Recently formed Boston-based esports organisation XSET has named rapper Swae Lee as its first investor from the music industry. 

XSET, which was formed in July 2020 by former FaZe Clan executives Greg Selkoe, Wil Eddins, and Clinton Sparks, along with Marco Merue, says Lee, who is a member of duo Rae Sremmurd with his brother Slim Jxmmi, has invested an undisclosed amount in the organisation. 

Apparently, Lee was enticed to get involved in XSET by Clinton Sparks, the luminary record producer and entrepreneur, who was also responsible for attracting a Lee and a host of other artists, including Offset, to FaZe Clan.

Regarding his investment in XSET, Lee spoke with Rolling Stone, saying: 

“I always wanted to be on what’s next. There’s a network of people like myself who want to bring simple access for fans.

“XSET, FaZe, they have fans who like to do the same things I like to do: sit at home on a game and be lazy. I want to help make a huge network for all the kids to enjoy gaming, talk about life, talk smack to each other, get merch, and have first-person access to rappers.”

Despite Lee initially telling Rolling Stone that it was an “eight figure” investment, Lee promptly rephrased, saying it was merely in the “big figures.” XSET has also confirmed it was not an eight figure investment. 

Though details of any activations involving Lee have not been officially revealed, he suggested they could include things like sharing music via streams with XSET players, and even allowing fans to decide his styling and wardrobe for gigs. 

XSET, which already claims to be “the world’s most diverse, innovative, socially conscious pop-gaming and esports “SET” ever assembled”has said it is currently pursuing partnerships with more artists and athletes, and will announce further deals in the coming months. 

The organisation now fields teams in Valorant, Rocket League, Fortnite, Call of Duty Warzone, PUBG Mobile, COD Mobile, and Madden. 

AYO.NEWS says:

With Sparks involved, it was only a matter of time before high-profile artists started joining XSET. Of course, although any big name investors will give valuable publicity in the short-term, the trick will be getting them genuinely involved with content and engagement – something Lee seems keen to dive into. We’re keen to see where this goes…

‘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. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020.

Online sportsbook and casino operator 777.be has extended its contract with Belgium’s most famous Hollywood star, Jean-Claude Van Damme, through 2022. 

The operator will be launching a new campaign featuring Van Damme later this week, across national television, plus YouTube and other digital channels. In keeping with today’s socially responsible climate, the new campaign casts Van Damme as a “benevolent hero” on a mission to teach customers about knowing their limits.

Commenting on the news Head of Gaming at 777.be, Jean-Christophe Choffray, said:

“We are delighted to have Jean-Claude Van Damme on board to help us educate our players about responsible game play. Moderation is essential, and with this campaign Van Damme very effectively combines his talents and humour to get this very important message across to our players.”

Van Damme originally teamed up with 777.be back in March 2019, starring in two TV spots, and becoming the face of the online casino and sportsbook. According to the company, the ads featuring the martial arts legend have racked up 13 million views on YouTube alone.

AYO.NEWS says:

777.be are demonstrating that the power of celebrity can also be harnessed to deliver advertising that also educates about responsible gambling – something the UK’s Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) might want to pay attention to, given their conviction that celebrities should be banned from gambling advertising. 

‘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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Ivan Rudyi has been elected Chairman of the Commission on the Ukrainian Gambling and Lotteries Commission (UGLC).

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. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020.

Video games industry veteran Jason Bunge has joined Riot Games as its new CMO. 

Riot Games, the publisher behind some of the world’s biggest esports titles, including League of Legends and VALORANT, has appointed the former Electronic Arts (EA) executive as its new Chief Marketing Officer. 

During his five years with EA, where he most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Global Brand Management and Marketing, Bunge played a critical part in the launch of games including Apex Legends. 

Although Bunge wasn’t specifically focused on esports alone, EA’s Apex Legends, just like Riot’s flagship title League of Legends, and the recently released VALORANT and Legends of Runeterra, all have growing esports scenes. 

Discussing the appointment, President of Worldwide Publishing at Riot Games, Jin Oh, said:

“Jason’s proven track record of deploying and sustaining games and his deep understanding of players are exactly the combination we were looking for in a CMO. We knew we needed to find someone who connects with players and has demonstrated success in executing innovative and creative campaigns. 

“On behalf of everyone at Riot, we’re excited to have Jason join the team as we continue to engage players across all our titles in deeply resonant ways.”

