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Twitter UK’s Dara Nasr to support digital evolution of lotteries by joining Allwyn Advisory Board

Published

5 years ago

April 26, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Allwyn is pleased to announce Dara Nasr, Managing Director of Twitter UK, as the latest appointment to its high profile advisory board providing support to Sir Keith Mills and team. Allwyn is bidding for the Fourth National Lottery Licence to operate the UK National Lottery.

During a distinguished career working for some of the largest global technology companies, including Twitter and Google, Mr. Nasr has established himself as a leader in the world of digital communications. As Managing Director of Twitter UK, Dara has built one of the strongest sales teams in the UK media landscape. During the Coronavirus pandemic, he has placed Twitter UK at the centre of the future of work debate through the launch of its “New Business As Usual” framework, while also leading the UK’s internal work rules to protect the mental health of staff who have been working remotely.

By working closely with quality technology partners, SAZKA Group, Allwyn’s parent company, has invested in digital platforms to grow and scale at pace across Europe. By recognising trends towards online play early, SAKZA Group’s lotteries adapted their product offerings long before the pandemic disrupted the retail sector. Online sales of draw based games increased by 134% between 2015 and 2019, with sales continuing to grow during the pandemic and maintaining momentum as restrictions eased. This includes Austria, where a 42% rise in online draw based sales coincided with a 9% increase in funding for good causes between 2015 and 2019, while Sazka Czech’s ‘Digital Entertainment Hub’ boosted lottery sales via mobile phone by 820% during the same period.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Nasr said: “How companies communicate with customers is evolving thanks to the disruptive rise of social media platforms. Brand communications, advertising, and marketing has become more exciting due to the complementary and unique ability of digital to engage with the consumer. As I’ve seen during my time at Twitter, mobile means there is huge potential to establish a close 24/7 relationship between company and customer. I’ve teamed up with Allwyn and their parent company SAZKA Group because they understand the importance of digital to lotteries. I can’t wait to get started.”

Allwyn’s U.K. Bid Chair Sir Keith Mills added: “For many years, Allwyn’s parent company SAZKA Group have pursued a digital- approach to lotteries across Europe. Not only has this produced impressive online sales growth, making their lotteries resilient to the challenges of the pandemic, but it has also translated to consistently strong sales growth in the retail sector too. Regardless of whether a player purchases their lottery ticket online or in-store, we’ve seen overall player participation only increases if people feel more connected to their lottery. Allwyn’s sister companies are a testament to the powers of digital in the lottery world and I can’t wait to work with Dara and apply his knowledge of the digital and social media landscape.”

Chess.com

Esports Nations Cup Confirms New Official Publishing Partners

Published

49 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

George Miller

esports-nations-cup-confirms-new-official-publishing-partners

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Chess.com, MOONTON Games, and SNK join the ENC alongside Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft, to strengthen the foundation of the world’s first international, nation-based competition at this scale

The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced the addition of Chess.com, MOONTON Games and SNK for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), a landmark tournament where the best esports players in the world will compete for the honor of representing their countries. The ENC introduces national pride to the global esports stage in a recurring format and is the first event of its kind at this scale.

Chess.com, MOONTON Games and SNK join as Official Publishers, alongside Founding Publishers and video game companies EA, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft – the core partners developing the foundational structure of the ENC – bringing with them their iconic titles, global reach, and player communities to enhance the first Esports Nations Cup.

The three new publishers and all forthcoming Official Publishers will co-design qualification paths and competition formats for their respective titles — ensuring integrity, competitive relevance, and a consistent global structure.

The EWCF and its Founding Publishers continue to co-develop the ENC to establish the tournament’s foundational framework, structure, and format from inception, representing a deeper level of strategic partnership and commitment than other publishers.

“By partnering closely with publishers, we can make the Esports Nations Cup truly player-centric, and give players the opportunity to represent their country in the games that define their careers,” said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. “With the seven partners announced so far as close collaborators, we can activate players worldwide and deliver a Nations Cup that feels earned for players and real for fans, and build a stage that national teams can aspire to for years to come.”

As the newest addition to the EWCF portfolio, the Esports Nations Cup builds on the momentum of the Esports World Cup — the world’s largest multi-title esports event — and extends its mission to a new layer of global competition. While the Esports World Cup unites the best clubs, the ENC unlocks a new frontier powered by national identity and regional representation.

The ENC will feature national teams from all major regions – including North America, South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceania – competing in both team-based and solo-player formats. A multi-layered qualification model will balance competitiveness and inclusivity: combining global rankings, regional qualifiers, and wildcard entries, including solidarity placements, to ensure a broad and representative competitive stage in every game.

