Latest News

How to conduct rebranding and enrich the brand with new meanings

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2023

Wladimir P.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Deputy CEO of Pokerbet Igor Terebinov

How do you think rebranding helps businesses and why do big companies do it?

Rebranding is a powerful tool that can give a new breath and direction to a business. Large companies rebrand in order to achieve several significant benefits.

First, rebranding allows companies to adapt to an ever-changing market and consumer demands. Updating the look and image of the brand helps keep it relevant, attract new customers and retain existing ones.

The second benefit is audience expansion. A change in image or positioning can help attract new market segments.

Sometimes rebranding can be associated with a change in a company’s strategy. It can help express new brand values, principles and goals, making the brand more modern and relevant.

However, it is important to note that rebranding requires careful research and analysis of the target audience to avoid losing loyal customers. Successful rebranding means balance between preserving brand authenticity and introducing innovations that can provide new impulse for business development and maintain its competitiveness in the market.

PokerMatch has become Pokerbet. Why did such a big stable company with such a recognizable logo need a rebranding?

The decision to rebrand PokerMatch was driven by strategic and market factors. While stable and recognizable, it was important for the brand to remain relevant and adapt to the changing demands of the industry.

We set ourselves the ambitious goal of changing customer perceptions of the company and repositioning the brand. The desire for a complete rethink of values, approach and technological innovation was our driving force. We sought to transform PokerMatch into a more adaptive business, responsive to new trends and audience preferences.

The refreshed Pokerbet aims to provide a wide range of iGaming services beyond just the poker vertical. The rebranding has successfully reflected the new directions and diversified the updated product portfolio.

How has the brand philosophy changed?

First of all, when considering a change in brand philosophy, it is important to understand that we are talking about a change in its direction and expansion, not a complete revision. The company’s philosophy has always included a sports component, and this remains unchanged. Thus, in the rebranding process, this component has simply expanded. Previously, the brand slogan was “Poker is your sport.” Now we are promoting the idea that everyone can choose the product vertical they like, as the brand portfolio has become more diverse with sports betting. As a result, the slogan has undergone some changes and now it’s “Choose your sport”. The expansion of the product range has changed the brand philosophy, allowing it to interact with a wider audience of users and become more visible and recognizable.

Why the crown?

The choice of the crown as a symbol was quick and reasonable. However, it is worth emphasizing that we took into account its popular use in the context of gambling. The symbolism we sought to convey through the visualization of the crown refers more not to the gaming element, but reflects the trinity of verticals that are united in the renewed brand portfolio: betting, poker and casino. Our main goal was to make this symbol a recognizable and independent element. The crown is our brief logo and is also used as an independent unit in elemental identity on merch, display advertising and many other configurations. Just as importantly, this graphic element has gained popularity among our users due to the symbolic eye that draws attention and seems to look out from under the crown. In the future, we plan to integrate this element as an icon in our advertising campaigns.

How long did it take to prepare and implement the rebranding?

It is important to note that the rebranding process was not constrained by a clear timeframe and exact launch date. At the initial stage of the project, there were no defined boundaries and it evolved as key decisions were made about the need to give the brand a new look. In terms of timeframe, we can say that after the concept and strategic vision were approved, it took about six months to prepare and implement the rebranding.

How did your audience respond to the changes?

The rebranding was well accepted by the brand’s audience. We received a significant amount of positive feedback and reactions. The name change and image update aroused interest and attention, which is confirmed by the activity of our followers in social networks, discussions on forums and feedback through various communication channels.

We, in turn, gave users an opportunity to get reacquainted with the brand by organizing tournaments with good prizes and other pleasant surprises.

The overall audience reaction to the rebranding was an inspiring and motivating factor for our entire team.

What was the most challenging part of the rebranding process for you personally?

One of the biggest challenges was striking a balance between keeping the old brand recognizable and making the necessary changes to update and adapt.

Before deciding which brand elements to keep and which to change, my team and I had a lot of discussions and analysis. We wanted to make the rebranding visible and inspiring to attract the attention of new customers, but also take into account the expectations of the old audience. The changes had to be a balance between innovation and tradition.

