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Can any of the upcoming slots dethrone Starburst in 2021
Starburst is the video slot created by NetEnt back in 2012. Despite its age, it is still one of the most popular slots currently, and probably the most played video slot game of all time! What makes this classic 5×3 slot so special that is still played by millions today, and can anyone find the secret behind its success, and create the slot which can dethrone Starburst in 2021? We will analyze the facts of what makes Starburst that popular, and take a look at some of the upcoming slot releases from the first quarter of 2021 and try to give an answer to that question. Also, if some of you, by any chance, still haven’t tried this amazing slot, Starburst free play is available. Try it now and see why it is so popular.
The Building Blocks behind Starburst Popularity
At first glance, we can see that Starburst’s graphics and design are impeccable. It is still modern, although it is more than eight years old! Although this is just makeup, it is very important for slot longevity.
With the fast evolution of technology and the fact that graphics are becoming more sophisticated, even slots that are only two or three years old can look outdated. After that, their player counts go to the abyss. With Starburst this didn’t happen, and we even believe that it won’t, because graphics are that sophisticated, and yet so simple, that we won’t see a huge dip in their popularity anytime soon.
The second reason behind Starburst slot popularity is its simplicity. Some of the slot game providers experiment with a huge number of reels and rows, many different features, and various cosmetic additions to keep the players entertained and happy. Starburst makes all the things simple, with its classic 5×3 design. Some players argue that Starburst is boring, but it is not a coincidence that the 5×3 design is the most popular slot design ever. It is not too plain and boring, and not too complicated as well, because slot game players want to win some cash, and not feel overwhelmed by design and gameplay.
Starburst has a huge betting range, from €0.01 to €100. That allows both casual players and high-rollers to play this slot. Although high-rollers don’t like this slot very much, because it is not volatile, casuals adore it. There are many more casual players than high-rollers, so they again targeted a broad audience.
We mentioned that Starburst has low volatility and therefore is not that popular with the players who want to win big. However, casuals love to see many small wins, because they have a feeling that they are generally winning, although they actually don’t – the wins you will get will often be smaller than the bet you made, but some of the players somehow don’t notice it. The sessions are usually long if you play for the smallest amounts, so you can have fun, even if you lose money.
For all these reasons, Starburst retained its popularity over the last eight years. Although it is not the best slot in terms of the chances of winning big, all the reasons we mentioned make it appealing for most players, which happen to be casuals.
We will now take a look at some of the upcoming slot releases and try to guess whether or not they have a chance for dethroning Starburst.
The Most Anticipated Slot Releases 2021
January is not over yet, and we already got some exciting slots this year. For example, we got an exciting video slot from Gamomat, an independent slot game provider, called Crystal Strike. It is a highly volatile slot, beautifully designed, with classic features such as respins and wilds.
Nolimit City released San Quentin xWays. This slot is based on the infamous US jail, which is a theme that wasn’t widely used, so it can be hit or miss, but we expect to be popular, especially among the younger audience.
iSoftBet, another award-winning games supplier, released Mighty Stallion Hold & Win, the Wild West theme-based video slot. It is another slot that uses their Hold & Win mechanic, but the theme is not inventive, nor the slot itself is offering something new – it is basically the type of slot we get from them all the time, only with a slightly altered theme.
Play’n GO released Miner Donkey Trouble, while Pragmatic released Mysterious Egypt. These slots feel like they were already seen before, and there is no chance that slots that use the same, boring theme, such as the Ancient Egypt flourish and dethrone Starburst.
Pragmatic Gaming has a more interesting release scheduled for February – Dragon Kingdom: Eyes of Fire. This slot should be way better and way more popular than Mysterious Egypt because it has a flawless design and many features attached. Dragons are still a popular topic, and they aren’t overused in video slots such as Ancient Egypt, so we can see this release gaining popularity right off the bat.
Another highly anticipated release should be the Playtech Age of the Gods series’s next release – Book of Oracle. This slot should be the first to come from Playtech in 2021, and they decided to go big right away. Age of the Gods series gained a significant amount of players which is getting bigger with every new slot release. We expect that this slot will be masterfully done in terms of the graphics and interface (since we still didn’t have an opportunity to see it), and the features should be similar to the ones from the previous slots. This is a volatile, progressive jackpot slot, so it will draw attention from the high-rollers.
What Features Should a Slot Have to Beat Starburst
Since we know what is behind Starburst’s popularity, and we saw what the first slot releases are in January 2021, the question arises – does any slot from this list have the features and traits required to dethrone Starburst? We can never know for sure, but the answer is probably – no.
