Press Releases
KamaGames and Hard Rock International Announce Joint Partnership With Launch of All-New App
KamaGames, the largest European social casino operator, has announced the launch of a new app in partnership with the iconic global brand, Hard Rock International. The new app, titled Hard Rock Blackjack, contains the most popular casino-style games in the KamaGames portfolio.
The stand-out feature of Hard Rock Blackjack is the inclusion of high calibre, 3D versions of classic casino table games including roulette, craps, baccarat and of course, the core title within the app, blackjack. In addition, this all-new app will include a number of other casino-style games such as slots and video poker, familiar to even the most casual of players.
Hard Rock Blackjack also includes a fully comprehensive and market-leading social poker game based on the Pokerist Texas Poker model, currently the third-largest social poker game in the world. In addition to the much loved Texas Hold’em Poker, a number of other poker-based titles have also been added to the app including fan-favourites Set Poker and Split Bet Poker.
As well as the strong line up of social casino games, Hard Rock Blackjack will also play host to a range of competitive poker tournaments including Sit’n’Go, Shootout, multi-table tournaments (MTT) and weekly tournaments all of which have experienced long-standing success among KamaGames’ existing user base, a success that both KamaGames and Hard Rock International anticipate to be replicated among the millions of Hard Rock International customers.
Alongside tournaments, the app offers unique Party modes and poker game variations to excite players of every skill level as well as providing a host of different ways to encourage a feeling of community. Social interaction between players will be made possible via a range of creative chat options such as in-game instant messenger, animated emojis and the ability to send gifts back and forth throughout the many highs and lows of a game.
Commenting on the new partnership, Hard Rock’s Kresimir Spajic, Senior Vice President of Online Gaming & Sports Betting, stated: “We are excited to announce this partnership and the release of the highly sophisticated Hard Rock Blackjack app, a perfect expansion of our free-to-play games portfolio and a major draw for both current and new Hard Rock customers. The exciting table games, multiplayer functionality and availability in 28 different languages will empower us to stay regularly connected with our guests in a new and creative way between visits to our Cafes, Hotels and Casinos around the world.”
Spajic added: “Hard Rock has seen positive results leveraging free2play mobile games to extend the legendary experience guests have come to expect from the 262 Hard Rock ensues around the world into a digital format to both deepen relationships and drive incremental brand engagement both online and at our real-world venues. Partnering with KamaGames and their industry-leading technology in the social casino space gives us the opportunity to amplify the reach of our social casino portfolio with best-in-class casino gameplay and global availability.”
KamaGames CEO, Andrey Kuznetsov explained: “For KamaGames, this partnership holds an unparalleled opportunity for growth. Using our expertise, which has been honed over many years in the social casino industry, we are confident that we have created a product that will offer true entertainment value for Hard Rock International customers. KamaGames is very proud of the product we’ve brought to the market with Pokerist Texas Poker and are happy to share this technology with Hard Rock to provide their loyal customers with a high-quality product which will give them even more opportunities to interact and engage with Hard Rocks iconic, globally recognized brand, leading to a continued positive relationship and greater brand loyalty”.
Whilst the Hard Rock Blackjack portfolio is already extensive at its launch, throughout 2020 and beyond, the partnership between KamaGames and Hard Rock International is expected to generate a variety of cross-promotional campaigns and projects, as well as incorporating even more new slots, game modes, tournaments, and events into the app.
Awards
Slotsoo Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best Casinos and Game Providers
Slotsoo is proud to announce the winners of the Slotsoo Awards 2026, recognising the online casinos and game providers that have delivered the best player experiences over the past year. Now firmly established as an annual celebration of excellence, the awards continue to recognise the companies setting new standards for quality and innovation across the iGaming industry.
Spotlighting the Best Game Providers of 2026
Following last year’s successful debut, the Slotsoo Game Provider Awards returned for a second year to recognise the studios pushing online slots forward through original ideas, engaging gameplay, and consistently high-quality releases. This year’s winners are:
- The Machine MVP – Pragmatic Play
- Bonus Buyer – Eurasian Gaming
- Volatility Virtuoso – 1spin4win
- Jackpot Jumbo – Platipus Gaming
- Symphony Spinner – Peter & Sons
- Reel Renegade – TaDa Gaming
- Promising Prodigy – EXCO Game Studio
Pragmatic Play retained the prestigious Machine MVP award for a second consecutive year, while every other category crowned a new winner, highlighting the emergence of fresh talent and new ideas among game providers.
Casino Awards Return for a Fourth Year
Since their debut in 2023, the Slotsoo Casino Awards have celebrated the operators raising the standard for online casino experiences. This year’s winners continue that tradition, earning recognition for excellence across bonuses, withdrawals, gamification, and overall quality. The seven winners for 2026 are:
- The Gambling GOAT – Lunar Spins
- The Bonus Buff – Go4Casino
- The Loyalty Lord – Valhalla Wins
- The Withdrawal Wizard – Taste Vegas
- The Gamification Guru – Lucky Fuel
- The Payout Professor – Stupid Casino
- The Noisy Newcomer – Kudos Bet
While the Game Provider Awards saw several first-time winners, the Casino Awards reflected the continued strength of a few established operators. C24 Partners enjoyed a particularly successful year, with four awards going to brands from its portfolio, including the main trophy The Gambling GOAT.
