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Connor Williams: ‘iGB L!VE is critical in encouraging more collaboration, challenging tired thinking, and charting a path forward for the industry.’
Connor Williams has been a director at Velo Capital Partners for more than 6 years, managing over 35 portfolio companies including the likes of Oddin, WinZO, and Novig.
His core thematic focuses include next gen casino content, B2C regulatory arbitrage, and the ‘gamblification” of mass market sectors such as video gaming and finance. He explains why Pitch iGB is critical to the industry, the impact of over-regulation on innovation and the importance of keeping a ‘fresh mind’.
You are part of the judging panel for Pitch iGB – how important do you think it is for the industry to come together and support new entrepreneurial businesses?
CW: The Pitch iGB competition is one of the key routes to democratising startup investing in the sector which is critical in unearthing new and disruptive businesses. This is even more critical to developed regions like the UK where innovation opportunities can be overlooked in the service of “safe and consistent”.
What are you looking for in terms of entries – what constitutes a winning submission?
CW: As a VC investor we target outsized returns on our investment for the early stage risk that we take. This means a winning submission needs to be swinging for the fences in terms of both scalability and disruption. Product is currently quite stale, user experience is far from being optimised, and over-regulation is stymying the incumbents and that’s where the opportunity lies.
In your experience how difficult is it for iGaming businesses to secure funding from the mainstream banking sector?
CW: The banking sector is risk constrained from a number of different angles and this is important to understand in the context of available funding for iGaming. That being said, the fintech sector at large is very keen to engage more with our sector, especially around payments. External funding in iGaming in general is more difficult to obtain, this holds true for listed businesses as well as startups, partially due to structural restrictions within the finance sector and partly due to a history of several bad actors on the operator side that the industry has yet to overcome. I think this challenge represents a specific opportunity for in-sector speciality lending not dissimilar to user acquisition financing businesses in the consumer and video gaming sectors.
How does the event contribute to the health of the industry: what do businesses gain from participating in iGB L!VE?
CW: Our sector is one that has historically been a bit disconnected, particularly at the large operator and supplier level. These events are critical in encouraging more collaboration, challenging tired thinking, and charting a path forward for the industry that (in my view) eventually needs to lead to the mass market the way the likes of online consumer and fintech businesses have. In order to achieve this the industry needs to be able to demonstrate that tech is now at a place where players can be almost completely insulated from player harm; and operators need to finally embrace this as the days of high staking whales (in regulated markets like the UK) are clearly coming to an end.
How would you describe the iGB L!VE experience – what does it deliver?
CW: iGB is like a cheat-sheet for all the latest happenings in the gaming sector, it’s an amazing opportunity to catch up with colleagues and meet new players in the market. In addition, one gets the latest insights of the industry’s thought leaders that you won’t get without travelling outside of the country.
In your view what are the main trends and technologies impacting the industry and that will be evident on the iGB L!VE show floor?
CW: The industry is currently reeling from a combination of over-regulation and over-taxation. This has lead to two predominant trends in regulated markets: a decisive shift to the black market and the rise of crypto solutions (the two not being wholly mutually exclusive). B2B tech is largely solved at this stage and is seeing a retreat due to the failure of B2B incumbents to innovate sufficiently, while services and content are still exciting places to cast an eye in the vertical. Specifically on the content side, we are seeing many operators attempt to shift this in-house (with limited success to date) which is seeing content providers shifting more towards innovation in content that is starting to cross into casual mobile gaming mechanics. AI remains a sector that iGaming is significantly behind other industries on and I am hoping we hear more about shifts towards agentic thinking, scalable solutions to sub-par AI art/animation/content to-date, and more ambitious pushes towards long term value drivers (such as bespoke gambling LLMs and innovation around classical model training loops).
How important is it that iGB L!VE is taking place in London a city regarded as being the home of iGaming?
CW: iGB is critical for visitors as the major industry event in the UK. As a market that is highly regulated and developed, iGB is critical to help one keep a fresh mind on industry trends and meet new entrants that are changing the rules of the game.
The post Connor Williams: ‘iGB L!VE is critical in encouraging more collaboration, challenging tired thinking, and charting a path forward for the industry.’ appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden
BOS – The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – is today submitting a letter to the government. The letter is signed by 13 gambling company executives and BOS’s secretary general. In the letter, the signatories urge the government not to support the gambling company ATG in their proposal to raise the general gambling tax in favour of a reduction in the tax on horse racing.
As a main argument, the signatories highlight the fact that the level of the gambling tax affects the proportion of consumers who choose to gamble on the legal licensed gambling market, and that too many consumers are already opting out of the safety of the licensed market with its extensive consumer protection.
“Horse betting has a channelisation rate of between 98-99 percent. Online casino, according to the most optimistic estimates, has a channelisation rate of between 72-82 percent. The higher the tax, the greater the risk that the consumer will choose unlicensed gambling, where neither gambling tax nor consumer protection exists. To then lower the gambling tax for horse betting, which already has a very strong channelisation, and raise it for online casino, which has a very weak channelisation, would be completely incomprehensible. At least for those who prioritize consumer protection,” says BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt.
