Industry News
Merkur’s latest launches bring the heat to ICE London
Whether sipping on sunshine from a tropical island or feeling the hot breath of a dragon, Merkur Gaming’s latest three games are set to catch fire at ICE London as the company prepares for a “big” show and an even bigger year ahead…
“Maximum performance and maximum entertainment,” is how Merkur Gaming has described its focus at the start of 2020 as the company prepares to enhance its online portfolio even further following a hugely successful year launching eye-catching and popular new titles. The launch of its three latest titles, Dragon’s Maid, Mojito Beach and Tri Piki, is testament to the Gauselmann subsidiary’s ongoing reel game line-up expansion with 2020 set to be a shining year for new releases according to Maja Cvetkovic, Business Development Manager – Online at Merkur Gaming.
Commenting on the company’s latest, sizzling reels, Cvetkovic said: “Our newest releases all deliver on our usual strong passion for details of classic casino games with an online twist and will for sure match players’ expectations as they combine unique mathematics and in-game features in fun and exciting ways.”
Dragon’s Maid is a 5-reel with 10, 20 or 40 win lines, which beckons players into a story of a special hero family of the titular maid and her dragons. “We developed a game which centred around the unbreakable bond between the Dragon’s Maid and these majestic blue Dragons. Have you ever seen lively creatures being there for each other, going through one adventure after the other and always holding their backs? This game will bring this unique story to life as players learn from their deep relationship.”
This medieval game features wilds and sticky wilds centred around the adventure whilst also bringing its fantasy creatures into a new free game feature. “The Maid and the Dragons help each other and use their strengths also for the other one’s benefit,” Cvetkovic explained. “Players can also make their way into the free game feature. The number of free games which are set off is based on a secret magical formula only the Dragons know: Depending on how many of his Dragon mates the blue Dragon summons, the number of free games is decided. This means that the Dragon’s Maid belongs to a big Dragon family and in a good family everyone does his best for the other family members!”
Merkur Gaming’s other latest release bring players in contact with a different kind of heat, the hot summer sun of the tropics filled with surfing, swimming and sipping on cocktails. Mojito Beach delivers a party in a glass with a 5-reel-10-win-lines-game which makes the famous rum-based beverage the star of the show.
“For this impressive slot we wanted to offer the feel of the bright sun, big waves on the shore and the famous Mojito Beach Party as well as big payouts and some winning wild features,” Cvetkovic said. “Players will meet a highly motivated barkeeper and his female co-worker who created her own Mojito recipe! She creates and serves them with all her talent as she is wild and expanding wild but her speciality is also to turn all the glasses of Mojito appearing on the reels into wild symbols as well. This is a game filled with good times from the music, stunning graphics and gameplay, bring out the ice and let’s get this party started!”
Finally, Merkur’s Tri Piki game brings the myths of a tropical island, which is a highly popular game theme in the reel game sector, into a winning formula of wilds and scatters for players of any type. The story unfolds of a dancing woman who uses spiritual magic to keep the sunset sparkling through the night which all combines with state-of-the-art game mathematics and a calming, meditative gameplay.
“Tri Piki is a 5 reels and 10 or 20 win line game in which the dancing woman is wild and scatter and sets off 10 free games when her symbol appears 3 times on the reels. Through her ritual dance she chooses 3 special symbols and hides all of the symbols under shells which then have to be picked by the player or her upon which she reveals the special symbols.”
Cvetkovic concluded: “Tri Piki is not a typical vacation destination and as a game it stands out for the variety of hidden in-game features tied into the idyllic setting. In daylight when the dancing Woman sleeps, you can sip on mango sunshine cocktails and bathe in the sun, doing a trip with the boat or swim with the dolphins in the sea. So this small island bears more hidden treasures than those which can be seen at first sight. The beautiful nature of Tri Piki is outstanding and definitely provides everything a player needs to forget the hectic life outside.”
Industry News
New KSA Campaign: Get Your Life Back on Track, Take a Gambling Break
The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) launched a new awareness campaign to draw attention to the gambling stop. With the campaign “Pick up your life again, take a gambling stop,” KSA is aiming to increase attention to the risks of gambling and make the Cruks register more well-known.
Insights
The campaign is a follow-up to the pilot campaign from 2023. This pilot yielded many valuable insights, for example that more people are attracted to the word gambling stop. This name is therefore used in the new campaign.
