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Is Play’n GO the King of online slot franchises?
With a rapidly growing portfolio of intriguing and thrilling online slots, Play’n GO is undoubtedly one of the coolest iGaming developers out there. The Play’n GO journey began back in 1997 when a group of software developers banded together to offer their services to larger companies.
After finding out that the iGaming industry was seriously lacking in terms of truly imaginative online slots – Play’n GO were determined to change that. Trust, Energy and Quality are the three values that are the cornerstone of everything that Play’n GO does which is why it’s no surprise that the developers are one of the leading creators within the industry.
As soon as you see the Play’n GO logo on an online slot, you know that you are in for an exhilarating time. The same can be said for Play’n GO’s extensive online slot series collection which expands year after year. This is why it can be easily argued that the iGaming giant is the King of the online slot franchise and here are the reasons why.
Trendsetters within iGaming
It’s hard not to find an adventure slot with a dashing hero leading the journey – but did you know it all really started with Play’n GO’s Rich Wilde series. Back in 2012, Rich Wilde and the Aztec Idols released and catapulted the adventure theme into being relevant again.
Unsurprisingly, the Rich Wilde series continues to grow almost 10 years after the original with a new online slot, Rich Wilde and the Wandering City, slated for release in November 2021. It wasn’t just the Rich Wilde series that expanded, many developers were inspired and tried their hand at creating their own adventurer franchise.
Pragmatic Play generated their own hero in the form of John Hunter, whilst Stormcraft Studios produced Jungle Jim as their adventurer. Amazingly, the John Hunter series has developed its own identity with a new slot coming out every year.
Moon Princess was released at the end of 2018 with an anime-inspired slot that saw three school girl heroines save the world. Fast-forward to 2021, and you have a multitude of slots influenced by Moon Princess as it’s hard not to love the creativity in combining anime with online slots. Play’n GO slots definitely follow the beat of their own drum and it’s only inevitable that others would be inspired by their work.
Bigger and better sequels
There’s an unfortunate trend within the media that the sequel is often worse than the original or at least not on the same level. Thankfully, that’s not the case with Play’n GO as the company often goes above and beyond with their sequels – such as the case in the King Arthur and Gemix series.
Although the original slots for these franchises were positively received by players, the developers enhanced the sequels (and subsequent titles in the series) by amplifying the brilliant parts and minimising the criticised elements.
Each new title within the King Arthur and Gemix series improved the win potential through higher RTP and bigger payouts. Not only is the win potential drastically better than the originals, but the graphics are enhanced and the gameplay is upgraded with additional features.
Unafraid to shake up existing franchises
The original Charlie Chance in Hell to Pay features only 3-reels with 5 paylines but keeps the slot modern by adding a variety of features. With the quirky art style matching vintage cartoons such as Felix the Cat and Betty Boop, it’s little wonder that players adorned this slot.
Instead of repeating the same slot with a different background for a quick cash grab, Play’n GO decided to do something different with Charlie Chance XReelz. Foregoing the simplistic 3-reel, 5 payline formula, the slot opted for 5-reels with 243 paylines as well as the new XReelz mechanic.
Shifting the Charlie Chance series even further, Charlie Chance and the Curse of Cleopatra ignores reels completely and utilises the Cluster Pays mechanic instead. Whilst the original Charlie Chance in Hell to Pay set an expectation for the rest of the franchise, Play’n GO subverted everyone’s expectations by doing something completely different with each other game in the series.
Battling against tough competition
It’s no secret that Play’n GO is absolutely dominating with their online slot franchises – but that doesn’t mean that there is no competition for the developers. iSoftBet’s infamous Twisted Tales series is constantly growing and getting better with each addition, similarly Thunderkick hosts a huge number of franchises that could rival Play’n GO’s crown in the future.
The previously mentioned John Hunter series from Pragmatic Play may appear to have been inspired by Rich Wilde, but the latest John Hunter slots, such as John Hunter and the Quest for Bermuda Riches, have found their own unique style within the adventure slots genre.
