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Blueprint Gaming set for international growth with new games studio Lucksome
Leading slot developer extends development capabilities with highly-experienced games design team
Leading slot supplier Blueprint Gaming has unveiled the industry’s newest development studio, Lucksome, which promises to bring exciting and innovative new content to the global gaming industry.
Joining Blueprint’s multi-studio strategy, Lucksome is led by a team with a collective experience of 29 years in games design from across the online, land based and social casino sectors on a worldwide market scale. The new venture has strong ambitions to deliver localised games that are built with the player in mind, as well as being packed with innovative concepts.
The Lucksome team based in Malta is headed by Bryan Upton, a games design, content strategy specialist and industry veteran, who most recently worked at NetEnt, running the company’s RNG games product development unit. He has over 14 years’ experience within the gaming industry, having previously worked for IGT, OpenBet and Inspired. The company also features former NetEnt and Yggdrasil employees Josefin Uppeke, who joins as Head of Creative and Games Designer, and Johan John, Senior Product Manager.
Lucksome is a wholly owned group company that will benefit from the distribution and reliability of Blueprint’s RGS platform. The team will work closely with Simon Thompson, one of its founders, who directs design for the group.
Simon Thompson, Director of Design at Blueprint Gaming, commented: “The Lucksome team have a strong background within the casino sector and we’re delighted to welcome them to the Blueprint family.
“With another games studio joining our portfolio, our design capabilities have elevated to a new level which will provide a strong base for us to bring fresh and engaging content to the market.”
The new studio will, in addition to online slots, be exploring other styles of games, as well as unveiling a new and innovative multi-game concept in Q1. The first games designed by Lucksome are set to be distributed through Blueprint’s RGS platform within Q2 of 2021.
Lucksome becomes the latest studio under Blueprint’s growing portfolio of games following in the footsteps of Games Warehouse, Livewire, Project, Reel Time Gaming (RTG) and Merkur Gaming. The addition of Lucksome is an important move in Blueprint’s efforts to extend its international footprint, providing operators with quality, localised content across multiple markets.
Bryan Upton, Director at Lucksome, said: We’re very excited to unveil Lucksome to the industry and to be part of the Blueprint family. Our studio’s team is highly experienced in designing great games that resonate with players in multiple regions. Coupled with the group’s prolific games development technology, I’m confident we’ll bring even more exciting and innovative content to Blueprint’s already rich portfolio.
“Building a presence in Malta is an important move for the group and shows the strong intent we have to work more closely with operators and broaden our reach.”
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Basketball Federation of Ukraine
GGBET UA and FBU Host “Media Slam”: A Landmark Open Media Event for Ukrainian Basketball
In a historic move for Ukrainian sports, the Basketball Federation of Ukraine (FBU) and title sponsor GGBET UA recently hosted Media Slam in Kyiv. This inaugural open media event served as a high-level forum to analyze the regular season results of the GGBET SuperLeague and the recent performances of Ukraine’s men’s and women’s national teams.
Since becoming the league’s title sponsor in January 2026, GGBET UA has prioritized transparency and engagement. The event highlighted a significant milestone: the return of fans to stadiums despite the ongoing challenges of martial law, signaling a resilient recovery for the domestic game.
Highlights and Recognition
The “Media Slam” wasn’t just about statistics; it was a celebration of the sport’s current momentum:
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MVP Honors: The regular season’s top five players were officially recognized for their outstanding contributions.
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Kyiv-Basket Victory: The Ukrainian Cup winners received a formal check in honor of their championship win.
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Market Discussion: Stakeholders engaged in a candid dialogue regarding the increasing competitiveness of the league.
Sergii Mishchenko, CEO of GGBET UA, commented:
“We didn’t get involved in Ukrainian basketball just to have our logo on a banner. This is a systematic approach. We see the increasing interest in basketball and want to be a part of that growth. The tougher the competition, the stronger Ukrainian basketball becomes.”