Recognition That Goes Beyond Popularity
Unlike many industry awards, the Slotsoo Awards are not decided by public voting. Winners are selected by the Slotsoo team after evaluating casino operators and game providers throughout the year. Each nominee is assessed on factors such as player value and innovation.
This approach ensures that both established industry leaders and ambitious newcomers have an equal opportunity to be recognised. Whether it’s a casino redefining loyalty rewards or a game studio introducing fresh mechanics, the awards highlight companies that genuinely move the industry forward.
Other News from Slotsoo.com This Summer
The Slotsoo Awards weren’t the only milestone for the company this summer. In June, the team attended the HIPTHER Baltics & Nordics Gaming Conference in Tallinn, connecting with industry professionals, exploring the latest developments in iGaming, and returning home with plenty of inspiration.
July marked the publication of Slotsoo’s first book, The Casino Player’s ABC, written by Markus Björk, Head of Content. This tongue-in-cheek ABC book for adults takes a humorous look at the ups and downs in slot gaming. Markus Björk comments:
“The awards and the book may seem like very different projects, but they share the same goal. Both are about celebrating what makes this industry unique and helping players navigate it with a sense of humour.”
With another successful awards season, the publication of their first book, and an active presence at industry events, 2026 has been one of Slotsoo’s busiest and most exciting years to date.
The post Slotsoo Awards 2026 Celebrate the Best Casinos and Game Providers appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Endorphina
Endorphina releases Zalatar online slot with Hold and Win jackpots
Endorphina has launched Zalatar, a new myths-and-legends themed online slot, expanding its recent run of fantasy-leaning releases.
The supplier said Zalatar is a 5-reel, 3-row game with 25 fixed paylines, 96.03% RTP and high volatility.
Feature-wise, Endorphina said the title includes a Mystery Pick ‘Em feature, three Hold And Win Bonus Games, and Scatter and Wild mechanics. During Hold And Win, the company said “colorful orbs” can award Collector and Multiplier functions, plus Min, Mid, Max, and Ultra Jackpots.
The game also includes Endorphina’s Risk Game, where the company said players can double wins up to 10 times by beating the dealer’s card.
Endorphina said Zalatar is available across mobile, tablet and desktop. The Prague-based supplier also reiterated that its portfolio includes “210+” slots and partnerships with “6,000+” operators worldwide.
The post Endorphina releases Zalatar online slot with Hold and Win jackpots appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
creator-economy
DuelBits says its Justin Gaethje UFC campaign drove 122m verified views
DuelBits says its JUSTIN2026 campaign with UFC fighter Justin Gaethje generated more than 122 million verified clip views and contributed to “one of DuelBits’ strongest UFC betting events in recent memory.” The operator said the campaign exceeded its KPI target of 100 million impressions and was distributed through a network of more than 140 creators.
The campaign was framed by DuelBits as a challenge to the industry’s common approach to athlete and influencer partnerships, arguing that many operators wait until an athlete’s commercial value peaks.
Jasper Hoekert, Chief Marketing Officer at DuelBits, said: “Too many operators approach ambassador partnerships as sponsorship deals. They wait until someone has already become one of the biggest names in sport before trying to work with them. At that point, everyone is competing for the same audience, the same inventory and the same headlines.”
Hoekert added: “The real opportunity is identifying athletes who perfectly align with your audience before they’re the obvious choice. If you genuinely believe in someone, you can build something together rather than simply renting their reputation once they’ve already made it.”
DuelBits said the JUSTIN2026 activation was built around a “premium hero film” supported by six short-form edits, behind-the-scenes videos and photography, with creator-led distribution across social media and MMA communities. The operator also said the flagship content was integrated into Gaethje’s “Art of Violence” YouTube series to extend the campaign beyond a single event window.
The company positioned distribution strategy as a key lever alongside content production. Hoekert said: “A brilliant piece of creative means very little if nobody sees it. We’ve reached a point where distribution deserves just as much strategic attention as the content itself. Working with creators, community pages, and trusted media partners allows campaigns to travel much further than relying on your own social channels alone.”
DuelBits also argued that modern KOL and ambassador campaigns should be assessed beyond top-line reach. “Views are an important benchmark because they show you’ve earned attention, but attention isn’t the finish line,” Hoekert said. “What matters is whether that attention drives action. In our case, we saw strong promotional code engagement alongside one of our best-performing UFC betting nights. That’s when you know the creative has delivered genuine business value rather than just impressive headline numbers.”
The post DuelBits says its Justin Gaethje UFC campaign drove 122m verified views appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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