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Top esports earners of 2018: How much have they made?

Photo source: pexels.com – Credits: Jamie McInall
Esports continues to grow and top players are making more money than ever before. New sponsors, tournaments, and technology are making it possible for esports athletes to make a great living playing video games. In some cases, esports athletes are making more than traditional sports stars. Fans of esports can play free online slots when they are not following the great esports action. With 2018 nearly over, here are the top esports earners for 2018.
- Anathan Pham – $2.25 million
Melbourneâs Anathan Pham became an âesports millionaireâ this year. Pham is just 18-years old, but already he is an experienced esports athlete at the top of his chosen game. The DOTA 2 player is currently the No. 11 ranked player in the world. Pham participated with his team OG at the 2018 International DOTA 2 Championship. OG won the tournament and the victory made Pham Australiaâs 19th highest earning sportsperson for 2018. Pham has done well and so can esports fans when playing online casino games.
- Topias Taavitsainen – $2.25 million
Topias Taavitsainen is the 14th ranked DOTA 2 player in the world. Taavitsainen plays alongside Pham on the OG team. The Finnish esports athlete has had a rapid rise and is now seen as one of the worldâs best. According to reports, before 2018âs amazing $2.25 million in earnings, Taavitsainenâs best year was in 2017 when he made just under $900 in winnings. It has been a rapid rise.
- Sebastien Debs – $2.28 million
Sebastien Debs is a teammate of both Pham and Taavitsainen on the OG team. The trioâs success at the 2018 International Dota 2 Championship is why they are so highly ranked in earnings this year. The trio shared the more than $15m prize pool for DOTA. Debsâ best earnings year prior to 2018 was 2015 when he took home over $21,000. The Frenchman will hope OG can repeat at next yearâs DOTA 2 Championship.
- Johan Sundstein – $2.28 million
Of course, Johan Sundstein is a part of the OG team that won the DOTA 2 Championship. Currently ranked No. 2 in the world, Sundstein has been winning serious cash for six years. He started out playing Heroes of Newerth at age 15, but switched to DOTA with HoN fading in popularity. For the last four years as a DOTA player, Sundstein has made at least six figures in earnings, and each year he has seen his finances increase. At only 24, Sundstein is living a life that millions of young men wish they had.
1.Jesse Vainikka – $2.29 million
Jesse Vainikka was the fifth and final member of the OG Dota 2 Championship team. This year marks the 26-year-old’s first million-dollar season as an esport athlete. However, he has been killing it in earnings since 2015 when he made over $51,000. The last two years of competitive action have seen Vainikka earn six figures. Considered the No. 6 DOTA 2 player in the world, Vainikka isnât even the top-rated player in his home country of Finland. Despite not receiving the top ranking, Vainikka is the top earner in esports, which is a big middle finger to the ranking system.
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WinSpirit Redesigns VIP Experience to Drive Retention and Long-Term Player Value
Player loyalty is evolving â and so is WinSpiritâs approach. Theyâve unveiled a fully redesigned VIP program, merging loyalty mechanics and exclusive rewards into one clear, gamified journey. The goal? Drive deeper engagement, long-term satisfaction, and higher lifetime player value (LTV) through transparency and simplicity.
This combination of permanent progression and time-limited campaigns positions WinSpiritâs VIP Club as a modern retention tool â one designed to reduce churn while giving players a clearer sense of achievement.
Data-Driven Response
The updated VIP model is a direct response to user behavior and feedback. WinSpirit observed that, for some users, the previous program might have been a little complex â primarily due to separated loyalty levels and the pressure of maintaining temporary statuses. So the brand decided to simplify the progression path.
âWe consistently listen to our players, and their desire to retain earned progress was clear,â said a WinSpirit representative. âThis redesign is our commitment to themâweâre replacing complexity with simplicity, ensuring every player feels valued and their long-term journey is rewarding.â
How the New VIP Club Works
The redesigned VIP Club merges lifetime progress with seasonal engagement to create a system that rewards both consistency and activity. Players unlock a permanent VIP status that never resets â a key benefit that builds trust and long-term motivation.
On top of this, rotating seasonal levels introduce fresh challenges and time-limited bonuses that keep engagement high. Even when players take a break, their status stays â removing pressure and encouraging steady play.
All progression and rewards are tracked in a centralized VIP dashboard, giving players full visibility and control without the need to contact support. This clarity minimizes friction and churn.
Seasonality as a Strategic Engagement
WinSpiritâs new format introduces quarterly campaigns, each with a dedicated theme and bonus structure. The current activation, Flame of Thrill, designed to re-ignite player motivation during autumn campaigns, features:
- Increased cashback tiers and deposit insurance
- Personalized bonuses and access to exclusive promotions
- Limited seasonal rewards and much more
Even for long-term players, these rotating seasons bring something new â keeping the program exciting well beyond the first few tiers.
