Latest News

MGA Games presents their book The Future Is Now: presente y futuro del juego online en España, an essential guide for the evolution of the sector

Published

4 years ago

December 3, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

MGA Games presented in its new facilities at Parc Tecnològic del Vallès (Barcelona) their book The Future Is Now: presente y futuro del juego online en España (The Future is Now: the present and future of online gambling in Spain), compiled and edited by the company, as the grand finale to their 20th-anniversary celebrations.

MGA Games clients, collaborators and friends gathered to attend the event held in the newly inaugurated offices, presented by the company. A new open space, which encourages creativity and allows collaboration and meetings between all company employees. “It is a space that reflects our way of working. That breaks with the traditional vertical management structures allowing for collaboration, the creation of synergies and teamwork”, explained the CEO and founder of MGA Games, Joan Sanahuja, in his welcoming remarks.

The objective of the meeting was to encourage the sector to participate in this important publication that collates “two decades of a journey through the history of online gambling, its regulation and the role of technology which, undoubtedly continues to lead the way for our sector” as explained in the introduction of the book. In this sense, the work is a sample of MGA Games’ commitment to the sector. An innovative company, MGA Games, chooses to invest and allocate its own resources to achieve informative work that generates knowledge and helps the online gambling sector grow and evolve.

For the CEO of MGA Games, it was essential to create a work like The Future Is Now: presente y futuro del juego online en España to analyse where the sector is going and what the future holds. “For us, it is the way to move forward to what is to come,” explained Joan Sanahuja. The gambling industry can evolve even further. It can be more attractive, more active … And this is precisely our goal: to move forward into the future with a more innovative and interactive product.”

After Joan Sanahuja‘s introduction, a round table began on the strategic issues regarding the present and future of online gambling in Spain addressed in the book. The debate was moderated by the journalist and writer Óscar Delgado and the speakers were José Antonio Giacomelli, Managing Director of MGA Games; Víctor Sánchez, Manager of GoldenPark.es; Jorge Hinojosa Bolívar, CEO of Jdigital; Juan Heredero Fiel, Marketing Manager of Codere; Aurora Merino Salas, CEO of Asensi Technologies; Juan Espinosa García, DGOJ General Director from 2014 to 2020; Miguel de la Fuente, from Tecnalis, and Patricia Lalanda Ordóñez, partner at Loyra Abogados.

During the round table, issues discussed included the regulatory framework in Spain, a result of the proposed new royal decree for safer environments, and the proposal for a new amendment to the state gambling law. And how these projects will determine the short-term future of the sector within the regulated framework.

Another topic addressed was marketing and, specifically, how to convey the sector’s situation regarding the new regulation on advertising. In addition, how operators are adapting to the new legal conditions and, in parallel, how to combat the perception of public opinion.

The customisation of the offer based on habits and demands of users and the exploration of alternatives to current payment systems was another of the points discussed. Together with the analysis of content towards that which it is necessary to evolve in the content proposal. Slot games, new techniques, and the immersive and mobile factors.

And finally, the introduction of 5G in the Spanish online gambling sector and its role in the development of gamification were also discussed.

The presentation ceremony was attended by many of the book’s collaborators. Great leaders in the sector whose testimonies and professional visions have made this publication an essential guide for understanding the present and future of the sector in Spain. Joan Sanahuja thanked all of them for their participation and for making this ambitious project possible: Albert Daudé, Andrea Vota, Camilla Wright, Gonzalo De Osma, Javier Sacristán Franco, José Antonio Giacomelli, Juan Espinosa García, Kevin Harrington, Marta De Pablos, Marteen Haijer, Miguel de la Fuente, Mikel López de Torre, Patricia Lalanda Ordóñez, Sergio Rupérez, Víctor Sánchez and, especially, Oscar Delgado Chesa, responsible for coordinating the book.

Akshat Rathee

Indian Esports 2026: Strategic Growth and the Asian Games Milestone

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

indian-esports-2026:-strategic-growth-and-the-asian-games-milestone

The Indian esports landscape is transitioning from a period of rapid “spectacle” growth to a phase defined by lasting institutional structure. Following the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), 2026 is set to be the year where regulatory clarity, international competition, and domestic grassroots development converge.

The Impact of PROGA: Policy into Practice

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), signed into law in August 2025, has officially moved from policy to practice. Its primary contribution to 2026 is the explicit separation of esports from money-based gaming.

Legitimacy: By categorizing esports as a legitimate competitive pursuit, PROGA has unlocked state-level adoption and cleared the way for schools and colleges to integrate gaming into their sports frameworks.
Commercial Confidence: With a clear regulatory environment, brands in sectors like FMCG, automotive, and BFSI are now viewing esports as a stable, long-term youth engagement platform rather than a risky experiment.
Athlete Pathways: PROGA facilitates the creation of standardized national registries for athletes, ensuring that competitive integrity is maintained across grassroots and professional tiers.

The Asian Games 2026: A Global Stage

The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, serves as the most critical milestone for the ecosystem this year.

Medal Status: Esports will feature as a full medal event with 11 confirmed titles, including League of Legends, PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version), and Pokémon UNITE.
Indian Prospects: India’s best historical result (quarter-finals in League of Legends at Hangzhou) has set a high bar. For 2026, the focus has shifted toward high-performance training camps and long-term athlete mentorship to secure a podium finish.
Multi-Sport Integration: Participation alongside traditional athletes reinforces the narrative that esports is a viable professional career, further encouraging government investment through schemes like Khelo India.

