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Mix it all up – how Playson strengthens its popular Hold and Win portfolio with its latest hit
There has been an influx of games over the past 12 months that use the compelling Hold and Win mechanic. With Playson’s newest slot on the block, Royal Joker: Hold and Win, likely to be a huge hit, why does this classic offering continue to be so revered amongst players? We spoke to Natalia Shkarbanova, Product Owner at Playson, to understand the inspiration behind Royal Joker and the future for this series of slots.
What inspired the creation of Royal Joker: Hold and Win?
We wanted to extend the experience of our hugely successful game Royal Coins 2: Hold and Win, and enhance it further with the attractive character and additional features that we have at our disposal. Since the game is based on the traditional 3×3 fruit theme, we selected a joker as the game’s main focus because he is a symbol commonly used within classic games and is very familiar to players, both new and experienced.
You can expect the joker to have a significant impact on the game’s output as his presence within the reels has the potential to mix up everything, and that’s exactly what he does in this new game. Meanwhile, a range of engrossing mechanics and crisp audio-visuals promise a truly engaging spectacle and we look forward to witnessing what sort of impact this game will have on the market.
Talk us through the gameplay, what are the key features that players can experience?
We’ve added the joker and his multi-player feature on top of the Hold and Win mechanic that was used in Royal Coins 2. This significantly diversifies the game and players can expect to go on a journey where bigger wins are more accessible.
The Bonus game has been strengthened with the inclusion of the Joker’s Multiplier feature. Any Joker symbols that appear on a specific cell during this game mode leave a x2 multiplier as a parting gift. As the Bonus game progresses, a Joker symbol that lands on a multiplier in the same place will increase the multiplier by one until the game stops.
There is also our interactive Pile of Gold feature, which can randomly trigger access to the Bonus Game during the main base game, as well as add symbols with x2 multiplier during the respins mode.
This is the latest addition to Playson’s “Royal” series of games. Why have previous hits such as Royal Coins 2: Hold and Win proved so successful?
These games offer an immersive bonus game experience that combines the advantages of the usual Hold and Win mechanic with the fact that the player can collect winnings from many coin symbols and is not limited by the size of the 3×3 game field.
As I touched upon previously, the Pile of Gold feature is a fantastic edition to our portfolio of slots. Players have been able to interact with this feature on some of our most renowned titles, and it has proven to be a real hit. This feature provides a different twist for players from other classic features they may find on other slots so it shows that we want to continue to innovate.
Royal Joker also marks the latest Playson game to feature the Hold and Win mechanic. How do you ensure each game is different to others and is appealing to players?
We have tried to preserve the much-loved and admired experience of Hold and Win games, but also adapt it to the limitations of a small but simple 3×3 field, turning it into a fantastic product for us as we continue to scale the heights of the iGaming world.
Our adaptations of the Hold and Win mechanic have been subtle, as we don’t want to forget the main theme and focus behind this captivating feature. However, we’ve now added multipliers, allowing players to have an infinite variety of positive experiences within a single product.
The biggest advantage about Hold and Win is the fact that it is a staple of casino games and has been for a long time, so players can easily recognise and relate to it. With players and operators expecting to see casino offerings evolve, the development of this mechanic has been a huge success for us.
Why would Royal Joker complement an operator’s existing casino offering?
Royal Joker is an enhanced and more volatile variation of Royal Coins 2, which proved to be a very successful project. Thanks to the overall package of this slot, the brilliant combination of engaging mechanics and beautiful aesthetics, we are confident it will deliver strong engagement for players. Operators can trust that Royal Joker will resonate with a wider audience.
Lastly, can you give us an indication on whether you have any plans to broaden your series of “Royal” games, as well as launch new Hold and Win variations?
We truly believe that the Hold and Win mechanic still has plenty to offer to players and we plan to expand our portfolio as the year unfolds. There are always discussions about broadening such a successful chapter of games like our “Royal” offering and there is great news on the horizon as Coin Strike, the next game in this enchanting series, will be released very soon.

