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Elantil appoints Tereza Melicharkova as Head of Marketing
Innovative all-in-one online casino platform solutions provider strengthens senior line-up with the addition of former Swintt, Pariplay and Relax Gaming executive
Having launched earlier this month with ambitious plans to put together an all-star senior team, Elantil – the up-and-coming online casino platform solutions provider founded by iGaming veteran, Jonathan Gauci – has already gone some way to delivering on its promise with the news that Tereza Melicharkova will be joining the team as its Head of Marketing.
A respected figure within the industry, Melicharkova has enjoyed a career in iGaming that has seen her take on events management and marketing responsibilities for a number of famous providers including NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Relax Gaming, Pariplay and – most recently – Swintt.
Of that roll call of household names, it’s undoubtedly Melicharkova’s three-and-a-half years as Head of Marketing at Swintt that holds the most resonance for her on a personal level, given she was there from the very beginning and helped the company grow from an exciting start-up into what is now one of the iGaming industry’s fastest-growing and most recognised software studios.
Unsurprisingly, Melicharkova’s numerous achievements have not gone unnoticed by the sector as a whole – she has previously been shortlisted for awards based on individual recognition and also serves as a judge for one of the industry’s most successful award shows – so the fact that she’s now joining Elantil will be considered a significant appointment for the fledgling company.
In her role as Head of Marketing for Elantil, Melicharkova will be responsible for building the company’s entire marketing strategy and identifying the best channels to ensure it gets the spotlight it deserves. As such, she’ll have a key part to play in establishing the Elantil brand during its first few months of operation and is already looking forward to the opportunities this will bring.
Tereza Melicharkova, Head of Marketing at Elantil, said: “Having met with the founder and CEO Jonathan Gauci and COO Nadiya Attard to discuss their vision for Elantil and what they hope to achieve going forward, I couldn’t be more excited to be joining a company with such huge potential heading into 2025.
“Elantil’s platform is a revolutionary solution for operators that tackles their common pain points while putting control back into their hands and I’m very much looking forward to using my experience to promote and grow the brand. Having previously worked at an exciting start-up and helped to take it to the very top of the industry, I’m very confident we can all do so again at Elantil!”
Nadiya Attard, Chief Commercial Officer at Elantil, said: “When I joined Elantil, our strategy was clear: assemble the right talent from within our industry to build an all-star team capable of giving our revolutionary all-in-one platform solution the support, direction and guidance it needed to thrive.
“Now just a few weeks into our journey, I’m very pleased to announce we’ve added another important piece of the puzzle with Tereza joining us as Head of Marketing. With her experience working at multiple iGaming brands and helping exciting start-ups like Swintt grow into market leaders, I’m sure she’ll prove an invaluable addition to the team as we continue to grow in 2025.”
The post Elantil appoints Tereza Melicharkova as Head of Marketing appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
BetMGM
BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming
BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, has officially partnered with FashionTV Gaming Group to launch a curated portfolio of luxury-branded games. This strategic collaboration marks the entry of FashionTV’s iconic aesthetic into the North American iGaming market, exclusively through BetMGM’s platforms.
The partnership merges FashionTV’s global prestige in the worlds of fashion and high-society entertainment with BetMGM’s award-winning digital casino infrastructure.
Immersive Luxury Table Games
The initial rollout features two high-gloss table games designed to provide players with an “immersive, lifestyle-driven” experience that mirrors the sophistication of the FashionTV brand.
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FashionTV Blackjack: A premium take on the casino classic, featuring refined visual assets and high-end production values.
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FashionTV Roulette: A sleek, stylized version of the iconic wheel, bringing a “fashion-forward” energy to every spin.
The titles are currently live in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with a wider rollout planned for all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is active.
Strategic Vision and 2026 Roadmap
For BetMGM, the partnership is part of a broader “branded content” strategy that includes previous successes with major TV and movie franchises.
“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM. “By partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love.”
Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, added: “BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”
Looking ahead, BetMGM has confirmed that additional FashionTV-branded titles—including slots and potentially live dealer variants—will be released throughout 2026 as part of an expanding content pipeline.
The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brazil Betting Law
2026 iGaming Regulatory Roadmap: Key Compliance Deadlines
As the industry gathers for ICE Barcelona 2026, the regulatory landscape has shifted into a high-execution phase. The following roadmap outlines the critical compliance dates for three of the most influential markets currently undergoing major transitions: the United Kingdom, Brazil, and the Philippines.
