According to WePlay, the esports industry in the UK is soaring, with the nation’s esports audience now totalling some 5.37 million – made up of a core of high-income gamers aged 21-50.

Discussing the new office, Yevheniia Tymofieieva, head of business development at WePlay Esports, explained: ”Having a sales office in London makes it easier for us to work with UK companies, local offices, and hubs. Of course, we are interested in cooperation with endemic brands, but we also see an interest in esports from outside the industry: from FMCG to car manufacturers and financial services. Many brands have had to adapt to working in a pandemic and are moving sales online, so they will benefit a lot from new advertising platforms such as esports tournaments.”

While Warren Lincoln, Business Development Officer at WePlay Esports, and a key representative at the new UK sales office, added: “I’m excited about the opportunity to support the ambitions that WePlay Esports has as a global company. The development of creative production solutions still remains its main goal. I am confident that together, we will create integration concepts that will prove efficient for our partners in the long run. This is how business should be done in the entertainment and gaming industry.” 

AYO.NEWS says:

Despite the UK having long been a video game industry hub, many had seen it as lagging when it came to embracing esports. However, over the last year, no doubt fuelled by the COVID-19 lockdowns and disruption, Brits have flocked to esports and businesses have taken note. So, it seems like a smart move on the part of WePlay to get a London office established. 

At the end of last year, AYO.NEWS’ Simona Pinterova caught up with Oleh Humeniuk, CEO of WePlay Esports, to find out more about how the company evolved from a tournament organiser to a fully fledged esports media empire. 

The news follows a process of regulation that started on 13 August 2020, when new laws came into force under the presidency of Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine becomes the fifth international jurisdiction in which Parimatch is licensed. 

Ukraine’s new regulated gambling market, which has been designed to be in line with European standards, is expected to generate around €255M euro in revenue in the first year. Revenues generated from licenses will be directed to support areas like healthcare, culture, and sports. 

Regarding the news, Managing Partner of Parimatch Holding, Maksym Liashko, said: “Work  still remains to be done on reforming tax legislation before the Ukrainian market  becomes attractive to foreign investors. Taxation should be transparent and logical so  that it doesn’t create additional obstacles for foreign investors. 

“At this stage, the cost  of licenses for various types of gambling activities is so high that, together with  taxation, it does not make investments in the nascent Ukrainian market attractive. So  Ukraine could lose the competition in terms of investment to other countries. 

“Under  favorable legal conditions, specialist market capacity and qualifications will allow  Ukraine to become a gaming hub for the Eastern Europe region. Like Malta and Manila, Ukraine now has the potential to become a center of expertise for gambling  entertainment.”

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s unclear if Parimatch is actually the first operator to receive a Ukrainian license, as despite claims in a company press release, in February reports said the first license had been awarded to Spaceiks LLC for its Cosmolot brand. Still, whichever the order, Parimatch is going to be in the vanguard and we’re sure other operators will be interested to see how it fares.

The five-year online casino license has been awarded to operator Spaceiks LLC for its Cosmolot brand, and cost UAH30.7m (approx. $1.1M USD). 

Spaceicks submitted its application in December 2020, though it was delayed slightly because the commission asked for more information to enable it to confirm its ownership structure met Ukraine’s stringent requirements. 

In October 2020, former military general Ivan Rudyi was elected Chairman of the commission, in what some took to be a clear signal of the Ukrainian government’s determination to keep Russian interests out of its new regulated gambling market. 

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Each group contains a mix of player strengths and nationalities, giving fans plenty of choice to, and promising a brutal competition. 

Group Mortal

1. A F0xy Grampa Hayatei
2. Konqueror
3. Asodimazze
4. Avirk
5. Foreverking
6. Hadoken

Group Kombat

1. Tekken Master
2. DizzyTT
3. GRR
4. Dubasik
5. 2EZ
6. Infinitii

WePlay Dragon Temple is a Mortal Kombat 11 invitational tournament with professional players and a substantial $60,000 prize pool.

The event kicks off with a round-robin group stage (all sets are best-of-3) with four winners from two groups each advancing to a double-elimination bracket (all sets are best-of-5) to determine the champion.

All the action will be streamed on the tournament’s Twitch channel from 10-13 December, with players putting their fighting prowess to the test at the custom-built WePlay Esports Arena Kyiv. 

You can find exclusive content and coverage at the DashFight website. 

