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NFTs and the future of fan engagement: How NFTs can boost engagement with sports brands

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By: Evgeniy Babitsyn, Chief Marketing Officer, Bets.io

The sport industry finds itself amidst its own digital transformation journey with the introduction of new technologies, and at the forefront of this digital shift are NFTs – otherwise known as Non-Fungible Tokens.

NFTs can represent any kind of digital item, and in recent years have commonly been used for quirky collectibles and art work – but they now enter the sports arena in a unique way. The beauty of NFTs is the unique metadata and ownership information which is tracked via blockchain, making them a one-of-a-kind digital collectible that cannot be duplicated. As a result of their collectible nature, it’s only natural that NFTs caught the eyes of eager sports enthusiasts and die-hard fans.

In fact, according to Deloitte research, around 40% of Gen Z and millennial sports fans are at least somewhat familiar with the use of NFTs and fan tokens in sports.

But why is that? And how can they boost engagement?

NFTs are rapidly emerging as a powerful tool for sports brands in driving deeper fan engagement and unlocking new revenue streams. This is because sports fans are, by nature, competitive and eager to own exclusive content from their much loved players, teams and brands. They want to be part of the action.

By playing on this feeling, and reinforcing loyalty among fans in this way, sports brands have a huge opportunity to take their revenue streams to new heights and gain a competitive advantage over other brands.

Imagine an athlete releases a limited-edition NFT that represents the most iconic moment in their career, such as the winning shot or a record breaking performance. Fans who own that NFT can then access exclusive content related to that moment including behind-the-scenes footage or interviews.

There really is no limit to these tokens, and depending on the asset, they can be much sought after. As more and more sports fans embrace the digital tokens, sports brands are quickly learning that there is huge potential for fan engagement, if they continue to innovate with this technology.

 

Taking collectibles to the 21st Century

Sports memorabilia and collectibles have for centuries been a way for fans to feel more connected to their favourite teams and athletes. And now thanks to the advances of technology – more specifically, blockchain technology – fans can collect within the digital realm, gaining access to truly “own” unique digital items and experiences.

Beyond just digital art or collectibles, NFTs can also integrate the idea of gamification, exclusive content and experiences into their NFTs – allowing fans to engage more actively while unlocking new revenue opportunities.

The possibilities are endless, extending far beyond just digital collectibles. They can provide fans with access to exclusive digital or in-person experiences, events and merch as well. Think front row seats or the chance for a meet and greet post-game.

With this, NFTs provide an excellent way for brands to diversify their revenue streams by monetising their content and intellectual property strategically.

It really is win-win, fans can own a piece of their favourite team’s history while supporting their team financially. And sports brands can benefit from more loyal fans.

 

Transforming the fan experience

Engagement is everything to sports brands. After all, the fans are really the most important stakeholders in the end. And offering NFTs can be a powerful tool in fostering deeper engagement within fan communities. NFTs provide more innovative ways for fans to connect, prove their loyalty and gain recognition for their allegiance.

Let’s look at NBA Top Shot. NBA Top Shot is the perfect example of a blockchain-based platform that allows fans to own and collect officially licensed NBA collectibles digitally. The platform offers exclusive collectibles including videos of the biggest NBA moments and highlights.

And football teams are also following suit. Manchester City, PSG, FC Barcelona have all joined in on the NFT hype – offering their own NFT collections for keen supporters such as worn jerseys, trophies and more.

 

Sports Betting and NFTs

And when it comes to sports betting, NFTs take the iGaming experience to the next level. Fans can purchase NFTs that represent specific bets, such as the winner of a particular game or the performance of a specific player. These NFTs can then be traded or sold, just like other NFTs, providing a new level of flexibility and excitement for betting.

The use of NFTs in the sports industry is still in its early stages, but has already shown great potential. We can expect more applications to come in the world of sports – including at Bets.io. Watch this space.

Looking ahead, the future is incredibly promising for sports brands who leverage NFTs within their business operations. Those who embrace these new powerful ways to inspire fans and forge deeper relationships with their communities, will see their efforts translate into business value.

