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iGaming’s ‘Oscars’ a Wonderful Success
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520 industry experts attended iGaming Idol Malta’s most prestigious awards event on 26 September. 22 awards were handed out to recognise outstanding achievements of individuals working in the iGaming Sector.
As an industry that contributes over €1.2 billion and 12 per cent towards the national GDP and employs over 12,000 people in Malta, iGaming is an integral part of life in Malta. With that in mind, iGaming Idol has become the Oscars of the iGaming Industry, a sector that has made Malta the home for gaming excellence.
Now in its third year, the popularity of the event and the demand for participation for sponsorship grew tremendously with the attendance increasing by over 25 per cent between 2017 and 2018. This encouraged the organisers to find a new home to host the event, and they settled upon the Bay Arena, within the Intercontinental Hotel in St Julian’s.
iGaming Idol is built on three pillars: the Recognition of Individuals; Entertainment and Charity. With regards to the latter, the organisers are proud to have raised over €20,000 for the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation through charity fundraisers and proceeds from the event this year alone.
Speaking at the Awards, the Hon Silvio Schembri, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation, referred to iGaming Idol as a staple in the iGaming calendar and an event that rewards excellence to critical people in the industry.
Referring to the sector, he said, “we want to embrace and celebrate these achievements and continue to ensure that both homegrown and foreign talent keep having Malta as the launch pad for their iGaming career.”
Minister Schembri also announced that, following the published consultation document in March that sparked conversations among stakeholders on the introduction of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and virtual currencies, the Malta Gaming Authority is taking things a step further and will be launching a Sandbox for DLT. Hon Schembri concluded his speech by presenting the first-ever ‘Hall of Fame’ Award to George Debrincat for his dedication to and proactivity in the industry since its inception.
The night continued with hosts – industry veteran Michael Casselli and the head reporter of Calvin Ayre and Coin Geek Rebecca Liggero – announcing the rest of the winners.
Finally, Michael Pederson, CEO of iGaming Idol, said he was overwhelmed by the response of the industry and made it a point to thank all those who contributed to the event. He stated: “iGaming Idol could not have happened without our headline partner Videoslots.com, our Platinum sponsors GamingMalta, IGT, Microgaming and BetConstruct, our Silver sponsor StudioSeven, and the many other sponsors and contributors who have made this, as well as the industry at large, a benchmark in gaming excellence.”
The complete list of winners is as follows:
CATEGORY | FULL NAME | COMPANY |
Hall of Fame | George Debrincat | Kindred Group |
Manager Idol of the Year | Ludvig Philip | Mr Green |
Casino Idol of the Year | Andy Whitworth | GVC Holding PLC |
Customer Service Idol of the Year | Daniela Azzopardi | NetRefer |
Affiliate Idol of the Year | Eoin Findlay | Mr Green |
SEO Idol of the Year | Milorad Matejic | GIG |
Social Media Idol of the Year | Joseph Ryan | Better Collective |
VIP Idol of the Year | Anthony Cabrera | GIG |
Fraud and Risk Idol of the Year | Kristino Vella | Hero Gaming |
Design and User Experience Idol of the Year | María Mora | GIG |
Casino Dealer Idol of the Year | Birdzhan Hyuseinova | NetEnt |
Compliance and Regulated Markets Idol of the Year | Ian Ince | Playtech |
Recruitment Idol of the Year | Alexandra Mirica | NetEnt |
Account Manager Idol of the Year | Yvette Grima | The Stars Group |
Sales Idol of the Year | Roger Admeus | GIG |
Consultant Idol of the Year | Reuben Portanier | Avviza |
Office Management Idol of the Year | Arpad Horvat | Mr Green |
Payments Idol of the Year | David Borg | Mr Green |
SPECIAL CATEGORIES | NAME |
Employer Branding of the Year | GIG |
CEO Idol of the Year | Martin Carlesund, Evolution Gaming |
Employer of the Year | Bethard |
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry | Ivonne Montealegre, The Malta Poker Festival |
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

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Adventure Awaits in Boat Bonanza CrocoNile!
Play’n GO takes players on an unforgettable expedition to Egypt’s legendary Nile in Boat Bonanza CrocoNile!, filled with thrills, spills, and crocodile chills!
