Industry News
The future is now: Betinvest’s VR slots can give operators the edge
As virtual reality (VR) becomes populated with more people, places, and games to play, Betinvest Chief Research and Development Officer, Igor Popov, explains how the company is utilising the technology not just to increase player entertainment and engagement, but also to provide solutions for the industry that are both cutting edge and cost-effective.
Futurist and Google director of engineering Ray Kurzweil has given humanity until 2045 before the lines between virtual reality and physical reality become so blurred that nobody will know the difference. But to reach that point, this virtual future must be built one brick at a time by the tech-experts of today. Some of these world-builders are creating virtual estate agents with fully viewable virtual properties, while others construct virtual showrooms with cars that can be taken out for a virtual test drive. Meanwhile, Betinvest’s Chief Research and Development Officer Igor Popov oversees a team of engineers and developers that are building the virtual future of the gaming industry.
“The gaming industry is one of the first to have been affected by VR: while companies are vying to win over players, virtual reality has provided several solutions to their needs,” he explained. “First of all, it has drawn in new players: people who never previously showed an interest in gaming or weren’t fans of any game in particular. The novel form of gaming excited the interest of not only regular gamers, but also those who are new to this world. Secondly, VR has broadened users’ experiences: it has given them the chance to play in a whole new dimension, with the feeling of being physically immersed in the game. You don’t just play the game – you’re in it. And thirdly, virtual reality has raised gaming standards: other online games are now in competition with VR games. Providers and operators are therefore improving their games, by introducing more complex graphics, adaptations for various devices, and better bonus offers so as not to lose their most loyal players.”
Over the last few years, Betinvest has seen the demand for VR products soar from both players and the wider industry. The challenge with VR, however, has always been its barriers to entry, whether it’s the cost, clunkiness, or the amount of time it takes to set-up. Since the release of the first modern VR headset in 2014, progress has been made in all regards, with Popov detailing how Betinvest has made sure their VR slots are as accessible as possible for players.
“In response to the requests of our players and key trends in the gaming industry, we have broadened our range of in-house online slot games with inbuilt VR technology,” he said. “To immerse themselves in slots with advanced graphics and a user-friendly interface, all players need to do is to connect their VR headset to any device with access to the internet, open their browser and start spinning. There’s no need to download the software or use any complicated devices – everything’s there so players can start their VR experience quickly and easily.”
The industry will see Betinvest’s VR slots for the first time at ICE London 2020, where the company will also show a special offer for land-based casino operators. With Betinvest, physical gaming venues can be virtually recreated so that operators can offer players the full experience of their casino to players anywhere in the world.
“Our team of developers can faithfully recreate the inside of a real casino in VR,” concluded Popov. “So, casino owners can bring in new players, and the players will be able to experience the real deal without even leaving home. Our VR casino is a cutting-edge solution which will help you expand your current gaming business.”
Industry stakeholders interested in trying out Betinvest’s games can visit the companies stand, S2-324, at ICE London 2020 on 4–6 February. A meeting can be arranged with the company at: https://www.betinvest.com/events/ice-london-2020/.
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.
Blueprintx
Zingo Bingo Launches “Your Era” Nostalgia Series Featuring Kerry Katona and Pat Sharp
Zingo Bingo Launches “Your Era” – A Social-First Nostalgia Series for 2026
Zingo Bingo has officially unveiled Your Era, a new short-form social media content series celebrating iconic throwbacks, shared nostalgia and the cultural moments that defined generations. The series launches in February 2026 and will roll out weekly across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Designed to strengthen Zingo Bingo’s identity as a home of nostalgic fun, Your Era focuses on authentic conversation rather than traditional promotional content. The format highlights music, fashion, technology and pop culture milestones that shaped each guest’s personal journey.
Kerry Katona and Pat Sharp Headline Series One
The first confirmed guests include Kerry Katona, singer and media personality best known from Atomic Kitten, and Pat Sharp, the iconic radio and TV presenter associated with classic UK entertainment shows. Additional celebrity names will be revealed throughout the year.
