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ELA Games’ Yaroslav Soloshenko named Manager of the Year at SBC Europe Awards 2026

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ELA Games’ Yaroslav Soloshenko named Manager of the Year at SBC Europe Awards 2026

ELA Games has celebrated a major leadership milestone, as Business Development Team Lead Yaroslav Soloshenko was named Manager of the Year at the SBC Awards Europe, held on April 30 at the Xara Lodge in Malta.

The award capped an outstanding week for the studio at SBC Summit Malta, where ELA Games showcased its latest titles, led industry discussions, and strengthened its presence among the sector’s leading innovators.

A Standout Week for ELA Games

The summit marked a highly successful outing for ELA Games, reinforcing its position as a forward-thinking studio focused on narrative-driven gaming experiences.

Throughout the week, the team used the platform to highlight its commitment to immersive storytelling and creative innovation—elements reflected in recent releases such as King and Flame and Shoot Happens.

This momentum builds on a strong pipeline of content, underpinned by a studio culture that empowers developers to take creative risks. From recent launches like Thunderball to seasonal titles including Patrick’s Treasure Pots, Golden Bunny, and Tea Party of Fortune, ELA Games continues to deliver a diverse and consistently expanding portfolio.

At the core of this output is a collaborative environment that blends commercial strategy with creative freedom, supporting innovation while maintaining a disciplined release cadence.

Driving Industry Dialogue on the Future of Slots

Beyond product showcases, ELA Games played a key role in shaping industry conversations at the event.

ELA Games’ Yaroslav Soloshenko named Manager of the Year at SBC Europe Awards 2026

The studio led discussions at the “Casino Product Innovation & Content: The Future of Slots” panel, which attracted a full audience of industry stakeholders. Senior Business Development Manager Peter Vonarshenko joined fellow experts to examine the evolving direction of casino entertainment.

Key topics included:
  • The rise of cinematic and narrative-led gaming experiences;
  • Growing demand for socialised gameplay and shared player goals;
  • The importance of designing for “micro-audiences”;
  • The increasing role of authenticity and craftsmanship in game development.

The discussion highlighted a clear shift toward deeper player engagement, where storytelling and community-driven mechanics are becoming central to long-term success.

Expanding Partnerships Through Strategic Engagement

ELA Games also used the summit to deepen industry relationships and expand its partner network. Senior Account Managers Sadaf Ali and Tina Rednikina spearheaded outreach efforts, engaging with operators, partners, and stakeholders across the exhibition floor.

The team presented its proprietary features, including the WinPot mechanic, alongside high-performing titles such as Buffalo Force and Piñatas Festival. Award-nominated games including Joker WinPot, Shoot Happens, and Tea Party of Fortune further demonstrated the studio’s ability to combine creative design with strong commercial performance.

These interactions provided an opportunity to discuss upcoming releases and explore new design directions, reinforcing ELA Games’ reputation for innovation and adaptability.

Industry Recognition at SBC Awards Europe

The SBC Awards Europe, hosted by sports broadcaster Alison Bender, recognised the companies and individuals setting new standards across the betting and gaming industry.

Against a competitive field, ELA Games secured one of the evening’s standout honours with the Manager of the Year award, recognising Yaroslav Soloshenko’s leadership and contribution to the studio’s growth.

Leadership Recognition Reinforces Studio Culture

The award highlights ELA Games’ strong internal culture and leadership-driven growth strategy.

Soloshenko’s recognition reflects both individual excellence and the broader team environment that supports innovation and performance. It positions ELA Games alongside some of the industry’s most established names, reinforcing its rapid rise within the sector.

By fostering a culture where talent is empowered and creativity is encouraged, the studio continues to demonstrate that long-term success is driven by both strong leadership and a clear vision for the future of gaming.

BETBY introduces “90s” genre to expand Betby Games portfolio

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BETBY introduces “90s” genre to expand Betby Games portfolio

BETBY has announced the launch of “90s”, a new genre within its proprietary esports feed, Betby Games, bringing exclusive retro-inspired content to operators and players.

BETBY’s new “90s” genre brings classic retro gaming aesthetics into a modern betting environment, offering a suite of e-sims inspired by 90s video games. The series blends pixel‑era visuals with Betby.Games’ signature high‑frequency betting mechanics, standing apart from realism‑driven esports products by transforming nostalgic game styles into fully optimised wagering experiences. 

