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Introducing the Winners of the 2024 Game Developer Awards
Play’n GO, Playtech, Elk Studios, Pragmatic Play and streamer CasinoDaddy were some of the big names celebrating victories at the 2024 edition of the Game Developer Awards ceremony.
Concluding the final day of the highly successful CasinoBeats Summit, the illustrious awards ceremony, which took place at the Hilton Malta, was a night dedicated to honouring the remarkable achievements of the iGaming industry.
The evening witnessed the return of veteran host Trudy Kerr, alongside award-winning game developer John Romero, as they handed out 28 awards to accomplished operators, game studios and individuals. Award categories included Game Performance, Streamers, Game Creation, Game People, SlotCatalog, Casino Platform, and Best Game Release.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “The Game Developer Awards offers a pivotal opportunity to honour the remarkable accomplishments of the industry, celebrating both regional and global brands as well as individual talent. This year’s shortlist was by far the most competitive we have seen, and I would like to congratulate all our esteemed winners.”
It was a good night for Play’n GO, who secured the prestigious SlotCatalog’s Game Studio of the Year (Large) award for the second consecutive year, whilst also picking up the Game Music / Soundtrack accolade for their title Hugo Legacy.
The game creation categories saw Playtech once again take home the Game Licensed Content award for their work on Breaking Bad: Cash Collect & Link. Hacksaw Gaming was awarded Game Feature of the Year for their title Chaos Crew 2, Relax Gaming was honoured with the Game Design & Art Direction award for Money Train 4, and GAMOMAT was named winner of the Game Retro-Style award for Fancy Fruits Deluxe.
Pragmatic Play notably took home two awards on the night, winning both the Game Mechanic of the Year award for their MultiHold mechanic and Slot Legacy Title for Gates of Olympus.
The SlotCatalog categories saw GAMOMAT return to the stage to pick up their second award of the night for Best Game Development Company Central Europe, while Playson was awarded Best Game Studio In Development Countries. Reel Kingdom secured the SlotCatalog’s Game Studio of the Year (Medium) award, Fortune Factory Studios was named SlotCatalog’s Game Studio of the Year (Small) and IGT Play Digital claimed SlotCatalog’s Best Game Development Company North America.
The coveted SlotCatalog’s Rookie of the Year accolade was presented to industry newcomers Area Vegas.
In honour of the individual achievements in the industry, the Game People categories saw Andrei Filipovich of Aviatrix awarded Game Designer of the Year, Julia Aliakseyeva from BGaming named Product Manager of the Year and PearFiction Studios’ Jean-Pierre Larouche presented with the Game Composer of the Year award.
EveryMatrix won the Aggregator of the Year award, The Mill Adventure was awarded Platform Innovation of the Year, while the Best Game Release award went to Lambda Gaming for 8Bit Football Twinko.
This year’s edition saw the introduction of two new awards, the FTN Game of the Year award which was sponsored by BetConstruct and presented to Rubyplay for Mad Hit Olympic First, and the CasinoBeats Annual Community Recognition Award which was awarded to SoftConstruct for its work on BFTH Arena.
It was a big night for CasinoDaddy who took home the esteemed Streamer of the Year award, while The Slot Beasts and Haddzy were recipients of two new Streamer awards, Responsible Streamer of the Year and Next-Gen Streamer of the Year, respectively.
In the Game Performance categories, PowderKeg Studios claimed the Slot Debut award for their title Munition Mines, Stormcraft Studios won Slot to Watch for their work on Immortal Romance 2, while Light & Wonder and Netflix took home Slot Collaboration of the Year for Squid Game. The illustrious Slot of the Year award went to Elk Studios for Pirots 2.
“Last night’s ceremony was a tremendous success and proved to be a truly memorable night. I would like to thank our official partner Gaming Malta, alongside all our supporting sponsors for their help in honouring the incredible achievements of the industry” Sojmark added.
The awards ceremony concluded the final day of the CasinoBeats Summit, which saw 4,500 industry professionals convene at the InterContinental Hotel in Malta, the hub of iGaming.
The post Introducing the Winners of the 2024 Game Developer Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Check Before You Bet – Play Responsibly Ahead of March Madness

On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the 2025 March Madness tournament begins with Selection Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. March Madness is the coined name for the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, a single-elimination tournament of 68 teams that compete in seven rounds for the national championship. The penultimate (second to last) round is known as the Final Four, where only 4 teams remain.
