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ELA Games’ King and Flame nominated for Best New Game Release 2026

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ELA Games’ King and Flame nominated for Best New Game Release 2026

ELA Games’ King and Flame has been shortlisted for Best New Game Release at the 2026 SiGMA Europe Awards, underlining the studio’s focus on delivering immersive gameplay powered by advanced math models.

Timed ahead of the major industry gathering at Casino Maltese in Valletta, Malta, on 27 May, King and Flame secures its nomination through a distinctive visual identity and a fresh take on the Hold and Win category.

Acting as a unique hook for the title, the narrative breaks away from familiar casino storytelling by flipping classic fantasy tropes upside down. Players are thrust into a volatile realm where a power-hungry prince accidentally unleashes a terrifying Dragon Queen.

What makes the gameplay exceptional is how the mechanics constantly alter the battlefield. Regular spins feature coins that pay out their exact face value, while unpredictable Mystery Chests can shatter at any moment to award instant prizes or trigger the Grand Jackpot. The grid itself transforms when the “Tamed by the Crown” feature activates, where the Dragon Queen emerges as an expanding Full Reel Wild to deliver massive royal bounties.

As players enter the Free Spins round, the stakes escalate with column-expanding coins and a Super Bonus Wheel that doubles all rewards, bringing high-volatility action into a carefully curated medieval realm.

Marharyta Yerina, Managing Director at ELA Games
Marharyta Yerina

Marharyta Yerina, Managing Director of ELA Games, commented on the nomination: “We’re very happy to see King and Flame get a nomination at the very well-regarded SiGMA Europe awards. I know the work everyone at the ELA team put into creating an intricate backstory and graphic world for this slot. It is one of the most narrative-based titles we have released to date, and the care the team put into the design has really brought that story to life. It is wonderful to see that dedication noticed on such a prestigious stage.”

Cast Your Vote

Public voting for the Best New Game Release category is officially live. If you’ve experienced the heat of battle with the Dragon Queen, we would be grateful for your support.

Brightstar Lottery secures 3-year contract extension with TIPOS in Slovakia

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Brightstar Lottery secures 3-year contract extension with TIPOS in Slovakia

Brightstar Lottery has secured a three-year extension with TIPOS a.s., with its subsidiary Brightstar Global Solutions Corporation continuing to deliver best-in-class lottery technology and related services to the Slovak operator.

TIPOS has partnered with Brightstar for over three decades, with the current agreement, signed in 2019 and extended to 2032, delivering a modern lottery central system, next-generation retail terminals, and full support services, alongside the planned introduction of up to 2,500 mobile devices to expand accessibility.

“Brightstar Lottery continues to deliver important services and innovative solutions to help us grow lottery in Slovakia,” said Štefan Vyletel, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of TIPOS. “The success of our partnership funds a variety of good causes in Slovakia, including education and sports, and we are pleased to extend our agreement.”

“We are honored that TIPOS has entrusted us to serve Slovakia’s lottery for three decades,” shared Marco Tasso, Brightstar Chief Operating Officer International and Italy Operations. “The handheld terminals we are deploying will enable TIPOS to convert offline instant ticket sales activities to online sales at the individual ticket level, while expanding the number of points of sale locations that players can purchase draw-based lottery games. We remain firmly committed to providing TIPOS and its players with exciting and innovative lottery solutions to help drive funding for good causes in Slovakia.”

SOFTSWISS Young Fest secures five trophies at the 2026 Eventex Awards

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SOFTSWISS Young Fest secures five trophies at the 2026 Eventex Awards

SOFTSWISS has secured five accolades at the 16th Eventex Awards 2026, with recognition awarded to SOFTSWISS Young Fest, a four-day corporate festival held in Turkey to celebrate the company’s 15th anniversary.

This year, Eventex Awards received 1,405 entries from 58 countries, marking a record for the competition. SOFTSWISS Young Fest took gold in the Corporate Event category and was awarded in the following nominations:

  • Team Building – Silver
  • Data Collection and Event Analytics Technology – Silver
  • Attendee Management Technology – Bronze
  • Use of Custom-Built Technology – Bronze

SOFTSWISS Young Fest brought together over 2,000 company employees from all over the globe on the Mediterranean coast. Several days of business sessions, sports tournaments, team activities, and entertainment were all tied together by a custom-built digital platform. Leadership took part in unconventional formats, including a C-level Show where executives cooked for employees.

