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Playing the technology card: How Europe is winning the game
By Eriks Petersons, Digital Transformation Director, Ciklum
The last few years have seen a real period of growth in the gaming industry fuelled by technology. The push for responsible gambling and tighter regulations has helped reposition an industry which has carried a negative stigma for so long. Instead it is now accepted as a form of entertainment which is governed responsibly.
Europe has been at the core of this image transformation and now accounts for more than half of iGaming revenue worldwide. Investing in gaming technology over the last few years has seen Europe take advantage of the stagnant gaming scene in the US, which came as a result of the Black Friday events of 2011, and saw the closure of the three largest online poker websites.
Whilst the online gaming scene came to a halt in the US, advancements in European gaming technology meant that in the case of sports events, for example, bets could be placed live during a game – even via a mobile phone. In contrast, the US was reliant on land-based establishments where bets had to be placed before a game started. This resulted in many US companies snapping up European companies in order to benefit from these innovations. And who can blame them, with the sports scene so big in the US compared to across the pond.
But what the Black Friday events in the US taught the whole industry was the need for stricter regulations. Also crucial for upholding the gaming industry’s new positive reputation. Again, this is where Europe has been at the forefront – with the UK, Sweden and Germany leading the way – and certainly looking to stay in pole position.
How Covid-19 helped propel the gaming industry online
The Covid-19 pandemic hit the gaming industry on a global level, and as with many industries, companies were forced to move their operations online. With the temporary closure of land-based establishments, it taught the gaming industry an important lesson on product diversification and why it shouldn’t be over-reliant on physical world interactions.
With live sports temporarily suspended, meaning loss of revenue from sports betting, many players switched to casino gaming. Live shows with a real dealer helped to bridge the gap between online and land-based casinos, with players feeling more confident watching a real person dealing rather than trusting an algorithm.
It came down to which iGaming operators were willing to adapt to meet their players’ changing needs – and who had the technology to be able to do so. Those who did were the ones who came out as winners.
Why gaming platforms need to be customisable
The last ten years have seen the industry change from one that was initially market-driven to one that is now technology-driven. Traditionally gaming platforms were monolithic in nature meaning updates were often slow to implement and with many limitations.
Fast forward to the present, and as a result there are a lot of big companies who now own multiple platforms and products under one umbrella, but who have also inherited legacy technology obstacles.
Modernising platform infrastructure is key for allowing both scalability and flexibility. Microservices allow specific functions to be developed, deployed and managed independently from one another. This allows teams to focus on different areas, for example, whilst one team works on ‘responsible gaming’, another can work on ‘player acquisition’ testing or improving new features on the homepage.
Using microservices with APIs – which allows numerous front end experiences to be connected to a single back end program – enables flexibility beyond the limits of any one platform or technology. This allows gaming companies to work on regulatory changes and product features in parallel meaning one does not hold the other back.
Cloud is also key to scalability meaning you can manage large spikes of traffic or prepare for a new market launch. It also means that huge amounts of data can be stored securely.
Why tech has been key in adapting to new regulations
Technology has played a key role in ensuring the gaming industry is compliant as rules continue to evolve. As the call for improved consumer protection and responsible gaming rises, we have seen stricter regulations being introduced across Europe. For iGaming operators, this has demonstrated the need to have highly customisable gaming platforms which can be swiftly adapted to meet new regulations introduced country by country.
Take Germany as an example. In July this year, Germany launched its legal casino market, allowing private operators to apply for licenses offering sports betting, online poker and virtual slot machines. Industry players seeking the new license had a full year to make adequate changes, known as toleration regime. With the long list of German regulatory rules touching upon different parts of the system, many of these were kept to the last moment before they were introduced.
Player deposits, for example, were reduced to a maximum of 1000 euros. This was a big hit on the industry which is very VIP driven – with the majority of revenue coming from such players.
Spins in slot machines also came under fire with new regulations dictating a time limit of five seconds per spin. With an average spin lasting 0.5 seconds meaning a 5 second period normally allows for multiple spins, this runs the risk that players can’t play quickly enough and in turn will get bored.
Through the use of microservices, iGaming operators were able to create and release new features gradually. Instead of facing a huge hit on resources at one time, they were able to apply feature toggling and test and push different changes live over time. And ultimately ensure that by releasing these at the last moment they would not affect the customer experience earlier than they needed to.
