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iGaming’s ‘Oscars’ a Wonderful Success

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iGaming’s ‘Oscars’ a Wonderful SuccessReading Time: 3 minutes

 

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

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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Embark on wild adventures with Armadillo Studios Paws and Claws: A Tail of Fortune

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Immerse yourself in the excitement of this high-volatility slot, where our charming companions promise an unforgettable gaming experience. With a plethora of fun features, each spin is designed to generate maximum entertainment.

Through Win Ways, identical symbols from left to right or right to left create a win way regardless of whether the symbols align on the rows, promising excitement with every spin.

Watch out for Wild Symbols that appear from Mystery Symbols on reels 2-5, substituting for all symbols except free spin scatters, leading you to potential big wins.

Land a mystery symbol and witness its magical transformation with the chance to unveil Wilds or Coin Symbols that trigger Mystery Coins.

Once the Mystery Coins feature is triggered, each position spins the coins independently, with rewards ranging from x1, x2, x5, x10, x20, x100, and x1000. Keep your eyes peeled for a special collect symbol that absorbs all coins, making room for even more coins to appear, and even bigger potential payouts.

In the Free Spins mode, landing 3, 4, 5, or 6 scatter symbols awards 15, 30, 50 or 100 free spins respectively.

During this mode, the reels grow to 3-4-5-5-4-3, and Mystery Symbols land with higher frequency which means bigger chances of revealing wilds and coins. They can also reveal +1, +2, and +5 free spin symbols in addition to the x1 – x1000 coins, amplifying the excitement and potential rewards.

Get ready for an unforgettable journey with Paws and Claws – where every spin brings new adventures!

Armadillo Studios has released a series of hit titles including Gummy Galaxy, Shamrock Surprise, Shuang Long Fu, Alice’s Mad Fortune, Book of Armadillo, and many more.

David Stoveld, COO of Armadillo Studios, said: “Paws and Claws is a thrilling blend of excitement and adventure, offering players an immersive gaming experience like never before. With its innovative features and captivating gameplay, catching the tail of fortune has never been easier!”

The post Embark on wild adventures with Armadillo Studios Paws and Claws: A Tail of Fortune appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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eSports in the CIS region , Q&A w/ Viktor Block, Senior Sales Manager/PandaScore

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Esports has long been popular in the CIS region, with various top-tier teams and players all calling it home. How has the landscape evolved over the last few years? Have any particular trends emerged that have surprised you at all?

Esports boomed in the CIS region in 2008 when Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games became really popular. While esports had been a thing as far back as 2003, the rise of games such as Counter-Strike and DOTA2 was a major catalyst for the upward trajectory the sector has been riding ever since. In recent years, the infrastructure needed to support esports has improved drastically across the CIS region, including the construction of the Pixel Esports Arena in Minks, Belarus, and the Cyberspace Arena in Almaty, Kazakhstan, both of which hold top-flight contests. Internet connectivity has also improved, while support from local and international sponsors such as Monster Energy, Red Bull and War Gaming have provided funds for further investment while also driving awareness. Ultimately, this has seen the landscape evolve into a thriving industry with lots of opportunities for further growth.

In terms of trends, and especially relating to esports betting, I’ve been surprised by the high demand for betting on console games – we call them eBattles and they include disciplines such as eSoccer and eBasketball. I think this is just a natural development that has occurred off the back of strong demand for video game content, which is often the bridge between traditional sports and esports.

 

What factors have contributed to esports’ growth in the CIS over the past few years?

One of the biggest factors for me is that teams have become more professional and are now training and playing in well-run clubs. This takes place in dedicated buildings and rooms, set up with high-speed internet and the absolute best gaming equipment. Player salaries have also gone up, which has increased the calibre of players taking part in contests across the region, taking competitiveness to the next level. Today, many CIS players now play for high-ranked teams such as Virtus.pro, Team Spirit, Betboom or Na`Vi which compete on the international stage. This in turn is helping esports grow across the CIS region.

 

Given how many countries are in the CIS region, can you walk us through some of the biggest regulatory differences when it comes to betting on esports? And how does PandaScore navigate these changes?

The legality of betting and esports betting differs from country to country within the CIS region. Some are super strict or even prohibit gambling, while others take a more liberal approach, regulating the activity and licensing operators. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest markets and their approach.

In Ukraine, esports has been recognised as a sport since 2018 and in 2020 the country regulated and licensed gambling for the first time. The law focuses mostly on standard betting – sports and casino – but is likely to also include esports betting given that esports is a recognised sport in the country with tier-one Ukraine sportsbooks like Favbet and Parimatch offering it to their players.

Kazakhstan has a growing gambling industry with betting shops and casinos operating in major cities such as Almaty and Nur-Sultan. Gambling is regulated by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and while the regulatory framework is somewhat restrictive, sports betting – which is likely to include esports betting – is permitted.

