Industry News
PearFiction Studios latest addition to studios creating exclusive Microgaming content
PearFiction Studios joins Velo Partners’ portfolio of premium game studios
Wednesday 29th January 2020 – Velo Partners are delighted to welcome PearFiction Studios as the newest addition to their RNG Foundry portfolio of premium game studios.
PearFiction Studios has a growing reputation in the marketplace for producing innovative games which combine a dazzling blend of story, humour, and fantastic art. The studio is sure to fit pear-fectly into Velo Partners’ portfolio of premium game studios creating exclusive content for the Microgaming platform.
Founded in 2014 in Montreal, PearFiction Studios has a long history of creating entertaining games, as exemplified by their early, light-hearted slots Gustavo El Luchador and Outerspace Invaders. Following those releases, PearFiction Studios created The Smashing Biscuit, a Microgaming exclusive launched in 2019. Marrying technical expertise and solid artistic direction with tenured mathematicians and a commitment to responsible play, PearFiction Studios puts a new spin on the online gaming market.
PearFiction Studios takes inspiration from land-based casino games with proven success, finding new ways to creatively present fun mechanics to online slot players. With its portrait-first approach, the studio strives to give players choice and provide the best possible experience.
RNG Program Director Mark McGinley said: “The creativity and imagination that PearFiction Studios pour into their games is plain to see from their past releases and is sure to resonate with slot fans of every demographic. They are a studio we hold in very high regard and one who I sincerely believe will be one to watch in 2020.”
Thierry Semoff, CEO of PearFiction Studios, adds: “We are constantly aiming for creative and technical excellence, never settling for anything but the very best. We have a range of innovative game concepts in the works and RNG Foundry will not only enable us to build and distribute these games, but will also push us to reach new heights as a studio.”
2020 will be an exciting year for the studio, kicked off by the timely ‘Roaring Twenties’ themed slot Chicago Gold, which is estimated for release in Q3. This will be the first game in an impressive line-up of future engaging titles currently in the works for 2020.
Celia Verot
FDJ UNITED Announces Changes to its Executive Committee
FDJ UNITED makes changes to its Executive Committee, with the appointment of Pascal Chaffard as Chief Online Betting and Gaming Officer as well as Group Strategy and Operational Transformation Officer, and Celia Verot as General Secretary.
Currently Chief Financial Officer, Strategy and Performance leader, Pascal Chaffard is taking over as head of the Online Betting and Gaming business unit. Pascal Chaffard will also be responsible for the Group’s strategy and operational transformation.
As Chief Online Betting and Gaming Officer, Nils Andén has overseen Kindred’s integration into the Group since October 2024; he is leaving the company to pursue new projects.
The appointment of the new CFO will be announced at the end of the recruitment process currently under way.
In addition, Celia Verot, who joined FDJ UNITED in 2024 as Chief Regulatory Officer, was appointed General Secretary, General Counsel and Chief Regulatory Officer for the Group on 1 January.
The post FDJ UNITED Announces Changes to its Executive Committee appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Industry News
Novig Raises $75M Series B to Build a Trader-First Sports Prediction Market
Novig, the fastest growing sports trading platform in America, announced the close of a $75 million Series B round led by Pantera Capital, with participation from Multicoin Capital, Makers Fund, Edge Equity, and existing investors Forerunner, Perceptive Ventures, and NFX. The round brings Novig’s total capital raised to more than $105 million.
The funding follows a period of growth for the platform, which reported a 10x increase in trading volume during 2025. Novig’s annualized trading volume currently exceeds $4 billion.
Although sports account for the majority of activity on most prediction market platforms, those products are not built with sports traders in mind. Novig, by contrast, is built for sports fans, delivering a fair, transparent, and commission-free trading experience.
Since launch, the platform has rapidly emerged as the leading sports trading platform in the US, proving strong demand for a trader-first alternative to traditional sportsbooks. Novig has officially submitted its application to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to become a licensed Designated Contract Market (DCM), a critical milestone in its transition toward becoming a federally regulated exchange available in all 50 states.
