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Playtika’s Bingo Blitz and Make-A-Wish partner on campaign to grant the wishes of children facing a uniquely challenging Christmas
Bingo Blitz – the world’s #1 bingo game from Playtika – and Make-A-Wish – the non-profit that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses – have launched a unique holiday campaign this Christmas.
“Virtual dishes for wishes”
From 22nd – 26th December, Bingo Blitz players across the world will be invited to take part in a “virtual dishes for wishes” challenge.
The in-game event will let players collect ingredients while playing Bingo and use them to cook a wide range of dishes in the app’s virtual kitchen, part of the Chef Feature in the Bingo Blitz game.
The aim is to get players to prepare 300,000 virtual dishes and Bingo Blitz will donate $100,000 to Make-A-Wish. A virtual meals counter will be introduced to allow players to see their collective progress, and the donation will be used to fulfil as many wishes as possible for children with life-threatening illnesses.
This is the second year in a row that Bingo Blitz has organised an in-app donation event for Make-A-Wish, strengthening the partnership between the two organisations.
Bingo Blitz will also be raising awareness of the charity across its app, website, and social channels to encourage millions of players around the world to donate directly to the global charity. Players and non-players alike can visit www.worldwish.org/playtika to donate.
Inspiration from a 12-year-old with a passion for food
In the United States alone, three children are diagnosed with a critical illness every hour – that’s 27,000 children every year[2].
This means that thousands of children will face a very difficult Christmas. In honor of them, Bingo Blitz’s virtual kitchen is going to become a place where wishes can come true for children with critical illnesses.
One young person whose own wish came true has been a particular inspiration for this campaign, and in particular, the decision to use Bingo Blitz’s virtual kitchen to support Make-A-Wish.
Joshua was 12 when he underwent a bone marrow transplant as part of treatment for childhood leukemia. Recovering in hospital, North Carolina wish kid Joshua spent hours watching cooking shows from his hospital bed. His wish revolved around his passion for food, and his dream of sampling and creating amazing dishes.
After a request was submitted to Make-A-Wish, he was given the chance to visit some of the best restaurants and food trucks in LA and to participate in cooking some incredible street food. He also graced the red carpet and plated dishes at a food festival in the city.
“Joshua’s wish came on the heels of his bone marrow transplant,” said his mother, Rashelle. “It was so positively overwhelming it almost overshadowed what he had gone through.”
For children dealing with a critical illness, a wish is more than just an incredible experience. Especially over the holiday season, a wish creates strength, hope, and transformation, in a child and in a community.
Giving through gaming
Bingo Blitz is part of Playtika, a leading gaming company with a passion for mobilizing gamers to make a real difference.
This motivation meant that, during 2020 and in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bingo Blitz partnered with Feeding America to donate one million meals to help tackle hunger[3] and Playtika partnered with the World Health Organization’s #PlayApartTogether campaign[4], which encouraged gamers worldwide to socially distance but also to combat loneliness and social isolation through gaming.
This second year of partnership between Bingo Blitz and Make-A-Wish is a continuation of that work, in order to change lives and give back to communities through the power of gaming.
For every wish granted, at least three more children are waiting
Despite the pressures of the pandemic, Make-A-Wish has continued to make a life-changing difference. Make-A-Wish granted more than 25,000 wishes globally in 2020 and over 500,000 wishes since 1980.
But for every child like Joshua who has had their wish come true, there are at least three more children waiting.
That is why Bingo Blitz is calling on its players across the world to be part of this campaign over the holiday season and to help make dreams come true for children facing a very difficult Christmas.
“We are very proud to be supporting Make-A-Wish for the second year in a row to help grant more wishes for children with critical illnesses, who are facing a uniquely challenging Christmas. The holiday period is all about giving, and we know that our wonderful community of Bingo Blitz players really care and want to make a difference”, said Dudu Dahan, General Manager at Bingo Blitz. “It is inspiring to see what Make-A-Wish achieves for thousands of children. Being able to contribute to that is a privilege.”
Luciano Manzo, CEO of Make-A-Wish International said, “We thank the Bingo Blitz community for embracing Make-A-Wish for a second year – the money they are raising allows us to bring hope, strength and joy to our wish children during a very meaningful time of the year. The power of wishing is life-changing and this support from Bingo Blitz will enable us to grant more wishes for children with critical illnesses when they need it most.”
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Editor’s Take
Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.
The Full Story
Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.
The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.
Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.
Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.
The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.
The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.
Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:
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Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
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Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
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Player’s Pick Award.
Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:
“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”
The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.
The Full Story
Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.
The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”
The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:
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Plinko
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Mines
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Tower
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Limbo
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Crash
Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.
Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.
Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:
“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”
Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.
The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Editor’s Take
Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.
The Full Story
Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.
Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.
The Commercial Deal
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SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
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The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.
A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.
Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:
“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”
Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:
“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”
The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year:
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9th Jan: Wolverhampton
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6th Feb: Newcastle
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20th Feb: Southwell
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20th March: Wolverhampton
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27th March: Newcastle
The post Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
