Industry News
EVOLUTION ADDS POWER BLACKJACK TO ITS GROWING ‘INFINITE’ RANGE OF GAMES
Evolution Gaming, leading provider of Live Casino solutions, today announced the launch of its newest scalable Blackjack game, Power Blackjack. First showcased at ICE 2020, the game further extends the company’s popular Infinite range, which includes titles such as Infinite Blackjack and Free Bet Blackjack.
As in all of Evolution’s Infinite games, Power Blackjack offers an unlimited number of seats for players at a single table. What’s unique with Power Blackjack is the added opportunity for players to multiply their winnings by choosing to double, triple or quadruple down their bet on the two initial dealt cards, even after a split.
Evolution strives to continuously improve its offering while, at the same time, developing the entire Live Casino market by means of cutting-edge product innovation. As we introduce games for new audiences in the form of our Game Shows category, we continue to develop our offering for traditional live players. During the year, we have released several new innovations of classic table games of which Power Blackjack is the latest. The release of this new version of Blackjack is in line with us constantly striving to further strengthen Evolution’s leading position as a developer in these traditional gaming categories.
Todd Haushalter, Chief Product Officer at Evolution Gaming, said: “With this game the mission was to give players more of what they love about Blackjack without changing the underlying gameplay. We know that players love classic Blackjack, but we are always looking for new ways to keep it fresh. Creating a version where players can triple and quadruple down, instead of just double down, felt like a great way to do this.”
He added: “A few years ago we created Infinite Blackjack, which is simply a Blackjack platform that allows an unlimited number of players at just one table, instead of the standard seven seats. Building on the success of our proven Infinite format, we have created further new Blackjack game types such as Free Bet Blackjack and now Power Blackjack, with more to come in the future.”
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Gaming
Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention
Soft2Bet has unveiled MEGA Islands, the latest addition to its MEGA Suite, designed to enhance player engagement and retention across both casino and sportsbook offerings.
The new engine introduces a persistent progression system that carries over across sessions, giving players an ongoing reason to return. Through island-building, resource collection, and continual advancement, players embark on a long-term journey that transforms short play sessions into sustained engagement.
First previewed in Soft2Bet’s recent Lodur release, the MEGA Islands system allows players to develop their own islands over time. Resources earned through gameplay can be used to construct new buildings, upgrade existing structures, and unlock further stages of progression. Each upgrade opens new goals, creating a loop of continuous advancement that keeps players invested.
The engine also incorporates plundering mechanics, giving players an additional path to gather resources by raiding other islands. This feature not only accelerates growth but also maintains a dynamic and engaging progression loop. With no fixed endpoint, MEGA Islands is built to encourage repeat play through a satisfying cycle of building, collecting, and advancing.
“MEGA Islands is designed to make retention feel natural by providing players with a progression journey they want to return to,” said Yoel Zuckerberg, CPO at Soft2Bet. “By building islands, collecting resources, and unlocking upgrades—including through plundering—each session becomes part of a longer experience. It gives players a clear reason to come back while providing operators with a retention tool that integrates seamlessly across casino and sportsbook.”
The launch of MEGA Islands underscores Soft2Bet’s commitment to gamification as a driver of long-term growth. As part of the MEGA Suite, the new engine offers operators a powerful tool to extend player journeys, increase engagement cycles, and deliver consistent value in competitive markets.
The post Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
European CEO magazine
GR8 Tech CEO Named CEO of the Year for Second Consecutive Year
GR8 Tech CEO Oleksandr Feshchenko has been named Global CEO of the Year 2026 in the Technology Industry by European CEO magazine—the second consecutive year he has received the honour. The judging panel’s decision was unanimous.
The award recognised Feshchenko’s leadership across three areas the panel identified as defining:
• Track record of turning technological strategy into scalable commercial outcomes;
• Focus on building an organization designed to last, not just perform;
• Consistent investment in people and culture as core business levers rather than afterthoughts.
What distinguished Feshchenko from a competitive field, according to the panel, was the combination of all three. Individual strengths are common at the CEO level, but the consistency across strategy, execution and organisational health is rare.
Under Oleksandr Feshchenko’s leadership, GR8 Tech has grown into a recognised provider of technology solutions for the iGaming sector, with an approach that the panel described as forward-looking without sacrificing operational discipline.
“Receiving this recognition two years in a row means a great deal, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that success is most dangerous when it makes you comfortable. This award belongs to the team at GR8 Tech as much as it does to me, and what it really does is raise the bar. The technology industry doesn’t stand still, and neither do we. There’s a lot we’re building toward, and that’s exactly where our focus stays,” Oleksandr Feshenko said.
The Global CEO of the Year award is presented annually by European CEO magazine following an evaluation of international candidates across various industries.
The post GR8 Tech CEO Named CEO of the Year for Second Consecutive Year appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Augmented Reality
XR Global Launches World’s First Augmented Reality Online Casino Games Across iOS, Android and Immersive Web
XR Global Inc, the first Extended Reality (XR) technologies casino games developer with Patent Pending Technology on its Cross-XR Platform, announced the official launch of the world’s first Augmented Reality (AR) online casino games available across iOS, Android and the Immersive Web. This groundbreaking milestone positions XR Global at the forefront of innovation in the global iGaming industry, delivering a next-generation gaming experience that goes far beyond traditional 2D online casino platforms.
By leveraging cutting-edge Extended Reality (XR) technologies—including Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D immersive environments—XR Global enables players to step into fully interactive casino worlds from their mobile devices or web browsers, without the need for specialised hardware.
Unlike conventional online casino games confined to flat, 2D interfaces, XR Global’s platform allows users to engage with games such as slots, roulette, blackjack and crash games in a real-world environment. Players can place games on their tables, walk around them, interact with live elements and experience a level of realism and immersion previously only possible in physical casinos or high-end VR setups.
“XR Global is redefining what online gaming looks and feels like. We are bridging the gap between physical and digital entertainment by bringing casino experiences into players’ real-world environments. This is not just an evolution—it’s a transformation of the entire gaming paradigm,” said Dan Martinez, Founder & CEO of XR Global.
The launch marks a significant leap forward for player engagement, retention and monetisation. XR Global’s immersive experiences are designed to increase session times, deepen emotional connection and create highly differentiated offerings for operators in an increasingly competitive market.
The company plans to license its XR-enabled gaming portfolio globally, enabling partners to integrate immersive gaming into their existing platforms and attract a new generation of players seeking more interactive and engaging experiences.
The post XR Global Launches World’s First Augmented Reality Online Casino Games Across iOS, Android and Immersive Web appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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