the expertise and dedication of the team. Continuous education, adaptation, and training are key to staying ahead of ever-changing regulations.
That’s why for me, and I’m sure for many people on my team as well, compliance is more of a craft than just a job.
Endorphina concluded the year with a strong focus on the LATAM region, achieving certification as one of the first suppliers of online slot games in Brazil. What opportunities does this milestone present, and how do you plan to further strengthen your presence in the region?
The LATAM region has been a long-term focus for Endorphina, and we have been expanding into these markets for several years. Argentina and Colombia were among the first jurisdictions where our games became highly popular, and Brazil was the next strategic step in our expansion.
With Brazil’s regulatory framework evolving, we saw an opportunity to leverage our experience from other regulated markets to establish a strong foothold early on. Being one of the first authorized slot suppliers in the country is a huge achievement, as it positions us as a trusted provider in a highly competitive market.
Looking ahead, we plan to actively grow our footprint in LATAM by:
– Expanding our certified game portfolio – We already have 83 games certified for Brazil, and this number will continue to grow.
– Strengthening partnerships with local operators – By offering localized content and tailored marketing support, we ensure our games resonate with Brazilian players.
– Adapting to new regulations – As Brazil tightens its iGaming laws, we expect greater regulatory enforcement, which will increase market stability and further strengthen licensed operators and suppliers like Endorphina.
Our goal is clear: to be a leading force in LATAM’s regulated iGaming market, delivering premium, compliant, and engaging gaming experiences.
At the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, you will be speaking on the panel “Navigating the Maze: iGaming Compliance Across CEE”. Can you give us a taste of the key insights you’ll be sharing with the audience?
I’m really looking forward to the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025—it’s always a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with industry friends and exchange insights.
My main focus will be sharing practical, real-world compliance strategies that can help operators and suppliers navigate regulatory complexities across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). I expect there will be a lot of discussion around market-specific compliance challenges, particularly in the Czech Republic and across the EU.
Rather than delivering a one-way presentation, I want this to be a dynamic and interactive discussion. My goal is to create a space for open dialogue, where attendees can ask direct questions, share their own experiences, and gain practical takeaways that they can apply in their own businesses.
Compliance is constantly evolving, and my mission is to make it accessible, insightful, and—dare I say—exciting for everyone attending the panel! 😊
With Endorphina at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, this year’s event promises invaluable insights into compliance across CEE and the evolving iGaming market. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain exclusive market perspectives, and be part of the most dynamic gathering in the CEE region!
Join us on 25-26 March 2025 in Prague – Register now and explore the full agenda!
The post Navigating Compliance and Global Expansion: Endorphina’s Journey in the iGaming Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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