Navigating the constant changes in betting regulation across the CIS region can be challenging, so we make sure to keep up to speed with the latest developments by monitoring legislative updates and amendments to regulatory guidelines. We also track industry trends and best practices to anticipate regulatory changes ahead of time, allowing us to adapt quickly if needed. This can involve benchmarking against competitors, attending conferences and networking with key stakeholders.

 

In your view, are there any unique opportunities for the expansion of esports and esports betting within the CIS region? And how does this differ to other regions?

It’s important to understand that CIS, especially Ukraine and Kazakhstan, play by their own rules. By that I mean they are very different to other esports markets, so don’t think what works in Italy will work in Ukraine. For example, while League of Legends is very popular in Europe, in CIS, it’s Dota 2 that takes the top spot. But for those who can understand the region and each market, there are plenty of opportunities to explore.

Let me elaborate. Dota 2 is thriving in the broader CIS, with regular tournaments and events attracting large audiences both offline and online. teams like Natus Vincere (Na’Vi), Virtus.pro and Team Spirit have achieved significant success in Dota 2 competitions, contributing to the game’s popularity in the region. While Dota 2 is big, other video games also enjoy significant popularity, including CS2, World of Tanks and Fortnite among others.

Operators need to consider this when deciding their markets and odds, marketing strategies and plans for player engagement.

 

What would you say is the key to creating a successful esports product for a CIS audience?

Understanding layer preferences in each market and delivering an experience that exceeds their expectations. For the CIS region, this means focusing on Dota 2 – this is a game that offers deep and strategic gameplay requiring teamwork, communication and skilful execution of plans and strategies. Its competitive nature appeals to gamers as they enjoy the challenge of multiplayer experiences – this goes back to the original MOBAs back in 2008. These factors must be present in the esports betting experience offered to players – at PandaScore, this means a comprehensive Dota 2 offering that covers markets such as Kills, Towers, Roshans and Barracks, with players able to challenge themselves in a betting competition against others.

Support is also key to delivering a quality player experience. We offer round-the-clock assistance and are regularly rolling out updates to improve the experience players receive when betting on esports at sportsbooks using our data, odds and betting tools such as our Bet Builder. We are always working hard to expand our offering to cover the most in-demand games including CS2, Valorant, Call of Duty and many more.

 

What trends or developments do you anticipate shaping the future growth of esports in the CIS region over the next few years?

The industry will continue to grow and become more professional. Esports is different to traditional sports and it still lacks recognition in some markets, even though it is considered an official sport in a growing number of countries across the CIS region. I think as it evolves, more governments will provide more support for esports as it brings tremendous economic, cultural and social benefits. This could include funding for esports initiatives, rolling out regulatory frameworks, helping to foster partnerships with esports organisations or simply recognising it as a sport.

The continued proliferation of smartphones across the region will be a further catalyst for esports growth. Titles such as PUGB Mobile, Free Fire and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang will attract large audiences and provide new opportunities for teams, players, sponsors and other stakeholders to explore. This is a really exciting time for esports and esports betting in the CIS region, and PandaScore is thrilled to be part of it.

The post eSports in the CIS region , Q&A w/ Viktor Block, Senior Sales Manager/PandaScore appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Nolimit City delivers a blast from the past with Tombstone No Mercy

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After releasing the frenzy of a slot game that was Brick Snake 2000, the award-winning slot provider is now set to release Tombstone No Mercy an upgraded refresh of its 2019 hit slot, Tombstone.

Tombstone No Mercy players return to the porch of a typical Western saloon with a spaghetti western-inspired instrumental playing in the background. Released back in 2019, Tombstone was the first game that Nolimit City dared to venture into the high volatility side. This was one of their first titles to shake the world of online slots, with its huge success pushing the provider to evolve into the company they are today; Daring, ambitious, and most of all, volatile!

The 2024 refresh stays true to the original game and introduces Nolimit Bonus Buys and Nolimit Booster into the mix. With the introduction of Nolimit Bonus Buys, players can buy right into the bonus rounds; Justice Spins, Gunslinger

Spins and Bounty Spins

The Nolimit Booster allows players to double their bet for guaranteed Scatter Symbols or an Outlaw Wild per spin. Optionally, players can guarantee an Outlaw Wild on reels 2, 3 or 4 every spin for a cost of 5 times the bet. True to its name, Tombstone No Mercy remains an “Extremely Volatile” title, boasting an even higher maximum win potential of 16,480x the bet compared to the original. Packed with thrilling new ways to play, Tombstone No Mercy is set to deliver a proper blast from the past – Nolimit City Style.

Per Lindheimer, Head of Product at Nolimit City, said:

“The Original Tombstone was my all-time favourite production! Even though our games have evolved much since then, Tombstone remains a popular title even after 5 years. It was amazing to revisit this gem and give it the boost it needed, bringing a Nolimit City Classic to our modern-day standards!“

‘Tombstone No Mercy’ will be available to all Nolimit City partners on April 16th, 2024.

The post Nolimit City delivers a blast from the past with Tombstone No Mercy appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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