Why It Matters for Business
From a business perspective, the redesigned VIP Club introduces several measurable advantages:
- Increased retention (reduced status loss anxiety).
- Higher LTV (steady progression over time).
- More consistent activity (recurring seasonal goals).
- Fewer negative touchpoints (clear rules).
The introduction of a permanent VIP threshold (VIP Iron) creates a strong psychological anchor for re-engagement â aligning well with known gamification strategies in product design.
Overall, WinSpiritâs transformation reflects a broader commitment to listening to players. The brand is shifting toward a more sustainable model that fosters long-term relationships through clarity, fairness, and flexible progression. Itâs a big step toward a smarter, player-first future â where loyalty is truly rewarded, and progress never goes unnoticed.
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INSPIRED UNVEILS GOLD CASH FREE SPINS SUPER WHEEL⢠FEATURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PLAYER LINK⢠MECHANIC
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Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems, and solutions, has launched Gold Cash Free Spins Super Wheel, a supercharged evolution of Inspiredâs classic hit slot, Gold Cash Free Spins. Available across the UK and Malta iGaming markets.
Gold Cash Free Spins Super Wheel introduces a new industry-first shared bonus mechanic named, Player Link (United States Patent No. 12,350,596). For the first time, players can share and compete in the anticipation and excitement of a bonus trigger in the form of the Super Wheel. This innovative mechanic generates a sense of community and competition, delivering the lucrative âSuper Bonusâ to a winning player, before resetting and starting the competition all over again.
Set on 5Ă4 reels with 40 win-lines, the game combines the much-loved Gold Cash Free Spins gameplay with electrifying new features. The shared Super Wheel awards instant cash prizes, lucrative Super Cash rewards, or triggers the high-value Super Bonus. Each spin of the super wheel builds suspense, with segments that progressively upgrade to increase the chances of hitting the Super Bonus. The Super Bonus awards eight Super Free Spins featuring only the highest-paying symbols and dramatic Wild Spins, with Wilds dropping onto the reels for big win potential.
Steven Collett, Chief Product Officer at Inspired Entertainment, commented: âGold Cash Free Spins Super Wheel is a major leap forward in slot innovation. With the revolutionary Player Link mechanic, weâve created a shared, community-driven experience that builds excitement for every player. This game blends the trusted Gold Cash Free Spins brand with fresh, competitive gameplay designed to engage players and deliver strong results for operators. Weâre excited to see its performance and look forward to launching more fun content, featuring our groundbreaking Player Link technology. Each title will incorporate the Super Wheel as a consistent feature while offering a distinct Super Bonus aligned with the gameâs theme.â
With escalating rewards, shared excitement, and iconic features, Gold Cash Free Spins Super Wheel sets a new benchmark for iGaming. It combines big wins, big action, and a shared sense of fun, to keep players engaged and highly entertained.
The post INSPIRED UNVEILS GOLD CASH FREE SPINS SUPER WHEEL⢠FEATURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PLAYER LINK⢠MECHANIC appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Wagercomms and Million Games Launch Hard Eight Poker⢠â A Fast, Strategic Table Experience
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Million Games, in partnership with Wagercomms, has officially launched Hard Eight Poker, a high-speed, strategic casino table game that combines classic card play with dual progressive jackpots and sleek, mobile-first design.
Developed under the Million Stars partner program, Hard Eight Poker represents the next step in Wagercommsâ mission to deliver proprietary, high-performing table content for online operators.
The game introduces a dynamic mix of Ante betting, Red/Black decisions, and optional Progressive Eight side bets, giving players the freedom to raise, insure, or cash in at every stage. With multi-tier payouts â including 5:1 for a Pair of Eights, 25:1 for a Hard Eight, and 50:1 for Triple Eights â the action builds round after round.
âHard Eight Poker delivers exactly what todayâs casino audience wants â something fast, strategic, and fair,â said Thomas Nimstad, CEO of Million Games. âWagercomms has created a table game thatâs easy to learn but layered with strategic depth, giving operators a powerful new addition to their lobbies. Itâs the perfect example of how the Million Stars program helps studios like Wagercomms transform great concepts into market-ready gamesâ
Following Draw Sevens, Hard Eight Poker marks the next milestone for Wagercomms under its Wagercomms Originals series â a growing portfolio designed for lasting player engagement and differentiation in slot-heavy environments.
âWith Hard Eight Poker, we wanted to create a table game that feels familiar but plays with a fresh edge â fast, strategic, and designed for the modern player,â said Peter Bengtsson, CEO of Wagercomms. âWorking with Million Games allowed us to focus on gameplay depth and balance, while their platform and publishing expertise helped us bring it to operators worldwide.â
With a 2.74% house edge, mobile-first design, and certified RNG, Hard Eight Poker is now available for integration via Million Games, offering both casual and competitive players an elevated table experience.
The post Wagercomms and Million Games Launch Hard Eight Poker⢠â A Fast, Strategic Table Experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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