To be as popular as Starburst, the audience must be predominantly casual players. There are some amazing, volatile slots you can make a fortune on, but there are not enough people who would risk big money to try it out. Long, interesting sessions, with lots of small wins, which give you the false impression that you are an overall winner, are the key to the slot popularity.
After that, the slot must have an impeccable design that will age well, so it can stay relevant with time, and must have simple, but yet unique and interesting features. You should overcomplicate, but the slot can’t have a dull theme or average graphics.
Summary
We eagerly expect more great slot releases in 2021. In January and February, we should get several amazing slots from the biggest slot games providers, but in terms of popularity, we don’t think that any slot will be able to dethrone Starburst anytime soon.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try out new slot additions, especially if you are a high-roller. There is a trend of more progressive jackpots, mega ways, and other great features incorporated in new slot releases, and in general, it seems that the average volatility is getting higher, which is excellent news for the ones chasing big wins.
Latest News
Inside GEO Guide to Denmark’s iGaming Market
Denmark is a mature and highly competitive iGaming market, where expensive traffic is offset by a financially strong audience with high LTV. Players are heavily engaged via mobile devices, making this GEO particularly attractive for affiliates focused on long-term profitability.
That’s why N1 Partners team has collected key insights on this GEO for affiliates to understand the local audience better and receive stronger results on gambling traffic.
Denmark is a relatively small yet one of the most digitally advanced countries in Northern Europe, with a population of around 6 million people. A high standard of living, near-universal internet penetration (99% of the population), and a well-developed digital infrastructure make it an attractive market for the iGaming industry. The capital city is Copenhagen, the local currency is the Danish Krone (DKK), and the time zone is CET (UTC+1).
Why Is Denmark Worth Your Attention?
Danish market is far from easy to crack. However, its mature audience and strong purchasing power make it especially appealing for affiliates working with high-quality traffic.
- High players purchasing power.
Denmark consistently ranks among the European countries with the highest income levels. According to Statistics Denmark, the average monthly salary is €6,900.
Users are willing to spend on digital entertainment and tend to view online casinos as a regular leisure activity rather than a one-time experience. This creates strong opportunities for long-term player retention and increased customer value for operators and brands.
- Advanced digital environment.
Danes are accustomed to handling most daily activities online, from banking and shopping to entertainment. Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Dankort, MobilePay, and other modern payment methods are widely adopted across the country.
For operators and affiliates, this means fewer friction points throughout the customer journey, from registration to first deposit, ultimately contributing to stronger conversion rates and a smoother user experience.
- Mature market.
Denmark is one of the most established online entertainment markets in Europe. Users are highly familiar with digital products, make informed decisions when choosing platforms, and have increased expectations regarding service quality.
For affiliates, this translates into more predictable user behaviour, stronger engagement levels, and overall higher-quality traffic.
Audience insights
Danish users generally prefer straightforward communication without excessive pressure. They value transparency and clear engagement terms. As a result, creatives that highlight genuine product benefits often outperform aggressive promotional messaging.
An interesting angle for creatives is the use of maritime themes. Denmark’s long-standing connection to seafaring culture makes such visual concepts more relatable and recognizable for local audiences.
Within the online casino segment, there is strong interest in slots featuring engaging visuals, bonus mechanics, and fast-paced gameplay. Sports betting also represents a significant vertical, particularly for football, handball, and other popular regional sports.
According to Statistics Denmark, the most popular sports in the country are:
- Football
- Handball
- Tennis
- Golf
- Swimming
Player’s portrait
Audience distribution across N1 Partners projects is as follows:
- Men — 64%, average age 38
- Women — 36%, average age 42
This age profile typically indicates a stronger focus on brand trust, service convenience, and overall product quality. Players tend to place significant value on reliability, seamless user experiences, and well-established brands.
Devices
Traffic distribution in Denmark based on N1 Partners analytics:
- Smartphones — 73.39%
- Desktop — 11.91%
- Other platforms — 14.70%
The dominance of mobile traffic clearly highlights the importance of a mobile-first approach. Website performance, interface optimization, and frictionless payment flows directly impact conversion rates and overall campaign performance.
Top 10 slots on N1 Partners brands in Denmark
The N1 Partners team notes that Danish players tend to favor recognizable, visually engaging, and fast-paced slots featuring bonus mechanics, simple gameplay entry points, and well-known characters.
- Rich Piggies: Bonus Combo
- Elvis Frog TRUEWAYS
- Wild Cash
- Gold Rush with Johnny Cash
- Fruit Million
- The Big Race: Hold ‘N’ Link
- Big Bass Splash
- Aloha King Elvis
- Snoop Dogg Dollars
- Plinko 2
This top reflects a clear preference for visually appealing slots featuring familiar characters, rewarding bonus features, and straightforward gameplay mechanics.
