Latest News
Bigly – not just another game studio. Find out how this start-up is going to help operators achieve sustainable success
European Gaming talks to Liam Mulvaney, Founder of Bigly.
Bigly is the latest studio to have launched into what is a hugely competitive space. What makes you stand out from the crowd?
You’re absolutely right when you say this is a crowded market. Today, there are more than 750 studios providing in excess of 38,000 games to operators and players. But Bigly is not just another game studio. We will be producing thrilling and entertaining content for our partners and their players, but we are positioned to be much more than just a content provider. We consider ourselves a marketing studio that happens to provide assets in the form of slots. Our unique commercial model means operators can access our games for a reliable and predictable cost, which in turn means they can ramp up marketing activity behind the titles that best meet the preferences of their players AND keep the lion’s share of the revenue each game generates. As costs rise and margins fall, Bigly is exactly what operators need to ensure sustainable success.
Tell us more about your unique commercial model.
So Bigly allows operators to access content for a capped monthly fee instead of the standard commercial model used by other studios where they work to a revenue share format. For the operator, this means if a game performs well, they hand a significant chunk of the revenues generated back to the studio. This ultimately has a knock-on effect as to the games that operators push to players and how they allocate marketing resources – this is why you often see the same slots from the same providers at the top of casino lobbies or used for promotional activity. But with our commercial model, which is sort of hybrid between a revenue share and a fixed cost system, operators have much greater flexibility over the games they give top lobby positions to, and how they market those games to players. Of course, they also know that if the game performs well, they get to keep the majority of the revenues made.
How does Bigly’s commercial model help operators beyond cost savings on content?
Our vision is to provide more opportunities for operators to push their own brand rather than Bigly. A quick example is that Bigly will not brand our games’ loader screens, but operators are free to feature their own logo if they wish. This means more brand presence from the operators. With Bigly, operators and their marketing teams can get super creative with their campaigns knowing the cost of accessing the game (or games) is fixed so the better the game performs, the more money the casino makes. In fact, the bolder the casino is in its marketing activity, the bigger the returns they will likely enjoy.
How do operators access your content?
There are a couple of ways. The first is directly through our remote game server, which is provided by our technical partner, Reelsoft. This is our preferred method of integration as it allows us to foster incredibly strong relationships with our operators while ensuring the smooth and seamless delivery of our content into markets across the world. Operators will also be able to get our games through aggregation platforms although the commercial relationship will be with Bigly – the aggregator will simply be a technical partner in the same way that Reelsoft is. This approach allows us to offer our content – and unique commercial model – to operators in the vast majority of jurisdictions from the get-go.
How does this approach to commercials and your wider business model benefit Bigly?
It gives us a major point of difference from the 100’s of other studios in the market, that’s for sure. And there’s something nice about bringing a product to the market that disrupts the status quo and genuinely revolutionises a major part of the industry. Ultimately, our approach and commercial model mean that we can provide the games and financials that operators are seeking, and, over time, this will see us become a major player in the content provision space. Of course, our approach works both ways – while our games are a predictable cost for our partners, they are a predictable income for Bigly and this really helps when it comes to establishing, growing and future-proofing the business. This can be really tough for new studios given the competitive nature of the market and the need for their games to be played at scale which of course requires top lobby positions and operator marketing activity, both of which are hard to secure for a new developer. It is important to note that the vision of this studio is for this approach to be the lifetime model for Bigly, a new way of selling and consuming content.
Your USP is your commercial model, but what about your games?
Our games are a crucial piece of the puzzle. Our commercials can be super attractive, but if our games are tosh then players just won’t play them. This is why I’ve been tapping into my extensive network to assemble an incredible team of designers, mathematicians, developers, testers and so on, as we will live or die by the quality of our content. The first games of a studio are always tough but we are confident that our slots will hit the mark in terms of quality and playability. Our first slot is Deep Sea Treasure and takes the cascading reels format, with symbols tumbling as players dive into the underwater abyss in search of big wins. I’ll be giving people a sneak peek at the SBC Summit in Lisbon, so flag me down if you want to see it in action.
