Sharpr enters its next chapter under The Insights Group.
One of the go-to esports igaming newsletter platforms, Sharpr, has been bought out by The Insights Group (TIG). Renowned for its incisive industry commentary and in-depth analysis of the intersection between esports, online gaming, and cutting-edge technologies such as AI and crypto, Sharpr has emerged as a leading voice in an increasingly dynamic market. The deal represents TIG, the media and events arm of GSE Group, co-founded by Esports Insider's Sam Cooke and Alfie Wright, its first acquisition.
Sharpr’s rise as a voice in esports betting
Sharpr debuted at a time of expansion in the esports wagering market, when sportsbooks, cryptocurrency casinos, and fantasy sites started providing niche gaming markets for titles such as CS2, League of Legends, and VALORANT. With shifting regulatory environments and technology-changing gambling products, Sharpr addressed a gap in deep reporting and market research.
The founder of the newsletter, Cody Luongo, had years of editorial experience under his belt, along with a discerning eye for overlooked trends. His weekly commentary blended industry statistics, regulatory developments, and business opinion geared for gambling, technology, and finance professionals.
By 2024, Sharpr was a reference read for stakeholders from bookmakers of esports to venture investors with an interest in the intersection of gaming and wagering technologies.
TIG’s first strategic acquisition
The Insights Group announced the takeover in early July 2025, adding that iGaming newsletter Sharpr would remain independent, with Luongo continuing to work there briefly in a lead writer capacity. He will subsequently move into a strategic advisory position. TIG will hire a new editor but has assured retaining Sharpr's tone, values, and main thrust.
TIG, founded by Sam Cooke and Alfie Wright of Esports Insider and GSE Group, views the acquisition as part of an overall endeavor to invest in personality-driven digital media. The group also manages The Esports Radar, Heat Map, and The Dotted Line publications, targeting industry insights and community creation in esports and gaming.
In accordance with TIG, the Sharpr buyout involves a gateway to product development, enhanced design capacity, advertising infrastructure, and potential live events integration.
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What does this mean for the gambling and media sectors
The acquisition is of consequence beyond media consolidation. To gaming industry specialists in esports betting, Sharpr's expansion translates to increased, more sophisticated study of trends like crypto-enabled casinos, AI-powered odds systems, and betting regulation around the world.
From a commercial point of view, the move shows the way specialist newsletters can develop into high-value media properties. Sharpr's emphasis on quality, curated insight shows the drift away from blanket esports news and toward content that has a direct impact on operators, investors, and affiliates.
For regulators and policymakers, it also shows increasing interest in the way gambling media influences public opinion, especially in domains such as prediction markets, AI-driven forecasting, and crypto betting.
As esports betting matures, publications like Sharpr act as bridges between gambling operators and a new generation of digital-native consumers. Sharpr's key value proposition is its capability to break down complex developments, such as product features or policy movements, into actionable information.
This collaboration with TIG can potentially extend the coverage into untapped spaces such as decentralized betting platforms, fantasy esports, and cross-market risk management, enhancing its appeal to decision-makers and forward-thinking operators.
That's all for now. Stick around for more betting news and updates.
