Invite-only No Limit Hold’em event runs 30 April at Casino Malta, InterContinental Hotel, with prizes for SBC Summit attendees.

EvenBet Gaming will host an invite-only No Limit Hold’em poker tournament with SBC on 30 April, the final day of SBC Summit Malta. The event will take place at Casino Malta at the InterContinental Hotel and is restricted to conference delegates.

The companies are positioning the tournament as a networking format built around a “premium, fast-paced poker experience,” with professional hosting at the venue.

Prizes listed for the event include an iPad Air, Apple Watch 11, and AirPods Pro 3.

Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming, said: “This tournament is sure to be one of the highlights of SBC Summit Malta, combining the thrill of competition with the social and strategic elements that make poker such a powerful connector.

“Taking place in Casino Malta, the event is reserved exclusively for conference attendees, and we look forward to welcoming them to the table to create new connections while enjoying one of the industry’s most iconic card games.”

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EvenBet Gaming, a leading developer of online gaming software and solutions, has enhanced its poker platform with the launch of two in-house side games, designed to boost player engagement and open new revenue opportunities for operators.

The new titles, Baccarat and Hold’em Guess’em, provide entertaining options for players between hands, during breaks, or while waiting for the next round. Both games are fully compatible with desktop and mobile devices, allowing seamless transitions between poker and side gameplay without disrupting the session.

Baccarat: Classic Casino Action at the Poker Table

EvenBet Gaming brings the iconic Player vs Banker card game to the poker environment. Players can bet on predefined outcomes with fixed payouts, while all card draws are managed by a random number generator. Baccarat can be launched in a separate window and revisited at any time, making it an ideal low-attention side game for poker sessions.

For operators, Baccarat introduces a new revenue model with a fully customisable house edge, allowing the experience to be tailored to specific business strategies. The game is particularly appealing to Asian markets, where Baccarat enjoys enduring popularity.

Hold’em Guess’em: Predict the Winning Hand

In partnership with BetChill, EvenBet Gaming has developed Hold’em Guess’em, a single-player prediction game that combines familiar Texas Hold’em mechanics with a simple betting twist. Players predict the winning hand of a real-time Texas Hold’em deal.

The game automatically calculates odds based on win probability and the pre-set house edge. Bets, potential wins, and limits are updated in real-time, creating a fast, intuitive, and engaging gameplay experience. Hold’em Guess’em is designed to attract both traditional poker enthusiasts and casino audiences looking for quick, skill-light entertainment.

Strengthening the Side Game Portfolio

With the introduction of Baccarat and Hold’em Guess’em, EvenBet Gaming now offers three proprietary side games, joining Cowboy Hold’em, which launched in 2025. These new releases complement the company’s growing product ecosystem, which also includes Spins Poker and One Click Poker, all focused on increasing player engagement and diversifying monetisation opportunities for operators.

Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO of EvenBet Gaming, commented:

“Side games are an effective way for operators to increase poker revenue while keeping players entertained between rounds.

Baccarat is a globally recognised casino favourite, with particular appeal in Asia, while Hold’em Guess’em introduces a unique, prediction-based mechanic to the market. Together, these titles expand the entertainment options on our platform and allow operators to reach new audiences beyond traditional poker players.”

These additions reinforce EvenBet Gaming’s strategy of combining innovative gameplay with proven casino mechanics, enhancing both player retention and operator revenue across multiple markets.

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In 2026, online poker feels less like a traditional casino pastime and more like a digital playground. Modern platforms borrow heavily from video game design: missions, challenges, streaks, avatars, and progression systems keep players returning. Quests such as “win 5 hands with suited connectors” or “grind 200 hands this week” provide structure to what used to be endless shuffling and chasing pots. Players log in not just to win, but to progress, showcase skill, and feel part of a thriving digital community.

Gamification at the Core

Gamification drives this transformation. Providers like EvenBet Gaming are embedding it natively: loyalty ladders, player missions, and progression mechanics are tied directly to behavior and currency. These features aren’t optional add-ons — they are plug-and-play elements baked into the platform.

