Connect with us

728x90 banner available here

Latest News

Astra Games – 25 years and going strong

Published

on

Astra Games – 25 years and going strongReading Time: 3 minutes

 

As Astra Games celebrates its silver anniversary, Novomatic UK Director, Chris Butler, reflects on the past, present and future of a brand whose products have helped change the face of UK gaming

Looking back over the last 25-years what models would you cite as being Astra’s stand out products? 
It’s not in my nature to be overly nostalgic and I believe that the best games should always be the next ones in the product pipeline and the ones that you want your customers to invest in.  However Astra has a fantastic pedigree and has been responsible for products that quite literally changed the industry.  Party Time was the first ever community game, Slotto was also really significant and had an impact that went beyond the game itself as it represented the introduction of a new category in the market with Class 2 going on to become B3.  There are also games such as Reel King and Bullion Bars and Astra’s iPub: but bringing the portfolio right up to date we have the Prismatic, which I am certain will go on to enter the Astra/Bell Fruit hall of fame.  Making its industry debut at EAG in January, Prismatic is a digital terminal that draws on content provided by the Novomatic UK Games design companies which represent the very best in the business.  Coinslot readers attending EAG should prepare themselves to see a high impact product whose test performance figures are even more impressive than its looks. Of course it’s important to recognise the great success that’s been achieved over the last 25-years but I think the core strength of an organisation is how it channels that success by looking to the future, which is exactly what we are doing with Prismatic.

How would you describe the skill set within Astra: what are the brand’s core strengths?
The key strength is the commitment to R&D, which is a fundamental characteristic of every Novomatic company as is having innovation as part of the day to day business culture. With that combination you can attract the right people and as we know any organisation is nothing without its people. Astra has a great team, people like Design Director, Andy Dinning, Sales Director Ian Shreeve, Rob Williams and Claire Peet who all have a lot of industry experience.  The synergy with Bell-Fruit is also very important as is the strength and presence of of Novomatic UK.  Astra Games will be judged by the market’s key metrics which are cash box, consistency and ultimately, what the games deliver in terms of ROI. Manufacturers are only as good as their next product and that’s based on understanding the player and the changing dynamics of the market. The engine for success is R&D aligned to a culture of innovation.

What does the Novomatic ownership bring to the table?
First and foremost it brings stability, its strength helps us to establish product and the acquisition strategy has been very strong.  But not only is Novomatic one of the best known and most respected names in international gaming it is also an organisation that drives innovation and invests in innovation – which is key to delivering the business strategy.

What are the biggest dangers facing low stake gaming in the UK and can you outline Astra’s strategy for overcoming them?
There’s no doubt the FOBT stake change will provide numerous opportunities for all segments of the industry. However, FOBTs will reinvent themselves and the competition will intensify. Whatever segment of the business you are in you will need to re-evaluate your offer.  The key to this will be making the investment in new gaming products that have the ability to engage with players and provide the type of entertainment that can compete for their disposable income.

How important an employer is Astra in Bridgend: how would you describe the contribution it makes to the town?
Astra is a very significant employer not just in the town of Bridgend but in the region as a whole. Astra Games is just part of the contribution made by Novomatic UK.  We recently undertook an audit of the supply chain which confirmed that Novomatic UK purchased goods and services from a total of 316 suppliers based in 164 different towns and cities throughout the country, stretching from Blackpool to Bridgend, Glasgow to Great Yarmouth and East Kilbride to Eastbourne.  Drilling down, the audit also showed that Astra works with 15 suppliers whose businesses are located in Bridgend and that the town was second behind only London in the league table of locations with suppliers used by Novomatic UK. So you can see it’s a big contribution and a really important business.


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.

Latest News

National Platform Expands Its International Network of Partners: Memorandum Signed with IBIA

Published

on

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The National Platform of Sports Integrity of Ukraine and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) have signed a memorandum of understanding.

IBIA is the is the leading global voice on integrity for the regulated betting industry. It brings together more than 90 sports betting operators and over 200 brands across six continents. IBIA’s global monitoring network tracks over USD 300 billion in betting activity annually, detecting suspicious patterns in real time.

The organisation works closely with major international sports institutions such as FIFA, UEFA and the IOC, as well as with national gambling regulators worldwide.

The signing of the Memorandum opens new opportunities for the National Platform in identifying and countering sports competition manipulation, in particular:

  • access to IBIA’s Monitoring and Alert Platform;
  • the ability to receive alerts on suspicious betting patterns related to matches involving Ukrainian teams or athletes; and
  • strengthened international cooperation on sports integrity.

