The game has changed for online casinos

Published

2 years ago

December 9, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

David Natroshvili, founder of SPRIBE, the company behind Aviator, assesses the state of play for online casinos as we come to the end of 2024

For me, 2024 will go down as the year that changed the game for online casinos.

Over the past 12 months, a revolution has swept across the market in a way we’ve not seen before. From the games players play to the ways they pay, things are changing and they are changing fast.

Slots no longer dominate game lobbies and where once players used to prefer to deposit with debit cards, it’s now crypto such as Bitcoin and Ether.

The companies providing the games players play have changed, too, with some now considered among the most innovative technology and entertainment companies on the planet.

This includes SPRIBE, the company I founded.

So, what have been the biggest changes we’ve seen in 2024 and what impact have they had on the sector? Let’s get into it.

Slots no longer dominate game lobbies:

For many years, it’s been blockbuster slots from the top-tier providers that have dominated online casino game lobbies and certainly topped the player charts.

But that’s not the case anymore.

Increasingly, players are being drawn to non-traditional content in the form of Mines, Hi-Lo, Goal, Plinko and of course, Crash.

SPRIBE developed the original crash game, Aviator, which now has more than 42 million monthly players across the 4,500+ online casinos that offer it.

For those that give it a full marketing push at launch, it can account for more than 10% of total casino GGR – a remarkable figure when you think about it.

Online casinos must now offer non-traditional games if they are to engage Millennial and Gen Z players, but also meet the changing preferences of existing players.

Crash games in particular have broad appeal because of the fast-paced big risk/big reward gameplay. That Aviator is multiplayer and packed with social interaction has also been key to its success.

It’s why they are so popular with all player types and why titles such as Aviator can have a direct and significant impact on casino GGR.

Crypto casinos setting the standard for others to follow:

Aviator gets much of its DNA from the fascinating world of crypto casinos which continue to push boundaries when it comes to engaging with players and the experiences they deliver.

Regulators remain cautious when it comes to crypto, but you only need to look at the runaway success of the biggest crypto casinos to see consumer demand is incredibly strong.

Crypto casinos gave birth to non-traditional content, wrapping gambling elements around popular video games such as Minesweeper and for me, they continue to set the benchmark.

Not only that, but these casinos understand how to connect with players where their attention can be found – streaming, social media, etc – and have such powerful brand values and identities.

Then of course you have the way crypto is connected to the entire experience, and how these operators have ensured the smoothest UX.

Traditional online casinos need to take note and step up to the mark being set or risk losing more players to these brands.

Game providers entering multi-million-dollar marketing partnerships:

One of the biggest changes for me has been how studios are now directly marketing their games to players – again, this is something we have pioneered with Aviator.

This includes our first-of-its-kind partnership with the UFC which sees the Aviator logo appear inside the Octagon at Fight Night and PPC events.

It also created a brand ambassador fund which allows us to run marketing campaigns with superstar athletes such as Alex Pereira.

Other studios – I won’t say who – have entered similar deals but not quite to the same degree. We are also close to unveiling another major deal in the coming weeks.

These marketing deals drive huge awareness for Aviator and ultimately mean operators must add it to their lobbies to meet player demand.

So, there you have it – this is how the game has changed for online casinos in 2024, and I expect the pace of evolution to be just as fast in the coming 12 months.

The post The game has changed for online casinos appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Xpoint rolls out pattern-analysis engine to flag coordinated bonus abuse

Published

2 hours ago

July 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

xpoint-rolls-out-pattern-analysis-engine-to-flag-coordinated-bonus-abuse

Xpoint has launched a proprietary pattern-analysis engine aimed at helping betting and gaming operators detect coordinated fraud, including organized bonus abuse and location spoofing. The company announced the product on 6th July 2026 and said it is currently rolling out with partners in North America.

Xpoint said the engine is designed to catch groups that cycle the same devices, accounts, and locations to farm sign-up bonuses and exploit promotions. Unlike conventional geolocation checks that assess each login in isolation, the new engine analyzes historical location activity to identify patterns that emerge over time.

As an example, Xpoint said the engine can flag groups of users that repeatedly appear together across locations, particularly where some members have previously been linked to location spoofing—signals the company associates with coordinated bonus-abuse rings. Xpoint added that the analysis runs in the background against historical data and is intended to avoid adding friction to the player journey.

The launch follows a new investment round earlier this year, which Xpoint said was dedicated to accelerating growth and supporting further product enhancement.

Manu Gambhir, CEO of Xpoint, said: “Attempts to defraud operators are becoming ever more coordinated and advanced, so operators need the best possible tools to spot areas of concern early.

