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ULTRA AND CLD DISTRIBUTION LAUNCH NEXT-GENERATION ESPORTS PLATFORM ULTRA ARENA
Ultra, a complete PC video gaming ecosystem created by AAA games industry talent from companies like Ubisoft, Playstation and Nintendo, and CLD Distribution, owner of Smartoys stores and official distributors for the largest retailers in Europe, today proudly announce the launch of Ultra Arena, a next-generation esports and tournament platform for all gamers.
Created to expand access to competitive gaming for casual gamers and pros alike, Ultra Arena will go live globally on 8th August 2023 following a series of successful closed beta tournaments. Currently, gamers often need to join a multitude of third-party websites and Discord servers to compete in their favorite games. Ultra Arena addresses this by integrating directly within Ultra’s ecosystem of PC gaming apps, bringing together tournament organization, prizes and rewards in a single intuitive hub.
In addition to major benefits for gamers, Ultra Arena provides a multitude of opportunities for publishers, esports organizations, and gaming brands to connect with their audiences. Apart from supporting tournament sponsorships and custom branding for teams and competitions, brands and organizations have the ability to create and oversee their own exclusive tournaments and events. They can also assemble highly competitive lineups to represent them by directly engaging with emerging esports talents.
Ultra Arena will host tournaments for titles including League of Legends, Overwatch 2, CSGO, PUBG, as well as games that are already available to play on Ultra Games. Tournament organizers take control of the rules and brackets to cater to various skill levels, as well as reward systems. Prize pools can be made up of Ultra’s $UOS ecosystem token, digital games, and digital collectibles. Physical licensed products such as graphics cards and keyboards can also be offered, which players can choose to keep or trade with others on Ultra’s built-in Uniq Marketplace.
Ultra’s co-CEOs – Nicolas Gilot and David Hanson – have a long track record in gaming and esports, even creating their own CSGO org in the early 2000s. Announcing the launch of Ultra Arena, Nicolas Gilot said:
“Today, esports beyond the very top professional level quickly becomes a mishmash of tournament platforms, Discord servers, and LFG groups. It’s a major challenge for competitive gamers and excludes casual gamers who’d nevertheless like to compete against similar ability players on their favorite games. By offering a convenient and user-friendly hub within the wider Ultra ecosystem, we’re making it easier for players of all skill levels to access tournaments whilst providing unparalleled opportunities for esports and gaming brands to engage their fans and communities.”
Raphael Pluta, CEO of CLD Group, said:
“After 24 years of passionate work within the gaming industry, I’m so proud of this partnership that will enable gamers to grow, compete and have fun in a safe and exciting environment. Our ambition is to connect physical products with this futuristic esports platform to offer the very best phygital experience. I strongly believe that Ultra Arena is an opportunity for retailers and e-tailers around the world to create communities, build marketing activations and grow their fan bases in innovative and authentic ways. Now more than ever, the gaming industry will show its power!”
The launch of Ultra Arena follows the successful public launch of Ultra Games, Ultra’s next-generation PC games store, in April 2023. Tournaments can be held on Ultra Arena for any suitable gaming title, regardless of their availability on Ultra Games. Ultra Arena will be regularly updated with new features such as large-scale ongoing leagues for key esports titles. To download Ultra and start exploring the ecosystem, click here.

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Fast Track releases new AI Player Churn Model
Fast Track has announced the release of a new AI-driven Player Churn Prediction Model, now available to all partners within its CRM platform. The model enables operators to identify players at risk of churning as early as the first day of inactivity, supporting more proactive and efficient retention strategies.
Built on Fast Track’s proprietary machine learning platform, FTML, the model uses seven sub-models to analyse player behaviour and make accurate predictions tailored to each operator’s player base. The system continuously trains itself on live data, ensuring predictions remain relevant and effective over time.
The Churn Model is already in use by several Fast Track partners and is fully integrated into the platform’s core workflows. Once activated, operators receive clear, actionable insights into which players are likely to churn, along with data-informed recommendations on timing and incentive levels for re-engagement.
“Churn is one of the most impactful use cases for AI in player engagement,” said Simon Lidzén, Co-Founder and CEO of Fast Track. “With this model, operators can focus their efforts where it matters most; targeting players who are truly at risk with the right offer at the right time. It’s a smarter, more cost-effective approach to retention.”
The Churn Model addresses a common challenge in the industry – overuse of reactivation bonuses – by helping teams deliver more relevant and timely incentives based on predictive insights, not guesswork.
