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Opera buys owner of GameMaker and starts a Gaming division

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Opera, the browser developer and consumer internet brand, announced its acquisition of YoYo Games, creator of the world’s leading 2D game engine, GameMaker Studio 2, for approximately $10 million. The tuck-in acquisition represents the second building block in the foundation of Opera Gaming, a new division within Opera with global ambitions and follows the creation and rapid growth of Opera’s innovative Opera GX browser, the world’s first browser built specifically for gamers.

Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers at Opera, said: “With Opera GX, Opera had adapted its proven, innovative browser tech platform to dramatically expand its footprint in gaming. We’re at the brink of a shift, when more and more people start not only playing, but also creating and publishing games. GameMaker Studio2 is best-in-class game development software, and lowers the barrier to entry for anyone to start making their games and offer them across a wide range of web-supported platforms, from PCs, to, mobile iOS/Android devices, to consoles.

Annette De Freitas, Head of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Opera Gaming, added: “Gaming is a growth area for Opera and the acquisition of YoYo Games reflects significant, sustained momentum across both of our businesses over the past year. Our new Opera GX browser hit 7 million MAUs in December, 2020, up 350% year over year, while YoYo Games’ GameMaker engine achieved 400K new registered creators in 2020. We’re tremendously excited by the opportunities the combination creates not only for our combined users, but also for the expansion of Opera’s gaming community.”

Stuart Poole, GM at YoYo Games who will remain with the business alongside technical lead Russell Kay stated, “For over twenty years, the vision behind the GameMaker engine was to not just create more games, but expand development within and beyond the game studio. We think the transaction with Opera – whose products are known, trusted and used worldwide by millions of people every month- represents a massive opportunity to accelerate fulfilment of that founding vision, during a period of exceptional growth for both companies.”

“We are very excited to start working with the team at YoYo Games,” said Krystian Kolondra, EVP Browsers at Opera. “We see the Game Maker Studio platform as being an ideal acquisition to complement our global ambitions in gaming, and to help drive awareness and traffic to our Opera GX gaming browser.”

Opera GX, YoYo Games and GameMaker will unite under Opera Gaming, focusing on innovating across the gaming, game development, and browser experience. “We look forward to further growing Opera GX and driving the growth of GameMaker as part of a broader ecosystem, making it more accessible to novice users and developing it into the world’s leading 2D game engine used by commercial studios,” continued Krystian Kolondra. “Opera Gaming will be focusing on accelerating the growth of this emerging ecosystem, combining the 7+ million highly engaged gamers using Opera GX with millions of GameMaker creators. We are also thrilled to continue realizing synergies between YoYo Games’ products and Opera GX.”

GameMakerStudio is an integrated game development software, performance-tuned 2/2.5D engine that fuels many games, including multi-million hits like Risk of Rain, Undertale, or Hyper Light Drifter on an extensive range of mainstream platforms. Starting to build games with Game Maker Studio requires little to zero coding skills. Due to its extensive functionalities and ease of use Game Maker Studio lowers the barriers to entry and empowers a variety of creative people to make their games come alive and share them with the world.

Kolondra explained further: “Performance is essential to even 2D gaming, and sustaining that performance across mobile devices and laptops as well as variable bandwidth and connectivity requires thinking outside of traditional application silos. The line between building good games and good browsers has been eroding for years – with gaming interactivity across internet connections ramping up and browsers growing more multi-function and sophisticated. Traditionally the two types of technology compete for hardware and bandwidth resources. But as Opera GX proved, there was a better way to address that competition and improve the experience across both functionalities. YoYo Games’ team, development expertise and studio relationships lay the groundwork for turning the Opera GX vertical into a new kind of horizontal. This horizontal opportunity is why we’re building Opera Gaming and its infrastructure – so that we can further integrate gaming and browsing in ways beneficial to both in terms of not only monetization, but also experience.”

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Exclusive Q&A With Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame

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Online casinos are in a race to meet the growing demands of players, but many operators are being left behind. Slow payment systems, high transaction fees, and outdated software are limiting growth and hurting the player experience. But with the right tools, operators can break free from these limitations and create fluid, player-first experiences.

Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame, offers solutions that many operators have been waiting for. With NuxGame’s crypto-ready turnkey platform, operators can quickly solve common issues and roll out future-forward digital casinos that appeal to modern players. The crypto market is growing fast, with an expected $5 billion by 2030. Find out in this interview how making the most of crypto can take your casino to the next level and leave competitors behind.

The impact of crypto in iGaming is undeniable. Bar, do you believe Bitcoin is here to stay, or are we just seeing the beginning of a temporary trend?

