Latest News

Evolution of the mechanics in the slot games world

Published

4 years ago

May 17, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Sergey Logvynenko, Account Manager at Sigma Software

You know, I was not familiar with the world when slot machine games were only physical 3-reel mechanical machines. Actually to be honest, I do because I remember when I was a kid my father let me play one round on a one-armed bandit which was just installed in a shopping center nearby. But that was only a single case and I was not exposed to slot games until about 30 years later.

The next time I came into contact with the world of slot games was in 2008 when we started a Casino project with Boss Media company. The world of slots had changed a lot – there were mostly 5-reel games with 1, 3 or 5 fixed win lines and more importantly they were video slots for online casinos. Quite quickly they progressed to 20, 40 or more win lines and more possibilities for a player to change the number of win lines. This was rather an evolution and not a revolution.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

When we started working with Play’n GO, I became aware of more evolutions in slot games such as “ways” instead of win lines (in the Sweet 27 game) and grid slots which are now called cascade slots (Reactoonz). For me it was a big step because it opened a lot of new possibilities to represent win combinations and to play slot games which originally were very simple in a nutshell.

In recent years it seems the most significant added mechanics were in Megaways from Big Time Gaming. They really affected slot production and a lot of companies created megaway games. Even whole casinos were created with only megaways slots. It really meant something. Big Time Gaming was trying to surprise the world with Megaclusters on the wave of Megaways success, but it did not have that success.

Were Megaways really so significant? I would say yes and here are at least a couple of reasons why:

We know that in the past few days Evolution acquired Big Time Gaming for half a billion dollars. This is the first sign of recognition of BTG’s innovations which include Megaways.
We can see that Megaways forced other suppliers to do their homework and come to the market with solutions with Megaways in mind. For example:
1. Gigablox mechanic from Yggdrasil. They even wrapped it into a framework so other game studios were able to use it and they are currently doing so.
2. HyperWays from GameART which adds an interesting mechanic to regular slots, has just been released.

I am sure there are many more examples of using the ideas of Megaways to bring something new to slot games which supports the evolution of the slot world. This, as well as personalized jackpots, help to evolve casinos.

At the same time, all these recent evolutions only make small steps in changing slot games and do not bring something really significant, something that will change the game itself or the ways they are played. But the more interesting questions are: what will revolutionize slots? And what will change this world of slot machines?

If we talk about the world of casino games, there is a tendency to bring more attention to table games, especially with games in the newer markets of Asia, Africa and South America. And of course live-dealer games. But that is about table games and not about slots.

In the slot world it is calm, like in the ocean before the storm and something must happen. Maybe SharedPlay with their “play-to-play” model will change the world. Maybe elements of social gaming will be added into slots or even create hyper casual slots. Maybe something else…

What do you think?

Compliance Updates

Stake statement on exiting UK market

Published

2 hours ago

February 12, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Stake’s statement on its decision to end its white label activities in the UK market:

“Stake has made a strategic decision in mutual agreement with TGP Europe to exit white-label agreements and focus on securing local licenses through our in-house platform and operations, building upon our growth in key regulated markets such as our recent expansions into Italy and Brazil.” – Stake spokesperson.

The post Stake statement on exiting UK market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Africa

The Top 5 Welcome Bonuses South African Online Casino Players Can Look Forward to in February 2025

Published

2 hours ago

February 12, 2025

George Miller

the-top-5-welcome-bonuses-south-african-online-casino-players-can-look-forward-to-in-february-2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes

South Africa’s online casino industry continues to thrive, boasting an ever-increasing array of high-quality gaming platforms. With many choices available, discerning a quality online casino has never been more crucial. Quality is determined by several factors including game variety, user experience, customer support, security, and especially the value of welcome bonuses offered.

Due to the extensive number of options, using a reputable guide to sift through the wealth of online casinos ensures that players can find the best experiences available. One such critical factor in this selection is the welcome bonus, which significantly enhances the initial gaming experience and boosts players’ chances from their very first deposit.

