Reflex Gaming, the UK’s largest independently owned omni-channel game supplier, is setting the industry alight once again with the launch of Phoenix, a brand-new menu upgrade that transforms content delivery – and does it entirely remotely.

Following the success of last year’s Pulse to Premium menu rollout, which introduced a totally redesigned user interface and game library across GamePro cabinets, Reflex is now taking the next leap forward with the evolution of its Evo menu into Phoenix.

But this time, operators won’t need to book site visits or schedule downtime. In a true industry first, the entire Phoenix upgrade will be delivered over the air via Reflex’s proprietary Slingshot 3 system. It’s a seamless switch, no engineers, no hard drive swaps and no interruption to trading.

When machines power up, Phoenix will simply be there, fully installed and ready to go.

This bold new menu builds on the foundations of Premium but adds an extra layer of innovation and visual impact. Players will instantly notice the striking new interface, featuring a flaming orange and red colour palette, red edge-lit LED integration and intuitive scroll functionality designed to spark curiosity and ignite session starts.

The menu will feature a curated “shop window” of 18 proven titles, including Gold Knight, Lucky Gems and the top title Big Game Fishing with the Gamble+ feature, giving operators a fresh and exciting mix to drive cashbox performance.

The Phoenix upgrade will roll out automatically across all existing Evo menus on the cabinets including Game Master, Game Master 2, DigiSlots, Atom, Genie and Chrome Stars cabinets. New and pre-loved Game Master 2 units sold from July will also feature matching door and input panel livery, completing the Phoenix rebrand from top to bottom.

The strategy reflects Reflex’s commitment to continuous improvement across its product portfolio. The Premium menu upgrade saw an average 20% uplift in cashbox performance, and with Phoenix, Reflex is extending this proven approach across its estate – this time with zero operator intervention required.

Quentin Stott, Managing Director at Reflex Gaming, said: “Phoenix is a genuine game-changer. For the first time, we’re delivering a full menu upgrade remotely: no engineers, no site visits and no downtime. It’s seamless for the operator and delivers maximum impact.”

Tencent Games, a leading global platform for game development, publishing and operations, has announced its participation in gamescom 2025, taking place in Cologne, Germany, from August 20 to 24. This year’s showcase represents the company’s most expansive presence to date, spotlighting over a dozen groundbreaking titles from across its owned and partner studios and publishing divisions. From iconic franchises to bold original creations and cutting-edge gaming technologies, Tencent Games is shaping the future of gaming by driving innovation and fostering deeper connections across the global gaming community.

Kicking off its most ambitious gamescom yet, Tencent Games is playing a leading role in shaping a sustainable future for the gaming industry. Rick Li, Producer of PUBG MOBILE, will speak at the Playing for the Planet (P4P) Panel at the gamescom congress on August 21. Joining fellow industry leaders from Ubisoft, Unity Technologies and Xbox, Li will contribute to the panel “Level up for impact: How Consoles, Engines and AAA games are driving efficiency upstream and inspiring action downstream with players.” This discussion will highlight how different parts of the video games industry can contribute upstream by reducing emissions, while also engaging players downstream to raise environmental awareness and inspire meaningful action.

In addition, Tencent Games will share valuable insights at devcom, gamescom’s developer conference running from August 18 to 19. On August 18, sessions will explore technological innovations such as AI and anti-cheat, followed by a deep dive into the role of the audiovisual language in Delta Force: Black Hawk Down on August 19. Further, VISVISE, Tencent Games’ AI-powered game development solution will make its global debut at gamescom and devcom; the AI tools, GoSkinning and MotionBlink, will transform production pipelines and enhance development efficiency by automating character skinning workflow and motion capture. These highly anticipated new innovations and proprietary tools will be showcased at the Tencent Games B2B booth (Hall 4 & 4.2), underscoring its commitment to global collaboration and technological development.

PENN Entertainment has officially opened the doors of its new Hollywood Casino Joliet on Monday, August 11.

The $185 million state-of-the-art casino replaces the former riverboat property that operated on the shores of the Des Plaines River since 1992.

Legislators and area dignitaries, Illinois Gaming Board officials, Chicago Bears executives and NFL legend and Joliet native Tom Thayer joined the PENN team members for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Hollywood Casino Joliet then opened to the public at 4:00 p.m. and welcomed guests to experience approximately 1000 of the newest slot machines, 43 table games, a retail ESPN BET sportsbook, upscale national and Chicagoland celebrity-led dining and, above all, a premier guest experience.

“We would like to officially welcome players and guests to the all-new Hollywood Casino Joliet. After approximately 20 months of construction, we are thrilled to open the doors to this land-based entertainment destination. We are proud of our 30-year history in Will County and are committed to continuing our investment in the community by creating new jobs, providing important tax revenue, and serving as a new attraction to bring even more visitors to the area,” said Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment.

“This opening marks an exciting new era of entertainment in Joliet. We’re grateful for the support from the city of Joliet, the Illinois Gaming Board, and our business and community partners who contributed to the successful development of this new property. We look forward to delivering an elevated experience with world class dining, entertainment, and gaming options for patrons across the region,” said Todd George, Executive Vice President of Operations for PENN.

The roughly 189,000 square foot entertainment destination employs approximately 600 team members and generated around 450 construction jobs. Open seven days a week and 24 hours a day, the fun and excitement will continue 365 days a year.