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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.
BETANO
Betano inaugura canchas revitalizadas en Brasilia con obras firmadas por artistas locales
Evento en el Parque da Cidade contó con la presencia de autoridades, deporte y arte, con obras de Mão y Toys; la acción forma parte de la iniciativa Betano en Movimiento
Con motivo de su 66.º aniversario, Brasilia recibió un regalo especial de Betano: dos canchas revitalizadas en el Parque da Cidade Sarah Kubitschek, en el corazón de la capital federal.
El nuevo espacio, que cuenta con obras de los artistas locales Toys (@toys) y Mão (@mao.arte), fue inaugurado en un evento este sábado (11) y contó con un circuito de básquet 3×3 organizado por CUFA-DF y presentaciones culturales.
El evento marcó un nuevo capítulo en la historia del parque, reconocido como el mayor parque urbano de América del Sur y uno de los más grandes del mundo.
La revitalización de las canchas forma parte de la iniciativa Betano en Movimiento, que busca ampliar el acceso al deporte y a la actividad física mediante la recuperación de espacios públicos y la promoción de actividades deportivas comunitarias.
“Es una alegría estar en un momento tan simbólico, entregando un regalo que será un legado para la ciudad. Para las obras de las canchas, buscamos valorar artistas locales que aportaran la identidad de Brasilia al espacio, conectando arte y deporte”, afirmó Guilherme Figueiredo, Director de Relaciones Institucionales de Betano.
Inauguración con canasta y corte de cinta
La inauguración comenzó con una primera canasta anotada por Renato Junqueira, Secretario de Deporte y Ocio del Distrito Federal.
Tras recibir una asistencia de los artistas Mão y Toys, el secretario encestó en ambas canchas.
“Nos sentimos muy honrados de recibir este regalo de Betano para nuestra ciudad.
Este parque es icónico, democrático y accesible, y esta alianza es fundamental. Estoy seguro de que todos los que vengan a jugar aquí luego comentarán lo bonito y colorido que es el espacio.
Se convertirá en una referencia dentro del parque”, declaró durante la ceremonia.

También presente en el evento, la gobernadora del Distrito Federal, Celina Leão, destacó la importancia de la revitalización.
“Queremos sumar aliados que aporten valor. Hoy aquí se puede ver movimiento, arte y deporte ocurriendo al mismo tiempo. Estoy muy feliz de participar. Soy atleta, me gusta el deporte y lo practico todos los días.
Estoy segura de que abre puertas y cambia la mentalidad de las personas. Agradezco a los socios que hicieron posible este momento.
Las canchas están tan bonitas que dan ganas de quedarse”, comentó, tras también encestar en las canchas.
Obras inspiradas en Brasilia
Con colores vivos en tonos de azul, naranja y amarillo, las intervenciones artísticas rinden homenaje a los íconos, la arquitectura y el paisaje de Brasilia.
La ejecución técnica estuvo a cargo de Hoopers, dando continuidad a un proyecto iniciado en Río de Janeiro, con una cancha inaugurada por el jugador de baloncesto Giannis Antetokounmpo, estrella de los Milwaukee Bucks en la NBA.
El artista Daniel Morais, conocido como Toys, explicó que buscó trasladar al espacio las líneas rectas y angulares típicas de los edificios de la ciudad, además de rendir homenaje a su fundador.
“La historia de Brasilia y de sus pioneros es increíble. Juscelino Kubitschek fue el primer soñador: creyó en una idea y la hizo realidad al construir la capital. Es muy especial ver mi arte formando parte de la vida de las personas, como si ellas también participaran en la obra”, afirmó.
Por su parte, Luis Fernando Santos, conocido como Mão, incorporó elementos icónicos y de la fauna local, destacando el lobo-guará, el caracará y la Plaza de los Cristales.

“Fue una experiencia muy especial poder hacer un trabajo para Brasilia, aún más en el Parque da Cidade. Intenté representar los colores del lugar, la fauna, la flora y también sus monumentos. Es muy gratificante ver a la gente usando la cancha que pinté.
Espero que sigan aprovechando este espacio y que los inspire a conectarse cada vez más”, señaló.
Impulso al deporte y la cultura
El evento también incluyó un circuito de básquet 3×3 en colaboración con la Central Única de las Favelas (CUFA-DF). En esta modalidad, equipos de tres jugadores compiten en partidos rápidos en media cancha.

Gana el equipo que alcanza primero los 21 puntos o, si se cumple el límite de 10 minutos, el que haya anotado más canastas.
En la categoría masculina participaron equipos como Guariroba Raptors, ESCS, Capital Basquete y Gama 3×3, mientras que en la femenina compitieron Ipê Rosa, AAAESCS, PCDF y AVABRA.
Durante los intervalos, el público disfrutó de presentaciones de breaking con los b-boys Navarro 061, Breakmove y Nathan, y la b-girl Thaty. La música estuvo a cargo del DJ Afrika, y la conducción del evento por Alex Hadda y Cami Abreu.

