Latest News

FTDx Wins Xanada Startup Contest: Unlocking Untapped iGaming Traffic with Innovative Monetization Solutions

Published

7 months ago

December 17, 2024

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Recently, Xanada Investments announced FTDx as the winner of this year’s Xanada Startup Contest, an investment initiative of the fund. FTDx has demonstrated outstanding innovation in traffic monetization within the gambling industry, earning them the top spot.

In the interview below, Vladimir Malakchi, the CEO and Managing Partner of Xanada Investments, and Björn Nilsson, CEO and co-founder of FTDx, share their perspectives on this achievement and what lies ahead.

Vladimir Malakchi, CEO and Managing partner at Xanada Investments:

What were your overall impressions of this year’s Xanada Startup Contest participants, and why did you choose FTDX as the winner? What key factors stood out about their solution that aligned with Xanada Investments’ vision?”

VM: This year’s Xanada Startup Contest had nearly 250 applications from all over the world. The range of ideas was incredible, everything from gamification to AI-driven user engagement. What made FTDx stand out was how practical and impactful their solution is. They’ve tackled a big issue in iGaming, what to do with traffic that doesn’t convert because it’s from regions operators usually ignore. Their system turns that missed opportunity into real revenue while also encouraging first-time deposits.

We loved how FTDx backed up their idea with real numbers and a solid strategy. They’re not just solving a problem; they’re doing it in a way that scales and adds value for operators. That’s exactly the kind of project we look for at Xanada Investments-solutions that deliver results and create meaningful change in the industry.

Xanada Investments has a history of backing scalable solutions. How do you assess the scalability of FTDX’s technology, and what competitive advantage do you believe this gives them over other monetization platforms in the market?

VM: At Xanada Investments, scalability is a key factor in evaluating projects, and FTDx has shown a strong foundation for growth with its lightweight, adaptable platform. Its seamless integration with operators’ systems and focus on real-time revenue generation make it ideal for scaling across regions, especially in today’s fast-moving digital landscape.

FTDx’s major advantage is efficiency,it captures value from active users during live sessions, reducing the need for costly re-engagement strategies. This cost-effective approach works well in markets with varying tech infrastructure, including those with high mobile traffic but limited resources, enabling FTDx to tap into a wider audience.

The platform’s data-driven design supports continual optimization, allowing operators to refine strategies based on real-time insights. This adaptability keeps FTDx competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. Overall, FTDx’s scalable and proactive monetization tools provide operators with a reliable solution for driving revenue in diverse global markets.

Looking ahead, how do you envision FTDX evolving with the support of Xanada Investments? What role does their team’s expertise play in ensuring the successful execution of these growth plans?

VM: With Xanada’s support, FTDx is well-positioned to expand its reach and develop its platform to meet the growing demands of the iGaming sector. Our resources and strategic network will provide FTDx with the connections and insights needed to enter new markets, particularly in regions like Europe and Latin America, where demand for gamified, real-time engagement solutions is on the rise. Xanada’s role will not only be financial but also advisory-we’ll work closely with FTDx to refine their approach and scale their operations effectively.

The expertise within the FTDx team is a major asset in executing these growth plans. Their background in data analytics and monetization strategies means they have a clear understanding of the market’s demands and a precise approach to addressing them. This technical and strategic expertise allows them to develop solutions that are not only innovative but also grounded in practical applications. Their ability to anticipate and adapt to industry trends is a valuable strength, ensuring they can keep up with evolving customer expectations and continue delivering results as they scale.

FTDX’s ambitions to provide measurable outcomes, whether through immediate revenue generation or long-term user retention aligns closely with Xanada’s vision for sustainable growth. By leveraging our network and expertise, FTDx will have the support needed to continually innovate while expanding into new markets. Together, we envision FTDx not only as a leader in iGaming monetization but also as a standard-setter for efficiency and effectiveness in player engagement solutions.

Björn Nilsson commenting on the win of FTDx in the Xanada Startup Contest:

Congratulations on your victory! What was your strategic motivation for participating in the Xanada Startup Contest, and what advantages do you see from this win in terms of your future development?

BN: Thank you very much! I’ve had experience participating in startup contests before, including one with Triggy. While we didn’t win that time, we made it to the top 10 finalists, which was an invaluable experience for the company’s growth. As I mentioned during my podcast with Vladimir Malakchi, contests like these sharpen your game. As a former athlete, I know firsthand that nothing improves you more than competing. Whether you win or not, participating forces you to refine your pitch, clarify your message, and solidify your business plan.

