Industry News

Yggdrasil and Black Cow strike strategic global game engine partnership

Published

6 years ago

February 4, 2020

GDK platform integrated with Yggdrasil’s GATI to power YG Masters program allowing studios and game developers a rapid route to global markets

Yggdrasil has partnered with Black Cow in a deal that will see the open architecture specialists integrate its GDK platform into Yggdrasil’s new GATI solution – the power behind its successful YG Masters Program – enabling global and local studios and game developer partners with instant access to game engines and a rapid route to new markets.

The partnership is the first GDK partner for Yggdrasil’s new Publishing division, launched in January 2020, offering customers ‘the keys to its kingdom’enabling partners to cost effectively and with a short TTM (time to market) accelerate their business strategies, and revenue growth ambitions.

Black Cow will build game engines for best-of-breed studios who join the YG Masters program. They will achieve this by integrating their Games Development Kit (GDK) platform into Yggdrasil’s new Game Adaptation, Tools and Interface (GATI) solution.

Once complete, studios and game developers who were previously unable to deliver their own game engines, will have the fastest and most efficient route to building and distributing content via YG Masters.

The collaboration also means that Black Cow’s existing studio partners can quickly and easily become YG Masters partners, seamlessly porting their games and benefitting from wide distribution and industry leading marketing tools.

The original YGS Masters program has been significantly upgraded with the introduction of Yggdrasil’s GATI, a disruptor to the existing iGaming industry and part of the new Yggdrasil Publishing value proposition.

GATI is a preconfigured, regulation-ready content development toolkit that powers YG Masters, enabling studios and game developers to use a standardised technology solution to develop and distribute games anywhere in the world. This means partners can source, build and distribute content and crucially accelerate global reach, finding new ways to increase revenues.

Using GATI, YG Masters partners will be free to build game engines in any way, language or method with Black Cow’s proven GDK acting as one conduit for delivery should game studios want that support.

As part of its new strategic approach, Yggdrasil is franchising its entire business, from current and future content and industry-leading gamification to its advanced platform technology and new GATI product. This will enable partners to instantly create their own unique, end-to-end iGaming offering supported by, and in partnership with, Yggdrasil Publishing.

The roll out of the YG Franchise model will see strategic partners located in significant markets building games for their players that can also be sold back for global distribution via YG Masters at a stroke opening instant B2B opportunities. Franchise partners, thanks to the nature of standardised architecture and consistent game frameworks (GATI), will also be able to select games to offer their players from the YG Masters program. This is Decentralised Aggregation, a game-changing disruptive force that has the potential to revolutionise the content supply chain and business growth drivers.

The current three core value propositions for the Publishing arm are: YG Franchise (platform IP licensing) YG Masters (game development and distribution program), and YG Game IP (game IP licensing).

Stuart McCarthy, Head of Partner Strategy & Sourcing at Yggdrasil, said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce our partnership with Black Cow. Our revolutionary GATI solution allows studios and game developers to build directly onto our platform, thus benefitting from our global distribution, promotional tools and regulated market adaptors while taking control of their roadmap and retaining complete protection of their IP.

“By adding Black Cow’s proven gold standard GDK technology for studios looking for game engine build we believe we have created the perfect go-to solution for any game studio looking to quickly, efficiently and securely get their games to market.”

Tony Plaskow, Commercial Director at Black Cow Technology, said: “Black Cow is honoured and excited to be partnering with Yggdrasil in its new Publishing venture. By integrating our GDK into GATI we provide an efficient and rapid way for prominent game developers to build and distribute their games into Publishing’s valuable universe.”

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Gaming Laboratories International

GLI Promotes Patrick Cottingham to Director of Client Services, North America

Published

3 days ago

February 16, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

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

Published

6 days ago

February 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

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

Published

7 days ago

February 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

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.