Industry News
European Lotteries And ENGSO Commit To Enhancing The Role Of Grassroots Sport In 2020–2021
The European Lotteries (EL) and ENGSO, the European Sports NGO are further extending their partnership with a new two-year agreement (2020-21).
Aiming at strengthening the natural link between the members of EL and ENGSO – national lotteries and not-for-profit sports umbrella organisations – the agreement highlights the mutually beneficial collaboration in different areas in line with each organisation’s strategy, striving for responsibility, society, sustainability and integrity.
EL President, Hansjörg Höltkemeier: “I strongly welcome the renewed partnership between EL and ENGSO over the next two years. As both Associations share similar core values, I am convinced that we will achieve much more together, taking our cooperation to the next level, in the highest interest of society and a credible and values-driven grassroots sport in Europe”.
ENGSO President Stefan Bergh: “Today, the role of sport in society is more and more recognised, also raising the expectations for grassroots sport. In such a time, the support of EL members for grassroots sport cannot be underestimated. The partnership between ENGSO and EL is essential for further enhancing the societal role of sport at a European level. We are thrilled about the continued mutual commitment and ready to explore further activities to reach our joint goals.”
EL and ENGSO have been cooperating for over 11 years. Most recently, 2019 saw the second successful edition of the European Sport Platform in Rome, the conclusion of the ASPIRE project on the inclusion of refugees through sport, and the successful submission of the SPIRIT project on sport and mental health, supported by the Erasmus+ Programme and EL. Since its conception, the two Association have also actively supported, as official Partners, the European Week of Sport, an annual European Commission led initiative. One particular highlight was a joint event to raise awareness about the importance of equality and ethics in sport.
Both Associations look forward to continuing their partnership and collaboration over the next two years for the benefit of society and grassroots sport in Europe.
About the European Lotteries:
The European Lotteries Association (EL) is the European umbrella organisation of national lotteries operating games of chance for the public benefit. EL has members from more than 40 European countries including all EU Member States. The association’s EU members contribute more than 20 billion EUR p.a. to the state budgets and the funding of sport, culture, social projects, research and other causes of general interest. Unlike many commercial online gambling operators, EL members only offer gambling and betting services in the jurisdictions in which they are licensed by the respective national government. Website: www.european-lotteries.org, Twitter @EuropeLotteries, LinkedIn
About ENGSO:
ENGSO is the European Sports NGO and the leading voice for voluntary-based grassroots sport in Europe. Together with our 38 members – National Sports Confederations, National Olympic Committees and other sports organisations from 34 European countries – we form a network that brings together people of different ages and backgrounds that share a passion for sport. We aspire to grassroots sport that promotes stronger communities, with the mission to represent, develop and advocate for voluntary-based sport in Europe – guided by our values: democracy, equality, inclusion, sustainability, integrity and education. Website: http://www.engso.eu
Expanse Studios
Expanse Studios Launches Proprietary Jackpot and Tournament System
Expanse Studios, a subsidiary of Meridian Holdings Inc., announced the deployment of proprietary jackpot and tournament mechanics across its portfolio, providing B2B operator partners with engagement tools designed to enhance player entertainment value.
The system introduces two jackpot formats—Happy Hour Jackpot and Mystery Jackpot—alongside four tournament competition variants. Operators can control prize structures, scheduling parameters and promotional configurations through platform interfaces.
Happy Hour Jackpot provides scheduled jackpot events aligned with operator promotional strategies, enabling coordinated marketing campaigns and player communication around jackpot opportunities.
Mystery Jackpot delivers multi-tier progressive prize mechanics integrated into gameplay, with operator-configurable prize values and event parameters that support diverse promotional objectives.
Tournament mechanics include four competition formats:
• Bonus Buy tournaments create competitive environments for players who choose to engage with bonus purchase features, with scoring designed to reward strategic gameplay decisions.
• Spin Count tournaments track player activity across gameplay sessions, offering multiple entry opportunities and achievement-based progression that accommodates different play styles.
• Combo tournaments combine multiple competition elements, enabling operators to design promotional events that appeal to diverse player preferences and gaming behaviours.
• Time-based tournaments operate within defined promotional windows, allowing players to participate according to their own schedules while competing for tournament prizes.
“Content providers increasingly compete on operational capabilities, not just game quality. This positions our portfolio as solutions-oriented infrastructure that helps operators execute diverse promotional strategies while maintaining control over player engagement parameters,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios.
Tournament formats integrate with game interfaces through standardised promotional systems designed to enhance entertainment value while providing operators with promotional flexibility.
For Expanse Studios, the deployment strengthens competitive positioning in B2B partnerships where operators increasingly evaluate content providers based on promotional feature capabilities in addition to game performance metrics.
The post Expanse Studios Launches Proprietary Jackpot and Tournament System appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI
Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams
Nils Ristau and Daniel Schmitz debut a work enablement platform aimed at day-to-day execution across product, retention and AI adoption.
Sparky Space, a new AI-powered work enablement platform founded by former German Air Force officer Nils Ristau and tech leader Daniel Schmitz, has launched and is now available globally for iGaming operators and suppliers.
The founders are positioning the product around execution support inside daily workflows as teams face tighter regulatory demands, faster product cycles and higher player expectations. The company cited industry research suggesting only 10-20% of learning is consistently applied in day-to-day work, creating a gap between training and on-the-job outcomes.
“In military operations, performance depends on clarity, structure, and disciplined execution in changing environments,” said Ristau. “The iGaming industry operates under similar pressure.
“Competitive advantage does not come from knowledge alone – it comes from how effectively teams apply it every day.”
Sparky Space said its platform supports areas including product development, player retention and AI adoption, with use cases spanning customer-centric experimentation, agile product and game development, decision-making and prioritisation, practical generative AI prompting, and cross-functional collaboration. The company said the tools are intended to help teams launch features, respond to regulatory change, and optimise marketing and support processes.
While initially focused on iGaming, Sparky Space said it has been built for broader use in other fast-moving, technology-driven industries.
Relevant data as follows:
- Sparky Space: https://www.sparkyspace.com Official company site for product and launch details.
- UK Gambling Commission: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk Regulatory context referenced in the article’s discussion of increasing compliance pressure.
- Malta Gaming Authority: https://www.mga.org.mt Key European regulator relevant to operators and suppliers navigating shifting regulation.
The post Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Belatra
Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign
The slots supplier says its portfolio now exceeds 150 games and highlights recent LatAm expansion from its Buenos Aires base.
Belatra is marking its 33rd birthday with an anniversary campaign running throughout April, the iGaming slots developer said.
The company said it was founded in 1993 and has since transitioned from building gaming machines for land-based casinos to producing digital content. Belatra added that its portfolio has grown to more than 150 games.
Belatra also pointed to its strategic Latin American headquarters in Buenos Aires as a key base for regional partnerships and growth.
Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, said: “We’re only just getting started, but birthdays provide the perfect chance to reflect on our successes and the path that’s brought us here. From launching our innovative ‘multi-universe’ content strategy to our rapid expansion in Latin America, the successful launch of our first Crash game, and multiple high-profile industry award wins — we are always developing, creating, and evolving. 33 years of innovation, dedication, and gaming excellence — and the best is yet to come.”
Belatra did not provide additional detail on upcoming releases or the timing of any new product announcements beyond saying updates will land during April.
The post Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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