EGT Digital’s iGaming platform X-Nave has been distinguished as the “Online Platform of the Year” at the Golden Spade’s Awards 2024. The company received the prize at a glamorous ceremony held on November 26 at the Hyatt Regency Sofia Hotel. The event, organized for the second consecutive year by the Association of Organizers of Gambling Games and Activities in Bulgaria (AOGGAB), recognized excellence across 12 categories.

X-Nave is an in-house developed “all-in-one” betting platform, providing operators with advanced technology and tools they need to build and maintain a successful and competitive online business. A key strength of X-Nave is its flexibility, as its modules can operate as part of the complete solution or seamlessly integrate with third-party solutions.

Vladimir Dokov, CEO of EGT Digital, received the award at the official ceremony and shared: “It’s a pleasure that X-Nave is recognized by an increasing number of operators as a solution that guarantees sustainable development and long-term success for their business. This award is an acknowledgment of the high assessment of our customers, partners, and industry experts. I would like to thank all of them for their trust and support, without which we would not have been able to achieve these results.”

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Blueprint Gaming’s iconic gorilla makes a special, festive return in the studio’s latest release, King Kong Cash™: Even Bigger Bananas Power Play, offering slot enthusiasts a plethora of bonus rounds to enjoy just in time for Christmas.

The 4,096 ways to win slot takes its place in the depths of a frozen jungle with the 6×4 grid playing host to a series of Kong’s fellow inhabitants and festive-themed bonus icons.

Landing a collect symbol on reels one or six will see all cash and jackpot symbols awarded that land simultaneously. Once the Cash Collect feature has been triggered, players then have the chance to benefit from four Kong upgrades; Dual Collect, Lock & Spin, Cash Boost and the coveted Golden Monkey, all optimising the chance for lavish wins through a series of cash-enriching features.

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As in its predecessor’s offering, all unlocked upgrades remain in the base game and during the title’s free spins feature. However, any non-collected banana, golden monkey or golden barrel symbols are added to the new banana pot at the top of the player ‘s screen which can trigger the Go Banana’s feature at random, presenting players with a choice of three Pick a Prize features.

The series’ renowned Free Spins round is accessed by landing between three and six Kong scatters, granting 10 free spins and the perfect Christmas treat of a direct payout of up to 500x.

For slot enthusiasts on the hunt for further gameplay, Blueprint’s festive release also features a brand-new Power Play game available at 5x the original bet, benefitting from only cash, cash pots, collects and bonus symbols active, increasing the chance of additional collects and bonus wins.

King Kong Cash™: Even Bigger Bananas Power Play marks Blueprint’s blockbuster Christmas and final release of 2024, showcasing its commitment to consistently enhancing its game families with fresh features for players to enjoy worldwide.

Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing, PR and Events, said: “We’re delighted to launch King Kong Cash™: Even Bigger Bananas Power Play and what better Blueprint character is there to lead our Christmas offering than the face of our beloved series that has gone from strength to strength over the last year.

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“The latest addition promises festive fun with an array of bonus features to enjoy including the iconic Kong Upgrades, the new Power Play feature, and with a maximum win of 10,000x the player’s bet also up for grabs, the perfect presents await our players this December!”

Click here for more on King Kong Cash™: Even Bigger Bananas Power Play

The European Gaming Congress 2024 concluded with resounding success, attracting nearly 200 participants who benefitted from premier learning and networking opportunities. In this exclusive interview, we are thrilled to host Michał Ftouni, Head of Sales at zondacrypto – our Selfie Mirror Sponsor – and a key voice on blockchain’s transformative impact in iGaming.

Given your extensive experience in fintech and payments, what key developments do you see as the most transformative for the iGaming industry when it comes to blockchain technology?

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I would say that making use of the inherent nature of the blockchain, meaning the transparency, immutability and security of it, is the most disruptive and transformative development for the iGaming industry. Players are able to confirm that the outcome of games is fair and make sure they are not being tampered with. Their payments are also safe, quick and cheap, something that is highly sought after by players. Of course, one has to mention also the effect DeFi and web3 has had on iGaming, by adding great features like staking and yield farming which brings a whole new dimension to user engagement. As for merchants, blockchain technology reduces operational costs by cutting out intermediaries, enabling instant settlements, lowering transaction fees. The biggest advantage in my opinion is the adherence to compliance and regulation since everything on the blockchain is transparent and traceable. Every transaction is securely recorded and easily auditable. Last but not least, we have to talk about chargebacks and fraud. These are the biggest pain for merchants when it comes to payments, and blockchain technology completely eliminates these risks.

During the panel discussion on ‘Chain Reaction: Securing and Disrupting iGaming with Blockchain Innovations,’ you shared some compelling insights on how blockchain is transforming the industry. Could you expand on the unique perspectives you brought to the panel and how your experience at zondacrypto has influenced your views on blockchain’s role in iGaming?

At zondacrypto, we see blockchain as so much more than just a tool for payments. We see it as a foundation for reshaping the entire gaming experience. It’s not just a buzzword but a foundational technology for addressing key challenges in iGaming, such as trust, security, and efficiency. My insights are rooted in real-world applications we’ve implemented at zondacrypto, particularly through our zondacrypto pay gateway. For example, our payment solution uses blockchain technology to streamline payments and cross-border transactions, reduce costs, and ensure transparency in the payment flow. All are critical elements for operators catering to a global audience.

