Gaming Industry News

Esports Gains Momentum: Landmark Deals, Record Events, and Regulatory Changes


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In the past 48 hours, the gaming and esports industry has seen significant developments marked by major deals, fresh product launches, record-breaking attendance, and regulatory changes. Notably, esports data provider GRID announced a new agreement with Sportstensor and Polymarket. Through this partnership, GRID becomes the official data oracle for these prediction market platforms, supplying real-time data for top esports titles including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and VALORANT. This is expected to expand the scope of esports betting, especially as the recently concluded League of Legends World Championship final between T1 and KT Rolster drew 40.48 million dollars in prediction volume on Polymarket alone. The demand for trustworthy and official match data is being highlighted as essential for market expansion and fairness.

Another high-impact deal was confirmed as digital transformation company Globant secured a multi-year strategic partnership with Riot Games. This collaboration is focused on enhancing the esports experience for games like League of Legends and VALORANT, aiming to bring next-generation technological innovation to live events and tournaments for millions of players and viewers worldwide. In product news, VALORANT Mobile entered English-language playtesting following Chinese testing phases, signaling further broadening of the franchise to the mobile segment.

Market momentum is also evident in Asia, where over 200,000 attendees participated in Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2025, underscoring the continued popularity of in-person gaming expos across the region. This rise in physical event attendance appears in line with the previous year’s post-pandemic consumer rebound, with both younger and more diverse crowds reported.

The supply side saw Yggdrasil, a leading games provider, expand its reach in Serbia through a partnership with Merkur. This deal brings Yggdrasil’s game catalog to a larger share of Eastern European players, reflecting a trend of regional market expansion among content suppliers.

On the regulatory front, the International Olympic Committee announced the cancellation of a twelve-year agreement with Saudi Arabia to host the Esports Olympic Games, injecting uncertainty into the long-term global event landscape.

Compared to previous quarters, the current wave of activity showcases industry leaders doubling down on technology infrastructure, international partnerships, and fan engagement. Betting and prediction, innovative partnerships, and high event turnout highlight a sector that remains resilient and adaptive amid ongoing market and regulatory shifts.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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Gaming Industry NewsBy Inception Point Ai