Beyond this, I genuinely enjoy the thrill of competition.

Your product offers a unique approach to monetizing global visits. What inspired you to develop FTDx? What market challenges did you identify that led you to create this solution?

BN: My co-founder, Fredrik Selin, and I were active in several areas, primarily on the affiliate side, when we had a conversation with Jon Bowden, the CMO of New Jersey-regulated casino PlayStar. Jon mentioned that they were receiving a significant amount of traffic from states other than New Jersey and asked if we had any ideas about how to utilize that traffic. Intrigued, we promised to explore the issue further.

Using tools like Similarweb and Ahrefs, we analyzed traffic data from various brands, both large and small. What we discovered was staggering-there’s an immense amount of “lost” traffic out there. Millions of visits end up on 403/404 blocked pages every month, representing a massive untapped resource.

Ten years ago, this issue wouldn’t have existed. At that time, being online inherently meant being “global.” However, with increasing regulation and rising competition, operators must now specialize and dominate local markets to remain relevant. This focus inevitably results in excess traffic from markets where they aren’t operational. That’s where FTDx comes in-to unlock the value hidden within this overlooked traffic and turn it into a new revenue stream.

How do you see the success of the FTDx solution based on your clients’ experiences? How does their traffic volume change, and what positive side effects have you noticed from implementing your solution?

BN: Though we’re still early in our journey with live clients, the results so far have been extremely promising. For example, blocked traffic from our largest client has generated over 8,000 new accounts with other brands in just the past three months. This is traffic that would have otherwise gone unnoticed and unrealized.

When we enable traffic exchanges—allowing clients to receive blocked traffic from other operators—the volume of relevant traffic in their target markets grows significantly. One of the most notable positive side effects, and a point we’ve emphasized from the start, is how operators begin to see the extended value of brand marketing. They realize that their efforts reach far beyond their primary focus markets and, thanks to FTDx, can now monetize that extended reach.

The post FTDx Wins Xanada Startup Contest: Unlocking Untapped iGaming Traffic with Innovative Monetization Solutions appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

GGPoker Launches WSOP Express: Your Fast Track To Poker’s Biggest Live Events!

Published

4 hours ago

July 18, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

GGPoker, the World’s Biggest Poker Room, today announced the launch of WSOP Express, a revolutionary new series of online qualifier tournaments designed to give every player the chance to win their way into the most prestigious live poker events on the planet.

WSOP Express utilizes a simple ‘steps’ format, allowing players to embark on their journey to glory from tiny buy-ins:

Step 1: All-In or Fold 4-max Sit & Go – $0.50 or Step 1 ticket buy-in – Step 2 ticket prize
Step 2: Spin & Gold 6-max Sit & Go – $2 or Step 2 ticket buy-in – Step 2-4 ticket or WSOP Pass prize
Step 3: Turbo Tournament – $10 or Step 3 ticket buy-in – Step 4 ticket prize
Step 4: Regular Tournament – $150 or Step 4 ticket buy-in – Ring Pass or Bracelet Pass prize

Players can start at Step 1 or buy directly into any step, making the path to live tournament poker accessible to all.

GGPoker will also host special step tournaments, which participants can play to win the bigger WSOP Express passes:

Bracelet Step: Regular Tournament – $1,000 buy-in or ticket – Bracelet Pass prize
Super Step: Regular Tournament – $2,500 buy-in or ticket – Super Pass prize

Free WSOP Express tickets can be claimed through various exciting promotions, including cash game challenges and more.

The available WSOP Express passes are:

$5,000 Ring Pass: Your ticket to WSOP Super Circuit Live Events, this pass includes event buy-in plus expenses
$10,000 Bracelet Pass: Grants entry to $10,000 WSOP bracelet events, such as next year’s iconic WSOP 2026 $10K Main Event in Las Vegas
$30,000 Super Pass: The ultimate package for the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event, including your $26K entry, discounted accommodation at the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island resort, and more

A key focus of WSOP Express is to open the doors to the newly announced WSOP Paradise 2025 Super Main Event. Taking place this December at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, this monumental tournament boasts a record-breaking $60,000,000 prize guarantee, making it the largest live poker guarantee in history, shattering last year’s impressive $50,000,000 Super Main Event guarantee.

Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker, shared his excitement: “This is a game-changer for the GGPoker community, literally. Imagine starting with a tiny buy-in and winning your way into the biggest live poker events on the planet, including the record-breaking $60,000,000 guaranteed WSOP Paradise Super Main Event in the Bahamas! WSOP Express is designed to turn dreams into reality, making the pinnacle of poker truly accessible for everyone – play WSOP Express and take the fast track to the WSOP!”

The WSOP Express journey is straightforward: complete steps, earn your pass, and enter the WSOP experience. This streamlined process ensures that players can easily track their progress towards their desired live event.

Visit GGPoker today to start your WSOP Express journey and take aim at poker’s biggest prizes: ggpoker.com/tournaments/wsop-express/

The post GGPoker Launches WSOP Express: Your Fast Track To Poker’s Biggest Live Events! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Week 29/2025 slot games releases

Published

12 hours ago

July 18, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

Spinomenal has rolled out the latest addition to its iconic Demi Gods Series: Demi Gods VI Hold & Hit. In this new release, players are transported to a mystical realm surrounded by ominous mountains and swirling mists. The adventure unfolds within a 5×3 reel frame, where electric anticipation crackles around each spin. Atlas, Selene, Helios, and Hera are once again the main protagonists on a mission through ancient Greece in the hunt for glory.

Million Games is thrilled to announce the launch of Fortune Fairies, an enchanting new video slot that takes players into a mystical forest filled with magic, rewards, and a jackpot. This 5×3, high volatility slot invites players into a world, where ethereal fairies, shimmering orbs, and hidden treasures await. Designed for players who love immersive storytelling and rewarding gameplay, Fortune Fairies features two captivating bonus rounds.

GAMOMAT, one of the leading independent German software developers for slot games, has released Roman Legion Flaming Link, the latest addition to join the line-up of its hugely successful Flaming Link series. This imperious 5×3 slot marches players straight to the heart of the Roman Empire, where legionnaires must vie for victory.

PG Soft has unveiled its fantasy-fueled video slot, Dragon’s Treasure Quest. The game is presented within a 5-reel, 3-row frame and features expanding reels and multipliers. Players must track down hidden treasures while navigating through legendary lore to find Wilds and Scatters, represented by a dragon eye and treasure chest respectively.

BC.GAME is adding a dark twist to its slot lineup with the launch of Symbiote, a high-volatility crypto slot developed by Croco Gaming. Inspire by the cult comic Venom, the game invites players into a battle for control — where fusing with an alien parasite brings incredible power, but always at a cost. Symbiote draws heavy visual influence from comic book aesthetics, particularly from the Venom universe.

Get ready to don your sombrero and put your piñata smashing arm to the test in Piñateros – the brand-new Premium release from popular software provider, Swintt, where collecting six or more flaming chilis can unlock fiery rewards or one of four red-hot local jackpots. Boasting a colourful collection of symbols that serves up sugar, spice and all things nice, this exciting 5×3 reel, 50-payline slot includes fresh fruits, thirst-quenching beverages and Mexican musical instruments among its unique icons, with expanding wilds helping to create further wins.

Saddle up, slot fans! TaDa Gaming’s latest release, Bounty Frenzy, is here to ignite the reels with wild west energy, gold-studded features and nonstop action. Packed with cascading wins, dynamic multipliers and transforming Gold Frame Wilds, this medium-volatility slot delivers thrilling gameplay with a 5000x max win potential.

The chaos-loving Joker returns in Cashin’ Joker, a vibrant 3-reel slot from Play’n GO that doesn’t play by the rules. As numbers tumble onto the reels and transform into powerful multipliers, players are thrust into a fast-paced experience full of surprises and dramatic shifts in momentum. Every time the Joker symbol appears, the game shifts into another gear.

Red Rake Gaming has released Super 60 Stars, the latest addition to its acclaimed Super series, now available to all partner operators. This new release retains the fast-paced gameplay and wide variety of features that have made the series one of the most popular in the iGaming industry, while also introducing an exclusive new addition that adds even more excitement to the game. The new feature in Super 60 Stars is the “Super 60 Stars” symbol, which can appear anywhere on the reels and trigger the brand-new “Super 60 Gold X” minigame.

The post Week 29/2025 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Legends Charity Game in Lisbon to raise millions for charity

Published

13 hours ago

July 18, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

International stars of the football world are coming together in Lisbon this September for the Legends Charity Game in order to raise funds for communities suffering from the effects of war and local tensions around the world.