Check out the full schedule below:
- Selection Sunday: 6 p.m. ET Sunday, March 16 on CBS
- First Four: March 18-19
- First round: March 20-21
- Second round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
- NCAA championship game: April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
With March Madness being one of the most anticipated, watched, and wagered-on events in all of sports, the Arizona Department of Gaming (“ADG”) is reminding Arizona residents and visitors to remember to play smart and bet responsibly, remaining within the bounds of the law.
“Every year, March Madness continues to rank among the top sporting events to wager on nationally, as excitement and anxiety builds as fans watch to see if their team will make it to the Final Four,” said Jackie Johnson, ADG Director. “The Department wants to use this opportunity as a chance to remind and encourage Arizona residents, as well as our springtime visitors, to make sure they are enjoying the games responsibly. Protect your bet and ensure your wagers are placed legally and thoughtfully this March.”
Sports Pools – Know What Rules to Follow
In the United States, it is common to see friends, families, and colleagues participate in sports pools for March Madness. These pools are legal as long as the state’s social gambling rules are followed. According to Arizona Law (A.R.S. § 13-3301(9)), social gambling requires:
- That gambling cannot be conducted as business, which means that hosts cannot receive financial benefit, unless they are participating in the game;
- Hosts pay out all pool money to the winner(s);
- Only participants can win; and
- Players compete on equal terms with each other.
A few things to be on the lookout for that indicate illegal gambling:
- Paying a fee to participate, including “suggested” or “voluntary” donations.
- A host who keeps a percentage of the pool for administering the game.
- A required minimum purchase to participate (food or beverage, etc.).
- Unequal odds.
- Underage participants (under 21 years of age).
ADG takes complaints about illegal gambling seriously. To report suspected illegal gambling activity, visit our website at gaming.az.gov/about/contact-us, call (602) 255-3886, or email [email protected]. You can remain anonymous.
Responsible Betting – What to Keep in Mind
With sports betting legal in the state, it has become increasingly important to educate yourself on how you can bet responsibly. Listed below are some helpful tips as part of the American Gaming Association’s (AGA)
Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly. campaign:
- Set a Budget – It is crucial to keep in mind that everyone will have different budgets; never bet beyond your own means. Be cautious and make sure you set a limit – and stick to it – if you plan on wagering. More information on how to responsibly set a budget for wagering can be found on the AGA’s Have A Game Plan website: How Much Should I Wager?
- Know the Odds – There are plenty of key terms everyone should know when making a sports bet. What’s a parlay? Over/under? Moneyline? If you decide to wager, make sure you are briefed on The Basics of Sports Betting.
- Keep it Social – Whenever gambling, be mindful that all forms of gambling are for the purpose of entertainment. This is not a way to make money. By gaming with friends, family, and colleagues, you can keep playing responsibly and have fun.
- Keep Your Cool – No one’s perfect, and in sports, winning and losing are all part of the game. Whether you’re wagering from the sidelines or watching from home, remember to keep your cool. Good sportsmanship isn’t just for the players on the field; it’s for everyone.
- Play Legally – Legal operators provide important player protections that are not found in the illegal market. Whether you are placing a wager on your phone or at a physical sportsbook, make sure you are using a legal operator in the state. Visit the ADG website to view a full list of the state’s approved operators and retail locations: Approved Operators.
You can view more information on how to bet responsibly by visiting haveagameplan.org. In recognition of Problem Gambling Awareness Month (“PGAM”), the Department wants to remind Arizonans that if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, the Division of Problem Gambling (“DPG”) urges you to get help now by calling 1-800-NEXT STEP (1.800.639.8783), DPG’s confidential helpline, texting “NEXTSTEP” to 53342, or utilizing a chat feature on the DPG website. DPG’s helpline provides confidentiality and connects callers with a master’s level counselor who can connect them with available resources, including statewide treatment providers who specialize in problem gambling.
The helpline is available 24/7 to everyone facing a problem with gambling – individuals and affected family members, friends, or co-workers. Learn more and access resources at problemgambling.az.gov. Additionally, the ADG published a press release on March 3 recognizing PGAM.
Please view the press release by visiting our website’s Media Room, as well as DPG’s PGAM toolkit for more information.