As the online casino landscape expands, the importance of reliable, knowledgeable guidance in choosing the right casino becomes imperative. www.nodepositcasinos.co.za, a leading portal for online casinos in South Africa, stands out as a prime resource. Our expertise allows us to navigate and recommend top-tier online casinos that promise not only enjoyment but also security and fair play.

This February 2025, www.nodepositcasinos.co.za has carefully selected the top 5 welcome bonuses available to South African players. These bonuses have been chosen based on their value, the quality of the casinos offering them, and their appeal to both new and seasoned players.
Here’s a detailed look at what players can expect:

Springbok Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R500 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NDC500; R11,500 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: Springbok Casino, launched in 2012 and licensed by the Government of Curacao, is powered by Realtime Gaming. It is highly popular among South African players for its robust game library including slots, table games, and more. This online gambling site supports gameplay on various devices, offering services in both English and Afrikaans, and all transactions are conveniently listed in ZAR.
Yebo Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R350 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NEW350; R12,000 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: Since 2014, Yebo Casino has been a trusted name in the South African market, adorned in the national green and black to resonate with local pride. It offers a comprehensive Realtime Gaming portfolio and exceptional customer service, with a variety of banking options including EasyEFT and cryptocurrencies.
Punt Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R350 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: SAC350; R10,000 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: Tailored for South African players, Punt Casino offers a vast array of games from Realtime Gaming since its inception in 2017. The site is known for its mobile compatibility and a variety of bonus offers, alongside top-notch security protocols ensuring a safe gaming environment.
Thunderbolt Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R500 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NDC500; R10,000 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: With a mascot named Thando the Chameleon, Thunderbolt Casino offers a distinctly South African vibe and a comprehensive suite of real-time gaming titles. Players can enjoy a variety of bonuses and promotions, accessible via both desktop and mobile platforms.
Silversands Casino
- Welcome Bonus: R400 Free No Deposit Bonus, Coupon Code: NDC400; R10,000 Welcome Bonus
- Casino Highlights: Established in 1999, Silversands Casino stands as one of the oldest and most respected online casinos in South Africa. The platform features a full range of Realtime Gaming slots and table games, with robust security measures in place to ensure a secure and fair gaming experience.

The post The Top 5 Welcome Bonuses South African Online Casino Players Can Look Forward to in February 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

eSports

BETBY TO POWER SOFTLABS’ ESPORTS PORTFOLIO WITH BETBY GAMES

Published

3 hours ago

February 12, 2025

George Miller

betby-to-power-softlabs’-esports-portfolio-with-betby-games

Reading Time: < 1 minute

BETBY, a leading sportsbook supplier, has announced a strategic partnership with iGaming provider Softlabs, in an agreement that will further increase the reach of its proprietary esports product. Through this partnership, BETBY’s award-winning esports solution, BETBY Games, will be made available to all operators on Softlabs’s partner network.

Softlabs will be seeking to to leverage the BETBY Games proven content that delivers fast-paced wagering action on a content lineup, which includes eSoccer, eBasketball, eFighting, eCricket, eShooter, eHorse Racing, eTennis, and eStreet Soccer. This will provide its partners with over 60 tournaments featuring over 350 markets, and 245,000 live matches per month.

“Softlabs has built a strong reputation in the industry and we are thrilled to join forces with them,” said Kirill Nekrasov, Head of BETBY Games. “This partnership allows us to extend the reach of BETBY Games and provide Softlabs with an even richer esports portfolio. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of innovation in the esports betting landscape.”

Dmitrii Borodint, Chief Product Officer at Softlabs, commented: “Partnering with BETBY marks an exciting new chapter for us. The exceptional quality and variety of BETBY Games content will provide our clients and their players with a highly immersive and customizable esports experience, helping us to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.”

The post BETBY TO POWER SOFTLABS’ ESPORTS PORTFOLIO WITH BETBY GAMES appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.