“Our pattern-analysis engine examines historical data to uncover unusual patterns an operator needs to be aware of, without in any way adding friction to the player journey. It further underlines our commitment to innovative, adaptable compliance solutions for operators.”

The post Xpoint rolls out pattern-analysis engine to flag coordinated bonus abuse appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Fan Engagement

Midnite extends Southampton FC sponsorship through 2026/27 and rolls out ‘2UP’ fan prize

Published

2 hours ago

July 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

midnite-extends-southampton-fc-sponsorship-through-2026/27-and-rolls-out-‘2up’-fan-prize

Midnite has renewed its partnership with Southampton FC for the 2026/27 season, continuing as the club’s Official Training Kit partner and back-of-shirt sponsor.

The company said the extension builds on its first season with the club in 2025/26, when it ran supporter activations including “Midnite Express” away travel, a commemorative tifo marking the 50-year anniversary of Southampton’s FA Cup success, and hospitality giveaways via its “Ticket Treats” campaign.

For 2026/27, Midnite is introducing a season-long fan initiative called “2UP”. Under the format, if Southampton go two goals up in any home league match, one fan wins the 2UP prize pot. Midnite said the pot increases by £1,000 each week a jackpot is not won, and noted Southampton held a two-goal home lead on six occasions last season.

Greg Baker, Chief Revenue Officer of Southampton Football Club said:

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Midnite after a successful first season together.

“They’ve consistently looked for new and engaging ways to reward our supporters, whether through unique matchday experiences, away travel or fan competitions, and we’re excited to see that continue this season.

“The launch of 2UP is another fantastic example of that commitment and we look forward to seeing Saints fans enjoying the campaign throughout the 2026/27 season.”

Andrew Mook, Midnite‘s Head of Brand Marketing, added:

“We’re excited to be Southampton’s Official Training Kit partner for a second year.

“During the 2025/26 campaign, Midnite worked closely with the club to create experiences that reward Saints supporters. From helping fans travel in style on the Midnite Express and commissioning the club’s commemorative FA Cup tifo, to providing hospitality experiences through Ticket Treats, our aim has always been to add something extra for Saints fans.

“With that said, we are pleased to introduce ‘2UP’ where one lucky fan will win prize money if Southampton take a two-goal lead in any home league fixture, with £1,000 being added to the pot after each game at St Mary’s.

“With Southampton taking a two-goal lead at home six times last season, we’re looking forward to seeing a number of Saints fans rewarded through ‘2UP’ during the campaign.”

The post Midnite extends Southampton FC sponsorship through 2026/27 and rolls out ‘2UP’ fan prize appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Allwyn

Allwyn sets UK launch date for Powerball game on 21 July, pending approval

Published

2 hours ago

July 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

allwyn-sets-uk-launch-date-for-powerball-game-on-21-july,-pending-approval

National Lottery operator Allwyn said on 6 July 2026 that it plans to launch a UK version of Powerball on Tuesday 21 July, subject to final regulatory approval. The company said UK players will be able to buy a £4 Powerball line in National Lottery retailers and via the National Lottery website and app.

Allwyn said the UK-specific version will offer jackpots starting at £12M and will be linked to the US Powerball game through a partnership with the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). The company said UK jackpot winners will be paid over 30 years, and that UK players will pick five main numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26, with draws held three times a week.

Allwyn said the first UK draw is scheduled for 23 July, with ticket sales closing at 11.55pm the night before draws on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and draws taking place around 4am the next morning on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from a Powerball studio in Florida. It added that the UK game includes an additional “Match 2 main numbers” prize tier exclusive to UK players, paying a fixed £8, while the “Match 5 main numbers” tier pays a fixed £1M.

Allwyn CEO, Andria Vidler, said, “We’re excited to give National Lottery players the chance to dream bigger, while supporting thousands of Good Cause projects across the UK every week. Powerball jackpots can soar into the billions, offering breath-taking sums with the potential to transform lives and communities.

“As we begin the countdown to the first draw later this month, you won’t be able to miss Powerball’s arrival with a major launch lined up. We’re encouraging players to get involved when tickets go on sale, and we’ll be crossing our fingers for our first UK winner.”

Rebecca Paul, President & CEO of the Tennessee Lottery and former President of the World Lottery Association, said “This next step brings us closer to a thrilling milestone for Powerball. More players means faster-growing jackpots, more excitement and even greater impact for the communities we serve.”

Allwyn said the game is expected to raise around £1BN for UK Good Causes over its first five years, with funding generated from UK ticket sales going to UK beneficiaries and projects. It also referenced recent changes to the National Lottery’s Lotto game and said the revised format has produced 27 millionaires since the first draw under the new format on 10 June.

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