For creatives and promotional campaigns, this serves as a useful benchmark: Danish audiences often respond well to an entertainment-driven approach, where the product is positioned as an accessible and enjoyable form of leisure.
Conclusion
Denmark remains one of the most stable and attractive Tier-1 markets for iGaming affiliates.
When targeting this GEO, affiliates should keep the following factors in mind:
- Optimize funnels for mobile traffic;
- Use direct and transparent communication;
- Focus on entertainment-driven creatives;
- Prioritize player retention alongside FTD acquisition;
- Leverage the audience’s interest in sports-related content;
- Minimise friction between registration and first deposit.
Already working with Tier-1 markets or planning to scale traffic across Scandinavia?
N1 Partners gives affiliates access to 14+ casino and sportsbook brands with strong LTV and Reg2Dep performance across Tier-1 GEOs.
Get in touch with your affiliate manager and join N1 Partners today!
Casino Content
ICONIC21 launches Football Cup-branded casino games and debut network tournament
ICONIC21 has rolled out three limited-edition Football Cup-branded casino games and launched its first network tournament, ICONIC Showdown Football Cup, running from 9th of July to 19th of July.
The new titles are Football Cup Roulette, Football Cup Blackjack 360, and Football Cup Gravity Blackjack. ICONIC21 said the releases showcase different customisation approaches, including green screen production for the roulette environment and an updated visual rebrand for its RNG blackjack table.
For Football Cup Gravity Blackjack, ICONIC21 said it used its latest LED technology and applied the Gravity Series multiplier mechanic, with a custom felt, a football gate, and bespoke 3D-printed decorations.
Alongside the three new games, ICONIC21 pointed to its previously launched slot Soccer World Championship, plus The Kickoff and Top Card, which it said received football-season branding and UI/UX updates.
The ICONIC Showdown Football Cup tournament covers 11 games in total and is positioned around the quarter finals, semi-finals and final period. ICONIC21 said 1,000 winners will share a €50,000 prize pool, and operators can enroll via their account manager or by contacting the company directly.
Edvardas Sadovskis, Chief Product Officer at ICONIC21, said:
“What I’m most proud of with this project is the turnaround. We built three fully branded, technically distinct games, enhanced existing ones with promotional branding, and launched our first-ever network tournament around them, all timed to coincide with peak player interest and traffic.
That kind of speed doesn’t happen by accident, it reflects how this team works. ICONIC Showdown is a meaningful first step for us as a provider, and launching it during the Football Cup, with this much energy around the game, feels like the right way to do it. We’re genuinely excited to see how the leaderboard shapes up and even more excited for the finals.”
The post ICONIC21 launches Football Cup-branded casino games and debut network tournament appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Channelisation
Swedish Gambling Authority consults tighter duty of care rules as channelisation slips
The Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) has opened a consultation on new gambling responsibility (spelansvar) regulations that would replace the current Regulations and General Advice on Responsible Gambling (LIFS 2018:2). The consultation was issued on 16 June 2026, with stakeholders given until 10 August 2026 to submit comments.
According to the consultation summary, the draft rules would formalise parts of existing Swedish case law while adding “new, detailed and strict requirements” for licensed operators. The proposals cover player monitoring and assessment factors, earlier intervention expectations, expanded mandatory responsible gambling measures, documentation and Duty of Care Action Plan requirements, player communications, and more detailed provisions on responsible gambling logos and limits for login and deposits.
The consultation lands as the regulator reports a slight dip in channelisation. In its latest report, the SGA estimates that 84% of Swedish consumer gambling took place with licensed operators during 2025, down from 85% in 2024. The authority also estimates that around 94% of players used a licensed operator at least once during the year, while noting that channelisation remains “significantly lower” for online casino than for betting.
In parallel, the Administrative Court has overturned an SGA enforcement decision against Roar Vegas Ltd (LeoVegas). On 12 June 2026, the court set aside the SGA’s warning and SEK 8 million sanction fee linked to alleged duty of care breaches, where the regulator had argued the operator intervened too late for customers showing indicators of excessive gambling.
The decision adds further judicial scrutiny to how duty of care expectations are applied in Sweden, even as the SGA continues to emphasise timely interventions when harm indicators are identified. For operators, the consultation and the court ruling together raise the stakes on process, documentation, and the evidentiary standards likely to be tested in future supervision and appeals.
The post Swedish Gambling Authority consults tighter duty of care rules as channelisation slips appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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