Latest News
When Dreams Become Reality: How WinSpirit’s “Wish Express” Reunited a Family After 11 Years
As the holiday lights dim and the New Year takes flight, one story in the iGaming world proves that magic isn’t just for children. WinSpirit Casino has officially concluded its Wish Express campaign — a seasonal initiative that evolved from a standard promotion into a profound celebration of human connection.
Returning to the Magic of Childhood
The core idea of “Wish Express” was simple yet daring: in a world of practical goals and data-driven results, when was the last time you let your “inner child” truly dream? WinSpirit invited its community — from players and streamers to game providers and partners — to step away from spreadsheets and strategy to write a literal letter to Santa.
What started as a simple idea quickly grew into something much more meaningful. Inspired by childhood nostalgia, Wish Express brought back the excitement of sending dreams to the North Pole, thoughtfully reimagining that familiar experience for the digital age.
A Community United by Sincerity
The response was overwhelming. Over 2,000 unique wishes flooded the “Wish Express” headquarters. The campaign saw a staggering 169% increase in social media reach and a 76% boost in engagement, proving that sincerity is the most powerful currency in modern branding.
The project received unexpected support from industry giants. Major game providers like Gamebeat, Mascot, 1spin4win, and Zillion joined the journey, sharing their own festive dreams on social media. This cross-industry participation turned the “Wish Express” into a collective movement, blurring the lines between “business” and “community.”
From Disneyland to Backyard Concerts
While the campaign offered rewards for participation, the highlight was the community voting process. WinSpirit narrowed down the entries to the most heartwarming stories, letting the public decide on the most inspiring dreams. The community-voted winners received 100 Free Spins.
The wishes were a mosaic of human desires:
- A parent longing to see the joy in their children’s eyes at Disneyland.
- Someone wishing for a global “chain of kindness.”
- A gamer wanting to share a PlayStation 5 with their kids.
- Whimsical dreams of private backyard concerts and world travels.
The Real-Life Reunion
The most touching moment of the campaign came when WinSpirit reviewed a wish from a player who hadn’t seen their mother, grandmother, and aunt in 11 years. The distance and life’s obstacles had kept them apart for over a decade, making a family Christmas feel like an impossible dream.
Moving beyond digital rewards, WinSpirit stepped in to play the role of Santa’s helper. They covered the full cost of round-trip flights, making the long-awaited reunion a reality. For the first time in 11 years, the player celebrated the holidays in the warm embrace of their family.
“We believe that a reunion with family is the greatest gift one can receive at Christmas,” a WinSpirit representative noted. By fulfilling this wish, WinSpirit showed that behind every spin lies a team that truly cares.
A New Standard for Engagement
“Wish Express” has set a new benchmark for how iGaming brands can interact with their audience. It wasn’t just a campaign; it was a reminder that magic still exists when a brand chooses to listen. As the “Wish Express” returns to its station, it leaves behind a community that is not only more engaged but more connected through shared hope and the belief that sometimes, dreams really do come true.
In a competitive industry, WinSpirit has shown that emotional connection isn’t a ‘nice extra’ — it’s a strategic advantage. This campaign didn’t just win hearts. It built trust, visibility, and a deeper relationship with the community.
The post When Dreams Become Reality: How WinSpirit’s “Wish Express” Reunited a Family After 11 Years appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Awards
Esportes Gaming Brasil takes two ClienteSA Awards 2026 wins; exec named Personality of the Year
Esportes Gaming Brasil (EGB), the group behind the Esportes da Sorte, Onabet and Lottu brands, has won Gold and Silver at the ClienteSA Awards 2026, held during the ClienteSA X-Summit 2026.
EGB said it won Gold in the Customer Success category for its case study, “Customer Success through Responsible Gaming and Intelligent Monitoring”, and Silver in the Customer Service Operations category for its case study, “From Startup to Maturity”.
Maria Neves, Director of Customer Experience, Customer Support and Reputation Channels, was also named Personality of the Year, an award that recognises leaders in customer experience management in Brazil. “This recognition validates the work of many people, built through listening, team development and a commitment to delivering the best possible customer experience. In a constantly evolving market, putting the customer at the centre of every decision is fundamental to the way we operate,” Neves said.
