Latest News
Not Just Games. Experiences: Interview with Gabor, CPO at DreamPlay
The iGaming industry has evolved far beyond spinning reels and flashy win screens. Today, it’s a rapidly shifting space where player expectations define innovation. Creativity, data, and emotional design have become central to building not just games — but experiences.
We sat down with Gabor, Chief Product Officer at DreamPlay, to discuss what modern slot development really means, how ideas transform into products, and why the future belongs not to games that are simply entertaining — but to those that resonate.
What makes a slot competitive today — math, visuals, gameplay, or a combination of factors? And which matters most?
Gabor: A great game is like an orchestra: you need every instrument playing in harmony or the whole thing falls apart.
The math and design are the heart and soul of every game — without them, even the best art is just a pretty face. Today’s players also expect to be entertained: strong pacing, polished audiovisuals, and features that feel meaningful, not gimmicky.
I always say that one of the challenges of creating great slots is that you have to be able to tell a whole story just through a push of the button — making them feel exciting while being simple and smooth for the player, but this means a lot of complexity for the creator.
So the real magic happens when everything clicks together. The best slots feel effortless, but behind that effortlessness is a very deliberate balance of math, flow, visuals, and just the right level of innovation.”
When working on a new release, what helps you shape the product vision before development even begins?
Gabor: Ideas can come from anywhere – a family vacation, a conversation, a movie, a meme, pretty much anything you can think of.
Creativity thrives when everyone on the team can chip in with their own ideas – we actively encourage that.
But inspiration alone isn’t enough. Every game needs a clear purpose. Is it pushing boundaries? Refreshing a classic theme? Continuing a successful series? We always start by defining the ‘why.’
Then we let data and experience meet in the middle. When the numbers support the idea and our collective instincts say ‘yes, this will work,’ that’s when a concept becomes a vision worth building.”
Do you see potential for an even closer integration of video games and slots, or are they still two different markets?
Gabor:There’s definitely potential — and honestly, the two worlds have been borrowing from each other for years. iGaming has embraced progression systems, more complex storytelling, achievements… while video games picked up loot boxes and other elements from gambling.
They will never fully merge, because the motivations and regulations are different, but there is clearly much more overlap than 10–15 years ago when these two industries were completely different. Today’s players grew up with games that blend entertainment, challenge, psychology, and reward, and they
expect a different form of entertainment than previous generations.
So we’re moving from ‘old-school gambling’ toward ‘interactive entertainment with a gambling core.’ And that trend will only continue.
Is the industry truly ready for bold experimentation, or does it still prefer playing safe?
Gabor: This is where it gets interesting. The industry loves talking about innovation and bold ideas – but in reality, the audience is still quite conservative. Most players enjoy evolution, not revolution.
We’ve seen a few big hits like Megaways and crash games, but they didn’t throw the core DNA of gambling out the window. These mechanics are mainly focused on enhanced entertainment value and presentation.
So yes, there’s room to experiment, but true format-breaking innovations tend to become niche and usually struggle to gain wider traction. The sweet spot is pushing boundaries without losing the essence of why players show up in the first place.”
What was your first step in iGaming, and when did you realize this was your industry?
Gabor: My start was completely unplanned. I moved to Israel from Hungary at 26, didn’t speak Hebrew yet, and was looking for any English-speaking job. A friend worked at an online casino, said they were hiring, and I thought, ‘Perfect, something temporary to help me get settled, I will find a proper job once my Hebrew improves.”
I have never even tried finding a ‘proper job’ afterward. That ‘temporary’ role turned into a 15+ year career across multiple countries, teams, and roles across casino management and game production — and I’ve loved every minute of it.
This industry is fast, sometimes (often) chaotic, but full of brilliant people and challenges that keep you sharp. Even after all these years, I still wake up excited about what we’re building. It’s hard to imagine doing anything else at this point.”
Final Takeaway
The iGaming industry continues its transformation — not just technologically, but emotionally. As Gabor pointed out throughout our conversation, the future belongs not to those who release the most games, but to those who understand what players truly feel.