The team-building programme combined seven sports tournaments and four large-scale formats, linked by a shared coin-based reward system. Teams earned coins not only for winning, but for working together and completing challenges across formats. This shifted the focus from individual competition to collective engagement.

A custom analytics system tracked participation across 98 activity zones in real time, helping organisers balance activity zones and adjust the programme on the go. The same data was used for improving the participant experience through visible progress, rewards, and team standings.

The Eventex jury recognised measurable results across the SOFTSWISS Young Fest, including:

  • 9,681 tracked participation actions across team activities and tournaments;
  • 63,459 coins earned and spent through the gamified participation system;
  • 7,532 on-site and 5,249 online purchases in the merchandise store;
  • Employee NPS of 94 and an Experience Rating of 4.64 out of 5.

Commenting on the recognition, Liudmila Glasunova, Chief HR Officer at SOFTSWISS, said, “SOFTSWISS Young Fest was designed to do two things at once – celebrate the company’s 15th anniversary and give people from different teams and locations a real reason to connect. For us, it was important to build an experience where colleagues could connect naturally, feel included, and genuinely want to take part. These five Eventex awards are a great recognition of the teams behind the project and a reminder that employee events can play a powerful role in strengthening company culture when they are built around genuine engagement.”

This is the third Eventex win for SOFTSWISS. In 2024, SOFTSWISS Value Fest took home Gold for a corporate event. Last year, SOFTSWISS Kids Camp also picked up gold in the same Corporate Event category, recognising the company’s family-focused summer programme.

Bloomberry posts $2M 1Q26 loss as Solaire VIP and premium mass slump deepens

Viviana Chan
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Bloomberry posts $2M 1Q26 loss as Solaire VIP and premium mass slump deepens

Solaire operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp reported a net loss of PHP125 million ($2 million) for the first quarter of 2026, reversing the PHP3.3 billion ($53.6 million) net income posted in the same period last year, as persistent weakness in the VIP and premium mass segments at Solaire Resort Entertainment City (SEC) dragged group performance lower.

Consolidated gross gaming revenue (GGR) fell 13 percent year-on-year to PHP14.7 billion ($238.6 million), while consolidated EBITDA declined 32 percent to PHP3 billion ($48.7 million). The bottom line was cushioned by a PHP403 million ($6.5 million) gain from the sale of the Jeju Sun gaming license in South Korea and PHP358.1 million ($5.8 million) in interest expense savings from earlier debt refinancing. 

The Jeju Sun gain reflected Bloomberry’s exit from the South Korean casino market, completed in March through a demerger and share purchase agreement with a local buyer, marking the end of the group’s Jeju Sun casino operations.

The Philippine flagship property bore the brunt of the decline. Solaire Resort Entertainment City’s GGR fell 18 percent year-on-year to PHP10 billion ($162.3 million), with all gaming segments contracting. VIP rolling chip volume dropped 39 percent to PHP53.2 billion ($863.5 million), pushing VIP GGR down 29 percent to PHP2 billion ($32.5 million). Premium mass conditions also remained subdued, with mass table GGR falling 21 percent to PHP3.9 billion ($63.3 million) and electronic gaming machine (EGM) GGR down 8 percent to PHP4.1 billion ($66.5 million).

Enrique Razon, Bloomberry Resorts
Enrique K. Razon Jr., Bloomberry chairman and chief executive

“The first three months of 2026 reflected continued softness in the VIP and premium mass segments, particularly in Entertainment City,” said Enrique K. Razon Jr., Bloomberry chairman and chief executive. “We reported a net loss of PHP125 million, which was meaningfully lower than quarterly losses reported in the previous three periods.”

The Solaire Resort Entertainment City results extend a trend that has weighed on Manila’s integrated resort sector since the wind-down of the POGO industry and the broader restructuring of junket-driven VIP play in the region. Bloomberry’s premium segment underperformance comes amid intensifying competition for high-end customers among Entertainment City operators.