How tech is improving player acquisition and retention
One area where companies can use technology to stand out is by offering a differentiated player experience. Player trends are constantly changing, and the successful iGaming operators are the ones that keep experimenting, keep validating and keep improving their product.
With some exceptions, most casinos are all the same, they just have a different look and feel. Through agile software development, gaming platforms can use canary releases to trial and test changes and features initially within a small group of users before rolling out to a wider audience. For example, how you show games to players or how games are grouped together to understand game player behaviour. This can also be applied to promotions to decide which ones work most effectively.
The registration process is another area which is a key part of the player acquisition journey. Consider experimenting with a three-stage process rather than one lengthy form. Also what works better in the UK, may not work so well in Germany.
Even the smallest things like the colour, shape or positioning of a button can have an enormous impact on the player behaviour and thus the conversion rate.
Technology has played a key role in transforming the European gaming industry. For iGaming operators, there’s both a need to innovate as well as to regulate. It’s about ensuring gaming platforms are adaptable, scalable and that changes can be implemented at speed. In other words, if you want to ride this positive wave that’s happening in the industry right now, then you need to implement the technology that will allow you to stay ahead of the game!
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
PG Soft has launched its latest all-star game, Galaxy Miner. This space-inspired title is a 3-reel, 3-row video slot featuring Win Vortex symbols and Prize symbols up to 1000x. Players travel to the year 3127, to a world beyond the stars dominated by the legendary X Vortex — a force that swirls in silence, devouring everything in its path and forging Galactic Treasures deep within.
Inspired Entertainment, Inc. has announced the release of three new online slot titles this July across UK and Malta iGaming jurisdictions: Chili Poppers™, Bichos Mágicos™, and Bigger Piggy Bank™. Each title is designed to provide distinctive gameplay experiences while delivering strong performance for operators.
Play’n GO revisit a classic hit with Super Flip Deluxe, bringing back the charm of the original slot while adding new ways to win and a sleek new look. This update to Super Flip keeps everything fans loved, while giving it a modern refresh. The clean, classic layout is still here – now with sharper graphics and smoother gameplay. Players can also enjoy new features that give them more chances to win, such as surprise coin prizes and a second spin when things don’t quite go their way.
TaDa Gaming, is giving players another chance to hit the big time with 3 Coin Treasures 2, a three reels, five rows slot with 243 ways to win. Part of the TriLuck™ series and a sequel to hit release 3 Coin Treasure, this new release delivers colourful coins and three separate colour coin Scatters to trigger the three different bonus games. Add in the Firecracker Wilds, the Golden Auspicious Coin, Double Reel multiplier, fixed multiplier jackpots and a Lock & Respin feature and it’s easy to see why players are going coin crazy.
Evoplay has launched Sea of Wealth: Hunt for Coin, the latest release in its aquatic-themed slot series. Set in a vibrant underwater world, the 5×3 video slot runs across five fixed paylines and features marine creatures, powerful gods, and ancient treasures hidden beneath the waves. Players will encounter seven regular symbols, alongside Wilds, Bonus symbols, and the mighty Trident as they dive into the action.
Push Gaming returns to the colony with Wild Swarm Triple Hive, blending a fan-favourite setting with the high-engagement 3 Pots system. Wild Swarm Triple Hive builds on the success of 3 Magic Pots, offering the same core mechanic adapted to the world of Push’s beloved bees. The game increases volatility and depth, providing a richer experience for players who enjoy collecting mechanics and multi-stage bonuses.
Play’n GO bring the spirit of the plains to players with Play’n GO Buffalo of Wealth, a dynamic new slot rooted in the legacy of our animal-themed titles. Play’n GO Buffalo of Wealth is Play’n GO’s answer to the enduring popularity of American wildlife-themed slots. It captures the essence of iconic Play’n GO games while introducing fresh design and mechanics that elevate enjoyment.
Stakelogic has released its most action-packed slot to date with Turbo Duck, a high-octane title that blends intense gameplay with cinematic visuals and a winged hero who refuses to back down. Set in a post-apocalyptic retro arcade, Turbo Duck follows Quack-9, a fearless duck mecha-pilot ready for action. As the gameplay unfolds, players join Quack-9 in the fight for control and massive multipliers.
Blueprint Gaming™ invites players on its most bountiful fishing trip to date in Fishin’ Frenzy The Big Catch 3, with a host of sumptuous bonus modifiers charging the latest iteration from the industry-renowned series. The leading UK slot supplier has high hopes for its July release following the roaring success of the original Big Catch title and its sequel, which was released in February 2025.
