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An Evening Where Care Blooms: BGaming on the Return of the Charity Gala

Published

2 months ago

May 28, 2026

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Following the success of the inaugural Charity Gala by BGaming, the content studio is returning to The Phoenicia Malta on May 29th for another meaningful evening, bringing the industry together to raise funds for a valuable cause.

The invite-only event will raise funds for the DAR Bjorn in Malta, a care centre for people suffering from ALS, MS, and other life-altering neurological conditions.

In this article, we sit down with CEO BGaming, Marina Ostrovtsova, to discuss the story behind the event, the importance of DAR Bjorn, BGaming’s wider approach to charity, and more.

Can you start by telling us a little bit about DAR Bjorn and explaining why BGaming has chosen to support it?

DAR Bjorn is a cause very close to our hearts at BGaming. It is a neurological centre in Malta that provides care and treatment for people living with neurological conditions such as ALS and MS.

The centre was founded by Bjorn Formosa, who actually comes from the iGaming industry himself. He was diagnosed with ALS at just 28, and I think his story resonates very deeply with many people across our industry. Despite everything he’s faced, Bjorn remains incredibly positive, driven, and committed to helping others, which is something our whole team truly admires.

What also makes DAR Bjorn so special is the scale of the support they provide. Today, they care for around 60 residents across their centers and support nearly 800 more people in the Maltese community. The impact they have on people’s lives is very real and very visible.

And of course, Malta itself is an important home for many of us in iGaming. Supporting a local organisation that does such meaningful work felt like a very natural thing for us to do. We genuinely feel honored to support DAR Bjorn and to help contribute, even in a small way, to the incredible work they do every single day.

Last year was the inaugural Charity Gala by BGaming. What did you learn from that? And what has inspired you to return for a second year?

Last year’s Charity Gala was honestly one of the proudest moments for our team at BGaming. We raised more than €200,000 in a single evening, exceeding all our expectations. Those funds went directly toward supporting the construction of DAR Bjorn’s new Respite Centre, which is now becoming a reality.

But I think the most important thing we learned was how much real impact is actually possible when people come together around a shared purpose. Seeing the industry unite in that way was incredibly emotional and inspiring for all of us.

Sometimes in iGaming, we get so focused on the business side that we forget how influential and connected this industry really is. Last year reminded us that when companies, partners, and people decide to support something meaningful together, the result can be far bigger than anyone initially expects.

That’s really what inspired us to come back for a second year. Once we saw the tangible difference the Gala made for DAR Bjorn and the people supported by the centre, continuing the initiative felt like the only natural next step.

Can you tell us a little bit more about this year’s event and what makes it different from last year’s?

We really wanted this year’s Charity Gala to evolve naturally from what we created last year, not just become bigger, but also more ambitious and impactful.

One of the biggest additions this year is our partnership with NEXT.io as the official media partner, which has helped us bring even more visibility to the initiative across the industry. We’ve also expanded the overall experience for guests, with live music by Versatile, a charity raffle, an art auction, and several entertainment and fundraising activities throughout the evening.

But I’d say the biggest difference this year is the level of clarity around the impact itself.

Last year, the funds raised helped support the construction of DAR Bjorn’s new Respite Centre. This year, the focus shifts toward equipping that centre with very specific medical and care equipment, including ventilators, oxygen concentrators, specialised beds, and resident rooms. So people can very clearly see where the support is going and how it directly improves residents’ quality of life.

And honestly, one of the most inspiring things this year has been the level of support from the industry itself. Seeing companies like Flutter, Alea, SiGMA, MyAffiliates, 1spin4win, Finteq Hub, and Amusnet Gaming come together around the same cause really shows how deeply this initiative resonates within the iGaming community.

Art and creativity sound like they will be two key focuses for the evening. Can you tell us more about this?

Art and creativity have always been a very natural part of BGaming’s identity, so it felt important for us to bring that into the Charity Gala as well. This year, we’re incredibly lucky to collaborate with two outstanding artists, Gonçalo MAR and L7Matrix, both of whom are helping turn the evening into something much more immersive and emotional than a traditional charity event.

The Gala will feature an art auction with works by Gonçalo MAR, alongside a live art performance by L7Matrix during the evening itself. Art has this unique ability to create emotional connection and tell stories without words, which fits very naturally with the spirit of the initiative.

But what makes this year especially meaningful for us is the collaboration with the residents of DAR Bjorn themselves. Together with Gonçalo MAR, they participated in creative workshops that inspired a special merch collection connected to the Gala.

For us, it was important that residents were not simply beneficiaries of the initiative, but actual participants in it. Their stories and creativity became part of the project itself.

The collection will be available during NEXT Summit Valletta and online, with proceeds going directly toward supporting DAR Bjorn and the new Respite Centre.