Solaire Resort North, Bloomberry Resorts, Philippines,

Sister property Solaire Resort North (SN) in Quezon City offered a partial counterweight, with GGR edging up 1 percent to PHP4.7 billion ($76.2 million) despite a sharp 84 percent decline in VIP GGR to PHP77.5 million ($1.3 million) on a low 1.54 percent hold rate. EGM GGR at Solaire Resort North rose 20 percent to PHP2.6 billion ($42.2 million), and property EBITDA grew 9 percent to PHP1.2 billion ($19.5 million).

Razon also pointed to external cost pressures shaping the operating environment. “We recognize that the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East is contributing to rising cost pressures across the operating environment; in response, we will intensify our cost cutting efforts to manage through the volatility,” he said.

Consolidated cash operating expenses rose just 1 percent year-on-year to PHP10.1 billion ($163.9 million) and declined 12 percent sequentially. As of 31 March 2026, Bloomberry held PHP31.6 billion ($512.9 million) in cash and cash equivalents.

Stake revamps flagship Crash game with upgraded visuals and gameplay

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Stake revamps flagship Crash game with upgraded visuals and gameplay

Stake has announced a major worldwide upgrade to its flagship Crash casino game, reinforcing another key step forward in the ongoing evolution of its Stake Originals portfolio.

Crash has built a global following thanks to a simple but high-intensity format – players track a rising multiplier and decide when to cash out before it suddenly drops. As one of the most recognisable titles in the Stake Originals portfolio, it sits at the heart of the platform’s in-house gaming identity, and this latest release sharpens both the look and the feel of every round.

The update introduces a refreshed look with a new graph crack animation that gives every round a more defined visual moment as the multiplier ends. The multiplier curve has been upgraded with dynamic colour gradients that evolve in real time – shifting from blue in the early stages, through green and purple, and into yellow as higher values are reached. A new player count display also shows how many participants are still active in each round, adding a stronger sense of shared, real-time gameplay.

Cashout responsiveness has been improved for faster, more consistent interactions during key multiplier moments allowing for a smoother performance. The update also enables uninterrupted gameplay during deployments, meaning Crash continues running smoothly while improvements are being rolled out in the background. Game payload optimisation and enhanced gameplay processing systems further reduce loading times and improve stability, particularly during high-activity periods, for a more reliable experience across all devices.

“Crash is one of those games that defines what a Stake Original feels like – quick, social, and full of tension in the best way,” said Akhil Sarin, Chief Marketing Officer at Stake. This update is about giving players a sharper, more responsive version of a game they already love, without ever losing what made it so appealing in the first place.”

Crash is one of Stake Casino’s most-played games, and the goal of this update is simple: keep what players love about it, and make everything around it feel sharper.

Moody’s sees SJM EBITDA improvement in 2026 on Casino L’Arc contribution

Viviana Chan
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Moody’s sees SJM EBITDA improvement in 2026 on Casino L’Arc contribution

Moody’s Ratings expects SJM Holdings to post adjusted EBITDA of HK$4.1 billion ($523.6M) in 2026, rising to HK$4.5 billion ($574.7M) in 2027, up from HK$3.4 billion ($434.2M) in 2025, the rating agency said on Friday. 

The improvement is primarily attributable to earnings from Casino L’Arc, which SJM acquired in December 2025, as well as gradual earnings accretion from tables reallocated from former satellite casinos.

The agency noted that the forecasts also account for ‘continued subdued earnings performance at GLP and Grand Lisboa, which is generally in line with its Q1 2026 performance.’

Alongside the forecast, Moody’s downgraded SJM’s corporate family rating (CFR) to B1 from Ba3, and lowered to B2 from B1 the backed senior unsecured rating on bonds issued by Champion Path Holdings Limited and SJM International Limited, both guaranteed by SJM. The outlook was revised to stable from negative.