Developed in response to rising demand for always‑on sportsbook content, “90s” features 1‑minute matches, 24/7 availability, and rapid settlements to deliver continuous engagement beyond live sports schedules. 

Its retro positioning provides operators with a rare content category in today’s market, drawing on iconic gaming styles to create a differentiated betting experience. The first titles—eBasketball’98, eBaseball’95, eTennis’89, and eFighting’93—combine distinctive retro identities with modern sportsbook‑ready mechanics across major sports and fighting formats. 

  • eFighting’93 introduces a format that complements Betby Games’ existing eFighting portfolio, offering fast-paced matchups and simple winner markets across 6,000 monthly matches. 
  • eBasketball’98 delivers a dynamic format featuring a high-speed 1v1 shootout between two players at a single hoop. Bettors can place wagers on the top scorer, point handicaps, total points, and individual point counts, with the title delivering 6,000 matches per month. 
  • eBaseball’95 condenses baseball into a high-intensity 1-inning format, offering 5,000 monthly events across 1×2, handicap, and totals markets. 
  • Completing the lineup, eTennis’89 brings an ultra-fast tennis format focused on single-game action, with 6,000 monthly matches and winner markets.

Inspired by the visual identity of the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, “90s” creates a product that feels instantly recognisable to players who grew up with this style of gaming, while also offering younger audiences a distinctive and visually engaging alternative to conventional esports content.

“90s is an exciting new direction for Betby Games because it brings something completely different to sportsbooks,” said Kirill Nekrasov, Head of Innovation & R&D at BETBY. “There is still a very strong emotional connection around retro games, from the pixel art to the sounds and the simplicity of the gameplay. We wanted to take that nostalgia and transform it into a product that works for modern betting: fast, clear, engaging, and available around the clock.”

“Our goal was to increase content diversity for our partners. Operators need engagement tools that work 24/7, and the “90s” genre provides a unique, fast-paced solution. This initial launch is just the start, as we will continue to expand the portfolio with a wider mix of 90s-themed sports and casual titles,” he added.

The launch of 90s further strengthens Betby.Games’ position as one of the most innovative proprietary esports feeds in the market, offering operators a broad portfolio of fast-betting content designed to drive engagement, increase event volume, and deliver a differentiated sportsbook experience.

Macau gaming regulator director Ng Wai Han gets 1-year term renewal

Viviana Chan
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Macau gaming regulator director Ng Wai Han gets 1-year term renewal

Ng Wai Han, director of Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), has had her appointment renewed for one year, effective May 7th, 2026, according to an official dispatch issued by the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance on Wednesday.

The renewal was approved under a dispatch by Macau Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai dated April 29th, 2026, and published in the Macau SAR Gazette.

According to the notice, Ng Wai Han’s commission of service as director of the gaming regulator was renewed based on her ‘civic integrity, experience and professional competence’ to perform the role.

The document was signed by Lo Chi Fai, chief of the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance, on April 30th, 2026.

Ng Wai Han was first appointed director of the DICJ in May 2025. Prior to leading Macau’s casino regulator, she served as director of the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau.

Before that, she spent more than two decades working at Macau’s Labour Affairs Bureau.

MGM China no longer prioritizing deleveraging as leverage falls below pre-pandemic levels: CreditSights

Viviana Chan
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MGM China no longer prioritizing deleveraging as leverage falls below pre-pandemic levels: CreditSights

Macau gaming operator MGM China Holdings is no longer prioritizing debt reduction after its leverage metrics recovered to below pre-pandemic levels, according to a new CreditSights report issued on Wednesday.

The analysis follows the Macau casino operator’s launch of a new $750 million senior unsecured bond offering due in 2033.

CreditSights said the refinancing move appeared aimed at extending MGM China’s debt maturity profile while preserving liquidity flexibility, rather than further reducing leverage. The research house noted that the operator’s leverage metrics had already recovered to below pre-pandemic levels since the second quarter of 2024.

The company is marketing a new $750 million 7NC3 senior unsecured notes offering — referring to seven-year notes that cannot be redeemed within the first three years — with pricing discussions reportedly in the 6.50 percent area. CreditSights, however, said it sees ‘fair value closer to 6.30 percent’ and added that it ‘would be buyers at our fair value estimate.’

CreditSights said the proceeds are expected to be used to repay borrowings under MGM China’s revolving credit facility, which the company had tapped to refinance its upcoming $750 million 5.875 percent bonds maturing in May 2026.

