Latest News
Pragmatic Play Appoints New VP of Strategy and Operations: Bhotesh Maheshwari
Pragmatic Play, a leading content provider to the gaming industry, has appointed former Rank Digital Head of Gaming Product, Bhotesh Maheshwari, as its new Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Operations as the company looks to further cement its position as a top tier supplier in regulated markets.
His core responsibilities will include overseeing commercial operations and building closer product partnerships with leading operators across Europe while expanding Pragmatic Play’s footprint in newly regulated territories across the globe.
The 39-year-old will also head Pragmatic Play’s Gibraltar office which serves UK, German, Spanish and Portuguese operators with a team of three executives working to achieve the supplier’s goals in the region.
Maheshwari has a long history in the gaming industry, working for both top tier operators and suppliers during his 15-year career. Since starting out as a retail manager for William Hill in 2006, he has worked closely with product teams to deliver gaming propositions customised for local player bases across UK, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Having spent eight years in a variety of commercial and product roles in the land-based gaming space for William Hill and Inspired Gaming, he moved to Betfair in an online gaming role supporting its arcade product and built an in-house gaming proposition and the innovative timed jackpot offering.
He eventually joined the Rank Group in Gibraltar in 2016 heading casino revenue and product development for online brands Grosvenorcasinos.com and Meccabingo.com.
Julian Jarvis, Chief Executive Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “We are thrilled to have Bhotesh join us, and look forward to his impressive industry experience benefiting our growing team.
“The projects he has previously been involved with and the impact they have had on development in his previous roles bode very well for his future with us.”
Bhotesh Maheshwari added: “I look forward to working closely with the founders and management team at Pragmatic Play which has established itself as a leading multi-product provider in our industry in a very short time.
“We have hugely exciting expansion plans within regulated regions and new product verticals and it’s fantastic to be embarking on this next phase of growth for the company.”
Pragmatic Play currently produces up to five new slot titles a month, while also delivering Live Casino and Bingo games as part of its multi-product portfolio, available through one single API.
Powered by WPeMatico
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:
-
MVP Honors: The regular season’s top five players were officially recognized for their outstanding contributions.
-
Kyiv-Basket Victory: The Ukrainian Cup winners received a formal check in honor of their championship win.
-
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:
-
League Phase Dominance: Consistent performance against seven of South Asia’s elite teams.
-
Semifinal Sweep: A commanding 2-0 victory over Asterisk, showcasing a roster peaking at the perfect moment.
-
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.
-
BNL4 days agoPaneles SiGMA South America concentran debates claves para Brasil
-
ALL FOR ONE Studios3 days agoUnlock the Sands’ Bounty — Games Global and ALL FOR ONE Studios introduce rewards in Queens of Ra Rising Coin Collect
-
Andrew Humphreys Chief Product Engineering Officer at Bede Gaming3 days agoOLG Launches Innovative New React Native Mobile App with Bede Gaming
-
Alea3 days agoAlea Returns to SiGMA South America as Brazil’s iGaming Market Enters a More Demanding Stage
-
bets4 days agoSiGMA South America panels focus on key debates to Brazil
-
Evoplay3 days agoEvoplay Embarks on a Heart of Africa: Lion Way
-
Best Slot Developer3 days agoAmusnet Named Best Slot Developer at GamingTECH Awards 2026
-
Booming Games2 days agoBooming Games targets South American dominance with major investment, flagship partnerships and exclusive Ronaldinho content