‘The downgrade reflects our anticipation that SJM’s earnings growth will only be gradual over the next 12 to 18 months. Consequently, while we expect its financial leverage to improve from a very high level in 2025, it will likely remain elevated,’ said Stephanie Lau, a Moody’s Ratings Vice President and Senior Credit Officer.

SJM

Deleveraging path supported by earnings growth

The agency projects SJM’s adjusted debt-to-EBITDA ratio to improve to around 7.3 times in 2026 from 9.0 times in 2025, and to further decline to approximately 6.3 times in 2027. The improvement is driven primarily by earnings growth and a moderate reduction in debt. Moody’s expects adjusted debt to remain largely stable in 2026 before declining moderately in 2027.

According to Moody’s, the B1 CFR reflects SJM’s long-standing presence in Macao’s gaming market and the city’s favorable long-term growth outlook, while also capturing its geographic concentration, intense competition, and high financial leverage.

SJM’s liquidity position remains good, with cash holdings of HK$2.0 billion ($255.4 million), excluding restricted cash, and an available revolving credit facility. Moody’s said these resources will be more than sufficient to cover the operator’s committed capital spending and maturing debt over the next 12 to 18 months.

Wynn secures Top Workplace and People Transformation awards from HR Asia

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Wynn secures Top Workplace and People Transformation awards from HR Asia

Wynn was honoured with the “Best Company to Work for in Asia 2026” and the “People Transformation Award” in recognition of its outstanding human resource development strategy, following the unveiling of winners at the “HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2026” awards ceremony in Hong Kong.

These two accolades underscore strong industry recognition of Wynn’s excellence in fostering a people-centric corporate culture, advancing talent development, and enhancing employee wellbeing.

Commenting on the achievement, Ms. Stephanie So, SVP of Human Resources of Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace, said, “We are truly honoured to receive the ‘Best Company to Work for in Asia 2026’ and ‘People Transformation Award’ from HR Asia. These awards reflect Wynn’s strong corporate culture and our ongoing commitment to talent development.”

“Today, more than 4,800 team members have been with the company for over 10 years, and as we celebrate our 20th anniversary in Macao, this figure will exceed 50% of our workforce. This enduring trust is a key driver of our sustainable growth and embodies our philosophy that ‘Only people make people happy.’ We will continue to invest in our people and contribute to Macao’s long-term development.”

SJM

Organised by HR Asia, one of the region’s most authoritative human resource publications, the “HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia” is among the largest and most prestigious employer branding awards in Asia. The programme rigorously evaluates organisations across HR strategy, employee engagement, and workplace culture. This year’s recognition highlights Wynn’s sustained commitment to building a people-focused workplace, creating meaningful growth opportunities, and fostering a culture of care that enhances employee wellbeing and belonging.

The “People Transformation Award” further recognises Wynn’s strategic investment in structured talent development. Through a clear and progressive framework, the company supports team members at every stage—from onboarding and skills training to leadership development—enabling continuous professional growth. Key initiatives include the “Wynn Local Development Program,” “Wynn Management Foundation Program,” and “Wynn Return to School Program,” all designed to strengthen career pathways and empower long-term success.

Wynn remains committed to placing its people at the heart of its strategy, continuously enhancing its talent development approach while contributing to a more sustainable and competitive future for Macao.

Ici c’est Paris: Paris Saint-Germain are Ligue 1 champions for the fifth year in a row

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Ici c’est Paris: Paris Saint-Germain are Ligue 1 champions for the fifth year in a row

Paris Saint-Germain, an official partner of 1xBet, have defended their title and become France’s best team for the 14th time in their history.

Intriguing title race + historic victory in Le Classique

Last season’s Ligue 1 was a showcase of the Parisians’ total dominance. Luis Enrique’s side secured the title before the end of the campaign, finishing almost 20 points clear of their nearest competitors. This season brought a different story, treating fans to plenty of drama. The title was decided at the end of the campaign in a H2H clash between France’s best teams.

Lens had a sensational season, putting up a strong fight against the reigning champions, but in the end, the Parisians came out on top and claimed their 14th title. Luis Enrique’s men defended their title with flying colors, putting on a spectacular show in every match with an emphasis on attack. By the winter break, Paris Saint-Germain had already broken the club’s scoring record, netting at least one goal in 40 consecutive home games.