The DAR Bjorn Charity Gala by BGaming is one of several CSR initiatives and events BGaming has been involved with in 2026. How does this align with the company’s wider philosophy?

CSR initiatives are a very important part of how we see BGaming as a company. We often describe ourselves as being “beyond” a game provider, and for us, that idea goes far beyond products or entertainment alone. It’s also about the kind of impact we want to have in the communities around us.

Whether it’s the Charity Gala by BGaming or initiatives like our recent collaboration with Centurion in Brazil, focused on supporting underserved communities, the common idea behind all of these projects is quite simple: if we have the ability to help, we should use it.

We don’t approach CSR as something separate from the business or as a short-term PR activity. It’s much more about responsibility and long-term involvement. We operate in many different markets around the world, and we genuinely believe it’s important to support the communities connected to them in a meaningful way.

I also think initiatives like this help show a different side of the iGaming industry. People often see the industry only through a commercial lens, but in reality, it’s filled with passionate people, strong communities, and companies capable of creating real impact when they come together around a shared purpose.

The industry has enormous reach, resources, and influence. And I believe projects like this are a reminder that those things can be used not only to grow businesses, but also to genuinely improve people’s lives.

The post An Evening Where Care Blooms: BGaming on the Return of the Charity Gala appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Weekend Reels | Week 30: Slot Drops & Trends

Published

12 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

weekend-reels-|-week-30:-slot-drops-&-trends

Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by Eastern European Gaming

Spinomenal has released 3 Fuego Chillies, a new 5×3 video slot themed around a Mexican street fiesta. The game ships with a feature-led Bonus Game and a top prize billed as a Grand Jackpot of x3,000 the total bet.

CT Interactive has released its latest slot game, 40 Mega Star. As the night sky comes alive with countless shimmering lights, only a select few stars have the power to capture attention and become true Mega Stars.

TaDa Gaming has expanded its popular Unlimited Fortune mechanic with the launch of Joker Coins Unlimited Fortune. Combining Lock & Respin, progressive bonus expansion, jackpots, multipliers and the signature Unlimited Fortune feature, this compact three-reel release delivers layered gameplay and win potential of up to 5000x.

Blueprint Gaming is releasing an upgraded version of Super Graphics Upside Down exclusively on Lottomart, giving Lottomart’s UK players early access to the title. Originally launched in 2021, Super Graphics Upside Down is being re-released with a new bonus wheel feature and an increased max win potential, rising from 250X to 3000X, according to the companies.

ICONIC21 has released Wild Gold Mine 2, a high-volatility sequel to its Wild Gold Mine slot. The game is played across 243 ways and launches with multiple RTP configurations, with a stated top prize of 10,000x.

Games Global has launched Rumble Kong CASHINGO, a new jungle-themed online slot developed with exclusive studio partner Alchemy Gaming. The title went live on 23rd July 2026. Rumble Kong CASHINGO is a 5×5, 3,125 ways-to-win game built around an expanding CASHINGO collection grid.

Swintt has released a new slot from its Elysium Studios label, titled Odyssey Hold & Win. The supplier said the game is built around a Hold & Win collection mechanic and features a stated maximum win of 3,317x. Odyssey Hold & Win runs on a 4×4 grid that can expand to 4×8 when Athena appears, according to the company.

ELA Games has released a new slot, Age of Cleopatra, adding another ancient-Egypt theme title to its portfolio. The studio positions the game as a medium-volatility release and says it is available to demo now. Age of Cleopatra runs on a 5×3 reel set-up with 25 paylines.

Endorphina has launched Zalatar, a new myths-and-legends themed online slot, expanding its recent run of fantasy-leaning releases. The supplier said Zalatar is a 5-reel, 3-row game with 25 fixed paylines, 96.03% RTP and high volatility.

The post Weekend Reels | Week 30: Slot Drops & Trends appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Awards

Slotsoo Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best Casinos and Game Providers

Published

14 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

slotsoo-awards-2026-celebrate-the-best-casinos-and-game-providers

Slotsoo is proud to announce the winners of the Slotsoo Awards 2026, recognising the online casinos and game providers that have delivered the best player experiences over the past year. Now firmly established as an annual celebration of excellence, the awards continue to recognise the companies setting new standards for quality and innovation across the iGaming industry.

Spotlighting the Best Game Providers of 2026

Following last year’s successful debut, the Slotsoo Game Provider Awards returned for a second year to recognise the studios pushing online slots forward through original ideas, engaging gameplay, and consistently high-quality releases. This year’s winners are:

The Machine MVP – Pragmatic Play
Bonus Buyer – Eurasian Gaming
Volatility Virtuoso – 1spin4win
Jackpot Jumbo – Platipus Gaming
Symphony Spinner – Peter & Sons
Reel Renegade – TaDa Gaming
Promising Prodigy – EXCO Game Studio

Pragmatic Play retained the prestigious Machine MVP award for a second consecutive year, while every other category crowned a new winner, highlighting the emergence of fresh talent and new ideas among game providers.

