Article by Vikki McCausland, Head of Account Management

In a lot of industries, the first few weeks of the year are about catching up with the ‘let’s circle back in January’ tasks and slowly easing your way back into your work routines.

In iGaming, especially within marketing departments, January provides no such luxuries. This is the time of year when iGaming companies and marketing teams have to be at the top of their games. Why are we so busy, you ask? One word: ICE.

Building Momentum

ICE is the industry’s premier event. It brings together iGaming’s biggest names and companies under one roof.

While the event may be the best part of a month away, the companies that will perform best in Barcelona are those that are planning. It is not enough to simply show up and attend the event; the companies that will succeed in Barcelona are those that have thought ahead, crafted their narratives, and have a clear strategy.

To say ICE can feel like an Olympic event might feel like an exaggeration, but anyone who has spent their time running up and down those halls will know how tough those few days can be.

It is competitive. People are vying for attention, and trying to grab people spontaneously on the day can be even more difficult. A carefully considered pre-ICE marketing plan can be highly effective in saving you time and ensuring you schedule the talks and the time you need.

Releasing News

From a news perspective, ICE can also be another minefield. Everyone has some sort of announcement to make, and generating buzz, especially for smaller businesses, is challenging, to say the least.

Getting ahead of this and building momentum as you head into the event is a much smarter strategy. With so much competition for headlines and attention during ICE week, making major announcements before the event and securing some pre-ICE exposure can be a brilliant way to stand out.

The effects of this are two-fold: firstly, you do not have to compete with major companies that can dominate headlines if they drop big announcements during the event. Secondly, getting attention ahead of the event means that you have a talking point for it and that you can secure the kinds of meetings you want ahead of time.

A Structured Narrative

The smartest businesses are the ones that do not just treat ICE as an isolated event. Their marketing departments, much like ours, go into ICE mode early and begin to build their narratives for the event. Whether this is pre-event announcements, Q&As or just social media buzz.

This continues after the event, as you shape the narrative around your announcements and develop future plans based on any discussions and new partnerships you have built.

Having this fully fleshed-out plan also signals to the wider industry that you are a serious participant, not just an opportunistic exhibitor seeking short-term attention and capitalising on industry chatter.

Getting your pre- and post-ICE strategy in place with no support can be challenging. At GameON, our work for ICE starts long before we sit down on that plane to Barcelona. We speak with our clients in the weeks and months leading up to the event, carefully planning the narrative they want to build and helping them capitalise on the opportunities the event can create.

A Victory Lap

ICE can, undeniably, be a time of stress and high activity. Still, with proper planning, it can be a productive few days where you can achieve everything you need to, chat to the people you want, and even enjoy a few sangrias in the Catalonia sun.

This planning should be a carefully curated roadmap covering press releases, editorials, social media, and booking management. Crafting this strategy requires exactly the kind of expertise our team is equipped to offer at GameOn.

When executed right, ICE should feel like a victory lap. A well-planned and executed exhibition that showcases your business and positions you precisely as you want to be. It should be the culmination of your efforts, not a last-minute scramble to make sure you can grab a tiny bit of time with potential partners.

The post The Power of the Lead-Up: Why Visibility Before ICE Defines Success appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Wazdan, the “gain-focused” slots developer, has officially entered the Slovenian regulated market through a strategic partnership with Casinò Portorož. The company’s premium slot portfolio is now live on casino.si, the country’s only licensed online casino operator.

This launch represents a pivotal moment for the Slovenian market following Casinò Portorož’s receipt of a government concession to operate online gaming, marking a new chapter for local players.

A Curated Portfolio for Slovenian Players

As part of the initial launch, Slovenian players now have access to a carefully selected range of 15 Wazdan titles. These games are known for their innovative mechanics and high engagement rates. The starting lineup includes:

• Coins Series: 9 Coins, 9 Coins 1000, 9 Coins Grand Gold, 12 Coins Grand Gold, 20 Coins, and One Coin.

• Bells Series: 9 Bells and 12 Bells.

• Fan-Favorites: Burning Sun, Magic Spins, and Sizzling Eggs.

• Hot Slot Collection: 777 Crown and Mystery Jackpot Joker.

