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Gilas Pilipinas defeats New Zealand for the first time in eight years, 93-89, in the ongoing 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers. Filipino basketball fans erupted in joy on Thursday night as Gilas Pilipinas secured a historic 93-89 victory over New Zealand at the Mall of Asia Arena. This thrilling win, chronicled by One Sports, marks a significant upset in the ongoing FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. The victory holds even more weight considering the historical dominance of New Zealand over Gilas.  According to Tiebreaker Times, this win marks the first time the Philippines has defeated New Zealand in a FIBA competition. The pressure was further amplified as it happened during the coaching debut of Judd Flavell for the Tall Blacks. The November 22, 2024 game itself was a nail-biter. Gilas showcased composure and clutch shooting throughout, especially in the crucial fourth quarter.  As reported by Spin.PH , Chris Newsome's timely three-pointer with over a minute remaining proved instrumental in solidifying Gilas' lead. This clutch shot effectively thwarted a potential comeback by New Zealand and propelled the Philippines towards victory. READ: Tony Parker, Ray Allen to Headline NBA Legends Game in Macau Justin Brownlee dominated the game with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and several other key contributions, showcasing his all-around skills. Kai Sotto also had an impressive performance with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. This win wasn't just about breaking a historical curse; it also solidified Gilas' undefeated record in the qualifiers. With a perfect 3-0 win-loss record in Group B, the Philippines is well on its way to securing a coveted spot in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025.  READ: $9.18 Billion Bet in Singapore for Lottery, Sports Betting The Filipinos triumphed with a final score of 93-89. Justin Brownlee and Kai Sotto led the scoring for Gilas Pilipinas, according to the official FIBA website. The victory sets up an exciting matchup between the Philippines and Hong Kong in their next game. In the other Group B game, Chinese Taipei dominated Hong Kong, winning 85-55. The Tall Blacks will face Chinese Taipei in their next encounter. Read related article: ACN Spotlight: Lessons for PH iGaming from Global Practices by WMLL

Zeus’ signing marks a new era for Hanwha Life Esports, while Gen.G will be banking on its old pillars with re-acquiring Ruler. Two-time World Champion Choi “Zeus” Woo-je has officially signed with Hanwha Life Esports, while Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk has returned to reigning League of Legends Champions Korea champions Gen.G.  READ: League of Legends star Zeus Leaves T1; Oner, Gumayusi Renew Zeus replaced Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon, in what seemed to be a trade-off as the latter joined Zeus’ former team T1, the team announced on November 20, 2024.  Zeus, the Worlds 2023 most-valuable player, steered T1 to its fourth world championship in front of the home crowd in Seoul. He was also a key part to T1’s second straight world championship, which was held in Paris, France.  Zeus’ departure from T1 was announced on the eve of November 19, sending shockwaves throughout the game’s esports community, as other members of T1 renewed contracts.  READ: LoL Player Keria Extends Contract With T1 Until 2026 Meanwhile, Ruler, after a long stint in the League of Legends scene in China, has signed a long-term 3-year contract with Gen.G. He will be joining fellow veteran Chovy in what the team described as a pivotal moment. “Chovy and Ruler will lead Gen.G as our unstoppable pillars until 2027!  Stay tuned as they dominate together for the next three years,” Gen.G said on X (formerly Twitter) last November 20.  Renowned for his exceptional skill and strategic prowess, Ruler is widely regarded as one of the top ADCs in the Korean League. During his stay in China, his team JD Gaming (JDG) came close to getting the coveted “Golden Road” (LoL’s version of a Grand Slam) but was shut down by the Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok-lead T1 in South Korea last 2023.  (Want to know more about betting in esports? Read the ACN Guide to  Understanding Esports Betting )   Read related article: 2024 League of Legends Worlds Finals Most-Viewed Esports Game

The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match was a goldmine for sportsbooks. It is now considered the most heavily wagered-upon fight in years. The recent boxing match between Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson was a goldmine for sportsbooks, setting new records for the most heavily wagered-upon fight in years. Paul, 27, demolished 58-year-old Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas last November 16 (morning of November 17, 2024 in Asia).  The fight, streamed on Netflix, drew a record-breaking live audience of 60 million on Netflix. Record-breaking numbers were placed on the Tyson-Paul boxing match, surpassing any previous boxing or MMA event in BetMGM's history. Speaking to ESPN, BetMGM’s spokesperson described the spectacle as the sportsbook’s most heavily-wagered upon fight. The report, however, did not mention how much was bet on.  