Captain Jim and Jane Bonanza are here, sailing into the exotic and mysterious waters of the Nile. Legend speaks of untold treasures hidden beneath its waters, guarded fiercely by crocodiles and the ominous Curse of Sobek. Fans of the Bonanza series and Egyptian adventures will find plenty to love in this latest journey packed with intriguing gameplay and captivating storytelling.
Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! introduces players to heart-pounding gameplay across a vibrant 5-reel, 12-payline slot. Experience thrilling features like Croc Carnage, where crocodiles swim onto the reels upgrading Catch Symbols, and Sobek’s Rage, an intense Lock’n Spin feature with escalating multipliers up to x10. Instant Prize rewards and engaging random features such as Spear Shot and Depth Charge add layers of excitement and align with Play’n GO’s dedication to innovative gameplay.
Fans who enjoyed previous Boat Bonanza adventures or Egyptian-themed slots such as Legacy of Egypt and Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead will find Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! irresistible. The game masterfully blends adventurous exploration with exotic Egyptian mystique, reminiscent of previous successful Bonanza titles, ensuring it will resonate deeply with players.
George Olekszy, Head of Game Retention at Play’n GO, said:
“Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! encapsulates everything players loved about our Bonanza series, but elevates the excitement with thrilling new mechanics. We’re confident that the game’s adventurous theme and innovative features will keep players coming back for more.”
With its engaging narrative, action-packed gameplay, and visually stunning setting, Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! is poised to be an adventurous addition to any slot enthusiast’s favourites.
The post Adventure Awaits in Boat Bonanza CrocoNile! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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WinSpirit Casino Earns AskGamblers Certificate of Trust
WinSpirit is proud to announce that it has officially received the Certificate of Trust from AskGamblers—one of the most respected accolades an online casino can achieve. This certificate is awarded only to platforms that demonstrate exceptional standards in key areas such as fast payouts, high player ratings, and a strong commitment to responsible gambling. It reflects WinSpirit’s dedication to player satisfaction and further strengthens the brand’s reputation as a trustworthy, high-performing casino.
With this recognition, WinSpirit reaffirms its promise to players: that their funds and personal data are protected, their rights are upheld, and their experience is both fair and rewarding.
“Receiving the Certificate of Trust is not just a badge of honour – it reflects the daily effort we put into building a casino that players and partners can rely on” — says Kate Van Engelen, PR Manager at WinSpirit.
“It motivates us to continue setting the bar high in fairness, support, and transparency,” she added.
AskGamblers is an acclaimed casino affiliate website, renowned for offering players unbiased, accurate, and up-to-date information about online casinos. The AskGamblers Certificate of Trust now takes pride of place on the WinSpirit website, serving as a clear symbol of quality, reliability, and transparency.
With over 17,000 games, a wide range of payment methods, 24/7 customer support, and generous bonuses, WinSpirit continues to set the standard for excellence in online gaming.
The post WinSpirit Casino Earns AskGamblers Certificate of Trust appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Mindway AI partners with BetComply to scale safer gambling support
Mindway AI, the award-winning safer gambling software company, has enlisted the skill set of BetComply, iGaming’s most trusted technical and regulatory compliance firm, as it looks to further develop its product offering and support more operators.
The partnership will see BetComply’s Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist Jez White and his team advising Mindway AI on how its solutions can be best incorporated into operators’ safer gambling functions.
BetComply will also provide support on Mindway AI’s product roadmap and new business opportunities, with a focus on GameScanner, an advanced software solution that helps gambling operators boost player protection and intervene early to prevent at-risk gambling behaviour.
BetComply’s Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist Jez White said: “Mindway AI is at the cutting edge of safer gambling technology, and we’re excited to support their mission to raise the industry standard. Our goal is to help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, ensuring operators can fully harness tools like GameScanner to deliver more effective, proactive player protection.”
Mindway AI’s CEO Rasmus Kjaergaard added: “We’re thrilled to be working with BetComply, where Jez and his team’s vast operational experience will be a huge asset as we continue delivering our award-winning software to more clients. We’re excited about what we can achieve together.”
In March, White joined BetComply as the firm’s first Safer Gambling & Sustainability Specialist, following more than eight years at Entain, where he served as Director of Player Protection Systems and Analytics.
The post Mindway AI partners with BetComply to scale safer gambling support appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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