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How Web3 will transform iGaming in 2024
Evgeniy Babitsyn, CMO of Bets.io, shared the below words with us.
The iGaming sector will be transformed by Web3 technologies. From blockchain applications to AI, NFTs and cryptocurrencies, iGaming platforms are already exploring how Web3 can not only improve their ways of working, but provide an exceptional standard of user experiences.
However, there is still a knowledge gap within the industry when it comes to understanding just how Web3 can be integrated into existing services. The discussion has been dominated by bold thinking on how Web3 will forever transform society. While this has created an exciting public discourse, it can sometimes overshadow the more practical ways that companies across all sectors can already start using Web3 to their advantage.
There are plenty of other considerations as well. These range from the limitations of certain early-stage technologies through to regulatory compliance and risk management. Hastily embracing Web3 without consideration of these issues can leave an entity exposed to a host of challenges which could undermine their relationship with their clients and services. Conversely, taking a risk averse approach which ignores Web3 will ultimately result in organizations being left behind.
Bets.io has been at the helm of research and development to understand how Web3 is revolutionizing the iGaming sector. Already, new initiatives are underway which will result in the rollout of Web3-enabled services and products throughout 2024, tailored to the needs of our clients.
Through our research, we have identified two key ways that Web3 will transform iGaming in 2024.
Speed, transparency and security
The benefits of Web3 revolve around three core principles of speed, transparency and security. Collectively, these principles are directly relatable to the iGaming sector and are based on the process of decentralization i.e. where the activities of a gaming ecosystem or a gaming platform, like the ownership of gaming assets and decision-making in all aspects of gaming, are delegated away from a central authority. This leads to transparency and security advantages.
For example, smart contracts can be deployed to automate the rules and logic of particular online games, ranging from the rewards and penalties set, to the changing nature of the challenges that players face. These smart contracts act as self-executing agreements that run on a blockchain system, meaning that it is incredibly difficult for games to be manipulated or hacked by an outside party.
The use of peer-to-peer networks works in a similar way, promoting cross-play functionality and an international network of gamers. This also means less of a reliance on a centralized server or platform which could slow-down network work performance or limit certain regions and devices from connecting with other players.
Tailored fun for all
Alongside the technical conversation on Web3, we should not forget the fun and engaging elements involved in iGaming and how this can be enhanced. The iGaming sector is global in nature and scope, bringing together players from a diverse collection of communities and regions. This makes the interests of players diverse. Rather than relying on one award system and one style of game, Web3 technologies allow iGaming platforms to deliver a bespoke experience for each individual player.
To understand how this would work in practice, we can consider the reward systems in place. Linking rewards with tokenization is one example of this, most prominently demonstrated through non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that directly correlate to the interests of a player. NFTs can be integrated into iGaming to create unique, tradable, and collectible items that can be won or traded between players. It creates an added value to the player and another avenue to encourage engagement.
Adaptive and tailored gameplay can also be produced through the combination of AI and blockchain data. The different gaming systems can learn from a player’s behavior and preferences to adjust difficulty levels, storyline progression, and in-game events in real-time. Limits can be set and the individual can play games on a difficulty level which is tailored to their skill-level.
2024 will be a defining year for the iGaming sector, and its progress will be led by the integration and use of Web3 technologies. The success of this will depend on iGaming platforms readily exploring how Web3 can be used, with the player experience guiding all the decisions made. Bets.io is already making strides in this space and we look forward to providing future updates shortly.
R. Franco Digital, the leading Spanish iGaming provider, has been officially shortlisted for Casino Platform Supplier of the Year at the prestigious EGR Europe Awards 2026. The nomination recognizes a landmark year for the company, characterized by the explosive growth of its IRIS Open Omnichannel Platform and a major commercial breakthrough into the Italian market.
The winners will be announced during a gala ceremony on February 18, 2026, at the Hilton Malta, where the industry’s top-tier operators and suppliers gather to celebrate European gaming excellence.
IRIS: The Engine of Omnichannel Growth
The core of R. Franco Digital’s success lies in its IRIS platform, a highly scalable, multi-jurisdictional solution that unifies casino, sports betting, and retail management.
IRIS Platform Milestones (2025-2026):
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Jurisdictional Reach: Certified in 6 jurisdictions and operational in over 10 regulated markets.
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Content Depth: Seamlessly integrated with over 1,600 games from global third-party providers.
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Operational Stability: Provides 24/7 multilingual support and advanced real-time analytics for operators.
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Commercial Momentum: Secured 50+ new operator partnerships and entered three new markets within the last 12 months.
Performance Highlights: 4 Billion Game Rounds
R. Franco Digital’s games portfolio has seen a massive surge in engagement, bolstered by 20 new high-performance slot releases in 2025. Standout titles such as Strange Spins, Aphrodite, Zorro: Final Duel, Ovomon, and The Phantom contributed to a record-breaking year.
| Metric | 2025–2026 Achievement |
| Total Game Rounds | 4 Billion+ across regulated markets |
| Revenue Growth | 30% Increase during the judging period |
| New Content | 20 New slot titles launched |
| Expansion | Debut in the Italian regulated market |
Strategic Italian Market Entry
A major factor in the EGR shortlisting was R. Franco Digital’s successful entry into Italy. The provider rapidly localized its content to meet the specific demands of Italian players through tier-one partnerships:
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Stanleybet.it: Launched 19 games, including the Italian-exclusive debut of Strange Spins.