Unlike sportsbooks that operate an against-the-house model, Novig operates a commission-free, peer-to-peer exchange where traders compete against one another on a level playing field. By eliminating the hidden “vig,” unfair odds, and punitive limits on winning players, Novig has built the industry’s most equitable sports prediction platform.
“Our mission is to democratize and financialize sports markets, and we’re proud of the fact that Novig users are 10 times more likely to win than on traditional sportsbooks,” said Jacob Fortinsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Novig.
“We chose to partner with the best crypto venture firms in the world to further accelerate our plans to make Novig the most efficient and liquid sports prediction market in the world. Others are using prediction market technology to financialize new markets with unproven demand. We leverage it to fix broken markets where demand already exists.”
“Novig is proving that prediction markets can fundamentally reshape sports betting by removing the exploitative middleman,” said Paul Veradittakit, Managing Partner at Pantera Capital.
“Their peer-to-peer exchange delivers what traditional sportsbooks can’t: better odds, fairer market structure, and alignment between platform success and user profitability. When 23% of users are profitable compared to 2% on traditional platforms, it’s clear this is a foundational change to the industry. We’re excited to lead this round and support Jacob, Kelechi, and the team as they build a sports prediction market that actually puts bettors first.”
“Novig combines the cultural heartbeat of sports with the transparency and efficiency of prediction markets. Most prediction market volume today is on sports, yet those platforms weren’t built with sports or sports bettors in mind. We are delivering a better exchange that is built by sports traders, for sports traders,” said Co-Founder and CTO Kelechi Ukah.
The new capital accelerates Novig’s next phase of growth, including onboarding more institutional liquidity. Novig will utilize the investment to deepen product innovation and growth loops, launching first-of-its-kind functionality that combines the best innovation of financial markets with the excitement of live sports.
To support its next phase of growth, Novig has expanded its team to more than 50 personnel, including operators, engineers, and traders focused on developing the platform’s prediction market infrastructure and transparency features.
The post Novig Raises $75M Series B to Build a Trader-First Sports Prediction Market appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Gaming Laboratories International
GLI Promotes Patrick Cottingham to Director of Client Services, North America
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has promoted Patrick Cottingham to Director of Client Services, North America. Previously, he served as Senior Manager of Client Services. Prior to commencing his career as an engineer with GLI, he served with the US Air Force.
Cottingham’s dedication to his clients was clearly evident both inside and outside of GLI. He transitioned to the Client Services team where he progressed and built a team laser focused on providing the very best customer service where his and his team’s clients have benefited from his engineering and gaming experience.
Ian Hughes, GLI Chief Revenue Officer, said: “We are thrilled to announce Patrick’s well-deserved promotion to Director of Client Services for North America. Patrick leads a team of dedicated and committed client services representatives who ensure our clients receive the best service during their compliance journey with GLI.”
The post GLI Promotes Patrick Cottingham to Director of Client Services, North America appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
-
Blueprint Gaming5 days agoBlueprint Gaming unleashes Frankenstein’s Fortune blending dynamic modifiers with multi-path bonus offering
-
Compliance Updates7 days agoHow to Apply for a Finnish iGaming License: Gaming in Finland Webinar on Application Steps and Technical Standards
-
Big Daddy Gaming7 days agoBig Daddy Gaming® Expands European Footprint After MGA Licence Approval
-
Latest News4 days agoGGBET UA hosts Media Game – an open FC Dynamo Kyiv training session with journalists from sports publications
-
Compliance Updates5 days agoMGA Publishes Results of Thematic Review on Self-exclusion Practices in Online Gaming Sector
-
Amusnet6 days agoAmusnet Unveils Casino Engineering and Technology Milestones Achieved in 2025
-
Brais Pena Chief Strategy Officer at Easygo7 days agoStake Goes Live in Denmark Following Five-Year Licence Approval
-
Dan Brown5 days agoGames Global and Foxium return to the Colosseum in Rome Fight for Gold the Tiger’s Rage™