It was also a challenge to maintain unity in the team during the change process. Rebranding involves many aspects, and it was important that each team member shared a common vision and goals. This required each department manager to communicate, harmonize and incorporate the opinions of each employee.

What are the current challenges the brand is facing? What will you identify as success?

A rather big challenge, even during the operation of the past brand, was a high-quality entry into new markets, which would allow the company to take a key position in the industry among competitors in a particular market. However, at this point in time, we cannot claim that we have been able to achieve this goal. Although we are present in several markets, we cannot claim to be the leading brand in any of them. Thus, a sign of success would be to achieve leadership status not only in the home market but also in foreign markets.

Therefore, the first significant achievement after the rebranding will be a strong presence and activity in external markets, where we aim to take a leading position in terms of recognition, engagement and business activity of our brand. In the medium term, we are also focusing on two specific markets for which we already have expansion plans and strategies in place.

India

Kochi Comic Con makes grand debut in Kerala, draws over 20,000 footfall across landmark weekend

Published

15 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

kochi-comic-con-makes-grand-debut-in-kerala,-draws-over-20,000-footfall-across-landmark-weekend

Kochi Comic Con, presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena and powered by Crunchyroll, concluded its inaugural edition at AICC Angamaly, Ernakulam, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of over 20,000 attendees across two days. This marks the first-ever Comic Con to be hosted in Kerala, reflecting the state’s strong reading culture, growing anime communities, and vibrant fandoms.

From February 28, fans of all ages—families, students, creators, and long-standing fandom groups—immersed themselves in artist alleys, panel discussions, gaming arenas, and live stage performances. Attendees enjoyed interactions with internationally acclaimed comic creator Dan Parent, who conducted sessions on storytelling, character creation, and global comic traditions, resonating with audiences familiar with both Malayalam comics and international pop culture.

The Creators’ Corner was a highlight, with established publishers such as Amar Chitra Katha, Balarama Comics, and Alpha Book Publishers, alongside independent creators like Abhijeet Kini, connecting directly with fans through signings and interactive discussions.

“Kerala has always had a strong artistic culture, visible in Kathakali, Theyyam, Koodiyattam, and mural traditions,” said Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic Con India. “Cosplayers approached their craft seriously, audiences engaged thoughtfully during panels, and the overall warmth made this debut incredibly special for us.”

Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD, NODWIN Gaming, added:
“People in Kerala show up wholeheartedly for what they believe in. That same energy carried into Kochi Comic Con. In our very first year here, fans cheered for local favourites like MHR and Joker, attended every session, and explored every zone with real enthusiasm.”

Cosplay Highlights:
Cosplayers brought an impressive range of characters to life, from global favorites such as Denji (Chainsaw Man), Luffy (One Piece), Tanjiro (Demon Slayer), Dr. Strange, Moon Knight, Izuku Midoriya, and Bakugo Katsuki (My Hero Academia), to regional icons including Mayavi, Luttappi, and Minnal Murali. The Kochi Qualifier of the Indian Championship of Cosplay concluded with Indrakshi Haldar, cosplaying as Neverend, True Destiny King from Duel Masters, winning the title and ₹50,000 cash prize.

Gaming and Interactive Experiences:
The NODWIN Gaming Arena featured live gameplay, competitive challenges, VR experiences such as Chandrayan and Best Saber, racing simulators by Logitech, and a Just Dance booth, keeping attendees engaged throughout both days. Maruti Suzuki Arena and Crunchyroll experience zones attracted anime enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike, with exclusive perks for Crunchyroll Power Pass holders, including the immersive Suzume Door installation.

Main Stage Entertainment:
Musical performances from MHR & Joker energized the crowd with interactive singalongs, while Sreenath Bhasi & Crew drew a strong local response. Comedy sets from Gautham Govindan, Nirmal Pillai, Pilot Gomma, and Rohan Joshi, alongside pop-culture acts like Geek Fruit and Purple Line, rounded out the weekend’s entertainment offerings.

