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Sponsors Spotlight: Keeping in Touch with Innovation in iGaming: Meet SYNOT Games at Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024

Published

2 years ago

January 29, 2024

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Ahead of the highly-anticipated Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, organizer HIPTHER is thrilled to introduce and put the spotlight on the companies and people that help make the magic happen: our conference sponsors! These innovative, accomplished professionals and teams make magic happen everyday, and they will be joining us at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024 taking place on 26-27 March, to share insights, network and collaborate with you! Get to know them, connect, and meet them in Prague!

In this Sponsors Spotlight Interview, the #hipthers introduce SYNOT Games, Lanyards Sponsor of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, and catch up with SYNOT’s Head of Account Management, Jan Sipovsky, on iGaming innovation and the secret to industry success.

Dear Jan, thank you for joining us for this interview, we are delighted to host you! Can you please introduce yourself, providing our readers with a glimpse into your personal background and your role at SYNOT Games?

Hello dear readers. It has been nearly 20 years since I packed my bags and moved to the UK, where I started as a young enthusiast studying and later working in a field of management. Throughout my career I have moved through several industries, eventually anchoring in gambling. First as a part of the team preparing and organizing the launch of the Hippodrome Casino in London, which left a positive mark on me and this was a moment when I realized this is something I want to do until the end of my life. As the years passed and my experience expanded in various fields of gaming, I was approached by my colleagues from SYNOT Games with a humble request to share my know-how and join their team; and here I am, looking after over 140 unique games from our production, 200 clients, 1500 casinos and leading and mentoring team of 16 beautiful people from various countries which is continuously growing and expanding.

Now, let’s dive into SYNOT Games. Can you share with us an overview of the company’s operations and offerings? Additionally, are there any recent achievements or milestones that SYNOT Games is particularly proud of?

SYNOT Games is a young, dynamically growing company with a lot of drive. I always tell people that it is the most amazing business you can be in, considering none of your working days are the same – every day is unique and very special. From year to year our team expands significantly. At the moment there are four internal game developing teams dedicated to the development of the slot games for our online division, a team of professional sales representatives, account managers, compliance officers and many other developing teams taking care of our internal CRM systems and data warehouses.

From last year we added a team of table game developers, a team of retention tool developers and we are continuously working on new strategies and products to expand our portfolio and to be as competitive as needed. We have a team of dedicated account managers taking care of various jurisdictions and markets, which is split in two divisions, one in Malta and one based in Slovakia.

SYNOT Games has more than 30 years of experience in gaming, constantly keeping in touch with innovation; according to your experience in the company, and from your position as Head of Account Management, what is the “secret sauce” for SYNOT’s continuous success in the competitive iGaming industry?

We strongly concentrate on creating strategies before targeting any particular market, through thorough analyses and planning. Our vision is to be a significant, strong and valuable partner to our stakeholder in all regulated markets around the world. I do not know if there is any “secret sauce” to the success of our business, but one thing I can tell you for sure, proactive approach to business is a must, and surrounding yourself with people who have drive and willingness to learn is second must. Once you have all the tools, willingness and people who believe in your vision, it is like spreading butter on a piece of bread. Therefore my only advice would be: “Grow your people and your people will grow your business.”

In the company’s latest news, we read about SYNOT Games’ partnership with Euro Queen in the Czech Republic. What does this partnership entail, and what are the company’s goals and strategic plans for the Czech gaming market? How do these align with the current industry trends and regulatory landscape?

We value every partnership. Each and every client is being treated with the same respect. When it comes to our business partners, we all bring different expertise to the table and we all participate in our mutual success. It is very important that each and every partnership is treated with utmost respect and professionalism. We always bring to the game a valuable analytical approach and we create a unique strategy based on our clients vision and preference. It is not any different with the Euro Geen.

In terms of the Czech Market, it is not less or more important than any other market we supply our games to. Even though it is the Czech market where the story of SYNOT started, throughout the past 30 years we managed to leave a visible mark also in many other markets, not only in the Czech Republic, but Europe with ambitions and amazing plans to submit applications for the licenses in all US regulated states and Ontario.

When it comes to the Czech regulation and challenges these days, I must admit it is not very new to us, as we tackle more than 40 jurisdictions with various regulatory changes and adjustments, which brings weekly if not daily new requirements. All we must do is to be highly organized and proactive.

On the other hand, correct and insightful regulation is vital for any government’s vision to tackle black, illegal and dodgy businesses within the gaming industry, and also to secure steady and regular income for the state. Regulation shouldnt be done with a vision of eliminating gambling entirely and should be done together with operators in order to prevent players from playing elsewhere in unregulated markets, thus securing absence of income.

Considering SYNOT Games’ role as a Sponsor of the upcoming Prague Gaming & TECH Summit and your participation, what is your message to the iGaming companies and professionals attending the summit? How can SYNOT contribute to their success in the Czech market and beyond?

SYNOT brings to each and every of our partner’s valuable expertise of the market, creates the strategy and follows the vision. We believe these are the main building blocks of any successful business. My message to all participants at the Prague Gaming & Tech Summit is simple and maybe clique: “where there is a will, there is a way.”

Have a wonderful summit experience all.

Jan

Thank you, Jan, for providing us with valuable insights into SYNOT Games’ successful journey, and the company’s role in the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit. We look forward to meeting you in Prague, and appreciate your time in sharing your perspectives with our readers!

Meet Jan Sipovsky and the rest of SYNOT Games delegates at Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2024! Secure your tickets now and get ready for an exciting event!

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From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

11 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

11 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

11 hours ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: