Latest News

Forza Kalamba!

Published

5 years ago

February 26, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Tamas Kusztos, Head of Sales and Account Management at slots developer Kalamba Games gives us some insight into the company’s recent entry into the vibrant Italian market and what it hopes to bring to the well-established territory.

The Italian market for gambling is one of the most proven and lucrative in Europe, if not globally. From land-based and online to esports and sports betting, there’s little that a bettor can’t wager on in the country thanks to the regulated landscape it operates in. But what about newcomers like Kalamba? Is it actually advantageous for us to make our debut now? Well, there are certain benefits in that we have been able to identify some player preferences and trends which will help us hit the ground running. The market being as mature as it is also helps us to quickly get a handle on general market conditions and how regulation has progressed.
As it’s turned out, it’s actually been a very good time to do it, as online casino has grown to become the most lucrative product vertical in the Italian online market, with slot products now accounting for upwards of two-thirds of overall segment revenue of €831m in 2019 and €837m in the first nine months of 2020. As recently as last November, the 2 billion revenue mark was surpassed by regulated operators for the first time ever and that was followed by another record-breaking December, which saw a 40 per cent month-on-month increase.
Given our success in other European markets, we are sure that there will always be an appetite for fresh content such as ours and we are excited to introduce it to the Italian players.

But of course, not all European territories are the same – Italy has a very strong land-based heritage and many online operators also run betting shops. This gives us a good insight into what this slightly different player demographic enjoys. We will be looking to develop new content for the Italian market that offers the mechanics, features, and themes that the local player base knows and loves. It is all about knowing your customer and making sure our content is tailored to attract them and we will learn as we go and improve our content along the way.

Getting us off to a good start, we have a really broad portfolio of titles with our 50th game being launched later this year. We offer players a range of different themes and have been working hard to develop our signature features. Some of our best loved ones are HyperBet and HyperBonus, which allow players to adjust the volatility level of the game and to shortcut into bonus rounds. Coupled with exciting themes and a slick user interface, this means we can really cater for all demographics. We have a packed roadmap for 2021 which will see us take our content to new heights.

But having those games alone isn’t the whole picture, we need to align ourselves with the right local partners to gain the best possible insight. As a supplier, you only have access to part of the performance data of your games with operators holding the other important piece of information. It is therefore crucial to work closely with operators to get a 360 view of how well our content is performing in the market and what kind of content players prefer. We have talked with some of our partners in detail about the market trends and we will certainly take it into consideration when creating games. We are however confident that our unique offering will carve out a decent market share with our fresh approach towards slots.

That approach is also evident in our player engagement and part of our Bullseye RGS, which has been doing particularly well since its introduction last year. We have already released Big Win Replay, where players can go back and watch their big wins repeatedly. Our data shows that this significantly increases the engagement levels compared with players who choose not to use it. Building on that, we’re soon to include our own unique take on the classic Jackpots feature, while later this year, we’re set to introduce some really fresh and exciting gamification tools that will increase engagement and retention levels with players.

So all in all, it’s exciting times in Italy and with our powerful combination of innovative games and promotional tools, we’re confident we can take advantage and push forward to become one of the leading suppliers there.

David Nilsen Editor-in-Chief at Kongebonus

Kongebonus Awards 2025 Winners Announced

Published

9 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

kongebonus-awards-2025-winners-announced

Kongebonus, the premier provider of iGaming news and all things casino and betting in Norway, has revealed the winners of the Kongebonus Awards 2025, with this year’s outcomes disclosed alongside ICE Barcelona.

The Kongebonus Awards, the sole iGaming awards from Norway, are determined by a mix of votes from actual players nationwide and editorial assessments, with this year’s edition reflecting a noticeable change in both reach and participation. The awards garnered a total of 1,192 verified votes, reflecting a 25% rise from the previous year, highlighting their increasing significance for players and industry stakeholders.

Among those rejoicing in triumph this year, Print Studios earned the prestigious Best New Slot award for Uncle Profit. Filip Wargeus, Chief Commercial Officer at Print Studios, stated: “This is incredibly meaningful to us. It’s a genuine reflection of the entire team that our efforts are succeeding and are valued by fans, players, and communities.

ELK Studios was acknowledged as the Most Innovative Game Developer, obtaining 24.75% of the votes, with Jacob Nordwall, Head of Marketing at ELK Studios, stating: “Winning the Most Innovative Game Provider award in 2025 from the Kongebonus Awards is significant for us, particularly since it is solely determined by the Norwegian player community. This strongly shows that our efforts are valued and genuinely connect with players in Norway, and that our commitment to remaining innovative and advancing the industry is being acknowledged.”

