What began as a spontaneous coffee meeting between two strangers in 2021 has evolved into an expanding esports education program now serving dozens of families across San Diego County.

Unified Esports League (UESL), developed by Matthew Iske and Tony Rubino, offers inclusive programming where individuals with disabilities engage in technology, art and gaming while building critical life and social skills. After 18 months of planning and development, UESL officially launched in 2023 as a vendor through the San Diego Regional Center (SDRC).

“Our primary focus is on social and emotional skills and helping people to get out of their room and engage with their peers and pursue goals through their passion for gaming and technology,” said Iske, UESL’s founder and CEO.

Iske, a teacher and non-profit leader, met Rubino in 2021. Rubino, a longtime advocate and coach for individuals with disabilities, approached Iske with a simple proposition:

“You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, but we’re going to have coffee.” That meeting led to the early ideas that would form UESL.

Over the next year and a half, the two traveled, collaborated, and designed a curriculum that blends esports with wellness and community engagement.

Rubino, who has worked with the special needs community in Poway for 27 years, believes that sports and teamwork play a vital role in growth.

“I have learned to understand the challenges that they face as they go into adulthood,” Rubino said. “I found that sports was a great way to bring a community together and teach them what being on a team is all about, how to win, how to lose and pursue something that they enjoy — and that has translated into a lot of great things.”

Today, UESL supports roughly 40 families per site through rotating sessions of 12 to 18 participants. Clients range in age from 8 to 40, and each location blends individuals of different ages to foster support and mentorship.

“Isolation really is a challenge, so the more things we can do to create a network and have these young people get together — if we can create a safe environment, which we do — then it’s a total win,” Rubino said.

UESL participants engage in gaming, creative technology, physical wellness breaks and debriefing sessions designed to promote healthy tech habits and peer connection. Some even use driving simulators to prepare for their driver’s license. Others use tools like Procreate to pursue digital art. One student designed the team’s jersey logo in just 20 minutes.

“They all have so much potential in so many ways,” Iske said. “Being able to be there and help them make progress has made a huge impact on me personally.”

The goal, Iske explained, is not just to play games but to use gaming as a tool for  growth.

“When people think of video games, they think of hot Cheetos and somebody slumped over in a chair,” he said. “It’s one thing to be playing eight hours on end alone in your room, and it’s another thing to be playing in a room where you have an education plan and you’re engaging with your peers and your coach.”

Iske and Rubino shared the story of one of their participants, Thomas, who said he found a sense of belonging, confidence and happiness through the program.

“He told us that he’s the happiest he’s ever been in his life due to an environment where he can do something he enjoys and engage with his peers,” Iske said.

Rubino echoed that impact.

“That’s something you don’t forget,” he said.

Some families even choose to make UESL their child’s only source of screen time, allowing them to engage with technology in a structured, social way while remaining focused on other areas throughout the day.

As the program continues to grow, Iske and Rubino say the mission remains the same: to build inclusive spaces where passion for gaming and technology drives connection, confidence and personal development.

“When you put people in a peer group where everybody enjoys the same thing and experience that passion together, good things are going to happen,” Iske said.
For information about the Unified Esports League visit www.unifiedesl.com.

Photo by Shutterstock/YES Market Media

Bragg Gaming Group has announced a content development agreement with Hard Rock Digital, signaling a major step in its goal for U.S. market expansion. The deal enables the creation of exclusive online casino titles for Hard Rock Bet Casino, adding to the brand’s catalog of proprietary content that also includes games from developers such as Playtech, Red Tiger, and Games Global.

Exclusive Content Strategy Aims to Differentiate Hard Rock Bet

Hard Rock Bet will launch these Bragg’s exclusive titles in New Jersey and continue to add them to other legal iGaming states as they expand their footprint. Bragg’s SVP Commercial for U.S. & Canada, Garrick Morris, noted that the partnership reflects Bragg’s strategic focus on the U.S., calling it “our fastest-growing market this year.”

With a game catalog already boasting over 2,900 titles, Hard Rock Bet is doubling down on differentiation. The new exclusive titles from Bragg will be developed specifically to cut through the noise and provide players with engaging, premium experiences that they can’t find anywhere else. Rich Criado, VP of Casino at Hard Rock Digital, emphasized this vision:

“These upcoming games are designed to stand out among the over 2,900 titles already available… and we can’t wait to bring them to our players.”

Bragg’s role in this initiative includes leveraging its deep game development expertise, fueled by internal studios such as Atomic Slot Lab, Wild Streak Gaming, and Indigo Magic. The exclusive titles will be delivered via Bragg’s HUB content platform and remote game server (RGS) technology. This seamless integration means that Hard Rock Bet can manage its content through a unified back-office system, maximizing operational efficiency while elevating the player experience with unique offerings.

Bragg is best known for developing and distributing high-performing slot titles, which include both modern video slots and traditional classic slots.

Bragg’s U.S. Growth Trajectory and Strategic Vision

This partnership aligns with Bragg’s broader strategic goals of becoming a leading content and technology provider in regulated online casino markets, particularly in North America. The company has steadily built a reputation through its modular PAM technology, award-winning player engagement tools like Fuze™, and a growing footprint across more than 30 regulated markets worldwide.