READ: China, India Drive Rising Interest In Sports Betting: Study “Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight is the most bet combat sport (boxing + MMA) in BetMGM history,” BetMGM senior trader Alex Rella said, as quoted by USA Today.  “Paul winning was a good outcome for the sportsbook.” Craig Mucklow, vice president of trading at Caesars Sportsbook, likened the betting interest to a National Football League (NFL) Monday Night Football game, highlighting the match’s generational appeal. READ: $9.18 Billion Bet in Singapore for Lottery, Sports Betting Meanwhile, FanDuel Sportsbook data revealed that while 85% of bettors chose Mike Tyson, Jake Paul generated more overall wagering, accounting for 53% of the total bet amount. The most popular bet was for Tyson to win in the first round.Celebrities such as Shaquille O’Neal, Drake, and Connor McGregor also placed their bets.  The Tyson-Paul fight showcased the potential of live sports to drive significant betting engagement, a report by Asia Gaming Brief detailed. As Benedikt Becker, Marketing Director at Shikenso Analytics, noted, "betting on Tyson wasn’t logical, but it felt right." The social aspect of betting, fueled by social media, further contributed to the event's success. Sportsbooks capitalized on the opportunity to attract new customers, offering generous promotions and bonus bets. The event also highlighted the growing interest in micro-betting, as exemplified by Jake Paul's own sportsbook, Betr. The fight's success on Netflix has opened doors for other companies, including sports technology providers like Sportradar. Becker suggests that Netflix could integrate upselling features, such as player profiles and stats, powered by Sportradar's technology. Read related article:   Younger Casino Crowd Growing with Gaming Innovations

Discover the Sports Betting Hall of Fame class of 2025—celebrating industry icons whose impact has shaped the future of betting. Meet the newest inductees now! SBC is proud to unveil the four industry icons whose lasting legacy and transformative impact on the industry have earned them a coveted spot in the Sports Betting Hall of Fame class of 2025.  Taking place as part of the SBC Summit Americas , the prestigious ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, from 12:30 to 1:15 PM, on the ‘ North America ’ conference track in Conference Room Two.  Established in 2016, the Sports Betting Hall of Fame has become a staple of SBC events, serving as a platform to recognize the industry's outstanding individuals and their invaluable contributions. This year’s induction promises to be a memorable occasion, uniting industry professionals from across the Americas and beyond to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable industry pioneers.  Inductees into the class of 2025 include:  Chad Millman (Co-Founder, The Action Network)  Shelley White (Former CEO, Responsible Gambling Council (RGC))  Scotty Schelttler (Former Director, Race & Sports, Stardust) Esmeralda Britton (President, Junta de Protección Social in Costa Rica)  Securing a spot in the Sports Betting Hall of Fame requires an impressive portfolio of qualifications and achievements. This includes extensive experience within the industry and a proven track record of driving progress through innovative products and forward-thinking strategies.  Candidates are also evaluated on their proactive contributions towards raising awareness around sports betting, whether through educational programs, awareness campaigns, and responsible betting practices, encouraging ethical behavior and strengthening community engagement.  Sue Schneider , Advisor at SBC, said: “ The Sports Betting Hall of Fame was created nearly a decade ago, during a time of rapid evolution in the industry. Since then, we’ve witnessed incredible growth, faced common challenges, and welcomed a wave of new markets. However, something that has always remained the same is the abundance of talent and influential leadership that continues to drive the industry forward. “Beyond celebrating the remarkable achievements of this year’s inductees, the ceremony is also a moment for the industry to come together, reflect on our shared journey, and set the tone for even greater success in the years ahead.” This year's inductees will join an esteemed roster of industry leaders including 2024 honorees Staci Alonso (Former Commissioner and EVP|CMO, Nevada State Athletic Commission), Richie Baccellieri (Race and Sports Industry Expert), Christian Genetski (President, FanDuel), Jay Kornegay (Vice President Race & Sports Operations, Westgate Las Vegas) and Mike Tobin (Founder and CEO, Continent8 Technologies), alongside Barry Gibson (Former Chair of Entain Group) who was inducted in a surprise ceremony at last year’s SBC Summit .  Previous Sports Betting Hall of Fame inductees also include the likes of Denise Coates (Founder & CEO, Bet365), Victor Chandler (Founder, BetVictor), Fred Done (Founder, Betfred), Chris Christie (Former Governor, New Jersey), Pontus Lindwall (CEO & Founder, Betsson AB), Norbert Teufelberger (Co-Founder, Bwin), John Anderson (Former CEO, 888 Holdings PLC), and Ralph Topping (Former Chairman, Superbet), amongst others. Get Your Ticket to SBC Summit Americas:  Group Pass (3+)(Full Event Pass): For groups of three or more, you can gain access to all conference sessions, the expo floor, networking events, and evening parties for just $500 per person. Get your Group Pass here. Expo+ Pass: Includes access to the expo floor and all conference sessions (does not include access to evening networking events). Get Your Expo+ Pass at $95.  Operator & Affiliate Passes: Operators and affiliates can apply for free passes, subject to approval. Apply for Your Complimentary Operator Pass . Apply for Your Complimentary Affiliate Pass. Read related article: SBC Awards Europe Reveals 2025 Finalists

Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter takes on the Spartan Beast for charity, raising funds for CHIPS to provide life-changing wheelchairs for children in need. Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter will be swapping the professional challenge of delivering ICE Barcelona - the world’s biggest b2b gambling show - for the personal challenge of completing the aptly named ‘Spartan Beast’ a gruelling 21km (13.1 mile) 30-obstacle trail course notorious for its extreme degree of difficulty and for testing participants to the limits of human endurance. Taking on the lung-bursting course which includes Rope Climbs, Slip Walls and a Barbed Wire Crawl, Stuart is raising funds for CHIPS, the children’s charity which was launched by members of the gambling industry and has provided over 700 wheelchairs to youngsters with profound mobility issues. Looking ahead to the ‘Beast’, which is taking place 17 May in the Chiltern Hills, west London, Stuart Hunter  said: “CHIPS is a quite brilliant charity that’s very close to my heart. Each CHIPS wheelchair is a piece of precision engineering designed to meet the complex physiological requirements of each individual child. As a CHIPS Trustee I have been privileged to attend a number of the presentations and to see for myself the wonderful impact a chair has. Giving a child the gift of freedom opens up a new vista of previously inaccessible opportunities enabling them to navigate their world with dignity and independence, in the process enhancing and accelerating their personal development.” He added: “By completing the Beast, which is the ultimate Spartan test I hope to raise £6,000 which will ensure that one family can be fully supported. Any individual or business that feels able to contribute to my target can do so via JustGiving which is simple, fast, and totally secure. 100 percent of all contributions will go direct to cover the cost of a wheelchair and will be hugely appreciated by myself personally but most significantly by the youngster and his/her family.” CHIPS co-founder Linda Lindsay noted: “The charity was formed out of the gambling industry and the vast majority of the £4.5m that we have managed to generate has been thanks to the amazing generosity of organizations such as Clarion Gaming which has been a long-time supporter and whose contributions have enabled us to help more youngsters and their families each year. “CHIPS fundraisers have regularly pushed themselves to the limit in aid of the charity but I can’t recall anyone completing a 13-mile assault course and crawling underneath barbed wire! It’s this ‘can do’ attitude which defines our industry and I wish Stuart all the very best when he takes on what sounds like a quite formidable challenge!” Donations for Stuart’s CHIPS fundraiser can be made at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/stuart-hunter-3 Read related article: Game Nation Partners with CHIPS Charity to Empower Kids

SkillOnNet expands UK offering with BF Games portfolio, bringing 100+ thrilling slots and dice games to PlayOJO and other top brands. Play now! PlayOJO and other SkillOnNet brands add BF Games portfolio in UK rollout Global entertainment brand SkillOnNet announced today it has launched BF Games’ portfolio of cutting-edge slots and dice games in the UK. Over 100 titles from the leading game provider are now available for players at SkillOnNet’s UK-facing brands, including flagship site PlayOJO. The move represents an extension of the existing partnership between the two companies that saw the successful introduction of BF Games content to SkillOnNet brands in several .com markets.  These included Stunning Crown Cash Mesh™ , which showcases BF Games’ acclaimed Cash Mesh™ mechanic. The feature allows players to collect special symbols to trigger instant cash rewards, imbuing every spin with anticipation and excitement. The BF Games portfolio includes everything from classic fruit-themed slots to richly themed immersive video slots with cutting-edge features. Also popular are the studio’s dice games, which combine traditional slot mechanics with dice-based elements to offer a unique gameplay experience. Jani Kontturi, Head of Games   at SkillOnNet said: "We’re thrilled to strengthen our partnership with BF Games and bring their exceptional content to our UK players. Their games strike the perfect balance between classic appeal and cool, modern features, making them a great fit for our audience." Rok Hribar, CCO at BF Games said:   "Our collaboration with SkillOnNet has already shown great results in international markets, and expanding into the UK is a natural next step. We're excited to see our games reach more players through such a trusted industry big hitter." Read related article: SkillOnNet Partners with Light & Wonder, ELK Studios in Mexico