Red Rake Gaming presents its latest release, Beating Alcatraz, an exciting video slot that transports players to one of the most iconic prisons in the world to experience the ultimate escape adventure. With a 5×4 reel layout and 25 paylines, Beating Alcatrazdelivers an innovative gaming experience centered around the Sticky Wins feature, where every winning combination sticks to the reels and triggers a Respin—offering players the chance to maximize their winnings while keeping the excitement going with every spin.
The latest slot game from Galaxsys takes players on a mythological journey through nine Norse realms, offering unique bonuses, free spins, and up to 7000x wins. Galaxsys, the award-winning games developer, proudly announces the launch of its new slot title: Gates of Asgard: Nine Realms. Rooted in Scandinavian mythology, Gates of Asgard: Nine Realms invites players on a journey across the nine legendary realms of Norse lore.
Step back in time and experience the excitement of Reels Paradise by Booming Games. This classic slot machine features iconic reels and symbols, with modern features that make every spin engaging and enjoyable. Reels Paradise is a 5-reel, 3-row slot game with a unique twist. The first three reels showcase classic slot symbols such as diamonds and bars. The 4th reel is the Value Symbol reel, which exclusively contains prize values.
Gaming Corps is diving into deep waters with the launch of its latest slot, Fishing Pro: Reel Collect — an action-packed release designed to hook players with its unique Prize Collect mechanic. Set against a colourful underwater backdrop, Fishing Pro invites players to bait their hooks and aim for the big one. Every spin in this wild slot brings new opportunities to collect fish, lobsters, and mythical mermaids across a grid bursting with aquatic prizes.
FBMDS just launched Secrets of Scarabs, the first title in its brand-new Titan Series – a premium slot collection created to deliver engaging gameplay, flexible configurations, and high-quality performance across platforms. Inspired by the opulence and mystery of Ancient Egypt, Secrets of Scarabs invites players to explore a world of golden treasures, mystical artefacts, and potential wins.
ICONIC21 is letting players experience the pulsing energy of an unforgettable Vegas night in its latest slot release, Neon Paradise Hold & Win. A new kind of glow is lighting up the game board in this bold and bright slot that brings a modern twist to a proven and always popular game mechanic. Players get to experience the thrills of the classic 3×5 reel setup, aiming to collect six or more Diamond symbols to unlock the Bonus Game.
Amusnet has released its latest video slot, Extra Crown Classic Buy Bonus. This new release invites players to embark on a royal adventure across the 5 beautifully designed reels. This classical video slot has 10 fixed paylines offering many chances to score big and feel the thrill of majestic rewards.
The post Week 31/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Awards Up For Grabs: ELA Games Shortlisted in Two Categories at SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025
The studio continues its momentum with two new nominations
ELA Games, a dynamic game development studio, is proud to announce its double nomination at the upcoming SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025 in the “Best Game Studio” and “Best Slot Game Provider” categories.
These nominations for two of the most prestigious categories at the event highlight a milestone year for ELA Games, marked by innovative developments, a growing portfolio, and key partnerships. Central to this recognition are standout titles including Shoot Happens, Juicy Crystal, and Joker Winpot. Each title has showcased the studio’s balance of creativity, visually rich design, and technical excellence.
Shoot Happens is a prime example of ELA Games’ progression as a game development studio. It’s a high-energy game that breaks from traditional game formats to give players more agency over their gameplay. Players face off against increasingly tougher and valuable opponents to fill up their “Winpot,” which they can then choose when to cash out. Shoot Happens reflects ELA Games’ ambitions to offer new experiences that connect with modern player preferences and provide high-performing content for operators.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the nominations, “The team has been in overdrive working on new titles and rethinking the online gaming landscape. Being nominated for two of the biggest categories at the SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025 is a testament to the entire team’s efforts to create engaging, visually rich content that’s genuinely fun to play. We look forward to the award ceremony results and continuing to push creative boundaries with new, exciting games!”
Voting is open for the SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025.
The post Awards Up For Grabs: ELA Games Shortlisted in Two Categories at SiGMA Euro-Med Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Springbok Casino Exposes Unethical Wildlife Tourism in August Feature – Plus 25 Free Spins on Hades’ Flames of Fortune
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The post Springbok Casino Exposes Unethical Wildlife Tourism in August Feature – Plus 25 Free Spins on Hades’ Flames of Fortune appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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