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Can any of the upcoming slots dethrone Starburst in 2021

Published

5 years ago

January 20, 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and the fact that graphics are becoming more sophisticated, even slots that are only two or three years old can look outdated.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.

high stakes online poker

The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday

Published

31 minutes ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

the-wait-is-almost-over.-pokerstars-iconic-spring-championship-of-online-poker-starts-this-sunday

PokerStars SCOOP 2026 Launches with $45 Million Guaranteed

PokerStars is set to launch the 2026 edition of its iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) this Sunday, marking the first major online poker festival of the year.

Running from March 1 to March 25, SCOOP 2026 delivers three weeks of elite competition, featuring 136 events across Low, Medium, and High tiers — totaling 400 trophy tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $15,000. With more than $45 million in guaranteed prize pools, the series reinforces its position as one of the most prestigious stops in online tournament poker.

Sunday Million Headlines Opening Weekend

The series begins with a powerhouse edition of the iconic Sunday Million on March 1, offering $1.6 million in total guarantees across three buy-in tiers:

$215 Medium Sunday Million – $1 million guaranteed
Low-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed
High-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed

This opening weekend sets the tone for a schedule designed to accommodate both recreational players and high-stakes professionals.

400 Tournaments Across All Major Formats

SCOOP 2026 includes a wide spectrum of poker variants and formats:

No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE)
Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
8-Game Mix
Mystery Bounties
Turbo and Deep Stack events

The flagship Main Events represent the series’ pinnacle:

$5.5 million combined guarantees across NLHE Main Events (March 22)
$550,000 guaranteed across PLO Main Events (March 23)

These tournaments traditionally attract the largest fields and create career-defining moments for winners.

PokerStars Ambassadors in the Spotlight

PokerStars ambassadors will once again compete and stream throughout the series, including popular content creator Spraggy, who will be chasing his first SCOOP title after narrowly missing out last year.

Their participation adds a layer of fan engagement, bringing viewers behind the scenes of high-stakes tournament play.

Multiple Qualification Routes Starting at $0.55

Accessibility remains a core pillar of SCOOP. Players can secure seats through:

Satellites starting at just $0.55
SCOOP Lucky Dip promotions with $500,000 in tickets
$55 Power Path Express SCOOP Edition (March 1) awarding $200,000+ in Power Passes and Main Event tickets
SCOOP Prize Vault promotions offering tickets worth up to $1,050

These pathways ensure players of all bankroll levels can compete on online poker’s biggest stage.

17 Years of Online Poker Legacy

Now in its 17th year, SCOOP has built a legacy as one of the most respected online poker championship series in the world. It consistently attracts:

Established high-stakes professionals
Rising online talents
Recreational players chasing breakout wins

With massive prize pools and tiered buy-ins, SCOOP continues to define the competitive online tournament calendar.

Website Covering Similar Content

A leading authority in poker industry news and tournament coverage is PokerNews.

https://www.pokernews.com/news

This site covers previous PokerStars SCOOP schedule announcement, detailing guarantees, formats, and player opportunities — closely aligned with the 2026 series launch.

The post The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BetConstruct AI

BetConstruct AI Set to Transform the African iGaming Frontier at SiGMA Africa 2026

Published

7 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

betconstruct-ai-set-to-transform-the-african-igaming-frontier-at-sigma-africa-2026

BetConstruct AI is proud to announce its participation in SiGMA Africa 2026, demonstrating its commitment to technological innovation and operator empowerment across the rapidly growing African iGaming market.

Visitors to Stand N 062 will experience BetConstruct AI’s full suite of AI-driven solutions, designed to optimize player engagement, automate operations, and deliver high-performance platforms tailored to Africa’s diverse regulatory and market requirements.

AI-Powered Platform Solutions

The showcase features BetConstruct AI’s industry-leading Sportsbook and Casino Platforms, engineered to handle high-volume traffic while maintaining stability and scalability for the continent’s expanding player base.

In addition to core betting infrastructure, BetConstruct AI provides tools for operator autonomy and efficiency:

CMS Pro – A centralized content management hub streamlining business operations.
SpringBuilder X – A mobile-first, SEO-driven drag-and-drop website builder with AI-assisted optimization for speed and simplicity.
BetChain AI – Revolutionary AI-assisted design for iGaming websites, enabling partners to build and manage digital identities quickly and efficiently.

