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Triton High School in Erwin, North Carolina has been selected as the winner of Brightspeed’s “Bright Future Esports Lab Contest.”

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

After counting more than 4,000 votes cast, a North Carolina high school has been named the winner of an esports lab contest led by Brightspeed and Stay Plugged In.

The contest, which saw competition from more than 50 schools, included weeks of public voting.

As a result of the victory, the school will receive a new STEM and esports lab, with completion expected in time for the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, according to Brightspeed.

Triton High School in Erwin, North Carolina has been selected as the winner of Brightspeed’s “Bright Future Esports Lab Contest.” Courtesy photo/ Brightspeed

In announcing the school’s victory, Brightspeed said the school’s “bold vision for innovation, technology and hands-on learning was evident in their AI Lab submission during the contest.”

Rick Suarez, a managing director at Stay Plugged In, said the achievement represents more than just winning a contest.

“It is about celebrating students, community, and the future,” Suarez said. “In partnership with Brightspeed, we’re thrilled to help open the doors to opportunity, where technology, education and gaming intersect.”

Stay Plugged In, established in 2020, is described as a leading esports recruiting platform in the U.S., a summary of the organization stated.

‘An incredible honor’

Marshall Jones, the principal of Triton High School, also offered comment in Brightspeed’s announcement.

Jones called it “an incredible honor for our school.”

“Winning is the result of being elevated by our community, family, friends, and school,” Jones also said. “This is an opportunity to bring the future of education to our community for generations to come.”

According to Brightspeed, the initiative invited schools across the company’s North Carolina footprint to compete.

Sabrina Anderson, a local marketing manager at Brightspeed, said the North Carolina-based ISP believes access is the gateway to oppertuinity.

“We’re proud to support an organization like Stay Plugged In, because its mission is similar to our own: investing in communities, creating opportunities and empowering people with access to critical resources,” Anderson said.

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BetMGM has taken a major step toward expanding its U.S. footprint by securing market access in Missouri through a new partnership with Century Casinos. With the state set to launch regulated sports betting on December 1, BetMGM joins a growing list of operators preparing to enter the Show-Me State.

The agreement gives BetMGM — a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and UK-based gaming giant Entain — the green light to operate its online sportsbook in Missouri. This move comes through a market-access deal with Century Casino and Hotel Cape Girardeau, a subsidiary of Century Casinos.

A Strategic Play in a Competitive Market

Under the terms of the agreement, BetMGM will pay Century Casinos a share of net gaming revenue, with a guaranteed minimum to ensure consistent income for the land-based casino operator. While financial details remain under wraps, the structure is similar to many market-access arrangements in other U.S. states.

Notably, the partnership also includes the option to open a retail sportsbook at Century’s Cape Girardeau location. However, that decision will ultimately rest with Century Casinos, depending on future strategic goals and market dynamics.

Erwin Haitzmann and Peter Hoetzinger, co-CEOs of Century Casinos, welcomed the move, saying:

“We are excited to partner with BetMGM, a leading online sports betting and gaming entertainment company with a dynamic and innovative brand. This partnership is another step forward in leveraging our Missouri licenses and delivering premium entertainment experiences for our customers.”

For BetMGM, the deal represents a crucial foothold in what could become a lucrative sports betting landscape. Missouri has a passionate sports fan base and is home to several major teams, creating a fertile ground for sportsbooks.

The Race to Go Live in Missouri

BetMGM is not the only operator eyeing Missouri. In March, bet365 announced a market-access deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, one of six professional sports teams eligible to partner with sportsbooks under state law. Other eligible teams include:

Missouri’s regulations allow both land-based casinos and professional sports teams to partner with online sportsbooks. There are 13 licensed casinos in the state, including locations operated by Caesars Entertainment, Boyd Gaming, PENN Entertainment, Bally’s, and Affinity Gaming.

In addition to those tethered licenses, Missouri will issue two untethered licenses. These standalone permits are up for grabs via an open application process. The deadline for submissions is July 15, and the state’s Gaming Commission is expected to announce the successful applicants by August 15.

The Missouri Gaming Commission laid out its roadmap for the rollout earlier this month, confirming that operators meeting all regulatory requirements will be able to go live on December 1, 2025. The market is expected to be robust right out of the gate, driven by strong local interest and competitive partnerships.

