The game has changed for online casinos

Published

10 months ago

December 9, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

David Natroshvili, founder of SPRIBE, the company behind Aviator, assesses the state of play for online casinos as we come to the end of 2024

For me, 2024 will go down as the year that changed the game for online casinos.

Over the past 12 months, a revolution has swept across the market in a way we’ve not seen before. From the games players play to the ways they pay, things are changing and they are changing fast.

Slots no longer dominate game lobbies and where once players used to prefer to deposit with debit cards, it’s now crypto such as Bitcoin and Ether.

The companies providing the games players play have changed, too, with some now considered among the most innovative technology and entertainment companies on the planet.

This includes SPRIBE, the company I founded.

So, what have been the biggest changes we’ve seen in 2024 and what impact have they had on the sector? Let’s get into it.

Slots no longer dominate game lobbies:

For many years, it’s been blockbuster slots from the top-tier providers that have dominated online casino game lobbies and certainly topped the player charts.

But that’s not the case anymore.

Increasingly, players are being drawn to non-traditional content in the form of Mines, Hi-Lo, Goal, Plinko and of course, Crash.

SPRIBE developed the original crash game, Aviator, which now has more than 42 million monthly players across the 4,500+ online casinos that offer it.

For those that give it a full marketing push at launch, it can account for more than 10% of total casino GGR – a remarkable figure when you think about it.

Online casinos must now offer non-traditional games if they are to engage Millennial and Gen Z players, but also meet the changing preferences of existing players.

Crash games in particular have broad appeal because of the fast-paced big risk/big reward gameplay. That Aviator is multiplayer and packed with social interaction has also been key to its success.

It’s why they are so popular with all player types and why titles such as Aviator can have a direct and significant impact on casino GGR.

Crypto casinos setting the standard for others to follow:

Aviator gets much of its DNA from the fascinating world of crypto casinos which continue to push boundaries when it comes to engaging with players and the experiences they deliver.

Regulators remain cautious when it comes to crypto, but you only need to look at the runaway success of the biggest crypto casinos to see consumer demand is incredibly strong.

Crypto casinos gave birth to non-traditional content, wrapping gambling elements around popular video games such as Minesweeper and for me, they continue to set the benchmark.

Not only that, but these casinos understand how to connect with players where their attention can be found – streaming, social media, etc – and have such powerful brand values and identities.

Then of course you have the way crypto is connected to the entire experience, and how these operators have ensured the smoothest UX.

Traditional online casinos need to take note and step up to the mark being set or risk losing more players to these brands.

Game providers entering multi-million-dollar marketing partnerships:

One of the biggest changes for me has been how studios are now directly marketing their games to players – again, this is something we have pioneered with Aviator.

This includes our first-of-its-kind partnership with the UFC which sees the Aviator logo appear inside the Octagon at Fight Night and PPC events.

It also created a brand ambassador fund which allows us to run marketing campaigns with superstar athletes such as Alex Pereira.

Other studios – I won’t say who – have entered similar deals but not quite to the same degree. We are also close to unveiling another major deal in the coming weeks.

These marketing deals drive huge awareness for Aviator and ultimately mean operators must add it to their lobbies to meet player demand.

So, there you have it – this is how the game has changed for online casinos in 2024, and I expect the pace of evolution to be just as fast in the coming 12 months.

The post The game has changed for online casinos appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

ELA Games Casts Its Latest Spell with Witches’ Book

Published

6 hours ago

October 16, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

ELA Games beckons players to step into a shadowy realm of sorcery and mystery with its newest release: Witches’ Book

Bathe in the magic as a powerful coven of three witches conjures their spells across the reels, revealing mysterious rewards and surprises. Each spin is a step toward ultimate strength, where massive riches and bubbling magic await.

The Power of the Book

In the Witches’ Book, magic shimmers in every spin. Players aim to collect enchanted pages and experience the power of each witch’s most mythical spells.

Once players gather enough enchanted pages, they complete the spellbook and choose their witch and symbol to unlock the magical Free Spins. As the witches’ power grows, every symbol has the chance to transform into a Jackpot, turning ordinary spins into powerful, enriching moments.

A medium volatility level and 94.9% RTP ensure that wins are frequent even on the base game. Additionally, multiple surprise features can arise and spread across the 5×3 reel format, making each spin a potion of excitement.

ELA Games’ Magical Touch

Witches’ Book is an enchanting embodiment of ELA Games’ philosophy regarding creative innovation and a focus on engaging gaming experiences. The games’ animations, sound design, and dynamic mechanics blend to create an atmospheric game that will have players a part of the incantation.

Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the release, “With Witches’ Book, our goal was to create a title that emphasises the visually-rich aesthetics that embody the atmosphere of the brooding festive season. Every feature and design element was meticulously crafted to keep players engaged and deliver value for our partners. Witches’ Book is an example of our development approach: leverage creativity to entertain players while driving meaningful performance results for operators.”