While Bunge himself added:

“I’m thrilled to join Riot, a company with an unwavering commitment to players. Through our growing portfolio of games and immersive storytelling, I’m looking forward to working with all of the passionate and creative Rioters around the world. Together, we’ll deliver truly holistic brand experiences that constantly strive to raise player expectations.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Though his role will not be specifically esports-focused, as CMO, Bunge will play a key part in determining if Riot can create the same kind of long-term popularity for new titles like VALORANT, as has been enjoyed by League of Legends.

While we’re talking about VALORANT, earlier today we reported that North American esports organisation Cloud9 has signed a new all-female VALORANT team to complement its existing roster. 

‘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. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020.

Publishing and media veteran Robyn St Germain has been appointed Executive Director of Sales & Global Partnerships at Beasley Esports. 

In her new role, St. Germain will oversee sales operations for Overwatch League’s Houston Outlaws, and will also capitalise on opportunities to grow Beasley Media Group’s other esports properties like CheckpointXP and Team Renegades. 

St. Germain was previously with stock photography company Shutterstock, where she was Sales Manager of its Media – Entertainment Enterprise Team. Her extensive resume also includes being West Coast Director of Sales and Custom Solutions at TheKnot Worldwide (formerly XO Group), Business Development Director for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Vice President of Strategic Account Management for the Kids & Family Group (Viacom Media Networks), West Coast Director of Sports Illustrated Group for Kids (Time Inc. Magazines – Sports Illustrated Group), West Coast Director at Glamour and Mademoiselle Magazines (CondeNast Publications), and West Coast Director of Seventeen Magazine (Primedia). 

Regarding her new appointment, St. Germain commented:

“I could not be more excited to be joining the Houston Outlaws organisation. With the overwhelming popularity of esports, the tremendous fans it reaches, and the innovative, creative spirit that lives at the Outlaws, I knew this was absolutely the right fit for me. 

“With the success the team has already received and our plans to take this team to the next level, I am very enthusiastic about what the future holds.”

While Beasley Esports’ Chief Operating Officer, Lori Burgess, added:

“Robyn adds gravitas and bench strength to any sales leadership team she commits to. Robyn possesses an incredible ability to engage and motivate clients to work with her, sharing their most vulnerable and mission-critical needs so that she can deliver game-changing solutions. 

“She has an award-winning personality and serves as an outstanding brand ambassador for any brand she chooses to represent. It has been nothing short of a privilege to have worked with her on three different occasions throughout my publishing career.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Yet again, we see an experienced executive from the wider entertainment and media sector making the transition to the world of esports and gaming. And, it’s certainly an exciting space that Robyn is jumping into, with brands all over the world increasingly curious about the exploding esports space. 

‘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. 

All original content featured on this site is © Pentagon Digital Limited, 2020.

Gambling giant GVC Holdings has announced the appointment of two new Directors to its Board. 

David Statz, former Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Development for Caesars Entertainment Corporation in Las Vegas, is joining as an Independent Non-Executive Director today, and Robert Hoskin, who has been with GVC since 2005, and is currently Group Director of Legal, Regulatory and Secretariat, will take on the role of Chief Governance Officer. 

Prior to joining Caesars, Statz spent 16 years at US law firm Saiber Schlesinger Staz Goldstein LLC, where he focused on the gaming industry, and played a key role in numerous regulatory and legislative initiatives throughout the US. He has a degree in Economics and Political Science from Ithaca College, and a law degree from Seton Hall University. 

Before joining PartyGaming in 2005 (PartyGaming merged with Bwin in 2011, which was itself acquired by GVC in 2016), Hoskin headed up the Investment Company Secretariat at Aberdeen Asset Management. He is a Chartered Company Secretary and has a law degree from University College London. 

Regarding the new appointments Chairman of GVC, Barry Gibson, said:

“I am delighted to be welcoming two such high calibre individuals to our Board. David has unrivalled regulatory and legislative expertise in the all-important US gaming market. His knowledge and insight will be hugely additive in helping us to achieve our ambition of being the leading operator in the US through BetMGM, our fast-growing joint venture with MGM Resorts.

“Robert has made an outstanding contribution to GVC in his 15 years at the Group, and his promotion is richly deserved. The fact that regulation, legal and governance are now represented at Board level will give us even greater oversight of these critically important areas, all of which are central to our long-term growth plans.”

Staying with GVC, last week we reported the company had extended its partnership with marketing solutions provider Optimove.

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