Latest News

Live 5 launches Erupting Wilds

Published

4 years ago

July 19, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Players are taken to a paradise island where an active volcano throws all kinds of crazy wilds onto the reels for some red-hot wins

Live 5 is taking players to an exotic tropical island in what is set to be the hottest slot launch of the summer, Erupting Wilds.

But players must proceed with caution; the island is home to an active volcano that can erupt at any point during the base game, raining down all kinds of Wilds on the reels.

The 5×3 reel slot can expand to a massive 5×5 on reels two, three and four with burning Wilds stacked on top of each other with the volcano throwing out additional Wilds at random.

Every spin has one, two or three Lava Reels; if a Wild lands on that reel the Sticky Wild Lava Reel Respin feature bursts into life.

This sees the Wild lock into place and award a Respin. Another reel then becomes a Lava Reel and if a Wild lands on it, the sequence is repeated.

If players can still handle the heat, they will want the Free Spins bonus to trigger. This is activated when three, four or five Scatter symbols land anywhere on the reels.
reel matrix expands again from 5×3 to 5×5 and the volcano throws out a random number of stacked Wilds with every spin.

Erupting Wilds also includes Live5’s innovative Blast^TM feature.

There are three tiers of Blast^TM – SUPER, MEGA and ULTRA – and each tier has a set of symbols removed from the reels, creating higher volatility and larger potential wins.

Blast^TM consists of two parts, the first is a pre-game with a wheel where players spin the dial to land it within the win zone; if they land outside the win zone there is a 50/50 chance that the win portion will increase in size.

The second part is any spin that lands within the win zone will play out 4 spins on a 5×5 reel matrix where any Wilds that land are Sticky.

Live 5 has emerged as one of the most in-demand game developers in the market by combining smart math and modern mechanics with striking design and authentic sound.

This approach creates games that deliver unrivalled levels of fun and entertainment with plenty of big win potential.

Live 5’s games are live with operators in core regulated markets including the UK, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Lotto Quebec in Canada as well as Malta jurisdictions.

Lloyd Butler, CEO of Live 5, said: “Players may not be able to travel abroad this summer but with Erupting Wilds they don’t have to as the game takes them to a beautiful tropical island.

“Of course, they need to be mindful of the active volcano which can erupt at any moment and throw Wilds onto the reels for some red-hot wins.

“Erupting Wilds is a great addition to our portfolio, and we look forward to seeing players arrive on the shores of our paradise island and land some truly scorching wins.”

Hold and

Pragmatic Play Rings in 2026 with Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin™

Published

2 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

pragmatic-play-rings-in-2026-with-joker’s-jewels-hold-&-spin

Pragmatic Play, a powerhouse in the iGaming sector, has officially kicked off the new year with a nostalgic neon glow. The supplier’s first release of 2026, Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin, breathes new life into a fan-favorite franchise by blending classic “fruit machine” aesthetics with high-octane modern features.

This 5×3, 10-payline slot brings back the iconic jester for a high-volatility performance, offering players a massive win potential of 10,000x their stake.

Classic Visuals, Modern Rewards

The game is a masterclass in retro design, featuring vibrant neon visuals and a traditional jester theme. Players will find a grid populated by familiar symbols such as lutes, juggling pins, and sparkling gems.

Base Game Wins: Matching 3–5 symbols can trigger payouts of up to 1,000x.
The Return of the Joker: The titular character remains the highest-paying symbol, maintaining the core identity that made the original Joker’s Jewels an industry staple.

The Main Event: Hold & Spin Bonus

The headline addition to this sequel is the integration of Pragmatic Play’s popular Hold & Spin mechanic.

Triggering the Feature: Landing three or more Money Symbols—each carrying values of up to 5,000x—activates the bonus round.
Respin Dynamics: Standard symbols fade away, leaving only the triggering Money Symbols locked in place. Players start with three respins, and the counter resets every time a new Money Symbol lands.
Grand Prize: If the player manages to fill all 15 positions on the grid with Money Symbols, the game awards the 10,000x Max Win.

“Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin provides a fresh take on a vintage theme,” said Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play. “It offers classic slots action enhanced by the popular Hold & Spin mechanic and a 10,000x max win.”

