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Top esports earners of 2018: How much have they made?
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
Melbourne’s Anathan Pham became an “esports millionaire” 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 Australia’s 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 world’s best. According to reports, before 2018’s amazing $2.25 million in earnings, Taavitsainen’s 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 trio’s 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. Debs’ best earnings year prior to 2018 was 2015 when he took home over $21,000. The Frenchman will hope OG can repeat at next year’s 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 isn’t 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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GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline
GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received a record 55,228 calls and online chats from people experiencing gambling harm in 2023-24 – a 25% increase from the previous year – according to the charity’s Annual Report.
In a year marked by uncertainty over the future shape and structure of the gambling harms treatment sector following the previous government’s white paper on gambling reform, the charity continued to prioritise those at-risk of, or currently experiencing, gambling harm.
Of all calls and online chats that were responded to on GamCare’s Helpline in 2023/24, 41,070 (74%) were classed as supportive interventions. This includes supporting people with initial guidance and advice as well as delivering a seamless entry point into structured treatment services, with individuals completing treatment reporting a significant reduction in gambling-related distress and financial harm.
In March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published an assessment of the gambling treatment system, highlighting that 57% of individuals engaging in treatment were referred by the National Gambling Helpline. This underscores the Helpline’s critical role in connecting people to the support they need. Over 9,100 free treatment sessions were delivered in the year to April 2024, with an average of just 2.1 days’ wait from point of referral.
GamCare’s targeted programmes aimed at young people, women, and the criminal justice system provided training on how to spot the signs of harms and where to signpost into support for 10,344 professionals, and education for 53,324 young people, children and parents. The Women’s Programme, in partnership with organisations such as Refuge, trained 3,813 professionals to recognise and address gambling-related harm among women.
Margot Daly, Executive Chair of GamCare’s Board, says: “Throughout a challenging year and with heightened demand for our services, GamCare’s staff have got on with the job of preventing harm where possible and treating harm where necessary. While we expect important changes in the gambling harms landscape, we have been determined not to let this uncertainty affect our relentless focus on the people who really matter – those at-risk of or currently experiencing gambling harms.
“I would like to thank and pay tribute to our frontline staff who provide 24/7 support for all those at risk or in distress. I also want to thank GamCare’s senior executive team who have steered GamCare through a period of sustained change, and to my fellow trustees for their guidance, unwavering support and the time each has dedicated to ensuring that the charity stays on course and on mission.
“As we look ahead to how the future of the gambling harms sector is shaped, we are committed to working proactively with the NHS and other partners and commissioners to ensure that people are continually able to receive the right support at the right time.”
The post GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 18 December – 23 December 2024
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”) has during the period 18 December to 23 December 2024 (the “Buyback Period”) repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares (ISIN: MT0000780107) as part of the share buyback programme, within the mandate approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 20 June 2024 (the “Programme”).
The objective of the Programme is to achieve added value for Kambi´s shareholders and to give the Board increased flexibility with Kambi´s capital structure by reducing the capital. The Programme is being carried out in accordance with the Maltese Companies Act, EU Market Abuse Regulation No 596/2014 (“MAR”) and other applicable rules.
During the Buyback Period, Kambi repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 99.13 SEK. From the beginning of the Programme, which started on 6 November, until and including 23 December 2024, Kambi has repurchased a total of 344,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 104.94 SEK per share.
During the Buyback Period, Kambi has repurchased shares as follows:
Date | Aggregated daily volume (number of ordinary B shares) |
Weighted average share price per day (SEK) |
Total daily transaction value (SEK) |
18 December 2024 | 10,000 | 100.00 | 999,967 |
19 December 2024 | 10,000 | 99.39 | 993,929 |
20 December 2024 | 10,000 | 98.86 | 988,588 |
23 December 2024 | 10,000 | 98.26 | 982,562 |
All acquisitions have been carried out on Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm by Carnegie Investment Bank AB on behalf of Kambi. Following the acquisitions and as of 23 December 2024, Kambi’s holding of its own shares amounted to 344,000 and the total number of issued shares in Kambi is 29,903,619 ordinary B shares. Under the Programme Kambi is authorised to repurchase a maximum of 3,127,830 ordinary B shares, up to a maximum amount of €12.0 million.
A full breakdown of all transactions carried out during the Buyback Period is attached to this announcement.
Information on the Programme is available on Kambi’s website, https://www.kambi.com/investors/share-information/
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8Bit Creatives Joins Forces with ESFI as Talent Partner for WAVES Esports Championship 2025
The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) has joined forces with 8Bit Creatives, India’s leading esports consulting and talent management agency for the WAVES Esports Championship 2025 (WESC25). Through this collaboration, both organizations will work together for the content creation, amplification and reach of the WESC25 and take it to India’s massive youth population.
Organised by ESFI, WESC 2025 is a key initiative supported by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting aimed at contributing to the growth of the nation’s burgeoning esports industry & creator economy. This event will be part of one of the Create in India Challenges by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the esteemed World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES).
With a roster that includes some of India’s most influential gaming content creators, 8Bit Creatives will leverage the creativity and popularity of its talent to amplify the event’s visibility. Their creators, including Naman Mathur (Mortal), Payal Dhare (PayalGaming), Raj Varma (Snax), Kaashvi Hiranandani (KaashPlays), and many others, will host and participate in various engaging activities while interacting with fans to enhance the overall reach and excitement surrounding WESC 2025.
“WESC 2025 represents a tremendous leap forward for the Indian esports community. We are delighted to have 8Bit Creatives and their popular gaming creators on board, whose expertise will undoubtedly help amplify the event’s reach and impact. With qualifiers in full swing, we’re eagerly anticipating fierce competition as India’s top athletes strive for a place on the grand stage in February,” noted Mr. Lokesh Suji, Director of ESFI & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF).
Sharing his thoughts, Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, CEO and Co-founder of 8Bit Creatives said, “WAVES 2025 marks a groundbreaking chapter in India’s esports journey, and we’re thrilled to be the talent partners driving this initiative. As one of India’s leading talent hubs in gaming and esports, 8bit Creatives brings unparalleled energy and scale to WAVES 2025. This is more than a partnership; it’s a platform to showcase the potential of esports as a viable and celebrated career path while underscoring the government’s support for our rapidly growing gaming and creator economy. With our creators and innovative content strategies, we’re here to make history together!.”
WESC 2025 will feature competitive tournaments in popular titles such as eFootball and World Cricket Championship (WCC), played across four phases and Grand Finals. Notably, the winner of the eFootball tournament (Phase 1), MrTomBoy, won the bronze medal at the Asian Esports Games, Bangkok, showcasing WESC’s talent potential. Committed to inclusivity, the event is gender-inclusive, with qualifiers for eFootball (Phase 2) and WCC3 (Phase 1) already underway. Upcoming registrations include eFootball Phase 3 (Dec 18 – Jan 1) and WCC3 Phase 2 (Dec 15 – Dec 26).
8Bit Creatives’ esports and content division, S8UL, made history by winning the ‘Content Group of the Year’ award for the third consecutive time at the Esports Awards 2024, remaining the only Indian organization to achieve any Esports Award. Earlier this year, founders Animesh Agarwal, Naman Mathur, and creator Payal Dhare also joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a roundtable discussion on India’s gaming industry, showcasing 8Bit’s pivotal role in advancing esports and fostering a sustainable ecosystem for gaming content creators.
The post 8Bit Creatives Joins Forces with ESFI as Talent Partner for WAVES Esports Championship 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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