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Bavaria Takes the Lead as the Best Games Location in Germany
The games companies in Germany have decided: Bavaria is Germany’s best games location. This is the finding of game’s industry barometer, where members of game – The German Games Industry Association assessed the political involvement of the individual German states for games companies. The battle for first place was a head-to-head race. North Rhine-Westphalia, which placed second in the latest rankings, had finished first in the rankings for 2023. Berlin took third place, ahead of Hamburg, after the two had shared second place two years ago. Some changes were also evident at the bottom of the rankings: Hesse, who ranked tenth out of twelve in 2023, brought up the rear this time, behind Saxony-Anhalt in 14th and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in 15th place.
“The trend of the past years is continuing: more and more German states are recognising the value of the games industry for their region and are working on better conditions for games companies. In view of the flip-flopping relating to national games funding, the German states with good game funding programmes were all the more important in the last two years. This commitment has paid off for these locations in the form of countless positive effects in areas such as the economy, innovation and society,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association.
Some of the federal states have seen positive developments since the previous rankings. The Bavarian state government is distributing funds of around 3.3 million euros in total. With the recently opened game hub DIE GAMEREI – a recipient of 560,000 euros in funding – as well as the Level Up accelerator programme and the gaming event GG Bavaria, the state is providing additional support to the companies in the region. Berlin and Brandenburg distributed record amounts for game development in 2023, with studios receiving funding totalling 5.3 million euros. Further projects are being supported by Berlin’s state government – a coalition of CDU and SPD – such as the planned House of Games. Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg and Hesse have all increased their funding budgets for 2024. In Central Germany – Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia – more funding was provided for games in 2023 than in the year before. In Saarland, the state games funding programme has been transferred to the State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digital Affairs and Energy and allocated a total of 300,000 euros in the 2024 budget – also an increase over the previous amount. Bremen most recently also provided funding in the amount of 150,000 euros. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, in contrast, remains the last white spot on the funding map: The governing coalition of SPD and Die Linke announced in their coalition agreement in 2021 that they would be supporting the games industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, though this has not yet materialised. The positive trend and strong momentum have continued in recent weeks: There have been further political initiatives to strengthen the games industry in the federal states of Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, which announced additional funding of one million euros in mid-November 2024 for the development of titles to be used in prevention and education against disinformation and Islamist propaganda, in addition to the further development of games funding.
The post Bavaria Takes the Lead as the Best Games Location in Germany appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
SlotMatrix ignites the reels of West Virginia with Wild Extravaganza launch

SlotMatrix, the world’s largest casino content aggregator, has expanded Wild Extravaganza’s reach in the U.S launching in West Virginia, alongside existing markets, New Jersey and Michigan.
Wild Extravaganza is a high-energy 5×3 video slot that packs vibrant visuals, dynamic gameplay, and huge win potential in a 10-payline experience. The game pays left to right, right to left, and even from the middle, offering players multiple chances to win on every spin.
The core feature of Wild Extravaganza is its multiplying wilds, which can stack on three of the five reels and can reveal a 2x, 3x, or 7x win multiplier.
Wild Extravaganza is fully supported by EveryMatrix’s suite of advanced engagement tools, including free spins, leaderboards, and tournaments, helping operators drive acquisition and retention in regulated U.S markets.
This U.S release is part of a recent surge of SlotMatrix exclusive games entering the market, including 3 Coin Treasures, Lara Jones Treasures of Egypt 2, and Glorious Diamonds.
EveryMatrix holds licences in key North American markets, including West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Ontario, and powers more than 300 customers globally.
Stephen Orchard, Head of Commercial Operations, SlotMatrix, said: “Wild Extravaganza is all about giving players thrilling, fast-paced action and the chance to land some seriously big wins. We’re excited to bring this experience to West Virginia as we continue our expansion across the U.S.”
The post SlotMatrix ignites the reels of West Virginia with Wild Extravaganza launch appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
SlotMatrix ignites the reels of West Virginia with Wild Extravaganza launch

