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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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Gamblers Connect Launches Dedicated âGame Providersâ and âB2B Providersâ Sections to Strengthen Industry Partnerships and Visibility
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Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, officially announced the launch of two new partner-focused destinations on its website: the Game Providers section and the B2B Providers section.
These hubs are designed to give verified partners richer exposure, clearer positioning, and a single home for comprehensive company profiles, reviews, and work highlights.
Gamblers Connect has specially curated profiles for official Game Provider partners, featuring company history, entertainment categories, flagship titles, and direct links to online casinos where their games are available. Profiles also showcase notable projects and media mentions, with direct navigation to games, categories, and live operator placements. To extend reach, partners enjoy ongoing amplification through Gamblers Connectâs media network and communications channels.
The B2B Providers Section provides in-depth profiles and reviews for official B2B partnersâcovering background, core services, market presence, and notable projectsâbuilt to help operators, studios, and peers evaluate capabilities at a glance. Unlike standard directories, these hubs serve as an exclusive showcase, designed to provide clarity, context, and visibility for partners while helping decision-makers connect with the right collaborators.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: âThese hubs for Game Providers and B2B Companies are not just pages, they are powerful tools that help partners tell their story and reach decision-makers. Our goal is simple: to make it easier for the industry to discover, compare, and connect.â
Companies interested in being officially featured and reviewed on Gamblers Connect can request inclusion. [email protected] [email protected] | Telegram: @lukadimitrijevic
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The post Gamblers Connect Launches Dedicated âGame Providersâ and âB2B Providersâ Sections to Strengthen Industry Partnerships and Visibility appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Gamblers Connect Shortlisted for Prestigious Affiliate Awards at SiGMA EURO-MED and SBC Summit 2025
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Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming media and affiliate platform, is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for two major industry accolades: Best Affiliate 2025 at SiGMA EURO-MED and Affiliate Traffic Source of the Year at the SBC Summit Affiliate Leaders Awards.
These nominations highlight Gamblers Connectâs continued commitment to transparency, innovation, and delivering meaningful value to both players and partners across the global iGaming landscape.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: âBeing shortlisted for two such prestigious awards is a true recognition of the hard work and dedication our entire team has invested over the past year. It reinforces our mission to stand out not only as a trusted affiliate partner but also as a key driver of visibility and sustainable growth within the industry.â
In 2025, Gamblers Connect expanded its ecosystem with dedicated Game Provider and B2B Provider sections, introduced exclusive PR collaborations and interviews, and strengthened its role as a reliable traffic source for operators and providers worldwide.
With a focus on SEO excellence, responsible gambling practices, and long-term partnerships, Gamblers Connect has cemented its reputation as one of the most influential affiliates in the sector.
These nominations showcase the strength of Gamblers Connectâs dual identity â both as a trusted content hub for players and as a strategic growth partner for B2B companies, operators, and providers.
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The post Gamblers Connect Shortlisted for Prestigious Affiliate Awards at SiGMA EURO-MED and SBC Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Favbet Ă Spinner: An Exclusive Live Studio That Has Already Gained Recognition in Ukraine
Ukraine now has its first full-fledged Ukrainian-language live product, created by local specialists for local players.
The format combines modern technology with national identity, turning gameplay into a space where native language is heard from the very first moment.
Favbet opened a new opportunity for the market in the live segment. Without waiting for audience demand, the company shaped it itself, introducing its own branded live studio powered by Spinner. This proactive step secured Favbetâs reputation as an innovator that sets standards and creates trends.
The project was entrusted to Spinner â a modern and ambitious B2B provider with Ukrainian DNA and technological expertise, capable of delivering a fully branded studio in the state language. The partnership united shared values, high standards, and a clear understanding that players choose content closest and most relatable to them.
The studioâs atmosphere reflects Ukrainian character and hospitality. Hosts communicate in a relaxed manner, respond in real time, keep conversations flowing, and add light humor. It is a place players come not only for the game but also for live interaction and a sense of community.
Deep customization, Ukrainian-speaking hosts, and instant support create the comfort level every Favbet user deserves. Demand has grown so rapidly that in just one year the number of tables doubled from six to twelve.
Most importantly, these games are available exclusively on Favbetâs website and mobile applications.
Favbet Ă Spinner made Ukrainian the foundation and raised the quality bar to the level of global best practices.
PARTICIPATION IN GAMBLING CAN LEAD TO ADDICTION. PLEASE FOLLOW RESPONSIBLE GAMING PRINCIPLES.
License for online casino operations dated 20.04.2021 issued to LLC âBC Favbetâ under CRGL Decision No. 137 of 05.04.2021 (as amended), and license for bookmaking operations dated 28.12.2022 issued to LLC âBC Favbetâ under CRGL Decision No. 433 of 13.12.2022.
The post Favbet Ă Spinner: An Exclusive Live Studio That Has Already Gained Recognition in Ukraine appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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