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Team Vitality crowned Champions of Intel Extreme Masters Melbourne 2025, securing the ESL Grand Slam

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Team Vitality is the undisputed best Counter-Strike 2 team in the world, and their latest victory at Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Melbourne only reinforces that status. This marks their 21st straight win of the year, adding to a dominant run that includes victory titles at IEM Katowice, ESL Pro League Season 21, and BLAST Open Spring 2025.

By winning their fourth ESL tournament in less than a year, the club has gained legendary status, becoming the fifth team in the game to win the ESL Grand Slam (after FaZe, NAVI, Team Liquid, and Astralis). To celebrate this historic moment for the club, Team Vitality is partnering with the iconic brand DearBBall to launch a capsule collection of exclusive products, paying tribute to a team with an undeniable track record of excellence.

THE HIVE MAKES HISTORY: TEAM VITALITY REIGNS SUPREME

Entering the tournament as the top-ranked CS2 team in the world, Team Vitality once again proved its exceptional talent. The elite roster, including captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, Shahar “flameZ” Shushan, William “mezii” Merriman, and Robin “ropz” Kool, demonstrated flawless synergy and world-class skills throughout the tournament, concluding in a decisive victory in the Grand Finals against Team Falcons. The team not only secured the IEM Melbourne title but also won the prestigious ESL Grand Slam, a monumental achievement for the organisation.

In the Semi-Finals, Team Vitality delivered a masterful performance against Team MongolZ, setting the tone for an electric Grand Final performance against Team Falcons.

After an incredible 3-2 win in the Grand Final, which included a triple-overtime decider on the final map, Nuke, Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut was named tournament MVP thanks to a series of impressive performances and a decisive presence throughout the tournament.

In addition to capturing the IEM Melbourne title, the team won the prestigious ESL Grand Slam, a monumental achievement for both the organization and the history of Counter-Strike. With this victory, Team Vitality added one of the most coveted trophies to its collection, along with a $1 million cash prize.

TEAM VITALITY AT THE TOP OF ITS GAME ON COUNTER–STRIKE 2

By securing a fourth major international trophy this year, Team Vitality and its players have firmly cemented their place among the legends of the game. The club’s dominance in CS2, highlighted by an ESL Grand Slam victory and an extraordinary 21-game winning streak, confirms its status as a global powerhouse and marks a historic milestone, fueled by the unwavering support of its passionate community.

This triumph also represents a career-defining moment for several players, starting with captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, who captures the final major title missing from his storied record (adding the Grand Slam to his two Majors, Katowice, and Cologne victories). Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut continues his remarkable ascent, solidifying his position as the most decorated player in CS history with a 24th MVP title earned during this tournament. Together, apEX and ZywOo become the first two French players ever to win an ESL Grand Slam, a historic achievement for these two icons of the Parisian club.

Driven by a clear ambition to become the world’s leading esports organization, Team Vitality places performance at the core of its new strategic era. In Counter-Strike, the mission is bold: to inspire, to dominate, and to leave a lasting legacy on the global stage. This vision reflects the club’s commitment to establishing itself as a benchmark in international competition and making an enduring impact on fans around the world.

Fabien “Neo” Devide, President and co-founder of Team Vitality, said: “This is a historic moment for Team Vitality as we become the 5th club in history to win the ESL Grand Slam. We are now part of a legendary club that has left its mark on the history of the game. After more than six hours of play, I’m proud of the mentality and the incredible display from this team. To see them achieve such greatness makes me feel so proud.”

CELEBRATING IN STYLE: A CAPSULE COLLECTION WITH DEARBBALL TO CELEBRATE THE EVENT

To celebrate their Grand Slam victory, Team Vitality and basketball brand DearBBall are launching an exclusive capsule collection. This limited-edition drop pays tribute to the five players on the roster, highlighting their unique personalities, strengths, and lifestyles.

For each player, the collection features a dedicated hoodie, sweatshirt, and t-shirt, available in black or white, each piece accompanied by a personalized description. A historic collaboration and a must-have for fans – available in limited quantities!