SlotMatrix, the world’s largest casino content aggregator, has expanded Wild Extravaganza’s reach in the U.S launching in West Virginia, alongside existing markets, New Jersey and Michigan.
Wild Extravaganza is a high-energy 5×3 video slot that packs vibrant visuals, dynamic gameplay, and huge win potential in a 10-payline experience. The game pays left to right, right to left, and even from the middle, offering players multiple chances to win on every spin.
The core feature of Wild Extravaganza is its multiplying wilds, which can stack on three of the five reels and can reveal a 2x, 3x, or 7x win multiplier.
Wild Extravaganza is fully supported by EveryMatrix’s suite of advanced engagement tools, including free spins, leaderboards, and tournaments, helping operators drive acquisition and retention in regulated U.S markets.
This U.S release is part of a recent surge of SlotMatrix exclusive games entering the market, including 3 Coin Treasures, Lara Jones Treasures of Egypt 2, and Glorious Diamonds.
EveryMatrix holds licences in key North American markets, including West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Ontario, and powers more than 300 customers globally.
Stephen Orchard, Head of Commercial Operations, SlotMatrix, said: “Wild Extravaganza is all about giving players thrilling, fast-paced action and the chance to land some seriously big wins. We’re excited to bring this experience to West Virginia as we continue our expansion across the U.S.”
The post SlotMatrix ignites the reels of West Virginia with Wild Extravaganza launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Compliance Updates
Bacta commissioned research shows huge support for seaside arcades led by Gen Z

The findings of independent research conducted by Censuswide among a sample of 2,000 UK Nationally representative respondents aged 16+ shows that Generation Z has fallen in love with the seaside arcades so popular with their grandparents.
The research reveals that 8 in 10 respondents (81 percent) view seaside arcades as being part of British culture and it is young Brits that are banging the drum for arcades, with 90 percent of 25–34-year-olds backing their importance.
Despite overwhelming public support from Britain’s younger generations, seaside arcades continue to face a perfect storm of challenges from rising energy and staffing costs, plus the threat of increased taxation as suggested by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
72 percent say Government should do more to protect them – with 86 percent of those aged 25-34-years calling for urgent action.
The research findings confirm the central role played by seaside arcades with 72 percent of adults saying they would visit an arcade on a trip to the seaside a figure that rises to 91 percent for 24-34-year-olds.
In terms of providing accessible entertainment 55 percent say that arcades offer great value for money, making them the UK’s most affordable family day out. As a result, 84 percent confirmed they have enjoyed arcades with multiple generations of their family.
The importance of contributions to local economies featured highly in the research paper with 7 in 10 stating that arcades play a key role in regenerating seaside towns, a figure that rises to 85 percent of 18-24-year-olds.
Reflecting on the research findings Joseph Cullis, President of UK trade association, Bacta said: “Britain’s seaside arcades are a vital element of our proud tourism industry, a modern cultural icon, and have been a fun family activity for more than a century.
“It’s brilliant but not surprising to see young people are embracing them with all the enthusiasm of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents before them.
“At Bacta, we’re fighting to protect our seaside arcades from the threats of rising costs and from those who want to tax them out of existence. We hope that local councillors, MPs and the Treasury will heed the wants and needs of the British people and protect these vital institutions.”
Elliot Ball, who co-owns and runs Clacton Pier with his brother Billy, said other attractions would be at risk if arcades were taxed even more.
“I’m the fifth generation of my family – on both sides – involved in amusement arcades so this is a labour of love” he stated.
“But the threat from the government to raise gambling tax would put at risk a traditional family day out to the seaside. Trips here have been making memories for generations, and it’s great that younger people are finding the same safe, harmless fun on the pier that has been raising a smile and lighting up eyes for years and years.
“We’ve bounced back from the pandemic and the rise of staycations helps, but many of Britain’s most beloved seaside attractions will be put at high risk if gambling taxes rise.”
The post Bacta commissioned research shows huge support for seaside arcades led by Gen Z appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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