Latest News
Poker in Eastern Europe, here are some myths busted
Reports claim that Eastern European countries have a high market share and that Russia is the second largest poker market after Germany. Just by claiming that Russia is part of Eastern Europe is a false claim and also if you judge by the incomes and players spend, you also are able to find that Eastern Europe doesn’t have a high market share when it comes to playing poker.
Even if there is no difference between between the skills of an Eastern European player who has a minimum wage of 450 EUR per month and the Western European players who likely makes more than 2500 EUR per month, the true grinders come from a different category.
The Eastern European poker players that are spending big are usually the expats living in Budapest, Bucharest (make sure not to mix these two), Bratislava or Prague for certain cost reasons and representing the region in market share. You can call them a sort of online poker players/digital nomads. There are even sites that promote Budapest a possible Poker Refugee camp for poker players that wanted to play online poker after “Black Friday” hit their favorite skill game.
Texas Hold’em has seen its fair share of popular times and it has certainly impacted the less developed countries in Eastern Europe. This happened at the beginning of 2004-2005 when everyone was imagining that their skills are similar to Daniel Negreanu’s, due to his origins from the region. During this period there hasn’t been any regulation in place and all players had the possibility of engaging into playing poker online on any poker room from around the world.
Things have changed in the mean time when the online gambling industry was regulated in Romania at the end of 2013 and things started shifting towards a more responsible industry in which players were fewer, but started spending more and stronger communities were built.
888poker has remained a key and trusted brand in the region, attracting players each year to WSOP Europe and also to their online poker room with the most realistic deposit bonuses and play methods.
We must also mention that WSOP Europe (WSOPE) is returning to King’s Resort Rozvadov for the third consecutive year, with the central Europe locale and venue playing host for the 2019 edition this Fall.
WSOPE is set to run from October 15 to November 4, again featuring 10 official WSOP gold bracelet events. In 2018, the event schedule saw 6,028 entries compete for €20,997,184 in prize money.
It is a very popular tournament that gives Eastern Europeans and all European players a chance to compete in the heart of Europe, easily accessible for everyone. It is by far the most popular event in Europe.
In order to sum it all up, there is nothing peculiar about the poker industry in Eastern Europe versus the poker industry from the other sides of the world, it’s just having trustworthy poker rooms that offer players from regulated jurisdictions to develop their poker skills and also compete in international tournaments.

Latest News
AI-Powered Gamification Arrives on Vegangster Platform via Smartico
iGaming operators can now access CRM automation, hyper-personalisation, and engagement tools to maximise player lifetime value. Platform provider Vegangster has partnered with Smartico, a multi-channel engagement marketing platform, to integrate AI-powered gamification and CRM technology across its ecosystem.
The partnership equips Vegangster’s operator clients with a complete suite of retention tools, including missions, leaderboards, loyalty funnels and mini-games. Powered by AI-driven automation and segmentation, these tools enable operators to deliver personalised campaigns in real-time and build stronger player loyalty across casino and sportsbook brands.
“We build our platform to give operators the sharpest tools to launch quickly and scale with confidence. Partnering with Smartico takes that further, as our clients can now set a new standard for retention with AI-powered automation and gamification,” said Michael Oziransky, Chief Product Officer at Vegangster.
Smartico’s integration with Vegangster enables operators to run engagement campaigns seamlessly. Predictive analytics, personalised messaging, and gamified features provide direct control of the player journey and deliver measurable impact on lifetime value.
“Vegangster’s forward-looking approach makes them an ideal partner,” said Yuval Mechoullam, Co-Founder at Smartico. “Together, we’re equipping operators with solutions that elevate engagement and translate it into lasting business growth.”
About Vegangster
Vegangster provides a full-stack iGaming platform engineered for speed, scalability, and operator control. Its turnkey, white-label, and sweepstakes solutions integrate casino and sportsbook content, payments, CRM, compliance, and social features into a single mobile-first system. With Vegangster, operators can launch quickly and scale with confidence.
About Smartico
Smartico is a multi-channel engagement marketing solution redefining CRM automation and gamification for iGaming operators. By combining real-time automation, gamified mechanics, and AI-driven insights, it enables brands to personalise every stage of the player journey. With a global client base and dedicated team of experts, Smartico helps operators boost engagement, improve retention, and drive sustainable growth.
The post AI-Powered Gamification Arrives on Vegangster Platform via Smartico appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
1spin4win unveils Beersburg Fest Hold and Win slot inspired by Oktoberfest
Beersburg Fest Hold and Win recreates the joyful energy of Europe’s most iconic beer festival with bright symbols, playful animations, and upbeat music. From smiling waitresses with frothy mugs to sizzling bratwurst and vibrant Bavarian decoration, every detail adds to the immersion.
On the gameplay side, the online slot features a 3×3 grid with 27 paylines, optimized for smooth play on any device. Beer mugs act as Wilds, while lining up nine identical symbols instantly doubles the payout. Landing three or more Coins triggers the Hold and Win round with three respins and a chance to collect jackpots — the x100 Mini and the x1,000 Mega.
As with all 1spin4win releases, the game is built around fair balance, fine-tuned volatility, and user-focused design. The clean interface, subtle sound, and carefully calibrated RTP create an irritation-free experience for players and strong retention potential for operators.
Olga Bogdanova, the Art Director at 1spin4win, commented, “Festivals have a special kind of spirit. They bring people together and celebrate tradition. We designed Beersburg Fest Hold and Win to capture that feeling, letting players step into the Oktoberfest festival, enjoy its sights and sounds, and experience the joy of the Bonus round.”
About 1spin4win
1spin4win is a fast-growing game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 150 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2025 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.
The post 1spin4win unveils Beersburg Fest Hold and Win slot inspired by Oktoberfest appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Mancala Gaming Revolutionizes iGaming with Diego’s Spicy Truck
Mancala Gaming proudly announces the launch of Diego’s Spicy Truck, a bold new game with innovative features. It’s designed to captivate both players and operators, pushing boundaries in interactive gaming.
In a recent interview with Jekaterina Dubnicka – Head of Marketing and Communications at Slotsjudge, Pantelis Spyrou – Head of Game Studio at Mancala Gaming revealed how Diego’s Spicy Truck redefines engagement. Players run a food truck business, collecting spicy rewards while navigating a fast-paced environment. The game’s dynamic rewards and quirky storyline keep players engaged. Operators will see strong performance with a multi-layered gameplay experience that appeals to both seasoned and casual gamers.
Diego’s Spicy Truck is set to be a key player in the iGaming world. Mancala Gaming invites operators to explore its potential and take part in this exciting journey.
The post Mancala Gaming Revolutionizes iGaming with Diego’s Spicy Truck appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News3 months ago
Brand-new projects debuting at iGB L!VE: Casino&You and Win&You Partners!
-
Latest News1 month ago
Light & Wonder to Participate in the 2025 Australasian Gaming Expo
-
Latest News1 month ago
ReferOn Shortlisted for Acquisition & Retention Partner of the Year at SBC Lisbon 2025
-
Latest News1 month ago
Gavin Hamilton Joins Sports & Wellbeing Analytics as Chairman to Accelerate Global Expansion
-
Latest News2 months ago
2025 PUBG MOBILE WORLD CUP KICKS OFF WITH GROUP DRAW AHEAD OF ESPORTS WORLD CUP
-
Latest News3 months ago
HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with the CEO and co-founder of Nordcurrent Victoria Trofimova
-
Latest News2 months ago
CEO of MEDIA24 Interviewed: Industry Scams, Business Insights and SEO
-
Latest News2 months ago
HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with CEO of Media 24 Martins Lasmanis