The truth is, Bitcoin and crypto are here to stay, and it’s not just a “cool new thing” for players. They offer fast transactions, more security, and a level of transparency that players are increasingly looking for. The iGaming scene is modernizing, and those who aren’t adopting crypto solutions are definitely going to fall behind. You don’t want to watch everyone else pass you by.

So how does NuxGame support the crypto trend? What makes your platform stand out in this fast paced environment?

At NuxGame, we’re not simply handing over a crypto solution and calling it a day. We provide a fully integrated crypto casino software solution that supports multiple cryptocurrencies, but more importantly, we’re here for you every step of the way. Our customer service managers understand that each operator has unique priorities, so we work closely with you to make sure that everything works exactly the way you want it. The dashboard shows everything in real-time, while players get quicker transactions and a better overall game. And the best part is that you’re not left alone with the system integration. Our team is always ready to make your operations work exactly how you want.

I know you’ve got a lot of experience with turnkey solutions. What makes NuxGame’s turnkey casino solution a perfect fit for operators looking to add crypto into their business?

The whole idea behind a turnkey casino solution is to give operators everything they need to go live as soon as possible. When you add crypto, that means offering everything from crypto-friendly payment systems to blockchain-backed gaming for transparency and security. But the important part is that it’s not merely about putting a “crypto” label on your website and leaving it at that. We provide full integration with multi-coin support, crypto bonuses, and even real-time analytics. For operators, it’s the peace of mind that comes with knowing that upon making the switch, everything works — and it works fast. No waiting, no stress, just a revenue-boosting crypto experience. And you’ll be seeing profits in no time. Because you’ll get the tools to start engaging players immediately.

Bar, let’s talk about the notable transition from traditional casinos to online. Are operators who come from land-based casinos jumping on the crypto train? How are they adapting?

Absolutely! A lot of traditional operators are taking their first steps into the online scene and realizing crypto’s impact in it all. They already have local brand recognition, and now it’s time to take that trust and build it online. The great thing is, with crypto, they don’t have to worry about those annoying international payment delays or high fees. We help them adapt without the growing pains, offering localization for both payments and content. It’s basically taking what they already know and applying it to the online space: no need to rebuild everything. You’ve got your brand and audience — now let us help you go digital. It’s that easy.

One last thing: with all the changes happening in the iGaming space, especially with the crypto’s growing presence, what do you think operators should be focusing on in 2025?

2025 is all about speed and adaptability. Markets are moving at record pace, and operators who are stuck in the “perfect platform” mentality are going to miss the boat. Players expect fast, secure experiences, and with crypto, that’s what they get. But to keep up, operators need to launch fast, learn fast, and be ready to grow quickly. That means not over-complicating things: you don’t need to build from zero when you’ve got the right tools. With platforms like ours, operators can quickly adapt to trends, integrate new features, and focus on what really matters: delivering a fantastic player experience. The market’s moving, and those who move with it are the ones who win.

The post Exclusive Q&A With Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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First SOFTSWISS Sportsbook Network Jackpot Hits €80,294.89

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SOFTSWISS, a leading global provider of iGaming software, celebrates the first Sportsbook Network Jackpot win, which occurred during one of the industry’s largest events – SiGMA Americas.

SOFTSWISS launched the first Sportsbook Network Jackpot with an initial prize pool of €35,000. The lucky player claimed the first Jackpot on 9 April, taking home a prize of 80,294.89 – more than double the initial sum. The winning bet was a combo bet placed on live events, with a stake of €166 and a total odds of 4.38. 

The Sportsbook Network Jackpot is underpinned by a progressive, cross-operator infrastructure that enables a shared prize pool across all participating brands. Clients using the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook could join this campaign without additional individual costs while offering a grand prize to their players. The setup ensures equal winning opportunities for all players, regardless of the operator they play with.

“This is a remarkable event for our team – not only because it marks the first drop of the Sportsbook Network Jackpot, but also because it’s happening here at SiGMA Americas. We can celebrate it together with our colleagues and share the joy with the lucky player.

I see big potential in the Network Jackpot in the near future. It’s still rare in the market, but it provides additional value and entertainment for players. We are happy to announce the launch of the next campaign and invite our partners to participate in it,” stated Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook.

“Our team has done significant work to make this event happen. Previously, the Network Jackpot was available only to SOFTSWISS casino clients. Now, we’re able to offer this solution to all operators on the market – including Game Aggregator clients, clients using third-party platforms, and even Sportsbook clients.

We’re proud to deliver this engagement solution and be part of this significant jackpot drop,” commented Angelina Stasiuk, Head of Business Line at SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator.

The team is focused on providing the market with tools for engagement. Recently, the Sportsbook introduced Player Chat to enhance user engagement.

