Industry News
Playtech Receives Takeover Proposal from JKO-led Consortium
The bidding war for Playtech has intensified as the company confirmed on Thursday that it has received a preliminary inquiry from JKO Play Limited, which is seeking access to certain due diligence information to explore the terms of the offer.
“Consistent with its fiduciary duties, and in accordance with Rule 21.3 of the Code, the Board further confirms that JKO has been provided with access to due diligence information for this purpose,” Playtech stated.
“Discussions with JKO are at an early stage and ongoing. As such, there can be no certainty that JKO’s approach will result in an offer for the Company, nor as to the terms on which any offer might be made.”
JKO’s interest came after Playtech received a £2.7 billion takeover bid from Australian gambling equipment maker, Aristocrat Leisure. Gopher Investments, which is a Playtech shareholder and is purchasing Finalto, also made a bid for the gaming software company.
JKO is controlled by former Formula One team-owner Eddie Jordan and Keith O’Loughlin, a former executive at U.S. slot machine maker Scientific Games. The offer will be made by a JKO-led consortium called JKO Play.
Despite the competitive bids, Playtech and Aristocrat have already agreed to the terms and the fate of the deal will be decided by shareholders voting on January 12.
“Aristocrat believes that the terms of the recommended acquisition and the compelling strategic rationale provides certainty for Playtech shareholders with no contingent value or other complicated structures for shareholders to realize value. Aristocrat also believes that the combined group will provide greater opportunities to Playtech employees,” Aristocrat said in a statement after JKO’s interest in Playtech.
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Affiliate Succes
Gamblers Connect Marks Its Fifth Anniversary
Gamblers Connect, the acclaimed iGaming media and affiliate platform, is marking its fifth anniversary and currently ranks as one of the most prominent affiliate media brands in the iGaming sector.
Gamblers Connect was established with a distinct purpose: to create a transparent, player-centric platform. What started as a simple idea rapidly transformed into something much more important. In its inaugural year, the company had already obtained its initial industry accolade. Since that time, Gamblers Connect has kept broadening its services by introducing new sections, tools, and features, while consistently achieving significant milestones and enhancing its visibility at prominent industry events, conferences, and speaking engagements.
The launch of the Responsible Gambling Index enhanced the platform’s offerings, serving as a unique assessment tool that has become a key aspect, encompassing both game providers and casino operators.
This advancement has been evident in industry accolades, featuring several awards and nominations at major events, such as Casino Affiliate of the Year, News Affiliate of the Year, Crypto Affiliate of the Year, and Best Affiliate of the Year.
In the last five years, Gamblers Connect has transformed past the conventional affiliate framework. The platform currently functions as a comprehensive iGaming media brand, generating a wide variety of editorial content, industry news, interviews, and B2B-related coverage, catering to both players and industry stakeholders.
Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder of Gamblers Connect, said: “2026 marks not just an anniversary, but a clear step forward. The launch of the GC Contributors Program, the introduction of the iHub, and an entirely new platform currently in development signal where Gamblers Connect is headed — deeper into the industry, more ambitious in scope, and built for what the next five years demand.”
The post Gamblers Connect Marks Its Fifth Anniversary appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
FANS World Cup
Kiron Interactive introduces FANS World Cup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Kiron Interactive has unveiled FANS World Cup, a fast-paced football betting product designed to keep players engaged during the 2026 international tournament, particularly in between live matches when traffic typically dips.
Built on Kiron’s Goal Premier Engine, FANS World Cup integrates seamlessly into existing operator deployments with no additional cost or technical requirements.
The game features international teams competing in matches that resolve in just 60 to 90 seconds, giving players frequent opportunities to bet during breaks in the live schedule. By offering standalone mini-matches, the platform helps operators maintain player activity and reduce drop-off between fixtures.
Using familiar national teams ensures players stay connected to the real tournament, keeping the football context consistent rather than losing engagement between matches.
FANS World Cup covers all core betting markets, including full-time result, correct score, goalscorers, and card outcomes. Operators can also configure jackpot features and bonus multipliers to match their preferred risk profiles.
Steven Spartinos, Co-CEO of Kiron Interactive, commented:
“Tournament traffic comes in waves, and the challenge is keeping players engaged in between matches. FANS World Cup addresses that by offering short, exciting match cycles while staying connected to the teams fans are already following. It helps operators maintain steady engagement throughout the full tournament schedule.”
The post Kiron Interactive introduces FANS World Cup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gaming
Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention
Soft2Bet has unveiled MEGA Islands, the latest addition to its MEGA Suite, designed to enhance player engagement and retention across both casino and sportsbook offerings.
The new engine introduces a persistent progression system that carries over across sessions, giving players an ongoing reason to return. Through island-building, resource collection, and continual advancement, players embark on a long-term journey that transforms short play sessions into sustained engagement.
First previewed in Soft2Bet’s recent Lodur release, the MEGA Islands system allows players to develop their own islands over time. Resources earned through gameplay can be used to construct new buildings, upgrade existing structures, and unlock further stages of progression. Each upgrade opens new goals, creating a loop of continuous advancement that keeps players invested.
The engine also incorporates plundering mechanics, giving players an additional path to gather resources by raiding other islands. This feature not only accelerates growth but also maintains a dynamic and engaging progression loop. With no fixed endpoint, MEGA Islands is built to encourage repeat play through a satisfying cycle of building, collecting, and advancing.
“MEGA Islands is designed to make retention feel natural by providing players with a progression journey they want to return to,” said Yoel Zuckerberg, CPO at Soft2Bet. “By building islands, collecting resources, and unlocking upgrades—including through plundering—each session becomes part of a longer experience. It gives players a clear reason to come back while providing operators with a retention tool that integrates seamlessly across casino and sportsbook.”
The launch of MEGA Islands underscores Soft2Bet’s commitment to gamification as a driver of long-term growth. As part of the MEGA Suite, the new engine offers operators a powerful tool to extend player journeys, increase engagement cycles, and deliver consistent value in competitive markets.
The post Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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