Latest News
European Casino Association Launches Strategic Supplier Partnership
During the ECA Casino Industry Forum, hosted by HIT universe of fun in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, the European Casino Association (ECA) announced the establishment of the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership, an initiative to foster collaboration between the association and select partners supplying the land-based casino sector. This exclusive partnership aims to enhance industry cooperation and facilitate dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders on matters of mutual interest.
The ECA welcomed four major suppliers as its inaugural Strategic Supplier Partners: Aristocrat, IGT, Light & Wonder and Novomatic. This partnership marks a new era of cooperation within the European gaming landscape.
The partnership aims to advance responsible practices within the licensed gaming sector while fostering a collaborative environment for industry stakeholders. By facilitating dialogue with European authorities, the members seek to address crucial issues and promote fair regulatory frameworks.
This initiative will explore various aspects of the industry, including equipment standardisation, enhanced security measures, and strategies to combat illegal gambling. Additionally, the partnership will serve as a platform for networking and knowledge exchange, connecting suppliers with operators and promoting responsible gaming practices alongside compliance. Through these efforts, the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership strives to contribute to the sustainable growth and integrity of the European casino landscape.
Erwin van Lambaart, Chairman of the European Casino Association, said: “We are pleased to welcome Aristocrat Gaming, IGT, Light & Wonder and Novomatic as the founding members of the ECA’s Strategic Supplier Partnership. This collaboration allows us to share diverse perspectives and work towards solutions that benefit the entire gaming community, while respecting the distinct roles of operators and suppliers.”
“Light and Wonder are honoured to be collaborating with the ECA on this strategic partnership. We have long considered that casino operators, trade bodies and suppliers need to work closely together on issues that impact the future of our industry and this partnership represents a great opportunity to actively address those challenges together,” said Jon Lancaster, Vice President of Sales, EMEA.
“As Europe´s largest gaming technology group, NOVOMATIC is pleased to join other major suppliers in laying the foundation for the ECA Strategic Supplier Partnership. In this exclusive collaboration, we look forward to shaping the future of European gaming in a responsible and sustainable way, fostering collaboration across the industry and upholding the highest standards of compliance and player protection. We are excited to partner with the European Casino Association and firmly believe that together we can promote the long-term success of the industry,” Stefan Krenn, Member of the Executive Board NOVOMATIC AG.
“Aristocrat Gaming is pleased to be a part of the newly formed ECA partnership. Our aim is to work alongside the ECA and other suppliers to expand our collective influence in the region when it comes to regulatory reform and the evolution of gaming in EMEA,” said Marcel Heutmekers, vice president of sales and operations EMEA for Aristocrat Gaming.
“IGT is pleased to join the European Casino Association’s Strategic Partnership Alliance and collaborate with other global gaming suppliers to help drive growth opportunities for our customers and to shape a positive framework for the future of casino gaming across Europe,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP EMEA, Canada and LatAm Gaming Sales.
The post European Casino Association Launches Strategic Supplier Partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
asia-pacific
Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026
Groove has been named a finalist for Best Aggregator 2026 at the SiGMA Asia Awards, with the ceremony scheduled for 2 June 2026 at the SMX Convention Centre Manila during the SiGMA Asia Summit.
The shortlist was announced by Global Gaming Insider, according to the company. Groove said its platform aggregates more than 15,000 games from over 150 providers via a single API.
Giusy Campo, Business Development Director at Groove, said: “This shortlist is external recognition of a truth we already feel internally: Groove is moving at a different pace. Asia is not a single market, it is a collection of distinct regulatory environments, player behaviours, and partnership opportunities”
Campo added: “Our platform is built to respect that complexity, not smooth it over. Being named a finalist for Best Aggregator tells us that our approach; deep integration, localised content strategies, and commercial precision; is resonating with the operators who matter most in this region. We are not just bringing games to Asia. We are bringing a roadmap for sustainable growth.”
Yahale Meltzer, Co-Founder and CEO of Groove, said: “The aggregation space is crowded. Differentiation is everything. This nomination confirms that our vision, transforming aggregation from a commodity into a strategic growth discipline, is taking hold.” He added: “Operators across Asia are no longer asking for just volume or speed. They are asking for structural resilience, data intelligence, and a partner who can execute across fragmented regulatory landscapes with precision. Groove delivers that. To be recognised alongside the best in Asia is a privilege, but the real work continues in Manila and beyond. We are here to win, not just awards, but the trust of the operators who build their businesses on our platform.”
The post Groove shortlisted for Best Aggregator at SiGMA Asia Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
data providers
DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026
DATA.BET says turnover from its virtual content grew 168% between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, with the supplier reporting the product accounted for 39% of total virtual sports turnover and 45% of profits over the period.
The company said the content is developed fully in-house and delivered through automated bot-vs-bot matches that run 24/7 without dependence on real-world fixture schedules. DATA.BET positioned the format as a way to provide continuous events and reduce operational overhead for operators.
Across the same period, DATA.BET reported +299% active users, +129% across clients GGR, +246% events per quarter, and +218% bets placed.
DATA.BET also said the audience profile overlaps with live football bettors, which it believes supports retention during seasonal breaks. The supplier added that the algorithm-driven format “carries no fraud exposure,” supports In-Stream Betting overlays, and provides near-zero latency between broadcast and market updates.
“Over the past year, our bot-vs-bot virtual content has delivered consistent, measurable results across every operator deployment. Building e-Football in-house gives us the flexibility to configure it to what each operator actually needs — whether that is a specific league structure, a particular mix of bot and player content, or a branded competition format,” mentioned Rostyslav Likhtin, Head of Product at DATA.BET.
The post DATA.BET reports 168% turnover growth from virtual content in Q1 2025–Q1 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
content studios
155.io makes fintech debut with Coverd partnership
155.io has signed a partnership with US-based fintech platform Coverd, marking the content studio’s first move into fintech. The deal was announced Thursday 21st May 2026.
Under the agreement, 155.io’s real-world games will be integrated into Coverd’s platform. Coverd said the integration is designed to turn everyday transactions into interactive experiences where users can win the chance to have purchases covered through 155.io gameplay.
Sam Jones, Founder & CEO of 155.io, said: “This partnership gives us the opportunity to bring our content to a completely new audience. We share a philosophy with Coverd around disrupting and modernising industries through more interactive experiences. They understand that younger audiences expect entertainment and engagement across every digital touchpoint, including finance, which is exactly how we think about design.”
Albert Wang, Coverd co-founder, added: “Today’s consumer is actively embracing gamified products across every category, so there’s no reason personal finance should stay in the stone age. We’re excited to work with 155.io to make financial experiences more interactive and give everyone a chance to live big by winning back their purchases. 155.io’s next-gen content fits perfectly with what we’re building at Coverd.”
155.io said the integration will bring its interactive content—built around live-action footage and real-time mechanics—to Coverd users. The studio’s portfolio includes Rush Hour from its CCTV Game
library, alongside Ducks.io and Snow Run.
The post 155.io makes fintech debut with Coverd partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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