What This Means for Missouri Bettors

Once the market goes live, Missourians will be able to place wagers on sports through licensed online platforms like BetMGM — provided they are at least 21 years old and physically located within state lines.

BetMGM, known for its user-friendly interface, competitive odds, and integration with MGM Resorts’ loyalty program (MGM Rewards), will likely seek to attract Missouri players through promotions and brand partnerships. If Century Casinos decides to open a physical sportsbook, it would also provide bettors with a brick-and-mortar location for placing bets and watching games.

The inclusion of retail sportsbooks is expected to enhance the overall betting experience, especially in areas with high foot traffic and strong local sports allegiance.

Industry Implications

For BetMGM, this move is part of a larger strategy to solidify its position as a top-tier operator in the U.S. sports betting scene. The company already holds licenses in more than 25 states and has been aggressive in securing partnerships in emerging markets.

Missouri represents a high-potential addition to BetMGM’s growing portfolio. With nearby states like Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa already offering legal sports betting, the Missouri launch helps close a regional gap and reduces out-of-state leakage, a major concern for local lawmakers and casinos.

For Century Casinos, the partnership is a smart monetization of its state license, allowing it to participate in the online gaming boom without the overhead of running its own sportsbook operation. It also aligns the company with a well-established national brand, potentially driving foot traffic and brand recognition at its Cape Girardeau property.

Final Thoughts

BetMGM’s entrance into Missouri is yet another sign of the growing importance of market-access deals in the U.S. sports betting ecosystem. As the countdown to the December launch continues, expect more operators to announce partnerships with local casinos and sports teams, each vying for a piece of the action.

With robust competition, a passionate sports culture, and regulatory clarity, Missouri is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sports betting markets of the year.

Cities around the world have been showing their enthusiasm for gaming as an educational tool, and New York City is helping to lead that charge with its first annual NYC Video Game Festival on Saturday, May 31. The day-long event will feature esports competitions, arcades, and indie game demos, all taking place at Convene Brookfield Place in lower Manhattan.

The NYC Video Game Festival will also host the finals of the fifth-annual Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs Esports competition. The competition has fostered creativity among the school kids of New York City as they’re tasked with solving some of the city’s challenges using the tools within Minecraft. For example, last year, kids were tasked with designing a new Brooklyn Army Terminal Climate Innovation Hub.

Each borough of New York City will be sending three finalist teams (representing elementary, middle, and high school) for a total of 15 teams competing.

In addition to the Minecraft competition, New York-based colleges will be sending their best and brightest Fortnite and Valorant players to compete in the 2025 Collegiate Championship. One of the teams competing is The Quad Gods, the world’s first all-quadriplegic esports team, which was recently featured in an HBO Documentary.

The May 31 event is just the beginning, as New York City is planning on hosting a variety of gaming events over the next several months as part of its NYC Summer of Games initiative. A full rundown of all of this summer’s events can be found here.

Polygon is thrilled to partner with New York City as part of this event, which has allowed kids to really prove that games have the ability to solve real-life challenges. We hope to see you there!

The Derby High School eSports team has been building on success in every season and now holds some state bragging rights. The Panthers were recently crowned the Class 6A state champions and all-classes grand champion in Marvel Rivals. Derby also won the Class 6A championship in Overwatch 2 and finished as the runner-up in the grand champion tournament. Even though eSports is not a KSHSAA-sanctioned activity, its future is trending in the right direction.

There is a wide array of games to choose from for eSports competition, and the Derby eSports team focused on Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals this season. Overwatch 2 has been a mainstay game for the Panthers over the last few seasons, while Marvel Rivals was added this season. The games task two opposing teams with completing objectives, like controlling and defending areas of the game map, using a wide array of characters.

The Panthers have worked hard across the school year to develop the right strategies and proper character lineup for success. Communication has been the biggest area of growth throughout the season.

“Communication is the hardest part,” Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals team captain David Royer said. “You have to focus on getting everyone on the same page and make sure we stay focused, even if things are not always going well.”

