Kiron Interactive has unveiled FANS World Cup, a fast-paced football betting product designed to keep players engaged during the 2026 international tournament, particularly in between live matches when traffic typically dips.

Built on Kiron’s Goal Premier Engine, FANS World Cup integrates seamlessly into existing operator deployments with no additional cost or technical requirements.

The game features international teams competing in matches that resolve in just 60 to 90 seconds, giving players frequent opportunities to bet during breaks in the live schedule. By offering standalone mini-matches, the platform helps operators maintain player activity and reduce drop-off between fixtures.

Using familiar national teams ensures players stay connected to the real tournament, keeping the football context consistent rather than losing engagement between matches.

FANS World Cup covers all core betting markets, including full-time result, correct score, goalscorers, and card outcomes. Operators can also configure jackpot features and bonus multipliers to match their preferred risk profiles.

Steven Spartinos, Co-CEO of Kiron Interactive, commented:
“Tournament traffic comes in waves, and the challenge is keeping players engaged in between matches. FANS World Cup addresses that by offering short, exciting match cycles while staying connected to the teams fans are already following. It helps operators maintain steady engagement throughout the full tournament schedule.”

The post Kiron Interactive introduces FANS World Cup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Soft2Bet has unveiled MEGA Islands, the latest addition to its MEGA Suite, designed to enhance player engagement and retention across both casino and sportsbook offerings.

The new engine introduces a persistent progression system that carries over across sessions, giving players an ongoing reason to return. Through island-building, resource collection, and continual advancement, players embark on a long-term journey that transforms short play sessions into sustained engagement.

First previewed in Soft2Bet’s recent Lodur release, the MEGA Islands system allows players to develop their own islands over time. Resources earned through gameplay can be used to construct new buildings, upgrade existing structures, and unlock further stages of progression. Each upgrade opens new goals, creating a loop of continuous advancement that keeps players invested.

The engine also incorporates plundering mechanics, giving players an additional path to gather resources by raiding other islands. This feature not only accelerates growth but also maintains a dynamic and engaging progression loop. With no fixed endpoint, MEGA Islands is built to encourage repeat play through a satisfying cycle of building, collecting, and advancing.

“MEGA Islands is designed to make retention feel natural by providing players with a progression journey they want to return to,” said Yoel Zuckerberg, CPO at Soft2Bet. “By building islands, collecting resources, and unlocking upgrades—including through plundering—each session becomes part of a longer experience. It gives players a clear reason to come back while providing operators with a retention tool that integrates seamlessly across casino and sportsbook.”

The launch of MEGA Islands underscores Soft2Bet’s commitment to gamification as a driver of long-term growth. As part of the MEGA Suite, the new engine offers operators a powerful tool to extend player journeys, increase engagement cycles, and deliver consistent value in competitive markets.

The post Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

GR8 Tech CEO Oleksandr Feshchenko has been named Global CEO of the Year 2026 in the Technology Industry by European CEO magazine—the second consecutive year he has received the honour. The judging panel’s decision was unanimous.

The award recognised Feshchenko’s leadership across three areas the panel identified as defining:

• Track record of turning technological strategy into scalable commercial outcomes;

• Focus on building an organization designed to last, not just perform;

• Consistent investment in people and culture as core business levers rather than afterthoughts.

What distinguished Feshchenko from a competitive field, according to the panel, was the combination of all three. Individual strengths are common at the CEO level, but the consistency across strategy, execution and organisational health is rare.

Under Oleksandr Feshchenko’s leadership, GR8 Tech has grown into a recognised provider of technology solutions for the iGaming sector, with an approach that the panel described as forward-looking without sacrificing operational discipline.

“Receiving this recognition two years in a row means a great deal, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that success is most dangerous when it makes you comfortable. This award belongs to the team at GR8 Tech as much as it does to me, and what it really does is raise the bar. The technology industry doesn’t stand still, and neither do we. There’s a lot we’re building toward, and that’s exactly where our focus stays,” Oleksandr Feshenko said.

The Global CEO of the Year award is presented annually by European CEO magazine following an evaluation of international candidates across various industries.

The post GR8 Tech CEO Named CEO of the Year for Second Consecutive Year appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.