Vienna, 19 April 2017 – Europe’s leading prepaid payment method, paysafecard, has further committed to sponsorship of esports in 2017. Paysafe's paysafecard product is well-established as a reliable method of prepaid online payments that helps to support the esports community. The synergies of online gaming and esports events make the competitive gaming industry a natural fit for paysafecard to support through sponsorship.

Global esports has become a multi-billion dollar business and a social force in the online gaming industry breaking transaction records. International market research company Newzoo, estimated 2016 global profits of nearly 100 billion US dollars (92 billion euros). paysafecard will once again be present at some of the biggest esports events this year, organized by the world’s largest esports company, ESL. Sponsorships in 2017 will include ESL One Cologne 2017, which is ESL’s flagship event featuring Counter-Strike; Global Offensive. Taking place in Cologne, Germany, on July 7-9, paysafecard will be one of the main sponsors for the third time in the row. Additionally, paysafecard will continue its existing sponsorship of the ESL Pro League for CS;GO, which will also include the paysafecard Fan Vote, inviting the fans to directly engage at the event by voting for their favorite “Fan Player of the Month”.

paysafecard CEO, Udo Müller said: "Investment in esports is a completely logical measure for us to take. paysafecard and the gaming community have been closely knit for many years, and by continuing to provide sponsorship we can also show our gratitude to gamers for their loyalty. Gamers want a payment method which is secure, convenient and works within seconds - and paysafecard covers those needs. Esports is globally recognised and is no longer a ‘niche field’. Esports also has the distinct advantage of mostly taking place in the digital world, making it easier for us, as an online payment solution provider, to directly target and engage with our existing and potential customers as part of an ongoing dialogue."

Ulrich Schulze, Vice President of Pro Gaming, ESL, adds: "paysafecard is one of the most important means of payment in the world of online gaming, and therefore a significant player in esports. paysafecard has been a very committed and genuinely involved sponsor of our mega events for three years, and is very dedicated to further investing in the gaming scene. Together, we are working on new ways to add value to viewers and visitors of some of the biggest esports events ESL is organizing, and on successfully continuing to implement our common values and goals.“

paysafecard will also extend its collaboration with top club G2 Esports: This club, based in Madrid, is one of the top five worldwide, and has developed into one of the most valuable brands in esports since its collaboration with paysafecard has begun.

Carlos Rodriguez, CEO, G2 Esports said: "There is nothing more rewarding than starting to work with a leviathan like paysafecard, and now renew our commitment to each other - It shows that we at G2 Esports are doing the right thing, and that paysafecard is hungrier than ever to remain as an industry leader in the esports market."

The esports phenomenon has spread around the globe: 47% of worldwide profit comes from the Asia/Australia region, according to Newzoo, followed by North America on 42%, and Europe/Middle East/Africa with 24%. The rest goes to Latin America, where the rate of growth was highest between 2016 and 2015, at 20%.

About paysafecard

paysafecard is a prepaid online payment method available in 43 countries and at over 500,000 sales outlets. paysafecard is available to everyone – customers need neither a bank account nor a credit card. Paying requires simply entering the 16-digit paysafecard PIN. paysafecard, from its headquarters in Vienna, has become one of the market leaders in prepaid payment solutions with the brands paysafecard, my paysafecard and paysafecard MasterCard®. The company was founded in Austria in 2000, and belongs to Paysafe Group PLC. Paysafe shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol (PAYS.L).

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About Paysafe

Paysafe provides digital payments and transaction-related solutions to businesses and consumers around the world. Paysafe is redefining payments by enabling fast, convenient and secure ways to pay before, pay now and pay later through its payment processing, digital wallets, prepaid solutions and card issuing, and acquiring products and services. We believe that every point of every payment should be relevant, simple and secure. With two decades of experience, Paysafe is trusted by businesses and consumers to move and manage money through more than 100 payment types and 40 currencies. Paysafe offers multi-platform products with an emphasis on emerging payment technologies including mobile. Paysafe's brand portfolio includes NETELLER® and Skrill®, MeritCard, paysafecard®, payolution®, Income Access and FANS Entertainment. Paysafe Group plc shares trade on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol (PAYS.L). For more information, visit: www.paysafe.com. Find out more at www.paysafecard.com. For more information aboute Paysafe, visit www.paysafe.com. For further information, contact:

paysafecard

Robert Bauer, asoluto public + interactive relations | presse@paysafecard.com | +43 1 533 36 53-60