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Esports World Cup Foundation Launches Global “Road to EWC” Program, Unveiling Qualification Pathways for the Esports World Cup 2025
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has unveiled the full scope of the qualification system for the Esports World Cup 2025 with the launch of the global “Road to EWC” program. Featuring over 200 tournaments spanning grassroots leagues to elite international circuits, the Road to EWC offers opportunities for players at every level to compete on the world’s biggest stage, the Esports World Cup, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 through August 24.
“Road to EWC is a platform for every player, Club, and community whose journey defines the spirit of competition,” said Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer, of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “By connecting hundreds of tournaments across the world, we are creating life-changing opportunities for players at every level, bringing the world’s best talent to Riyadh. This is how we grow the sport – by growing our partnerships, investing in competitions and laying the foundation for sustainable growth across the industry.”
The Road to EWC qualification program marks a major milestone for the Esports World Cup and is a core component of EWCF’s commitment to the sustainable growth of esports, supporting the professional ecosystem and advancing the sport on a global scale. With 25 tournaments in 24 games, including four new games – Chess, Crossfire, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves and VALORANT – the EWC 2025 will bring together more than 2,000 elite esports players and 200 top Clubs to compete for a prize pool of more than $70 million, the largest in esports history.
For League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch 2, and Apex Legends, official publisher circuits such as the LEC, VCT, OWCS, and ALGS serve as the primary route to qualification. Other games, including Dota 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, Teamfight Tactics, and StarCraft II, are holding open online qualifiers, while fighting games, including Street Fighter 6, TEKKEN 8, and Fatal Fury are qualifying players through community-driven tournaments such as EVO Japan, Combo Breaker, and CEO.
In mobile titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Free Fire, PUBG MOBILE, and Honor of Kings, region-specific leagues across Southeast Asia, MENA, and LATAM are producing national champions who will represent their respective nations in Riyadh. Finally, for titles such as Chess, EA SPORTS FC 25, and Overwatch 2, a final wave of Last Chance Qualifiers will be staged in July, giving one last opportunity for breakout players and rising stars to earn their spot in Riyadh.
Additional information about the Road to EWC, including events and dates for specific titles, can be found at esportsworldcup.com.
As anticipation builds for the Esports World Cup, the Road to EWC also features a multi-channel marketing campaign with a calendar of original content from selected qualifier events and partner leagues around the world. Player interviews and behind-the-scenes access will bring to life the stakes, talent, dedication and human interest stories behind the competition, alongside tournament and game explainers to introduce EWC games to broader audiences and bring fans closer to the action.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite gaming and esports communities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a global competition that will crown the next Esports World Cup Champion. The tournament’s unique cross-game format will reward Clubs and players competing for a life-changing prize pool across a mix of platforms and genres, bringing together esports’ best teams, players and games under one banner in the largest-ever celebration of esports.
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Blueprint Gaming unwraps a trio of festive favourites with three iconic series reimagined for Christmas
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Blueprint Gaming is kicking off the festive season with the launch of Saint Nicked 3 Present Tense, the first of three Christmas-themed releases that see some of its most iconic series reimagined with charming festive visuals, enriched graphics and immersive seasonal experiences designed to delight operator player bases worldwide.
The yuletide rollout continues in December with Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Christmas Catch Jackpot King arriving on 4th December, followed by the blockbuster release of Kong Even Bigger Christmas on 11th December.
Launching today, Saint Nicked 3 Present Tense captivates with its mischievous festive flair, featuring enhanced Christmas aesthetics across its characters and classic money collects. The beloved duo make a snow-dusted comeback, complete with upgraded visual effects and seasonal touches that amplify engagement throughout the holiday period.
On 4th December, players will then be reintroduced to one of the industry’s most recognisable franchises with Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Christmas Catch Jackpot King.
The festive reinvention blends the timeless simplicity and broad appeal of the original series with a fully re-themed winter environment, combining frosty settings and holiday-inspired symbols with Blueprint’s iconic Jackpot King progressive system.
The newly introduced Express Bet also provides players with an optional festive surprise. Available at 1.5x the total bet, the feature doubles the chance of triggering bonus play. The result is a high-performing seasonal variant tailored to boost operator performance in December.
Blueprint rounds off its Christmas trilogy on 11th December with the arrival of Kong Even Bigger Christmas, transforming the studio’s epic Ape-powered franchise into a snow-covered festive spectacle.
Across all three launches, Blueprint Gaming reinforces its strategy of refreshing its strongest collections of titles with reimagined releases that stay true to their signature gameplay, while offering operators new opportunities to elevate their offerings during one of the busiest periods of the calendar year.
Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing, PR and Events at Blueprint Gaming, said: “Our Christmas trilogy brings together some of Blueprint’s most iconic series, each lovingly reimagined with festive charm, refreshed graphics and engaging seasonal features. These titles give operators the perfect opportunity to offer players familiar favourites wrapped in magic, warmth and a sense of festive fun.