Casino Awards Return for a Fourth Year

Since their debut in 2023, the Slotsoo Casino Awards have celebrated the operators raising the standard for online casino experiences. This year’s winners continue that tradition, earning recognition for excellence across bonuses, withdrawals, gamification, and overall quality. The seven winners for 2026 are:

The Gambling GOAT – Lunar Spins
The Bonus Buff – Go4Casino
The Loyalty Lord – Valhalla Wins
The Withdrawal Wizard – Taste Vegas
The Gamification Guru – Lucky Fuel
The Payout Professor – Stupid Casino
The Noisy Newcomer – Kudos Bet

While the Game Provider Awards saw several first-time winners, the Casino Awards reflected the continued strength of a few established operators. C24 Partners enjoyed a particularly successful year, with four awards going to brands from its portfolio, including the main trophy The Gambling GOAT.

Recognition That Goes Beyond Popularity

Unlike many industry awards, the Slotsoo Awards are not decided by public voting. Winners are selected by the Slotsoo team after evaluating casino operators and game providers throughout the year. Each nominee is assessed on factors such as player value and innovation.

This approach ensures that both established industry leaders and ambitious newcomers have an equal opportunity to be recognised. Whether it’s a casino redefining loyalty rewards or a game studio introducing fresh mechanics, the awards highlight companies that genuinely move the industry forward.

Other News from Slotsoo.com This Summer

The Slotsoo Awards weren’t the only milestone for the company this summer. In June, the team attended the HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics Gaming Conference in Tallinn, connecting with industry professionals, exploring the latest developments in iGaming, and returning home with plenty of inspiration.

July marked the publication of Slotsoo’s first book, The Casino Player’s ABC, written by Markus Björk, Head of Content. This tongue-in-cheek ABC book for adults takes a humorous look at the ups and downs in slot gaming. Markus Björk comments:

“The awards and the book may seem like very different projects, but they share the same goal. Both are about celebrating what makes this industry unique and helping players navigate it with a sense of humour.”

With another successful awards season, the publication of their first book, and an active presence at industry events, 2026 has been one of Slotsoo’s busiest and most exciting years to date.

The post Slotsoo Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best Casinos and Game Providers appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BETBY

BETBY Builds on a Strong Start to 2026 with Solid H1 Sportsbook Growth

Published

14 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Wladimir P.

betby-builds-on-a-strong-start-to-2026-with-solid-h1-sportsbook-growth

BETBY, the Tier 1 sportsbook supplier, has continued its strong start to 2026, delivering solid year-on-year growth across its business during the first half of the year. Building on the positive Q1 results reported in April, the supplier’s performance was supported by continued market expansion, product innovation, and strong activity across its operator partnerships.

During the first half of 2026, BETBY’s sportsbook Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) increased by 42.7% compared to H1 2025. The number of active players across the provider’s partner network grew by 47%, while the total number of bets placed rose by 21.2%, reflecting sustained growth across both new and existing operator partnerships.

The period also saw BETBY further expand its product ecosystem through several key launches and developments. Among them was BETBY Predictions, the industry’s first fixed-odds prediction markets feed, opening a new betting vertical for operators. The supplier also introduced Stories, an engagement feature built around a familiar, interactive content format and delivered directly within the sportsbook experience.

The FIFA World Cup provided an additional boost during the last three weeks of June, generating high levels of betting activity across BETBY’s partner network and demonstrating the scalability and reliability of its sportsbook during the world’s largest sporting event.

BETBY’s proprietary esports feed, Betby Games, also delivered continued growth during H1 2026, recording a 28% year-on-year increase in Gross Gaming Revenue. Active players grew by 46%, while the number of bets placed rose by 14.8%. These figures reinforce Betby Games’ importance within BETBY’s broader product portfolio.

Leonid Pertsovskiy, Chief Executive Officer at BETBY, said: “After a strong first quarter, we are pleased to see that the positive trend continued throughout the first half of the year. These results reflect the strength of our long-term strategy, combining continued market expansion with a clear focus on product innovation and helping our partners grow.

“The launch of products such as BETBY Predictions and features like Stories, alongside the continued evolution of Betby Games, demonstrate our commitment to delivering solutions and technology that create measurable value for operators. We are proud of what we have achieved so far this year and remain focused on continuing this progress throughout H2.”

The post BETBY Builds on a Strong Start to 2026 with Solid H1 Sportsbook Growth appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.