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Esports World Cup 2025 Unveils Official Song of the Year and Full Opening Ceremony Line-up
Til My Fingers Bleed” featuring DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith to debut live alongside Post Malone, Alesso, and Tina Guo at the Opening Ceremony in Riyadh on 10 July
The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced the release of “Til My Fingers Bleed”, the official Song of the Year for Esports World Cup 2025, alongside the full artist line-up for the tournament’s Opening Ceremony. Taking place on 10 July in Riyadh, the ceremony will feature live performances from DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith of The Word Alive, as well as GRAMMY-nominated producer and electronic music sensation Alesso, virtuoso cellist Tina Guo, and global music icon Post Malone, who headlines the event.
“Til My Fingers Bleed” is a high-energy, cross-genre collaboration that fuses K-pop, hip-hop, and rock, capturing the emotion, ambition, and global spirit of the world’s largest esports event. DINO, genre-blending rapper Duckwrth, and metalcore frontman Telle Smith each bring deep ties to gaming culture, from major esports performances to in-game collaborations.
Their live debut of the track will help open a seven-week tournament that is redefining the role of gaming in mainstream culture. The song was written and produced by Alex Karlsson and T.Ma, known for their work with BTS, G.E.M. and ATEEZ, along with Jared Lee (Duckwrth), who wrote the track’s rap verse.
“At its heart, the Esports World Cup is a global celebration of community – where gaming, creativity, and culture converge on the world’s biggest stage,” said Mike McCabe, Chief Operating Officer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “EWC Music, our official song, and the Opening Ceremony help define the identity of the tournament. They reflect the spirit of shared passion and the connective power of music and esports, setting the tone for an unforgettable summer and celebrating how music can elevate competition and deepen fans’ emotional connection to the sport.”
Of the exciting new track, Telle Smith of The Word Alive commented ‘Gaming has been a part of my life for as long as music has, so getting to bring a genre bending song to a global stage like this feels surreal. I’m honored to share the moment in Riyadh with Duckwrth and Dino, I think fans all over the world will love “Til My Fingers Bleed”’.
“From day one, the Esports World Cup has been created as a global stage for gaming culture across all genres.”, said Ariel Horn, Executive Producer, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Each artist on ‘Til My Fingers Bleed’ brings a unique sound that connects with players, whether they’re into sports, fighting, or action games. We’re excited to see how players and fans pick this track up around the world and hope they will embrace it.”
Viranda Tantula, Executive Creative Director, EWC Music, added: “Music is a universal language, and this is something it shares with gaming. What inspires us at this intersection of music and esports is the opportunity to shape new sounds for a truly global audience. We’ve always been drawn to creative experimentation, and with “Til My Fingers Bleed’, we wanted the collision of genres and international artists to reflect the same global mix of games and players that defines the Esports World Cup. The whole team has poured their hearts into this project, and we hope the community, k-pop, hip-hop, and rock fans feel the energy in both the track and the show.”
Now available across all major streaming platforms, the song is accompanied by a cinematic visualiser on YouTube, and will be featured throughout EWC broadcasts, social content, and live performances throughout the seven-week event.
The release follows “Ascension (Alesso Remix)”, a reimagining of the Esports World Cup’s orchestral theme by Alesso, featuring acclaimed cellist Tina Guo. Both tracks are part of EWC Music, a long-term initiative launched in April 2025 to develop an original music identity for the tournament. The programme began with the recording of a four-track suite at Abbey Road Studios by award-winning composers 2WEI and Hollywood Scoring, and continues with global artist collaborations and live performances.
Through original scores, artist-led tracks, and live performances, EWC Music aims to elevate every moment of the Esports World Cup – from broadcast highlights to trophy lifts and stadium shows.
The Esports World Cup 2025 Opening Ceremony will be headlined by Post Malone. A nine-times diamond-certified artist and lifelong gamer, he has deep ties to the esports world – from streaming Warzone and PUBG to collaborating on in-game events, including his recent Apex Legends crossover. His exclusive performance at EWC 2025 will blend chart-topping sound with a tribute to gaming culture on the world’s biggest esports stage.
The official Song of the Year artists also bring strong music ties to gaming: Duckwrth’s “Start a Riot” featured on the Spider-Verse soundtrack, while The Word Alive’s “RISE” was the 2018 League of Legends Worlds anthem, now streamed over 300 million times.
The Esports World Cup 2025 will once again unite the global esports community in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, bringing together over 2,000 elite players and 200 Clubs from more than 100 countries. Players will compete in 25 tournaments across 24 titles for a record-breaking $70+ million prize pool – the largest in esports history.