The Esports Nations Cup will debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2026, before moving to a rotating host model, bringing national esports teams to fans and cultures worldwide. Held every two years, the ENC will provide a dependable structure for players and esports organisations, encouraging long-term investment in national team programmes.

Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks.

The post Esports Nations Cup Confirms New Official Publishing Partners appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Fangs & Fire

Fangs & Fire unleashes the guardians of fortune

Published

49 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

George Miller

fangs-&-fire-unleashes-the-guardians-of-fortune

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Play’n GO introduces Fangs & Fire, a 5×3 video slot that expands up to 5×7 during features, calling forth two legendary protectors of hidden treasures – the fierce Prowler and the mighty Serpent.

In this world of lingering spirits, every strike of the golden Gong echoes with power. Players can encounter four distinct bonus rounds: the prowling Tiger’s re-spins, the Serpent’s towering reel expansion, and the ultimate Serpent & Prowler Bonus, where the reels unlock row by row until the coveted Mythical Prize comes into view.

Golden Gongs are central to the experience. When aligned, they merge their strength in the Link’n GO feature, instantly awarding rewards. Even when quiet, the Celestial Gong may intervene, scattering blessings across the reels in the form of additional Gong symbols. This interplay of guardians and gongs creates a dynamic rhythm, ensuring the narrative of power, precision, and balance is reflected in the gameplay.

Fans of myth-inspired titles will recognise Play’n GO’s commitment to pairing rich folklore with rewarding mechanics. Much like Legacy of Inca or Legend of the Ice Dragon, this release weaves mythos and feature design into a seamless whole, offering players both spectacle and depth. The Prowler and Serpent stand not only as guardians but as extensions of the game’s core identity – strength and wisdom entwined.

Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, said: “With Fangs & Fire, we wanted to capture the duality of power and grace. The Prowler’s strikes and the Serpent’s rise each bring something distinct, but together they awaken something truly legendary. Players will sense that energy in every moment of the game.”

Fangs & Fire is set to captivate those drawn to stories of guardians, ancient blessings, and treasures fiercely protected.

The post Fangs & Fire unleashes the guardians of fortune appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Belatra

Belatra grows portfolio with the launch of Big Wild Buffalo 2

Published

49 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

George Miller

belatra-grows-portfolio-with-the-launch-of-big-wild-buffalo-2

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Belatra, a leading developer of innovative online slots, is welcoming players back to the American wilderness with Big Wild Buffalo 2 – the follow-up to the runaway success Big Wild Buffalo.

Set on the vast American prairies, surrounded by stone canyons, and majestic mountains, Big Wild Buffalo 2 is a 6×4 game that features Wild Symbols with Multipliers, Free Games and the popular Hot Mode. A moving soundtrack helps build an atmosphere of power, nature, and freedom — steady drumbeats rise with wins.

The Wild Buffalo symbol can substitute for any regular symbol and appears on reels two, three, four, and five. If it lands partially, the reel automatically nudges, and the symbol expands to cover the entire reel. Each time the nudge happens, the Wild’s multiplier by +1. If multiple Wild Buffalo symbols appear, their multipliers are added together. Should a Wild land on adjacent reels, they merge and their multipliers multiply. Additionally, in Free Games the merged Wilds become sticky and remain until the end of the entire feature.

Free Games are activated by three or more Scatters landing in any position. Three Scatters returns eight Free Games, four award nine, five award 10, and hitting six Scatters activates 10 Free Games in Hot Mode. During Free Games, Scatters continue to appear and award additional free spins – the max is 100 Free Games. Free Games also has a global multiplier in play that in standard mode starts x1 and increases whenever a special portal appears: a buffalo emerges from it and boosts the global multiplier by +1. All winnings during Free Games are multiplied by the current global multiplier.

In Hot Mode the global multiplier begins between x2 and x10, and it continues to grow whenever a portal with a buffalo appears on one or more reels.

The Hold-and-Win Bonus triggers when six or more special symbols appear on the reels, including Credit symbols, Donors, Magnets, or Cloning symbols. There are also Extra Bonuses and the Buy Bonus for those eager to jump into the action sooner.

Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, said: “Big Wild Buffalo 2 delivers an unforgettable adventure across the American wilderness that’s enhanced by stunning visuals, thrilling mechanics, and huge win potential. Each spin brings the power and freedom of the wild right to the reels, making it a must-play for both fans of the original game and those just discovering the series.”

The post Belatra grows portfolio with the launch of Big Wild Buffalo 2 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.