You can read the full letter here: Letter to Government on ATG gambling duty
The post 13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
FBMDS proudly unveils the Momentum Series, a crash gaming collection built to deliver fast-paced thrills, immersive visuals, and strong retention for online casino operators worldwide with the Piñata Rush, Magical Garden and Arctic Jumper titles.
Designed “for emotions” and “born to captivate”, the Momentum Series includes three high-performing titles — Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper — that redefine the crash genre with dynamic gameplay, deep personalization, and stunning 3D environments.
The Momentum Series was created to give players more control, excitement, and emotional connection while providing operators with games designed for longer sessions and better retention metrics. Each title combines intuitive gameplay with high volatility, 97%+ RTP, and a responsive, mobile-first design, ensuring performance across devices and browsers. Players can personalize their experience with auto bets, double bets, and auto cashouts, adapting each round to their individual risk strategy.
Piñata Rush offers a colorful, multiplayer crash gaming experience set in lively Mexican-inspired streets. Players can track others’ progress in real time and enjoy a community-driven atmosphere that keeps engagement levels high. With 97.06% RTP and features such as Multiplayer, Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and a configurable Max Bet from 100x to 1000x, this crash game provides vibrant entertainment across Android, iOS, Mac OS, and Windows.
Magical Garden immerses players in a lush 3D fantasy world where serenity meets suspense. This single-player experience blends calm and thrill through Auto Play and Auto Cash-Out functions, allowing personalized strategies and a Max Bet configurable from 100x to 1000x. With 97% RTP, it offers operators a high-performing product with wide cross-platform compatibility.
Arctic Jumper brings adrenaline to the frozen north with a fully 3D single-player experience. Its immersive visuals and smooth performance are enhanced by Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and customizable betting options that match each player’s risk profile. Operating at 97% RTP, this title delivers consistent engagement and retention potential for competitive markets.
“The Momentum Series represents FBMDS’ evolution into crash gaming — a genre built on emotion, timing, and control,” said Renato Almeida, Director at FBMDS. “With Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper, we’re delivering fast, flexible, and emotionally charged experiences that empower both players and operators.”
FBMDS brings a winning portfolio of innovative iGaming solutions, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver engaging, reliable, and profitable gaming experiences for operators worldwide. With a focus on slots, table games, video bingo, and now crash games, FBMDS empowers partners to scale and succeed in competitive markets.
The post Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
- Sunny feel-good vibes for everyone: Cozy Coast now available for iOS and Android
- New trailer highlights entertaining storytelling, merge-2 puzzles, and diverse gameplay elements
- Upcoming updates with new events and challenges for long-lasting fun
A beach adventure with heart: InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, today launches Cozy Coast worldwide, bringing sunny feel-good moments to smartphones and tablets. The game is now available for free on the App Store and Google Play Store. Players in selected regions have already explored the Mediterranean island of Calista and experienced the captivating story of the two protagonists Mia and Elara. The unique mix of merge-2 puzzles, exploration, and heartfelt moments is clearly resonating with players, earning 4.8 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play out of 5 stars.
With today’s launch, InnoGames expands the game’s language support. Alongside the existing languages German, English, and French, Cozy Coast is now also available in Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.
New Features, More Events: Regular Updates for Lasting Fun
In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island is filled with childhood memories, but its former charm has faded. Together, they set out to restore the island. The gameplay centers on merge-2 mechanics: By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents, collect resources, and restore buildings to unlock new areas of Calista. Along their journey, Mia and Elara encounter interesting characters, discover secrets, and explore the environment.
Check out the trailer on youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=hpacBlPfio4
Since the initial launch of Cozy Coast in selected regions, the development team has steadily expanded the merge-2 adventure. Customizable portraits, 3D decoration events, special quests with unique rewards, and advanced challenges for experienced players ensure there’s always something new to discover. The holiday season has also arrived: players can earn daily rewards, including the festive avatar “Winter Elara”.
Key Features of Cozy Coast
- Merge items: Strategically combine items to create new and higher-value objects
- Restore the seaside promenade: Renovate abandoned buildings to unlock new areas
- Adventure in paradise: Follow best friends Mia and Elara as they discover hidden places and uncover the secrets of a corporation with questionable intentions
- Characters with personality: Meet fascinating characters. Every encounter comes with a story – sometimes touching, sometimes mysterious, but always full of emotion
- Fresh challenges every day: Participate in competitive, daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, decoration and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
- A personal touch: Use portrait customization to bring individuality and personality to every adventure.
- Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
- Free to play without restrictions: Available worldwide on iOS and Android (except in Russia and China)
Cozy Coast is available on the App Store for iOS and on Google Play for Android.
For the latest news about the game, visit the official website or follow Cozy Coast on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The post Cozy Coast Launches Worldwide: Beach Adventure from InnoGames Now Available appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden
Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino
Cozy Coast Launches Worldwide: Beach Adventure from InnoGames Now Available
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