Latest News

Stark Solutions celebrate 5 years of delivering exceptional SSBT’s

Published

5 years ago

April 2, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

By Ivan Soče, Managing Director at Stark Solutions.

Once upon a time

Like many success stories, our story has started from the garage – to be precise, Stark’s story has started on the balcony.

At that time, Stark was an IT company developing software for betting terminals. Following the company owner’s idea, one of Stark’s employees manages to hand-build our first betting terminal at his balcony.

The rest is history. In the year 2015, the company produced its first terminal, the T-1000. We presented this model in the same year at the ICE London, iGaming and betting must-attend event.

The success story of top-performing terminals

It is important to emphasize that Stark Solutions is part of NSoft’s cluster, which gave it a good starting position from the very beginning. Stark’s first clients were already NSoft’s clients. They have recognized the potential and quality of Stark’s machines and used them for boosting their land-based business. The first clients were from our neighborhood, Montenegro and Serbia. After that, with the first clients from Western Europe, Stark’s expansion began.

At the moment, Stark terminals are entertaining punters on three continents. We are the exclusive suppliers for two Western European state lotteries and work with 30+ clients worldwide. All of this speaks in favour of the quality and highest standards by which our highly skilled welders, locksmiths, and machine engineers produce Stark betting terminals.

The development of the product offering was accompanied by global expansion, so currently, Stark has several models in its product portfolio.

The first model, the T-1000, has won the title of the best terminal on the market. Due to its modularity, customers can choose between three monitor variants and two body types. Separate spheres for money guarantee security and the modern design makes it aesthetically fit into any interior. The T-1000 has been exhibited twice at the prestigious G2E trade show in Las Vegas.

Following the market’s needs, Stark has produced the Wall-T, a terminal model with all the functionality of the T-1000 only in a smaller, three times lighter format. Exceptional technical characteristics, more accessible transport and space requirements, whether mounted on a wall, counter or bracket, make it extremely popular worldwide. Proof of this is the fact that Codere, Real Madrid’s official betting partner, has shown interest in Stark’s Wall-T terminal model and planned to equip their fun zone at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with them.

The Stark product range has been complemented by a premium model of the betting terminal called Atom. This model is made exclusively for casinos and hotels. With its flashy external appearance, chrome-plated parts and lights, it brings the world of betting closer to the world of slot games and casinos.

The latest in the Stark family of betting terminals is last year’s novelty, in many ways specific, the D1 desk terminal. We see its full potential in large bet shops, with live betting being the most prominent product. Combined with screens on which it is possible to watch matches live, D1 is an indispensable part of the branch because it allows the player to act faster to change during the game. The screen built into the table, with a hidden body, fits perfectly into any space.

SSBT’s are here to stay

Last year, when the retail business was hit hard due to the pandemic and when operators from the gambling and betting industries switched to online, it was to be expected that our company would suffer certain losses. We beat that odds! The year 2020 was the best year for Stark so far. Last year we capitalised on all our efforts made in the past five years. Tireless investment in quality, performance, appearance came to fruition in the most unexpected time.

In the spirit of the pandemic, the terminals have proven to be exceptionally epidemiologically safe. They can be placed to ensure social distance, and STARK’s betting terminals have screens that are touch-sensitive to latex gloves.

If we consider the fact that the terminals have taken precedence in retail, to reduce operating costs and increase the number of payment points in one branch, we can only say that we are sure that the terminals are here to stay.

Stark’s production capacities are extended to meet the deadlines with current orders and this is promising.

Customization and branding for clients satisfaction

In the past 5 years, we have tried to follow market trends and provide our clients with the best product. Following trends and understanding clients’ real needs has resulted in world-renowned machines.

Our terminals are equipped with parts from exclusively reputable manufacturers from MeiSC Advance bill acceptors to Advantech industrial PC. They are adapted to work on all known software, and built-in special devices leave the easy possibility of additional software upgrades.

In terms of branding, we allow our customers to choose the terminal colour according to their needs. Clients can personalize each terminal with a luminous logo. Depending on the size of the order, it takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day of signing the contract to the delivery of the finished products.

-stark-solutions-worldwide-terminals-infographics

The infographic showcases the success story of Stark’s top-performing terminals for the last five years.

New opportunities and sales growth in the future

This year, judging by the period behind us, we expect further sales growth and an increase in the number of clients.

We will continue to strive to maximize our products by listening to the feedback we receive from customers. On the business side, we have been planning to enter new markets for some time now – a couple of European countries and the North American market. Regarding production, we plan to make a new model of a freestanding terminal.

We will do our best to continue Stark’s positive story for years to come.