According to the report, MGM China’s revolving credit facility totals HK$23.4 billion ($3 billion), with approximately $663.3 million drawn as of March 31st, 2026, and matures in April 2030. CreditSights said management expects the latest bond issuance to have a neutral impact on leverage.

The research house said the decision to refinance through the bond market, rather than relying solely on the revolving credit facility, reflected broader strategic considerations, including extending the company’s debt maturity profile and preserving funding flexibility should bond market conditions deteriorate.

CreditSights maintained its ‘Outperform’ recommendation on MGM China and described the operator as its ‘top pick’ among high-yield Macau gaming issuers, citing its ‘strong post-pandemic recovery and conservative leverage profile.’

MGM Grand Macau, MGM China
MGM Macau
MGM Cotai, MGM China, Macau
MGM Cotai

The report estimated MGM China’s gross leverage at 2.1 times as of the first quarter of 2026, compared with 2.7 times in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Net leverage improved further to 1.35 times as of March 2026, down from 1.5 times at the end of 2025.

CreditSights also noted that MGM China remained the only high-yield Macau casino operator whose leverage metrics had recovered to below pre-pandemic levels. The research house added that the operator’s Macau market share stood at approximately 15.4 percent in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 9.5 percent in 2019.

In the first quarter of 2026, MGM China reported total net revenue of HK$8.8 billion ($1.1 billion), up 10 percent year-on-year, while adjusted EBITDA increased 4 percent to HK$2.5 billion ($315 million). The company’s EBITDA margin declined to 28.0 percent from 29.6 percent a year earlier.

R. Franco Digital releases survival-themed slot experience Squad Royale 

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R. Franco Digital releases survival-themed slot experience Squad Royale 

R. Franco Digital has unveiled its latest release, Squad Royale, a 6×5 medium volatility slot that combines cascading reels with a survival-inspired gameplay format.

Set in a competitive arena environment, the game introduces a dynamic grid-based experience where wins trigger cascading reels and strategic bonus features drive progression toward the grand prize.

A key mechanic in Squad Royale is its evolving Wild symbol, which features a counter system. Instead of disappearing after a win, Wilds remain on the grid and decrease with each cascade, creating extended opportunities for larger clusters and higher-value combinations.

The game also features four themed bonus rounds inspired by classic elimination-style challenges, including Red Light, Green Light, Musical Chairs, The Skipping Rope, and Don’t Let It Fall. Each round introduces progressive elimination mechanics, with the final payout determined by the survival of selected characters.

Commenting on the launch, Javier Sacristán Franco, International Business Director at R. Franco Digital, said: “Squad Royale brings together the tension of survival-style gameplay with the fast-paced excitement of cascading slots. The inclusion of interactive mini-games adds depth and variety, offering players a more engaging and strategic experience. With its combination of innovative mechanics and competitive gameplay design, Squad Royale further expands R. Franco Digital’s portfolio of feature-rich slot titles.”

SOFTSWISS highlights AI expertise at Doers Summit Limassol 2026

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SOFTSWISS highlights AI expertise at Doers Summit Limassol 2026

SOFTSWISS has announced that it will join Doers Summit Limassol on 21–22 May 2026 as a Bronze Partner with the Chief AI Officer Denis Romanovskiy representing the company in a key panel about who leads AI in technology organisations.

SOFTSWISS is taking part in Doers Summit Limassol for the second year in a row. The company’s participation reflects its focus on engaging with the European tech community and sharing its experience in building and operating high-load, data-driven systems.

SOFTSWISS develops and operates software for more than 1,400 iGaming brands worldwide. Across its product portfolio, the provider delivers high-availability infrastructure, with flagship solutions such as the Game Aggregator achieving up to 99.999% uptime, based on internal performance benchmarks. This scale requires clear governance for integrating data and AI models into production environments.

At the summit, Denis Romanovskiy, Chief AI Officer (CAIO), will join the panel discussion “Who Owns AI in Your Company? The Rise of the Chief AI Officer”. As the only participant holding a dedicated AI leadership role, he will bring a practical, engineering-driven perspective on how organisations assign responsibility for AI systems, data governance, and decision-making at scale.

Romanovskiy stepped into the CAIO role in January 2026 after serving as Deputy Chief Technology Officer at SOFTSWISS. This move establishes AI as a separate function within the company, with clear ownership at the executive level.