Not only that but Pragmatic Play’s Great Rhino, Sweet Bonanza and The Dog House series are expanding in size meaning their collection of beloved franchises is constantly evolving. Similarly, Playtech’s Age of the God series is one of the biggest within the iGaming world and the developers also have a variety of other huge franchises as well.
The future of Play’n GO
Despite all of these developers having an impressive collection of online slot series, Play’n GO still has the edge with the diversity of all their titles. It’s clear that Play’n GO is a trendsetter with regards to online slot series as the company decides what to work on instead of following other developers. If Play’n GO decides to create an Egyptian slot series, you can bet that it’ll be original and unlike anything else.
What makes Play’n GO the King of online slot franchises is the fact that there’s a huge assortment of different themes within their slot series collection and it’s constantly evolving. Any of their latest titles such as Wild Class or Sparky and Shortz could easily develop into an iconic series and that’s the brilliance of Play’n GO.
The future of Play’n GO could lead anywhere but it’s obvious that the online slots and franchises created will be fan-favourites. Play’n GO’s CEO, Johan Törnqvist, is committed to the enjoyment of the players – even if that means losing revenue. At least for now, Play’n GO remains the King of the online slot franchise and other developers will have a lot of work to do if they want to take their crown.

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Why Gamification Is Reshaping Online Poker
Online poker’s not the sleepy mix of static cash tables and rinse-repeat tourney grids it used to be. Business Wire predicts that by 2030, the market will hit $11.4 billion, fuelled by cross-platform play and new competitive formats. But here’s the catch: growth brings noise. And in 2025, grabbing attention is only half the game — keeping it has become just as critical. And we all know that retention is the table you can’t afford to fold.
Over the recent years, gamification has turned into one of poker’s strongest retention plays. When it’s done right, it keeps players around, sparks repeat visits, and forges loyalty. They come back tomorrow, next week, next month — and your competitors can’t pry them away. The idea sounds simple enough — weave in game-style mechanics to make poker richer and more engaging, without killing the skill game underneath.
EvenBet Gaming’s research breaks it into three targets:
- Give players more reasons to return.
- Make onboarding smooth and rewarding.
- Build loyalty with experiences that feel personal, competitive, and worth bragging about.
Churn burns profit. Gamification done right is an infrastructure that breeds loyalty. Done wrong? You’re just another site with flashing badges that no one cares about.
Gamification, Not Gamblification
Before diving into mechanics, it is important to set one thing straight. Gamification boosts engagement — leaderboards that show you who’s climbing, missions that push you to try new formats, achievement badges you actually want to unlock. It challenges players, rewards skill, and deepens the game. “Gamblification” is where it all turns sour. That’s when mechanics push for profit at the expense of player wellbeing — pressure-loop rewards, unclear payout systems, anything designed to keep people clicking long after the fun’s gone. These tactics can backfire, invite regulatory attention, and eat away at players’ trust.
Gamification should make the player-platform bond stronger. It’s open, skill-focused, and it stays within responsible-gaming boundaries. Otherwise, you’re just playing short-term roulette with your long-term survival.
Core Gamification Mechanics in Poker
Here’s the thing — gamification works best when it’s layered, not just thrown on top of the existing game. You’ve still got poker at the centre, but now there’s more to play for. EvenBet Gaming’s toolkit has a bit of everything, with a mix of proven features that operators need to keep players active and returning.
Leaderboards
People like to see where they stand, and a good leaderboard hits that primal “beat the other guy” instinct. Doesn’t matter if it’s hands played, rake pulled, or weird challenges only five people care about. Timeframes can be daily, weekly, or monthly, ensuring fresh challenges and preventing leaderboard fatigue. Players stick around to climb, rivals get personal, and your community gets tighter.
To avoid burnout and excessive gamblification, EvenBet’s customer success department doesn’t recommend creating only leaderboards based on pure game volume. As a flexible tool, leaderboards have a better use for boosting attention to specific game or tournament types (for example, hands played in 5-card Omaha), creating targeted demand.
Missions, Quests, and Challenges
Give a player a target and they’ll chase it. Win with pocket sevens, log 50 games, or try that Sunday knockout tourney — whatever keeps them moving. Segment it: beginners get gentle ramps; grinders chase big targets. Toss in tickets, cash, or even just brag-worthy status bumps — and suddenly, casual play has a storyline. This meta-layer adds structure to casual play, nudging players into consistent engagement.