Unidad móvil de mamografías ofreció exámenes gratuitos
Como parte de la acción, la unidad móvil de mamografías de la Fundación Laço Rosa ofreció exámenes gratuitos para la detección precoz del cáncer de mama.
La unidad también estará presente en Cidade Estrutural y en la Rodoviária los días 14 y 15 de abril. Para participar, es necesario registrarse previamente en el sitio www.mamografiasalva.com.br.
Sobre Kaizen Gaming | Betano
Kaizen Gaming es una de las mayores empresas de GameTech del mundo.
Con foco en tecnología y personas, busca mejorar continuamente la experiencia de juego online que ofrece a millones de clientes en todo el mundo, además de entretener a los aficionados al deporte de manera divertida y responsable.
Es propietaria de Betano, una marca premium de apuestas deportivas y juegos online con presencia en Europa, América y África.
La empresa cuenta con más de 3.000 empleados a nivel global.
En Brasil, Betano está presente en las dos principales competiciones del país, el Brasileirão Betano y la Copa Betano de Brasil, además de ser socio oficial del Flamengo.

Kaizen Gaming ha sido reconocida como una de las principales compañías del sector, recibiendo premios como “Operador del Año” en los EGR Operator Awards y en los SBC Awards 2025.
Vea más en www.betano.bet.br
The post Betano inaugura canchas revitalizadas en Brasilia con obras firmadas por artistas locales appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
casino
Plaza adds Monday Night RAW ticket raffle to WrestleMania 42 viewing party
Downtown Las Vegas casino also brings in WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam for a live Q&A on April 18.
Plaza Hotel & Casino will host WrestleMania 42 viewing parties on April 18 and April 19 in its showroom in downtown Las Vegas, adding a ticket giveaway for WWE Monday Night RAW on the second night.
The casino said all guests attending the Sunday, April 19 viewing party can enter a free raffle to win two tickets to Monday Night RAW on Monday, April 20 at T-Mobile Arena, seated in one of the venue’s premier Loge Boxes.
On Saturday, April 18, the Plaza will feature WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Rob Van Dam (RVD) as a special guest. The property said RVD—also billed as “Mr. Monday Night”—will lead a live Q&A at 1:30 p.m. ahead of the WrestleMania 42 start time at 3 p.m., and will be available for autographs and photo ops.
Both events are 21+ and run in the Plaza showroom, with doors opening at 1 p.m. and the viewing party starting at 3 p.m. The Plaza said it will offer drink specials and buckets of beer priced at $30 for domestic brands and $35 for imported.
Tickets with seat selection are priced at $40 per person (plus fees and taxes), according to the casino, with details and purchasing available via the Plaza’s website.
Relevant data as follows:
- Plaza Hotel & Casino WrestleMania viewing party details: https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/wrestlemania-viewing-party/ Primary source for ticketing, schedule, and pricing referenced in the article.
- WWE Monday Night RAW: https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw Official WWE show page to support the RAW reference and event context.
- T-Mobile Arena events calendar: https://www.t-mobilearena.com/events Venue source to corroborate event location and provide broader event context.
- Plaza Hotel & Casino: https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/ Company homepage for readers seeking more information on the property hosting the viewing parties.
The post Plaza adds Monday Night RAW ticket raffle to WrestleMania 42 viewing party appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
eSports
MEGA hires Leapfox founder Patrick Collins as VP of Growth
The ex-Wasserman and former Excel Esports partnerships lead joins the London-based group behind the Esports Awards and MOBIES.
The Mobile, Esports and Gaming Alliance (MEGA) has appointed Patrick Collins as Vice President of Growth, the company said on April 15, 2026. Collins will lead growth strategy, including commercial partnerships and new business development, from London.
Collins joins from boutique agency Leapfox, which he founded in early 2022. Prior to that, he led commercial partnerships at UK esports organisation Excel Esports, securing deals with brands including BT, Sony, JD Sports, Neosurf and Chupa Chups, alongside partners such as HyperX, Anda Seat, Belong Gaming Arenas and Chillblast PCs.
Earlier in his career, Collins worked at sports marketing agency Wasserman, where MEGA said he helped secure EE’s six-year partnership with Wembley Stadium and advised brands including American Express, Vodafone and PepsiCo. The company also cited experience working with Premier League football clubs and brands including Barclays, Santander, Under Armour and Puma.
“I’m pleased to officially join MEGA at such an important time for esports and gaming,” said Patrick Collins, VP of Growth at MEGA. “Having worked across traditional sport, esports, and commercial partnerships, and founding Leapfox to bridge these worlds and guide my clients, I’m looking forward to applying my experience to support MEGA and our properties as we continue to grow.”
“We’re delighted to welcome Patrick to MEGA as our new Vice President of Growth,” said Michael Ashford, Co-Founder of MEGA. “His extensive experience, including founding Leapfox, uniquely positions him to shape the future of our company. With Patrick on board, MEGA is determined to accelerate our growth, embark on transformative partnerships, and deliver world-class experiences that will define the next era of esports entertainment.”
Relevant data as follows:
- MEGA (Mobile, Esports and Gaming Alliance): https://themega.global/ Official company site to support the appointment and provide background on MEGA.
- Esports Awards: https://esportsawards.com/ Official site for one of the properties referenced in connection with MEGA.
- MOBIES: https://mobies.com/ Official site for the Mobile Gaming Awards referenced alongside MEGA.
The post MEGA hires Leapfox founder Patrick Collins as VP of Growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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