UFC Champion Valentina Shevchenko joins Stake as Global Brand Ambassador, strengthening the platform's ties with top MMA stars. Discover more about the partnership! Leading betting platform Stake proudly announces that Ultimate Fighting Championship (“UFC”) Women’s Flyweight World Champion, Valentina Shevchenko, has signed on as a Global Ambassador for the brand. One of the most iconic and celebrated athletes in combat sports, Shevchenko currently reigns as the UFC Flyweight World Champion and holds the coveted No. 1 spot in the UFC’s Women’s Pound-for-Pound rankings. A Muay Thai specialist from Kyrgyzstan, Shevchenko has dominated the MMA world since her UFC debut in 2015, and continues to build her legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. She will next defend her title on May 11 against top contender Manon Fiorot of France. With this partnership, Shevchenko joins a championship roster of Stake ambassadors that includes UFC stars Merab Dvalishvili, Alexandre Pantoja, Max Holloway, Alex Pereira, and Israel Adesanya. Speaking on the partnership, Shevchenko said: “Stake has become one of the most important and exciting partners of the UFC, and I’m proud to now be a Global Ambassador for the brand. Stake is the home of champions, and I’m excited to work with its incredible team.” Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Valentina to the Stake family. It’s rare to see a true legend of the sport still performing at the absolute highest level, and we’re excited to build a long and successful partnership together.  We feel that the Stake brand is now synonymous with the UFC, and our relationships with the very best athletes in the sport helps us continue to grow in the MMA sphere.” Read related article: Stake Announces Frankie Dettori as Global Ambassador

Discover 8 powerful ways to make your iGaming platform stand out in 2025—from player engagement to smart tech upgrades. Stay ahead in a competitive market! There are few industries as competitive as iGaming. Setting yourself apart from the competition is essential for survival, but it’s no cake walk. Here, Slotegrator outlines 8 ways to make your platform stand out in 2025 Offer hyper-personalized player experiences When it comes to the player experience, the bar has been set very, very high.  Players now expect a certain baseline of treatment at a gambling platform. They don’t want to be treated as if they were just another member of a herd; instead, they need to be treated as individuals. The strategies and technologies you need to make that happen are completely available, and if you don’t use them, players will ditch you for someone who does.  When you open any streaming service, the first thing you see is a list of shows you might like, based on what you’ve enjoyed in the past. Using AI, iGaming platforms can (and should) do exactly the same thing. When players come to your platform, the first thing they should see is games they’ve played before next to games they might like to try.  But the experience can’t stop there. Personalization is the key to retention. By using AI tools, you can give the right bonus at the right time — after a losing streak, after a long period of inactivity, etc. — as well as offering free spins (or whatever else might appeal to players) when they’re most likely to use them.  While real-time marketing will start with the right segmentation, based on age, gender, and location, going into personal details like game preferences, playing habits, and favorite brands will increase conversion and lifetime value. Localize, localize, localize Localization is more than just translation.  Every piece of content on your site should be in the local language, taking cultural considerations into account — especially regional variations of the same language. There are significant differences between the Spanish spoken in Spain and in Colombia, and in the Arabic spoken in Morocco and the UAE.  If you’re running multiple branches facing different markets, then you have to take local tastes into account. The interface that a European player will expect — smooth and minimalistic, with just enough detail for brand differentiation — will be different from those popular in Japan, which will feature all the bells and whistles of a pachinko parlor.  Aside from moments of desperation — such as the middle of a pandemic — most players won’t be tempted by obscure sports in faraway countries.  Instead, they’ll want to see local options. The content offering should reflect the tastes of the target market — not just football, but which football leagues? The English premier league is popular the world over, but bettors in Latin America and Africa, for example, have their own local leagues, cups, and tournaments that they’d love to bet on — so let them.  