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Independent slots studio Thunderkick has given its popular Day of the Dead series a Christmas makeover in Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead, fusing the spirit of two holidays in a vibrant festive fiesta.

Following the release of standout seasonal titles such as Hot Turkey and Midas Golden Touch Christmas Edition, the launch of Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead signifies the supplier’s commitment to creating bespoke, holiday-themed content that drives engagement around global celebrations.

Engineered to feel familiar yet fresh, the skulls are decked with holly and the streets lined with gifts in the 5×5 cluster pays slot, brought to life by the iconic mariachi band, which has replaced Latin American-inspired rancheras for Christmas jingles.

Symbols from winning combinations explode to leave behind wilds or exploding wilds for the following tumble, doubling the Mucho Multiplier up to a maximum of 1,024x. During the bonus round, triggered by three scatters, exploding wilds are collected, with every third awarding three extra spins and removing the lowest base multiplier, unwrapping 7,500x win potential.

Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead elevates a fan-favourite with festive flair, underscoring Thunderkick’s dedication to meeting its partners’ requests and delivering timely, culturally resonant products.

Mike Collins, Game Product Owner at Thunderkick, said: “Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead represents another evolution of the game brand, designed specifically for maximum appeal throughout the holidays.

“We strive to support operators with custom-built content, and by blending one of our most successful IPs with Christmas-themed audiovisual elements, we have given the franchise a new lease of life and produced a slot that is sure to stand out this festive season.”

The post Thunderkick swaps maracas for mistletoe in festive franchise addition Esqueleto Explosivo Feliz Navidead appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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PopOK Gaming has been shortlisted for the Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2026 in the following two categories: “Product Launch of the Year” and “Crash Game of the Year.”

This recognition reflects the company’s continuous dedication to excellence and its growing influence within the international gaming landscape. Over the past year, PopOK Gaming has introduced a number of successful new titles and innovative features that have strengthened its position as a trusted and creative force in the industry.

The Global Gaming Awards celebrate companies that have shown strong performance, innovation and impact across the EMEA region over the past year. The shortlist is the result of a thorough selection process that highlights those setting high standards in the field.

Final winners will be chosen by a panel of senior industry executives, with KPMG monitoring the voting process to ensure transparency and fairness. The award ceremony will take place on 19 January 2026, during the opening day of ICE at Fira Barcelona Gran Via.

The post PopOK Gaming Shortlisted for Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2026 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Brightstar Lottery PLC announced that it has signed a contract with Pan Malaysian Pools SDN BHD (PMP), a licensed numbers forecast operator in Malaysia, to supply and deliver 1200 Retailer Pro S2 terminals as part of PMP’s ongoing quest to upgrade its business infrastructure. The Retailer Pro S2 offers high performance, reliability and a variety of options and peripherals to meet the current and future needs of lotteries and retailers.

“Deploying Brightstar’s Retailer Pro S2 terminals will provide several added benefits for PMP, our retailers, and players. The many components of this sophisticated terminal will support PMP in our efforts to offer modern experiences for our players, reliable solutions for retailers, and enhance productivity and profitability in our business that continuously funds The Community Chest, which establishes and develops schools throughout Malaysia,” said Tan Kong Han, PMP Managing Director.

“Brightstar’s Retailer Pro S2 represents the next-generation evolution of our industry-leading Retailer Pro terminal, now more compact, powerful, and flexible. Designed for dynamic retail environments like those in Malaysia, the S2 redefines player engagement by offering a range of interactive options that elevate the experience for PMP’s players,” said Marco Tasso, Brightstar Chief Operating Officer International and Italy Operations.

Engineered for speed and reliability, the Retailer Pro S2 features a 15.6″ full HD clerk-facing touchscreen and is powered by a high-performance processor that ensures rapid transaction processing. Its ergonomic, modular design supports multiple player-facing displays and a broad range of peripherals – including barcode scanners, fingerprint readers, NFC technology and webcams – enabling flexible and engaging player interactions. This next-generation terminal reflects Brightstar’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence across diverse retail environments.

Brightstar serves nearly 90 lottery customers and their players on six continents. It is the primary technology provider to 26 of the 46 lottery jurisdictions in the US and eight of the world’s 10 largest lotteries.

The post Brightstar Lottery Signs Contract with Pan Malaysian Pools appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.