AI
AI isn’t replacing creativity in gaming – it is democratising it
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Tom Smallwood, Chief Commercial Officer at OpenSlots
The growth of AI in the industry is a talking point you cannot ignore. From sceptics to those convinced it will have a big role to play, AI dominates discourse. However, it is widely accepted that it will play a significant role in product development. In our industry, the biggest misconception is that AI will replace creativity in game development. In my experience, it has the power to do the exact opposite. I’ve watched countless studios struggle with the same challenge of transforming creative vision into market-ready slot games without requiring a six-figure budget a six-month timeline only to fail to achieve distribution. Yet that’s exactly what the traditional route to market looks like now.
AI is removing the technical barriers that risk keeping creative minds locked out of our industry. At OpenSlots, we’re beginning to see firsthand how AI can help turn a game creator’s ‘napkin sketch’ into a playable prototype in a fraction of the time.
The hidden costs of traditional slot development
The harsh reality facing game creators today is staggering. Developing and distributing even a basic slot requires substantial budgets and months of specialised expertise. Factor in regulatory compliance, RNG certification, and multi-platform optimisation, and smaller studios face insurmountable barriers.
These costs aren’t just financial, they affect the creative output too. When a single game requires months of mathematical modelling, extensive asset creation, development and technical integration it is inevitable that innovation stagnates. Game developers tend to play it safe, but even then, they risk not getting any ‘airtime’ in the face of the overwhelming quantity of games released by larger studios. The result is a market flooded with similar games, from the same providers, while innovative ideas never see daylight.
The OpenSlots approach
At OpenSlots, we are building a platform aimed at non-technical professions in which every element of the development process is optimised. Our AI-powered system lets operators and game designers create professional slot games through an agentic interface and AI-powered game creation workflows all on a tried and trusted RGS. You describe your vision, say, a high-volatility Norse mythology theme with cascading reels, and OpenSlots, backed by human expertise, handles everything from the creation of your game design document to the game build itself. We even have an WYSIWYG editor prior to publishing.
Real democratisation means accessible innovation
True democratisation isn’t just about making existing processes slightly easier, it is about changing who can participate. When we enable game creators to describe their vision in natural language and watch AI generate playable prototypes, we’re not replacing human creativity, we’re amplifying it. The most successful implementations don’t replace human expertise, they eliminate tedious and costly tasks that prevent creative professionals from focusing on innovation. This is as true for an operator as a studio. We do not see AI as a magic wand, to make everything easy, especially in a highly regulated industry. However, it is an enabler that can create a certain originality and independence for B2Cs and a voice to smaller game design studios.
Why this matters now
The timing for this transformation couldn’t be more critical. The slots market generates over half of total casino revenue, with operators facing pressure to deliver personalised, engaging content at speed. As mobile gaming dominates consumer spending and competition grows, the traditional development model can’t keep pace with market demands.
This creates an opportunity for platforms that can democratise game creation while maintaining quality and compliance. The industry needs solutions that allow rapid iteration and testing, branded content creation, and market-specific customisation, all without the costs that have historically limited who can participate in game development.
Building the future of game creation
The winners in this transformation won’t be the companies with the most advanced AI algorithms. They will be the ones who best understand how to apply AI practically to real challenges.
The future belongs to platforms that combine industry knowledge with cutting-edge AI capabilities. It’s not about auto-generating second rate game assets, just to for the sake of speed and cost, but leveraging the power of AI to amplify human expertise and give the chance for innovation. In many ways we are giving people the chance to make mistakes. And that, of course, is how we grow.
The question isn’t whether AI will transform gaming development. It’s whether we allow the broader ecosystem be part of that transformation or left behind by it.
The post AI isn’t replacing creativity in gaming – it is democratising it appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The HIPTHER Prague Summit is shaping up to be one of the most comprehensive events of the year, with an agenda that reflects the fast-evolving landscape of iGaming, fintech, compliance, AI, media, and beyond. With four distinct stages and content spanning two days, the summit promises high-impact insights, cutting-edge knowledge sharing, and actionable strategies for stakeholders across the digital industries.
While only half the agenda has been released so far, what’s already on the table reveals an ambitious and future-forward program. Attendees can expect the remaining schedule—focused on the Expert Panel Stage and HIPTHER Academy—to further raise the bar with industry-leading panels and advanced learning formats.
Stage 1: Compliance & Regulation
This track offers a robust dive into both regional and global regulatory trends, aimed at compliance professionals, legal experts, and decision-makers navigating complex frameworks.
Day 1 will focus on market updates, regulators’ panels, and regional compliance outlooks. Highlights include a Czech Market update, a panel featuring European regulators, and regional overviews from Germany and the Balkans.
Day 2 expands into the global picture, covering enforcement trends, jurisdiction updates from Southern Europe, the USA, and LatAm, and a deep-dive GLI session on certification and trust. The day wraps with an IMGL-led masterclass exploring the intersection of AI, automation, and accountability.
Stage 2: Expert Panels Stage
This track is a powerhouse of innovation-focused dialogue.
Day 1 will feature panels on iGaming, fintech, AI, media, SEO, esports, and business growth. Industry disruptors and thought leaders will gather to unpack the trends driving momentum across verticals.