Kochi Comic Con’s inaugural edition successfully brought together comic readers, anime fans, gamers, cosplayers, and families, demonstrating that Kerala’s fandom culture balances nostalgia with a global outlook. With strong attendance and enthusiastic engagement, Kochi has firmly established itself on India’s pop-culture calendar, setting the stage for even larger celebrations in the coming years.

The post Kochi Comic Con makes grand debut in Kerala, draws over 20,000 footfall across landmark weekend appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Hub88

Hub88 elevates player engagement and loyalty capabilities through new partnership with LuckyDraw to integrate prize draw monetization and gamification platform with operator network

Published

15 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

Hub88, the leading iGaming aggregator, has partnered with LuckyDraw, an innovative prize draw gamification platform, to enhance player loyalty and maximize lifetime value for operators. The collaboration enables Hub88’s extensive operator network to seamlessly integrate LuckyDraw’s technology, offering highly customisable and interactive prize draws, including raffles, scratch cards, and instant win games.

Launched in early 2026, LuckyDraw’s platform is designed for full native integration, allowing operators to maintain a fully branded experience. By hosting interactive raffles and instant-win experiences, operators can increase engagement, drive retention, and optimize monetization while offering players new, exciting ways to interact with their brands.

Ollie Castleman, Managing Director of Hub88, said:
“Over the past year, we’ve heavily invested in jackpots, bonusing, and loyalty solutions across our platform. LuckyDraw’s fully branded raffles, instant wins, and scratch games are a valuable addition, helping operators engage their players in new and compelling ways, all while strengthening brand loyalty and increasing lifetime value.”

Yaniv Spielberg, CEO and co-founder of LuckyDraw, added:
“With our experience as online gaming operators, we understand how to enhance the player experience to generate higher engagement and loyalty. Our prize draw platform is flexible and easy to implement, meeting the growing demand for interactive raffles and instant win games. Partnering with Hub88 allows us to bring these experiences to wider audiences while helping operators deliver unique, performance-driven engagement strategies.”

This partnership strengthens Hub88’s offering, aligning with its commitment to provide innovative, high-quality solutions that deliver measurable results and improved returns for operators across regulated markets.

The post Hub88 elevates player engagement and loyalty capabilities through new partnership with LuckyDraw to integrate prize draw monetization and gamification platform with operator network appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BetNation

Gaming Corps expands Dutch presence with Betnation partnership

Published

15 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

gaming-corps-expands-dutch-presence-with-betnation-partnership

Gaming Corps, the publicly-listed Swedish game development company, has announced a new content partnership with Smart Gaming B.V., bringing its full suite of games to Betnation.nl, one of the Netherlands’ leading online casino and sportsbook brands.

The agreement will see Gaming Corps’ diverse portfolio go live on Betnation, offering players a wide variety of content, including Crash, Mine, Table, and Slot games. Highlights include fan-favourites such as 3 Pigs of Olympus and the Piggy Smash series, featuring the proprietary Smash4Cash mechanic, alongside the epic new adventure Anubis vs Horus: Twin Titans.

Since launching in October 2022, Betnation has quickly established itself as a top-rated Dutch online casino, providing nearly 3,000 games across Slots, Live Casino, Virtual Sports, and Sportsbook. The brand is recognized for its commitment to professionalism, fairness, and responsible gaming, creating a trusted and player-focused community.

Graham Greensmith, Chief Commercial Officer at Gaming Corps, said:
“We are thrilled to partner with Betnation, a young brand that has already established itself as a trusted name in the Dutch market. Their focus on professionalism and player care aligns perfectly with our own values, and we’re excited to bring our expanding portfolio of premium content to their players.”

Wouter Niemeijer, Country Manager at Betnation, added:
“At Betnation, we pride ourselves on offering a world-class gaming experience that’s as genuine as it is entertaining. Partnering with Gaming Corps allows us to enhance that experience even further, adding innovative and engaging titles that we know our community will enjoy. We look forward to a long and successful collaboration.”

The post Gaming Corps expands Dutch presence with Betnation partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.