The post Team Vitality crowned Champions of Intel Extreme Masters Melbourne 2025, securing the ESL Grand Slam 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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Bazoom Becomes the Official Sponsor of Gamblers Connect’s SiGMA Central Europe Delegation

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Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform,  is excited to share that Bazoom will be the official sponsor of Gamblers Connect’s delegation at the upcoming SiGMA Central Europe Summit in Rome, Italy.

As one of Gamblers Connect’s long-standing partners and one of the most trusted link-building and content platforms in the iGaming industry, this collaboration is another great example of creating real impact through strong partnerships. Both companies share the same vision, building with quality, not noise, and this sponsorship perfectly reflects that shared belief.

Thanks to Bazoom’s support, the Gamblers Connect team will have a greater presence at one of Europe’s most important iGaming events, connecting directly with operators, affiliates, and industry leaders from all over the world.

Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder & CEO at Gamblers Connect: “Thanks to Bazoom Group’ support as our sponsor, Gamblers Connect will be present at SiGMA Rome. Partnering with companies that believe in our mission and invest in our growth is exactly what allows us to show up, connect and deliver even more value.”

Bazoom’s innovative platform has become an essential ally for companies looking to strengthen their digital footprint. With access to nearly 100,000 verified media outlets worldwide, the platform makes it easier than ever to acquire quality backlinks and tailored content that drives real growth, all through a transparent, pay-per-link model.

Kristoffer Krog, Head of Global Partnerships at Bazoom: “At Bazoom we always strive to stay ahead of our competition and maintain our position as industry leader within link building. The partnership with Gamblers Connect for SiGMA Rome reflects exactly that, as we share the same ambitions, know-how and expert knowledge within the industry.”

The post Bazoom Becomes the Official Sponsor of Gamblers Connect’s SiGMA Central Europe Delegation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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A Record-Breaking Win on the Eve of Diwali Lights Up an Indian Expat’s Life Forever

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The UAE Lottery has made history as it officially announces the first-ever Grand Prize winner of AED 100,000,000, a moment that marks an unprecedented milestone for the country’s entertainment and gaming industry.

Anilkumar Bolla, a 29-year-old Indian national and long-time Abu Dhabi resident, struck gold in The UAE Lottery’s 23rd Lucky Day Draw #251018 held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, becoming an instant multimillionaire and forever signing his name in The UAE Lottery’s record books.

At the time of the draw, Anilkumar was at home relaxing when he received the life-changing call from The UAE Lottery. A loyal participant since the lottery’s launch, he was completely shocked and overjoyed by the news, admitting he still can’t believe it happened. Anilkumar first shared the exciting news with a colleague before calling his brother back home in India.

The post A Record-Breaking Win on the Eve of Diwali Lights Up an Indian Expat’s Life Forever appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Movers and Shakers: 24/7 Content, Strict Integrity, and Constant Feedback – BETER’s Approach to Sustainable Partnerships

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“Movers and Shakers” is a dynamic monthly column dedicated to exploring the latest trends, developments, and influential voices in the iGaming industry. Powered by GameOn and supported by HIPTHER, this op-ed series delves into the key players, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes shaping the future of online gaming. Each month, industry experts offer their insights and perspectives, providing readers with in-depth analysis and thought-provoking commentary on what’s driving the iGaming world forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, “Movers and Shakers” is your go-to source for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape. 

 

We spoke with Oleg Onegov, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Account Management at BETER, about the fast-betting provider’s approach to cultivating, strengthening, and sustaining relationships with partners.

 

Can you tell us about your career journey and your current role as Head of Strategic Partnerships & Account Management at BETER?

​I’ve been working in the betting and iGaming industry for several years, mainly focusing on client relations and business development. Over time, I realised that my strongest skill was in building long-term partnerships and helping clients derive real business value from the products they use. At BETER, I lead the Strategic Partnerships & Account Management team, focusing on ensuring we deliver not only content but also help operators and aggregators grow with it—whether through improved integrations, new products, or data-driven insights. This is critical to scaling BETER’s presence in the esports and sports ecosystem. My role also sees me work closely with internal and external stakeholders to deliver value-driven solutions that support operational excellence and long-term commercial goals.

 

Different operators and aggregators have different needs. How do you and your team ensure that BETER’s products and solutions remain in demand and are continuously aligned with each client’s evolving business and market changes?

