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MECCA BINGO BRINGS CONTROVERSIAL V.A.R TECHNOLOGY TO BINGO WITH HELP FROM MIKE DEAN – DESPITE ONGOING V.A.R MEDIA STORM
Despite the ‘V.A.R technology’ debate dominating football headlines across the UK, Mecca Bingo will seek to adopt the controversial technology for bingo – enlisting the help of inarguably the most iconic former Premier League official, Mike Dean.
With exactly 2,000 yellow cards and a record breaking 214 red cards issued in his Premier League career, the card-happy ref is helping Mecca Bingo trial B.A.R (Bingo Assistant Referee) – a state-of-the-art, cutting edge technology system designed to keep bingo players on track and verify jackpot claims.
Starting in the home of Premier League newcomers, Sheffield United, the Wirral-based icon has swapped V.A.R for B.A.R to train staff at Mecca Bingo on the Premier League standards.
Mecca Bingo’s B.A.R. technology will capture every moment in high-definition, allowing Mike’s trained Mecca officials to track every call and every dab to precisely identify any errors. Yellow cards will be issued to customers who make false claims. Get a red and he’ll suggest customers move to their own table to focus.
Captured footage shows Mike Dean training Mecca staff on player management, and how to use B.A.R to ensure that all bingo claims are verified and prizes are fairly awarded. And of course, the whipped cream used for Mecca’s delicious desserts now doubles as vanishing spray – used by Mike to keep any over excited players at bay whilst results are being checked.
Mike Dean, former Premier League referee, said; “It’s been tremendous fun bringing a touch of top-quality refereeing to Mecca Bingo. Like football, bingo is a beautiful game full of passion and excitement. In truth, I had never expected to swap footballs for bingo balls, but the launch of B.A.R made it an easy decision – a little bit extra officiating never hurt anyone. We’ll be double checking the next jackpot claim!”
Mike Sime, Head of Bingo at Mecca Bingo, commented: “It’s perhaps not been the best of weeks for VAR – but we remain undeterred. We’re really excited to be trialling the introduction of this impeccable technology into bingo. And we’re absolutely delighted that one of the greatest Premier League referees, Mike Dean, has switched play to Mecca. Good process.”
DATA.BET, a trusted sportsbook solution supplier, has published its annual Sportsbook Report, an in-depth look at its performance in 2025, and the key trends shaping the European iGaming industry heading into 2026. The reports reflect the company’s commitment to transparency and giving operators a clear view of what’s working and how to capitalize on it.
The 2025 Sportsbook Report goes beyond the numbers as it unpacks the thinking behind DATA.BET’s performance to date. The company saw an average of 23% increase in their clients’ turnover, demonstrating a clear picture of what’s working in the iGaming space today. The report covers:
- Industry trends that defined iGaming in 2025 and continue to influence the market in 2026
- Rising tax & regulation across European markets, pushing operators to reassess where and how they run their business
- The demand of low-tier esports tournaments and high-engagement disciplines such as Valorant semi-pro matches has proven growth.
- Key metrics and business results across the company’s three verticals: esports, sports, and virtuals.
- A practical guide for casino brands planning to add a sportsbook to their projects in 2026, backed by proof of existing client base.
“We believe that transparency builds trust and moves the whole industry forward. At DATA.BET sits at the core of everything we do, and this report reflects that. With the addition of sports betting last year, we want to show how our product continues to evolve and improve, and how we help operators grow their revenue through betting that works,” commented Yurii Berest, CEO of DATA.BET.
The DATA.BET Sportsbook Report is available via the link.
The post DATA.BET Issues Comprehensive Sportsbook Report appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
New release adds an expanding 3x4x4x4x3 grid, up to 1,194 ways to win, and a 5,000x max win, the studio says.
Booming Games has launched Mr. Oinkster’s Power Hit, the latest entry in its Mr Oinkster slot series.
The company said the game uses a 3x4x4x4x3 grid that can expand to 3x6x6x6x3, offering between 576 and 1,194 ways to win. Booming Games also stated the title has a maximum win potential of 5,000x.
According to the studio, COLLECT symbols on reels one and five gather coin values across all reels, with Reel Frenzy multipliers ranging from 2x to 5x. The game also includes progressive prizes that can be boosted by special symbols in the base game, as well as Second Chance respins.
Booming Games said three Scatter symbols trigger 10 Free Spins, where “sticky nudging collectors” expand and return to collect additional coin values. During Free Spins, prize pots are boosted to maximum values, alongside more frequent collects and Reel Frenzy triggers.
Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “This is the latest iteration of our classic Mr Oinkster series, which we’re confident will be as popular as ever. The game is packed with features that build tension and keep the fun going for longer, making this an innovative twist on a timeless classic. Are you ready to unlock truly pigtastic wins? Play Mr. Oinkster’s Power Hit now!”
The post Booming Games launches Mr. Oinkster’s Power Hit slot appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Conferences
NOVOMATIC Americas Ignites Momentum at Indian Gaming Association Trade Show & Convention
NOVOMATIC Americas showcased its industry leadership at the Indian Gaming Association Trade Show & Convention with a compelling presentation of its latest offerings, including the debut of the striking visual “Neon Nile” experience, highlighting its commitment to design, innovation, and performance-driven product strategy.
From opening day through close, the NOVOMATIC Americas booth emerged as a high-interest destination on the show floor, drawing strong reaction from tribal operators, partners, and industry leaders across North America.
Key highlights from the event included sustained, high-quality booth traffic from key Class III tribal operators; particularly strong reception to RISING TREASURES link, including its recent debut on the Eilers & Krejcik Gaming performance index, reinforcing its position as a proven, performance-driven link; and VISION LINK, which drew significant attention for its scalable progressive architecture and future-ready flexibility. A standout on the show floor was the integrated presentation of VISION LINK with the outstanding 4-POD sign, creating a high-impact merchandising installation that elevated both the bank’s and the brand’s presence. Additional highlights included Novo Unity Pro electronic table game innovations and strategic customer interactions focused on performance, growth, and expanding relationships across tribal gaming markets.
“This year’s IGA was about more than presence; it was about consistency and progress. The customer energy and response to our new products, our people, and the evolving visual experience exceeded expectations and validated the direction we’re taking as an organization,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, VP of Marketing, Communications, and Corporate Accounts.
“We sincerely thank all customers, partners, and attendees who visited our booth and contributed to a highly successful event. With strong momentum and a clear focus on execution, we remain committed to delivering innovative gaming solutions that drive measurable results for our customers”, said Sabine Stoppel, Managing Director at NOVOMATIC Americas.
The post NOVOMATIC Americas Ignites Momentum at Indian Gaming Association Trade Show & Convention appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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