The National Platform stated: “Cooperation with IBIA allows us to integrate into the global system for safeguarding sports integrity. For Ukraine, this represents a qualitatively new level of detection and prevention of competition manipulation. We gain access to advanced international response mechanisms and become part of the worldwide network fighting corruption in sport.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA stated: “IBIA is delighted to be able to reach this important agreement with the Ukraine National Platform for combating competition manipulation. The move maintains our approach of widening our global integrity collaborations and partnerships and aligns with our Mission 2030 strategic objectives.

The post National Platform Expands Its International Network of Partners: Memorandum Signed with IBIA appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Ygam achieve milestone of reaching 5 million young people

Published

on

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ygam has now surpassed the milestone of reaching an estimated five million children and young people across the UK through its portfolio of prevention programmes.

Founded in 2014, Ygam has now delivered its award-winning training and resources on gaming and gambling harms to over 32,000 delegates.

Ygam’s reach extends beyond the education sector, with training delivered to more than 5,500 professionals working across health and social care — including hospitals, health boards, GP surgeries, and community nursing settings. This work, aligned with a public health approach to preventing gambling harms, has directly contributed to the digital safeguarding of nearly half a million children and young people accessing health services.

With growing concerns from parents and carers about the role of gaming and gambling in the wider online safety conversation, Ygam has become a trusted and respected source of advice and guidance for families. The charity has delivered workshops to more than 4,500 parents and carers. 

Ygam is a national charity with a footprint across every region of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and a presence in 64 of the UK’s 76 cities. 

Ygam’s work has also seen a significant increase in the longevity of its reach, with nearly 100,000 resource downloads of its award-winning resources, and at least 50% of educators implementing these materials into their lessons. 

Helen Martin, Interim CEO of Ygam, said: “This milestone is more than just a number – it’s a reflection of the positive impact we’re making in every corner of the UK. We’re incredibly proud of the growing community that shares our passion for safeguarding children’s wellbeing in an increasingly complex digital world, where gaming and gambling are more accessible than ever. From schools to sports clubs, parents to practitioners, and colleges to community centres, we’re raising awareness through the powerful tool of education. As we mark this extraordinary achievement, the demand for our resources has never been greater. We remain committed to expanding our reach and deepening our impact, ensuring that every child has the knowledge and confidence to navigate the risks of gaming and gambling harms.”

But there’s so much more to do – help us reach the next 5 million…

The post Ygam achieve milestone of reaching 5 million young people appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Boomerang Partners set to shine at SiGMA Europe 2025 with sports-themed booth activities and the Golden Boomerang League winners celebration

Published

on

From November 4th to 6th, 2025, Boomerang Partners will participate in SiGMA Europe 2025 in Rome, one of the most important events in the world for the affiliate marketing and iGaming industry. The company’s booth 5046 G will be a focal point, thanks to the signature ‘Boomerang Arena’ concept.

The ‘Boomerang Arena’ symbolizes the strong connection between sports and technological innovations, and reflects Boomerang Partners’ focus on the sports aspect of their business. The booth will be divided into several themed zones dedicated to football, golf, tennis, and boxing, as well as a location for sports-related interactive experiences.

Booth 5046 G will be the must-visit hub for SiGMA Europe 2025’s guests for many reasons. Boomerang Partners is preparing a variety of activities that are sure to generate heightened interest from booth visitors. They can look forward to various sports-related interactive experiences, mini-games, table tennis activity, and a unique gift auction. Details about the participation conditions will be announced later. Stay tuned for updates.

On November 5th, Boomerang Partners will ceremoniously announce and award the winners of its first sports traffic tournament, the Golden Boomerang League. It runs from September 1st to October 31st and is designed for both current and new affiliate partners of the company. The prizes include direct entry into the annual global tournament, the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026, and two all-expenses-paid AC Milan Experience packages, which include flights, accommodations, and tickets to a match at the San Siro Stadium. Boomerang Partners will provide this opportunity as the Official Regional Partner of AC Milan.

Book a meeting with Boomerang Partners’ managers now to learn about collaboration opportunities. There are only a few slots left.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners 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. The agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The agency’s client portfolio contains 13+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide personalized bonuses and 24/7 multilingual support.

Continue Reading

Trending

EEGaming.org is part of HIPTHER, parent brand of various prominent news outlets and international conferences. These platforms and events span a wide range of industries, including Entertainment, Technology, Gaming and Gambling, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Quantum Technology, Legal Cannabis, Health and Lifestyle, VR/AR, eSports, and several others. This indicates that EEGaming.org is part of a larger network that focuses on a diverse array of sectors, particularly those related to cutting-edge technology and modern lifestyle trends.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 HIPTHER. All Rights Reserved. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania

We are constantly showing banners about important news regarding events and product launches. Please turn AdBlock off in order to see these areas.