The post NFTs and the future of fan engagement: How NFTs can boost engagement with sports brands appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Blue Water Casino & Resort and Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) Extend Partnership

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Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading enterprise solutions provider, announced an extension of their partnership with Blue Water Casino & Resort. Building on the success of the QCI Enterprise Platform, Blue Water will now incorporate the QCI Power Pack and its embedded A.I. to elevate guest satisfaction and bolster profitability.

Shelly Eddy, General Manager for Blue Water Resort and Casino, commented on the expanded relationship, stating, “QCI has been an invaluable tool for our Slot Development’s initiatives. It has empowered our team at various levels to take pointed action and truly use all of our resources, including our own time, to the best of our ability. We have been able to make large strides toward goals that previously seemed unrealistic for a team the size of ours, and with the impending Power Pack rollout, this will only get better.”

This partnership reinforces QCI’s commitment to providing cutting-edge tools and solutions for businesses in the casino and entertainment industry. Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI, expressed his enthusiasm for the extended partnership. “We are deeply honored to continue our relationship with Blue Water Casino & Resort. Their forward-thinking approach and dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences align perfectly with our mission at QCI. Together, we aim to set new benchmarks in the industry.”

The collaboration will focus on leveraging the power of data and analytics to anticipate guest preferences, streamline operations, and ultimately create memorable experiences for Blue Water’s patrons. The adoption of QCI Power Pack represents a significant step in harnessing the power of technology to achieve these goals.

 

The post Blue Water Casino & Resort and Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) Extend Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Red Bull Golden Letters returns: TEKKEN 8 pros to compete alongside new global Open Qualifiers

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  • Following TEKKEN 8’s recent launch, Red Bull Golden Letters returns for its third consecutive year at the Red Bull Gaming Sphere, September 28-29th 2024
  • For the first time, four open qualifier spots (NA, EU, JP, UK,) will be hosted, offering the global TEKKEN community a chance to play against some of the world’s best professionals
  • Hosted at London’s premier Gaming and Esports venue, the Red Bull Gaming Sphere will be transformed into an immersive golden bank vault, complete with resplendent design elements and ornate architecture.
  • Red Bull Players Hoa ‘Anakin’ Luu and Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique star in an expanded lineup of 16 invited professionals, with more set to be revealed
  • Gopuff joins as the Official Grocery & Snacks Delivery Provider for Red Bull Golden Letters
  • The two-day blockbuster finals will be broadcast live from the Red Bull Gaming Sphere in London on twitch.tv/redbull and https://www.youtube.com/c/redbullgaming.
  • Sign-ups to participate in the Red Bull Golden Letters Online Qualifiers are open now on start.gg

 

Following the highly anticipated TEKKEN 8 launch earlier this year, Red Bull Golden Letters is set to return for its third iteration to the Red Bull Gaming Sphere in London across two action-packed days, September 28-29th 2024. Building on the following year’s success, the tournament will see more world-class matchups and electrifying battles as TEKKEN players worldwide fight to be crowned Champion.

For the first time, the TEKKEN 8 tournament will feature four global qualifier rounds across North America, Europe, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Taking place between July and September 2024, the qualifiers will offer the Global TEKKEN community the chance to stake their claim among the very best as they battle some of the world’s top professionals.

The qualifiers will take place on the following dates:

  • North America (Online) – 10th July
  • Europe (Online) – 13th August
  • Japan (Offline) – 17th August
  • United Kingdom (Offline) – 7th September

 

This year’s Red Bull Golden Letters will be the first to be played on the newly released TEKKEN 8, unveiled earlier this year at Red Bull Pindrop, and will feature the return of its unique format. Putting players’ core fighting game skills to the ultimate test by encouraging perfect play and clutching under pressure, players can achieve ‘PERFECT’ and ‘GREAT’ scores, aka ‘The Golden Letters’, to win matches automatically.

Red Bull players Hoa ‘Anakin’ Luu and Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique will star alongside other top global pros, including Hasan “JoKa” Rehman, Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon, Alexandre “AK” Laverez, and “YUYU”, with more legendary players set to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Day one of the blockbuster Finals weekend will see an all-new 20-player group stage, with numerous matchups throughout the day, with some superb matches promised. The top 12 players will progress to day two’s Double Elimination, promising an intense and thrilling viewing experience for fans across the world. Day two will also reignite classic rivalries, with an East vs West battle before the Grand Finals, where players can settle old scores with adversaries.

