Latest News
Champions crowned as Riyadh Masters 2023 wraps up Dota 2 action at Gamers8
The Dota 2 Riyadh Masters 2023 competition wrapped up yesterday after 12 days of thrilling matches featuring 20 elite teams vying for victory and taking home a share of the $15,000,000 prize pool. As one of the premier tournaments in the Dota 2 calendar, Riyadh Masters 2023 ran the globe’s greatest teams through a round-robin group stage and then double-elimination playoffs in the popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA).
Among the teams competing for the top prize was Dota 2 powerhouse Team OG, the first team in Dota 2 history to win four Dota Major Championships. Team Tundra Esports, reigning champions of Dota’s iconic “The International” tournament, also headed into the 2023 Masters amongst the favorites. Of course, there could only be one winner, and this achievement went to Team Spirit, who triumphed in the final, beating Team Liquid in an encounter for the ages.
The $15,000,000 prize pool is the largest available of any Dota 2 competition this season, and the action did not disappoint, with the stakes being so high. Over 120,000 fans tuned in to the official broadcast on Twitch to witness the epic showdown. Team Spirit reached the Grand Final for the second year in a row, knocking out the season’s most dominant performer, Team Gaimin Gladiators, along the way and beating Team Liquid 2-1 in the upper-bracket final as the team looked to banish last years demons and finish in first place rather than second. Team Liquid earned a shot at their redemption by crushing Team Talon 2-0 in the lower bracket final. But the result of this eagerly anticipated rematch in the five-game Grand Final went to Team Spirit, an unassailable 3-1. As champions, Team Spirit left Gamers8 and Boulevard Riyadh City $5,000,000 richer, the runners-up collecting $2,500,000 from the overall prize pool.
Faisal bin Homran, Chief Esports Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “The Dota 2 Riyadh Masters tournament at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes has captured the imagination of the thousands in attendance at Boulevard Riyadh City’s Esports Arena and the tens of millions watching avidly across the globe. Since July 19th, the global gaming and esports scene has been captivated by the exploits of the best Dota 2 teams and players in the world. Competing for a $15 million prize pool – the biggest third-party prize pool for a tournament ever – the action has been even more dramatic than anticipated and epitomizes the level of standard for which Gamers8 has become renowned. We congratulate Team Spirit on their success and thank all the teams, players, fans, sponsors, and partners at the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters for being part of a special moment in Saudi Arabian gaming history.”
Although the Riyadh Masters may have finished, there’s plenty more action on offer as part of Gamers8: The Land of Heroes in its 2023 edition. Esports athletes from around the world are competing in a 12-tournament lineup with a prize pool of $45 million to the soundtrack of musical superstars like Imagine Dragons, Alan Walker, and Metro Boomin’, who are putting on a show for the crowds at Gamers8. The festival, the world’s largest for gaming and esports, has been full of action since it kicked off in July, with seismic impacts such as Pakistan winning the Nations Cup in Tekken against a well-favored Korean team. Among the other titles taking center stage at Gamers8’s home in Boulevard Riyadh City are Rocket League, PUBG Mobile, FIFA, and Counterstrike.
Fans can enjoy further exciting events as the festival continues through August 27th, following which the Gamers8 festival will conclude with a gaming and esports forum. Known as the ‘Next World Forum,’ it brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world to Saudi Arabia. Gamers8 is playing a key role in developing the grassroots esports scene in Saudi Arabia and providing opportunities for esports athletes around the world. Over 67% of Saudi citizens are gamers, and multiple world champions have come from the Kingdom already to win on the world’s largest stages.
Blueprint Gaming
Weekend Reels | Week 30: Slot Drops & Trends
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by Eastern European Gaming
Spinomenal has released 3 Fuego Chillies, a new 5×3 video slot themed around a Mexican street fiesta. The game ships with a feature-led Bonus Game and a top prize billed as a Grand Jackpot of x3,000 the total bet.

CT Interactive has released its latest slot game, 40 Mega Star. As the night sky comes alive with countless shimmering lights, only a select few stars have the power to capture attention and become true Mega Stars.