Positive effect
The campaign focuses primarily on young adults who (possibly) no longer have their gambling under control. That is one of the reasons why the campaign is largely running via social media instead of traditional (mass) media. The focus is on the positive effect that a gambling stop has on the life of a person with gambling problems. The powerful moments of young people who pick up their lives again can be seen in online videos, social ads and social posts (Google, YouTube, Meta and Snapchat).
The post New KSA Campaign: Get Your Life Back on Track, Take a Gambling Break appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
EGBA: Record Participation As European Safer Gambling Week Expands to 26 Countries
The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) announced record-breaking results from its fourth annual European Safer Gambling Week, held 18-24 November. The initiative – which included a social media campaign and events programme – demonstrated the broader European sector’s strengthening commitment to safer gambling through new levels of participation and expanded geographic reach.
The campaign saw record engagement with 195 partners actively participating – a 20% increase from 2023. Eight national gambling authorities participated, more than double the previous year, by either joining the social media campaign or speaking at the various events.
The campaign’s reach also expanded significantly to 26 countries – a 30% increase from 2023 – with partners in Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine joining for the first time, reflecting the growing pan-European dimension of the campaign. This was helped by social media graphics being made available in the local languages of 27 countries.
The social media campaign reached 3.1 million users across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X platforms, generating 1169 social media posts – a 67% increase from the previous year.
A cornerstone of this year’s campaign was its comprehensive events programme, featuring 20 specialised events – an 11% increase from 2023. The events attracted record participation with 4500 registrations and 3000 attendees. Key discussions explored trends in AI, problem gambling prevalence reporting and innovations in safer gambling tools and messaging. The events featured 105 speakers, including senior representatives from gambling authorities in Belgium, Denmark, France and the UK.
The initiative builds on EGBA members’ year-round commitment to safer gambling, which in 2023 resulted in 67 million safety messages sent to their European customers. This dedicated week amplifies these ongoing efforts while encouraging greater collaboration between operators, regulators and harm prevention organisations.
“The success of this year’s edition reflects the sector’s deepening commitment to player protection. The significant increase in participation, especially from health organisations and regulatory authorities, demonstrates the common purpose and growing unity in our approach to safer gambling. Through this collaboration, we’ve reached a record number of Europeans with crucial safety messages during the campaign. Together, we’re making gambling safer and we already look forward to building on this success in next year’s edition,” said Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of EGBA.
The post EGBA: Record Participation As European Safer Gambling Week Expands to 26 Countries appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry News
CT Gaming to Participate in ICE Barcelona 2025
CT Gaming is going to participate in ICE Barcelona 2025, which will take place from 20 to 22 Jan 2025.
“It is always a pleasure to kick off the year at ICE. This year is particularly special as we explore a new location, which we anticipate will bring fresh connections and exciting opportunities,” said Biser Bozhanov, Director of Business Development and Strategies at CT Gaming.
Positioned at stand #3C56, CT Gaming will present an impressive lineup of its signature products alongside exciting new additions, including the multigame Diamond King 4.
“We are eager to showcase our latest offerings and engage with clients, colleagues, and industry professionals to gather their valuable feedback. This year’s selection is a strong testament to CT Gaming’s enduring legacy and commitment to excellence,” added Bozhanov.
Among the products displayed at stand #3C56 will be the slot cabinet NEXT, known for its ultimate comfort and functionality. This cabinet comes with 27″ or 32″ high-definition screens, an optional premium stand, a USB phone charger, a bill validator with a stacker and an enlarged CMS panel for seamless operation. Other representatives from the slot cabinet family are EZ Modulo 32/32/32 and EZ Tower. Both of these cabinets combine sleek designs with advanced technology set to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience.
Alongside the slot cabinets, the company will showcase its staple multigame titles, such as Diamond King 3, Mermaid’s Quest, Tower Link and the newest addition to the multigame portfolio – Diamond King 4. With 40 exciting games, 20 of which are linked to a progressive jackpot, the multigame takes player engagement to new heights. Unlike previous versions, players can now win any of the three jackpot levels directly from the base game, while the cascading white and pink diamonds promise thrilling rewards at every turn. Designed with the next generation of players in mind, Diamond King 4 features enhanced graphics, modern themes and an immersive experience that’s perfectly in sync with today’s gaming landscape. The newly conceptualized linked progressive jackpot, Diamond Tree Deluxe, presents an elevated reward experience with its upgraded features.
Last but not least, CT Gaming will unveil the latest updates to its Casino Management System – Rhino, designed to enhance operator functionality and player engagement.
The post CT Gaming to Participate in ICE Barcelona 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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