“Different mission types work specifically on various segments of a poker room audience”, explains Nikita Golodaev, Business Account Manager at EvenBet Gaming. “For example, guided missions targeted to explore poker room features and game types keep new players on the platform and decrease early churn. Soft streaks (3-5 days) encourage regular sessions without burnout”.
Achievements and Badges
First win, first deep run, first time they actually fold kings preflop — badges give players proof they’re climbing. Badges make progress visible, they’re milestones and conversation starters. This visual recognition encourages players to develop their skills and makes long-term goals more tangible.
Progressive Systems
Experience points (XP) and rakeback have always been staples in poker loyalty systems. They’re poker loyalty basics. EvenBet’s Progressive Rakeback with a tiered, time-limited structure turns the game into a race — 6 tiers from Aluminium all the way up to Platinum. Every tier gives you a little more, but fall behind — and you drop. The gamified progression adds urgency, encouraging regular play to maintain or advance the level.
According to Nikita Golodaev, clear and balanced progressive systems work best for projects with an existing core of regular mid-core players: they are already investing significant time into the game and are still tempted by rewards provided in the progressive tracks, unlike VIP and high-stakes players who are more interested in recognition of their status.
Put it together, and you’ve got a cycle: play, check your rank, tick missions, unlock the badge, check the board, eye the next tier. And then do it again tomorrow. It’s sustained engagement without sacrificing poker’s competitive core.
Advanced Applications — Tournaments and Hybrid Formats
Think of tournaments not as one-off events, but as frameworks. They aren’t just a product — they’re an engagement machine. You can hang all sorts of engagement hooks on them — the kind that keep players checking in and keep them motivated from registration to the final hand. Layer in gamification, and you have a retention funnel operators dream about.
Formats with a Twist
EvenBet’s flexible setup allows operators to launch virtually any format: high-GTD marathons, Spin&Go sprints with random multipliers, quick-fire Sit & Gos for casuals, and velvet-rope VIP tables for the whales. Add Mystery Bounty, Progressive Knockout, or Multi-flight qualifiers, and you’ve got unpredictability on tap. Which means the game always stays interesting.
Linking Tournaments to Gamification Layers
Hybrid play is where tournaments meet missions, leaderboards, and badges:
- “Climb the Ladder” challenges that pay points for each event played.
- Leaderboards stretching over weeks and sparking long grinds.
- Achievements for milestones like “Final Table Three Times in a Week” or “Knock Out 10 Players in a PKO.”
This crossover keeps casual players chasing goals and competitive players grinding for prestige — all while strengthening retention loops. When you nail it, tournaments become recurring, gamified events that handle acquisition, retention, and loyalty in one package.
Why It Works for Operators
Gamification in online poker is not just a UX add-on — it moves numbers if done properly.
- Retention and monetisation: longer sessions, more logins, bigger rake, and better LTV. Plus, new players convert faster when there’s a mission to chase.
- Skill development: challenges teach strategy, confidence, and adaptability without feeling like homework.
- Audience segmentation: freerolls for newbies, high-stakes bounties for veterans. You serve each player just the right challenge without losing focus.
Risks and Implementation Challenges
Gamification’s upside is clear — but mess it up, and it quickly becomes a liability. When these risks are managed, gamification pays off big time. Treat it with respect and care like a strategy, not a shortcut or gimmick.
Over-Gamification
Stack too many overlapping mechanics, and the gaming experience turns into a mess. Players get overwhelmed, quit the game altogether, or even fall into unhealthy patterns. The balance is in adding enough variety to motivate, without creating constant pressure to act. It’s a fine line between motivation and overload.
Regulatory Compliance
Operating inside responsible gaming guidelines is a must. Rewards should be transparent, achievable, and not designed to exploit compulsive tendencies. As noted by Dmitry Starostenkov, regulators are increasingly wary of features that blur the lines between skill-building and pushing players too hard.