The Red Bull Gaming Sphere will also be transformed into an immersive golden bank vault for this year’s iteration of Red Bull Golden Letters. Matchups will take place within the vault, which will be locked up until the winner is decided.

Last year’s Red Bull Golden Letters Champion, Jae-Min ‘Knee’ Bae, claimed the title after beating two-time EVO champion and fellow South Korean TEKKEN legend Hyunjin ‘JDCR’ Kim in a TEKKEN 7 masterclass with a landslide 6-0 victory.

Looking ahead to the tournament, Red Bull Player and TEKKEN legend Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique said: “It’s so good to see Red Bull Golden Letters returning for a third time. It’s become a real moment for the TEKKEN scene to look forward to every year, and new global qualifiers are great to give more opportunities and add even more wildcards to this competition. With the competitive scene still working out TEKKEN 8, the format adds such a great challenge for us, and is going to be so fun for fans to see play out – I can’t wait!”

Gopuff will continue its partnership with the Red Bull Gaming Sphere by joining as the Official Grocery and Snacks Delivery Partner for Red Bull Golden Letters, supplying competitors and talent with a range of everyday products in as little as 15 minutes.

Red Bull Golden Letters will be broadcast from the Red Bull Gaming Sphere in London and live on social media. For more information on Red Bull Golden Letters, including the Open Qualifiers, visit RedBull website.

 

The post Red Bull Golden Letters returns: TEKKEN 8 pros to compete alongside new global Open Qualifiers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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The GOATs Have Arrived: Stake pulls off ambitious marketing stunt as Sergio Agüero welcomes World Champions to Miami

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Stake has pulled off one of the most ambitious marketing stunts of recent times after football legend and Stake ambassador Sergio Agüero welcomed Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates to Miami with a herd of goats.

Laying down the gauntlet to opposing nations this Copa America, Agüero’s message that ‘The GOAT’s Have Arrived’ aims to place this current Argentina crop among the best sides ever.

 

After winning the same tournament in 2021, Argentina went on a 36-game unbeaten run, before their World Cup crowning glory in Qatar against France a mere 18 months later.

The reigning World Champions are in Florida to defend their Copa America crown and cement themselves as one of international football’s Greatest Teams of All Time.

Stake took full advantage of the situation to make a splash stateside by creating and executing a one-of-a-kind marketing stunt in collaboration with Press Box PR.

The campaign has proved a huge hit on social media.

The hero image of Agüero overlooking Biscayne Bay with two goats in tow has smashed the 1 million likes barrier on Instagram, attracting more than 9 million impressions. It is now the second most liked SoMe post in Stake’s history.

The viral campaign starred the former Barcelona forward in a striking Stake-branded Argentina jersey, with his four-legged companions draped in similar attire.

 

 

“Stake are not only leaders in entertainment, but also break records, as it was in this campaign. I like participating in their marketing campaigns as they are creative and fun, and value their ambition with the Latín American market,” said Agüero.

“There’s a big expat community in Miami of Argentinians, and many other Latin Americans who support our side.

“With Leo [Messi] playing in the local Inter, that sentiment grows even more. But there are a lot of Mexicans, Colombians, Venezuelans too,” he added.

Latam is a strategically important market for Stake. The operator opened a new hub in Bogotá earlier this year following its successful launch in Colombia.

The company has also announced ambitious hiring plans in the region, aiming to recruit more than 50 talented individuals throughout Latin America by the end of 2024.

“Stake’s fanbase is just as passionate as supporters of the Argentina national team,” said Dom Rae, Sponsorship Manager at Stake.

“We want to create an intrinsic connection with our players, and it’s rewarding to see such an overwhelmingly positive reaction to this totally unique campaign online.”

 

 

“We are glad to have one of the Greatest of All Time as part of the Stake family, with Sergio as a Stake Ambassador,” he added.

The post The GOATs Have Arrived: Stake pulls off ambitious marketing stunt as Sergio Agüero welcomes World Champions to Miami appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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