EGB executives also took part in the summit programme. Neves moderated a panel titled “Responsible Gaming as Part of the Customer Experience Journey,” featuring Carol Luna, Head of Compliance at the company, and Ricardo Magri, co-founder of the Brazilian Support Company for Compulsive Gambling (EBAC), which EGB described as a partner organisation.
During the session, the panellists discussed Brazil’s regulated betting market and how customer service, compliance and responsible gaming processes are being positioned as part of a safer customer journey. EGB highlighted initiatives including specialist support teams trained to identify signs of customer vulnerability, self-exclusion tools, platform usage limits and referral processes to specialist partner organisations.
The post Esportes Gaming Brasil takes two ClienteSA Awards 2026 wins; exec named Personality of the Year appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
business development
Games Valley names Robert Dowling Chief Revenue Officer
Games Valley has appointed Robert Dowling as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), effective July 15, 2026. The company said Dowling is joining full-time after working with Games Valley as a strategic consultant since the beginning of 2026.
In the CRO role, Dowling will lead Games Valley’s global commercial and marketing operations, including sales, strategic partnerships and revenue growth. The company said he will also support its expansion into regulated markets alongside the executive team.
Dowling has more than a decade of iGaming experience and has held senior commercial roles at technology providers including Ganapati, Singular and EveryMatrix.
Ariel Reem, CEO of Games Valley, said: “Robert has already made a significant impact on our business over the past six months. His strategic mindset, commercial expertise and deep understanding of the industry have helped strengthen our growth plans, making this a natural next step. We’re delighted to welcome him to the executive team as Chief Revenue Officer as we continue building one of the industry’s most modern aggregation platforms. As we continue expanding into regulated markets, Robert’s experience and commercial leadership will be instrumental in helping us achieve our long-term ambitions.”
Robert Dowling, CRO at Games Valley, added: “Working with Games Valley over the past few months has confirmed what I believed from day one, that this is a company with a clear vision, exceptional technology and an ambitious team. The platform has been built to solve real challenges for operators, while giving suppliers faster and more effective routes to market. I’m excited to officially join the business and help drive the next phase of growth as we continue expanding our global footprint and bringing our platform to more regulated markets.”
The post Games Valley names Robert Dowling Chief Revenue Officer appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Acquisitions/Merger
Merkur Group agrees acquisition of White Hat Studios
Merkur Group has agreed to acquire U.S. slots provider White Hat Studios, as the company moves to expand its operations in the regulated U.S. iGaming market. The agreement was announced Wednesday 15th July 2026 and is subject to regulatory approvals.
Merkur said the acquisition will support its U.S. expansion and complements its recent acquisition of Gaming Arts, the Nevada-licensed game and machine supplier. The group said it intends to use a combined portfolio spanning online-first and omni-channel games to support operator partners’ growth plans.
White Hat Studios launched in 2021 and the company said it was the first to launch online slots across all seven regulated states. Its portfolio includes the ‘House of Brands’ slot collection, the 7s Fire Blitz
game series, and the Jackpot Royale
progressive network.
Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, said: “Joining Merkur Group is an exciting moment for everyone associated with White Hat Studios and, fundamentally, it is the best possible move to realise our ambitions for future growth and product innovation. Working alongside the hugely experienced Merkur team will open new possibilities for us across iGaming and enhance our ability to develop a world-class omni-channel proposition that will benefit both operators and players.”
Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Merkur Management Board, commented: “White Hat Studios has delivered impressive growth since its launch. We look forward to working with the team to continue the U.S. success story and, in turn, Merkur’s expansion in regulated iGaming.” Michael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Merkur Supervisory Board, added: “Having made early inroads into the online space in Europe via our Blueprint acquisition in 2012, I am delighted by this latest development and am confident that White Hat Studios will be a great addition to our group.”
Merkur said the White Hat Gaming platform and white label businesses are not part of the transaction and will remain under their current ownership. White Hat Studios was advised by Oakvale Capital, with legal advisors CMS for White Hat Studios and Wiggin for Merkur.
The post Merkur Group agrees acquisition of White Hat Studios appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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