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.
Industry News
StatRankings Launches with Aim to Deliver Faster, Cleaner, and Smarter Sports Data Experience
StatRankings, the ultimate data hub for sports fans, bettors, and fantasy players, announced the launch of its new website. Designed for speed, simplicity, and privacy, StatRankings helps users make smarter decisions by removing the clutter of outdated, stat sites. With more than 500 NFL data points organized on dedicated, ad-free pages, fans can instantly find the data they need to help set fantasy lineups or put together a betting slip without endless tables, pop-ups, or dashboards getting in the way.
“The sports stats industry has been stuck in the past for too long. These sites supposedly designed for bettors, fantasy players, and media are archaic, cumbersome, and confusing. We are committed to keeping the experience of finding stats as smooth and easy as possible, without all the noise. We want StatRankings to represent a new standard in how sports data can be delivered,” said Kevin Adams, Founder of StatRankings and fantasy sports industry veteran.
In addition to the launch of its website, StatRankings created a partnership with One Week Season, a premium DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) subscription service that offers content, tools, and community. StatRankings data will be used across shows and articles found on One Week Season’s site for the duration of the NFL season.
“One Week Season is all about teaching people the ‘how’ when it comes to becoming a better DFS player. StatRankings helps us in that mission by making sharper and deeper data more accessible and doing so in a manner that has previously been awkward and downright clumsy. By incorporating StatRankings into our content, we’re able to offer the most optimized insights to our users for their success,” said One Week Season’s CEO Jordan Tohline.
The post StatRankings Launches with Aim to Deliver Faster, Cleaner, and Smarter Sports Data Experience appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
AU10TIX announced the launch of a free Child Safety Age Assurance Risk and Readiness Assessment and Age Assurance Readiness Guide designed to help businesses better understand their risk and tailor their strategy to meet regulatory obligations. They support AU10TIX’s Selfie-based Age Estimation service, which delivers the industry’s most precise and unbiased age assessment in just two seconds. In the US, federal legislation such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) requires parental consent for users under 13, while the California Consumer Privacy Act mandates age verification for websites accessed by users under 16. Additionally, 19 U.S. states now enforce mandatory age checks for adult content and gambling platforms. Similar regulations are impacting social media and online services in the UK, EU and Australia.
Caesars Entertainment has launched its third fully in-house developed proprietary online casino title: Signature American Roulette. Now live in New Jersey, the game is available across Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino, bringing another standout addition to the Company’s Signature table game series. Developed by Empire Creative, Signature American Roulette reflects Caesars’ growing investment in building its own proprietary content, a cornerstone of its online casino strategy aimed at delivering a best-in-class player experience. Signature American Roulette follows the recent launches of fan-favourite Signature titles, Caesars Palace Signature Multihand Blackjack Surrender in May and Signature Blackjack Surrender in June, both also developed by Empire Creative.
Novig announced the successful close of an $18 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Forerunner, with participation from existing investors Y Combinator, NFX, Perceptive Ventures and Gaingels. Founded by Jacob Fortinsky and Kelechi Ukah, Novig is reimagining sports predictions as a transparent and fair marketplace. Unlike traditional sportsbooks, Novig allows users to trade directly with one another, rather than against the house, eliminating hidden fees, biased odds and the risk of being penalised for winning.
Partnerships
IGT announced that it has secured a multi-year sports betting technology and services agreement with Hipodromo de Agua Caliente SA de CV and Distribuidora Internacional de Equipos de Juego, S. De R.L. De C.V. that will significantly extend IGT PlaySports’ footprint to Mexico and Latin America via Corporación Caliente. Per the agreement, 42 Caliente sportsbooks in Mexico will leverage the IGT PlaySports platform and services from the Company’s Trading Advisory Services Team. Through a phased rollout, Caliente will also be able to provide select sportsbooks operators throughout Latin America access to IGT PlaySports’ technology, extending the technology’s reach to more than 100 additional venues across eight countries.
CT Interactive has announced a strategic partnership with Ondiss. Through this collaboration, CT Interactive’s top-performing titles are now integrated into the Ondiss platform, significantly expanding the company’s reach within the region’s regulated iGaming market. This integration adds value to the broad Argentine audience of Casino & Hotel Casino Magic S.A., which successfully uses the Ondiss platform. With CT Interactive’s certified and player-favourite content now available, operators on the platform are empowered to diversify their offerings and meet the increasing demand for engaging, high-quality games.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – August 11-17 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
PAGCOR, the Philippine gaming regulator, has opposed a proposed ban on online gambling, despite mounting nationwide calls to criminalise it over soaring numbers of addiction, debt and mental health cases.
The online gambling sector in the Philippines has been growing exponentially, with gross revenues jumping from $140M in 2022 to $2.4B in 2024, according to Senate Committee on Games and Amusement data.
The committee held a hearing last week, highlighting the human cost of the industry, with its members demanding to outlaw it, saying the country was facing a full-blown public health and social crisis.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who led the hearing on online gambling, warned that “as long as online gambling exists, we are breeding the next generation of addicts, debtors, and broken families.”
He called for a ban and to “prosecute not only the operators, but also the enablers — in the government and in the private sector — who profit from this misery.”
PAGCOR, which is both an operator and regulator, said it “is not in favor of a total ban and instead advocates for stricter regulation.”
The regulator said that illegal operators are the real problem.
“Unfortunately, many of these unregulated online operators are based overseas who target Filipinos, most of whom do not realize that the sites they are playing on are not licensed by PAGCOR. This is where problems arise, especially regarding age restrictions.”
But a survey cited by senators indicates that age was not the main issue. It indicated that 66% of Filipinos aged 18 to 40, and 57% of those aged 41 to 55 were engaged in online gambling. Nearly a third bet multiple times a week, some wagering up to $53 per session.
Majority Leader Joel Villanueva warned online gambling is a “growing national crisis” in the Philippines.
“People are not just risking their hard-earned money. They are putting their futures, families, and lives on the line. The lure of instant wealth has already led many down a path of addiction, debt, and despair,” he said.
“Online gambling is not just a matter of financial loss. It is strongly associated with serious mental and physical health issues, broken relationships, family conflict, increased cases of domestic violence and suicide, crime against persons and property, and ultimately, the erosion of opportunities and dignity in the lives of many Filipinos.”
The post PAGCOR Opposes Online Gambling Ban Amid Pressure to Criminalise the Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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