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How NetEnt built an empire based on familiarity
Initially founded as Net Entertainment in 1996, NetEnt is one of iGaming’s greatest and most recognisable online slot developers, a company that’s universally known for having a truly unbeatable catalogue of online slots.
But how did this gargantuan Swedish development studio grow in prominence over the years, casting an imposing shadow over the rest of the industry? The short answer, brand power!
That being said, we’re not exactly talking about NetEnt’s brand power here… We’re talking about the fact that NetEnt has traditionally utilised other recognised brands to boost their reputation within the world of iGaming.
In the beginning – NetEnt signs collaborative deal with Universal
NetEnt kick-started this incredibly smart strategy in 2010 when they entered into a landmark multi-year licensing agreement with Universal, the film studio behind some of Hollywood’s greatest movies and television shows.
The first big-name IP that NetEnt developed into an online slot was none other than Mr. Tony Montana himself, the notorious drug lord Scarface. Looking back it’s quite understandable why NetEnt decided to go with an R-rated character.
Not only is Tony Montana all about big money, but it’s much easier to pair a classic bad boy with a form of entertainment such as online slots that have long been looked upon as risqué.
Once it was quite apparent that NetEnt had discovered a winning strategy they continued to sign deals with other major film and television studios such as Colombia Pictures, 20th Century Fox and Sony Entertainment to get access to some of the world’s biggest brands.
These brand partnerships gave NetEnt a competitive edge over other studios who were themselves releasing run-of-the-mill online slots themed around ancient Egypt, Las Vegas and Ireland… Nothing particularly exciting when compared to NetEnt’s slots that are based on hit movies and television shows.
Aggressive expansion – NetEnt’s television and movie-themed slots arrive at casinos across the internet
After the success of Scarface, NetEnt decided to stick with creating branded online slots that feature characters and IP that wouldn’t be ‘tarnished’ by being made into an online slot game. Whether this was a decision made by movie and television executives, or NetEnt themselves remains to be seen… Either way, it worked!
Their next hit games were South Park and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Naturally, South Park featured all of the same rude and crude humour the famous animated show is known for, and as a result, it pulled in a whole host of players (old and new) that were interested in this new and unique crossover.
The same can be said for Creature from the Black Lagoon, a slot based on the unsettling 1954 horror movie of the same name. Despite the fact that not too many players will vividly remember the black and white film, players still flocked to this highly volatile slot.
In the months and subsequent years that followed NetEnt released a huge number of branded TV/movie-themed slots that pulled in huge audiences, these include: South Park: Reel Chaos, The Invisible Man, Frankenstein, Dracula, Universal Monsters: The Phantom’s Curse, Emojiplanet, Planet of the Apes and Conan.
NetEnt also used their successful partnership with Universal to muscle in on the world of music as part of the developers 20th-anniversary celebrations, they got their hands on the IP for some of the world’s biggest rock ‘n’ roll stars Guns N’ Roses, Motörhead and Jimi Hendrix.
Having seriously upped their game utilising big-name brands, NetEnt continued to pull out all the stops to wow audiences with new online slots based on iconic people, tv shows and movies.
First came Jumanji Video Slot, then Narcos (based on the hit Netflix series), followed by Street Fighter II: The World Warrior Slot and most recently Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Video Slot.
Building for the future – NetEnt supplement their success by creating their own brand icons
Despite having seen unprecedented success due to their branded slots, credit still must be given to their army of creatives as they’re also responsible for inventing some iconic brands of their own that have gone on to spawn multiple games and feature heavily in casino lobbies.
If you ask anyone today to name a handful of the most recognisable online slot games, odds are they’ll mention NetEnt classics such as Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Mega Fortune and Twin Spin. All of these games have spawned popular sequels and are often used as part of casino welcome bonuses due to how popular they are with players around the world.
NetEnt seems to be one of the very few successful online slot developers that have found the perfect balance between creating timeless classics of their own and utilising big-name brands from outside the world of iGaming to help grow their reputation.
Blueprint Gaming and Play’n GO are the only two studios that can hold a candle to NetEnt, and it’s hard to say whether any other developers will get remotely close to any of them at this point. Ultimately, the costs and intricacies involved in licensing are just far too great for up and coming developers to front.
Looking back, it’s clear to see that NetEnt took a serious risk in signing expensive deals with Hollywood studios, but it’s one that paid off tenfold. NetEnt is without a doubt the biggest name in online slots, and has been for the last decade.
