Latest News

Exclusive Q&A w/ Luke Sammut, Director of Finance & Accounting at Booming Games

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Can you tell us a little more about your role at Booming Games?

In my role as the Director of Finance & Accounting at Booming Games, I oversee our finance team and the financial strategy of the group. Our department’s responsibilities range from day-to-day accounting operations to more complex tasks such as financial planning and analysis.

Joining Booming Games in its early stages was both a challenge and an exciting opportunity to build the finance function from scratch. Each step in establishing internal processes, implementing new finance tools and software, and so much more, helped in making the department a valuable business partner within the company. Seeing all these pieces come together has been very rewarding.

Over the years, it has become more and more important for my role to ensure that the department is well-equipped to support the business in scaling up its operations, developing long-term financial planning and most importantly ensuring financial stability. All very important for the business to be able to make well-informed decisions. My role and that of our department has grown to extend beyond the traditional finance functions but to be a strong pillar of our organisation.

What career path did you take to get into the industry and your current role?

I started my journey in the iGaming industry after a three-year stint as an auditor at PwC Malta, where I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by some of the best minds in the profession. Working in such a high standard and demanding environment was a very important part of my career in building a strong technical expertise in the field.

Moving to Booming Games in 2017 as a Senior Accountant was a significant transition motivated by the sector’s dynamic environment as well as the opportunity to be part of a growing company. Every stage in advancing to my current position has been a path marked with significant personal and company achievements, making it an incredible journey!

What is the most challenging part about your role?

Dealing with challenges is a continuous aspect of my role. Central to these challenges is the need for continuous learning to keep up to date with professional standards and the industry.

Another aspect is balancing between being process-oriented and having robust controls whilst remaining agile. Equipping our team with the right tools at the right time is important to achieve this. At Booming Games, we’re committed to embrace technology, and we constantly strive to be aligned with the latest advancements in our field.

Building a strong and dedicated team is probably the biggest challenge. Overcoming this has been crucial for our success. It is not simply about increasing headcount but making sure that our people grow on a personal level by providing opportunities for professional development and good leadership. This not only increases our department’s capabilities, but with their support it becomes much easier to navigate through the complexities of our role. I am proud to say that within Booming Games, our team transformed the perception of finance being primarily administrative to being a key business partner.

What is the most rewarding part? What does success look like for you?

Seeing Booming Games reach new heights and knowing that my role played an important part in that journey is particularly satisfying. But the most rewarding part is the success in building a team of hard-working and exceptionally talented individuals with a very strong sense of teamwork and collaboration. Observing their development and growth over time is motivating.

As for my view on success, it includes two main elements. Firstly, it involves the company achieving its objectives and milestones. Secondly, and equally important, is fostering a great company culture and values which sets an environment where team members feel valued, challenged, and engaged. True success is achieving these two aspects simultaneously.

What would you say to someone looking to get into the industry? What are the pros/cons?

The iGaming industry is characterised by a forward-thinking nature, constantly evolving through innovation and creativity. Personally, I find this super exciting as it keeps the day-to-day job interesting. However, I do understand that this can be challenging for those who prefer a more constant environment.

To those looking to join the industry, it’s definitely a very rewarding journey, with plenty of opportunities.

Recently you have won an iGaming Idol Award. How does it feel to be considered the best of the best in this industry?

Receiving the iGaming Idol Award was a very proud moment. Each challenge and every milestone reached throughout this journey has contributed to this award. It’s a reminder that hard work does get recognised, and it motivates me to keep on pushing boundaries. Once again, a big thanks to Booming Games, our excellent team, and the judges. I’m eager to see what the future holds!

Latest News

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

Published

15 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

15 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

15 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: