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Five Startup Finalists Announced For The Second Edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona
Five innovative industry start-ups have been selected as finalists for the second edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona at this month’s SBC Summit Barcelona. The finalists will compete for an exclusive prize package valued at over €60,000, to aid in the growth and development of the winning company.
The competition, powered by Yolo Investments, will serve as a platform for the five aspiring companies to present their products and business plans in front of a live audience of industry leaders. The winner will be chosen by a judging panel consisting of venture capital and investment experts.
The First Pitch Competition will be hosted at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc, on Wednesday 20th September, and will feature as part of the ‘Future of Technology’ conference track.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC, said: “As event organizers, we believe that SBC First Pitch Barcelona occupies a central role in facilitating innovation in the industry. Competitions like this serve as a platform for emerging talents to showcase their groundbreaking products and services, whilst also gaining invaluable experience presenting in a public space and networking with industry elite.”
“SBC First Pitch is essentially about innovation meeting opportunity, ultimately encouraging the industry to grow, welcome new ways of thinking and foster an environment that nurtures innovation and collaboration.”
The five finalists of the SBC First Pitch Barcelona are:
- We are the Bookie: an online B2C sports betting platform with a 50% monthly Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) rebate for losing customers.
- Rdentify: a platform that identifies vulnerable customers during customer conversations in real-time and flags them to the safer gambling team and triggers customisable interventions as soon as behavioural risk has been flagged
- Snap Screen: Leveraging the user’s mobile camera to recognise live events on TV and streaming, Snap Screen is akin to a ‘Shazam for sports betting,’ allowing operators and affiliates to integrate SnapOdds into their websites.
- SQR Group: simplifies compliance and reduces fraud by enabling seamless identity verification without storing sensitive documents, using Secure QR Code® technology.
- Sport Exchange Market: a web app platform where fans can trade virtual shares of football teams, experiencing the same adrenaline as when they are betting or playing fantasy sports games
The First Pitch competition will be hosted by Anton Kaszubowski, (Managing Director, SBC Advisory Partners) and feature a star-studded judging panel of industry experts. The panel consists of Adam Rosenberg (Senior Advisor, Gaming & Leisure. Blackstone), Evert Einroos (Partner, Yolo Investments), Peter Heneghen (Senior Associate, Bettor Capital), Hilary Stewart-Jones (Independent Consultant, Harris Hagan) and Claudia de la Riva (Angel Investor, Various), who will each cast their vote to determine the winner.
The winning start-up will receive a prize package comprised of:
- A two-day workshop trip to Tallinn with Yolo Investments Founder Tim Heath, including flights, hotel, and covered expenses – valued at €25,000.
- An SBC Media promotional package including a magazine ad in SBC Leaders Magazine, two featured editorials promoting the business and a guest appearance on the iGaming Daily Podcast – valued at €7,000.
- A prize pack from Receptional, in which a dedicated team will collaborate with the winning company to provide a tailored digital marketing package – valued at €10,000.
- A Square in the Air press pack that includes a corporate video filmed on-site at the event, two press releases distributed on the Square in the Air social channels, a free social media audit, competitor analysis and a strategy guide to help build the company’s profile – valued at £5,000.
- An exclusive brand or web design package from Vegas Kings, the leading iGaming design and development agency – valued at €2,500.
- A 3x3m booth, including a turnkey standbuild, sponsorship mention, and 4 complimentary tickets for the SBC Summit 2024 – Valued at €15,000.
Last year’s edition of SBC First Pitch Barcelona saw Kero Gaming, an in-game micro-betting and interactive social platform, crowned the winner. Paradox, a parimutuel betting protocol where all the commission charged is distributed proportionally to the people who bet before you, was the runner-up.
Inferno Mayhem
PG Soft cranks up the volume with electrifying Inferno Mayhem slot
PG Soft, the acclaimed mobile game developer, has turned up the heat with Inferno Mayhem, a 5×5 video slot that fuses rock concert intensity with thrilling gameplay. The story unfolds as players step back into the spotlight after Lennox, the king of the stage, mysteriously vanished mid-performance, leaving fans craving a show-stopping experience.
Gameplay and Features
Inferno Mayhem combines collapsing reels, respins, and Wild symbols with multipliers up to x500, immersing players in a roaring rock show atmosphere. Every spin builds toward a mosh pit crescendo, keeping adrenaline levels high.
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Respin Feature: Wild symbols can appear on any spin, sometimes carrying multipliers from x2 to x500. When Wilds land, wins are multiplied by the combined total of all multipliers, and a free respin is awarded. Locked Wilds during respins dramatically increase winning potential.
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Free Spins Feature: Triggered by Scatters:
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3 Scatters = 10 free spins
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4 Scatters = 12 free spins
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5 Scatters = 15 free spins
Wild symbols that appear during free spins remain locked until the round ends, boosting chances of epic wins.
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Super Feature Buy: For players seeking maximum thrill, this option ensures all Wild symbols carry multipliers between x2 and x500 throughout free spins.
With a maximum win of x25,000 the bet and high session volatility, Inferno Mayhem delivers an electrifying, headbanging experience.
PG Soft commented:
“With Inferno Mayhem, we wanted to capture the adrenaline of a live rock show and bring it to the reels. From the heavy-hitting Respin Feature to the power-packed Free Spins, this hit title has been crafted to get players headbanging while the guitars shred alongside the action.”