A Strategic Expansion
Basketball marks a major pillar in GGBET UA’s diversifying sports portfolio. Following high-profile partnerships with FC Dynamo Kyiv, FC Polissya Zhytomyr, and the Usyk vs. Dubois 2 rematch, the brand is now cementing its status as a cornerstone of the Ukrainian basketball ecosystem.
The post GGBET UA and FBU Host “Media Slam”: A Landmark Open Media Event for Ukrainian Basketball appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BiS Awards 2026
EGT and EGT Digital have been honored with the Best VLT Solution prize at the BiS Awards 2026
EGT, in collaboration with EGT Digital, has been distinguished for their joint video lottery product for Brazil at the prestigious BiS Awards 2026, highlighting excellence in the country’s rapidly growing gaming and betting industry. The companies took the accolade in the Best VLT Solution category at an official ceremony held on April 7 in Sao Paulo as part of the BiS SiGMA South America event.
The award comes in recognition of the successful debut of VLT terminals in the regulated state of Paraíba, where they had their first large-scale installation at the beginning of this year, generating strong player interest and demonstrating impressive results ever since.
In addition, EGT’s VLT product has been approved in a Proof of Concept (PoC) process under the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery, and will soon be available to the gaming audience in this state as well.
The omnichannel solution, delivered jointly by EGT and EGT Digital, provides a complete Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) ecosystem, featuring land-based equipment, a technological platform, and a rich library of gaming content. Developed according to the international standards, it has been adapted to meet the specific requirements of the Brazilian market and its regulatory framework.
Celina Guedes, Regional Director Brazil at EGT, commented: “It is an honor to us to be acknowledged by the BiS Awards competition, which is a benchmark for outstanding achievements in the sector. Our complete omnichannel VLT solution is designed to perform across different industry segments and is about to unleash its enormous potential in the near future. The prize is proof that we are able to fulfil the ever-increasing demands placed on providers and even set new higher standards in the extremely competitive gaming ecosystem in Brazil and the Latin American region as a whole.”
The post EGT and EGT Digital have been honored with the Best VLT Solution prize at the BiS Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
8bit Binks
S8UL Esports Triumphs in VCSA 2026 Split 1: A Grand Final Masterclass
In a heart-pounding display of tactical precision and mental fortitude, S8UL Esports has been crowned the VALORANT Challengers South Asia (VCSA) 2026 Split 1 Champions. The victory came after an intense five-map Grand Final against Revenant Xspark, where S8UL emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline, solidifying their dominance in the regional VCT ecosystem.
With this win, S8UL takes home the lion’s share of the prize pool—INR ₹9,00,000—and sets a high benchmark for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The Road to the Trophy
S8UL’s journey through Split 1 was a testament to their growth following the 2025 season. Their path to the podium included:
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League Phase Dominance: Consistent performance against seven of South Asia’s elite teams.
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Semifinal Sweep: A commanding 2-0 victory over Asterisk, showcasing a roster peaking at the perfect moment.
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The 5-Map Thriller: A back-and-forth Grand Final against Revenant Xspark that tested the limits of both skill and composure.
Strategic Growth and Leadership
The victory highlights the successful vision of Mithul “8bit Binks” Nayak, the driving force behind this revamped roster. Under the leadership of veteran captain Ganesh “SkRossi” Gangadhar, the team displayed evolved coordination and the ability to clutch out decisive rounds under immense pressure.
“Winning Split 1 gives us confidence, but we know the season is long,” said SkRossi. “I’m proud of how the team stayed focused in the crucial moments.”
Impact on the VCT Ecosystem
VCSA Split 1 serves as the critical pathway for South Asian teams to climb into the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT). By securing the first title of the year, S8UL not only establishes themselves as the team to beat but also positions themselves favorably for international qualification opportunities in Split 2 and beyond.
Animesh ‘Thug’ Agarwal, Co-Founder and CEO of S8UL, noted: “The team showed incredible composure in a high-pressure final. This result is a testament to the work they’ve been putting in behind the scenes. We’ve always believed in this roster.”
The post S8UL Esports Triumphs in VCSA 2026 Split 1: A Grand Final Masterclass appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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