TaDa Gaming has expanded its popular Unlimited Fortune mechanic with the launch of Joker Coins Unlimited Fortune. Combining Lock & Respin, progressive bonus expansion, jackpots, multipliers and the signature Unlimited Fortune feature, this compact three-reel release delivers layered gameplay and win potential of up to 5000x.

Blueprint Gaming is releasing an upgraded version of Super Graphics Upside Down exclusively on Lottomart, giving Lottomart’s UK players early access to the title. Originally launched in 2021, Super Graphics Upside Down is being re-released with a new bonus wheel feature and an increased max win potential, rising from 250X to 3000X, according to the companies.

ICONIC21 has released Wild Gold Mine 2, a high-volatility sequel to its Wild Gold Mine slot. The game is played across 243 ways and launches with multiple RTP configurations, with a stated top prize of 10,000x.

Games Global has launched Rumble Kong CASHINGO
, a new jungle-themed online slot developed with exclusive studio partner Alchemy Gaming. The title went live on 23rd July 2026. Rumble Kong CASHINGO
is a 5×5, 3,125 ways-to-win game built around an expanding CASHINGO
collection grid.

Swintt has released a new slot from its Elysium Studios label, titled Odyssey Hold & Win. The supplier said the game is built around a Hold & Win collection mechanic and features a stated maximum win of 3,317x. Odyssey Hold & Win runs on a 4×4 grid that can expand to 4×8 when Athena appears, according to the company.

ELA Games has released a new slot, Age of Cleopatra, adding another ancient-Egypt theme title to its portfolio. The studio positions the game as a medium-volatility release and says it is available to demo now. Age of Cleopatra runs on a 5×3 reel set-up with 25 paylines.

Endorphina has launched Zalatar, a new myths-and-legends themed online slot, expanding its recent run of fantasy-leaning releases. The supplier said Zalatar is a 5-reel, 3-row game with 25 fixed paylines, 96.03% RTP and high volatility.

