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Poker site records a 92% increase in online poker interest during UK lockdown

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  • Online poker is experiencing a resurgence as more Brits are turning to playing than ever before as a result of lockdown, new research reveals.

  • Online poker is also experiencing an influx of new players, as searches for ‘poker rules’ and ‘best poker hands’ rose by 87% and 282% in a month.

  • GGPoker has witnessed a 92% increase in online poker interest since the UK lockdown began, as well as an increase of 102% in new users.

  • Interest in Texas Hold’em poker has also increased by 292% month on month, while searches for ‘how to play poker’ have seen a 200% rise.

Online poker has seen a significant increase in interest since the UK lockdown began, leading to an influx of new players for online poker sites, new research shows.

Analysis of Google Search Trends and Analytics data conducted by online poker provider GGPoker shows that more Brits are turning to playing the popular card game to help pass the time while lockdown restrictions are in place.

The month following the UK heading into lockdown saw a massive 282% increase in searches for ‘best poker hand’, while searches for the top four poker hands are also up: royal flush (47%), straight flush (106%), four of a kind (66%) and full house (43%).

Looking at search trends over the past three months shows that interest in online poker has grown steadily since the end of February, with searches for ‘Texas Hold’em’ having increased by 292% month on month.

This increase is seemingly largely due to new players looking to take up poker, with searches for ‘how to play poker’ seeing a 200% increase month-on-month, ‘poker rules’ seeing a 98% rise and ‘poker hands’ seeing a 182% growth.

Interestingly, although players are no longer taking part in face-to-face tournaments, total searches for ‘how to bluff’ also increased by 144% in the first month, implying that players are keen to strengthen their strategy in preparation for when lockdown ends.

GGPoker’s own data shows that interest in online poker is up by 92% as measured by an increase in sessions on their UK site, which has led to a surge of 102% in new users.

Jean-Christophe Antoine, Head of the GGPoker Network, says: “With people looking for ways to pass the time and escape from the current climate, it’s no surprise that popular escapism activities like playing poker online have seen a substantial increase in interest over the past few months.

“We anticipate that poker engagement will continue to grow and we look forward to seeing how the market evolves as a result of old and new players alike continuing to refine, adapt and advance their online skills.”

Canadian poker sites have also seen a significant increase in interest over time among new players, as searches for ‘how to play poker’ have risen by 60%, ‘poker rules’ queries have increased by 21%, and ‘Texas Hold’em’ searches have grown by 42% month-on-month.

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ICE 2026

Win Systems Showcases Gaming Innovations at ICE Barcelona 2026

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Win Systems, a leading provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, participated in ICE 2026, held in Barcelona from January 19 to 21. In this context, the company strengthened its positioning in the Spanish market, with a special focus on route operations as one of the strategic pillars of its technological offering.

In a market such as Spain, characterised by its own regulatory framework and highly specific operational requirements, Win Systems continues to develop solutions designed to help operators differentiate themselves and maximise the performance of their operations. In this regard, WIGOS ONE has established itself as a comprehensive and modular management platform, capable of adapting to different business models—including gaming halls, bingos, casinos, hospitality venues and route operations—and integrating with third-party systems, ensuring flexibility and regulatory compliance.

During ICE 2026, Win Systems placed special emphasis on two of its main differentiators for the Spanish market: Player Tracking and Win Pay. The Player Tracking solution enables operators to gain in-depth insight into player behavior and enhance loyalty through advanced tools such as jackpots and Happy Hour promotions, improving gaming experience and player engagement.

Meanwhile, Win Pay was presented as a strategic lever for the digitalization of payments in route operations and other environments, highlighting the new eTITO solution for kiosk payments without the need for paper tickets. This solution delivers a faster and more convenient payment experience for players, while providing operators with greater control and operational efficiency.

José Luis González, Sales Director for Spain at Win Systems, stated: “ICE 2026 has been a key opportunity to showcase how our solutions help Spanish operators stand out. With tools such as Player Tracking and Win Pay, we deliver real value in the areas that enable operators to compete more effectively, build player loyalty, and optimize operations in a market as specific as Spain.”