In the past, Derby has competed in more regional competitions against high school teams across the Midwest, but this year the team decided to focus on the competition among Kansas high schools, which has been rapidly growing. Last year, several eSports coaches around the state formed the Sunflower Showdown. At the time, the Panthers were already involved with a regional league, but chose to join in the 2024-2025 school year.

“It is fun to be playing other teams across the state,” eSports coach Caitlin Hendrix said. “I like being a part of the bigger leagues because you go against a bunch of teams, but it is fun to go up against the Kansas teams to see where we stack up in the state.”

Throughout the season, the Derby eSports team faced teams from across the state, such as El Dorado, Wellington, Liberal and Pratt. Matches are played online, and the Panthers typically use their setup at Derby High School.

In late April, Derby traveled to Pratt Community College for the in-person state championships in Overwatch 2 and Marvel Rivals. The Panthers got to Pratt at about 8 a.m. and did not leave until 1 a.m. the next morning, but the team left victorious with a pair of 6A state titles.

It was a unique experience for the team, as most competitions are played online. The team enjoyed getting to meet other teams. Derby High School alums Dmitrey Peebler and Joshua Packard are currently on the Pratt Community College eSports team, so the Derby players played video games while waiting for their matches to start.

“It was neat. We had some Pratt kids recognize us, and we got to play games with them while we waited for our matches to start,” Dustin Anderson said. “We got to talk with some other schools that we don’t always get to interact with, which was cool.”

“It was cool to have the freedom to walk around and meet a lot of different players,” Royer said. “It was a late night, but it was fun to compete in that environment.”

The grand championship tournaments needed to be postponed due to the late night and wrapped up in early May. The Panthers took second in the Overwatch 2 grand championships, losing to Wellington in the finals on April 30. The Panthers had a strong season in Marvel Rivals, ultimately claiming the grand championship.

Hendrix has seen the team improve throughout the season in several different ways, with communication and teamwork being two key areas. In the last few years, she has seen young players join the eSports team and start to grow with their teammates.

“It is neat seeing eSports grow and seeing the players that have joined develop into leaders and great teammates,” Hendrix said. “Everyone has grown in ability, communication and teamwork, and it is fun to see that growth.”

Owning a fast and high-performing smartphone is now made easier and more accessible, thanks to the recent partnership between Skyro, one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in the Philippines, and Infinix, the trendy global tech brand crafted for young consumers.

The MOA signing was led by (L-R) Infinix marketing manager Jelly Buan, assistant retail manager Elton Paque, and head of HQ retail Kim Yang, together with Skyro’s head of POS business Lowen Medina and key accounts lead Yernar Ashimov

The strategic collaboration coincides with the launch of the highly anticipated Infinix NOTE 50—a performance gaming smartphone built for dominance. With the fastest charging, highest refresh rate, and a premium metal frame, the NOTE 50 CODM Edition delivers an immersive, full-throttle gaming experience designed for the most competitive players.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to team up with Infinix—a brand loved by tech-savvy, trendsetting Filipinos. This partnership brings more than just smartphones; it brings joy, self-expression, and endless possibilities into people’s hands,” said Lowen Medina, Skyro’s Head of POS Business.

Aligning with the fintech’s mission, Kim Yang, Infinix Head of HQ Retail, expressed the brand’s support to Skyro’s mission: “We’re excited to partner with Skyro as we continue pushing the boundaries of accessible innovation. This collaboration brings us one step closer to empowering more Filipinos with powerful, game-ready devices and smarter, more connected lifestyles.”

Through this partnership, Skyro will now be made available as a financing option offered directly on Infinix’s official channels in the Philippines, simplifying the purchasing process. With Skyro, customers can enjoy 0% interest and standard loans on products such as the Infinix NOTE 50 Series and other Infinix devices.

Avail your dream Infinix phone with 0% interest through Skyro

With the mission to provide hope, happiness, and financial support to Filipinos, the collaboration of Skyro and Infinix ensures that many more customers in the country can enjoy quality products and other essential needs.

To know more about Skyro, download the app for free on the Apple Store for iPhone users and Google Play for Android users or visit https://www.skyro.ph/ and follow its social media accounts, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

As baseball and softball take their first swings for Woodward-Granger, the Hawks had a handful of performances on the state’s biggest stage. (Events covered May 20-26)