Other significant winners featured Push Gaming, recognized as Best Game Developer 2025, while Pragmatic Play’s Gates of Olympus earned the Readers’ Hall of Fame accolade. In contrast to the other categories, the Hall of Fame honors games that have established enduring popularity and attained legendary status throughout time.

David Nilsen, Editor-in-Chief at Kongebonus, said: “The purpose of the Kongebonus Awards is to showcase which studios, games and suppliers have genuinely stood out over the past year. We are not only looking at commercial success, but at quality, innovation and how well experiences are delivered to players. Because the results are shaped by open voting from Norwegian players, the awards reflect what truly resonates with the community while still maintaining a strong industry perspective.”

The post Kongebonus Awards 2025 Winners Announced appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

155.io

155.io Breaks the Mold Again, Introducing the CCTV Game Genre via Rush Hour

Published

9 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

155.io-breaks-the-mold-again,-introducing-the-cctv-game-genre-via-rush-hour

155.io, the live content studio transforming real-world games, has launched CCTV.Game, an innovative genre created entirely from live CCTV footage collected worldwide. The category debuts with its inaugural title, Rush Hour. The live game operates around the clock to convert real-life traffic into immediate viewing and wagering entertainment.

The CCTV Game signifies a new path for 155.io, broadening its chaos-oriented philosophy into completely live, real-world settings. Created using numerous live CCTV feeds from around the globe, the game transforms everyday activities into quick, engaging, and immediately bettable entertainment.

Running nonstop, Rush Hour enables players to wager on straightforward, distinct results during rounds lasting under a minute – such as the number of cars that cross a junction or the quantity that turns left or right within a specified timeframe. Each round is dynamic, spontaneous, and influenced by the organic rhythms of the world, instead of standard RNG methods.

Rush Hour’s live recordings feature diverse locations such as Sydney, Swindon, Arizona, and Taipei, as well as landmarks like Patong Beach in Thailand and Abbey Road in London. From everyday crossroads to landmark locations, the entire world transforms into the game board. Crafted for mobile devices, Rush Hour is immediately comprehensible and genuinely engaging, providing a much-needed option to conventional casino formats. CCTV Game embodies 155.io’s fundamental philosophy: chaotic reality, straightforward games, and entertainment designed primarily for mobile.

The launch enhances 155.io’s attraction to the upcoming player generation, merging live-stream culture with instant betting features.

CCTV Game and Rush Hour can now be accessed via Hub88 or through direct integration.

Sam Jones, Founder & CEO of 155.io, commented: “Rush Hour is the first expression of our CCTV Game genre – think Big Brother blended with Polymarket. It’s completely live, and the world is now our studio. CCTV.game takes real-world chaos and turns it into something instantly playable and genuinely entertaining – this is content the next generation will queue up to try.”

He added: “Once you realise the entire world can be a live game feed, there are no boundaries. Live traffic content is just the start – from live wildlife to iconic sporting locations – we’re only just setting off on our journey of what real-world chaos entertainment can be.”

The post 155.io Breaks the Mold Again, Introducing the CCTV Game Genre via Rush Hour appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

MGA Games Launches Poseidon’s Orb Slot Featuring Sticky Wilds and Free Spins

Published

10 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Wladimir P.

mga-games-launches-poseidon’s-orb-slot-featuring-sticky-wilds-and-free-spins

MGA Games, a prominent Spanish firm specializing in content creation for international casino operators, will debut Poseidon’s Orb on January 28, its latest video slot for the .com markets. This title encourages players to join an explorer on an epic quest to find the legendary city of Atlantis.

The game is a Video Slot with 5 reels and 3 rows, offering 10 paylines, and includes Wild and Scatter symbols that activate Free Spins. A remarkable aspect is the Sticky Wilds mechanic in the Free Spins round—an inventive element that boosts thrill and raises winning possibilities. It additionally includes an optional purchase of Free Spins, adjustable for each operator.

The theme of Poseidon’s Orb, drawn from global myths and legends, aims to attract a diverse audience of players. Its stunning visuals and film-inspired score further guarantee an engaging experience brimming with thrills and rewards.

Classified under popular themes like “Adventure,” “Mythology,” “Treasures,” and “Fantasy,” this latest MGA Games Video Slot serves as a valuable enhancement to any operator’s collection, improving player retention and profits, while the Free Spins purchase feature offers an extra revenue opportunity.

The post MGA Games Launches Poseidon’s Orb Slot Featuring Sticky Wilds and Free Spins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.