Latest News
OKTO signs with MERKUR Slots and MERKUR Bingo to extend growing cashless relationship with UK machine players
The OKTO brand continues to build its status and reputation as UK gaming’s premier cashless payments provider having secured agreements with both the MERKUR Slots and the MERKUR Bingo brands. The deals, which were completed and signed by Simon Dorsen, Chief Commercial Officer at OKTO and Sascha Blodau, General Manager, MERKUR UK at last week’s ACOS exhibition in London, will see the OKTO.WALLET available in 200 venues throughout the country stretching from Hereford to Harlow, Dundee to Dunstable and Cardiff to Coventry.
The first implementations, which will see OKTO integrated with the existing in-venue cashless infrastructure via the GeWeTe hub, will take place at the 2,200-seat capacity MERKUR Bingo Hall in Cricklewood North London – the biggest bingo club in Europe – and the state-of-the-art MERKUR Slots high street gaming centre in Shepherds Bush, west London.
Simon Dorsen, CCO at OKTO who is responsible for directing the roll-out of the OKTO.WALLET in the UK said: “This is another major agreement and one that we are incredibly pleased to confirm with MERKUR, one of the most respected and recognised names in world gaming.
We started our relationship with MERKUR UK less than six months ago in May 2021 when we signed an agreement with Regal Gaming and Leisure. Adding to the relationship in this way means that we are now active in the Pub, AGC and Bingo sectors which I believe reflects the appeal of the app with players, what it can deliver from a commercial perspective but also its’ role in delivering a safer gambling experience with tools including age verification, time-out periods, a profit and loss calculator, the ability to set spending limits and access to helplines for the small percentage of machine players who experience problems gambling. Through its 360 Program, I know how seriously MERKUR UK is about delivering a safe gambling experience and I am delighted that the OKTO.WALLET will be able to contribute to that commitment and philosophy.”
Sascha Blodau, General Manager, MERKUR UK added: “Our goal as a Group is to strive to be the very best in everything that we do. As well as the obvious criterion such as the best venues, people, and machines it also means providing our customers with the best experience and the best choice of options to play and to pay. Everything is led by our players – delivering choice will always be at the very top of the agenda and that includes a recognition that new demographics are seeking a smooth, seamless digitalised customer journey.”
OKTO, which has a pipeline of 250,000 contractually integrated gaming machines across Europe, has hit the ground running in the UK. The latest agreements with MERKUR Slots and MERKUR Bingo, join those secured with Regal Gaming and Leisure, Inspired Entertainment, and Bob Rudd.
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Blueprintx
Zingo Bingo Launches “Your Era” Nostalgia Series Featuring Kerry Katona and Pat Sharp
Zingo Bingo Launches “Your Era” – A Social-First Nostalgia Series for 2026
Zingo Bingo has officially unveiled Your Era, a new short-form social media content series celebrating iconic throwbacks, shared nostalgia and the cultural moments that defined generations. The series launches in February 2026 and will roll out weekly across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
Designed to strengthen Zingo Bingo’s identity as a home of nostalgic fun, Your Era focuses on authentic conversation rather than traditional promotional content. The format highlights music, fashion, technology and pop culture milestones that shaped each guest’s personal journey.
Kerry Katona and Pat Sharp Headline Series One
The first confirmed guests include Kerry Katona, singer and media personality best known from Atomic Kitten, and Pat Sharp, the iconic radio and TV presenter associated with classic UK entertainment shows. Additional celebrity names will be revealed throughout the year.
Each episode features five themed nostalgia segments crafted to spark memories, conversation and emotional connections among viewers.
What to Expect from “Your Era”
Every guest takes part in recurring throwback features designed to boost engagement and relatability:
- The Memory Bag – Guests reveal five nostalgic items and share the stories behind them
- Flashback Files – A rapid-fire interview covering music, fashion, tech and cultural trends
- Mixtape Memories – Guests curate throwback tracks for the official Your Era playlist
- Taste of the Past – Sampling retro sweets and snacks while rating nostalgia levels
- Yesterday’s News – A humorous headline-guessing game using real throwback media stories
The series aims to tap into the growing popularity of nostalgia-driven digital content while positioning Zingo Bingo as a community-led entertainment brand.
Built by Kinetic Digital and Blueprintx
Your Era has been developed by Zingo Bingo’s operators, Kinetic Digital, in collaboration with long-term creative partner Blueprintx. Blueprintx has previously supported digital and television campaigns for Kinetic Digital brands including Prime Casino and Slingo.
The production strategy prioritises shareable, short-form content optimised for social discovery and influencer amplification, with episodes distributed across dedicated platform pages as well as guest channels.
A Strategic Play for Community Engagement
Jack Watson, Brand Manager at Zingo Bingo, said the series reflects the brand’s commitment to fun, familiarity and connection.
“Your Era is about celebrating the music we replayed, the fads we cringe at and the memories that still make us smile. It’s designed to bring people together through shared nostalgia while reminding audiences that bingo is about enjoying those moments collectively.”
