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How the Gaming Industry Utilises the Power of Football

Published

7 years ago

September 6, 2018

Reading Time: 3 minutes

After a glorious FIFA World Cup summer, we once again make the return to domestic matters with all of Europe’s elite leagues now underway. Yes, the football season has resumed in all its relentless glory, and while not all of us can be top players, earning millions and enjoying the Instagram lifestyle, we can, in part, join in. How? Through video games where football isn’t just about pretending to be Mo Salah or Pep Guardiola—it’s about so much more.

Following the success of the World Cup-based, free-to-play competition, the “$100 MILLION Challenge”, The Stars Group rebooted their Spin & Go games into Spin & Goals—and their game Football Star is just the latest example of the gaming industry piggy-backing off of football’s popularity to promote its products. However, when it comes to video games, there are two staples of any new football season, the first of which is Football Manager. This year’s management sim is released on November 2 and will be titled “Football Manager 2019”. Evolving over the last 25 years from the original title “Championship Manager”, this game created—and then defined—the genre, and since its conception, no one else gets remotely close. For those of you looking for the ultimate football management experience, you need Football Manager 2019 in your life.

This game covers everything from on-field tactics to squad management. You must ensure that you keep rested players happy while working with the medical staff to maintain peak squad fitness. The real beauty of the game, though, comes from the transfer market where you get to scout, buy, and, of course, sell players in order to construct your winning team. Makers Sports Interactive have produced a game so definitive that scenarios mirror real-life situations that today’s managers have to deal with. It also comes with an accurate global database so massive that it contains pretty much every player in every league around the world. The only major league that the game didn’t hold the licence rights for was Germany’s Bundesliga, but that, too, will now be added in this year’s edition.

Play the Real Thing

The other staple of a new football season is EA Sport’s FIFA 19 (as it will be titled this year). The makers spare no expense, and it shows. It’s expensive and luxurious and it is unquestionably the “football game of football games”. Popular the world over, and now considered to be an e-sport, FIFA 19’s graphics are so accurate that you feel like you could be watching a live match. And the commentary comes off as real and authentic, too. Thanks to the related mini-game, FIFA Ultimate Team, the game also encourages you to purchase in-game Panini-style stickers to build up your dream team. This feature also works on mobile. Also popular is the “journey mode” that puts you in control of an aspiring pro’s career; it’s your job to turn him in to an international superstar. FIFA 19 is due out on September 28, and, for the first time, it will include the full Champions League licence.

The other sim, very much in FIFA’s shadow but still very much loved, is Pro Evolution Soccer 2019. There was a time when Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) and FIFA were going head-to-head, but this feels like a long time ago now, as FIFA has pulled away in such style. This is largely due to budgets, as Konami never had all the licences that its richer rival had. Whereas FIFA offered all teams, PES offered “North London Reds” and “Man Blue”. They do, however, have Barcelona and Liverpool (whom they sponsor) on their books so it’s not all bad. And, for the record, the gameplay is not bad either—thanks to the silkiness of its passing system and the on-pitch feel— which is why PES still has many fans. PES 2019 is already available for the loyalists among you.

90’s Arcade Classic

Sensible Soccer ruled the nineties. Photo Credit: Gary Denham, CC BY

Speaking of loyalists, back in the 90’s there was a cherished classic, pixel-heavy, no-frills football game that gained an army of fans, thanks to its vastly different offering. Back then, Sensible Soccer was considered to be the king of football games, even when considered among better-looking releases. Now, almost 25 years on, the arcade-style game will soon be making a return under the name Sociable Soccer. And, comfortingly, this will be released using 3D tools from Jon Hare’s Tower Studios, the studio that brought us its beloved predecessor. However, this is very much a “watch this space” matter at the moment, as Sociable Soccer is currently only available via Steam Early Access for PC. One early teaser to look out for is a player-card in-game feature similar to FIFA’s Ultimate Team, and while it looks as though it will initially be a PC game, console versions are also planned. These new releases and rebooted, old favourites just go to prove that there remains a healthy appetite for football games and, quite frankly, long may that continue.

Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network

Related Topics:gambling industry in Europe

George Miller

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment

Published

15 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: This is a classic “Cross-Sell” play. Meridianbet has already spent seven years building a sports betting database in Belgium. By securing this B+ license, they can now monetize those same users with higher-margin casino products (slots, table games) without needing to acquire new traffic from scratch. With the Belgian casino sector growing at 20% year-over-year, this is a significant revenue unlock for the GMGI portfolio.

The Full Story

Meridianbet, the sports betting and gaming operator owned by Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint in Europe by securing a B+ online gaming license in Belgium.