Discover Enchanting Riches Now

Players can dive into the mysterious world of magic and spells today, with powerful gameplay and immersive experiences.

Finish your incantation and cast a powerful, lucrative spell today.

The post ELA Games Casts Its Latest Spell with Witches’ Book appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Hits the Portuguese Fast Lane with Tiago Pereira of LeBull.pt

Published

6 hours ago

October 16, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Lisbon’s streets set the pace for Season 2 of GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives — the drive-time podcast where iGaming’s most interesting voices speak freely, in motion. Hosted by Yevhen Krazhan, Chief Sales Officer at GR8 Tech, each episode captures raw insight, candid stories, and the kind of energy you can only find on the road.

Episode 2 puts the spotlight on Tiago Pereira, Head of Portugal at LeBull.pt, the executive who helped turn a logo and a bull into one of the fastest-growing brands in Portugal’s regulated iGaming market. With more than 20 years in sports betting, affiliates, and casino operations at Placard.pt, Betano.pt, bet.pt, and Sportingbet, Tiago has led market entries, compliance frameworks, sponsorships, and full-funnel digital growth.

During the ride, Tiago opens up about:

How he found his path and his journey from architecture and computer science to marketing.
The history of LeBull.
Portugal vs. Brazil: same language, different mindset: why copy-paste doesn’t work and true localization is key.
The idea behind the LeBull Night Show, a weekly late-night comedy event.
His failed marketing project.
Trusting younger generations.
His previous approach to marketing when he joined Betano in 2017.
Why the Portuguese sports betting market relies on the casino vertical.
The next chapter for affiliation.
Network or Not Work: mascots, localization, and keeping support teams local.
A small personal detail that’s still quietly visible online for those who know where to look.
His Champion Rule: move forward with an “I need to get this done” mindset. Whatever happens, don’t stop. Stay consistent, keep moving forward, and the results will follow.

“Tiago showed us how to win a new market with discipline, curiosity, and the courage to keep moving forward,” said Krazhan.

Watch or listen to Season 2, Episode 2 with Tiago Pereira on:

Bet It Drives Season 2 kicked off with Rasmus Sojmark and keeps the pace with upcoming episodes featuring Kyrylo Korobka and Kelly Kehn. Buckle up. Lisbon’s just getting started.

The next chapter of iGaming belongs to those who play smart and play bold. Meet GR8 Tech at booth 5028-2 during SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome, November 3–6, and discover the Heavyweight Rulebook built for operators ready to scale, localize, and win.

The post GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Hits the Portuguese Fast Lane with Tiago Pereira of LeBull.pt appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Gaming in Germany Conference confirms new speakers, breakout program

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Gaming in Germany Conference, which will take place November 11 in Berlin, has added several new speakers to its already impressive agenda.

Sebastian Buchholz, Head of Licensing and Market Supervision, Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), will deliver the event’s keynote address.

The operator’s perspective will be well represented at this year’s Gaming in Germany Conference, with Christian Heins, Director iGaming Tipico; Alex Green, Vice President – Games, ZEAL Network; and Ewout Keuleers, former General Counsel, Kindred Group all confirmed to make an appearance at our event.

Naturally, attendees will also hear from both German and European trade associations, with Dr. Dirk Quermann, President, Deutscher Online Casinoverband (DOCV); Mathias Dahms, President, Deutscher Sportwettenverband (DSWV); and Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) contributing.

Willem van Oort, founder of Gaming in Germany commented: “I am extremely pleased with this year’s speaker lineup. I think it speaks of the relevance of our event, and especially the key topics that we are highlighting this year: the threat of the black market and the evaluation of the 2021 State Gambling Treaty. I see that licensed operators are highly committed to making the German iGaming market more sustainable and competitive and I am very happy that we are trusted to play a role in promoting fruitful discussion and debate on these topics.”

“As the event takes place while the evaluation of the 2021 State Gambling Treaty is ongoing, this is certainly the time to be part of the conversation,” van Oort added.

Breakout program and networking opportunities

In addition to its main program, the Gaming in Germany Conference will also feature several highly practical breakout sessions on data compliance, game certification, RG, live casino, eSports, and much more.

The full agenda, including breakout program, is available here.

In addition to a loaded program, the Gaming in Germany Conference also offers plenty of networking opportunities during pre-conference dinner, coffee breaks, lunch, and concluding networking drinks.

Practical information

The 2025 Gaming in Germany Conference takes place Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the DoubleTree Hilton Ku’damm in Berlin – just 100 meters from the magnificent Kurfürstendamm.

The post Gaming in Germany Conference confirms new speakers, breakout program appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.