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EGT Digital Enters into Strategic Partnership with IRIS Solutions

Published

1 year ago

July 17, 2024

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Reading Time: 3 minutes

EGT Digital has entered into a strategic partnership with IRIS Solutions, an innovative company that provides business solutions for open banking. Thanks to the services provided by IRIS Solutions, EGT Digital will be able to offer to part of its clients one more way for more personalised and secure payments, as well as will minimise the time for depositing funds.

IRIS Solutions is the trusting supplier of open banking solutions in Southeast Europe. The company is licensed by the Bulgarian National Bank as a European Payment Service Provider (PSP), in accordance with the Second EU Payment Services Directive (PSD2), and has more than 60 integrated banks and payment institutions in its portfolio. IRIS Solutions offers a variety of products – from Account aggregation, Data analysis and processing, to Payment initiation, API Monitoring and Account Information services.

Open banking is a process in which banks provide secure and reliable access to financial information from their databases to third-party financial service providers (Third Party Providers or TPP). This is done only with the user’s consent through standardised and secure APIs. This new opportunity allows licensed fintech companies to offer products related to Payment initiation and Account information services. For the end user, this means new financial solutions and products that reduce costs and save time for carrying out financial transactions.

EGT Digital utilises the “Payment initiation” service. This new capability in the Payment Gateway is now offered as an option with one of the operators in the Bulgarian market. The “Payment initiation” service allows a payment to be made from a bank account by redirecting the user to the website or application of a chosen bank, enabling making a deposit seamlessly within a few clicks. The functionality can easily be integrated with various systems, allowing end users to perform “Account-to-Account” (A2A) payments. Each payment initiated in this way requires identity verification and guarantees the highest level of security for both the client and the institution. To use the service, the end user does not need to install a mobile or desktop application.

The integration of this modern solution is another step that demonstrates the company’s commitment to offering the best service. It enables:

Improved players protection – by providing real-time access, operators can implement responsible measures such as limits and self-exclusion tools based on the financial profiles of the players.
Compliance with regulatory requirements, such as Anti-Money Laundering (AML) provisions and “Know Your Customer” (KYC) standards, by providing access to verified financial data and ensuring transparency of financial transactions.
Access to financial data for personalising offers, adapting marketing strategies, and efforts to engage and retain players.
Rapid receipt of funds. When depositing funds through CCB (Central Cooperative Bank) and Revolut, users receive the deposited amount via instant payment within 10 seconds.

Georgi Mihaylov, DCEO of EGT Digital, said: “As a technology company, it is important for us to be focused оn delivering the highest possible quality to our current and future partners. The iGaming industry is extremely competitive and constantly evolving. This challenges us to meet the ever-changing needs of the business. Enriching our portfolio with innovative solutions, we strive to be on top of the tendencies, thus providing our clients with a wide selection of secure and fast transactions. So far, we are very pleased with the IRIS Solutions product and are excited to work together.”

Open banking is creating a new field for innovation in the financial sector worldwide and in Europe. Countries such as Australia, Canada, UK, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, the territory of Hong Kong, and others are providing various initiatives and regulatory frameworks to meet today’s business needs. In 2023, the value of open banking transactions globally reached $57 billion and is expected to grow to $580 billion by 2027.

Against this backdrop, Europe has developed and adopted a regulatory framework (PSD2) which is in the process of being upgraded (PSD3). Its aim is to impose security standards and increase competition in the banking market, supporting innovation and development in the sector. In Bulgaria, open banking is offered by the BNB-licensed IRIS Solutions and several other companies, which rank our country alongside countries such as Croatia, Austria, Greece and Luxembourg in terms of the number of regulated providers.

Selda Ali, Technical Leader and Development for IRIS Solutions, said: “The partnership with EGT Digital shows that Bulgaria can be among the leaders in applying financial technologies for the gaming industry. This is also further proof of the endless applications of open banking and the fact that a directive from Europe can become one of the most successful Union policies for increasing competition in the financial sector. We are pleased to be part of this journey, and I am confident that with EGT Digital, we will reach new horizons, placing the customer at the center with their desires and needs.”

The post EGT Digital Enters into Strategic Partnership with IRIS Solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Akshat Rathee

Indian Esports 2026: Strategic Growth and the Asian Games Milestone

Published

7 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

indian-esports-2026:-strategic-growth-and-the-asian-games-milestone

The Indian esports landscape is transitioning from a period of rapid “spectacle” growth to a phase defined by lasting institutional structure. Following the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), 2026 is set to be the year where regulatory clarity, international competition, and domestic grassroots development converge.

The Impact of PROGA: Policy into Practice

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), signed into law in August 2025, has officially moved from policy to practice. Its primary contribution to 2026 is the explicit separation of esports from money-based gaming.

Legitimacy: By categorizing esports as a legitimate competitive pursuit, PROGA has unlocked state-level adoption and cleared the way for schools and colleges to integrate gaming into their sports frameworks.
Commercial Confidence: With a clear regulatory environment, brands in sectors like FMCG, automotive, and BFSI are now viewing esports as a stable, long-term youth engagement platform rather than a risky experiment.
Athlete Pathways: PROGA facilitates the creation of standardized national registries for athletes, ensuring that competitive integrity is maintained across grassroots and professional tiers.

The Asian Games 2026: A Global Stage

The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, serves as the most critical milestone for the ecosystem this year.

