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Golden Rock to shake up the industry with Volatile Slot
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As one of the industry’s foremost experts on game content and operational excellence following his directorship at both William Hill and Superbet, James Curwen, CEO & Founder at Golden Rock Studios, is feeling confident as the brand launches its latest slot game, Volatile Slot. At a time when playing safe bets is the strategy du jour, Golden Rock is instead focusing on big wins, customer and operator desires and how unpredictability is the “secret sauce” behind the company’s ongoing success…
Previously you worked for some big industry names, how has the journey with Golden Rock differed to your past high profile roles?
It is the first time in 30 years working as a supplier or for myself, so it has been a bit of a change. Previously I was managing large teams in multiple locations on a multitude of aspects raging from operations, VIP through to marketing. I now manage smaller teams and being so close to the product it’s been very exciting to see the progress we have made in our first year.
How has the freedom of driving your own studio offered new perspectives on the industry and is there a feeling you can help drive the future of gaming more significantly than in your previous roles?
I am focusing 100% of my attention on the games we are delivering, the previous operational experience we have is invaluable and we believe it’s our strongest competitor advantage as we have a deep understanding of both the customer and operator needs.
We are launching new games throughout Autumn and the first game is called ‘Volatile Slot’, due in September. It is volatile by name and volatile by nature. With up to 25,600 times your stake available as your biggest win and our unique ‘multiplier wild scatters’ big wins are always only a spin away.
Yourself and your founding partner, Will Mathieson, are adept at delivering blockbuster slots which change the course of the industry, how does the new title fit alongside both your past achievements in game design?
We are always innovating and looking at customer trends, we believe gamblers are more mature now and expect more from their gaming session. Our aim is to deliver those experiences and we believe ‘Volatile Slot’ has our secret sauce.
How much impetus is put into R&D of new games like this at Golden Rock and why is that important to you?
While many studios are just churning out re-skin maths with new graphics, we are totally dedicated to innovation, be that in our game concepts, our maths, our UX/UI to our features, we have spent endless hours ensuring everything is right before a game is launched. This is evident even into the way we have designed our games roadmap, which is in a unique Periodic Table format, to demonstrate that each game we release will be unique in its own right.
Golden Rock’s founders are renowned for producing cutting edge games, playability and appeal, how does an organisation like yours instil a culture of innovation: what practical steps does it need to implement?
Well, at our heart we are gamblers and we build games for people like ourselves, we want to play games that have us on the edge of our seat and have a sense of excitement and anticipation. We hire people who are as passionate as we are about the games we want to build.
With more than 20 years of land-based casino experience, where do you see the big wins taking place in online table games going into 2020?
I believe that there really has been a lack of innovation in terms of RNG table games compared to online slots. We have spent a huge amount of time exploring this area and strongly believe that we have bridged the gap with our new up and coming games Roulette X2 and Back Blackjack which both incorporate bigger wins with better odds and will both be out this year.
August saw your former employer William Hill post significant loss due to regulatory changes, where do you stand on how to achieve a balance between social responsibility and enabling business to operate in a competitive environment?
This is a difficult question as I believe that 99% of gamblers just enjoy the thrill of the ride and gambling is entertainment. Unfortunately, gambling does negatively affect some people and it is up to the operators to identify and help those customers. Not everyone that likes a drink is an alcoholic, not everyone who eats chocolate is overweight and not everyone who likes a bet is a problem gambler however I believe that the media paint it that way and the regulators are having their hand forced.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Golden Rock to shake up the industry with Volatile Slot

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Kantar Finds Security Driving iGaming, SOFTSWISS Leading Loyalty
SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider with over 15 years of iGaming expertise, shares first takeaways from a Kantar-led qualitative study conducted at iGB L!VE London, showing that security, reliability and revenue-growth potential are the most influential criteria when selecting iGaming software partners. The findings also place SOFTSWISS first by Net Promoter Score (NPS) – the industry benchmark for client loyalty and advocacy.
Designed as an event-based, face-to-face qualitative survey, the Kantar study explored how operators, game providers, and iGaming tech companies make procurement and partnership decisions. Across the total sample, respondents most frequently ranked safety and security of operations as the number-one driver, followed by a reliable partner with a strong market reputation and the ability to open up new revenue opportunities. Close behind were stable, low-downtime infrastructure and a high level of client service – signalling that risk mitigation and dependable delivery are the baseline for partnership decisions, with growth enablement expected rather than optional.
The study revealed a clear divide in priorities between final decision-makers and decision influencers. Influencers place comparatively more weight on the “everyday assurances” of an iGaming platform, like:
- Security
- Client service
- Optimised service infrastructure
Final decision-makers look further out, prioritising:
- Stable infrastructure with minimal downtime
- Clear business-growth levers
- A reliable partner with a strong market reputation
For vendors, the takeaway is to address both sides: demonstrate service excellence to operational stakeholders and prove resilience, scalability and go-live readiness to executive sponsors.
Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, said: “Security and reliability are now the non-negotiables of iGaming procurement. What Kantar’s work highlights is the two-lens buying logic: operational teams evaluate partners on day-to-day assurance – robust security, responsive support and efficient infrastructure – while final decision-makers judge long-term resilience, Tier-1 launch readiness and the capacity to unlock new revenues. Our roadmap is built for both: verifiable security and service benchmarks today, coupled with proven high-load performance and compliance for tomorrow’s growth.”