 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.

 

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Week 15/2025 slot games releases

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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

Spinomenal has released its cool new slot, City Heat. The game joins Spinomenal’s Adventures series to celebrate the tropical nightlife vibe celebrated in luxurious Miami. A stunning beachside cityscape at sunset lined with palm trees creates an inviting scene for players to jump into the action. City Heat’s Wild symbol is represented by a chic lady and will count for all symbols except free spins and bonus symbols.

Spinomenal lights up portfolio with City Heat slot

Ancient traditions meet exciting gameplay in Toutatis – the new tribal-themed release from hit software provider, Swintt, that sees players enlist the help of a powerful shaman to brew up potent concoctions that could boost their Free Spins winnings to up to 2100x! As the latest title in the provider’s ever-popular Premium line-up, Toutatis is a five-reel, 10-payline game that combines the simple gameplay of a classic land-based slot machine with an exhilarating bonus feature that can be extended up to three times for truly transformative prizes.

Swintt brews up a cauldron of wins in Toutatis

 

Push Gaming’s latest slot takes player favourite mechanics and blends them with a slot staple theme in its latest release, 10 Pharaohs. Players must brave the Pharaoh’s resting place and uncover untold riches via the beloved scatter pays mechanic. The excitement is elevated with the introduction of jackpot symbols that behave like regular versions but also award an instant prize, giving players more to aim for while ramping up the engagement.

Push Gaming expands the reelset and win potential in 10 Pharaohs

 

Inspired Entertainment, Inc., is thrilled to announce the release of Catch of the Day Extra Spins™ – the latest addition to the popular Catch of the Day™ franchise from Astra Games Studio. Now available in the UK LBO, B3 market, this new release builds on the franchise’s success with even more engaging gameplay. Catch of the Day Extra Spins is a captivating fishing-theme slot with a 5×3 reel layout and 10-win lines. Packed with thrilling features, this game offers players plenty of opportunities to reel in rewards.

INSPIRED LAUNCHES CATCH OF THE DAY EXTRA SPINS™

 

A powerful new slot sees Play’n GO revisit the world of Alador, Yasmine, and their enigmatic ally in 1001 Mystery Genie Fortunes. But peace in the Kingdom doesn’t mean all is as it seems… After overthrowing the villainous Zafar, the realm enjoys tranquillity under the rule of Sultan Alador. However, the Genie who helped secure victory has vanished into the Oasis – and whispers tell of a chest brimming with unpredictable power. This 5-reel, 20-line slot invites players to explore what secrets lie within.

The Genie Returns in 1001 Mystery Genie Fortunes from Play’n GO

 

Reflex Gaming, the omni-channel gaming supplier are back in the sands of Egypt with Anubis II DoubleMax™, an exhilarating sequel to the hit title Secret of Anubis Doublemax, developed in partnership with Yggdrasil.  Set against the majestic backdrop of ancient tombs and golden treasures, Anubis II DoubleMax™ invites players to take on a thrilling 5×3 reel journey where wins pay both ways – from left to right and right to left – giving double the chances to land a prize.

Reflex Gaming unearths epic win potential in Anubis II DoubleMax™

 

Evoplay has released Rush Riches, a feature-filled title set in a mining-themed Wild West landscape. Set across a 5×5 reel layout with up to 3,125 ways to win, the game introduces the Rocks and Drops mechanic, where blocked reel spaces are removed when adjacent to winning combinations. This creates a dynamic grid that expands with each win, unlocking more potential pay lines as the round progresses.

Evoplay strikes gold with new release Rush Riches

 

Kendoo has launched Pig Up, a playful and energetic game packed with Hold and Win mechanics and surprise-filled gameplay. Played on a classic 3×3 layout, Pig Up introduces an Extra Reel feature that expands the grid during the Bonus Game, unlocking enhanced win potential and dynamic reel interactions.

Kendoo strengthens Hold and Win portfolio with Pig Up

 

Step into a springtime fairytale with Easter Classics—Booming Games’ festive twist on a beloved classic. This 5×3 slot with up to 20 paylines brings all the charm of Easter bunnies, blooming meadows, and colourful eggs, wrapped in the timeless feel of a traditional fruit machine. Stacked symbols fill the reels, boosting your chances for sweet wins whether they land fully or partially.

 

The highly anticipated Dollar Storm slot is back, and it’s better than ever! Originally released in 2017, this fast-paced, 5×3 slot game is returning to Slotland and Winaday, now with its premiere at CryptoSlots. With newly added features, this revamped version promises to deliver bigger wins. Dollar Storm remains a fan favorite since its launch, offering 20 paylines and a bet range from $0.40 to $10, making it accessible for all types of players.

 

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