Make it social and embrace gamification Socializing online has become a normal part of life, especially for younger players. By offering them a place to connect with each other, you can build a community while you’re building your brand. Chat options, especially those featured in live dealer games, offer a great avenue for players to communicate with each other. Younger players have come to expect it, and view gambling as less of an experience for its own sake and more of something to do with their friends. And speaking of things to do with your friends, tournaments offer a chance for friendly competition, and leaderboards bestow bragging rights upon the high performers, creating the perfect balance of socialization and gamification.  Lightweight, user-friendly UX  Not all markets have the same bandwidth Keeping your app lightweight means it’ll be easier for players to use and ensures there will be no lag time and no dropped sessions. In fact, in some markets, lightweight apps will be the only ones that work. Some brands offer a lite version of their app that is specifically engineered to run smoothly on older devices using 3G or even 2G networks. This is especially useful when targeting developing markets like those in Africa and Asia.  On top of keeping it lightweight, it’s essential that every step of the user experience is comfortable and flows from one stage to the next, with the player’s desire never more than a few clicks away.  Everything’s better live Modern streaming technology has reached such a high level of quality that there’s almost no difference at all between going to a casino and connecting to one from your kitchen.  The live dealer revolution picked up steam during the pandemic and kept going, becoming an extremely popular vertical in global markets. With constant availability and multi-camera setups, live dealer games create a fully immersive virtual experience that players can enjoy 24/7. Additionally, there’s the social dimension, where players can chat with the dealer and with each other.  And don’t forget sports betting. In-play betting is absolutely massive, with fans of every sport eager to wager on who will score the next goal, get the next assist, or draw the next penalty. In-play betting is a great way to keep engagement going throughout the entire event.  Integrate the latest tech Crypto is no bubble.  The crypto and iGaming audiences have a huge overlap, and focussing on accepting crypto payments can even be a great way to differentiate your brand. For many players, payments in currencies like bitcoin and ethereum might even be one of their only options.  And the technology that crypto is built on, blockchain, offers even more possibilities to appeal to players.  Provably fair games, such as those from BGaming which use smart contracts to independently verify the results of every game round, have created a new level of transparency that has tremendous appeal for tech-savvy audiences. Zeroing in on this kind of tech creates a great marketing opportunity — you can clearly signal to players that your priorities are in technology and transparency.   While the NFT art market didn’t have the same staying power as cryptocurrencies, they’ve become great retention tools for brands looking to hang on to tech-centric players. NFT-based rewards systems, like the airplane avatar in Avaitrix’s highly popular crash game, give players a reason to keep coming back to your platform.  Make sure payments are fast and frictionless Payouts should be instant, or as close to it as possible. Players have zero interest in waiting around for their money to come out.  To get them on your platform in the first place, you should offer a variety of the most popular payment methods in your target market. The classic methods, bank transfers, debit cards, and credit cards, are a no-brainer, but that doesn’t mean you can stop thinking there. Every market has its favorite local payment methods. In Kenya, for example, (as well as in many other African markets) players will expect to make payments through their mobile money carrier, most often through the M-Pesa service.  And, of course, crypto is a great way to go.  Doing the research on your target market to determine the payment methods your players will expect is a great way to show players you care about their interests.  Slotegrator’s Moneygrator  is the best way to integrate the payment systems you need. Moneygrator offers over 150 payment options in over 150 currencies and 100 cryptocurrencies from over 30 providers, meaning no matter what market you’re facing, you’ll have the payment service your players expect.  Employ the latest marketing techniques To draw a modern audience, you need modern marketing.  The affiliate space has long been the keystone of iGaming marketing strategies, but recent years have seen the rise of influencers, in particular streamers on platforms like Twitch. Slot streamers can develop a huge audience, and collaborating with them can bring in a specific niche of players, so if you can find the right streamer for your branding, it’s a marketing match made in heaven.  Some iGaming brands are also reaching out to audiences and differentiating themselves with micro-content, or short videos, sometimes meme-based, spread on video platforms like TikTok and Twitter. These are a great opportunity to showcase your brand’s identity, using your unique voice and personality — the perfect way to stand out from the crowd.  “In an industry as competitive as iGaming, companies have to do everything they can to stand out from the competition,” says Slotegrator Managing Director Yana Khaidukova.  “With the right mix of personalization, gamification, social aspects, and targeted marketing, brands can compete, but they’ve got to make sure they’re doing it the right way.” Slotegrator offers free business consultations for entrepreneurs looking to start an iGaming business and established businesses looking to expand operations.  Read related article: How to prepare for 2025: Slotegrator’s tips for operators

