Latest News
Noemie Serra Crowned European Dealer Champion 2024 at the 16th Championship in Venlo
The 16th European Dealer Championship, hosted by Holland Casino at its Venlo operation proved to be a hugely popular event, where 37 dealers from 21 European countries gathered to demonstrate their exceptional skills before the EDC judges.
Three days of intense tournament competition culminated in Noemie Serra of Casino de Monte-Carlo being crowned the European Casino Association’s Dealer of the Year. Jamie Cummins from London’s Crown Casino took the runners-up spot, with Asa Ekerot from Casino Copenhagen securing third place.
As well as taking home their trophies, the winner scooped a grand prize of €5,000. The second and third place finishers were awarded €3,000 and €1,500, respectively. In addition to the main prizes, there were another five Skill Challenges, each offering a prize of €500 for the winners, showcasing the diverse talents and expertise of the competitors.
- Best Mathematician: Jamie Cummins, Aspinalls
- Best Chipping: Tsvelan Kritonov Yanchev, City of Dreams Mediterranean, Cyprus
- Best Cutting Chips: Noemie Serra, Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monaco
- Best Pushing Stacks: Stefano Samperi, Casino Malta
- Best Card Handler: Marco Skorjanic, Casino Innsbruck, Austria
The finals, which followed intense national heats, brought the crème de la crème of Europe’s casino dealing professionals to Venlo for the skill-based competition to demonstrate their astute decision-making, lightning-fast reflexes, and seamless ability to balance chip management, mathematics, and engaging social interactions.
The dealers were evaluated by a dedicated panel of impartial international judges, each an experienced professional dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in the gaming industry. The EDC jurors played a vital role in evaluating participant performances, thoroughly examining game control, communication, and technical skills.
Erwin Van Lambaart, Chairman of the ECA, said: “It has been a huge honour for Holland Casino to host the 16th European Dealer Championship in Venlo. I’d like to thank the team behind the scenes for their tremendous efforts in organising and hosting this prestigious event, and I’d like to thank the event’s sponsors without whom it simply wouldn’t happen. It has also been a great honour to be able to celebrate the amazing craftsmanship of live dealing. This event is a showcase offering a glimpse into the passion, professionalism, and hospitality that define the experiences of guests at our member casinos daily. Our dealers and croupiers must be recognised as the most vital ingredient at the forefront of customer interaction. They are the very essence of the land-based casino industry, and we really have celebrated the ‘best of the best’ in the field here in Venlo. This event gives us an opportunity to honour these skilled professionals, to highlight the remarkable achievements of our dealers and to say thank you for making live casino gaming what it is today.”
Hermann Pamminger, General Secretary of the European Casino Association (ECA), remarked: “This year’s has been a truly phenomenal event. I would like to thank all the sponsors of this year’s competition who made it possible to stage this international celebration of land-based gaming talent. The ECA extends its gratitude to these leading companies from the European gaming industry for their continued commitment to the European Dealer Championship, ensuring its success and growth into the future.”
The winner, Monaco-born Noemie Serra, said: ‘Being a croupier is the best job in the world. I am so thrilled to take home the top prize. I came through the dealer school for Société des Bains de Mer de Monaco in 2018 and have worked there ever since. It was an honour to represent them in this competition. My father also works as a dealer for SBM, so I suppose you could say that being a croupier is in my blood. The tournament has been intense and exhausting, but all the competitors have been so supportive throughout the event.’
Runner-up Jamie Cummins of Crown London said: ‘It is a huge honour to finish second in this prestigious event. I’ve loved every second of the event and my time with the other dealers. Since starting out at Genting Casino in Luton, it has always been a dream of mine to work in Mayfair, which I achieved with Aspinalls and Crown. Doing so well in this competition is right up there, though. I was at the tournament in London a few years ago, which was an outstanding event, but this one has topped even that. I’d advise any croupier anywhere in Europe to have a go at this dealer championship. It’s an incredible experience.’
Second runner-up Asa Ekeret from Casino Copenhagen added: ‘I’m thrilled to have been recognised at this event. It has been tiring and gruelling, but just as in my job in Copenhagen, the other dealers have been amazingly supportive and encouraging. We’ve picked each other up and kept each other going. It’s been an amazing experience.’
The European Casino Association is excited to announce Grand Casino Lichtenstein as the next distinguished location for next year’s European Dealer Championship 2025, which will run from June 16 to 19.
The post Noemie Serra Crowned European Dealer Champion 2024 at the 16th Championship in Venlo appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News
Team K9 Esports crowned champions of BGMS Season 4; secure INR 60 lakh in prize money
Hydro was crowned the tournament’s MVP with 27 finishes, while TraceGod received the TVS Most Wicked Player award for his 113 finishes across the season
The three-day LAN finals garnered over 10 million views on YouTube and more than 500k views on JioHotstar across the Hindi, English, and Gujarati live streams.
The curtains have come down on the OnePlus Android Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 4, with Team K9 Esports emerging as the undisputed champions of India’s most-watched esports tournament. After three days of high-octane LAN action at the NODWIN Gaming Arena in Chhatarpur, New Delhi, the champions walked away with the coveted BGMS trophy and the lion’s share of the INR 1.5 crore prize pool.