The post Bigly – not just another game studio. Find out how this start-up is going to help operators achieve sustainable success appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
The Professional Darts Corporation announced that Paddy Power has extended its title sponsorship of the World Darts Championship for a further five years, keeping the iconic partnership in place until at least 2031.
Paddy Power first became title sponsor of the sport’s flagship event in 2023, and their innovative approach has helped elevate the Alexandra Palace spectacular into one of the most anticipated tournaments on the global sporting calendar.
As part of their commitment, Paddy Power has donated more than £2 million to Prostate Cancer UK across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championships.
The partnership has also seen the introduction of a pioneering nine-darter bonus: when a player completes the perfect leg, £180,000 is shared between the player, one lucky fan inside Alexandra Palace, and Prostate Cancer UK. This remarkable moment occurred twice during last year’s tournament.
The funds raised have helped support Prostate Cancer UK’s groundbreaking TRANSFORM trial – the biggest and most ambitious prostate cancer screening study in two decades – aimed at revolutionising early diagnosis through innovative screening techniques.
Beyond financial contributions, Paddy Power has used its extensive marketing channels, retail network and social media reach to encourage men to take Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker. More than 300,000 men have used the tool during the past two campaigns, with 222,000 discovering they are at higher risk of prostate cancer.
For this year’s tournament, Paddy Power has renewed its charitable pledge with “The Even Bigger 180” campaign, aiming to encourage 180,000 more men to check their risk.
This year will also see the launch of the “Darts of Destiny” fundraising challenge, where one randomly selected entrant will have the chance to throw for £180,000 live on stage at Ally Pally by scoring 180 points with nine darts.
Alongside their charity efforts, Paddy Power’s distinctive marketing creativity has enhanced the fan experience at Alexandra Palace, with a fully branded, interactive Fan Zone and a stream of viral social content capturing the unique atmosphere of the event.
The extended agreement reinforces Paddy Power’s position as title sponsor through to 2031, with this year’s Paddy Power World Darts Championship beginning on Thursday December 11 and concluding with the final on Saturday January 3, 2026.
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said: “Paddy Power has had a hugely positive impact on the World Darts Championship over the past two years.
“Their creativity, investment and passion for the sport have taken the event to new heights, enhancing the experience for fans in the arena and millions watching worldwide.
“We are delighted to extend this partnership to 2031 and look forward to building on this success while continuing to support Prostate Cancer UK’s essential work.”
Paddy Power commented: “The Paddy Power World Darts Championship is the greatest party in sport and we’re proud to extend our sponsorship for another five years. We’ll continue bringing excitement, entertainment and unmistakable Paddy Power mischief to the event, wherever it’s held.
“But above all, we’re proud to support the vital, life-changing work of Prostate Cancer UK. Our Big 180 charity campaigns have become huge, award-winning initiatives and we’re committed to helping create a world where no man dies of prostate cancer.”
The post Paddy Power Extend World Darts Championship Title Sponsorship to 2031 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Studio’s latest slot takes the pirate theme and promises plenty of explosive action with Wilds, Free Spins, Jackpots and its trademarked WinBreaker mechanic
Players are being commanded to raise the sails and brace themselves for a high seas adventure like no other in Captain WinBreaker, the latest swashbuckling slot from Northern Lights Gaming.
This pirate-themed slot sees players take the helm of a ship bound for treasures and untold riches. But make no mistake about it, they will first have to navigate rough seas.
Every spin carries the promise of treasure, triumph and thunderous wins, with players helped on their quest by a series of bonus features.
This includes Compass Wilds which turn reels into Full Stacks of Wilds for big win potential that will have players shouting “Yarrr”.
But the real loot is found in the WinBreaker Free Spins, which are triggered by landing 3, 4 or 5 Scatters to trigger an unlimited number of Free Spins.