Net Promoter Score, calculated as the share of promoters minus detractors, is a widely used indicator of client loyalty. SOFTSWISS achieved the highest NPS in the evaluated set. In open responses, clients most often described SOFTSWISS as a “reputable company” and “most reliable”, repeatedly citing “reliability” as the key reason for high ratings. Beyond NPS, SOFTSWISS was most frequently associated with a broad range of strengths: safety and security, a reliable partner with strong market standing, stable and low-downtime tech infrastructure, and a high level of client service.
SOFTSWISS continues to share market-ready expertise with industry stakeholders. Recent resources include the Sportsbook Online Calculator and the iGaming in LatAm Report, both available on the SOFTSWISS website.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides certified software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 30,000 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post Kantar Finds Security Driving iGaming, SOFTSWISS Leading Loyalty appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ELA Games at SBC Lisbon: New Games, Market Growth, and Awards Night
The ELA Games team is attending the event to demonstrate new developments
ELA Games, a dynamic game development studio, announces its attendance at SBC Lisbon, set to take place at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa & Meo Arena from 16 – 18 September.
Attending the event will be:
- Marharyta Yerina, Managing Director
- Oleksii Shulhin, Head of ELA Games
- Yaroslav Soloshenko, Team Lead Business Development Manager
- Petr Vonarshenko, Business Development Manager
- Sadaf Ali, Senior Account Manager
SBC Lisbon is a key annual gathering in the online gaming and betting industry, welcoming over 30,000 delegates to experience innovations, cutting-edge products, and networking opportunities. The ELA Games team will take the global stage to connect with partners, demonstrate its casino-and-player-centric development approach, and reveal new roadmap developments.
At the event, ELA Games will highlight its diverse portfolio, including recent hits from the Winpot series (Joker Winpot, Zeus Winpot, Rabbit Winpot Deluxe), visually rich classics like Juicy Crystal and Flame Fruits Frenzy, and innovative new releases such as Shoot Happens. The team will also preview upcoming titles and discuss recent expansions into important growing markets like Denmark, Sweden, Greece, and more.
Adding to the studio’s momentum, the SBC Awards have nominated ELA Games in the “Innovation in Casino Entertainment (Supplier)” category. The award ceremony will take place on September 18 for a night celebrating excellence and forward-thinking solutions. This shortlisting highlights ELA Games’ ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of online gaming and create new experiences for both operators and players.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented, “We’re always excited to attend SBC events as they’re one of the biggest gatherings of the year where we’re able to see many of our partners and make new meaningful connections. This year, ELA Games has plenty to show the world, as we’ve made numerous additions to our portfolio, developed new mechanics, and pushed ourselves creatively. The team is looking forward to sharing all we’ve been up to, and equally excited to attend the award ceremony!”
ELA Games invites all attendees to visit Stand B350 to chat with the team, explore creative solutions to bolster your content library, and find new ways to engage your player base.
📅 Dates: 16–18 September
📍 Location: Stand B350, Feira Internacional de Lisboa & Meo Arena
The post ELA Games at SBC Lisbon: New Games, Market Growth, and Awards Night appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Boomerang Partners officially launches Golden Boomerang League 2025
From September 1 to October 31, participants will compete for a pass to the Golden Boomerang Awards and other prizes.
Boomerang Partners, a rapidly growing global affiliate iGaming & Betting Marketing Agency, officially launches the first season of its new tournament, the Golden Boomerang League. All active affiliate partners of Boomerang are enrolled automatically. If you are a newcomer, register on the competition’s landing page.
Each participant has two months (from September 1 to October 31, 2025) to generate 20 sports FTDs on brands from Boomerang’s portfolio and make it to the finalists’ list. The winners will be announced on stage in a solemn atmosphere on the second day of SiGMA Rome, on November 5, 2025, and will receive well-deserved recognition.
What’s at stake
All participants of the Golden Boomerang League who generate 20 sports FTDs will automatically enter the prize draw. A grand prize is a unique, automatic qualification in the third season of the annual global traffic tournament for affiliate teams, the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026, bypassing the competition for the top 30 or inclusion in nominations. GBA is a landmark event for the industry, which not everyone can participate in. It allows Boomerang’s affiliate partners to demonstrate their expertise on a global level, compete for various awards, and attend a large-scale award ceremony at a top location. Additionally, the top performing participants can get “money can’t buy experiences”: participation in exclusive networking events with industry leaders, visits to the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, and meetings with AC Milan Legends, such as football icon Andrea Pirlo.
Also, as an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan, Boomerang Partners offers 2x AC Milan Experience. The winners will receive a complete package, including flight, accommodation, and attendance at an AC Milan match at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan.
By the way, participants who have qualified for the prize draw will receive a surprise. Keep an eye on the details on the website.
The race has started
There’s not much time – join the Golden Boomerang League, where legends are made, now. Demonstrate your expertise and win automatic access to the elite Golden Boomerang Awards 2026 tournament.
About Boomerang
Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global brand offering a wide range of services. Boomerang is the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards — a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Boomerang launched six new products in 2024, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.
Boomerang’s portfolio contains 18+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.
The post Boomerang Partners officially launches Golden Boomerang League 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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