JetSynthesys, a global leader in digital entertainment and technology, is thrilled to announce that Sara Tendulkar has joined the Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL) as Mumbai franchise owner for its highly anticipated Season 2.

GEPL, the world’s largest e-cricket and entertainment league, is played on Real Cricket, a game that has amassed over 300 million lifetime downloads. Since its inaugural season, the league has witnessed exponential growth, with a fivefold increase in player interest, reaching 910,000 registrations compared to 200,000 in Season 1. With a staggering multiplatform reach of over 70 million and 2.4 million+ minutes of streamed content on JioCinema and Sports18, GEPL has cemented itself as a trailblazer in cricket esports.

Sara’s ownership of the Mumbai franchise reflects her strong affiliation with the region and aligns with the league’s commitment to regionalization, innovation, leadership, and passion for esports. Her inclusion in the GEPL ecosystem, alongside a diverse line-up of entrepreneurs from new India, further strengthens the league’s mission to redefine competitive gaming and elevate cricket fandom in the digital era.

Mr. Rajan Navani, CEO & Founder, JetSynthesys, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Sara Tendulkar as the franchise owner of Mumbai team. Sara is a true representation of the new gen Z creator and influencer ecosystem in India, a critical driver of the future of this country. Her deep-rooted interest in sports and esports, coupled with her immense popularity, makes her an ideal partner in our mission to take esports to the masses. This collaboration will help us expand GEPL’s reach, connect with fans from all walks of life, and create new grassroots opportunities for aspiring players.”

Miss Sara Tendulkar, expressing her excitement, said: “Cricket has been an integral part of our family. Exploring its potential in e-sports is thrilling. Owning the Mumbai franchise in GEPL is a dream come true, merging my passion for the game with my love for the city. I’m eager to collaborate with our talented team to build a beloved e-sports franchise that inspires and entertains.”

Mr. Rohit Potphode, CEO & League Commissioner, GEPL, added: “Having Sara Tendulkar join as the franchise owner of Mumbai is a watershed moment for GEPL. Her vibrant presence and strong connect with fans will undoubtedly elevate the league’s stature. With Season 2 set to be bigger and more competitive, her involvement will help drive even greater engagement in ecricket sports.”

Building on its successful debut, GEPL Season 2 will introduce: expanded team formats and advanced league dynamics, enhanced competitive intensity with elite players together with cutting-edge gameplay powered by Real Cricket 24, known for its strategic depth and realism. The season will culminate in a high-stakes grand finale in May 2025, where the top teams will battle for the coveted title of ‘e-Cricket Icon’ on the global stage.

With Sara Tendulkar’s entry, GEPL is poised to break new ground, bridging sports, entertainment, and technology to shape the future of cricket esports.

AGS (NYSE: AGS), a leading supplier of high-performing slot, table, and interactive products and services to the global gaming industry, today announced the appointment of David Jacques as the company’s new Vice President of Table Games Engineering. Jacques, an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the gaming technology sector, will report to John Hemberger, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Table Products.

In this role, Jacques will be responsible for leading AGS’ Table Games Engineering team, driving design and product development, project engineering, and new product introductions. His responsibilities also include supplier technical support, risk and asset management, and overseeing continuous improvement and quality assurance initiatives within the Table Games Division. Jacques will work closely with senior leadership to set strategic plans and objectives, ensuring that AGS continues to meet its business and customer goals with innovative and high-quality table game products.

“David’s wealth of experience and proven leadership in table game technology makes him an invaluable addition to our team,” said John Hemberger. “His expertise in product development, engineering, and strategic planning aligns perfectly with AGS’ commitment to delivering exceptional products to our casino partners. We are excited to welcome him aboard as we continue to grow and strengthen our position as a leader in the gaming industry.”

Prior to joining AGS, Jacques served as Senior Director of Software Development at Light & Wonder for four years and Director of Software Development for nearly four years. He also held the role of Chief Technology Officer at DEQ Systems, a gaming technology company specializing in bonusing systems for table games, for 12 years. His extensive background in both product development and engineering management in the gaming industry makes him highly qualified to lead AGS’ Table Games Engineering team into its next phase of innovation and growth.

David Jacques’ leadership will play a critical role in the ongoing development of AGS’ table games portfolio and its continued focus on delivering cutting-edge solutions to the gaming industry.

World Snooker Tour is delighted to announce Midnite as the new official UK betting and casino partner of the Halo World Championship.

Snooker’s greatest event, the Halo World Championship, will run from April 19th to May 5th at the Crucible in Sheffield.

Kyren Wilson will be defending the title in a field of 32 of the world’s best players, all dreaming of lifting the famous trophy which was first contested in 1927.

The Crucible, famous across the globe as the home of the event since 1977, will be packed through the 17 days as fans flock to see the all-time greats competing for a top prize of £500,000.

A global audience of 500 million will watch the event live on BBC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, CCTV5, WST Play and many other platforms worldwide.

Midnite is one of the UK’s fastest-growing betting companies thanks to its player-first experiences and a next-generation app that brings fans closer to the games they love.

Midnite is promising to delight snooker fans by delivering a series of memorable moments throughout the 2025 World Championship, including giving away three pairs of Century Club tickets for the final session.

Midnite’s sportsbook was launched in 2018 by Nick Wright and Daniel Qu, who previously created daily fantasy sports platform Dribble in partnership with Sky Bet.

Midnite co-founder Nick Wright said: “We are dedicated to bringing fans closer to the game they love. It doesn’t get any more intimate than the fan experience at the Crucible for the World Snooker Championship, where the sport’s most unforgettable moments are created.

“Our partnership will be more than just a logo in the background. We are looking forward to unveiling a series of fan-first activities throughout the tournament and making sure Midnite is in the middle of more magical memories.”

Peter Wright, Chief Commercial Officer of WST, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with Midnite for the first time on our biggest tournament. They are an ambitious brand, committed to the user experience and to bringing fans together to enhance interaction using technology which pushes boundaries. Most importantly, they place the highest priority on having fun in a responsible way on their platforms.

“They are excited to join our journey as a sport because, through the World Championship, we can offer massive exposure for Midnite’s brand on a global scale. We look forward to working with their team across the 17 days. There have been so many great moments at the Crucible, my own favourite is the last frame of the 2023 final when Luca Brecel won the title as it was incredible to see such a flamboyant young player bring the crowd to its feet with his style of snooker.”

Snooker stars’ memorable moments

Naming their favourite Crucible moments, leading stars said:

Kyren Wilson: “It has to be winning the title last year. I remember stretching for the final red and knowing that if I potted it I was World Champion. I looked up to my family and my son Finley was clenching his fist saying ‘come on!’ In the celebration afterwards I cuddled my kids and Finley shouted ‘Dad, you’ve done it, you’re World Champion!’”

Mark Selby: “Making my debut at the Crucible in 2005. I had never even been there to watch, so when I qualified for the first time it was an amazing feeling. Then I was drawn against John Higgins, so that was extra special, to walk out for the first time and to play against a legend like John.”

Neil Robertson: “In terms of a single moment, it has to be my 147 in 2022. As a kid I grew up watching the videos of Cliff Thorburn, Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan making 147s at the Crucible. It was something I always wanted to do, and when it happened my mum was in the crowd as well which made it something I will never forget.”