The post Check Before You Bet – Play Responsibly Ahead of March Madness appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Latest News
ACR POKER HOSTS DUAL VENOM TOURNAMENTS THIS APRIL WITH $12 MILLION IN TOTAL GUARANTEES

Building on the success of its Mystery Bounty Venom events in February, which awarded more than $10 million in prize pools and attracted players from over 70 countries, ACR Poker is gearing up for another action-packed doubleheader this spring, featuring Dual Venom tournaments with $12 million in total guarantees.
NLH and PLO players can take their shot in two massive Venom events: the $10 million guaranteed NLH and the $2 million guaranteed PLO, both starting on Sunday, April 13th at 1:05pm ET.
“Playing in prestigious events like the Venom is one of the best ways to sharpen your skills and feel the thrill of big poker,” said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. “With both the NLH and PLO Venoms running side by side, $12 million in guarantees on the line and lots of affordable ways to qualify, this is your chance to get in on the action. See you at the tables.”
The $10 million guaranteed NLH Venom spans four days, starting with the first of five Day 1 flights on Sunday, April 13th. Advancing players will battle through Day 2 on Monday, April 28th and Day 3 on Tuesday, April 29th, leading to a thrilling Final Table on Wednesday, April 30th at 4:05pm ET.
Last April, four-time WSOP bracelet winner Dominik ‘Texxassss’ Nitsche from Germany outlasted a massive field of 5,045 entries, walking away with over $1.8 million. Who will claim the NLH Venom title this year?
Omaha fans can also mark their calendars for the 3-day PLO Venom, featuring a $2 million guarantee and five Day 1 options. It kicks off with Day 1A on Sunday, April 13th, followed by Day 2 on Monday, April 28th, and the final table on Tuesday, April 29th.
Players can stay updated and easily add both Venom events to their calendar via ACR Poker’s online tournament schedule.
The direct buy-in of each Venom is $2,650, but players have the chance to qualify for as little as $0 through ACR Poker’s Venom Fever Satellites, which guarantee over 1,000 Venom seats across The Beast, Venom Madness, Direct and Mega satellites.
In addition to the flagship Venom tournaments, players can dive into ACR Poker’s revamped tournament schedule, compete in the Online Super Series with $25 million in guarantees, and take their shot at the $500,000 guaranteed Venom Warmup in April with just a $66 buy-in.
For more information on the Dual Venom tournaments, visit ACRPoker.eu.
The post ACR POKER HOSTS DUAL VENOM TOURNAMENTS THIS APRIL WITH $12 MILLION IN TOTAL GUARANTEES appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Conferences in Europe
2025 Gaming in Holland Conference announces headline speakers

The 2025 Gaming in Holland Conference, which will take place June 5, 2025, at the KIT Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam, is proud to announce its first confirmed speakers.
The Gaming in Holland Conference is THE place to meet the key decision makers in the Netherlands’ regulated gambling market.
First speakers announced
We are very happy to welcome the following key decision makers to our speaker line-up:
- Arjan Blok, CEO, Nederlandse Loterij
- Renske Fikkers, Head of Market Supervision, Netherlands Gambling Authority
- Justin Franssen, Partner, Franssen Tolboom Advocaten
- Dr. Andreas Ditsche, CEO, iGaming.com
- Josh Hodgson, COO, H2 Gambling Capital
About the 2025 GiH Conference: A Change is Gonna Come?
Recently, Teun Struycken, State Secretary for Legal Protection, announced a far-reaching revision of the Dutch Remote Gambling Act.
This month, the Dutch Lower House will hold roundtable discussions on the current state of the regulated gambling market. These roundtable discussions will be followed by an in-depth debate with the state secretary on March 27.
Naturally, this means that there will be plenty to discuss at this year’s Gaming in Holland Conference. Don’t miss it if you want to keep abreast of the latest developments.
As always, all-day networking, our traditional canal boat tour, and networking drinks at Holland Casino are included in the event.
Last but not least, the “Dutch Online Casino of the Year” award ceremony will be part of the post-conference networking drinks. Don’t miss the festivities!
Registration now open
Early bird registration is now open: https://bit.ly/GiHC2025. Don’t miss it!
The post 2025 Gaming in Holland Conference announces headline speakers appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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