“AI is becoming a system that defines how products evolve, how processes accelerate, and how decisions are made,” said Denis Romanovskiy, Chief AI Officer at SOFTSWISS. “When platforms perform at scale and process data in real time, the question is not whether to use AI, but who is accountable for its outcomes. Separating CTO and CAIO roles allows us to move faster while maintaining control over risk, quality, and system stability. I’m really looking forward to discussing this and exchanging perspectives with founders and C-level leaders from leading tech companies.”

At Doers Summit, attendees can meet the SOFTSWISS team at a branded ice cream truck, where conversations around architecture, AI, and system performance continue in a more informal setting.

SOFTSWISS also invites industry professionals to its upcoming Tech Race Summit in Warsaw on 10 September 2026, a dedicated event for technology specialists working in fast-growing digital sectors.

By engaging in initiatives such as the Doers Summit and Tech Race Summit, SOFTSWISS is helping shape industry conversations on the evolution of technology companies—from scaling infrastructure to establishing AI ownership in complex systems.

Paradise Co. 1Q profit falls 34.9% as Hyatt costs offset revenue growth

Viviana Chan
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Paradise Co. 1Q profit falls 34.9% as Hyatt costs offset revenue growth

South Korea’s foreigner-only casino operator Paradise Co. reported first-quarter revenue of KRW293.97 billion ($203.35 million) for the three months ended March 31st, 2026, up 3.8 percent year-on-year, while operating profit fell 34.9 percent to KRW37.31 billion ($25.81 million) due to higher operating expenses linked to its Hyatt acquisition, labor costs and marketing spending.

The company said operating expenses increased by 13.6 percent year-on-year, driven by Hyatt-related operating costs, including labor and depreciation expenses, alongside higher personnel and advertising costs. Paradise said the Hyatt acquisition contributed approximately KRW6.1 billion ($4.22 million) in consolidated revenue during the quarter.

Net profit for the quarter declined 56.3 percent year-on-year to KRW18.85 billion ($13.04 million), while net profit attributable to controlling shareholders fell 46.8 percent to KRW16.57 billion ($11.46 million).

Casino revenue for the quarter rose 0.5 percent year-on-year to KRW116.13 billion ($80.33 million), while hotel revenue increased 12.9 percent to KRW27.41 billion ($18.96 million). Paradise said overall casino drop amount rose 3.6 percent year-on-year to KRW1.76 trillion ($1.22 billion), although hold rate declined by 0.4 percentage points to 12.2 percent. Mass-market drop amount increased 16.8 percent year-on-year.

Within its standalone casino operations, Paradise said Busan casino revenue surged 133 percent year-on-year to KRW30.9 billion ($21.38 million), offsetting a 16.3 percent decline at Walkerhill Casino, where revenue totaled KRW79.6 billion ($55.06 million).

Paradise Hotel Busan also posted stronger performance during the quarter, with revenue rising 14.1 percent year-on-year to KRW24.18 billion ($16.72 million). Operating profit climbed 164.4 percent to KRW2.69 billion ($1.86 million), supported by higher domestic and international tourism demand. Occupancy reached 75.6 percent, the highest first-quarter level in five years, according to the company.

Separately, Paradise reported April casino sales of KRW87.92 billion ($60.82 million), up 80.6 percent from March and 30.7 percent from a year earlier. 

Table game sales rose 89.9 percent month-on-month and 29.1 percent year-on-year to KRW82.19 billion ($56.85 million), while machine game sales increased 5.8 percent month-on-month and 59.7 percent year-on-year to KRW5.73 billion ($3.97 million).

Hub88 introduces “My Products” dashboard for operator content control

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Hub88 introduces “My Products” dashboard for operator content control

Hub88 has announced the launch of My Products, a new feature within its HubConnect Operator Zone, designed to transform how casino operators configure and activate their content portfolios.

My Products gives operators greater control of their go-live timeline, with a single centralised dashboard. Without leaving HubConnect, they can view their full product catalogue, track enablement status, configure preferences and bulk-enable games.

To launch new titles, partners can select one or more products at a time, choose their preferred RTP and exposure settings, assign them to their desired brands or environments, and submit a single request. Requests are automatically routed to technical teams with all required details, removing the need for manual follow-up.

Bulk activation enables brands to launch multiple products at once, while an advanced filtering function provides a clear view across brands and markets. The interface also highlights contracted but inactive content, helping operators to quickly identify portfolio gaps.

The launch of My Products reflects Hub88’s continued focus on building tools that provide partners with greater control, improve ease of use and enhance their ‘one-stop-shop’ approach.