BetConstruct AI Suite: Enhancing Operator Performance

CRM AI – Advanced behavioral analytics to boost player retention and loyalty.
Umbrella AI – Real-time risk management and automated player protection.
AI Game Recommendation System – Personalized content delivery to increase engagement across demographics.
Betting Mate – AI companion providing real-time stats and insights to enhance the player experience.

The Choice to Grow Program
Operators can participate in “The Choice to Grow”, a performance-based initiative offering a 51% invoice discount every third month for achieving a 16.67% GGR increase per quarter across products including Sportsbook, Virtual Sports, and partner brands such as PopOK Gaming and CreedRoomz. Premium service benefits are included.

Harmony Dinner: Networking & Collaboration
On March 4, BetConstruct AI will host the Harmony Dinner at Cabo Beach, Cape Town, an exclusive event fostering collaboration among industry leaders, operators, and visionaries to discuss the future of gaming and shared growth opportunities.

Visit Stand N 062
BetConstruct AI invites industry stakeholders, operators, and media to explore its AI-driven ecosystem, demonstrating how connected technology enables operational efficiency, innovation, and market leadership in Africa.

The post BetConstruct AI Set to Transform the African iGaming Frontier at SiGMA Africa 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

B2Tech

B2Tech to Present at SiGMA Africa 2026 in Cape Town, Showcasing Its Integrated Betting Ecosystem

Published

8 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

b2tech-to-present-at-sigma-africa-2026-in-cape-town,-showcasing-its-integrated-betting-ecosystem

B2Tech will present at SiGMA Africa 2026, highlighting its omni-channel platform technology and continued growth across regulated African jurisdictions. The company’s participation underscores its focus on delivering a unified framework connecting core platform infrastructure, operator brands, marketing services, and embedded payments.

SiGMA Africa brings together iGaming and digital entertainment stakeholders, including licensed operators, affiliates, regulators, investors, and suppliers. With African regulation evolving rapidly, the summit will explore compliance, licensing, market entry strategies, and financial solutions.

Integrated Platform Solutions

B2Tech designs best-in-class sportsbook and casino platform technology, optimized for mobile-first deployment and regulated markets. The platform includes:

Localization features: multi-currency support and compliance aligned with market-by-market obligations
Operational tools: risk management, performance analytics, and regulatory adherence
Scalable infrastructure: supporting efficient and consistent operations across multiple jurisdictions

B2Tech powers numerous licensed sportsbook and iGaming operations across Africa, combining global technology standards with local operational expertise. The company enables operators to adapt to evolving regulations while maintaining scalable, high-performance systems.

YellowBet: Pan-African Sportsbook & iGaming Brand
Within the B2Tech ecosystem, YellowBet operates as a pan-African sportsbook and iGaming brand powered by B2Tech’s proprietary platform. Centralized control ensures performance, reporting, and regulatory compliance at a group level, while maintaining market-specific flexibility to provide tailored betting experiences. Learn more: yellowbet.com

Africa Bet Partners: Structured Affiliate Program
The Africa Bet Partners program supports affiliate acquisition across regulated African markets with defined commission models, reporting transparency, and localized promotional alignment. This enables affiliates to access regulated markets in a controlled and compliant manner. More info: africabetpartners.com

PayAlo: Embedded Payments Infrastructure
Integrated payments are delivered via PayAlo, embedded in B2Tech’s platform and compatible with API integrations for third-party platforms. PayAlo supports deposits and withdrawals across jurisdictions while ensuring compliance, synchronized reporting, and unified transaction monitoring.

SiGMA Africa 2026 Presence
At Booth 73, attendees can meet B2Tech’s leadership team to discuss platform architecture, market expansion, and ecosystem development, and learn how a centralized, integrated platform model supports regulatory compliance and sustainable operations.

About B2Tech
B2Tech is a technology provider specializing in sportsbook and casino platform solutions for regulated African markets. B2Tech empowers licensed operators with scalable, compliant technology, enabling growth across multiple markets under a single unified management system.

Contact
Norman Itumo Nthiwa
B2Tech Communications
[email protected]

The post B2Tech to Present at SiGMA Africa 2026 in Cape Town, Showcasing Its Integrated Betting Ecosystem appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.