Series one will feature six guests throughout 2026, with new weekly segments designed to drive audience engagement and repeat viewership.
The post Zingo Bingo Launches “Your Era” Nostalgia Series Featuring Kerry Katona and Pat Sharp appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
app launch Feb 2026
Vibra Solutions Powers Betxico Mobile App Launch in Mexico — Scalable iGaming Platform
Vibra Solutions, the LatAm-focused iGaming technology company, today announced the launch of Betxico’s new mobile app, strengthening Vibra’s presence in Mexico and accelerating Betxico’s rapid growth as one of the country’s fastest-expanding online betting and digital casino operators.
Built for scale and local market needs, the Betxico mobile app represents the latest milestone in a strategic partnership that prioritizes performance, regulatory compliance and user experience. The platform delivers robust support for high concurrent users and real-time transactions, making it well suited to Mexico’s dynamic mobile-first audience.
Fast, local, and scalable technology
Vibra Solutions and Betxico co-developed a scalable technical architecture designed to:
- Support large volumes of simultaneous users and real-time wagering activity
- Ensure low-latency, secure transactions across sportsbook and casino verticals
- Provide localized features and compliance-ready workflows for Mexico’s regulated market
- Enable rapid updates and continuous product innovation through an agile integration model
These technical strengths help Betxico quickly roll out competitive features while reducing time-to-market and operational friction for both mobile and web channels.
Partnership built on growth and trust
“Seeing Betxico establish itself in such a competitive market is extremely rewarding,” said Werter Luna, CEO of Vibra Solutions. “Their high standards and sustained trust have driven product evolution at every stage.”
Francisco Salazar, CCO of Betxico, added: “We’re proud of our progress in Mexico. Having Vibra Solutions as our technology partner was fundamental — allowing us to move forward with confidence and a strong focus on the user.”
Why this matters for Mexico and LatAm
The Betxico app launch underscores Vibra Solutions’ strategy to deliver regulated-market expertise across Latin America by combining localised product design with enterprise-grade platform engineering. For operators and partners, the app demonstrates how technology-led partnerships can accelerate growth while prioritizing player safety, compliance and seamless UX.
Operators, affiliates and players can expect ongoing feature rollouts and performance optimizations as Betxico scales its footprint in Mexico’s competitive iGaming market.
The post Vibra Solutions Powers Betxico Mobile App Launch in Mexico — Scalable iGaming Platform appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
ACR POKER LAUNCHES LARGEST PHIL’S THRILL EVER – AN XXL EDITION WITH $1.5 MILLION GUARANTEED
Aspiring high-stakes players can advance through the ‘Road to the Big One’ satellites and earn their ticket into one of the biggest weekly events on the ACR Poker schedule
ACR Poker is taking its popular weekly high-stakes tournament to another level with Phil’s Thrill XXL, featuring a massive $1.5 million guaranteed prize pool and taking place on Sunday, March 1st. And now with the ‘Road to the Big One’, players of all levels have the opportunity to compete in the $10,300 buy-in showdown, starting from just $95.
The Road to the Big One begins with Beast Satellites, where players can buy-in for $95 on Sunday, February 15th or 22nd at 5:05pm ET. Both satellites guarantee 50 tickets to the next stage, the Mega Satellites, which take place on Sunday, February 22nd and March 1st at 11:05am ET. Players also have the option to buy-in directly to the Mega Satellites for $1,050, with each guaranteeing 20 seats into Phil’s Thrill XXL event, starting Sunday, March 1st at 2:30pm ET.
“Playing Phil’s Thrill is always a highlight for me. The mix of elite competition and atmosphere is unlike any other tournament,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “I love how the Road to the Big One gives every player the chance to start small, earn their way into one of the biggest tournaments on the schedule, and battle for massive prizes alongside some of the best players in the game. That journey is what makes it so exciting.”
Designed to deliver the excitement and intensity of high-stakes poker, Phil’s Thrill unites poker’s elite and fearless competitors eager to battle for massive prize pools every week, including ACR Pros Chris Moneymaker and Chris Moorman.
The inaugural event on July 6th last year attracted 46 players for a $460,000 prize pool. Momentum quickly followed, with the August 17th Phil’s Thrill tournament setting a record of 79 entries and a massive $790,000 prize pool. Last Sunday’s 62-entry event generated a $620,000 prize pool, with ACR Poker CEO Phil Nagy finishing in 12th place and ‘FASTPLAYFAST’ claiming the crown, bragging rights, and $173,600.
Poker fans can also get front-row access to Phil’s Thrill action through ACR Poker’s live stream on Twitch, hosted by ACR Pro Rob Kuhn, who welcomes big-name guests every week such as Dylan Linde, Lewis Spencer, and Martin Zamani, among others.
For further details on the ‘Road to the Big One’ Phil’s Thrill XXL, visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER LAUNCHES LARGEST PHIL’S THRILL EVER – AN XXL EDITION WITH $1.5 MILLION GUARANTEED appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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