While the initial phase of the agreement targets New Jersey, Bragg sees broader potential for expansion as Hard Rock Bet enters additional markets. The deal also underscores the importance of exclusive partnerships in a crowded online gaming environment, where differentiation is essential for sustained user engagement and revenue growth.

Looking ahead, the companies anticipate that this initiative will drive significant revenue growth for both parties, while showcasing Bragg’s capabilities in creating bespoke content that aligns with operator goals. As competition in the U.S. iGaming space intensifies, strategic partnerships like this one between Bragg and Hard Rock Digital are setting the tone for what’s next in online casino innovation.

The Tenino Middle School “Rocket League” esports team defeated Mason Middle School three games to one in a best-of-five grand finals series to win the 2025 middle school Washington State Scholastic Esports Association state championship. The Knights join the Tenino High School “Rocket League” squad that won the state championship on May 18.

Tenino School District

Posted

Friday,
June 13, 2025
5:12 pm

Chicago Sports Network (CHSN), home to the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox, has partnered with Aquimo Inc., a leader in mobile gaming technology for sports broadcasts and live events, to introduce a new interactive mobile gaming experience designed and tailored specifically for CHSN viewers.

The custom-built Chicago Sports Network-branded baseball game, The CHSN Home Run Challenge, will debut on June 12 during White Sox Countdown Live, CHSN’s pregame show, and will be featured throughout the broadcast of the White Sox game that night against the Houston Astros.

This innovative partnership features a second-screen mobile game experience that allows fans to engage in real-time interactive contests tied to CHSN’s White Sox programming. Viewers can participate by scanning a QR code displayed on-screen during the pregame, in-game, or postgame broadcasts, unlocking a fully interactive game experience and the chance to win exclusive White Sox prizes and memorabilia.

“This partnership provides another exciting step forward in our mission to deliver innovative, interactive viewing experiences to our audience,” says Jason Coyle, President of Chicago Sports Network. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with CHSN’s commitment to fan engagement, helping us build deeper connections among our fans, our brand partners, and the broadcast experience.”

Powered by Aquimo’s advanced mobile gaming platform, the experience will feature structured timed events and challenges throughout the CHSN broadcast window. Prizes include autographed items from current and past White Sox stars as well as unique experiences like game used memorabilia and commemorative apparel celebrating the White Sox’s storied history.

“This exciting new activation with CHSN represents the next frontier of fan engagement for regional sports networks,” says Mark Jeffery, founder and CEO of Aquimo. “We’re proud to collaborate with CHSN to enhance their White Sox broadcasts with an engaging second-screen experience that delivers measurable value for broadcasters and sponsors while creating memorable interactions for fans.”

The promotional schedule officially kicks off June 12 during Sox Countdown Live at 6:00 p.m. CT, with continued activations throughout the MLB season. Fans can expect dynamic integrations such as live reads from talent, in-studio demonstrations, interactive on-screen graphics, and promotional spots throughout each game day broadcast window.

For more details and to join the interactive game, fans can tune into CHSN’s White Sox broadcasts or visit CHSN.com.

More than 30 high school students from as far away as Chicago and Atlanta participated in GCU’s GenCyber Camp this week at the Cyber Center of Excellence. They did everything from program robots to compete in games of Capture the Flag to simulating how emails get from one person to another.

See the full article on our website: Learn more

The role of industry events in B2B marketing

Exhibitions and conferences such as SiGMA, SBC, and ICE remain essential in B2B iGaming marketing. These events provide invaluable opportunities for face-to-face interaction, allowing companies to showcase their products and build lasting relationships.

In-person meetings continue to play a crucial role in building trust, even as digital transformation accelerates. Mitja highlighted: “Being present at events like SiGMA is about more than showing up; it’s about building trust and lasting relationships.”

See our full event list and upcoming opportunities: Timeless Tech Exhibitions

Optimizing websites for lead generation:

Today, websites are crucial to lead generation. iGaming companies must optimize their sites to attract and engage the right audience.

Website content needs to be clear, compelling, and easy to navigate. Strong calls to action guide visitors to take the next step, whether it’s contacting the company, requesting a demo, or signing up.

Content marketing: Building authority and trust

Content marketing allows companies to demonstrate expertise, share game releases, and showcase industry insights.

For game providers, this approach builds trust and positions them as industry leaders. Rodrigo emphasized: “Content marketing shows we understand player engagement and market needs, which is key to long-term success.”

Public relations and social media

PR helps raise brand visibility and credibility. It’s also important for SEO and backlink generation. As for social media, LinkedIn remains the top platform for B2B marketing in iGaming.

Sharing product news, engaging with decision-makers, and showing the human side of the company helps build deeper connections. “LinkedIn is our most effective platform for relationship-building and lead generation,” Rodrigo noted.

The growing influence of AI in marketing

AI is transforming iGaming marketing by automating tasks, analyzing customer data, and optimizing campaigns.

While AI offers valuable insights, human creativity is still essential for strategic decisions. Mitja concluded, “AI assists with data, but human insight remains key to creating authentic marketing strategies.”

Conclusion

B2B marketing in iGaming requires a blend of digital innovation, trust-building, and strategic partnerships. Industry events, optimized websites, and content marketing play a key role in success.

Leveraging AI while maintaining human creativity will help iGaming companies stay competitive in this dynamic space.

Contact us to explore collaboration

Source: GMB