Agganis Arena

RLCS Boston Major Becomes Most Watched Event in Rocket League History

Published

8 hours ago

February 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

rlcs-boston-major-becomes-most-watched-event-in-rocket-league-history

The Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Boston Major 2026 has officially become the most-watched event in Rocket League esports history, setting a new benchmark for global engagement and competitive excellence.

Held at Agganis Arena in Boston, the Major concluded with a thrilling all-French Grand Final, where Gentlemates defeated tournament favourites Team Vitality 4:2 to claim the first Major title of the 2026 season.

Record-Breaking Viewership Milestone

The RLCS Boston Major 2026 delivered unprecedented audience numbers:

Peak Viewers: 624,316 concurrent viewers
Average Viewership: Over 270,000 viewers
First RLCS event ever to surpass 600,000 concurrent viewers

This milestone represents a 33.3% increase over the previous all-time peak recorded at the 2022–23 RLCS World Championship, highlighting sustained year-over-year growth and expanding global interest in Rocket League esports.

The event’s performance reinforces RLCS as one of the fastest-growing competitive circuits in modern esports.

A Grand Final Worthy of the Record

The Boston Major culminated in a high-stakes French showdown between Gentlemates and Team Vitality. The 4:2 victory secured Gentlemates’ first Major trophy of the season and signaled a shift in competitive power dynamics heading deeper into 2026.

The all-French final further amplified international audience engagement, particularly across European broadcast markets, contributing significantly to the event’s record-breaking concurrent viewership.

Global Broadcast Reach and Multi-Language Coverage

Beyond peak numbers, the Boston Major showcased:

Multi-language broadcast streams
Cross-platform digital distribution
Strong in-arena attendance
Expanded regional fan engagement

Hosted in front of thousands of live fans at Agganis Arena, the event combined traditional arena esports spectacle with robust online streaming performance — a formula that continues to fuel RLCS’s accelerating global momentum.

What This Means for Rocket League Esports

The 2026 Boston Major marks a defining moment for the RLCS ecosystem:

Sustained Global Growth – The consistent upward trend in viewership confirms Rocket League’s staying power within the esports landscape.
Mainstream Momentum – Breaking the 600K peak threshold positions RLCS among elite-tier esports events globally.
Competitive Depth – The diversity and intensity of international competition continue to elevate the broadcast product.
Commercial Validation – Record audience metrics strengthen sponsorship, media rights, and long-term circuit investment potential.

As the 2026 season progresses, the Boston Major sets a new performance benchmark that future Majors and the World Championship will aim to surpass.

The post RLCS Boston Major Becomes Most Watched Event in Rocket League History appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Competitive Poker

David Lappin Named PokerStars Ambassador

Published

8 hours ago

February 25, 2026

Wladimir P.

david-lappin-named-pokerstars-ambassador

PokerStars has officially named Irish poker professional David Lappin as the winner of its inaugural Live League ambassadorship, marking a major milestone for both the seasoned pro and the global poker brand. The announcement follows the conclusion of the 2025 PokerStars Live League season, where players competed across European events for leaderboard supremacy and a coveted ambassador position.

Lappin, widely respected as a poker player, writer, commentator, and industry voice, now joins the prestigious PokerStars ambassador roster after emerging as the standout candidate among top leaderboard performers.

A Season-Long Path to Representation

The 2025 PokerStars Live League introduced a structured, merit-based pathway for players to earn ambassador status. Competitors accumulated points across three buy-in-based leaderboard tiers — High, Medium, and Low — throughout major European live events.

Qualifying tournaments included stops on the renowned European Poker Tour (EPT), regional PokerStars Open events, and even the iconic Irish Poker Open, a long-standing highlight of the European poker calendar.

At the end of the season:

Top 30 players (Top 10 per tier) earned the right to audition.
A PokerStars judging panel selected the ultimate ambassador.
Lappin was chosen for his consistency, credibility, and player-first approach.

This structure reflects PokerStars’ growing emphasis on meritocracy and community representation rather than purely promotional appointments.

Player-Led Representation at the Core

As a PokerStars Ambassador, Lappin’s role extends beyond brand visibility. His focus will center on:

Competing in flagship EPT Main Events
Participating in PokerStars Open stops
Promoting online-to-live qualification routes
Engaging directly with the player community

PokerStars has made clear that this ambassadorship is rooted in authentic player representation. Lappin has long advocated that ambassadors should serve as bridges between operators and players — not simply brand spokespeople.

His reputation as a thoughtful commentator and outspoken industry analyst positions him as a natural intermediary between grassroots competitors and event organizers.