“Why add gamification to poker when poker is already a game? Even games benefit from extra layers of motivation, structure, and feedback — especially in high-variance environments like poker,” says Nikita Golodaev, Business Account Manager at EvenBet Gaming.
“Thoughtfully designed gamification enhances learning, keeps players engaged, and encourages repeat play. New players build confidence, regulars get fresh goals, and everyone experiences more emotionally rewarding gameplay.”

Across industries, from streaming apps to grocery platforms, gamification has proven to boost engagement and loyalty — in online poker, it’s both nuanced and potentially game-changing.

Game Mechanics in Modern Poker Platforms

The line between online poker and video games is clearest in engagement mechanics. 2026 platforms offer more than tables and chips — they deliver layered progression systems resembling mainstream video games. Gamification triggers reward circuits with frequent micro-rewards, motivating players beyond pure financial outcomes.

• Leaderboards & Rankings: Poker’s competitive spirit is amplified. Players track progress, compare themselves to peers, and climb the ranks — echoing esports dynamics.

• Missions & Quests: Challenges like “win 20 hands” provide clear milestones and instant dopamine boosts. Rotating objectives give players reason to return daily.

• Avatars, Emotes & Badges: Cosmetic rewards act as status symbols, much like skins in League of Legends or Clash Royale, letting players signal skill and identity.

EvenBet platforms come preloaded with missions, loyalty points, and unlockables, allowing operators to tweak rewards while keeping players engaged.

Responsible Gambling as Gameplay

In 2026, responsible gambling has gone gamified. Instead of intrusive pop-ups, poker apps now use timers, cooldowns, and checkpoint-style reminders. Pauses feel like part of the game, not interruptions. These mechanics prevent tilt, structure playtime, and build emotional resilience, creating safer yet immersive environments.

UX and Immersion: From Tables to Arenas

The poker lobby is no longer a boring menu. Avatars, profiles, progress bars, and achievement boards make the interface feel like Xbox Live or Steam hubs. Cross-platform design — mobile or desktop — ensures seamless access to missions, rewards, and quick-play options. Multi-table tournaments resemble esports brackets, with live progress, spectator tools, and community engagement. The lobby has evolved into a social arena, where each session feeds into a longer journey.

Psychology and Emotions at Play

Poker in 2026 mirrors video games in emotional intensity. Big wins exhilarate, bad beats frustrate, and losing repeatedly tests discipline. Platforms now design for resilience, not just engagement. Features like cooldowns, session limits, and “take a break” prompts prevent emotional meltdowns, much like mechanisms in competitive gaming.

Consistent winners understand: success depends not only on luck and skill but also on emotional and cognitive resilience. Players build mental frameworks to handle stress, stay focused, and separate bad outcomes from sound decisions — just like esports professionals.

Skill Training Through Challenges

Video game DNA also drives poker skill development. Structured challenges like “bluff five pots without showdown” or “play 1,000 hands this week” sharpen strategy while keeping play engaging. Communities like BluffingMonkeys encourage self-imposed challenges, now integrated into platform features for all players.

These missions transform practice into progress, giving both casual and advanced players a sense of mastery. Poker becomes less about endless grinding and more about structured skill growth — echoing the best elements of modern gaming design.

Implications for Operators in 2026

For operators, video game–style poker isn’t just cosmetic — it’s strategic. Balancing engagement, fairness, and monetization is key: too many missions burn out players, too few lead to churn. Platforms must calibrate challenges, tweak rewards, and ensure both casuals and grinders feel meaningful progression.

EvenBet Gaming’s platform provides turnkey solutions in 4–6 weeks, stress-tested for 1,000+ concurrent players. Missions, achievements, and loyalty systems are modular and fully compliant, forming a foundation for sustainable, regulated growth.

Gamified poker also expands audiences: casual gamers and professional grinders alike are drawn to progression systems, achievements, and social competition. Platforms that get this right capture diverse player bases while keeping the experience fresh and immersive.

Conclusion

Online poker has evolved into a video game–like experience. Players seek progress, recognition, and belonging, not just money. Gamification drives retention, responsible gaming safeguards players, and operator strategies now revolve around experience design as much as card strategy.

Poker in 2026 isn’t just about cards — it’s about creating an ecosystem where every hand, mission, and challenge contributes to an ongoing, rewarding journey.

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