Entertainment Focus:

“Here are some ways in which AI technology will improve eSports and eSports betting:

• Curb match/game-fixing incidences

AI technology can significantly reduce the occurrence of deliberate match/game manipulations.

• Improve gameplay

AI can be used to make accurate analyses and predictions.

• Customized training regimens

eSports players/characters are usually developed to share similar abilities with the real-life players they represent. With AI, it is possible to train these players/characters through different AI-powered tools and system designs.

• Spring up of more AI-enabled eSports platforms

The application of AI-enabled tools such as computer vision, deep learning, and machine learning will help to improve the general eSports environment. This will also attract more audiences who will appreciate the tough nature of the games and their entertainment.”

iGB: “The full launch will allow bettors in New Jersey to wager on authorized professional esports events, which will include games such as Call of Duty, Overwatch and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.”

“Esports Entertainment is the first operator to be given full esports betting authorisation in the state.”

“We are pleased with the completion of the soft play period, which is a testament to all the hard work by our team over the past year,” said Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment Group. “As the first licensed esports-focused betting site in North America, we’re thrilled to fully launch the VIE.gg platform in New Jersey, one of the largest and most promising jurisdictions for sports wagering in the country.”

PC Gamer: “Electronic Arts has announced that, because of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, esports players and teams based in Russia and Belarus will no longer be allowed to compete in Apex Legends and FIFA 22 pro leagues.”

“We continue to be shocked at the conflict that is unfolding in Ukraine and join so many voices around the world in calling for peace and an end to the invasion,” EA tweeted. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

“EA’s decision to ban Russia and Belarus from its pro leagues comes two weeks after ESL suspended Russian teams(opens in new tab) Virtus.pro and Gambit from ESL Pro League season 15. Smaller pro league operators Blast(opens in new tab) and Elisa(opens in new tab) have also imposed bans on Russian-based organizations.”

“ESL said it would allow Russian teams and players to take part in its competitions using “neutral” names, with no team logos or national colors—a compromise that Virtus.pro eventually accepted.” It is still to be seen whether EA will do the same.

NME: “Russian esports organisation Gambit Esports has said it will allow its Valorant players to compete as an “independent team”. Gambit Esports made the announcement on Twitter earlier today (March 14), saying it will allow its players to compete in the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) competition as an independent team of players outside of the organisation (via The Loadout).”

“Last week (March 11) Gambit announced that it would allow its Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players to participate in a tournament under a “neutral name” after Gambit itself was forbidden to participate.”

PC Gamer: “Ukraine’s deputy prime minister has urged “all game development companies and esports platforms” to halt any business in Russia following Vladimir Putin’s ongoing invasion.”

“Mykhailo Fedorov—who is also Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation—published an open letter to Twitter, addressing the games industry as a whole but specifically targeting Xbox and PlayStation in his tweet (Axios). Fedorov implored the industry to block Russians from accessing any gaming accounts, as well as dropping any Russian teams from esports events and cancelling any tournaments due to be held in the country. “In 2022, modern technology is perhaps the best answer to the tanks, multiple rocket launchers and missiles,” the letter read.”