Cédric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events Operations at PokerStars, emphasized Lappin’s longstanding presence on the circuit and deep understanding of the live ecosystem. According to Billot, Lappin’s authenticity and alignment with PokerStars values made him a “natural fit” for the role.

Strengthening the Online-to-Live Pathway

A key component of Lappin’s ambassadorship will be highlighting PokerStars’ satellite ecosystem — a system allowing online players to qualify for major live tournaments at a fraction of the standard buy-in.

This online-to-live funnel remains central to PokerStars’ brand identity. By promoting satellite qualifiers and digital routes into live events, Lappin reinforces PokerStars’ commitment to accessibility and upward mobility within competitive poker.

For aspiring players, this messaging underscores an important truth: online grinders can convert modest investments into major live opportunities.

The 2026 PokerStars Live League Expansion

The announcement coincides with the launch of the 2026 PokerStars Live League season, which began at PokerStars Open Campione.

Key highlights of the 2026 league include:

€157,500 in PokerStars LIVE credits awarded
Prizes distributed across High, Medium, and Low tiers
A new €100,000 live freeroll at the first EPT stop of 2027
Expanded rewards structure benefiting top 30 finishers in each tier

The second stop of the 2026 season is currently underway at EPT Paris, offering players additional opportunities to earn leaderboard points.

League standings and live updates are available through the PokerStars Live app, further integrating digital tracking with live competition.

Strategic Implications for PokerStars

Lappin’s appointment reflects broader strategic shifts in the live poker landscape:

Community Credibility Over Celebrity Marketing
PokerStars continues prioritizing ambassadors with deep player roots rather than purely mainstream appeal.
Reinforcing European Live Dominance
By strengthening the Live League and EPT ecosystem, PokerStars consolidates its hold on Europe’s premier live poker circuits.
Retention Through Gamification
The leaderboard structure encourages year-long engagement, incentivizing consistent participation rather than one-off tournament attendance.
Expanding Reward Distribution
The 2026 freeroll addition broadens prize accessibility, rewarding loyalty across all buy-in levels.

Why This Matters for the Poker Industry

The poker industry has increasingly leaned into hybrid engagement models — combining online platforms, live tours, community ambassadors, and digital content ecosystems.

Lappin’s appointment symbolizes this evolution. As a hybrid figure — competitor, analyst, content creator — he embodies the modern poker ambassador archetype: credible, vocal, accessible, and community-oriented.

The Live League format itself may also influence competitor operators to rethink how ambassador programs are structured, shifting toward performance-based selection models.

The post David Lappin Named PokerStars Ambassador appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Plaza Hotel & Casino debuts the only live streaming service in Las Vegas to broadcast the excitement of its smoke free gaming area

Published

8 hours ago

February 25, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

plaza-hotel-&-casino-debuts-the-only-live-streaming-service-in-las-vegas-to-broadcast-the-excitement-of-its-smoke-free-gaming-area

Three table games also added to the first and only smoke free gaming space in downtown Las Vegas

To highlight the excitement of its smoke free gaming area, the first and only one in downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino has partnered with Vegas Live Casino Network to launch the only live streaming channel dedicated to broadcasting casino play in Las Vegas, seven days a week.

The Plaza has long promoted social media posting by guests and created the smoke free gaming area as a social media friendly space with vibrant backdrops and copyright free music. Now, the Plaza is partnering with Vegas Live Casino Network to be the first Las Vegas property with its own dedicated YouTube channel to broadcast the excitement players are having in its smoke free gaming space at https://www.youtube.com/@VegasLiveCasinoNetwork.

Thanks to the new broadcast stream from Vegas Live Casino Network, guests will be able to subscribe and share the video stream of themselves playing the slots machines or the new table games with friends and family to show the fun they are having at the Plaza.

The broadcast will stream live Sunday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight. To learn more about the live streaming service, watch the launch video for the Vegas Live Casino Network at the Plaza at: youtube.com/watch?v=PfboeigVH_c.

The smoke free gaming space is home to dozens of the industry’s most popular slot machines, and now, the Plaza also added three table games, including blackjack, baccarat, and European roulette. Blackjack will offer bets starting at $25 to $2,000; baccarat will start bets at $25 up to $3,000; and European roulette will be a $200 progressive table. Outside bets: even money is $3,000 maximum and 2-1 is $1,500 maximum bet. The table games will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight daily.

To learn more about the new offerings in the Plaza’s smoke free gaming area visit: plazahotelcasino.com/casino/smoke-free-slots/.

The post Plaza Hotel & Casino debuts the only live streaming service in Las Vegas to broadcast the excitement of its smoke free gaming area appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.