Swintt Announces Partnership with Play North to bring Elysium Studios slots to Kansino and Pikakasino, boosting its reach in MGA and NL-regulated online casino markets. Sought-after software provider joins forces with innovative online gaming company to distribute Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt titles in MGA and NL markets Rapidly expanding online casino software supplier, Swintt, has doubled down on its mission to increase its presence in regulated markets worldwide after announcing a new partnership with Play North that will share Elysium Studios games with a wide new audience. With the deal being specifically targeted at MGA and NL-regulated jurisdictions, Swintt will now share its full library of content with Play North brands Kansino and Pikakasino, with a particular emphasis being placed on the newer Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt collection of slots. This will no doubt be the case for the Elysium Studios title, I Hate Fairytales, which plunges players into a darkly whimsical world where twisted versions of beloved fairytales set the stage for thrilling gameplay Of course, with Play North’s mission since forming in 2018 being to always put the player at the heart of the action, the new range of Elysium Studios games will assist the group in providing a more engaging experience to customers while helping Swintt raise its profile in two key markets. David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt,  said: “Increasing our presence in regulated markets has always been at the heart of Swintt’s growth strategy, so teaming up with an exciting brand like Play North obviously comes as great news for our ongoing expansion plans. “Like us, Play North are a young company with a firm focus on putting the player at the centre of everything they do – and with a strong presence in MGA and NL-regulated markets, the deal will help us share our exciting Elysium Studios titles with audiences on both of their online platforms.” Daphne Xerri, Chief Product Officer at Play North , said: “With a mission statement to always put players at the core, Play North is dedicated to bringing the very best in online casino content to customers in MGA and NL-licensed markets – and partnering Swintt will only further this aim. “In particular, the provider’s popular range of Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt games look to have all the right ingredients to really make an impact with players on both our Kansino and Pikakasino brands and we’re really excited to discover how they perform over the coming weeks.” Read related article: Swintt Partnership with Novibet Expands to Greece

BetGames appoints Maciej Smolarek as new New Chief Technology Officer, bringing top-tier tech expertise to boost innovation and expand its RNG and Live iGaming content portfolio. Leading games provider BetGames has bolstered its C-suite team with the appointment of Maciej Smolarek as its new Chief Technology Officer. Smolarek joins BetGames with a background in software development and more than a decade of experience managing high-performance engineering teams. With a track record of building sustainable engineering teams, Smolarek entered the gaming sector in 2016 and has since held positions as R&D Director of Business Applications at Huuuge Games and CTO at Yggdrasil. Smolarek’s extensive expertise in launching RNG products with scale and agility makes him well-positioned to drive forward the supplier’s strategic shift toward expanding and diversifying its RNG content portfolio. Smolarek will be tasked with elevating the quality, stability, and overall experience of BetGames products, ensuring the provider is primed for further commercial growth throughout 2025 and beyond. He will work closely with BetGames’ talented engineering teams to deliver a new wave of iGaming content in both the RNG and Live verticals. Andreas Koeberl, CEO at BetGames, said: "Maciej is joining the fast-growing BetGames business at the perfect time, aligning with our transition into placing more emphasis on our wider RNG product portfolio. "We are going through a significant transformation while growing 50% YoY, meaning execution excellence and the knowledge of how to ship games are absolutely key. "His wealth of experience in overseeing the development and launch of iGaming content makes him the ideal person to fuel our progression and ambition to build the next wave of innovative RNG content. I have no doubt he will be an invaluable addition to the team." Maciej Smolarek, CTO at BetGames, added: "BetGames has already made a name for itself as a disruptor in the Live Casino space, and I look forward to helping the company build its reputation in the RNG vertical too. "I can’t wait to get started, shake things up, and work with the product team to deliver real entertainment value to the iGaming industry." Read related article: Xtremepush Names Ashley D’Onofrio Account Director