AYO.NEWS says:

It’s great that WePlay Esports are giving some attention to Mortal Kombat 11 – fighting games still don’t get anywhere near the attention they deserve in the esports world. You can find out more about WePlay Esports, how the company got where it is, and what it has planned for the future, by watching AYO.NEWS’ recent chat with WePlay’s CEO, Oleh Humeniuk. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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Recently appointed head of the Ukrainian Gambling and Lottery Commission, Ivan Rudyi, has confirmed that the country’s legal gambling industry is expected to go live next month, and that the commission is currently working on legislation to set tax rates for the various types of gambling.

Furthermore, Rudyi said the government is expecting to raise around UAH 1 billion (approx. €30M) through the sale of licenses and legal gambling in the first year. 

The commission is now forming its charter and recruiting to fill some 230 positions, and is intending to hold meetings with potential licensees soon.

AYO.NEWS says:

Unlike some markets, cough cough “the Netherlands,” Ukrainian authorities certainly haven’t wasted any time in getting things sorted – maybe it was a good idea to appoint a former military commander the head of the new regulator! 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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Ukraine-based Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) says it will be launching a Fan Token on the blockchain-based fan voting and rewards application from Malta-based Chiliz. 

By purchasing $NAVI tokens, fans will gain voting rights, and be able to influence selected decisions made by the organisation. 

5 million $NAVI fan tokens will be made available at launch, with a limited number sold at just $1 USD each during a flash sale to get the ball rolling.

Discussing plans CEO of Natus Vincere, Yevhen ‘HarisPilton’ Zolotarov, said:

“What we are launching today is the next eventual step in switching to a new dynamic of interacting with our devoted audience. Socios.com creates an opportunity to become an actual and viable part of NAVI, as $NAVI tokens are the real way to influence our decisions. In fact, it is a way of making all the crucial decisions together.

“We truly hope that our #NAVINATION members will enjoy the opportunity to make a real difference  with NAVI during the next few years.”

While Founder and CEO of Chiliz and Socios.com, Alexandre Dreyfus, added:

“NAVI’s ‘Born to Win’ mentality has already forged a really strong alliance with their fanbase. The organisation has always been focused on creating a special bond with players through YouTube vlogs and social media activity, but now NAVI are taking things to the next level. $NAVI Fan Tokens are going to give fans a real say in the future of the organisation and real decision making power, not to mention the chance to win some amazing rewards too.”

Thus far, Socios.com is dominated by football clubs (Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, AS Roma, Atletico Madrid, to name but a few), with Na’Vi becoming only the third esports organisation to join, after OG and Team Heretics. Mixed martial arts organisation UFC is also partnered with the app. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With so many things competing for fans’ attention, driving long-term, sustainable fan engagement is critical for the commercial viability of esports and traditional sports organisations alike. 

While Socios.com has attracted a lot of attention, other platforms like Blocksport are also making headway – indeed, Russian organisation Virtus.pro announced it had selected the platform earlier this week. 

Meanwhile Gen.G Esports recently partnered with blockchain network Rally to launch its own CS:GO crypto fan token called GG Strike Coin. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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Rudyi is a former military general, who commanded the country’s ATO anti-terrorist unit, which has been heavily engaged in combat against Russian-backed separatists in the Donbass Conflict. Before joining up, he was an executive producer with Ukraine TV. 

The Kiev-based UGLC will be responsible for monitoring all licensed gambling in the newly regulated market, and is currently attempting to fill some 230 positions, including six regional directors. 

Commenting on the appointment, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers, Oleg Nemchynov, said:

“Today, in addition to the next government meeting, we also had an extraordinary one, at which we considered several personnel issues. One of them was the announcement of preliminary results of selection for the post of the chairman and members of the Commission on the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries. 

“Based on the results of this meeting, (candidates) were recommended out of 378 persons who submitted their CVs and applications, and out of 42 persons who were admitted. In particular, 20 persons were submitted to the post of the head of the commission, 32 persons were submitted to the members of the commission.”

Olena Vodolashko and Yevhen Hetman have also been recommended for appointment as commission members. 

AYO.NEWS says:

As previously reported, the Ukrainian government has already made it clear it wants to keep Russian involvement out of its gambling industry, and the appointment of Rudyi seems very much to underline they are serious about it!

Though Ukraine has long been a technical services hub for gambling operators, and has a deeply embedded local gambling culture, the upcoming establishment of an organised, regulated framework offers the potential of the country becoming a major online market in its own right. 