Timed to coincide with the SBC Summit in Lisbon, the Legends Charity Game on Monday 15 September is a highly anticipated match between Portugal Legends vs. World Legends, featuring some of the biggest names in the history of football. The Legends will compete in front of 60,000 Fans, and in front of millions of people that will watch the game online / on TV.

With strong support from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), the match will see Portuguese legends playing against footballing royalty from the Rest of the World in an event that aims to raise over €1,000,000 for selected charities in the support of communities and families experiencing extreme hardship.

Luis Figo, who won trophies across Europe as well as the Ballon d’Or in 2000, will be captaining the Portugal Legends side. He comments: “It’s always a pleasure to come back to my country and play football, especially when wearing the national team colours! Hope to see a full stadium in my hometown Lisbon for this amazing Legends Charity Game and raise funds for important charity causes.”

Joining Figo from the triumphant Euro 2016 winning squad are Ricardo Quaresma, Eliseu and Ricardo Carvalho. Champions League winners Fábio Coentrão, Maniche, Hugo Almeida, Vitor Baia, José Bosingwa and Deco will also play on the night as well as other famous Portuguese legends include Beto, Jorge Andrade, Dani, Tiago Mendes, Hélder Postiga, Nuno Gomes and Simão. They will be managed by another Champions League winner – Costinha.

They will be facing stiff competition from the World Legends squad that includes legends such as: Peter Schmeichel (Denmark), Cafu (Brazil), Javier Zanetti (Argentina), Diego Lugano (Uruguay), Leonardo Bonucci (Italy), Gaizka Mendieta (Spain), Youri Djorkaeff (France), Christian Karambeu (France), Marek Hamsik (Slovakia), Giorgos Karagounis (Greece), Krassimir Balakov (Bulgaria), Gheorghe Hagi (Romania), Edwin van der Sar (Netherlands) Henrik Larsson (Sweden), Shota Arveladze (Georgia), Javier Saviola (Argentina), and Ronaldinho (Brazil).

The match will be played in front of 60,000 fans at either Estádio da Luz (Benfica Stadium) or José Alvalade Stadium (Sporting Lisbon Stadium), which will be part of a big and exciting reveal in August when the Champions League schedule is released.

The Legends Charity Game aims to raise over €1,000,000 for a number of good causes based both abroad and in Portugal as the Football Family aims to give back to the families of the world. Funds will be raised for both international and national charities who help families and communities in need.

One of the international organisations that The Legends Charity Game will be raising funds for is the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS). Every day, the Ukrainian Red Cross teams provide evacuation support, psychosocial and first aid, provide essential humanitarian relief, support temporary shelters, help with housing restoration, and spread awareness about unexploded ordnance risks. Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers and staff work in all regions of the country to support those who need it most.

Maksym Dotsenko, Director General of the Ukrainian Red Cross, comments: “The war in Ukraine continues, and unfortunately, millions of people still need support every day. We have no right to stop. Initiatives like the Legends Charity Game are not just about the funds raised. They are about compassion, and the understanding that the world stands by us. They are about solidarity that transforms into real help for those going through the toughest times. We are grateful to everyone who takes part.”

The Lisbon-based Cáritas Portuguesa, which offers critical support to marginalised communities fighting issues such as poverty and inadequate emergency relief, is also a charitable partner for the Legends Charity Game.

SBC Founder & CEO Rasmus Sojmark explains: “We are taking our charitable endeavours up a notch this year with the spectacular football match in order to raise a lot of money for some very worthy causes. By tying the match in with the SBC Summit in Lisbon the same week, we have found a way for the communities around football and business to help other communities that are facing unimaginable hardships.”

Tickets are available to purchase via the official website www.legendscharitygame.com. See Tickets will handle ticket management of the event.

Sponsorships and Hospitality are still available in support of the event and the charities. Some of the sponsors already confirmed include iGP, Soft2Bet, Sportingtech, Vegas Legends, Spribe, SmartSoft and Alea.

Sport Global Charitable Foundation is a restricted fund under the auspices of Prism the Gift Fund (UK registered charity with charity number 1099682). All of the profits from the Legends Charity Game will support the Sport Global Charitable Foundation’s beneficiary charities across a range of causes including the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and Caritas Portugal.

The post Legends Charity Game in Lisbon to raise millions for charity appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.