Tickets, including access to the Opening Ceremony, are now available at esportsworldcup.com.
To learn more about the Esports World Cup, visit esportsworldcup.com and follow the Esports World Cup Foundation on LinkedIn. Esports World Cup: Level Up, the five-part documentary directed by Emmy Award-winner R.J. Cutler, is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video.
The post Esports World Cup 2025 Unveils Official Song of the Year and Full Opening Ceremony Line-up appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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LGUs, state university get Php20-M emergency vehicles from PAGCOR
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation on Thursday, June 26, turned over ten Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) worth Php20 million to several local government units and a state university to enhance their emergency medical services.
During the turnover ceremony at the PAGCOR Corporate Office in Pasay City, six PTVs were awarded to the municipalities of Palanan, Quezon, San Isidro, Cabagan, San Mariano, and San Pablo, all in Isabela province.
The City of Parañaque, the municipalities of Tanauan in Batangas and Balabac in Palawan as well as the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte also received one PTV unit each.
Each vehicle is fitted with a GPS navigation system and essential medical equipment such as an ambulance stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, and first aid kit.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco joins officials from nine local government units and the Mariano Marcos State University for a photo opportunity during the turnover of 10 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) last June 26, 2025.
PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco said the PTV distribution is part of the agency’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery and to enhance access to medical services especially in geographically isolated communities.
“We want to ensure that even remote areas have the means to respond to medical emergencies. This is part of PAGCOR’s commitment to reach communities that need government support the most,” Mr. Tengco said.
“‘Yan po ang hangad ng PAGCOR; salamat sa pagkakataong makatulong at makapaglingkod sa inyo,” Mr. Tengco told the PTV recipients during the turnover event.
PAGCOR Vice President for the Corporate Social Responsibility Group Ramon Stephen Villaflor (2nd from left) and Assistant Vice President for Community Relations and Services Eric Balcos (far left) hand over the ceremonial vehicle key to Atty. Christopher A. Mamauag (3rd from left), Mayor of Cabagan, Isabela.
Mayor Christopher A. Mamauag of Cabagan, Isabela – a town where travel to tertiary hospitals takes several hours – expressed gratitude for the assistance and said the vehicle will significantly boost the town’s emergency response capabilities.
“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat kay President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at sa PAGCOR, sa pamumuno ni Chairman Alejandro Tengco, sa pagpapaunlak sa aming kahilingan na magkaroon ng Patient Transport Vehicle para sa aming mga kababayan sa bayan ng Cabagan.
“Malaking tulong po ito at gagamitin namin ito ng wasto,” he said.
Each patient transport vehicle donated by PAGCOR is equipped with a GPS navigation system, an ambulance stretcher with mounted restraining system, medical oxygen, a wheelchair, and a first aid kit.
The post LGUs, state university get Php20-M emergency vehicles from PAGCOR appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Evolution Launches First Live Casino Studio in the Philippines
Evolution has announced that its first-ever live casino studio in Asia went live today.
Located in Cebu, the Philippines, the studio marks a significant milestone in Evolution’s Asia-Pacific expansion and serves the regulated Philippine online gaming market, which is the first licensed iGaming jurisdiction in Asia.
The new operation launches in partnership with One Visaya Gaming Corporation (OVG), an industry leading company which operates with strict adherence to PAGCOR’S (Philippines Amusement and Gaming Corporation) code of conduct. This collaboration allows Evolution to offer its trusted live casino content to operators licensed in the Philippines.
Evolution’s state-of-the-art live casino studio in Cebu will initially offer Baccarat tables. Lightning Roulette and other game shows — including Marble Race and the standout Super Color Game, designed especially for players in the Philippines — are due to launch later this year. This new studio marks a major step in Evolution’s commitment to delivering localised, fully compliant entertainment tailored to regional markets.
Gionata La Torre, Evolution’s Chief Executive Officer for Europe, said: “We’re proud to launch our first live casino studio in Asia in the Philippines and be part of its regulated online gaming market. This new studio is a major milestone in our long-term commitment to the region. Partnering with OVG allows us to deliver world-class live content tailored to local preferences through licensed operators.”
La Torre added: “With player favourites available from day one and more exciting titles on the way, our focus remains on quality, innovation, and localisation — the keys to building trust and lasting engagement in any market.”
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The post Evolution Launches First Live Casino Studio in the Philippines appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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