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Beyond Ancient Egypt: Are ‘adult-themed’ slots the future of iGaming?

Published

8 months ago

May 27, 2025

beyond-ancient-egypt:-are-‘adult-themed’-slots-the-future-of-igaming?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In the dynamic landscape of online slots, a notable shift has recently occurred when it comes to game themes. Breaking away from tried and tested themes such as Ancient Egypt, Greek mythology, the Wild West, fishing and fruits, a new wave of tongue-in-cheek ‘adult-themed’ slots is emerging. With this controversial approach, pioneering suppliers aim to stand out in a crowded marketplace, capturing the attention of players and influencers alike by introducing playful yet potentially provocative content. While these games generate initial buzz and conversation, the critical question remains whether their novelty can translate into sustained player loyalty and long-term success.

We asked Wicked Games, a studio developing this genre of games, Thunderkick, a more classic slot developer, and a streamer, Fruity Slots, whether they thought the shift towards adult-themed content really is the future of iGaming.

Karl von Brockdorff, Head of Brands at Wicked Games: “For years, slot providers have stuck to the same safe themes because they worked. And fair enough—people like what’s familiar. But familiarity gets boring. Players aren’t stupid; they’ve seen it all before.

At Wicked Games, we’re just making the kind of slots we’d actually want to play—ones that don’t take themselves too seriously, that make you laugh, maybe even make you uncomfortable. It’s not about being ‘edgy’ for the sake of it. It’s about giving players something with actual personality, something they’ll remember; something they would share.

Are adult-themed slots the future of iGaming? Maybe, maybe not. But games that feel fresh, that aren’t afraid to have a point of view? That’s where things are headed. And we’re all in for that.”

Johanna Backlund, Head of Marketing at Thunderkick: “In an industry where thousands of new games are released annually, the rise of playful, adult-themed slots is an intelligent PR move designed to make players and influencers take notice. When done the right way, it can be bold, fun, and spark conversation – a solid strategy to stand out in a competitive environment.

The divisive question is whether these products have genuine staying power. They are entertaining to try and exciting to talk about, but do they encourage the kind of loyalty that drives player retention? These themes might capture the industry’s attention initially, but at the end of the day, it’s the gameplay, mechanics, math, and player experience, that determines longevity.

Rather than simply delivering the shock factor, the real challenge is ensuring the product itself has sufficient substance to keep players engaged session after session. The novelty may fade, and it is the overall quality of content that will ultimately define success.”

Josh Green, Managing Director of BetUp Media which operates influencer brands, Fruity Slots and Hideous Slots: “This reliance on well-known themes has arguably fostered a degree of stagnation within the iGaming ecosystem. While conventional genres undoubtedly retain broad appeal, their persistent repetition can lead to a lack of innovation and diversity, potentially tiring more seasoned players.

These make up a significant portion of our audience, those who engage with gambling content recreationally, and many now prefer adult-themed titles over traditional slots. Consequently, studios demonstrating a willingness to break free from this cycle have often experienced rapid growth and visibility, particularly among experienced players eager for novel and engaging content and across our streaming team seeking something new and entertaining to play to our audience.

While some critics might attribute the success of adult-themed slots to mere shock value, their emergence represents a more nuanced strategy, a deliberate statement of differentiation that can capture the attention of players increasingly seeking alternatives in a saturated market. These studios’ success across our audience demonstrates that this approach is working.

Looking ahead, this push for differentiation raises the question of whether such widespread efforts will truly enable individual studios to stand out, or if the pendulum will begin to swing back towards more traditional approaches. The challenge will be maintaining a unique identity in a space that’s increasingly full of outliers.”

The post Beyond Ancient Egypt: Are ‘adult-themed’ slots the future of iGaming? appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

GGPoker Announces Ocean Rewards – A New Industry-Leading Loyalty Program Launching January 30

Published

2 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

GGPoker players to earn up to 80% cashback

GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of Ocean Rewards, a brand-new player loyalty program set to premiere on January 30, 2026. Ocean Rewards will replace the existing Fish Buffet program, ushering in a new era of rewards with a focus on simplicity, long-term stability, and significantly higher value for players.

Designed to be the most rewarding loyalty scheme in the online poker industry, Ocean Rewards offers players the chance to earn up to 80% cashback, a substantial increase from the previous 60% cap. The new program is built to streamline the player experience, moving away from complex short-term goals to a model that rewards consistent play over the long term.

Key Benefits of Ocean Rewards

Higher Cashback: Players can now receive up to 80% cashback, with improved rates available across all tiers
Guaranteed Yearly Status: Unlike the previous program, which focused on shorter timeframes, Ocean Rewards allows players to lock in their tier status until the end of the following year, providing greater peace of mind and stability
Simplified Earning: Players earn Tide Points and Gems through play. As players reach higher tiers – ranging from Fish to Shark – the rate at which Gems are earned increases, following the simple motto: “Collect more, Earn more”

Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker, commented on the upcoming launch: “With Ocean Rewards, we are taking our commitment to players to the next level. We wanted to move away from the short-term grind and create a program that truly honors loyalty with long-term security. By offering guaranteed yearly status and raising the cashback ceiling to an industry-leading 80%, we ensure that every player – whether a casual enthusiast or a dedicated professional – gets more value than ever before. This is the evolution of rewards our community deserves.”

Transition for Existing Players

The transition on January 30 will be automatic. Players do not need to take any action to opt in. Existing Fish Buffet rewards will be automatically cashed out to player balances, and accounts will be instantly upgraded to their new Ocean Rewards tier.

To learn more about Ocean Rewards, please visit: ggpoker.com/monthly-rewards/ocean-rewards/

The post GGPoker Announces Ocean Rewards – A New Industry-Leading Loyalty Program Launching January 30 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Gambling in the USA

MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive from Galaxy Gaming debuts at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

Published

2 hours ago

January 13, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

monopoly-table-games-progressive-from-galaxy-gaming-debuts-at-the-plaza-hotel-&-casino

MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive brings the beloved classic to life in the casino pit, transforming every round into a dynamic and rewarding experience. Mr. Monopoly is the star of the show, randomly selecting hands and providing exciting multipliers up to 10x, keeping players engaged and on the edge of their seats.

Details

Designed to deliver high energy and volatility without compromising house edge, the MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive is unlike anything the industry has seen. With nostalgic animations and familiar visuals, this theme adds a fresh layer of excitement to the table—and best of all, it’s compatible with nearly any Galaxy Gaming progressive.

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The post MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive from Galaxy Gaming debuts at the Plaza Hotel & Casino appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Latest News

Welsh great-grandfather wins £291,000 with The Pools

Published

3 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

welsh-great-grandfather-wins-291,000-with-the-pools

Liverpool fan Peter celebrating bumper payout thanks to Man Utd’s late 4-4 draw with Bournemouth

A Welsh great-grandfather is celebrating a life-changing £291,000 win with The Pools, after selecting eight score draws, including Manchester United’s 4-4 Premier League December classic with Bournemouth.

Peter, 77 from Pontypridd, has played The Pools for over 40 years and enjoyed a magical Christmas and New Year to remember after securing the lucrative jackpot via his Classic Pools selections last month.

Seven correct selections from a rollercoaster weekend of European football in December saw Peter go into the Monday evening fixture at Old Trafford needing a score draw to land a life-changing sum. A topsy-turvy affair saw eight goals scored, including Eli Junior Kroupi’s 84^th-minute equaliser, which brought home the eight-fold coupon.

Peter’s win was the biggest on Classic Pools since September 2024 when a lucky player took home £318,292.

Peter said: “I had selected the eight fixtures, but wasn’t watching the Manchester United game – it wasn’t until I received the phone call the next morning that I realised I’d won! I was shocked, happy, crying – all those emotions at once!

“I’m actually a Liverpool fan, so it’s fair to say we had a good 2025 – lifting the Premier League trophy and then winning on The Pools the week before Christmas. There was certainly plenty of celebrating across the festive period!

“This would be special at any time of year, but especially around Christmas and New Year, it was amazing, it couldn’t be better.”

‘This money means security and happiness for my family’

Peter was diagnosed with a rare spinal disability around 20 years ago, meaning most of his time is spent at his home in South Wales. But having always looked forward to playing The Pools each week, his win now offers his family a bright future.

He added: “The Pools has always been a hobby for me and I look forward to playing every weekend. I was diagnosed with syringomyelia in my 50s, a neurological disorder of the spine, so spend most of my time at home.

“I haven’t been able to travel for a long time, we haven’t been on holiday for a number of years, but I’m hoping we can maybe now book a trip to Spain with all the family.

“I’ve won small amounts with The Pools before, but nothing quite like this! It’s an amazing amount of money for my wife Janet, the children, the grandchildren, and the great-grandchildren too.

“We live in a house, but we can now hope to move into a bungalow, all on one floor, which will help me a lot. This money means happiness and security for my family, which will allow us to plan for the future.”

James Arnold, CEO of The Pools, said: “We’re all about celebrating all wins at The Pools, both big and small, but it’s fair to say one of our customers in Wales pulled off quite the coup with this Classic Pools selection last month.

“Landing eight correct score draws, ending in Manchester United’s memorable 4-4 draw with Bournemouth, has given Peter a life-changing sum, and we’re delighted to see the positive impact the winnings can have both for Peter, his wife Janet and all his family.

“Peter has played with The Pools for more than 40 years, so to see his success one week before Christmas, the same year his beloved Liverpool won the Premier League… it’s fair to say you couldn’t write the script for this one!”

Peter’s winning coupon

Saturday 13^th December