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888.it: Successfully rolled out the popular Super 7 3×3 title.
“We’re proud to be shortlisted for this award, which reflects the strength of our IRIS platform and the quality of the content we’ve delivered over the past year,” said Javier Sacristán Franco, International Business Director at R. Franco Digital. “Our team has worked hard to support operators with reliable, innovative solutions… we are delighted to see that effort recognised.”
The post R. Franco Digital Shortlisted for Casino Platform Excellence at EGR Europe Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Big Hot Flaming Pots
Big Hot Flaming Pots: Tasty Treasures – Lightning Box Brings Land-Based Hit Online
Light & Wonder has officially launched Big Hot Flaming Pots: Tasty Treasures, the digital debut of its highly successful land-based franchise. Developed by in-house specialist studio Lightning Box, this 3×5 slot offers 243 ways to win and a high-energy “three-pot” mechanic that has already become a staple on casino floors worldwide.
The game transitions the whimsical “dumpling-tossing” theme to online audiences, combining vibrant Asian-inspired aesthetics with a deep mathematical model designed for high-engagement sessions.
The Three-Pot Mechanic & Seven Feature Combinations
At the core of the gameplay is the persistent pot system. Landing specific colored coins fuels three separate pots—Yummy, Spicy, and Upsized. These pots can trigger individually or in any combination, leading to seven distinct bonus paths.
| Feature Mode | Gameplay Enhancement |
| Yummy Mode | Increases the Hold & Spin respin counter from 3 to 4, significantly extending bonus life. |
| Spicy Mode | Introduces Chilli multipliers; landing a pepper adds its cash value to every symbol currently held on the board. |
| Upsized Mode | Unlocks a Dual Grid (two reel sets) for the Hold & Spin round, doubling the win potential. |
| Combined Modes | Triggering all three at once creates the “Mega Bonus,” featuring dual grids, 4 respins, and value-boosting peppers. |
Innovation: The Stack N’ Hit
Feature
Unlike traditional Hold & Spin mechanics where symbols simply lock until the round ends, Tasty Treasures introduces the Stack N’ Hit
evolution.
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Reel Clearing: When a vertical reel is filled with Bun symbols, the prizes are instantly collected, and the reel is cleared.
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Persistent Respins: Clearing a reel creates open spaces for new prizes to land, allowing the bonus round to continue far longer than standard industry alternatives.
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The Path to Grand: Each cleared reel activates a “Pepper Tracker” above it. Lighting up all five trackers awards the Grand Progressive Jackpot.
Jackpot Tiers & Base Game Depth
Operators benefit from a versatile math model that supports both consistent base-game performance and high-volatility jackpot chases.
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Progressive Jackpots: Grand and Major tiers for life-changing win potential.
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Fixed Jackpots: Minor and Mini tiers awarded through symbols landing during features.
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Nudge Wilds: In the base game, Wild symbols can nudge to cover entire reels, assisting in achieving the 243-way payouts.
“Big Hot Flaming Pots: Tasty Treasures carries forward a brand that has already made its mark in land-based venues,” says Michael Maokhamphiou, Studio Director at Lightning Box. “This release offers operators a flexible, high-performing title that combines familiarity with fresh layers of engagement.”
The post Big Hot Flaming Pots: Tasty Treasures – Lightning Box Brings Land-Based Hit Online appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Blask data indicates Venezuela’s iGaming demand remained stable in the initial days following the US operation in Caracas.
On 3 January, US forces detained Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, transporting him from Caracas to face prosecution in New York. The raid came after months of intensifying American pressure throughout 2025 — naval presence, targeted strikes, and a fresh sanctions package.
For Venezuela’s iGaming sector, the disruption poses a critical question: will demand collapse, or adapt?
First results
Blask’s daily Index remained within a tight corridor from 1–4 January, hovering in the high-200K zone. It dropped 5% to 257.4K on the day of the operation, before recovering the next day.
The data reveals no abrupt demand shift during this period. A slight decline sits within Venezuela’s normal daily fluctuations and does not point to a fundamental market change.
Rapid expansion, growing dominance
Venezuela stood out as one of iGaming’s strongest demand gainers in 2025. Blask Index surged 134.9% year-on-year — the second-highest growth worldwide.
This expansion came alongside increasing market dominance. By December, Triunfo Bet commanded 59% of Blask’s BAP (Brand Accumulated Power, measuring a brand’s portion of total user interest nationally), gaining 15 percentage points since January. The top three brands collectively reached over 85%, up 11 points.
The post How Venezuela’s iGaming market is reacting to US pressure appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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