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Evoplay – Convergence of video games RT
Vladimir Malakchi, CCO at Evoplay
Has the global video game boom influenced the design and development of today’s games? Gamification has been a focus for iGaming developers for some time, has this been driven by the rise in video game popularity?
When it comes to popular culture, the video game industry is no doubt one of the most influential verticals, especially gambling, as both gaming and gambling belong to the same concept of entertainment, where audiences from both worlds intersect with each other. After all – the convergence is obvious – both video game and casino players seek the same goals – fun and gaming. However, those who choose gambling games also want to experience the thrill of betting, which offers a whole new dimension.
From a technological point of view, iGaming companies continue to follow the video game industry and adopt their solutions, such as development, game engines, features, graphics, and sound to create an experience similar to the one seen in the video game world. Casino and video game developers also take a similar approach to storylines – they search for innovative, creative, and exciting themes that can provide a fresh and immersive experience to players. iGaming has also inherited the trend of in-game purchases, such as shops and loot boxes, a vivid example of this is the bonus buy feature you see in several casino titles these days – which again shows how much the verticals are converging.
In general, the video game industry is a trendsetter and a source of ideas and inspiration to those within the iGaming space. It attracts both Millennials and Gen Z players, who share many audiences and demographics with many gambling brands.
Licensed games, chosen correctly, can be valuable investments for studios. We have already seen classic video game IPs feature in some slot titles in the past – is this something that can be leveraged further? Must it be something more than just window dressing?
It’s always exciting when the audiences of two popular brands merge together into one type of entertainment – especially when it comes to something from the wider cultural world being integrated into iGaming.
As well as attracting wider audiences from the outside world, it certainly benefits game providers, giving them a larger media presence and in turn creating wider interest from the outside world, which is especially beneficial if you’re a listed company and as a consequence, as it can directly affect your company’s profitability and volume.
However, alongside the benefits that can be achieved by securing brand rights with third parties, we do need to take costs into account. The average royalty to be paid off to the contractor is 3-15% of the GGR, with joint approval needed from both sides, which can certainly affect the potential for a partnership, and indeed the bottom line.
Saying this though, the benefits usually outweigh the costs, and I’m sure we will see more deals of this type in the future, but considering everything mentioned above, it might not be for everyone, especially those who are just entering and establishing themselves on the market. The key, as always, is identifying your audience and followers and creating a gaming experience that resonates with their values.
Betting on people playing games (esports) has for some time-proven hugely successful. What impact has this had and could have going forward, on traditional gambling as a whole?
Without a doubt, the implementation of gaming-inspired features into casino products can significantly expand what’s on offer, and as a consequence, attract new players. This is especially the case when it comes to the spirit of fixed odds and sports betting, and when incorporated into gaming titles, can help go a long way to reaching sports betting fans who might want to give gaming a try.
In our view, instant games are among the best examples of how this approach can be carried out. Players can choose types of bets, which provides them with a gambling experience similar to betting on sports, which in turn makes them feel right at home without any major learning curve required to start playing a game.
The value of such products was analysed heavily during 2020 when sports events were canceled, and bettors needed to find a substitution for the hobby they used to entertain themselves with. Subsequently the adoption of betting mechanics in casino games’ introduced casino brands to the sports betting market and simultaneously covered its audience’s demand – we’ve seen the success it has had during the last two years, and there’s no reason for that not to continue even with sports back, as we are entering a new era of gaming where such transitions are far easier than before.
A recent study declared that video gamers are up to 4.5 times more likely to participate in betting and igaming. How can this new demographic of potential players be best approached?
As we’ve mentioned, there’s plenty of intersection when it comes to audiences and demographics, as at the end of the day, all users are after one thing – entertainment. This means that everything starts with a product that can both encompass and be adapted to players’ usual patterns of expectations for the gaming experience. It is evident that both video gamers and sports betting fans have their own preference – gamers especially look for a storyline, strong characters, and a clearly-defined challenge – while sports bettors will always gravitate towards ‘live events’ and the thrill of taking on the ‘house’.
In line with this – when robust analytics of audiences and demographics are applied, companies can learn where users can be found and the methods behind attracting them through specific messaging and themes. This requires analytics-based marketing, as well as creative and technological solutions, which will of course vary across product type and the desired outcome.