Inferno Mayhem exemplifies PG Soft’s signature approach of combining cinematic themes, innovative mechanics, and high-stakes excitement for mobile players.
The post PG Soft cranks up the volume with electrifying Inferno Mayhem slot appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Celtic Coins
Spinomenal expands Hold & Hit 3×3 series with Celtic Coins
Leading iGaming content provider Spinomenal has launched its newest release, Celtic Coins – Hold & Hit 3×3, expanding its popular Hold & Hit 3×3 series with a charming Irish twist.
Set against a lush emerald backdrop with a golden border, the game pairs a light-hearted, Irish-inspired soundtrack with a visually engaging 3×3 reel layout. Players encounter a golden Pot of Gold Wild, substituting for all symbols except the Bonus and Bonus Collect. The Bonus symbol appears on reels one and three, while the Bonus Collect is exclusive to reel two.
Landing a Bonus Collect alongside one or more Bonus symbols triggers the Bonus Game, where the triggering symbols remain locked in place. Players fill empty spots and can earn multipliers ranging from x1 to x15 of the total bet. Jackpots include the Mini (x25), Minor (x50), Major (x150), and Grand Jackpot (x1000), with the chance to win up to x5000 the total bet for hitting the maximum. Every Bonus or Bonus Collect symbol refreshes the spin counter to three, keeping the excitement high.
Additionally, the Bonus Blast Feature can activate randomly during the base game, adding more Bonus and Bonus Collect symbols to help trigger the Bonus Game.
Omer Henya, Co-CEO of Spinomenal, said:
“Celtic Coins – Hold & Hit 3×3 is another classy addition to our growing Hold & Hit 3×3 series. The coin-locking feature is on the money and makes for an incredibly exciting reel experience that is perfectly complemented by the jackpots and multipliers on offer.”
The launch reinforces Spinomenal’s commitment to innovative, feature-packed slots that combine visually rich themes with rewarding gameplay mechanics.
The post Spinomenal expands Hold & Hit 3×3 series with Celtic Coins appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Betting.za.com
Betting.za.com supports amendments strengthening South Africa’s voluntary exclusion system and compliance requirements
Betting.za.com, a leading South African information site for online betting and gambling, has welcomed the publication of draft amendments to the National Gambling Regulations, 2004 in Government Gazette No. 54106, issued under Government Notice R. 7113 by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
The proposed changes focus on improving the administration and enforcement of South Africa’s Voluntary Exclusion Programme through the National Register of Excluded Persons, alongside updates to technical rules for gambling machine re-certification.
“Stronger, clearer processes around voluntary exclusion are an essential part of player protection,” said Dennis Kumar, lead betting expert at Betting.za.com. “Anything that makes it easier to self-exclude, harder to bypass, and clearer for licensed operators to implement should be supported — because gambling should always remain safe, controlled, and within limits.”
Key Amendments Proposed in the Gazette
1. Clearer Registration for Voluntary Exclusion
Players wishing to self-exclude must submit a notice to the National Gambling Board (NGB) using Form NGB 1/1, in hard copy or electronically, including a recent passport-sized photo or digital image meeting minimum specifications.
2. Defined Timelines for Handling Notices
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Operators must forward exclusion notices to the Board on the day they receive them.
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The Board must process the notice within five days (excluding weekends/public holidays) and share it with license holders and provincial authorities.
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Operators must implement administrative procedures within five days after receipt.
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Exclusion takes effect 10 days after submission to the Board.
3. Strengthened Internal Controls
License holders must submit internal control measures to provincial authorities within 90 days of the regulations taking effect, ensuring effective enforcement in gambling venues. Provincial authorities then report both internal controls and provincial registers to the Board.
4. Updated Gambling Machine Re-certification Rules
The amendments revise timing for technical re-certification of gambling machines and devices, including a 24-month window in certain circumstances.
5. Updated Forms
Forms NGB 1/1 and NGB 1/2 have been revised and included in the Gazette annexure.
What This Means for Players
Voluntary exclusion provides a formal “opt-out” mechanism for anyone wanting to limit their gambling activity. Once registered:
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Players are excluded from designated gambling areas nationally
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Names are added to the National Register of Excluded Persons
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Gambling while excluded may result in forfeited winnings, remitted to the Board
The updated forms also reference support services, including the National Responsible Gambling Programme (NRGP) toll-free helpline: 0800 006 008, and an SMS/WhatsApp line.
Implications for Operators and Regulators
The draft regulations emphasize speed, consistency, and accountability:
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Operators must escalate notices same-day to the Board
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The Board has five days to capture and distribute the notice
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Operators have five days to implement administrative processes
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Mandatory submission of internal control measures ensures auditability and compliance
Betting.za.com: Championing Safer, Transparent Gambling
Betting.za.com provides independent, plain-language guidance on betting and online casino topics, focusing on licensed operators and player protection.
“Our mission is to be South Africa’s most reliable source for betting and casino information,” said Kumar. “This includes making regulatory updates easy to understand, highlighting practical tools like voluntary exclusion, and ensuring players know where to get help if gambling stops being fun.”
About Betting.za.com
Betting.za.com is South Africa’s trusted destination for expert betting and casino information. Led by Dennis Kumar, the platform publishes independent reviews, guides, and industry updates to help players make informed, safe choices.
Responsible gambling support: NRGP toll-free helpline 0800 006 008
The post Betting.za.com supports amendments strengthening South Africa’s voluntary exclusion system and compliance requirements appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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