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Not Just Games. Experiences: Interview with Gabor, CPO at DreamPlay

Published

2 months ago

November 18, 2025

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:

👉 Dream Play

EMEA ESPORTS

MOVEMBER TEAMS UP WITH RIOT GAMES EMEA ESPORTS

Published

50 minutes ago

January 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

movember-teams-up-with-riot-games-emea-esports

TLDR:

Movember is partnering with the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA, and Game Changers EMEA Championship as the Official Mental Health Partner, supporting players, team staff and the wider community for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Date: January 20, 2026 [London]

What you need to know:

Riot Games and Movember announce a multi-year partnership focused on embedding mental health and wellbeing into the EMEA esports ecosystem.
The partnership will integrate mental health and wellbeing frameworks, support systems, and initiatives across the leagues.
Movember will provide tools and resources to better manage competitive pressure, build healthier habits, and be encouraged to discuss mental health openly.
Planned initiatives for the upcoming year include mental health training for players and staff, and player-only roundtables on stress and coping strategies, with a view to use this to cascade content and guidance to the wider esports community.
Movember will share messaging on the broadcasts and on-site during events that highlight the importance of mental health and help reduce the stigma around honest discussions and seeking help when needed.
Together, Movember and Riot Games aim to make the gaming environment a healthier environment for all.

Quote from Daniel Ringland, Head of VALORANT Esports, EMEA:

“Supporting the wellbeing of the VCT EMEA community, our players, and team staff is something we are committed to strengthening, so we’re thrilled to welcome Movember as a partner. While supporting open conversations and ensuring our players know trusted resources are available is a priority, this partnership also helps raise awareness around mental health and wellbeing across the wider VCT EMEA community. Movember’s expertise will help normalize these discussions beyond the competitive stage, and provide the tools so everyone connected to our ecosystem feels supported by professionals committed to making a positive impact.”

Quote from Maximilian Peter Schmidt, Director of League of Legends Esports, EMEA

“Partnering with Movember allows us to take our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our players and teams to the next level. We want our community to feel empowered to speak openly about the challenges they face and know resources are available if needed. Gaming should be a safe and healthy space for everyone, and this partnership will help us ensure that the environment is maintained and strengthened.”

Quote from Dan Cooper, Global Director, Innovations at Movember:

“Movember is committed to bring community first solutions to today’s most urgent mental health challenges. Esports is a focus area for our work in mental health, and by working with Riot Games we aim to have a real impact and drive positive change in esports.”

The post MOVEMBER TEAMS UP WITH RIOT GAMES EMEA ESPORTS appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

2RBO Affiliates

2RBO Affiliates Wins “Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year” at the 19th International Gaming Awards

Published

50 minutes ago

January 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

2rbo-affiliates-wins-“affiliate-marketing-campaign-of-the-year”-at-the-19th-international-gaming-awards

2RBO Affiliates is proud to announce that it was honored with the Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year award at the 19th annual International Gaming Awards (IGA).

The ceremony took place on January 18th, at the Intercontinental Hotel Barcelona, bringing together the global elite from both the online and land-based gaming sectors.

The “Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year” is a highly competitive category designed to recognize innovative approaches to brand recognition and popularity. In selecting the winner, IGA judges evaluate the unique strategies that generate the most significant impact, drive sales, and successfully develop a business’s identity.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from our peers and industry insiders,” said Aviv Rosenblit, Head of Affiliates at 2RBO. “This award validates our commitment to pushing creative boundaries and delivering scalable, sustainable growth for our partners through innovation and transparency.”

2RBO Affiliates continues to set the pace for the industry with its advanced platform and a portfolio of leading iGaming brands, including Betinia, Swiper, CampoBet, and ToonieBet. By seamlessly integrating unique gamification features with state-of-the-art designs, the program delivers an unmatched user experience that maximizes partner profitability and long-term engagement.

Supported by renowned industry newspaper The iGaming Post, the IGA is celebrated as the “biggest and best charity event of the year.” By winning this nomination, 2RBO Affiliates solidifies its position as a high-performance leader dedicated to fostering long-term partnerships through personalized support and innovative tracking tools.

For more information about the affiliate program and their award-winning campaigns, visit 2rbo Affiliates.

About 2RBO Affiliates

2RBO Affiliates is a high-performance affiliate program representing top-tier iGaming brands. By combining modern gamification and flexible commission models with real-time performance data and proactive compliance measures, 2RBO delivers a superior experience for partners worldwide, ensuring growth and loyalty in a competitive landscape.

About the International Gaming Awards (IGA)

The International Gaming Awards (IGA) recognizes excellence across the global gaming industry. Bringing together professionals from every tier—from mobile gaming innovators to luxury casino operators—the IGA celebrates industry leadership while raising vital funds for deserving charities worldwide.

The post 2RBO Affiliates Wins “Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year” at the 19th International Gaming Awards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Eastern Europe

GameTimeTec Set to Access Emerging Markets Through QTech Games

Published

50 minutes ago

January 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

gametimetec-set-to-access-emerging-markets-through-qtech-games

QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for all emerging markets, has continued to maintain the momentum in its content pipeline, thanks to its latest deal with rising star supplier, GameTimeTec, a casino developer consistently producing dynamic content across slots, arcade, crash, dice, and card genres.

GameTimeTec’s ShowTime portfolio of slots and arcade-style games always brings something fresh, with popular titles now including Lucky Clover (Hold and Spin), Glory of Olympus (Unlocked), Air Gold (Miles Jackpot), Vikings Thunder, Chimon, SpinTop, Fortune Avengers, Sugar Love, and Celtic Bash. All these games ride on the back of exceptional maths modelling that varies the volatility spectrum, helping to foster some truly engaging gameplay.

The deal organically broadens GameTimeTec’s international footprint, unlocking unmined jurisdictions for diversified growth from Asia to Africa and Eastern Europe to Latin America.

CJ Shaw, CEO at GameTimeTec, commented: “We’re naturally thrilled to have teamed up with QTech Games to improve our distribution across emerging regions, seamlessly offering our fantastic games to a range of untapped operators.”

“It’s all about delivering more high-performing games, appealing to a broader range of players across the igaming spectrum – notably, slots, arcade, crash, dice, and card games. We strive to deliver balanced gameplay mechanics, varied volatility and sophisticated maths models, giving our games global appeal.”

Philip Doftvik, CEO, QTech Games, said: “GameTimeTec’s content brings a level of energy and engagement that we’re delighted to share across our sprawling network for emerging markets. Like us, they know that localised solutions comprise the key to success across this patchwork quilt of opportunities.”

The post GameTimeTec Set to Access Emerging Markets Through QTech Games appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.