Online, social gaming is a place where many gamers meet up, forge friendships and communities – to what extent can this be mirrored within iGaming?
Socialisation is an established concept in the video game industry, where multiplayer gaming has almost become a must-have offering and certainly has become an event that players expect when certain games are released. A wide variety of platforms designed for communication between players is key to making this happen – with forums, chats, and online communities allowing gamers to interact with each other.
Steam set the trend for socialisation in the gaming vertical, providing an opportunity for players to discuss games, share their opinions and give recommendations. Twitch has continued this trend, as well as attracting gambling streamers, once again demonstrating how the two audiences often intersect. The content on Twitch attracted fans of casino games, which gave rise to the communication between gamblers.
Today, the social aspect of gambling continues to grow, which will no doubt continue to see growth continue given the demand. The pandemic and insufficient levels of communication due to lockdowns have only enhanced the demand for socialisation within iGaming, as it’s become quite apparent that modern players seek to exchange their playing experience.
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1spin4win, an established classic online slot provider, closes the first half of the year by revealing key performance results and the most significant milestones.
The first six months of 2026 have marked a period of strong growth for the studio. Compared to H1 2025, 1spin4win recorded a 47% increase in GGR, while bet count rose by 46.66%.
The provider also saw a significant increase in player activity. In H1 2026, player count surged by 59.06%, and new player count jumped by 50.15% compared to the first half of last year. These numbers reflect 1spin4win’s ability to keep global audiences engaged through new mechanics, regular game releases, and simple gameplay.
Partner growth has also been an important part of this success. Today, 1spin4win works with over 1,000 recognized iGaming brands, including STAKE.MX, 1win, LevelUP, BitStarz, gg.bet, WinSpirit, mBit, Pin-Up, 1xBet, PlayAmo, to name a few. This broad network reinforces the company’s reputation as a trusted provider across international markets.
The latest results also highlighted the success of 1spin4win’s expansion strategy across Latin America and Africa. Both markets remain important directions for the studio, where its mobile-first, easy-to-follow slots resonate perfectly well with local preferences. In H1 2026, compared to H2 2025, the provider’s GGR increased by 45.45% in Africa and 27.68% in LatAm.
This momentum has also been recognized by the wider professional industry. During iGB L!VE, 1spin4win was named Slot Studio of the Year at the inaugural iGaming News Awards, highlighting the studio’s strong slot offering and continued growth.
Olga Hlukhovskaya, Business Development Director at 1spin4win, shared, “We are proud of the results achieved. For us, these numbers are not only about our own success — they show that our games continue to bring value to operators by keeping their audiences active and engaged across different markets. Moving forward, we will continue strengthening this value through regional development, tailored partner support, and high-performing content that stays true to what players enjoy about classic slots.”
About 1spin4win
1spin4win is a fast-growing game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 20 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.
GR8_TECH has partnered with Setanta Bet, a locally licensed online betting operator in Georgia and part of the wider Setanta Sports ecosystem. The collaboration marks another important step in GR8_TECH’s expansion across regulated markets, with Setanta Bet successfully launching the GREAT_SPORTSBOOK iFrame solution.
By joining the Champions Club—GR8_TECH’s exclusive network of ambitious operators powered by high-performance technology—Setanta Bet gains access to a sportsbook solution designed to accelerate growth, enhance player engagement, and maximize operational efficiency.
“We are delighted to welcome Setanta Bet as a partner of GR8_TECH and a proud addition to our Champions Club,” said Vardan Hakobyan, Head of Sales at GR8_TECH. “The brand has successfully created a strong connection between sports content, player engagement, and entertainment. With GREAT_SPORTSBOOK iFrame, Setanta Bet can further enhance its betting offering while preserving its unique brand identity and delivering a richer, more engaging experience for its players.”
“Setanta Bet was launched on the foundation of the region’s largest and most successful sports media, representing the most vital part of Setanta as a major brand,” said Tamar Badashvili, CEO at Setanta Bet. “It is the ideal synergy between sports media and the betting business, a model already successfully proven by leading global brands. We launched our sportsbook in partnership with GR8_TECH because their regional experience, along with their platform’s features and functionality, perfectly matched our requirements. We believe this collaboration will be mutually beneficial; not only will Setanta Bet succeed, but our vast operational experience in the industry will provide valuable feedback to help further develop the GR8_TECH platform.”
