Latest News
Scientific Games Scores Deal with NBA for Lottery Scratch Games in US
Scientific Games continues to light up the company’s licensed properties portfolio with another big win. National Basketball Association (NBA)-licensed instant scratch games are now available to U.S. lotteries through Scientific Games, bringing the fan-passionate brand of professional basketball to their players.
As part of the new, multi-year agreement, Scientific Games will work with U.S. lotteries to help create custom second-chance promotions and experiential prizes to amplify their NBA-themed scratch games. Lotteries can also work with local NBA teams in their states to create team-specific games through sponsorships.
The Massachusetts Lottery, perennially ranked No. 1 worldwide for instant scratch game sales, is the first to feature an NBA-branded scratcher under the Scientific Games agreement. The Lottery launched an NBA Champion Boston Celtics-themed game on November 19 with the 2024-25 NBA season in full swing. With total sales of $1.6 billion since the introduction of its first sports-themed ticket in 2006, the Mass Lottery is also ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for retail sales in this category.
“The Celtics are one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports and we are thrilled to commemorate their most recent championship with a ticket that offers their passionate fanbase the opportunity to win up to one million dollars and a variety of experiential and merchandise prizes,” said Mark William Bracken, Executive Director of the Massachusetts State Lottery.
The NBA has a rich tradition of game-changing plays, storied rivalries and team dynasties. It is the most innovative league in sports, helping drive the growth of the sport around the globe. The NBA comprises 30 teams in North America, 29 based in major U.S. cities and one in Canada.
Tina Hoover, VP Licensing for Scientific Games, said: “We are excited to welcome the NBA back into the lottery category. The NBA has a loyal and passionate fanbase, which makes the brand perfect for lottery games that appeal to players in communities across a state. Each game can be customized to a lottery’s home market. Best of all, sales from the games will benefit the lottery’s good cause programs in those same communities.”
In fiscal year 2024, licensed branded games created by Scientific Games for North American lotteries represented USD $2.6 billion in retail sales.
Edvardas Sadovskis CPO at ICONIC21
ICONIC21 Reimagines Myth: Medusa vs. Perseus — The Stone Duel
Intense volatility collides with player-led decisions in a quest for epic 10,000x rewards.
History is shaped by those who win, but in Medusa vs Perseus: Stone Duel, the new slot from sought-after iGaming creator ICONIC21, the result lies with the player.
Transforming one of history’s most renowned rivalries into a 5×5 grid format, ICONIC21 offers a game characterized by intensity, impressive visuals, and clear mechanics.
Central to the conflict are the Full Reel Wilds. When these giants collide, they showcase a potent Multiplier that affects each winning line it connects with. As more Wilds appear and line up, the effect becomes even greater.
The experience genuinely deepens when players select their champion during the Free Spins round:
Perseus’ Momentum: Each Wild fuels an increasing Global Multiplier, culminating in a peak of victories.
Medusa’s Control: Expanding Wilds secure their position, transforming the reels into a pathway of ongoing winning opportunities.
With a maximum win of 10,000 times the stake, the bets align with the magnitude of the legend. The title is crafted to attract a wide audience.
Edvardas Sadovskis, CPO at ICONIC21, said: “With Medusa vs Perseus: Stone Duel, we wanted to move beyond the standard ‘Ancient Greece’ tropes. By giving players the choice between Perseus’ scaling power or Medusa’s sticky persistence, we’re adding a layer of strategy to the volatility.
“This game is about the drama of the duel. For operators, this translates into deeper engagement and great performance, as players try to master both paths to the 10,000x treasure.
“This is a milestone addition to our portfolio. By delivering a diverse mix of math profiles and mechanics, we have firmly established ICONIC21 as a must-have supplier for any forward-thinking operator.”
The post ICONIC21 Reimagines Myth: Medusa vs. Perseus — The Stone Duel appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gran Madrid | Casino Online
TaDa Strikes Partnership Deal with Spain’s Top Casino Operator Gran Madrid
TaDa Gaming, a top content provider for the iGaming sector, and Gran Madrid | Casino Online, Spain’s inaugural DGOJ licensed casino, have entered into an agreement that enables Spanish players to access TaDa’s distinctive slot and crash games. Distribution occurs via Light & Wonder Inc.