To support the launch, Fast Track will host a live webinar on Thursday, 10 July 2025 at 16:00 CEST, offering a walkthrough of the new Churn Model and its practical applications. Save your spot at app.livestorm.co/fast-track/save-your-players.
The post Fast Track releases new AI Player Churn Model appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Evolution and Hasbro sign exclusive online live casino and slots partnership agreement
Evolution today announced it has signed a multi-year agreement with Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, to be their exclusive licensing partner for online live casino and slot games for MONOPOLY and other Hasbro Games titles.
The worldwide deal, including the USA, covers online content from all Evolution brands, including Evolution, Ezugi, NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming (BTG), Nolimit City and Livespins.
The new exclusive partnership for MONOPOLY and other Hasbro Games titles builds on a highly successful working relationship between the two companies. Evolution has already developed MONOPOLY Live and MONOPOLY Big Baller, two innovative online live casino game shows based on Hasbro’s world famous board game. Both are at the top of Evolution’s game line-up and are two of the best-performing games in all of online gaming.
As a result of the new partnership, Evolution will be the exclusive licensing partner for online casino games based on much-loved Hasbro Games properties. New games will launch from January 2026 onwards and will be showcased at ICE Barcelona 2026. Amongst the new Hasbro-based titles from Evolution brands will be Game Night, MONOPOLY Filthy Rich, MONOPOLY Roulette (all live online games with live presenters), and a number of online slot titles.
At Hasbro, we’re all about play—whether it’s classic board games or casino experiences. After a thorough RFP process, we’ve chosen Evolution as our exclusive partner for online live casino and online slots for Hasbro Games titles,” said Claire Hunter Gregson, Director Gaming Relationships. “We trust them to bring our brands to life in fresh, exciting ways for our adult fans and look forward to our partnership.
Todd Haushalter, Evolution’s Chief Product Officer, commented: “The combining of Hasbro and Evolution just feels right — we will make magic together! The bidding process was extremely competitive, but showing our commitment to innovation and excellence with MONOPOLY Live and MONOPOLY Big Baller, really helped! The team and I are incredibly excited to bring the Hasbro Games brands to all our various brands. I think MONOPOLY is the world’s best casino game brand, and we can do so many great things with it, and, of course, with many other Hasbro Games brands. It is hard to believe, but these are still the early days of online gaming, and with Hasbro we will forge a new chapter in our industry.”
The post Evolution and Hasbro sign exclusive online live casino and slots partnership agreement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification
Expanse Studios, the B2B game development division of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has received official certification from Croatia’s Ministry of Finance for its flagship game Super Heli, with additional titles in the company’s 56-game portfolio expected to receive approval in the coming weeks for the EU member state.
The certification marks a strategic entry into a market that generated US$484.70m in 2024, with projected growth at a CAGR of 8.4% during 2024-2030. Super Heli, Expanse’s most popular crash-style game, becomes the first of the studio’s titles approved for the Croatian market, paving the way for broader portfolio distribution.
Tapping Into High-Growth European Market
Croatia represents a compelling opportunity for B2B gaming suppliers, with the Online Casinos segment alone projected at US$218.10m in 2024. According to iGamingToday’s latest market research, Croatia’s gambling market will reach €720.42 million by 2025, making it one of Europe’s fastest-growing regulated markets.
Among the key market benefits are:
- Accelerating digital adoption – Internet penetration jumped from 76% in 2020 to 83% in 2023
- Over 20.6 million tourist arrivals in 2023 following Schengen Zone entry
- Over 500,000 Croatians expected to engage in regular online gambling by 2027
Strategic Value for the Company
The certification strengthens Expanse Studios’ European footprint at a critical juncture. With 56 proprietary titles and 500+ B2B partners globally, Expanse is expected to capture a meaningful share in the growing EU market.
“Croatia certification is more than market access—it’s validation of our content quality and compliance capabilities in demanding EU jurisdictions,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios. “With our flagship title Super Heli already approved and more games in the pipeline, we’re very excited for the opportunities this markets brings us”
Competitive Advantage in Regulated Markets
Croatia’s regulatory framework favors established, compliant B2B providers. Operators must obtain licenses requiring significant capital investment, and only licensed casino games operators who have at least one brick-and-mortar casino can offer online gambling. This creates high barriers to entry and positions certified B2B suppliers like Expanse as essential partners for operators.
The post Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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