Medal Status: Esports will feature as a full medal event with 11 confirmed titles, including League of Legends, PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version), and Pokémon UNITE.
Indian Prospects: India’s best historical result (quarter-finals in League of Legends at Hangzhou) has set a high bar. For 2026, the focus has shifted toward high-performance training camps and long-term athlete mentorship to secure a podium finish.
Multi-Sport Integration: Participation alongside traditional athletes reinforces the narrative that esports is a viable professional career, further encouraging government investment through schemes like Khelo India.

Market Evolution and Key Trends

The Indian gaming market is projected to reach approximately $5.02 billion in 2026, driven by a massive player base exceeding 500 million gamers.

Trend	Impact in 2026
Mobile Dominance	Over 95% of the market remains mobile-first, fueled by 5G expansion and affordable hardware.
Beyond BGMI	2026 is seeing a push to diversify the market into fighting games, sports simulations, and PC titles to avoid “one-title dependency.”
Monetization Shift	Revenue is shifting from pure advertising toward battle passes, subscription models, and in-game progression.
Tier II & III Growth	Most new user acquisition is coming from smaller cities, demanding more vernacular and localized content.

The post Indian Esports 2026: Strategic Growth and the Asian Games Milestone appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bison Strike

ENJOY Boosts Global Distribution with Strategic EveryMatrix Deal

Published

8 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

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ENJOY, the fast-rising iGaming content developer, has secured a significant distribution agreement with EveryMatrix. The deal will see ENJOY’s full suite of video slots and next-generation live casino game shows integrated into the SlotMatrix aggregation platform, making them available to an expansive network of tier-one global operators.

This partnership marks a critical milestone for ENJOY as it enters its primary phase of commercial expansion. By joining the SlotMatrix ecosystem—one of the industry’s largest content hubs—ENJOY gains immediate access to regulated markets worldwide and a streamlined path to brand visibility.

Bison Strike and Innovation in the Spotlight

The integration includes ENJOY’s most recent flagship launch, Bison Strike, alongside a curated library of high-performing titles. ENJOY is carving out a reputation for “indie-style” creative flair combined with technical reliability, focusing on two core verticals:

Video Slots: High-volatility titles with immersive storytelling and meticulously crafted art.
Live Game Shows: 24/7 interactive experiences streamed from a purpose-built studio, designed to drive player retention through next-gen engagement mechanics.

Leadership Insights on Global Scalability

The agreement follows a string of successful partnerships for ENJOY, which has already established links with platforms like SoftGamings and Gamingtec under the leadership of its new CCO.

“This partnership with EveryMatrix gives us a launchpad that, as a newcomer, we are privileged to access,” said Christos Zoulianitis, Chief Commercial Officer at ENJOY. “EveryMatrix’s reputation as a trusted aggregator and its global distribution power allow us to accelerate our growth significantly. We’re bringing fresh ideas to both the slots and live casino verticals, and EveryMatrix gives us the reach to put that innovation in front of the right operators immediately.”

Bjorn Sjoberg, CCO at SlotMatrix, added: “ENJOY has shown real ambition and creative flair with its early releases. Our mission is to connect high-quality, forward-thinking studios with operators who value fresh content, and ENJOY fits that brief perfectly.”

The post ENJOY Boosts Global Distribution with Strategic EveryMatrix Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Blask Index

Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the Philippines Lead iGaming’s Rising Markets in 2025

Published

8 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

saudi-arabia,-greece,-and-the-philippines-lead-igaming’s-rising-markets-in-2025

Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the Philippines have emerged as the most significant rising markets of 2025, according to a comprehensive year-end analysis from the market intelligence ecosystem Blask.

The findings are based on the proprietary Blask Index, a real-time tracking tool that monitors player attention and search volumes across 107 countries. While established markets like the United Kingdom maintained the top spots, these three jurisdictions saw the most aggressive climbs in global rankings.

2025 Market Movers: The Biggest Climbers

The global iGaming landscape experienced a shift in 2025 as emerging interest in the Middle East and regulatory overhauls in Asia-Pacific redirected player attention.

Market	Index Rank Change	2025 Position	Key Growth Driver
Saudi Arabia	+9 Places	20th	High youth demographics & digital adoption
Philippines	+4 Places	12th	New PAGCOR B2B licensing framework
Greece	+4 Places	17th	Robust online growth from operators like OPAP

Saudi Arabia: The Surprise Performer

Saudi Arabia was the year’s most improved market, breaking into the Global Top 20 for the first time. Despite strict local prohibitions, the market saw a sharp uptick in interest driven by a young, mobile-first population (over 70% under age 35) and a massive shift toward digital entertainment under the Vision 2030 initiative. The growth reflects an “underground” surge in demand typically seen in restricted but hyper-connected markets.

Philippines: Regulatory Modernization

The Philippines climbed to 12th place, fueled by the PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) decision to formalize the iGaming supply chain. The introduction of the B2B Accreditation Framework in October 2025 forced game developers, aggregators, and payment providers to undergo formal probity checks, bringing the region in line with mature jurisdictions like the UK and Ontario.

Greece: Digital Transition

Greece’s ascent to 17th place was largely attributed to the performance of its largest operator, OPAP. The company reported double-digit growth in its iGaming and sports betting divisions throughout 2025, with online GGR surging nearly 20% in the first half of the year. This success underscores the Greek market’s successful transition from a retail-heavy model to a digital-first ecosystem.

“The global iGaming landscape is shifting faster than ever,” said Max Tesla, CEO and co-founder of Blask. “Operators that can spot emerging trends early, and understand what is actually driving interest on the ground, are far better positioned to capture new growth opportunities as they appear.”

The post Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the Philippines Lead iGaming’s Rising Markets in 2025 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.