| Date | Jurisdiction | Regulatory Milestone | Action Required for Operators/Suppliers |
| Jan 19, 2026 | United Kingdom | LCCP Social Responsibility Code 5.1.1 Update | Ban on Mixed-Product Incentives: Offers like “Bet £10, get 20 free spins” are now prohibited. Wagering Caps: Bonus wagering is capped at a maximum of 10x. |
| Jan 19-21, 2026 | Global / EMEA | ICE Barcelona 2026 | Flagship event for showcasing 2026 compliance technology and real-time auditing solutions. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | United Kingdom | LCCP Condition 15.2.1 Reporting | Key Event Reporting: Threshold for reporting operator status/shareholder changes raised from 3% to 5%. All loans must be reported regardless of written agreements. |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Philippines | PAGCOR B2B Accreditation Deadline | Final Compliance Date: All B2B providers (studios, aggregators, affiliates) must be accredited. Unaccredited foreign content will be blocked from licensed platforms. |
| Apr 6, 2026 | United Kingdom | DMCC Act 2024 Alignment | Fair & Transparent Terms: Consumer Protection regulations replaced by the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Terms must align with new definitions of “misleading actions.” |
| June 30, 2026 | United Kingdom | RTS 12 (Financial Limits) | Technical changes to Remote Technical Standards (RTS) regarding how customers set and view financial limits on their accounts. |
| H2 2026 | Brazil | Betting Deposit Tax Vote | Proposed 15% tax on gambling deposits is expected to return to the Senate for a final vote after being pushed back in late 2025. |
Regional Deep Dive: Strategic Compliance
1. United Kingdom: The “Safety & Simplicity” Era
The UKGC’s January 19th update is the most immediate challenge for marketing teams. By decoupling sports betting from casino bonuses, the regulator aims to reduce “cross-product friction” that could lead to unintended gambling harm.
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Strategy: Pivot toward product-specific loyalty programs (e.g., “Bet £10 on Football, Get a £5 Free Bet”) to maintain compliance while driving retention.
2. Brazil: Sustaining the .bet.br Ecosystem
Following the January 1, 2025 launch of the regulated market, 2026 is about operational maturity. The focus has shifted to the mandatory use of the .bet.br domain and rigorous AML/KYC reporting to the Secretariat of Awards and Betting (SPA).
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Strategy: Ensure all advertising features the mandatory license logo and that all protagonists in marketing materials are visibly over 21 years of age.
3. Philippines: The B2B Supply Chain Lockdown
PAGCOR’s new framework is a move to professionalize the region, mirroring the supplier-licensing models seen in Ontario and Malta.
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Strategy: Foreign studios that missed the December 2025 “early bird” three-year accreditation window must expedite their applications before March 31st to avoid a total blackout on Filipino-facing sites.
The post 2026 iGaming Regulatory Roadmap: Key Compliance Deadlines appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
AI in Gambling
2026 iGaming Outlook: Regulation, AI Personalization, and the Return of “Originals”
The iGaming industry has officially entered a new era of discipline. As we move through the first quarter of 2026, the “wild west” growth of previous years has been replaced by a focus on sustainability, hyper-localization, and AI-driven player protection. From the finalization of the PROGA framework in India to the massive turnover records set by World Pool, the market is no longer just growing—it is maturing.
The Rise of “Explainable AI” in Player Retention
In 2026, AI has moved beyond simple game recommendations. Leading operators are now utilizing “Explainable AI” (XAI) to bridge the gap between engagement and compliance. Unlike traditional “black box” algorithms, XAI allows operators to understand why a player is being flagged for risky behavior or why a specific loyalty nudge was triggered.
This transparency is critical for maintaining trust in highly regulated markets like the UK and Ontario, where the UKGC’s 2026 Social Responsibility updates now demand more rigorous evidence of proactive player interaction.
“Originals” and the Rebirth of Video Poker
While high-volatility slots like Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin
continue to dominate headlines, a significant shift is occurring in the “non-slots” vertical.
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The PowerPoker
Revolution: Strategic partnerships, such as the recent QTech Games and Speedy Tomatoes deal, are revitalizing video poker. By adding features like “Swap-A-Card,” these games are capturing high-value player segments who prioritize skill and strategy. -
Branded Originals: Platforms like MINT are proving that “Originals” (Mines, Crash, and Plinko) are no longer secondary products. Fully brandable house games are now a core foundation for crypto-first and Web3 operators, driving session frequency through provably fair mechanics.
Brazil and Ontario: The Battle for Market Supremacy
The geographic focus for 2026 remains firmly on Brazil and Ontario.
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Brazil’s Advertising Evolution: With the newly regulated market in full swing, groups like Esportes Gaming Brasil joining IAB Brasil signal a shift toward responsible communication. Advertising is now a tool for helping consumers identify licensed platforms, moving away from aggressive acquisition tactics.
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Ontario’s Content War: The region has become North America’s most dynamic hub. Agreements like the Peter & Sons and Casino Time deal highlight the demand for “indie-inspired” content that stands out in a saturated market.
Conclusion: The “Champion Mindset” for 2026
Success this year isn’t about volume; it’s about coherence. As highlighted by GR8 Tech’s “Champions Club” initiative for ICE Barcelona, the operators winning in 2026 are those who treat technology as a performance ecosystem. By aligning real-time data with compliant storytelling, brands are finding that “trust” is the most valuable currency in the modern iGaming world.
The post 2026 iGaming Outlook: Regulation, AI Personalization, and the Return of “Originals” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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