This release sets a strong pace for Pragmatic Play’s 2026 roadmap, following a prolific 2025 that saw the launch of hits like Big Bass Splash 1000 and Fortune of Olympus.

The post Pragmatic Play Rings in 2026 with Joker’s Jewels Hold & Spin™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Balkan Gaming Market

Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg

Published

3 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

yggdrasil-strengthens-bulgarian-presence-through-strategic-deal-with-bet.bg

Yggdrasil, the leading global iGaming publisher, has officially boosted its reach in the regulated Bulgarian market by taking its premium content live with regional operator bet.bg.

This partnership marks another significant milestone in Yggdrasil’s European expansion strategy. Following a landmark commercial year in 2025—where the studio saw rapid growth across Spain, Brazil, and the Balkan markets—this new deal ensures a steady stream of high-quality entertainment for Bulgarian players.

A Portfolio of Blockbuster Hits

As part of the initial rollout, bet.bg has integrated over 20 of Yggdrasil’s top-performing titles. The selection features a mix of “all-time classics” and modern hits, including:

The Vikings Series: Specifically the fan-favorite Vikings go Berzerk.
Legendary Quests: The high-adventure Valley of the Gods.
GEM-Powered Slots: Innovative titles like Raptor DoubleMax, Hades GigaBlox, and Golden Fish Tank 2.

These games leverage Yggdrasil’s signature Game Engagement Mechanics (GEMs), which have proven to be major drivers of player retention and engagement in the Eastern European region.

Strategic Growth in the Balkans

Bulgaria has emerged as a flourishing hub for iGaming, supported by a clear regulatory framework and a growing demand for premium casino content. For Yggdrasil, partnering with an established local brand like bet.bg is a “statement of intent” to dominate the Balkan territory.

“Partnering with bet.bg is a real statement of intent for us as we further boost our footprint in the Balkan region,” said Jose Kadala, Chief Commercial Officer at Yggdrasil. “Our titles have already proven to be incredibly popular in the region, and we’re confident that bet.bg customers will love the gaming experiences we will provide for them.”

A spokesperson for bet.bg echoed this enthusiasm, stating: “We are extremely pleased to offer Yggdrasil’s wide-ranging product portfolio to our players. Yggdrasil brings a combination of fan-favorite games and cutting-edge mechanics to our collection, and we can’t wait to grow in tandem with them.”

The post Yggdrasil Strengthens Bulgarian Presence Through Strategic Deal with bet.bg appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

B2B gaming software

Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership

Published

3 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Wladimir P.

gamblers-connect-and-betoxygen-announce-strategic-b2b-partnership

Gamblers Connect, the award-winning iGaming affiliate and media platform, has officially entered into a strategic partnership with BetOxygen, a software development company specializing in agile B2B gaming solutions.

The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between high-end infrastructure and operators seeking reliable, omnichannel systems. As the boundary between land-based and online gaming continues to blur, the partnership highlights BetOxygen’s role as a key architect in the modern iGaming landscape.

A Unified IT Ecosystem for Modern Operators

BetOxygen has distinguished itself by offering a complete IT ecosystem that supports a wide range of verticals, including:

Sports Betting Software
Internet Casinos
Virtual Slot Games

At the heart of their offering is a comprehensive omnichannel platform. This system integrates retail, mobile, and online operations into a single, unified back office. This allows operators to manage their entire business from one dashboard, ensuring a consistent and seamless experience for players regardless of how they choose to bet.

Efficiency and “Boutique” Support

BetOxygen differentiates itself from traditional technology vendors through a proactive, “boutique” approach to client management. Key highlights of their service model include:

Rapid Technical Support: Boasting a two-minute response time for technical inquiries.
Fast Integration: A clear roadmap that promises full platform customization and integration within 60 days of signing.
Risk Management: Continuous monitoring to protect partners from operational challenges.

Currently holding a strong presence in regulated markets across Europe and Africa, BetOxygen is focused on democratizing access to high-end gaming technology for ambitious operators.

“What sets BetOxygen apart and makes this partnership so exciting for us is their unique full package philosophy,” said Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder & CEO at Gamblers Connect. “This partnership underscores our dedication to showcasing providers who prioritize speed, customization, and unwavering support.”

The post Gamblers Connect and BetOxygen Announce Strategic B2B Partnership appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.