The post Win Systems Showcases Gaming Innovations at ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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BetConstruct AI

BetConstruct AI’s Harmony ChoiceMe: Redefining Success in the Middle East

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BetConstruct AI proudly introduces Harmony ChoiceMe, a unique, high-level event aimed at nurturing strategic relationships and examining fresh opportunities within the changing environment of the Middle East.

Scheduled for 8 February 2026 in the lively center of Dubai, the event will unite the industry’s most prominent thinkers for an exclusive evening of cooperation and understanding. Hosted on the opulent Lotus Royale Cruise, the gathering provides an elegant and exclusive setting for significant discussions just 48 hours prior to the industry’s gathering for AIBC Eurasia.

Harmony ChoiceMe operates on the belief that achieving success in the area starts with making the right connections and optimal choices. With the industry seeking growth and innovation in the Middle East, this event offers an essential opportunity for reflection and premium networking, enabling partners and peers to synchronize their strategies in a sophisticated and motivating environment.

The evening aims to enable a smooth shift from innovative concepts to practical collaborations, making sure participants head into the forthcoming hectic summit with clear understanding and an enhanced network.

Interested parties are invited to reserve their place for an evening here.

The post BetConstruct AI’s Harmony ChoiceMe: Redefining Success in the Middle East appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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FA CHAI Card

FA CHAI Gaming Introduces Player Achievement System

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FA CHAI Gaming has introduced its Player Achievement System, a long-term progression framework designed for online casino platforms and operator partners to drive sustained engagement, repeat play and deeper player connection.

The system moves beyond short-lived promotions by transforming everyday gameplay into structured objectives, visible progress and meaningful milestones. At the centre of this approach is the FA CHAI Card, a cross-game reward mechanism that allows player achievements to extend beyond a single game and into a broader FA CHAI Gaming ecosystem.

The Player Achievement System is more than an add-on feature—it functions as a behavioural engine designed to improve the KPIs that matter most to operators. By combining achievement-based goals, missions and progression rewards, platforms can cultivate stronger player habits and longer lifecycle value.

Sustainable retention: visible progress and long-term objectives encourage players to return consistently.

More stable engagement: achievement-driven tasks support regular activity across sessions and weeks.

Healthier wagering patterns: cumulative goals motivate play naturally, without excessive bonus dependency.

Deeper player attachment: achievements turn gameplay into a personal journey rather than isolated actions.

Stronger ecosystem loyalty: cross-game rewards reinforce attachment to the broader FA CHAI Gaming portfolio.

Many engagement tools in the market rely on short-term incentives that generate brief activity spikes followed by rapid decline. The Player Achievement System focuses instead on the drivers of repeat behavior: clarity, continuity and purpose.

Progress over promotion: players work towards ongoing achievements rather than reacting to one-time offers.

Lower friction, higher satisfaction: rewards are earned through play, reducing frustration and drop-off.

Built-in freshness: evolving goals and rotating missions help prevent engagement fatigue.

Operational efficiency: structured progression reduces the need for constant campaign rebuilding.

Designed to scale: the framework can evolve alongside platform strategy and player growth.

The Player Achievement System is designed to adapt across FA CHAI Gaming’s supported games, with initial implementation focused on slot-style gameplay. The underlying logic remains intentionally flexible, allowing future expansion into additional game experiences without restructuring the system foundation.

Player actions contribute to visible achievement progress through daily and weekly missions, turning routine gameplay into measurable advancement. As objectives are completed, players unlock new achievement tiers and long-term progression paths, creating a clear sense of growth over time.

A core pillar of the Player Achievement System is the FA CHAI Card. Serving as a cross-game reward mechanism, FA CHAI Cards allow players to convert achievements earned in one game into free game opportunities across other FA CHAI Gaming games.

This design encourages players to explore a wider range of games, experience different mechanics and creative themes and gradually become more deeply integrated into the FA CHAI Gaming ecosystem. Rather than isolating rewards within individual games, FA CHAI Cards connect progress across games, supporting long-term player journeys and cross-game engagement.

By extending progression beyond a single product, FA CHAI Cards help operators increase portfolio exposure while offering players a more cohesive and rewarding platform experience.

Optional competitive elements, such as rankings or achievement-based leaderboards, can be integrated into the system to motivate highly engaged players further. These features act as enhancers rather than requirements, preserving balance while offering additional incentives.

The post FA CHAI Gaming Introduces Player Achievement System appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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