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How NetEnt built an empire based on familiarity

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

BiS SiGMA Americas 2025

DATA.BET Makes Successful Stand Debut at BiS SiGMA Americas 2025

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Premium esports betting solution supplier expands presence in the growing Brazilian market

DATA.BET has successfully concluded its first-ever stand appearance at BiS SiGMA Americas 2025, one of the largest iGaming events in the region, held on April 8-10 in São Paulo, Brazil. The event took place in Transamerica Expo and brought together over 17,500 participants.

The company made a strong impression with its dedicated expo booth, where representatives engaged with local operators and business partners to discuss development opportunities in the growing LatAm market. DATA.BET showcased its comprehensive suite of solutions, including an updated Single Page Application (SPA), along with tools that are also adapted for local betting projects, including Scoreboards, Pitch Tracker, and Streaming – all designed to enhance user engagement with the platform and optimize their betting experience, particularly for mobile devices.

Alongside a bar serving exclusive cocktails that capture the spirit and vibe of Brazil, DATA.BET fleshed out its interactive stand with cosplayers dressed as Jinx and Ahri – popular characters from League of Legends, one of the top games among LatAm fans. This creative approach helped visitors immerse themselves in the iGaming atmosphere while exploring the company’s extensive portfolio of esports disciplines, events, and betting markets.

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Natalie Loshatynska, Head of PR & Marketing at DATA.BET, commented: “Our stand debut at BiS SiGMA Americas allowed us to connect with Brazilian operators at this major event, learn about their specific needs, and introduce our iGaming solution. We saw great interest in esports from visitors. Latin America is a key market with huge growth potential for our niche. We’re excited to bring our products to this dynamic region, and the positive reaction confirms our decision to take part in BiS SiGMA Americas was right.”

The post DATA.BET Makes Successful Stand Debut at BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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XGENIA to Unveil AI Set to Reshape the Future of iGaming

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In a bold move set to shift the foundation of iGaming, the creators behind some of the industry’s most advanced AI tools are preparing to unveil a next-generation platform — and they’re doing it with style.

On Tuesday, May 6th at 20:30 CET, Valletta’s iconic 200 Old Merchants Street will be transformed for one night only into a live, immersive showcase of what’s next. The strictly invite-only gathering will bring together top-tier media, industry leaders, developers, and innovators for the debut of a powerful new end-to-end AI system built specifically to reshape how games are imagined, created, and brought to market.

“This isn’t just another tool — it’s a paradigm shift in how we think about building games,” said Mark Flores Martin, CEO of XGENIA. “Everything from speed to quality to who gets to create and what — it’s all about to change.”

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Designed to radically streamline the development pipeline, the system bridges the gap between creative vision and execution. It eliminates inefficiencies, replacing outdated workflows with a unified platform for concepting, building, and refining games with AI, at unprecedented speed — all while enhancing creative freedom and control.

Adding to the moment’s significance, the Prime Minister of Malta is expected to attend, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to innovation and AI in its leadership role in the future of iGaming.

 

Those interested in attending the event or receiving early access details can join a waitlist at https://lu.ma/7le61lye 

The post XGENIA to Unveil AI Set to Reshape the Future of iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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INSPIRED LAUNCHES PIGGY WINNER™ AND GOLD MINE FORTUNE™ ONLINE

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Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a leading provider of B2B gaming content, systems, and solutions, is delighted to announce the launches of Piggy Winner™ and Gold Mine Fortune™ in the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Malta iGaming jurisdictions.

Piggy Winner

Piggy Winner™ is a fun, pig-themed slot game that builds on the success of Inspired’s ever popular Golden Winner™, combining the playful visuals of two popular slots, Big Piggy Bank™ and Prize Piggy Win & Spin™, into a vibrant slot experience. Featuring a dynamic 5×3 reel layout with 10 win-lines, the game features Inspired’s Cash Collector mechanics giving players an exciting chase to big rewards.

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Players can trigger the Free Spins Bonus by landing three bonus scatters, unlocking 10 Free Spins with the chance to collect cash-filled Piggy Banks using the hammer feature. Additional gameplay enhancements include the Gamble feature, Fortune Spins, and Fortune Bet, which increases the likelihood of triggering Free Spins and unlocking up to 50 spins. For instant action, Bonus Buy provides direct entry into the bonus round for a premium.

With medium volatility and a fast-paced format, Piggy Winner offers players an exciting pig-tastic adventure filled with tasty wins.

Gold Mine Fortune

Gold Mine Fortune™ is a gold miner-themed slot game inviting players on a high-stakes mining adventure with its ‘three bags’ mechanic, represented above the reels by the red Wild, golden Prize Pot, and blue Multiplier minecarts. Featuring thrilling base play and multiple Free Spins bonuses, the game offers a wealth of opportunities for big wins.

Players can unlock up to three Free Spins Bonus features, with the potential to trigger them together for the ultimate Mega Free Spins Bonus. Expanding reels, cascading golden nuggets, and lucrative multipliers heighten the excitement, while features like Bonus Buy, Fortune Bet, and Gamble provide additional ways to enhance the gameplay.

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With its action-packed bonus rounds, Gold Mine Fortune offers players a rewarding adventure where every spin has the potential to strike gold.

Claire Osborne, VP of Interactive at Inspired said, “We’re excited to launch Piggy Winner and Gold Mine Fortune this spring. With its exciting mechanics, Piggy Winner forms part of Inspired’s growing portfolio of pig-themed content, while Gold Mine Fortune paves the way as the first of our gold mine-themed game. Both are standout slots that showcase our commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging games. We’re confident players will love these new releases, and we look forward to bringing even more exciting titles to the market this year.”

These latest additions reinforce Inspired’s dedication to innovation and entertainment, offering captivating gameplay and rewarding experiences for casino players worldwide.

The post INSPIRED LAUNCHES PIGGY WINNER™ AND GOLD MINE FORTUNE™ ONLINE appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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