At the same time, the Red-and-Blues remained open to bold experiments and new debuts. In the first half of the Ligue 1 season, no fewer than 17 different players scored for the team. Luis Enrique gave young talents the chance to prove themselves, and they took full advantage of it. Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué remained the star performers of the Parisian football orchestra, but it was this season that Ibrahim Mbaye, Senny Mayulu and Quentin Ndjantou really made their mark.

Another highlight of Paris Saint-Germain’s triumphant season was their 5-0 thrashing of Olympique de Marseille on matchday 21 of Ligue 1. This was the Parisians’ biggest victory in the history of Le Classique in the French league.

The Red-and-Blues have become France’s top-scoring team by a wide margin, and complemented their league title with a place in the Champions League final for the second consecutive year. Luis Enrique’s side are rightly considered the most stylish in European football – they not only win, but do so beautifully.

1xBet congratulates Paris Saint-Germain on their well-deserved Ligue 1 title and wishes its official partner the best of luck in the Champions League final!

Zitro launches in Pennsylvania with debut at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia

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Zitro launches in Pennsylvania with debut at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia

The gaming giant Zitro has announced a new milestone in its U.S. journey, entering Pennsylvania with its first installation at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.

Legendary Sword by Zitro

Pennsylvania has been a key target for Zitro as it continues to expand its presence across regulated U.S. jurisdictions.  With one of the largest and most dynamic gaming markets in the country, it was a logical next step for the company, and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia was the ideal partner to open this new chapter.

On the casino floor, players are already enjoying Zitro’s CONCEPT cabinet featuring ‘Legendary Sword’, a title that has demonstrated strong, consistent performance across multiple U.S. markets and internationally, and one that continues to resonate with players wherever it is deployed.

“Zitro’s ‘Legendary Sword’ is a fantastic addition to our property,” said Kevin O’Sullivan, Vice President of Gaming for Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. “We’re pleased with the guest engagement so far and are eager to expand our partnership further.”

Derik Mooberry, CEO of Zitro USA, added: “Pennsylvania is a key market for us, and we are dedicated to providing operators and players with our best content. The launch of our product at Live! Casino is a significant step in our state-wide growth strategy, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

With more announcements expected in the coming months, the company is well-positioned to continue its momentum as one of the gaming industry’s fastest-growing suppliers.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Cross-border demand reshapes Macau events

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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Cross-border demand reshapes Macau events
Good morning. The real game starts outside the arena. Macau’s push into sports tourism is gaining momentum, but executives say the real bottlenecks sit behind the spotlight — funding gaps, talent shortages and hotel capacity. Panelists at Asian IR Expo argued that sports events are no longer standalone attractions, but week-long tourism engines built around concerts, fan zones and cross-border travel. Meanwhile, Mario Ho says esports and “Sports Plus” experiences could help Macau capture younger travelers and reduce its dependence on casino gaming. And regulators at G2E Asia warned that AI, illegal gambling and blurred betting boundaries are reshaping oversight worldwide.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

MACAU

Sports tourism growth in Macau faces funding, talent and logistics challenges: panel

Funding and hotel gaps challenge Macau sports tourism growth

Panelists at the Asian IR Expo said Macau’s efforts to diversify tourism through sports and entertainment are being constrained by limited funding support, a shortage of experienced talent and insufficient mid-range hotel supply. Executives noted that large-scale sporting events now extend beyond competition into fan experiences, concerts and community activities designed to attract regional visitors and boost non-gaming spending.

Industry Updates

Corporate Spotlight

How Crypto Adoption in Asia is Changing iGaming Payments

Yevhen Krazhan, CSO for GR8 Tech

Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech, explores how surging crypto adoption across Asia is revolutionizing iGaming payments, stating: “When I look at what’s changing fastest in Asia, it’s payment behavior,” as wallets, stablecoins, and seamless cross-border transfers become deeply ingrained in player habits. The winning operators will be those that offer fast, reliable, and local deposits and withdrawals. To make sense of it, Yevhen breaks Asia into two crypto realities.

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