The grand finals, held from September 12 to 14, brought together the top 16 teams in the country for 12 intense matches and were broadcast live on NODWIN Gaming’s YouTube channel as well as on Star Sports Khel and JioHotstar, making it the only esports tournament in India with a national television presence. On YouTube, the finals drew more than 10 million views across Hindi, English, and Gujarati broadcasts over the three days, while on JioHotstar, they registered over 500k views during the same period, surpassing 200k on the final day alone.
OnePlus K9 Esports, led by in-game leader (IGL) Sahil Jakhar (Omega) and comprising Akshit Kumar (Arclyn), Harshit Yadav (Beast), Tanjot Singh (NinjaBoi), and Raghuraj Singh (Slug), dominated across all three days of competition. After topping the table on both Day 1 and Day 2 with consistent performances, the team carried their momentum into the final day to finish with a total of 107 points and three Winner Winner Chicken Dinners, claiming the BGMS Season 4 championship and securing INR 60 lakh in prize money.
They were followed closely by Sinewy Esports, who had qualified through the Battlegrounds Mobile India Challenger Series (BGCS), finishing second with 96 points and earning INR 22.6 lakh. iQOO SouL also ended with 96 points but were placed third on tiebreakers, recording 53 finishes compared to Sinewy’s 54. Infinix True Rippers and iQOO Revenant XSpark rounded off the top five with 93 and 89 points, respectively.
The MVP of the tournament was awarded to TRHydro of Team True Rippers, whose 27 finishes stood out as the highlight of the grand finals. The TVS Most Wicked Player award went to Joel Thomas (TraceGod) of Team Revenant XSpark for his remarkable tally of 113 finishes throughout the tournament.
When asked about their hard-fought victory, Sahil Jakhar, aka Omega, IGL of OnePlus K9 Esports, summed up the team’s emotions perfectly: “One in the bag, more to go!”
Organised by NODWIN Gaming, South Asia’s leading gaming and esports company, the fourth season of BGMS spanned over 28 days in its innovative dual-format structure. This season marked a significant evolution with the introduction of the BGCS as the official feeder league, giving grassroots talent the chance to rise to the professional stage. Through partner-led qualifiers such as OnePlus Campus Dominate and TVS Raider Wicked Battles, new teams and young players earned the opportunity to compete alongside India’s top-tier squads. In a historic step towards inclusivity, all-women rosters also took part in BGCS, breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of female gamers to envision a future in competitive esports.
“BGMS Season 4 has truly set new benchmarks for esports in India. From the introduction of the dual-format league and the inclusion of all-women teams to welcoming new brands into the fold, this season has been about opening doors and broadening horizons for the entire ecosystem. Congratulations to K9 Esports for delivering an outstanding performance that defined this season. What makes me especially proud is that we continue to bring this action into Indian homes on national television and OTT platforms, ensuring that the very best of esports reaches the masses and cements its place in the mainstream. This journey was also strengthened by the trust and commitment of our Title Sponsor, OnePlus, along with all our partners whose support has helped BGMS evolve from a tournament into a movement that truly resonates across the country,” commented Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming.
BGMS Season 4 was powered by an exceptional lineup of partners, each playing a vital role in making the tournament a success. OnePlus returned as the Title Sponsor and Official Smartphone Partner, while Android continued its association as the Co-Title Sponsor.
TVS Motor Company marked its third consecutive year of partnership, and Red Bull returned for the second year to energise players throughout the competition. Duolingo English Test made its debut as the Official Learning Partner, promoting accessibility and global opportunities for India’s youth. Swiggy came on board for the first time as the Official Food Delivery Partner, keeping players and crew fuelled, while Bisleri joined as the Official Hydration Partner. In a landmark moment, Tesla also made its esports debut in India by showcasing its Model Y cars at the BGMS Grand Finals.
With BGMS Season 4, NODWIN Gaming has not only redefined the scale of competitive gaming in the country but also cemented the tournament’s status as a cultural phenomenon that embodies the energy and aspirations of India’s youth.
The post Team K9 Esports crowned champions of BGMS Season 4; secure INR 60 lakh in prize money appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Rocket League World Championship concludes in Lyon: NRG Esports crowned champions in front of nearly 10,000 fans; Major 2 comes to Paris La Défense Arena next year
- Record-breaking Rocket League World Championship 2025 concluded yesterday with around 10,000 fans per day at LDLC Arena
- NRG takes home the $300,000 prize as this year’s Rocket League World Champions
- Paris La Défense Arena (25,000 capacity) confirmed to host RLCS Major 2, May 20-24, 2026
After two landmark weekends for global esports with the Fortnite Global Championships and the Rocket League Championship Series in France, Rocket League is set for an even bigger arena in 2026.
Following a record-breaking World Championship in Lyon, the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Major 2 will take over La Défense Arena in Paris from May 20-24, 2026, marking the largest venue to host a Rocket League event in history.
The Rocket League World Championship 2025 came to a thrilling close on Sunday evening as NRG Esports lifted the trophy in front of nearly 10,000 fans at the LDLC Arena in Lyon-Décines, France. Taking in the glory, the champions secured $300,000 and were declared Rocket League World Champions!