The new license (B+ 4016) authorizes the company to launch a comprehensive online casino platform—featuring slots, table games, and automated live games—starting in January 2026. This move significantly broadens the operator’s capabilities in the country, complementing its existing sports betting operations which have been active in the Belgian market for seven years.

Targeting the Largest Market Segment The strategic rationale behind the license is clear: Casino is now the dominant force in Belgian gambling. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, the online casino vertical generated €455 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.

By entering this vertical, Meridianbet gains access to the largest and fastest-growing segment of a market that generated a total of €944.6 million last year.

Tech-First Entry Meridianbet plans to deploy its proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology for the Belgian launch. This system analyzes player behavior and preferences in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, a crucial differentiator in a highly concentrated market where just ten operators account for 94% of all online wagers.

Regulatory Context Belgium is known for having one of Europe’s strictest regulatory frameworks, characterized by rigorous compliance standards and player protection protocols. Securing this license validates Meridianbet’s operational standards and deepens its foothold in a “mature” market that is notoriously difficult for new entrants to penetrate.

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LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand

Published

19 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: In the iGaming affiliate space, the five-year mark is a critical survival threshold. Many media startups fade away before reaching it. LinkDataMedia’s decision to rebrand now is a classic “graduation” signal. By shedding their startup skin for a more corporate, “blue-chip” aesthetic (the stability-focused blue triangle), they are telling operators and partners that they are no longer just an affiliate project, but a stable infrastructure partner ready for larger commercial deals.

The Full Story

LinkDataMedia, the parent company behind the popular affiliate portal Gamblers Connect, has announced a comprehensive corporate rebrand to coincide with its fifth anniversary.

The overhaul includes a completely refreshed brand identity, a redesigned logo, and a fully revamped website, all of which are now live. The move is described by the company not as a mere cosmetic update, but as a strategic pivot designed to distance the business from its “startup roots” and reflect its current status as an established player in the competitive iGaming media landscape.

Visualizing Maturity The new visual language features a modernized blue triangular logo, a shape chosen to represent “stability and forward momentum.” The digital user experience has also been streamlined, offering partners a cleaner interface that aligns better with the company’s matured operational capabilities.

Management Commentary Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder and CEO of LinkDataMedia, commented on the significance of hitting the half-decade milestone in such a volatile industry:

“Surviving the first five years in business takes more than luck. It takes belief, resilience, and the right people around you. This milestone, and the rebrand, reflect exactly that.”

Implementation The new branding has already been deployed across the main corporate website and is currently being rolled out across LinkDataMedia’s social media channels and internal communication platforms. As the company enters its sixth year, the refreshed identity aims to set the stage for a new phase of expansion and innovation.

The post LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona

Published

19 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: As ICE makes its historic move to Barcelona, established tech providers like Win Systems are under pressure to bring their “A-game” to the larger venue. The focus here isn’t just on cabinets; it’s the ecosystem. By highlighting WIGOS (their CMS) alongside WIN PAY, Win Systems is positioning itself as an infrastructure partner, not just a hardware supplier. The debut of the Gold Club Colors roulette specifically targets the growing demand for visually customizable electronic table games (ETGs).

The Full Story

Win Systems, the global provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, has confirmed its product roadmap for ICE Barcelona 2026, the sector’s most significant international event taking place from January 19 to 21.

Exhibiting at Stand 3M30 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the company will leverage the new venue to showcase a broad portfolio designed to cover the entire casino floor—from management systems to the gaming floor itself.

Systems and Fintech At the core of the showcase is WIGOS, the company’s flagship Casino Management System (CMS). WIGOS is widely recognized for connecting thousands of machines across multiple countries, and the Barcelona display will focus on advanced tools that streamline daily operations and optimize player retention.

Complementing the CMS, Win Systems will present WIN PAY, its secure transaction platform. As cashless and seamless payment solutions become standard requirements for operators, WIN PAY offers the necessary efficiency and security controls for modern gaming environments.

Hardware: Roulette and Slots On the hardware side, Win Systems is refreshing its electronic table game offering with the new Gold Club Colors electronic roulette. The Gold Club line has long been a staple in the company’s portfolio, known for its compact footprint and reliability; the “Colors” iteration promises to maximize visual impact on the floor.

Alongside the roulette, the company will display its latest slot hardware, including the Sublime and Rhapsody cabinets. These units are designed to house the company’s extensive game library, which has been adapted to suit diverse market profiles from Europe to Latin America.

Strategic Goals Win Systems aims to use the three-day event to reinforce its 30-year legacy in the industry. The company described its participation as a commitment to “continuous innovation,” inviting operators and regulators to explore how their integrated solutions can improve in-room performance.

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