Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

• Plinko

• Mines

• Tower

• Limbo

• Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

• SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.

• The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year:

• 9th Jan: Wolverhampton

• 6th Feb: Newcastle

• 20th Feb: Southwell

• 20th March: Wolverhampton

• 27th March: Newcastle

The post Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Croatia is becoming one of the most robust regulated markets in the Balkans. For a supplier like Wazdan, partnering with a brand like Admiral—which has immense brand equity in the region thanks to its land-based heritage—is a significant “trust signal.” It moves Wazdan from being just another provider in the lobby to a core content partner for a market leader.

The Full Story

Wazdan, the developer defining itself as “gain-focused,” has solidified its position in the Balkans by signing a major content partnership with Admiral.hr, one of Croatia’s leading online gaming operators.

The collaboration will see a curated selection of Wazdan’s high-performance titles deployed to Admiral’s extensive player base. The initial rollout features some of the studio’s strongest recent releases, including:

• 9 Bells

• Book of Faith

• 12 Coins Grand Gold Edition

• 25 Coins Grand Gold Edition

• Mighty Wild: Panther Grand Diamond Edition

Mechanics Over Aesthetics While the visual quality of the games is a draw, the partnership is heavily focused on Wazdan’s proprietary engagement mechanics. Admiral.hr will leverage features such as Cash Infinity, Sticky to Infinity, and the renowned Hold the Jackpot bonus engine. These mechanics are designed specifically to increase session time and player retention, key metrics for operators in mature European markets.

Management Commentary Magdalena Wojdyla, Head of Account Management for Europe at Wazdan, highlighted the strategic fit:

“Partnering with Admiral.hr is an important step in strengthening our presence in Croatia and the wider European region. Admiral is a highly respected brand with a deep understanding of its players, making it an ideal partner for showcasing our proven portfolio and engagement-driven mechanics.”

Žarko Žuvela, Head of Online Gaming Department at Admiral.hr, emphasized the need for fresh content:

“Wazdan has built a strong reputation for creating content that combines innovative mechanics with standout visual appeal… The addition of these popular titles and retention-focused features will enhance our casino portfolio and provide our players with fresh, high-quality entertainment.”

This deal marks the latest step in Wazdan’s aggressive European expansion strategy for late 2025, following a string of commercial successes in neighboring jurisdictions.

The post Wazdan Strikes Major Croatian Deal with Admiral.hr appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.