We believe that their success is entirely down to the fact they’ve played host to the biggest names and therefore gained the attention of the biggest casinos, seeing their games front and centre of slot lobbies all over the world.
ad formats 2026
PropellerAds Unveils Multi-Format Advertising Suite for Scalable User Acquisition (January 2026)
PropellerAds, a leading multi-source performance advertising platform, today launched a deeply integrated multi-format traffic strategy designed to deliver predictable conversions and scalable growth as acquisition costs climb and user attention fragments across devices and platforms.
Since 2011 PropellerAds has expanded beyond its Popunder roots into a full-service adtech platform that now includes Push, In-Page Push (IPP), Native/Display, Survey Traffic, and Telegram Mini Apps (TMA). This move positions the company as one of the few global providers offering integrated reach across traditional web placements and growing social/in-app ecosystems.
Why this matters for advertisers
Rising acquisition costs and cross-device fragmentation make single-format campaigns unreliable. PropellerAds’ multi-format suite lets brands, agencies and affiliates:
- Mix high-volume formats for rapid testing (Popunder) with high-intent formats (Survey Traffic).
- Reach audiences across Android, iOS and desktop with native-style creatives (IPP and Push).
- Tap emerging social channels via in-app experiences (Telegram Mini Apps) for engaged, low-disruption traffic.
The result: more stable scaling, flexible reach, and higher conversion predictability.
Key formats powering the platform
- Popunder Ads — volume and scale
Popunder remains a workhorse for large-scale acquisition, offering massive coverage, direct-click placements and cost control. It’s ideal for fast market tests and high-volume conversion funnels. - Telegram Mini Apps (TMA) — social traffic growth
TMA brings in-app interstitials, banners and task-based units inside Telegram’s Mini Apps. Advertisers gain access to highly engaged social users with performance optimization that preserves user experience. - In-Page Push (IPP) — native, cross-device reach
IPP delivers notification-style creatives embedded within webpages without opt-in, covering Android, iOS and macOS. Its native look and wide device support increase engagement and CTR while filling gaps left by traditional push. - Push Format — persistent outreach
PropellerAds’ Push ads reach users outside browsing sessions via browser notifications. As an early mover in push ads, PropellerAds now delivers billions of daily impressions to support remarketing and time-sensitive campaigns. - Survey Traffic — high-intent audiences
Survey Traffic funnels users who actively participate in surveys to advertiser landing pages, producing audiences with elevated intent—especially effective for finance, subscriptions, rewards, and lead generation verticals.
PropellerAds’ strategic edge
By combining multiple traffic types and automated optimization, PropellerAds aims to protect campaigns from volatility in any single channel. The platform’s cross-format approach helps advertisers adapt to shifting traffic patterns while maintaining ROI targets.
“With user behavior shifting across screens and contexts, PropellerAds’ multi-format synergy is now essential for scalable growth,” says Julia Larionova, Head of Marketing at PropellerAds. “Platforms with integrated formats and automated optimization will gain a competitive advantage as traffic continues to diversify.”
Bottom line
PropellerAds’ multi-format expansion reflects the adtech industry’s shift toward integrated, cross-device acquisition. For marketers facing rising traffic costs and fragmented attention, the platform offers diversified ad formats and performance tools to scale more reliably in 2026 and beyond.
The post PropellerAds Unveils Multi-Format Advertising Suite for Scalable User Acquisition (January 2026) appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Age of Empires competitive
Team Vitality Enters Age of Empires II Esports with Star-Studded Roster
Team Vitality, one of the most influential names in modern esports, has officially announced its entry into the Age of Empires II competitive scene. This marks a major milestone: the merging of a contemporary esports powerhouse with one of the most iconic real-time strategy franchises in history.
Aiming for the Throne: Star-Studded Roster
Team Vitality isn’t just entering for exposure — they are targeting dominance. The team has assembled a roster featuring three of the most decorated players in Age of Empires II history:
- Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher – The Golden Boy
Known for his unmatched consistency and strategic mastery, Hera defines the modern AoE era. In 2023, he achieved a historic 14-tournament winning streak in S-Tier events. Fresh off his Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024 victory, the current Player of the Year is set to continue his reign under the Vitality banner. - Kai “Liereyy” Kallinger – The Archer God
Renowned for exceptional micro-management and aggressive play, Liereyy brings mechanical perfection and explosive strategies to the squad. A multi-time Red Bull Wololo Champion (II & IV), the Austrian star is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular talents in the game’s history. - Hernán “Hearttt” Pizarro – The Veteran Strategist
With a professional career dating back to 2012 and 80+ tournament appearances, Hearttt is the rock of the team. Named Comeback Player of the Year 2023, the Peruvian strategist provides depth, resilience, and unparalleled tactical insight.