Market Evolution and Key Trends

The Indian gaming market is projected to reach approximately $5.02 billion in 2026, driven by a massive player base exceeding 500 million gamers.

Trend	Impact in 2026
Mobile Dominance	Over 95% of the market remains mobile-first, fueled by 5G expansion and affordable hardware.
Beyond BGMI	2026 is seeing a push to diversify the market into fighting games, sports simulations, and PC titles to avoid “one-title dependency.”
Monetization Shift	Revenue is shifting from pure advertising toward battle passes, subscription models, and in-game progression.
Tier II & III Growth	Most new user acquisition is coming from smaller cities, demanding more vernacular and localized content.

The post Indian Esports 2026: Strategic Growth and the Asian Games Milestone appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bison Strike

ENJOY Boosts Global Distribution with Strategic EveryMatrix Deal

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

enjoy-boosts-global-distribution-with-strategic-everymatrix-deal

ENJOY, the fast-rising iGaming content developer, has secured a significant distribution agreement with EveryMatrix. The deal will see ENJOY’s full suite of video slots and next-generation live casino game shows integrated into the SlotMatrix aggregation platform, making them available to an expansive network of tier-one global operators.

This partnership marks a critical milestone for ENJOY as it enters its primary phase of commercial expansion. By joining the SlotMatrix ecosystem—one of the industry’s largest content hubs—ENJOY gains immediate access to regulated markets worldwide and a streamlined path to brand visibility.

Bison Strike and Innovation in the Spotlight

The integration includes ENJOY’s most recent flagship launch, Bison Strike, alongside a curated library of high-performing titles. ENJOY is carving out a reputation for “indie-style” creative flair combined with technical reliability, focusing on two core verticals:

Video Slots: High-volatility titles with immersive storytelling and meticulously crafted art.
Live Game Shows: 24/7 interactive experiences streamed from a purpose-built studio, designed to drive player retention through next-gen engagement mechanics.

Leadership Insights on Global Scalability

The agreement follows a string of successful partnerships for ENJOY, which has already established links with platforms like SoftGamings and Gamingtec under the leadership of its new CCO.

“This partnership with EveryMatrix gives us a launchpad that, as a newcomer, we are privileged to access,” said Christos Zoulianitis, Chief Commercial Officer at ENJOY. “EveryMatrix’s reputation as a trusted aggregator and its global distribution power allow us to accelerate our growth significantly. We’re bringing fresh ideas to both the slots and live casino verticals, and EveryMatrix gives us the reach to put that innovation in front of the right operators immediately.”

Bjorn Sjoberg, CCO at SlotMatrix, added: “ENJOY has shown real ambition and creative flair with its early releases. Our mission is to connect high-quality, forward-thinking studios with operators who value fresh content, and ENJOY fits that brief perfectly.”

The post ENJOY Boosts Global Distribution with Strategic EveryMatrix Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Blask Index

Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the Philippines Lead iGaming’s Rising Markets in 2025

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Wladimir P.

saudi-arabia,-greece,-and-the-philippines-lead-igaming’s-rising-markets-in-2025

Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the Philippines have emerged as the most significant rising markets of 2025, according to a comprehensive year-end analysis from the market intelligence ecosystem Blask.

The findings are based on the proprietary Blask Index, a real-time tracking tool that monitors player attention and search volumes across 107 countries. While established markets like the United Kingdom maintained the top spots, these three jurisdictions saw the most aggressive climbs in global rankings.

2025 Market Movers: The Biggest Climbers

The global iGaming landscape experienced a shift in 2025 as emerging interest in the Middle East and regulatory overhauls in Asia-Pacific redirected player attention.

Market	Index Rank Change	2025 Position	Key Growth Driver
Saudi Arabia	+9 Places	20th	High youth demographics & digital adoption
Philippines	+4 Places	12th	New PAGCOR B2B licensing framework
Greece	+4 Places	17th	Robust online growth from operators like OPAP

Saudi Arabia: The Surprise Performer

Saudi Arabia was the year’s most improved market, breaking into the Global Top 20 for the first time. Despite strict local prohibitions, the market saw a sharp uptick in interest driven by a young, mobile-first population (over 70% under age 35) and a massive shift toward digital entertainment under the Vision 2030 initiative. The growth reflects an “underground” surge in demand typically seen in restricted but hyper-connected markets.

Philippines: Regulatory Modernization

The Philippines climbed to 12th place, fueled by the PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) decision to formalize the iGaming supply chain. The introduction of the B2B Accreditation Framework in October 2025 forced game developers, aggregators, and payment providers to undergo formal probity checks, bringing the region in line with mature jurisdictions like the UK and Ontario.

Greece: Digital Transition

Greece’s ascent to 17th place was largely attributed to the performance of its largest operator, OPAP. The company reported double-digit growth in its iGaming and sports betting divisions throughout 2025, with online GGR surging nearly 20% in the first half of the year. This success underscores the Greek market’s successful transition from a retail-heavy model to a digital-first ecosystem.

“The global iGaming landscape is shifting faster than ever,” said Max Tesla, CEO and co-founder of Blask. “Operators that can spot emerging trends early, and understand what is actually driving interest on the ground, are far better positioned to capture new growth opportunities as they appear.”

The post Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the Philippines Lead iGaming’s Rising Markets in 2025 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.