We’re seeing a shift toward more immersive, meaningful experiences — where design, psychology, and data work together to create lasting engagement.
And it’s leaders like Gabor — and companies like DreamPlay — who are moving the industry forward, proving that innovation isn’t just about features or mechanics… it’s about connection.
Dream Play’s most recent releases and upcoming products here:
Platipus Ltd., a leading developer of high-quality HTML5 slot games, has unveiled its 2026 Network Tournament Series, offering a total prize pool of €125,000. Designed to enhance player engagement and operator performance, the series will run across five thrilling stages, each with €25,000 in prizes and 150 winning positions per event.
The Network Tournament Series aims to provide players with an immersive and competitive gaming experience while delivering measurable benefits for operators. By encouraging extended play sessions, increasing retention, and boosting Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), the campaign offers a strategic promotional solution for operators seeking to maximize performance and player loyalty.
Platipus confirmed that the tournament series will feature its most popular slot titles, including Wild Spin, Wild Spin Deluxe, Wild Crowns, 7 & Hot Fruits, alongside rotating feature games tailored to each stage. Each tournament stage promises unique excitement, rewarding players for skill and participation while fostering community engagement and competitive play.
The five tournament stages are scheduled as follows:
-
Stage 1 (January 29–31): Santa’s Bag
-
Stage 2 (February 5–7): Pirate’s Legacy
-
Stage 3 (April 30 – May 2): Catch the Leprechaun
-
Stage 4 (June 4–6): Jackpot Lab
-
Stage 5 (September 17–19): Pirate’s Map
All events will be powered by Platipus’s proprietary tournament tool, ensuring seamless integration for operators, real-time leaderboard functionality, and a smooth player experience across all participating games.
According to the Platipus team, the tournament series is “not just about prizes — it’s about creating excitement, community engagement, and memorable experiences.” Operators can join the campaign effortlessly, leveraging a ready-to-deploy promotional framework that drives player engagement, retention, and long-term revenue growth.
With the launch of the €125,000 Network Tournament, Platipus continues to reinforce its position as a top-tier provider of HTML5 slot content and innovative iGaming solutions, offering operators and players a dynamic, rewarding, and highly engaging gaming experience throughout 2026.
The post Platipus Launches €125,000 Network Tournament Series to Boost Player Engagement in 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI in iGaming
BetConstruct AI Named Global Gaming Company of the Year at International Gaming Awards 2026
BetConstruct AI has been officially recognised as Global Gaming Company of the Year at the International Gaming Awards (IGA) 2026, marking a major achievement for one of the iGaming industry’s most influential technology providers.
The prestigious award highlights more than two decades of innovation, a rapidly expanding global footprint, and a bold, transformative approach to Artificial Intelligence in gaming.
The IGA 2026 accolade underscores BetConstruct AI’s position as a truly global iGaming technology leader. The company delivers fully localised, multi-currency, and multi-lingual solutions designed to meet the specific regulatory, cultural, and operational requirements of markets across every continent. This global adaptability has become a defining strength, enabling operators to scale efficiently while maintaining compliance and player relevance.
The recognition follows a year of significant growth and strategic expansion for BetConstruct AI. The continued evolution of its AI-powered ecosystem has introduced new benchmarks for operational intelligence, automation, and player engagement, reinforcing the company’s reputation for forward-thinking innovation in a highly competitive sector.
At the heart of BetConstruct AI’s success is a strong partner-first philosophy combined with a deep commitment to in-house product development. By building the majority of its technology internally, the company ensures a robust, open ecosystem that supports seamless integrations and provides operators with full control over their platforms. This approach allows BetConstruct AI to maintain consistently high quality across its extensive product portfolio while remaining flexible to partner needs.
Winning the Global Gaming Company of the Year award reflects BetConstruct AI’s long-term vision of shaping the future of iGaming through advanced localisation and continuous technological innovation. By pairing global infrastructure with locally adapted solutions, the company enables its partners to overcome regulatory and administrative complexities, allowing them to focus on acquisition, retention, and sustainable long-term growth.