BETER is renowned for providing 24/7 live streaming, real-time data, and hyper-accurate odds for approximately 700,000 fast-paced esports and sports events annually, offering up to 50 markets per event with an average operator margin of 7.5% or higher.

Our esports portfolio includes ESportsBattle tournaments featuring eFootball, eBasketball, eHockey, and eTennis. Our sports portfolio includes the Setka Cup table tennis series, BSKT Cup basketball league, GTR Cup tennis tournaments, and Padel tennis, as well as coverage of official cricket tournaments and leagues worldwide.

In addition to our fast-paced content, we offer a comprehensive Esports Odds Feed, delivering market-leading odds with the highest uptime for more than 450 tournaments worldwide. This includes over 40,000 pre-match and live events annually across popular titles such as CS 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Valorant, and more.

We are also continuously working on obtaining regulatory approvals in all major markets globally, including U.S. states such as New Jersey and Colorado, where our content is live on bet365’s local domains.

When it comes to ensuring that our products remain in demand and aligned with each client’s evolving business and market changes, our approach is never “one size fits all.” My team and I maintain close communication with every partner to ensure we’re consistently meeting their needs. Some clients aim to maximise esports engagement, others focus on traditional sports, while some want to experiment with new formats such as eTennis or Padel—or even launch fully branded, customised tournaments like our dedicated eFootball series designed specifically for operator needs.

We constantly review performance data, align on KPIs, and adjust delivery or features accordingly. Moreover, our product roadmap is highly flexible—we prioritise developments that bring the most value to our clients’ business models. Ultimately, close collaboration with operators and aggregators helps us understand regional specifics and tailor our products to different markets, while our agility in implementation and regulatory readiness give partners confidence that BETER’s solutions will continue to fit their evolving needs.

 

Many companies emphasize client success at the start of a relationship, but sustaining it over time is much more challenging. What specific processes, practices, or approaches does BETER use to support clients throughout the entire journey and ensure that partnerships grow into long-term, trust-based relationships?

At BETER, client success is ongoing. My team runs regular business reviews and performance check-ins, where we don’t just present numbers but also propose explicit next steps. We involve product managers at the beginning of new partnerships, so clients can see how their feedback translates into real improvements. Transparency is also key, and we share daily reports, monitor incidents in real time, and communicate openly if something needs fixing. This kind of consistency and accountability builds trust and makes our partnerships long-lasting.

 

Feedback loops are vital. How does BETER work with client feedback, and in what ways does it influence your product development and solution improvements?

Feedback is at the core of how we evolve. We collect it in various ways, including through structured NPS surveys, regular calls, daily chats, and even during integration discussions. Every input gets logged and shared across product, trading, and IT teams.

Many of our most successful launches, such as new esports markets for Dota 2 and CS 2 titles in our coverage of tournaments worldwide, came directly from client requests. Our eTennis series also originated from a product discussion sparked by a client’s feedback, which expressed the need for completely new offerings for their bettors.

What matters is not just listening, but also closing the loop and showing the client how their feedback shaped the roadmap and what the result looks like in practice.

 

What are the most important pillars of BETER’s operations that operators or aggregators pay the most attention to—both when entering into a partnership and throughout the entire collaboration?

From my experience, there are four pillars clients care about most.

First is content quality and variety — at BETER, we offer fresh and engaging disciplines such as eFootball, eBasketball, and eTennis, supported by diverse game formats.

Second is reliability, especially when it comes to uptime, latency, and the accuracy of our data feeds and live streams. That’s why our team works tirelessly to maintain the highest possible uptime across all our products.

Third is integrity and compliance — operators need confidence that the product is fair, transparent, and secure. Our dedicated Integrity team ensures that only 0.01% of matches have been flagged as suspicious.

Finally, there’s our approach to partnerships — we’re not just a provider; we act as an extension of our partners’ teams, ready to adapt and innovate together.

This combination of high-quality content, operational excellence, trust, and genuine collaboration is what keeps our partnerships strong from day one — and well into the future.

The post Movers and Shakers: 24/7 Content, Strict Integrity, and Constant Feedback – BETER’s Approach to Sustainable Partnerships appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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