“As operators scale and build out richer lobbies, managing games can quickly become a complex and inefficient task,” said Ollie Castleman, Managing Director at Hub88. “My Products gives our partners a faster and more intuitive way to take control of their content, from discovery through to activation, all within a single, streamlined experience. We are committed to delivering the most convenient and seamless platform for our partners, and this is just one of a number of upgrades we have planned for the year ahead.”

South Korea’s GKL April casino sales rise 11.1% to $28M

Viviana Chan
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South Korea’s GKL April casino sales rise 11.1% to $28M

South Korean foreigner-only casino operator Grand Korea Leisure (GKL) reported casino sales of KRW40.19 billion ($27.8 million) in April, up 11.1 percent year-on-year and 25.7 percent higher than the previous month, according to a filing submitted to the Korea Exchange on Wednesday.

The company, which operates three Seven Luck-branded casinos in South Korea, said table game sales for the month increased 12.7 percent year-on-year to KRW37.02 billion ($25.6 million). Compared with March, table sales rose 30.2 percent.

Machine game sales, however, declined 4.6 percent year-on-year to KRW3.16 billion ($2.2 million), and were down 10.6 percent month-on-month.

For the January to April period, cumulative casino sales reached KRW146.84 billion ($101.6 million), representing a 1.7 percent increase from the same period last year. Table game sales for the four-month period totaled KRW133.30 billion ($92.2 million), while machine sales rose 15.6 percent year-on-year to KRW13.54 billion ($9.4 million).

According to supplementary business information released by the company, the Seoul Gangnam property remained the largest contributor to monthly casino sales. The venue generated KRW23.88 billion ($16.5 million) in April casino revenue, up 39.9 percent year-on-year and 58.8 percent higher than in March.

Casino sales at the Busan Lotte property reached KRW6.23 billion ($4.3 million), rising 12.3 percent year-on-year and 28.9 percent month-on-month.

Meanwhile, Seoul Dragon City casino reported April sales of KRW10.08 billion ($7.0 million), down 25.6 percent year-on-year and 6.8 percent lower than the previous month.

GKL also said April casino drop totaled KRW346.67 billion ($239.8 million), up 20.5 percent from a year earlier. Aggregate casino drop for the first four months of 2026 reached KRW1.28 trillion ($885.5 million), representing a 14.6 percent year-on-year increase.

Cambodia lowers economic outlook as anti-scam campaign hits sectors

Viviana Chan
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Cambodia lowers economic outlook as anti-scam campaign hits sectors

The Cambodian government has lowered its economic growth forecast for 2026 to 4.2 percent, down from the 5 percent projection outlined in the country’s 2026 Budget Management Law.

According to a new mid-term fiscal and economic assessment reported by local media outlet The Cambodia China Times, the downgrade was attributed to rising global energy prices, border tensions with Thailand and the ongoing crackdown on scam operations.

The government also revised down its 2027 growth forecast to 5 percent from the previous estimate of 5.5 percent.

According to the report, the crackdown on telecom and cyber fraud activities — an issue that has drawn increasing regional and international scrutiny in recent years — is expected to improve Cambodia’s investment environment and international image over the long term. However, authorities said the campaign has created short-term pressure on sectors including construction, real estate and domestic consumption.

The assessment also highlighted the impact of continued conflict in the Middle East, which has pushed up international oil and natural gas prices, increasing inflationary pressure and affecting key sectors such as tourism, transportation, agriculture, and wholesale and retail trade.

Separately, tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border were said to have disrupted tourism flows, agricultural exports and cross-border remittances.

The government said Cambodia’s tourism sector is expected to continue its gradual recovery, although international visitor confidence has been affected by the border situation, anti-scam enforcement measures and geopolitical tensions. Domestic tourism demand is expected to provide some support for the sector.

Despite the downgrade, the government said export-oriented industries and services are still expected to maintain relatively stable growth, provided there are no major changes in global trade tariffs or a significant deterioration in external demand.

Cambodia also said it would maintain a ‘neutral fiscal stance’ to preserve public finance sustainability while continuing efforts to expand the tax base, restore fuel product tax rates and strengthen anti-scam enforcement to improve investor confidence.

Several international institutions have also lowered Cambodia’s 2026 growth forecasts, with the International Monetary Fund projecting 4 percent growth, the World Bank forecasting 3.9 percent and the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) estimating 4.9 percent.

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