As the iGaming industry increasingly prioritises transparency, intelligence, and efficiency, BetConstruct AI continues to lead the way. By combining human expertise with AI-driven precision, the company empowers partners to build and manage their own unique “universe” within the global iGaming landscape, setting a new standard for scalable, intelligent gaming solutions.
The post BetConstruct AI Named Global Gaming Company of the Year at International Gaming Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
always-on betting
Highlight Games Partners with OpenBet Trading System to Expand Video Virtual Sports Offering
Highlight Games, the London-based specialist in video virtual sports and instant win games, has announced a landmark long-term partnership with OpenBet, one of the sports betting industry’s leading content, platform, and services providers.
The collaboration marks a significant step forward in expanding access to premium video virtual sports across regulated betting markets worldwide.
Under the agreement, Highlight Games’ extensive content portfolio will be fully integrated into OpenBet’s Trading System, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most powerful aggregation networks for elite trading and sports betting content. This digital integration will allow operators using OpenBet’s platform to seamlessly offer Highlight’s award-winning video virtual sports alongside live sporting events.
The partnership is designed to help operators deliver a continuous and engaging sports betting experience, even during periods when live events are unavailable. By blending virtual sports with live markets, operators can maintain player engagement, optimise betting uptime, and enhance overall product variety.
Highlight Games’ video virtual sports are powered by authentic archive footage from some of the world’s most recognisable sporting competitions. Available titles include virtual sports content featuring Serie A, LaLiga, England’s Premier League — with historic footage from iconic clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal — as well as the Turkish Süper Lig. Additional sports coverage includes ATP Tour Tennis, PDC Darts, and MotoGP, offering a broad and diverse range of betting opportunities.
Unlike traditional computer-generated virtual sports, Highlight Games’ products use real broadcast-quality footage, delivering a level of realism that closely mirrors live sport. This authenticity has become a key differentiator in the video virtuals market, appealing to bettors seeking immersive, lifelike betting experiences that reflect the pace and excitement of real-world competitions.
For OpenBet, the integration further strengthens the capabilities of its Trading System, reinforcing its position as a next-generation data and trading solution. By expanding its content ecosystem with premium video virtual sports, OpenBet continues to enhance product quality, improve content diversity, and support operator competitiveness across global markets.
Steven Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of Highlight Games, described the partnership as a major milestone for the company. He noted that Highlight’s video virtual sports are specifically designed to replicate the excitement and unpredictability of live sports betting. By integrating with OpenBet’s industry-leading Trading System, Highlight Games is enabling operators to deliver always-on sports entertainment that keeps customers engaged beyond traditional live event schedules.
Jason Ayton, Chief Business Development Officer at OpenBet, also welcomed the partnership, highlighting its strategic importance. He emphasised that adding Highlight Games’ premium video virtual sports further enhances OpenBet’s sophisticated content aggregation network. According to Ayton, the collaboration empowers operators to better bridge the gap between live events by offering high-quality, engaging betting content at all times, reinforcing Trading System’s status as a premier platform for world-class sports betting entertainment.
The post Highlight Games Partners with OpenBet Trading System to Expand Video Virtual Sports Offering appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoRomanian B2B Licence Granted to iGP, Boosting Its Regulated Operations in Europe
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
Global Gaming Solutions welcomes the Isle of Man Government’s commitment to the iGaming sector
-
Alex Baliukonis Game Producer at BGaming5 days ago
Crack the Vault in BGaming’s Mystery Heist
-
Latest News4 days ago
SKIP THE QUEUE WITH THE MIDNITE SHUTTLE: MIDNITE TEAMS UP WITH SNOOKER LEGEND TO OFFER FANS A FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE FROM ALLY PALLY STATION
-
Austria4 days ago
EU Court Ruling on Online Gambling Liability: Players Can Sue Foreign Operators’ Directors Under Their Home Country Law (Case C-77/24 Wunner)
-
Africa7 days ago
CT Interactive Bolsters Global Presence with South African Certification
-
Central Europe5 days ago
Ring Casino in Nürburgring at the Finish Line with NOVOVISION
-
EveryMatrix7 days ago
Matias Montero joins EveryMatrix as Managing Director for Latin America