Each episode features five themed nostalgia segments crafted to spark memories, conversation and emotional connections among viewers.
What to Expect from “Your Era”
Every guest takes part in recurring throwback features designed to boost engagement and relatability:
- The Memory Bag – Guests reveal five nostalgic items and share the stories behind them
- Flashback Files – A rapid-fire interview covering music, fashion, tech and cultural trends
- Mixtape Memories – Guests curate throwback tracks for the official Your Era playlist
- Taste of the Past – Sampling retro sweets and snacks while rating nostalgia levels
- Yesterday’s News – A humorous headline-guessing game using real throwback media stories
The series aims to tap into the growing popularity of nostalgia-driven digital content while positioning Zingo Bingo as a community-led entertainment brand.
Built by Kinetic Digital and Blueprintx
Your Era has been developed by Zingo Bingo’s operators, Kinetic Digital, in collaboration with long-term creative partner Blueprintx. Blueprintx has previously supported digital and television campaigns for Kinetic Digital brands including Prime Casino and Slingo.
The production strategy prioritises shareable, short-form content optimised for social discovery and influencer amplification, with episodes distributed across dedicated platform pages as well as guest channels.
A Strategic Play for Community Engagement
Jack Watson, Brand Manager at Zingo Bingo, said the series reflects the brand’s commitment to fun, familiarity and connection.
“Your Era is about celebrating the music we replayed, the fads we cringe at and the memories that still make us smile. It’s designed to bring people together through shared nostalgia while reminding audiences that bingo is about enjoying those moments collectively.”
Series one will feature six guests throughout 2026, with new weekly segments designed to drive audience engagement and repeat viewership.
The post Zingo Bingo Launches “Your Era” Nostalgia Series Featuring Kerry Katona and Pat Sharp appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Industry News
Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth
Yaspa, the renowned fintech focusing on instant payments and identity solutions, today reveals the appointment of Justin Fraser as its Chief Revenue Officer.
Fraser becomes part of Yaspa’s executive team during a crucial period of global growth. He has more than 20 years of commercial leadership experience in the payments ecosystem, having occupied senior leadership positions at notable industry companies like Cybersource, Visa, and Paysafe.
Having a career centered on maneuvering through intricate payment environments, he offers knowledge in rapidly expanding, regulated sectors such as iGaming, cryptocurrency, and financial technology.
As the new CRO, Fraser will manage Yaspa’s worldwide commercial strategy, concentrating on expanding the company’s Intelligent Payment platform, which integrates open banking with AI-powered customer insights, throughout the UK, Europe, and North America.
Yaspa CEO James Neville said: “We are thrilled to welcome Justin to the team during this period of rapid acceleration. His deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and his proven track record in scaling payment solutions are invaluable assets as we expand our footprint in the US and beyond. Justin’s appointment further strengthens our leadership as we continue to help businesses lower costs, grow revenues, and enhance financial compliance through open banking.”
Justin Fraser said: “Yaspa is at the forefront of the shift toward real-time payments. The company’s unique blend of open banking and AI-verified insights solves genuine friction for merchants, particularly in industries like iGaming. I am excited to join such an innovative team and look forward to driving the next phase of our commercial growth globally.”
Fraser will collaborate closely with the recently strengthened US team, which includes the newly appointed US Sales Lead, Peter Kula, and US Senior Solutions Manager, Jackson Esoda.
This statement comes after a year of significant growth for Yaspa, highlighted by increasing its workforce from 15 to 75 employees and successfully securing a $12 million investment round spearheaded by Discerning Capital. In this timeframe, the firm broadened its international presence with new ventures in Atlanta and Leeds, while winning esteemed honors such as the 2025 Payments Award for Real-Time Payments Innovation and a spot on the CB Insights Top 100 Fintech list.
The post Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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