This new partnership marks TaDa’s initial foray into Spain and strengthens the provider’s successful expansion in regulated European markets. Gran Madrid | Casino Online participants will have the opportunity to enjoy TaDa’s certified collection featuring the Fortune Gems, TriLuck
’, and Hit the Cash
’ branded games.
The Hit the Cash
hallmark of Multipliers, Lock & Respin, and fixed Jackpots has generated considerable interest, with Joker Coins and Fortune Coins now leading releases in Europe.
TaDa’s engaging crash titles include ice hockey, football, and space adventures, along with comical versions featuring a chicken crossing the road and a frog jumping over a lily pond. Go Rush, the dual betting rocket game will be the initial launch in Spain.
Established in 1981, Gran Madrid | Casino Online received its official online gaming license in 2011, becoming the first licensed and recognized online casino in Spain. The groundbreaking operator has since thrived, acquiring tier one content from international suppliers and now provides more than 4,000 titles to its clientele.
Sean Liu, Director of Product Development, TaDa Gaming, said: ‘Our successful growth strategy is based on working with leading operators in each new market. Gran Madrid | Casino Online’s deep heritage in Spanish gaming and reputation for innovative and quality experiences provide the optimum framework for our entry to the Spanish market.’
José Félix Herreros, Country Manager, Gran Madrid | Casino Online, followed: ‘Having built our brand for innovation, working with a provider of TaDa Gaming’s calibre reinforces our position as the leading online casino platform in Spain. We are looking forward to working together on some exciting new experiences for our players.’
The post TaDa Strikes Partnership Deal with Spain’s Top Casino Operator Gran Madrid appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Africa
State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report
Xsolla today announced its support for State of the African Video Game Industry 2026, a comprehensive new report from SpielFabrique and researcher PhD Prince Oguguo that maps the size, structure, and growth dynamics of Africa’s fast-evolving games ecosystem. The study delivers data-driven insight into developer realities, market infrastructure, monetization trends and strategic recommendations for partners and investors.
Key findings at a glance
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Market size: Africa’s video games industry generated approximately $1.8 billion in revenue in 2024, driven predominantly by mobile gaming (≈90% of the market).
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Growth drivers: A young, mobile-first population, rising smartphone adoption and broader digital services are fueling above-average expansion across the continent.
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Structural challenges: Persistent pain points include payment friction, limited funding, uneven internet and platform infrastructure, and the lack of a unified continental market.
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Diverse ecosystems: The report stresses regional variation — with deep dives into Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco — showing how local payment systems, regulation and culture shape monetization and discoverability.
Why this report matters
“Supporting research like this helps ground industry conversations in real data and lived developer experience,” said Ilayda Bayari, VP of Business Development, MEA + Southern Europe at Xsolla. The report equips publishers, platforms, investors and policy-makers with actionable intelligence to build more sustainable partnerships with African developers.
Focus areas and recommendations
SpielFabrique’s study examines three critical levers for growth:
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Payments & distribution: Local payment methods and mobile money are essential to improve conversion and lifetime value for African titles.
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Funding & infrastructure: Targeted investment and improved developer tools/platforms are needed to scale studios beyond domestic markets.
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Talent & esports: Clearer talent pathways, education programmes and esports ecosystems will strengthen local production and audience engagement.
Regional snapshots
The research highlights how national differences influence outcomes: strong indie scenes in Nigeria and Kenya, established studios and distribution channels in South Africa, and growing developer communities in North African markets such as Egypt and Morocco.
Launch and supporting activity
The State of the African Video Game Industry 2026 report became available on January 29, 2026, and was launched with a coordinated website feature, social media rollout and a post-launch community webinar to share insights and facilitate industry discussion.
Voices from the field
“After more than seven years working alongside African game makers and ecosystem builders, I’m proud to share this comprehensive overview of where the market stands today,” said Pr. Odile Limpach, Co-founder of SpielFabrique. The report aims to catalyze cooperation and make markets more visible — enabling partners to act on opportunities while appreciating local challenges.
The post State of the African Video Game Industry 2026: Xsolla Backs SpielFabrique’s Definitive Market Report appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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