GREAT_SPORTSBOOK iFrame provides Setanta Bet with a scalable, high-performance sportsbook solution designed for rapid deployment and local-market adaptability. The solution delivers more than 180,000 monthly events across 50+ sports and esports disciplines, supported by 24/7 live betting coverage, AI-powered recommendations, embedded CRM capabilities, and extensive customization options.
The solution also includes a comprehensive suite of engagement and revenue optimization tools, including cashout, multi-bets, odds personalization, margin personalization, geo-targeted content, customizable widgets, and a fully mobile-first experience designed to meet the expectations of modern players.
Get in touch with GR8_TECH to learn how the GREAT_SPORTSBOOK iFrame can help launch, upgrade, or scale your iGaming business.
GR8_TECH. Platform for Champions
GR8_TECH is an award-winning provider, delivering high-performance sportsbook and iGaming solutions that empower operators to lead and win in competitive markets. GR8_TECH’s comprehensive portfolio includes the GREAT_TURNKEY and GREAT_CRYPTO TURNKEY solutions, GREAT_SPORTSBOOK, and GREAT_CASINO AGGREGATION.
With a geo-specific approach to solutions, a focus on practical innovations, and an operator-first mindset, GR8_TECH helps its clients achieve measurable results in their target markets quickly and efficiently. Trusted by top operators worldwide, GR8_TECH has over 100 successful cases and earned multiple recognitions, including the title of Platform Provider of the Year by SBC Awards 2025.
The post Setanta Bet Joins GR8_TECH’s Champions Club with GREAT_SPORTSBOOK iFrame appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
NuxGame has been named Casino Platform of the Year at the inaugural iGaming News Awards, the first edition of the awards programme run by industry publication iGaming News.
The Casino Platform of the Year category recognises the platform technology operators use to build and run their casino businesses — the core system behind day-to-day operation rather than any single feature or campaign. It is a meaningful marker for a B2B provider since it points to the technology operators actually rely on. Winning the category in the programme’s first year adds another point of industry acknowledgement for the NuxGame online casino software.
The award caps a strong year for the platform, one shaped by steady work on the product itself. NuxGame added new player-engagement tools such as Achievements, Spin Wheel, and Rakeback, expanded its game aggregator with thousands more titles, and opened up new markets by launching its Sweepstakes and Telegram products and gaining a Class II B2B licence in Romania.
The category win follows other recent recognition for the platform, such as Best Platform Provider at the 2025 SiGMA Eurasia Awards and Best Innovation in iGaming Technology at the 2025 European iGaming Excellence Awards. Together they create a steady awards record for the technology behind the company’s casino offering rather than for a single product or campaign.
“A casino platform is the part of the business an operator depends on every day, so this is the recognition that means the most to us,” said Daniel Heywood, CEO at NuxGame. “We’ve spent years keeping the platform stable, straightforward to scale, and simple to run day to day. And we work just as hard on the support quality behind it. Seeing that commitment recognised by the iGaming News Awards is a proud moment for the whole team.”
NuxGame says its direction for 2026 is to keep the platform dependable and easy to run. The company will also keep expanding the ecosystem around the platform so operators can add proven, pre-integrated partners as they scale rather than vetting and connecting each one on their own. The company reads the win as confirmation that the fundamentals it has invested in remain important for operators — and as a reason to keep strengthening them.
About NuxGame
NuxGame is a B2B iGaming software platform provider that has been helping online casino and sportsbook operators launch and grow their projects for more than 7 years. Founded in 2018, the company now supports more than 100 operators worldwide. What began as a platform provider only has developed into a unified ecosystem. Alongside its own flexible casino platform, turnkey casino and sportsbook solutions, sweepstakes-ready infrastructure, game aggregation and API integrations, NuxGame connects operators to a vetted network of proven partners, spanning CRM, payments, orchestration, aggregation, and traffic. All of it is backed by 24/7 support.
The post NuxGame Wins Casino Platform of the Year at the iGaming News Awards appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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