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The Power of Influencers in iGaming – Insights from the EEGS Webinar
In an increasingly digital world, the influence of social media personalities is undeniable, especially within the iGaming industry. To stay competitive and engage with a broader audience, brands must adapt to the growing power of influencers. Recently, the dynamic EEGS Webinar, “The Rising Power of Influencers in iGaming: Use Their Power for Your Success,” brought together key experts to explore how influencers can elevate iGaming brands to new heights. Expert speakers Jekaterina Dubnicka, Alexandra Voronetskaya, and Wojciech Trzaska shared their valuable insights on the nuances of influencer marketing, and how companies can leverage this to succeed.
The Brave Step of Working with Influencers
Alexandra Voronetskaya emphasized how significant the decision to collaborate with influencers is for any company. “When a company decides to work with influencers, it is a very brave step,” she noted. This decision means not only expanding a brand’s visibility but also committing to a much more open communication strategy.
Working with influencers is not just about showcasing a product; it’s about creating an authentic connection. Brands must be prepared for heightened visibility, quicker responses to public feedback, and increased flexibility in their strategies. “You have to answer quicker, you should be more flexible,” Alexandra explained, underscoring the evolving nature of marketing in today’s fast-paced world. This openness can be daunting for some brands, but it can also bring tremendous benefits when executed well.
Getting Real: The Importance of Authenticity
Jekaterina Dubnicka on the other hand delivered a powerful message about the importance of authenticity when collaborating with influencers. “If you decide to go live and public, there is one crucial thing you need to know: No subscriber is interested in your surface. Everyone wants to see something deeper,” Jekaterina said. This statement couldn’t be more fitting in the context of influencer marketing. Audiences today crave genuine connections and transparency, rather than polished advertisements.
She went on to challenge companies considering influencer partnerships: “Before you decide to work with influencers, you need to answer yourself: Why?” This question serves as a reminder that influencer partnerships should be rooted in a clear strategic vision. It’s not enough to just follow trends — businesses need to understand why they want to engage with influencers and how they plan to create value for both their brand and the influencer’s audience.
The Power of Smaller Influencers
A common misconception in influencer marketing is that success is tied to having millions of followers. However, Jekaterina pointed out that the number of followers doesn’t always equate to success. “The huge amount of followers doesn’t necessarily bring success,” she noted, pointing to the fact that smaller influencers often yield greater engagement. Smaller influencers tend to have a more loyal and interactive audience, making them more flexible and responsive to brand messages.
In iGaming, where emotional connection plays a key role, Alexandra emphasized the importance of finding influencers whose values and approach resonate with the brand. “Working with influencers is about emotions, and when you are on the same page, that is magic,” she said. It’s about creating an authentic, emotional link that transcends the transactional nature of traditional advertising.
All attendees of the EEGS Webinar received a Certificate of Attendance, acknowledging their commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the iGaming industry.
For those who missed the live session, the on-demand video is now available – featuring key insights on how influencers are reshaping the marketing strategies, and practical tips on choosing, briefing, and collaborating with them effectively.
You can watch the full session here: www.youtube.com/@eegamingsummit
Stay tuned for more updates and upcoming events by following EEGS on social media and visiting their official website.
The post The Power of Influencers in iGaming – Insights from the EEGS Webinar appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Belatra Games
From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025
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.
BMM Testlabs
‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch
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.
ARC
Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series
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.
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