“Saint Nicked 3: Present Tense sets the tone, with Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Christmas Catch Jackpot King and Kong Even Bigger Christmas continuing the momentum through December. It’s a line-up designed to elevate seasonal engagement and deliver standout entertainment across the holidays.”
The post Blueprint Gaming unwraps a trio of festive favourites with three iconic series reimagined for Christmas appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Casino Guru Awards 2026 introduce four new categories celebrating leadership, responsibility, and culture in iGaming
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Casino Guru proudly unveils four new award categories for the upcoming Casino Guru Awards 2026, further expanding its mission to recognize individuals and organizations shaping a fairer, safer, and more forward-thinking iGaming industry.
Following three years of continued growth and rising influence, the Casino Guru Awards remain the only industry awards focused primarily on fairness, transparency, integrity, and responsible innovation. The 2026 ceremony, scheduled for May 25, 2026, at The Xara Lodge in Malta, in partnership with NEXT.io during NEXT Valletta, will spotlight outstanding achievements from across the global iGaming landscape.
This year’s newly introduced categories reflect Casino Guru’s commitment to acknowledging emerging talent, ethical leadership, and positive workplace culture.
New Award Categories for 2026
Woman Leader of the Year
This category celebrates an exceptional female leader whose vision, resilience, and strategic influence have helped transform her company and the industry as a whole.
Judges will look for measurable achievements in 2024–2025, including business growth, crisis management, innovation in user experience, safety, transparency, and responsible gambling.
The award is open to women driving meaningful impact while championing diversity, mentorship, and collaborative progress within iGaming.
Rising Star in Responsible Gambling
Designed to recognize organizations making remarkable early strides in safer gambling initiatives, this category highlights innovation and genuine commitment from companies of all sizes.
Whether through impactful tools, awareness campaigns, or fresh approaches to player protection, nominees must demonstrate provable results that contribute to higher standards of responsibility and safety across the industry.
Young Changemaker Award
Honoring an individual under 30, the Young Changemaker Award shines a spotlight on rising professionals whose ethical innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking actions have made a visible impact in 2025.
Judges will consider originality, leadership ability, and tangible contributions that set a new benchmark for integrity and progress in iGaming.
Industry Culture Shaper
Recognizing that true industry progress starts within organizations, this award honors companies that cultivate positive, transparent, and supportive workplace cultures.
Nominees will be assessed based on measurable outcomes such as employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity, alongside initiatives that support wellbeing, mental health, professional development, and ethical HR practices.
Additional weight will be given to organizations whose efforts inspire better standards beyond their walls through partnerships, advocacy, or shared knowledge.
A broader vision for industry progress
“The addition of these categories marks an important evolution for the Casino Guru Awards,” said Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru and leader of the Awards project.
“By spotlighting leadership, emerging talent, responsible innovation, and culture, we are amplifying the people and values that will define the future of iGaming. These awards aim to inspire positive change at every level, from individual contributors to global operators.”
The new categories will stand alongside Casino Guru’s established awards, including The Fairest Bonus Policy, The Most Transparent Casino, The Best Implementation of Responsible Gambling Tools, and others that reflect Casino Guru’s core values.
The post Casino Guru Awards 2026 introduce four new categories celebrating leadership, responsibility, and culture in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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CT Interactive Expands in Romania with New Game Launch on Maxbet.ro
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CT Interactive is further expanding its presence in the regulated Romanian market through the launch of new gaming content on Maxbet.ro. This collaboration introduces a selection of top-performing titles designed to boost player engagement and enhance the overall gaming experience across the region.
As part of the collaboration, Maxbet.ro will feature two exclusive titles available only to its players — Kyoto Magic and Fruits & Sweets Buy Bonus.
Martin Ivanov, Chief Operating Officer at CT Interactive, said: “Our collaboration with Maxbet.ro reflects our commitment to developing high-quality content that meets the demands of the modern Romanian player. Titles like Fruits & Sweets Buy Bonus and Kyoto Magic showcase the best of our portfolio – dynamic gameplay, strategic depth, attractive bonus features and excellent math models.”
“We are confident that our exclusive titles will enhance the gaming experience for Maxbet’s players, offering them a richer, more immersive, and engaging journey,” added Bogdan Smeu, Regional Manager for Romania at CT Interactive.
In addition to the exclusive titles, Maxbet.ro will now feature a selection of CT Interactive’s most popular games, including 20 Mega Star, Lucky Clover 10, The Shining Globe, Zet Fruits and Doctor Winstein Buy Bonus.
The launch of this new content underscores CT Interactive’s commitment to the Romanian market, delivering premium gaming experiences that enhance player engagement and contribute to the long-term success of its partners.
The post CT Interactive Expands in Romania with New Game Launch on Maxbet.ro appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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