Abelson Sports launches a player-first Bet Builder—offering unlimited combos, live markets, and a sleek interface to boost margins and enhance soccer betting. Abelson Sports, a leading provider of sports data solutions, has launched its new player-first Bet Builder product, designed to extract the maximum value for operators from its soccer betting feeds. The game-changing sports betting product, sitting within Abelson Sports’ TECH vertical highlights player prop bets across the most popular soccer markets. Crucially, it is configured to allow for unlimited leg combinations across a wide range of expanding markets, including validation to prevent any bet conflicts. Designed with the modern player-focused fan in mind, the Bet Builder’s stylised iframe delivers a superior user experience by putting markets that bettors and operators want to see at the forefront of the sportsbook offering. Pre-match, in-play and cash-out options are fully supported, while pre-built options showcase the most popular selections. The new Bet Builder product can be paired with Abelson Sports’ own extensive Football Player Markets feed to truly bring the product to life, but input sources are agnostic and originate from the operator’s own sportsbook feeds. Jeevan Jeyaratnam, Chief Betting Officer at Abelson Sports, said: “We’re proud to be able to offer operators a new, player-first betting experience across a wide range of markets and leagues. It’s a soccer betting option that gives both operators and their customers what they want through a product that is attractively presented to the end user and which is easy to navigate and simple to integrate. “While we believe it will become a valuable addition to partners that already take our Football Player Markets feed, we have developed the product to be agnostic in terms of input feeds to open it up to the widest possible market. We look forward to seeing it go live with our first customers.” Utilising the latest, highly scalable, cloud technology for a rapid, robust solution, Bet Builder is available to operators either as an iframe, which is adjustable in line with brand design guidelines, or through an API.  With various delivery options and flexible commercials available, Abelson Sports’ latest product is positioned as a new generation of bet builder technology, enabling operators to increase margins while enhancing the betting experience. Read related article: Octoplay Launches Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario

Octoplay launches Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario—marking a key step in its North American expansion with a high-performing, player-loved jackpot feature. Octoplay continues its expansion in North America by launching Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario, building on the company's continental growth strategy following its Michigan provisional license approval. This strategic launch builds on the growing momentum with BetMGM, marking a significant milestone in Octoplay's North American expansion, introducing the bespoke opt-in jackpot solution built in collaboration with BetMGM. The decision to expand the partnership with BetMGM demonstrates the strong relationship between the companies and sets a strong foundation for Octoplay's continued growth across North America. The Ontario launch builds on Octoplay's rapid market entries over recent months, including Microgame's network of 50 operators in Italy, Slovakia's leading operator Niké, and Sweden's state-owned Svenska Spel Sport&Casino. With active licenses in the UK, Sweden, Malta, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Italy, and Belgium, Octoplay continues its accelerated expansion across both European and North American markets. Jackpot Blitz has achieved a remarkable 88% player opt-in rate since launch. This performance, combined with BetMGM's extensive player base, sets a strong foundation for Octoplay's North American growth as the company prepares for launches in Michigan and additional US states in 2025. "The launch of Jackpot Blitz with BetMGM in Ontario accelerates our North American expansion plans," says Carl Ejlertsson, CEO at Octoplay . "Our strong partnership with BetMGM has enabled us to bring this innovative product to their Ontario players. With our proven track record of collaboration with top tier gaming operators like BetMGM, we're ideally positioned to drive significant growth together in regulated markets across North America." Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming Product & Content at BetMGM , said: “Ontario is a key iGaming market for BetMGM, and adding Jackpot Blitz strengthens our vast collection of games. Octoplay is part of our strategy to collaborate with top-tier partners to bring the best content to our players.” As Octoplay prepares for its Michigan launch in 2025, followed by entries into additional US states, this expansion with BetMGM represents another milestone in the company's accelerated growth. The partnership reinforces Octoplay's momentum as the company continues its rapid advancement in North America. Read related article: Octoplay & Flutter Entertainment Unveil New Slot Release