Fortnite champion’s iGaming studio gets Stake backing

Summary

Stake has become the principal backer of Animo Studios, a new next‑generation games studio founded by streamer and Fortnite champion Harley Fresh. The partnership will see Stake roll out Animo’s hybrid live‑action and animated gameplay features — billed as an industry first — across its casino offering. Animo aims to fuse esports and streaming interactivity with traditional slot and casino formats to appeal to Gen‑Z audiences and established players, and the deal is framed as a key part of Stake’s 2025 transformation strategy alongside its Stake Engine development platform.

Key Points

Stake is the principal backer of Animo Studios, founded by livestreamer and Fortnite champion Harley Fresh.
Animo will create hybrid live‑action and animated gameplay features for online casino — aiming for more immersive, event‑style experiences.
The studio’s approach merges streaming/esports interactivity with traditional casino mechanics to attract Gen‑Z and existing players.
Stake frames the partnership as a milestone in its 2025 product roadmap and broader growth strategy.
Stake Engine — a developer‑focused platform with thousands of developers and an accelerated approval process (games can go live in 24 hours) — supports faster distribution of new IP.

Context and relevance

This move reflects a wider industry trend: turning solitary casino play into social, entertainment‑led experiences. Operators are investing in original IP, streamer partnerships and immersive formats to differentiate offerings and reach younger audiences. For suppliers, platform owners and operators, the deal signals where product development and marketing investment may shift over the next 12–24 months as the sector chases greater engagement and cross‑platform appeal.

Why should I read this?

Because this is basically casino colliding with streaming culture. If you care about how operators plan to snag younger players or where game innovation money is going, it’s a quick, useful snapshot — we’ve done the skimming for you.