Technical Complexity
Integration has to be smooth. If missions lag, leaderboards glitch, progression breaks, or interfere with core poker gameplay, this erodes trust. EvenBet’s modular system gives control, but operators still need rigorous testing, UX tweaks, and performance checks.
Building Gamification That Lasts
When done right, gamification in online poker isn’t just bells and whistles. It’s a full-on retention driver. Mix leaderboards, missions, badges, and tiered rewards right into the core game, and you create a cycle that hooks players, grows skill, and boosts revenue.
The winning formula is balance: enough variety to keep things fresh. Clarity so players aren’t guessing. Responsibility so the game stays ethical. Data-driven personalisation ensures that every segment — from first-timers to VIP grinders — finds a reason to return.
Our research at EvenBet Gaming is clear: sustainable gamification is a long game. Set measurable goals and transparent rewards, enhance the poker spirit — never overshadow it. Attention is the rarest currency these days. Platforms that get this balance don’t just hold players — they win the loyalty battle.
The post Why Gamification Is Reshaping Online Poker appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SlotMatrix ignites the reels of West Virginia with Wild Extravaganza launch
SlotMatrix, the world’s largest casino content aggregator, has expanded Wild Extravaganza’s reach in the U.S launching in West Virginia, alongside existing markets, New Jersey and Michigan.
Wild Extravaganza is a high-energy 5×3 video slot that packs vibrant visuals, dynamic gameplay, and huge win potential in a 10-payline experience. The game pays left to right, right to left, and even from the middle, offering players multiple chances to win on every spin.
The core feature of Wild Extravaganza is its multiplying wilds, which can stack on three of the five reels and can reveal a 2x, 3x, or 7x win multiplier.
Wild Extravaganza is fully supported by EveryMatrix’s suite of advanced engagement tools, including free spins, leaderboards, and tournaments, helping operators drive acquisition and retention in regulated U.S markets.
This U.S release is part of a recent surge of SlotMatrix exclusive games entering the market, including 3 Coin Treasures, Lara Jones Treasures of Egypt 2, and Glorious Diamonds.
EveryMatrix holds licences in key North American markets, including West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Ontario, and powers more than 300 customers globally.
Stephen Orchard, Head of Commercial Operations, SlotMatrix, said: “Wild Extravaganza is all about giving players thrilling, fast-paced action and the chance to land some seriously big wins. We’re excited to bring this experience to West Virginia as we continue our expansion across the U.S.”
The post SlotMatrix ignites the reels of West Virginia with Wild Extravaganza launch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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DATA.BET Secures Spot at SBC Summit 2025
The company strengthens its market position with the recent launch of sports betting
DATA.BET, a trusted sportsbook solution supplier, will present its expanded portfolio at SBC Summit 2025 in Lisbon, stand D160. The company now offers a unified solution covering sports, esports, and virtual sports.
From September 16 to 18, the company’s representatives will unveil the updated product suite. Building on its established presence in esports and virtual sports betting, DATA.BET has expanded into traditional sports betting, covering over 50,000 sports events per month across 63+ pre-match and 38 live sports disciplines. The company’s 24/7 in-house trading team maintains 93% market uptime while delivering 1000+ betting markets backed by official data partnerships.
Each betting vertical, as well as individual sports and leagues within them, can be activated separately or combined based on market needs. Operators can instantly launch the complete sportsbook solution through a ready-to-use Single Page Application (iFrame), while those with an existing betting platform can integrate directly via the Odds Feed API.
At SBC Summit, visitors will explore DATA.BET’s core products: Risk Management system, Odds Feed, Widgets, Streams, SPA (iFrame), and Bet Builder available for all three verticals. The latest features joined our comprehensive suite include Hot Bundles for express betting optimization and Timeline Widget for enhanced game process tracking.
“This marks our first offline presentation of the complete sportsbook solution we launched in May with our full product range and latest features for betting,” said Natalie Loshatynska, Head of PR & Marketing at DATA.BET. “We look forward to showing SBC Summit participants how our technology empowers operators and platform providers to offer their clients a more dynamic and engaging betting experience.”
Discover DATA.BET’s betting technology solution at stand D160. Connect with the team at [email protected] to schedule a meeting.
The post DATA.BET Secures Spot at SBC Summit 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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