Earlier today, we reported on the upcoming CIS edition of the world’s largest online betting and gaming event, SBC Digital Summit, which is scheduled for the 4-5 November, and will shine a spotlight on opportunities in Ukraine, Georgia, and Uzbekistan. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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The partnership will see the Mazda brand promoted via HellRaisers’ videos and media, under the tagline “leaders of the car and esports industries,” and integrated into esports tournaments. An additional activation is also said to be in the works, but no details have been released. 

Discussing the collaboration Chief Business Development Officer at HellRaisers, Tatiana Kuzmenko, said:

“Esports is part of the new reality, which is proved by more than 1.67m Ukrainian fans. We’re very glad to become the first club in the country to launch such a large-scale project with a car brand. 

“We don’t want to just put Mazda’s logo on our channels and jerseys, our goal is to create a truly great and interesting project.”

While Marketing and PR Manager at Auto International, Tatiana Shereme, added:

“Unlike the international practice, no car brand in Ukraine has ever collaborated with an esports organization. For a Ukrainian brand distributor, this is a unique project, and we’re very glad to see our brand become the first car partner and friend of an esports team in Ukraine.”

In August HellRaisers rebranded (after working with the BANDA creative agency), and in September the organisation ended its title sponsorship deal with online betting operator 1xBet after two years. 

The organisation currently fields rosters in Dota 2, CS:GO, and Fortnite.

AYO.NEWS says:

This is an interesting partnership in a couple of ways. Not only is it the first time a Ukrainian esports organisation has partnered with a car manufacturer, but it’s also noteworthy that HellRaisers is moving away from betting sponsorships.

Staying with car manufacturers sponsoring esports, last month Mercedes-Benz was announced as the new global partner of League of Legends esports, while FAW-Audi revealed a deal with Chinese esports organisation TOP Esports (TES). 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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In addition to raising funds, developing streaming studios, opening an “esports ready” hotel and increasing the number of international tournaments in the country, UPEA also plans to promote Ukrainian esports to attract investment. 

In total, UPEA hopes to attract $100M USD of investment, of which $42M has already been raised towards the purchase and development of the esports hotel. A further $20M is planned to be invested into the project, which is based on the existing Dnipro Hotel. 

Discussing plans Board Chairman for UPEA, and Founder of Natus Vincere, Oleksandr Kokhanovskyy, said:

“We want Ukraine to be among the world leaders, and today we have all chances to enter the TOP-5 countries with the most developed esports ecosystem.”

UPEA’s announcement comes just weeks after the Ukrainian Ministry for Youth and Sports officially recognised esports as a competitive sport. 

Staying with Ukraine, a couple of weeks ago Natus Vincere signed a two-year CS:GO streaming deal with Chinese platform HUYA. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With the world facing an unprecedented economic crisis due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic esports, and video gaming in general, are emerging as some of the very few growth industries. As such, it’s clear the sectors can become important parts of the new economic models countries are scrambling to formulate. But, to be successful, politicians and policy makers need to act quickly, because there’s going to be a lot of competition!

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Following a concerted lobbying effort from the Ukrainian esports industry, including the Ukrainain Esports Federation (UESF), the Ukrainian Ministry for Youth and Sports has officially recognised esports as a competitive sport.

On 17 September, the Ukrainian Professional Esports Association (UPEA) will pitch a new five-year strategy aimed at growing the sector in the country. 

Commenting on the news Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Vadym Gutzayt, said:

“We cannot ignore this phenomenon because esports is developing very fast all over the world. Audience interest is growing every month as is the involvement of our population.

“We want our children, who are already at the computer most of the time, not to become addicted to gaming, but to be able to turn their hobby into an intellectual competition.”

Meanwhile, in the capital Kiev, Natus Vincere Founder, Oleksandr Kokhanovsky, and a group of IT professionals, have purchased the Dnipro Hotel for approximately €35m, and plan to turn it into the world’s first esports hotel, complete with training areas, an arena, and rooms and lounges specially designed for pro players. 

AYO.NEWS says:

Gaining official recognition from governments is a big deal in many countries, legitimising esports and enabling those in the sector to access certain benefits and programs. And, with esports witnessing unprecedented growth, we expect many more countries to follow suit over the coming months and years. 

‘AYO.NEWS says’ features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited or its affiliates or associates. 

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