20 of the best Rocket League teams and 60 players from across the globe were onstage all together, representing every major region. North American team NRG’s Massimo “Atomic” Franceschi, Landon “BeastMode” Konerman and Daniel “Daniel” Piecenski dominated through the Group Stage before delivering a statement performance in the Grand Final, with a decisive 4-1 victory over Raleigh Major winners and RLCS 2025’s highest-scoring LAN team, Team Falcons.
Esports has dominated the French spotlight these past two weekends – with the Fortnite Global Championship and the Rocket League World Championship 2025 drawing record crowds and combining to deliver $50 million in economic impact for the city of Lyon.
Spectators from across more than 26 different countries travelled to France to watch 20 of the world’s best Rocket League teams compete for the title of World Champion. The energy of the Lyon crowd confirmed France’s status as one of esports’ true global homes, setting the stage perfectly for next year’s RLCS Major 2 in Paris.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the RLCS will scale up once again as La Défense Arena – Europe’s largest indoor venue and a regular home for large-scale sporting events – will welcome an expanded three full days of live audience action next May. With a capacity of 25,000, the arena will be one of the biggest venues in Europe to host an event in esports.
Additional details of the 2026 season were also revealed in Lyon, with the new season set to kick off this November with online Opens, followed by a brand-new Kick-Off LAN studio event in Copenhagen, Denmark this December. The RLCS Major 1 will take place in North America with further dates and locations for the first Major of the year and the Rocket League World Championships to be announced in the coming months.
For more details on the 2026 Rocket League Championship Series, including sign-up information and full schedules, visit the Rocket League Esports official site.
In case you missed it, Rocket League also announced Season 20 this weekend, which will be live on September 17 – check out the blog for more details on the new season.
The post Rocket League World Championship concludes in Lyon: NRG Esports crowned champions in front of nearly 10,000 fans; Major 2 comes to Paris La Défense Arena next year appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Infront Bettor expands tennis portfolio through exclusive Australian Open video and data rights partnership
New agreement with Tennis Australia (TA) includes top grand slam event, Qualifying and TA tournaments
Infront, through its dedicated division Infront Bettor, has significantly broadened its footprint in tennis after being named the data and video streaming partner for Tennis Australia.
The multi-year agreement includes the Australian Open, one of tennis’s four grand slams, and will provide licensed sportsbooks access to high-quality live content and reliable data thanks to market-leading strategic partners for streaming and data distribution. It marks the latest step in Infront Bettor’s growing presence in top-tier tennis, building on the five-year Official Data partnership with the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
In addition, Infront Bettor will collaborate closely with Tennis Australia’s Game Insights Group, focusing on exploring opportunities in data innovation and commercial data strategy.
Drawing on experience from its ITF partnership, Infront Bettor will also bring an emphasis on data harmonisation across the sport. This allows consumers of data to have consistent definitions regardless of the tennis competition and supports Tennis Australia’s ambition to create products and platforms that enhance the way fans and partners experience tennis.
Tennis Australia’s Chief Commercial Officer Cedric Cornelis said: “Partnering with Infront Bettor ensures we can deliver the highest standard of content to audiences globally, while maintaining a strong commitment to integrity and innovation. Their platform and experience in the sport will help us identify, reach, and delight new markets.”
Chris Catling, Head of Infront Bettor, added: “This is a landmark addition to our tennis offering and a major step in strengthening our global footprint in the sport. The Australian Open sits at the very top of the calendar and complements our existing partnership with the ITF by extending our reach across both elite and grassroots levels. We’re proud to be trusted by Tennis Australia and look forward to delivering value through reliable content, integrity-led operations, and a truly global distribution network.”
The partnership will also see Infront work closely with Tennis Australia’s Integrity Unit, combining best-in-class monitoring tools, risk assessments, and global market analysis to help uphold the integrity of all covered matches.
Infront Bettor is part of the Group’s Media, Betting and Technology unit led by Amikam Kranz as Senior Vice President. This combination of Infront’s media rights business with betting and technology provides more holistic commercial opportunities to rightsholders and innovative technology solutions to the betting industry.
The post Infront Bettor expands tennis portfolio through exclusive Australian Open video and data rights partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News3 months ago
Brand-new projects debuting at iGB L!VE: Casino&You and Win&You Partners!
-
Latest News1 month ago
Light & Wonder to Participate in the 2025 Australasian Gaming Expo
-
Latest News1 month ago
ReferOn Shortlisted for Acquisition & Retention Partner of the Year at SBC Lisbon 2025
-
Latest News1 month ago
Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion
-
Latest News2 months ago
2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP KICKS OFF WITH GROUP DRAW AHEAD OF ESPORTS WORLD CUP
-
Latest News3 months ago
HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with the CEO and co-founder of Nordcurrent Victoria Trofimova
-
Latest News2 months ago
CEO of MEDIA24 Interviewed: Industry Scams, Business Insights and SEO
-
Latest News2 months ago
HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with CEO of Media 24 Martins Lasmanis
You must be logged in to post a comment Login