First Major Appearance: Red Bull Wololo 2026
Team Vitality’s AoE II roster will make its competitive debut at Red Bull Wololo 2026: Londinium, one of the most prestigious events on the global RTS calendar. Fans can expect high-level strategic gameplay and the start of Vitality’s quest for world championship titles in the genre.
“At Team Vitality, our expansion is always driven by a certain ambition: to compete for and win World Championships in the world’s most iconic games. Age of Empires and our new superstar lineup align perfectly with that vision… We are honored to be part of this history and can’t wait to welcome AoE fans into the Vitality Hive.” — Danny Engels, Corporate Director, Global Operations, Team Vitality
Why This Matters
Team Vitality’s entry into Age of Empires II is a significant moment for the RTS esports ecosystem:
- It bridges legacy RTS titles and modern esports organizations.
- Brings global visibility to Age of Empires II tournaments.
- Sets the stage for strategic showdowns at major international events.
With Hera, Liereyy, and Hearttt, Team Vitality is positioned to challenge for the top spots in competitive AoE II and potentially reshape the RTS landscape for years to come.
The post Team Vitality Enters Age of Empires II Esports with Star-Studded Roster appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AFCON 2025
AFCON’s month of football did not lift iGaming demand — Blask data analysis
AFCON 2025 ran from 21 December to 18 January, packing 52 matches across 19 matchdays. Given that schedule and the heavy interest in favourites such as Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria and Egypt, many expected a measurable boost in online gambling activity. However, Blask data shows the tournament produced only occasional deviations from normal patterns — even in the nations with teams that reached the final stages.
Key findings from Blask data
- No broad uplift: Overall iGaming demand did not climb consistently across markets during AFCON.
- Weekly rhythm dominated: The Blask Index largely followed pre-existing weekly patterns; matchday timings rarely overrode those cycles.
- Host-country anomaly: Morocco — with more viewer-friendly kick-offs (five of seven on Sundays or Friday evenings) — recorded the largest single day-to-day Blask Index move (26 December, Morocco vs Mali at 21:00 local).
- Vertical competition mattered: Live-match excitement often drew attention away from casino play rather than increasing it. Hourly Blask Index figures frequently fell or stayed flat during national-team matches.
- Market-share stability: Dominant brands (usually 1–4 operators) retained their daily shares; AFCON did not reshuffle leaders in most markets.
Why AFCON didn’t create a sustained iGaming spike
- Calendar beats event noise. Daily and weekly user habits — workweek rhythms, prime-time viewing slots and local schedules — remained the strongest determinants of iGaming demand.
- Attention is finite. While live betting benefits from matchday attention, casino verticals compete for the same user time. In practice, watching matches often reduced casino activity.
- Operator strategy limits volatility. In markets controlled by a few large operators, firms manage audience attention by shifting promotions across verticals rather than expanding overall demand. That keeps market shares relatively steady.
Notable exception: Nigeria’s operator flip-flop
Nigeria bucked the broader trend: two brands controlling 70%+ of audience attention exchanged top positions frequently. Bet9ja was the 2025 leader overall, but SportyBet overtook it on most AFCON days, including all Nigeria team matchdays — showing how high-profile tournaments can temporarily reorder leaderboards where competition is extremely concentrated.
What this means for operators and marketers
- Promotions should be tactical, not assuming scale. Expect matchday windows to deliver spikes in live-bet engagement but not necessarily a net rise across iGaming.
- Vertical-specific offers perform better. Tailor live-betting promos during matches and protect casino revenues with off-peak incentives.
- Local kick-off times matter. Host nations or markets with viewer-friendly schedules can see stronger short-term lifts — use that to time campaigns.
Conclusion
AFCON 2025 drew continent-wide interest, but Blask’s daily and hourly data indicate no broad, sustained iGaming uplift. Instead, the tournament rearranged attention — boosting live-bet engagement at times while leaving overall demand on its usual calendar-driven trajectory. For operators, the insight is clear: the calendar is king, and major sporting events tend to redistribute, not expand, iGaming activity.
The post AFCON’s month of football did not lift iGaming demand — Blask data analysis appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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