Additionally, my experience has taught me that blockchain’s potential extends beyond payments for iGaming. A key role is in enhancing trust through permanent and unchangeable records and smart contracts that automate processes like custom wagering limits, automated payouts or unique bonus structures. This means that iGaming companies can improve efficiency and build strong trust among their clients. Throughout the years, I’ve seen firsthand how blockchain can elevate player engagement and operational integrity. This leads me to believe that Blockchain Innovations are a game-changer for the industry.

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Blockchain is often praised for its potential to enhance transparency and trust in various industries. What specific blockchain features do you believe are most beneficial for iGaming platforms, particularly in the areas of security and data management?

For iGaming platforms, the most valuable aspects of blockchain are decentralization, immutability, and its built-in cryptographic security. Decentralization eliminates the reliance on a single authority, which helps ensure that game outcomes are fair and tamper-proof. Immutability is crucial because it guarantees that once data, such as bets or transaction histories, is recorded, it can’t be altered—this builds a strong sense of trust with both players and operators. Lastly, the security provided by blockchain technology protects sensitive data like personal information and payment details, which significantly reduces the risk of breaches and fraud. These features make blockchain an ideal solution for addressing the unique challenges of the iGaming industry.

Since joining the cryptocurrency space in 2017, you’ve seen significant changes in the industry. How has the perception of blockchain evolved among iGaming stakeholders, and what misconceptions still persist?

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Back then, there was a lot of skepticism around blockchain, particularly in the iGaming sector. Blockchain was often seen as a niche concept, mostly associated with speculation and volatility. Over time, iGaming stakeholders have become more aware of its practical benefits, especially in areas like transparency, security, and faster payments. However, some misconceptions persist. One common one is that implementing blockchain is overly complex or requires a complete overhaul of existing systems, which isn’t true—there are many plug-and-play solutions now available. Another is the idea that blockchain automatically means anonymity and is therefore linked to illegal activities, overlooking the advancements in compliance, like KYC-enabled systems, that make it secure and regulatory-friendly for businesses.

zondacrypto offers a range of B2B services, including crypto payment processing and OTC services. Could you share some insights into how these services have impacted gaming platforms, and what trends you anticipate in the near future for crypto in iGaming?

Our B2B services, especially crypto payment processing, have made a significant difference for gaming platforms by speeding up transactions, lowering costs, and enabling operators to cater to players globally. For instance, quick settlements and reduced fees give operators a competitive edge, while OTC services are perfect for managing larger transactions, particularly for VIP players. Looking ahead, I expect stablecoins to gain more traction because they address concerns about crypto volatility while keeping the benefits of blockchain intact. Another big trend I see is the growing use of NFTs within games—not just as collectibles but as tools that enhance player engagement and create new revenue streams for operators.

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As zondacrypto expands its footprint across the EU, what challenges do you face in driving blockchain adoption, and how are you working to overcome them, particularly in the iGaming sector?

One of the biggest challenges we face is navigating the regulatory landscape, which varies significantly across EU countries. Some jurisdictions are very supportive of blockchain innovation, while others remain cautious or unclear about their policies. To address this, we actively engage with regulators, provide education, and advocate for clear, fair rules that balance innovation with compliance.

We must of course mention the upcoming implementation of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation by December 2024 which marks a significant milestone for the crypto industry, as it will introduce a unified regulatory framework across all EU member states, providing much-needed clarity for businesses operating in the space. As zondacrypto was one of the first centralized exchanges to be fully MiCA-ready, it will allow us to streamline operations and scale more effectively across multiple markets.

Another challenge is convincing traditional gaming platforms to embrace blockchain. There’s often hesitation due to concerns about complexity or the resources needed for integration. To overcome this, we focus on demonstrating how blockchain simplifies operations, reduces costs, and enhances trust. Sharing real-world success stories and showing the long-term value of blockchain solutions have been effective strategies in driving adoption.

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Looking ahead, how do you envision blockchain continuing to disrupt and reshape the iGaming landscape over the next five years? Are there any upcoming innovations from zondacrypto that you’re particularly excited to share?

Over the next five years, I see blockchain becoming deeply embedded in the iGaming industry, not just for payments but across the entire gaming experience. We’ll likely see innovations like DAOs giving players a voice in decision-making, blockchain-based loyalty programs enhancing player retention, and NFTs creating new ways for players to own and trade in-game assets. These developments will make gaming more interactive and engaging while giving players more control.

We’re particularly excited about enhancing zondacrypto pay with a strong focus on MiCA compliance to align with the EU’s evolving regulatory framework. By integrating MiCA-compliant features, we aim to provide gaming operators with a secure, transparent, and fully regulated payment solution that meets the highest standards. This will not only ensure smooth, legally sound operations but also build trust with operators and players alike, solidifying blockchain’s role as a dependable foundation for iGaming transactions.

Michał Ftouni provided his valuable insights at the European Gaming Congress 2024 as a panelist at the discussion  “Chain Reaction: Securing and Disrupting iGaming with Blockchain Innovations”, and with his Keynote Presentation “Leveling up your payments with crypto”.