• Mythology Themes: Power of Gods: Valhalla and Power of Sun: Svarog.

Strategic Importance of the Partnership

Casinò Portorož is a cornerstone of the Slovenian gaming industry, boasting a strong land-based heritage and a reputation for security and regulation. By partnering with Wazdan, they are strengthening their digital debut with content proven to perform across diverse European jurisdictions.

“Launching our online casino Casino.si offering in Slovenia is a landmark moment for Casinò Portorož,” said Ksenija Bezek, Head of Online Operations at Casinò Portorož. “Partnering with Wazdan allows us to strengthen that debut with a portfolio of proven, high-quality games.”

Expanding the European Footprint

For Wazdan, this entry into Slovenia is the latest step in a broad strategy to solidify its presence in regulated European markets. The developer’s games are designed to support long-term retention through adjustable Volatility Levels and unique bonus features.

Radka Bacheva, Head of Sales and Business Development at Wazdan, commented:

“Entering Slovenia with Casinò Portorož aligns perfectly with our strategy. As the country’s only licensed online casino, casino.si provides an ideal platform to introduce our games to a new audience.”

Experience Wazdan at ICE 2026

Industry professionals looking to explore Wazdan’s latest “Online gaining” innovations can visit their team at ICE Barcelona 2026.

Learn more about Wazdan’s latest releases and promotional tools or visit the casino.si platform to experience the games firsthand.

The post Wazdan Enters Slovenian Market via Partnership with Casinò Portorož appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

DATA.BET Expands Basketball Player Props Through Strategic Odds Composer Partnership

DATA.BET, a leading provider of premium sportsbook solutions, has officially entered into a strategic partnership with sports data supplier Odds Composer. This collaboration is set to significantly strengthen DATA.BET’s basketball offering, introducing a vast array of new Player Props and expanding market depth for major global competitions.

The timing of the integration is particularly impactful, launching in the middle of the 2025/26 season to provide operators with enhanced tools to capture peak betting demand.

Deepening Market Coverage for the NBA and Beyond

The partnership allows DATA.BET to offer wider coverage of high-profile basketball events, including the NBA. By integrating Odds Composer’s specialized data feeds, the platform now provides:

• Granular Player Props: Focused on individual performances and specific in-game moments.

• Pre-Match & Live Flexibility: New markets are available across both environments, ensuring continuous engagement.

• Increased Market Depth: More betting options per game, allowing operators to differentiate their offerings.

For players, these new props make the betting experience more immersive by shifting the focus to the individual stars and statistical milestones they follow most closely.

Powering the Next Generation of Bet Builders

A core component of this partnership is the enhancement of DATA.BET’s Bet Builder. Player Props are a fundamental building block for modern betting features, and this integration directly supports the company’s product roadmap.

Operators can now offer more flexible Bet Builder combinations, allowing users to create highly personalized parlays within a single basketball game. This functionality is proven to boost engagement and provide a more premium, “sticky” betting experience.

“Expanding our basketball Player Props is an important step in making our sportsbook better,” said Otto Bonning, Head of Sales at DATA.BET. “This partnership lets us offer more markets, and by strengthening Bet Builder functionality, our clients can give players a more profitable betting experience and stay competitive.”

A Commitment to Scalable Growth

The collaboration reflects a shared vision for the future of sports data. By providing reliable and deep player markets, Odds Composer helps DATA.BET maintain its position as a top-tier solution for operators looking for sustainable growth across multiple verticals.

Kevin Liivamägi, CEO and Co-founder at Odds Composer, added:

“This partnership lets DATA.BET add our basketball Player Props to its growing sportsbook. We aim to provide reliable player markets for major competitions so that operators can offer deeper coverage during the most important times of the season.”

About DATA.BET

DATA.BET is a trusted sportsbook solution provider specializing in high-tech, data-driven products for the iGaming industry. With a focus on premium content and advanced features like Bet Builder and AI-powered tools, the company helps operators maximize their revenue and player retention.

For more information, visit the official DATA.BET website.

The post DATA.BET Bolsters Basketball Offering with Odds Composer Partnership for Expanded Player Props appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.