Unstoppable Growth: Expanse Studios and BetFounders Unite in Game-Changing Partnership

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The World Snooker Tour (WST) has today announced Unibet as the new lead partner for snooker’s British Open, which is set to take place in Cheltenham this September.

The Unibet British Open, running from Monday 23^rd September to Sunday 29^th September at the illustrious Centaur Arena at Cheltenham Racecourse, will showcase a spectacular lineup of snooker’s greatest legends.

Fans can expect to see performances from icons such as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, world number one Mark Allen, World Champion Kyren Wilson, defending champion Mark Williams – and many more.

This historic world-ranking event, first held in 1985, is a must-watch, being televised by ITV and an array of global broadcasters, reaching a worldwide audience.

Adding to the excitement, the tournament is renowned for its thrilling FA Cup-style random draw for all rounds, promising potential high-stakes clashes between the sport’s titans right from round one.

Kicking off with 128 players, most opening round matches will take place at the Unibet British Open qualifiers from Wednesday 31^st July to Saturday 3^rd August in Leicester. Winners will advance to the final stages in Cheltenham, where they will be joined by the top 16 seeds.

Peter Wright, WST’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are thrilled to work with Unibet for the first time as we know they share our passion for sport. They are an innovative brand, always looking to help fans enjoy sport in a safe and responsible way. The British Open is an outstanding event on our calendar and the line-up is incredibly strong. It will be an exciting week in Cheltenham, and we look forward to working alongside Unibet.”

Sam Mead, Unibet’s General Manager, said: “We are proud to be the lead partner for snooker’s British Open and cannot wait to be part of this thrilling event in Cheltenham. This tournament, with its rich history and stellar lineup, is the perfect platform for us to showcase our commitment to the sport. The world’s best players will be in attendance with the matches broadcast on ITV and internationally, ensuring a well-watched and exciting Unibet British Open.”

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Nazara Technologies, a global gaming and esports company is proud to announce its remarkable achievement of being ranked 8th (disclosed deal value of $US 42.6 m) on the global list of gaming acquirers in the latest report by Drake Star Partners’ Global Gaming Report for Q2 2024. Nazara has been ranked above renowned companies including MTG and Atari which finished at ninth and tenth positions respectively.

The Drake Star Partners’ Global Gaming report is published by Drake Star, an award winning global tech investment bank with a focus on acquisitions & mergers and corporate finance across various industries and tech industrial sectors.

Nitish Mittersain, CEO and Founder of Nazara Technologies, commented, “This is extremely encouraging as Nazara is set for more international acquisitions in 2024. We are honored to be recognized on the global stage. This ranking is not just a win for Nazara but for the entire Indian gaming community. Together, we are making India a global gaming giant to reckon with.”

He further adds, how this milestone signifies a pivotal moment for Nazara and the Indian gaming industry at large. “For years, the industry has always yearned for global gaming companies to invest in or acquire Indian companies. Today, Nazara stands as a testament to the changing dynamics in the global gaming landscape, demonstrating India’s emerging influence and prowess.”

Nazara is on a quest to identify opportunities within the gaming, esports and adtech arenas internationally particularly with a focus on established gaming IP’s/studios, those advancing in cutting-edge technologies like web3, Virtual Reality, and AI.

Nazara earlier in the year earmarked $100 million towards mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with a robust pipeline of projects and strategic initiatives, the company is poised to continue its growth trajectory and cement India’s position in the global gaming arena.

Nazara has been an aggressive investor in the Indian and international gaming ecosystem. The company recently acquired Freaks4U and ComicCon India earlier. The company already has the Animal Jam and Kiddopia IP’s which are global leaders in their respective segments. With Pro Football in the sports space, the company also owns the World Cricket Championship (WCC) game titles, being the most popular cricket simulation franchise globally.

Nazara Technologies has been at the forefront of the gaming industry, consistently pushing the envelope with strategic acquisitions and innovative offerings. This latest recognition underscores Nazara’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and delivering world-class gaming experiences.

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PlayAIO, a rising leader in AI-powered data and reporting, announces the appointment of Steven Farrugia as Chief Technology Officer.

Steven Farrugia takes up this role at an important moment for PlayAIO, with his extensive experience at ComeOn Group and Strive Gaming, he brings unparalleled expertise in building world-class algorithms and models. His proven track record in highly regulated markets, supporting operators like DraftKings owned Golden Nugget, positions him as an exceptional leader for PlayAIO.

Steven’s analytical abilities and proficiency in programming languages, will be instrumental in helping operators optimize their processes, turning strategic initiatives into measurable business outcomes through data-driven decision-making.

“I’m delighted to join PlayAIO and advance a product already demonstrating success with live customers. My career has been dedicated to driving change and shifting the focus from mere statistics to tangible benefits. My vision is for PlayAIO to become the leading B2B supplier of machine learning and AI in the iGaming industry, helping our customers foster the best, safest, and longest relationships with their users,” said Steven Farrugia.

CEO Joshua Gibbs added, “I’m thrilled to welcome Steven as CTO. The positive response to our product has been overwhelming, and Steven is key to building on that success. As we continue to meet the demands of our growing customer base, I couldn’t think of a better partner.”

The proprietary PlayAIO engine streamlines data analysis, offering always-on support and customized AI solutions that scale with your business. By uncovering hidden patterns and trends, PlayAIO will help customers enhance engagement, improve efficiency, and achieve transformative impact.

Founded in 2023, PlayAIO has quickly gained traction, with several customers already onboard and the product live in the market. The company is poised for continuous growth, innovating in the critical area of machine learning and AI.

PlayAIO will be at SBC Summit in Lisbon to showcase its proprietary PlayAIO engine and how it unlocks the hidden power of sportsbook and iGaming data to enhance engagement and achieve transformative growth.