In WinBreaker Free Spins, players collect WinBreaker values to determine the ultimate prize target while the reels keep on spinning until it is hit. In addition, treasure chests reveal Jackpots, reels upgrade and life saving bonuses wash up on the reels.
This means players are only ever a heartbeat away from a plunder worth up to 5,000x their bet.
Scott Newby, Head of Games at Northern Lights Gaming, said: “Captain WinBreaker is a swashbuckling slot built around our trademarked WinBreaker mechanic.
“WinBreaker is all about collecting symbols to set the prize, with spins continuing until players hit it. It’s thrilling and exciting, while delivering a treasure trove of big action.
“Pirate slots are always popular, but the team has put our own twist on this classic theme and created a thrilling high-seas adventure with a great combo of bonuses including Wilds, Free Spins, Jackpots and of course, WinBreaker.
“So raise the sails and brace yourselves for a pirate adventure like no other in Captain WinBreaker.”
The post Embark on a high seas adventure in Captain WinBreaker from Northern Lights Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Merkur Slots Spain has completed the acquisition of a total of eleven arcades operated by arcade operator Operjoku S.L.U. in the Basque Country. In addition, the subsidiary of Merkur Group, headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, will take over the operation of gaming machines in 108 bars previously serviced by Operkale S.L.U., a specialist in the placement of gaming machines in gastronomy in the autonomous region of northern Spain. Implemented in cooperation with the Spanish distributor Merkur Dosniha, the acquisition marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the company’s brand presence, representing its first entry into Spain’s highly profitable hospitality installation segment.
With this step, the East Westphalian corporate group continues its international growth trajectory. Meik Sellenriek, Management Board Member, Merkur Operations at Merkur.com AG, welcomed the development: “Spain is a market of great importance and long-term potential for the Merkur Group. This acquisition clearly underlines that. We are proud to welcome around 50 new employees to the company and look forward with confidence to strengthening our market position.”
Dominik Raasch, Management Board Member, Merkur Games at Merkur.com AG, said: “There are strong synergies between the Merkur Group’s business divisions. The successful acquisition of Operjoku and Operkale demonstrates how effectively we leverage these synergies to support our sustainable growth. We are particularly pleased to now offer our innovative gaming machines and games in our own arcades and bars in the Basque Country – one of Spain’s most economically powerful regions.”
The post Merkur Group Strengthens its Market Presence in Spain appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Paddy Power Extend World Darts Championship Title Sponsorship to 2031
Embark on a high seas adventure in Captain WinBreaker from Northern Lights Gaming
Merkur Group Strengthens its Market Presence in Spain
game’s 2026 industry barometer – the mood in the German games industry is beginning to brighten
IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur
Kiosk Manufacturer Says Long-Term Hardware Strategy with ASUS Softened Impact of Chip Shortages and Tariff Volatility
Hyperlocal vs. Global: Is the Future of iGaming in Deep-Market Strategy?
Inside Black Cow’s Decision To Go All In On Multiplayer
Female Protea Esports Team arrives safely in Malaysia.
Mr Vegas giveaway raises cash for Sheffield Wednesday during administration crisis
-
Latest News3 months ago
Duels for Friends in Trophy Hunter. Invite your friends and create a shared space for fun and competition.
-
Latest News2 months ago
Announcement: 25th September 2025
-
Latest News3 months ago
Flamez – A Fiery New Online Casino Contender from Ganadu
-
Latest News3 months ago
GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Wraps Season 1 with Stephen Crystal—From Las Vegas Legends to Global Gaming Leadership
-
Latest News3 months ago
AI-Powered Gamification Arrives on Vegangster Platform via Smartico
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
JioBLAST Launches All Stars vs India powered by Campa Energy: A New Era of Creator-Driven Esports Entertainment
-
Latest News2 months ago
The Countdown is On: Less Than 3 Months to Go Until The Games of The Future 2025 Kicks Off in Abu Dhabi
-
Latest News3 months ago
Adidas Arena Set to Welcome the 2026 Six Invitational
You must be logged in to post a comment Login