Day 2 will turn the spotlight to deep-dive panels with operators, suppliers, and advisors sharing battle-tested strategies, future bets, and lessons from scaling globally.
Stage 3: Main Focus Stage
This stage is split into two powerful themes across both days.
Day 1 is the Keynote Arena, with standout talks on branding, visibility, growth, and deal-making. Sessions like “LinkedIn as a Dealflow Engine” and “Branding in the Attention Economy” offer tactical insights for companies looking to sharpen their competitive edge.
Stage 4: HIPTHER Academy
Designed for hands-on learning and skill development, this stage blends education with real-world application.
Day 1 offers masterclasses, workshops, and practical learning sessions, setting the tone for deep engagement.
Day 2 will feature advanced education formats, including certification-oriented sessions, ideal for professionals looking to level up with verified credentials.
Don’t Miss Out – Secure Your Spot Now
With limited availability and high interest across the industry, now is the perfect time to register. Be among the first to access cutting-edge insights, connect with top-tier professionals, and help shape the future of digital industries.
Register today for HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026 and be part of the conversation that drives the next wave of innovation.
The post HIPTHER Prague Summit Unveils 50% of Its Dynamic 2026 Agenda appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
XGENIA, the creator-first AI platform revolutionising game development, and Primero Games, a leader in retail and online gaming solutions, today announced a landmark collaboration that brings to life Primero’s first AI-generated slot game: Blackbeard Bounty. Developed entirely using the XGENIA platform, the game will debut — fully playable — at ICE Barcelona 2026, showcased at Stand 2Y22, where XGENIA is co-exhibiting alongside Storm Games, a UK-based studio acquired by Primero in 2022.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in Primero Games’ strategy to expand aggressively into the digital iGaming market by leveraging cutting-edge tools that reduce development cycles and maximize creative output.
“With XGENIA, we didn’t just speed up development — we completely reimagined the process,” said Barry Rutherford, CEO of Primero Games. “Our new AI-built slot is more than a game — it’s a statement about how we’re blending tradition with technology to lead the next wave of interactive content. ICE Barcelona is the perfect stage to launch it.”
XGENIA’s AI-native platform allows studios like Storm Games and operators like Primero to build production-ready slot games using drag-and-drop workflows, AI-generated logic, and instant deployment tools — all without traditional coding.
“We built XGENIA for creators who move fast,” said Mark Flores Martin, CEO of XGENIA. “Primero Games immediately understood the vision. Their team saw that with AI-first tools, they could go from concept to playable slot in days — not months. That kind of alignment is exactly why this partnership works.”
Building on the 2022 acquisition of Storm Games — a move that brought UK development expertise and creative IP into Primero’s portfolio — this collaboration uses XGENIA’s latest features to bring Blackbeard Bounty to life, complete with AI-driven animation, compliance-ready maths, and backend logic.
Experience it Firsthand at ICE Barcelona
Visit Stand 2Y22 to play Blackbeard Bounty live and explore the XGENIA platform behind it.
Event: ICE Barcelona
Date: January 19-21, 2026
Location: Hall 2, Stand 2Y22
The post Primero Games Uses XGENIA for Their First AI-Generated Slot Game appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI
InsightPlay.ai Raises $500K Seed Round Backed by Leading Industry Veterans to Accelerate AI Transformation in iGaming
InsightPlay.ai, the enterprise AI transformation partner for the global iGaming industry, has announced the successful raise of a $500K Seed funding round, backed by an exceptional group of industry veterans and strategic angel investors with deep expertise across gaming, payments, data, marketing and SaaS.
The funding will support InsightPlay.ai’s mission to transform how iGaming operators acquire, retain and reactivate players through enterprise-grade conversational AI Agents, compliance-first architecture and real-time business intelligence. The company is already delivering measurable impact at scale across multiple regulated markets.
InsightPlay.ai currently works with leading operators and affiliates across Latin America, Europe and North America, achieving industry-leading results in player reactivation, engagement and operational efficiency, all while meeting the highest standards for data governance and strict compliance standards.
Javier Troncoso, CEO of InsightPlay.ai said, “The backing we’ve received reflects a shared belief that AI in iGaming must move beyond isolated features and into core infrastructures.
“Our focus is building technology that operators can trust, scale and govern across regulated markets.”
Cristian Barbosa, COO of InsightPlay.ai, added: “From day one, we set out to build a company driven by customer outcomes, not technology for technology’s sake. By combining innovation, product vision and deep gaming expertise, we’re positioned to create lasting, industry-wide impact.”
The Seed round brings together an exceptional group of angel investors, including Jeffrey Haas (ex-Evoke, DraftKings, PokerStars), Marc Pedersen (Former CEO, Better Collective North America) and Benjie Cherniak (ex-Scientific Games, Don Best Sports), alongside additional industry-backed angels.
InsightPlay.ai will showcase live AI activations at ICE Barcelona 2026, demonstrating real-world use cases of conversational AI in sports betting.
“ICE is where innovation becomes reality,” said Javier. “We’re excited to show what enterprise AI truly looks like in iGaming.”
The post InsightPlay.ai Raises $500K Seed Round Backed by Leading Industry Veterans to Accelerate AI Transformation in iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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