Industry News
The rise and rise of NoLimit City – the iGaming industry’s bad boy slot developer

NoLimit City could have been just another slot developer, turning out a succession of games in line with the prevailing trends. But where would be the fun in that?
Unlike some other studios which boast that player satisfaction is at the heart of what they do, the team at NoLimit City believe in exceeding player expectations – and it definitely seems to be working. This is a developer that’s seemingly come out of nowhere to become a leading name in the world of online slots gaming – with a taste for the bizarre, the gruesome – and even, some might suggest, the downright distasteful.
Controversial themes
NoLimit City is responsible for creating some of the most controversial slots around, grounded in topics that include mental institutions, lobotomies, cannibalism and violent prisoners. As an example, Karen is a recurring character who made her first appearance in xWays Hoarder xSplit, set in a post-apocalyptic landscape. She cropped up again earlier this year in Karen Maneater – but this is no femme fatale we’re talking about! She’s keeping control of the dystopian world by resorting to cannibalism – descending into themes where most slots developers might be reluctant to tread.
Other popular games include Mental, Punk Toilet and Warrior Graveyard xNudge, all of which are decidedly left field. The developer’s latest release in September 2022 is The Border, which is based on uncomfortable themes of escape, control and aggressive authority. And let’s face it, that’s a far cry from fruit, bells and BAR symbols!
It hasn’t always been this way, although the developer has spent almost a decade steadily building up a reputation for high-quality slots. As recently as the summer of 2019 NoLimit City was launching Hot 4 Cash – a funky, fruity five-reel game with echoes of Starburst – but with an array of features that definitely made it worthy of closer attention. The studio was also responsible for Gaelic Gold and Mayan Magic Wildfire, both of which were medium-volatility slots offering 5 and 10 paylines respectively.
Then something seemed to change, as the games took a leap into previously uncharted territory. Tombstone RIP quickly became a player favourite, taking the typical western slot theme to a darker place. Big players wins are celebrated by a hangman preparing nooses, carefully testing them for weight, then hanging outlaws one by one – heady stuff indeed for modern-day gamers, who like to see a few lynchings and blood spatters served up with their slots action!
Innovative mechanics
Creating slots that appeal to a generation brought up on first-person shooters and horror-themed console games is one thing – delivering up the gaming mechanics that keep a slots fan spinning those reels is another matter. But once again, NoLimit City set out to be different. The team have been busy developing a number of exciting and highly volatile game features, making them incredibly appealing for risk takers and thrill seekers.
San Quentin xWays combines the menacing atmosphere of life in a high-security US male prison with huge winning potential. With help from the NoLimit xWays mechanic, the game offers a top payout of 150,000x, which is absolutely huge. And the potential rewards could be even better with the help of an introductory bonus from one of the newest UK slot sites.
This is a game that’s loved as much by the critics as it is by the players, as it was awarded 2021 Game of the Year status by BigWinBoard and Gaming Intelligence. Quite an achievement for a game featuring a bar of soap on the shower floor if the game doesn’t go your way!
Volatile gameplay and exciting features ensure a thrilling experience on the reels, so these are games with huge player appeal. NoLimit slot themes might be considered distasteful by some, but there’s an appreciative audience that seemingly can’t get enough of them – and that certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by the big industry players.
NoLimit City is playing with the big boys
In June 2022, Gambling Insider reported that industry powerhouse Evolution Gaming Group has acquired NoLimit City for 340m euros. Coming hot on the heels of Evolution’s buyouts of NetEnt and Big Time Gaming, this only serves to prove just how desirable NoLimit City games have become. According to Evolution’s chairman, Jens von Bahr, they’d been keeping tabs on the creators of Tombstone RIP for some time and were extremely impressed by the new style of games being produced.
Over at iGB, Evolution’s CEO Martin Carlesund was citing the distinctive style of NoLimit City slots as being a major factor in the group’s recent acquisition. He believes that the combination of outstanding graphics, niche themes and innovative mechanics makes these games particularly attractive for advanced players.
That may be true, but by combining innovative slot mechanics with macabre and controversial themes that echo recent PC and console games, such as Silent Hill, it seems that NoLimit City has hit on a winning formula. These games aren’t just attracting experienced slots fans – they’re also drawing in a new audience looking for grittier and darker themes than most players are accustomed to. And NoLimit City seem more than happy to oblige!
And it could turn out to be an excellent long-term strategy too. Recent analysis into the appeal of horror games suggests that even though we’re momentarily scared, we’re drawn to keep returning again and again – which is surely the Holy Grail for any slots developer!
Clearly, Evolution feel that NoLimit City fills a gap in their portfolio, and since this is a major industry player committed to enabling cutting-edge gameplay, there’s no better endorsement. Meanwhile, NoLimit City warns us to expect ‘the unseen and the unexpected’. With upcoming titles including Kenneth Must Die and Dead Canary to look forward to, it’s clear that NoLimit City intends to keep on keeping on.
Carlo Santarelli
Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. Names Carlo Santarelli Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations

Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. announced that Carlo Santarelli has been appointed Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations, a new position at the Company. Mr. Santarelli will begin his new position on August 18, 2025 and will report to GLPI President and Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Moore.
Mr. Santarelli brings over 25 years of Wall Street experience in Equity Research and Investment Banking to his new role and joins the Company from Deutsche Bank where he was Managing Director of Gaming & Lodging Equity Research. Prior to Deutsche Bank, Mr. Santarelli held similar positions at Bear Stearns, JP Morgan and Wells Fargo. He consistently ranked highly in Institutional Investor and other sell-side analyst research polls as a thought leader in the space, providing unique perspectives on industry events and trends with his data-driven approach and stock picking talent. Carlo Santarelli graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics in 2000.
Peter Carlino, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GLPI, said: “We’ve known and respected Carlo’s research work on the gaming, lodging and gaming REIT sectors for many years. Carlo brings to GLPI an in-depth knowledge of the industry and its participants, having experienced GLPI’s original formation of the gaming triple-net-REIT structure from a research analyst and capital markets perspective. We value his deep network of contacts among institutional investors, sell-side analysts and a wide range of gaming industry operators and we look forward to the value of his contributions.”
In his new role, Mr. Santarelli will work with Mr. Carlino and GLPI’s senior management to develop and evaluate growth opportunities and strategic relationships, and will oversee investor relations interactions.
The post Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. Names Carlo Santarelli Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Industry News
VIP Play Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer

VIP Play, a technology-driven leader in interactive consumer engagement, announced that Jim Mackey, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, will step down from his role, effective August 8, 2025.
The Company has initiated a transition process and is in the process of identifying a successor. Mackey will assist in an orderly transition over the coming weeks.
“We thank Jim for his contributions to the Company, particularly during a transformative period for our business. We remain focused on executing our strategic priorities, including financial visibility, operating efficiency, and delivering value to our stakeholders,” said Les Ottolenghi, CEO of VIP Play.
The post VIP Play Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
DotCom Ventures
IBN Initiates Coverage of SEGG Media Corporation

SEGG Media Corporation, a leading technology company transforming the global intersection of sports, entertainment, and gaming, has selected IBN, a multifaceted financial news and publishing company serving private and public entities, to spearhead its corporate communications efforts.
SEGG Media aims to deliver immersive, real-time experiences through next-generation technology that redefines how audiences interact with their favorite content and communities. Following a full-scale corporate transformation and rebrand, the company now operates across three high-growth verticals: Sports.com, Entertainment, and Lottery.com.
Sports.com serves as a global hub for sports content with a focus on soccer, sim racing, motorsports, and athlete-led media, with the upcoming Sports.com Super App poised to evolve fan engagement by integrating streaming, e-commerce, fantasy gaming, and sports news. The Entertainment division builds on AI-powered live events and direct-to-fan platforms, while Lottery.com delivers compliant, ethical gaming solutions including iGaming and charitable lottery access to global audiences.
With a $100 million financing facility and strategic acquisitions underway, including proposed deals with GXR World and DotCom Ventures, SEGG Media is executing a multi-vertical expansion strategy designed to unify fragmented fan experiences across live content, gaming, and digital commerce.
As part of the client-partner relationship, IBN will leverage its investor-focused distribution network, which includes over 5000 key syndication outlets, various newsletters, social media channels, and wire services via InvestorWire, along with blogs and other outreach tools, to generate greater awareness for SEGG Media.
The post IBN Initiates Coverage of SEGG Media Corporation appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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