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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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Playtech Announces New Partnership with Progress Play
Playtech has announced a new long-term partnership with Progress Play, selecting Playtech as their exclusive Bingo provider for their extensive network of brands.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Progress Play becomes the first white label network to launch Playtech’s brand new innovative Bingo platform, which went live in December 2024.
This strategic partnership strengthens the existing relationship between Progress Play and Playtech, further cementing Playtech’s Bingo position as the B2B market leader. By joining Playtech’s network, Progress Play will benefit from the largest B2B liquidity in the market, offering a wide variety of networked rooms that are well-known and loved by Bingo players.
As Progress Play embarks on its first-ever Bingo launch, they will work closely with Playtech’s Bingo experts to tailor the product to their specific needs. Playtech’s network management team will provide ongoing support and consultation to ensure the success of the Bingo offering.
The deal also includes a variety of side games featuring content from Playtech’s Eyecon studio, renowned for their industry-leading Bingo slots. Together, the Playtech and Progress Play teams will leverage the liquidity and these games with exciting campaigns already underway.
Marat Koss, VP of Interactive Gaming at Playtech, said: “We are delighted to welcome Progress Play to the Playtech Bingo network. We have enjoyed working together for many years, and we are excited to extend this partnership to Bingo vertical. By joining Playtech’s network, Progress Play will be able to offer a best-in-class bingo experience to their vast pool of players who will benefit from a wide choice of content, attractive prizes and large variety of games. We look forward to a continuing our long and successful partnership.”
Itai Loewenstein, CEO at Progress Play, said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership and integrate Playtech’s innovative Bingo platform into our offerings. This collaboration allows us to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience and next level entertainment to our players. We look forward to the exciting campaigns we have planned together.”
The post Playtech Announces New Partnership with Progress Play appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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IGT Lottery Secures EL Responsible Gambling Certification for the Sixth Consecutive Time
International Game Technology PLC announced that its Italian subsidiary, IGT Lottery, obtained the European Lotteries (EL) Responsible Gaming (RG) Certification for the sixth consecutive time. Through an agreement between European Lotteries and the World Lottery Association (WLA), IGT Lottery has also obtained WLA Responsible Gaming Certification Level 4, the highest level available.
The EL RG Certification was developed to promote the adoption of RG best practices across EL membership organizations. The EL RG standards are also designed to be complementary to the WLA RG Principles and Framework, allowing companies that meet the implementation of the EL RG Standards to also achieve Level 4 certification of the WLA Framework.
“IGT Lottery achieving responsible gaming recertification by EL for the sixth consecutive time, paired with the highest level of WLA certification, showcases our status as a true global leader in sustainability. ‘Advancing Responsibility’ is vital to our success as a lottery company, and central to our sustainability strategy. We will continue to deliver innovation while operating with the highest level of integrity to protect our people, products and processes,” said Marco Tasso, IGT COO of Italian and International Sales and Operations.
IGT Lottery’s RG programme is guided by international best practices. Consistently updated to meet evolving standards, the programme operates on three macro guidelines: the promotion of a positive approach to gaming, the prevention of underage gambling and support for players who need it.
The EL RG certification was issued following an in-depth examination of IGT Lottery’s tools, activities and processes that comprise its RG programme in Italy. IGT Lottery was found to be fully in line with the international standards established by the EL, which require specific actions to protect players by the gaming operator, reaching a score of 100% for each of ten specified areas.
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Meridianbet Expands B2B Operations into Nigeria, Entering a Regulated $2 Billion Betting Market
Meridianbet, a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group, Inc., has officially launched its B2B operations in Nigeria, one of the largest and fastest-growing betting markets in Africa. The company’s entry into Nigeria further strengthens its 20-year presence in Africa, leveraging its proven track record in regulated markets to deliver world-class gaming products.
Through its newly licensed local entity, Masterlive Network Limited, Meridianbet has secured full regulatory approval from the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA), allowing it to operate in both sports betting and online casino verticals under License No: LSLGA/OP/OSB/MB041124.
The official launch of Meridianbet.ng marks a strategic expansion into a market worth over $2 billion, according to the research of Orange Business Intelligence Technology, with over 60 million Nigerians actively participate in betting, contributing to one of the fastest-growing industries on the continent.
Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet, commented: “Our expansion into Nigeria marks a significant step in our long-term strategy to deepen our presence in Africa’s most dynamic gaming markets. With a highly engaged player base and strong industry growth, Nigeria presents a major opportunity for our B2B model. We are committed to bringing our cutting-edge technology, AI-powered betting solutions, and localized expertise to drive long-term success for our partners in the region.”
FY 2024 Revenue Growth & Investor Outlook
Golden Matrix Group has provided a preliminary full-year 2024 revenue estimate of $150 million, reflecting the company’s continued growth trajectory. The Group expects to release its audited FY 2024 financial results in the coming days, offering investors a comprehensive performance overview. The Nigerian market represents a strategic opportunity for future revenue expansion, aligning with GMGI’s global strategy to strengthen its presence in high-growth gaming markets.
Key Market Potential & Strategic Expansion
According to the Orange Business Intelligence Technology (ORBIT), Nigeria’s betting industry surpassed $2 billion back in 2020, with projections indicating up to $4.7 billion in annual revenue potential over the next decade. Football remains the primary driver of market growth, with a vast customer base engaging both online and offline. Meridianbet’s B2B model will provide advanced technology solutions, gaming content, and platform services to local operators, offering a scalable and highly adaptable system tailored to the Nigerian market.
A Strategic Milestone in Meridianbet’s African Growth
With operations in 18 markets across Europe, Africa, and Latin America, Meridianbet has built a reputation as a leading technology provider and betting operator. The company’s expansion into Nigeria follows its long-standing success in established African markets, where it has been a dominant player for over two decades.
The soft launch of Meridianbet.ng is already delivering positive early results, with strong partner satisfaction and excellent customer feedback.
AI-Powered Innovation & Market Expansion
As part of this rollout, Meridianbet is introducing its proprietary AI Sports Betting Recommender and AI Casino Recommender, delivering personalized betting experiences based on real-time data, player behavior, and predictive analytics. These innovations, already proving successful in multiple markets, will enhance customer engagement, retention, and overall user satisfaction in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving gaming landscape.
The post Meridianbet Expands B2B Operations into Nigeria, Entering a Regulated $2 Billion Betting Market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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