The post Weekend Reels | Week 30: Slot Drops & Trends appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Awards
Slotsoo Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best Casinos and Game Providers
Slotsoo is proud to announce the winners of the Slotsoo Awards 2026, recognising the online casinos and game providers that have delivered the best player experiences over the past year. Now firmly established as an annual celebration of excellence, the awards continue to recognise the companies setting new standards for quality and innovation across the iGaming industry.
Spotlighting the Best Game Providers of 2026
Following last year’s successful debut, the Slotsoo Game Provider Awards returned for a second year to recognise the studios pushing online slots forward through original ideas, engaging gameplay, and consistently high-quality releases. This year’s winners are:
- The Machine MVP – Pragmatic Play
- Bonus Buyer – Eurasian Gaming
- Volatility Virtuoso – 1spin4win
- Jackpot Jumbo – Platipus Gaming
- Symphony Spinner – Peter & Sons
- Reel Renegade – TaDa Gaming
- Promising Prodigy – EXCO Game Studio
Pragmatic Play retained the prestigious Machine MVP award for a second consecutive year, while every other category crowned a new winner, highlighting the emergence of fresh talent and new ideas among game providers.
Casino Awards Return for a Fourth Year
Since their debut in 2023, the Slotsoo Casino Awards have celebrated the operators raising the standard for online casino experiences. This year’s winners continue that tradition, earning recognition for excellence across bonuses, withdrawals, gamification, and overall quality. The seven winners for 2026 are:
- The Gambling GOAT – Lunar Spins
- The Bonus Buff – Go4Casino
- The Loyalty Lord – Valhalla Wins
- The Withdrawal Wizard – Taste Vegas
- The Gamification Guru – Lucky Fuel
- The Payout Professor – Stupid Casino
- The Noisy Newcomer – Kudos Bet
While the Game Provider Awards saw several first-time winners, the Casino Awards reflected the continued strength of a few established operators. C24 Partners enjoyed a particularly successful year, with four awards going to brands from its portfolio, including the main trophy The Gambling GOAT.
Recognition That Goes Beyond Popularity
Unlike many industry awards, the Slotsoo Awards are not decided by public voting. Winners are selected by the Slotsoo team after evaluating casino operators and game providers throughout the year. Each nominee is assessed on factors such as player value and innovation.
This approach ensures that both established industry leaders and ambitious newcomers have an equal opportunity to be recognised. Whether it’s a casino redefining loyalty rewards or a game studio introducing fresh mechanics, the awards highlight companies that genuinely move the industry forward.
Other News from Slotsoo.com This Summer
The Slotsoo Awards weren’t the only milestone for the company this summer. In June, the team attended the HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics Gaming Conference in Tallinn, connecting with industry professionals, exploring the latest developments in iGaming, and returning home with plenty of inspiration.
July marked the publication of Slotsoo’s first book, The Casino Player’s ABC, written by Markus Björk, Head of Content. This tongue-in-cheek ABC book for adults takes a humorous look at the ups and downs in slot gaming. Markus Björk comments:
“The awards and the book may seem like very different projects, but they share the same goal. Both are about celebrating what makes this industry unique and helping players navigate it with a sense of humour.”
With another successful awards season, the publication of their first book, and an active presence at industry events, 2026 has been one of Slotsoo’s busiest and most exciting years to date.
The post Slotsoo Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best Casinos and Game Providers appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BETBY
BETBY Builds on a Strong Start to 2026 with Solid H1 Sportsbook Growth
BETBY, the Tier 1 sportsbook supplier, has continued its strong start to 2026, delivering solid year-on-year growth across its business during the first half of the year. Building on the positive Q1 results reported in April, the supplier’s performance was supported by continued market expansion, product innovation, and strong activity across its operator partnerships.
During the first half of 2026, BETBY’s sportsbook Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) increased by 42.7% compared to H1 2025. The number of active players across the provider’s partner network grew by 47%, while the total number of bets placed rose by 21.2%, reflecting sustained growth across both new and existing operator partnerships.
The period also saw BETBY further expand its product ecosystem through several key launches and developments. Among them was BETBY Predictions, the industry’s first fixed-odds prediction markets feed, opening a new betting vertical for operators. The supplier also introduced Stories, an engagement feature built around a familiar, interactive content format and delivered directly within the sportsbook experience.
The FIFA World Cup provided an additional boost during the last three weeks of June, generating high levels of betting activity across BETBY’s partner network and demonstrating the scalability and reliability of its sportsbook during the world’s largest sporting event.
BETBY’s proprietary esports feed, Betby Games, also delivered continued growth during H1 2026, recording a 28% year-on-year increase in Gross Gaming Revenue. Active players grew by 46%, while the number of bets placed rose by 14.8%. These figures reinforce Betby Games’ importance within BETBY’s broader product portfolio.
Leonid Pertsovskiy, Chief Executive Officer at BETBY, said: “After a strong first quarter, we are pleased to see that the positive trend continued throughout the first half of the year. These results reflect the strength of our long-term strategy, combining continued market expansion with a clear focus on product innovation and helping our partners grow.
“The launch of products such as BETBY Predictions and features like Stories, alongside the continued evolution of Betby Games, demonstrate our commitment to delivering solutions and technology that create measurable value for operators. We are proud of what we have achieved so far this year and remain focused on continuing this progress throughout H2.”
The post BETBY Builds on a Strong Start to 2026 with Solid H1 Sportsbook Growth appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Alberta4 days agoGreentube goes live in Alberta as province opens regulated iGaming
-
Alberta4 days agoGreentube strengthens Canadian presence with Alberta debut as market opens
-
Compliance Updates4 days agoThe MGA Publishes Notice on Websites Impersonating Licensed Operators
-
hold and respin4 days agoSpinomenal releases new slot 3 Fuego Chillies
-
Artificial Intelligence7 days agoPay4Fun integrates payments into Betconstruct AI ecosystem for Brazil
-
Brazil3 days agoHunch cites 78% matchday retention for Super World Cup free-to-play suite
-
Canada3 days agoTonybet player in Canada claims $20,000 CAD golden World Cup card prize
-
Anne Marie Caulfield2 days agoIrish Gambling Regulator Threatens Prediction Market with High Court Action



