Press Releases
CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards 2024 Shortlists Announced

The shortlists for the prestigious Game Developer Awards, spotlighting the talented teams behind the top casino titles in the industry, have just been released.
Scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 23 at the Hilton Malta, the exclusive ceremony will host 300 industry professionals for an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence.
The 20 shortlists covering categories like Game Performance, Game Creation, Game People, Streamers and Casino Platforms are now available for review, with the remaining three SlotCatalog data-driven awards to be revealed at a later stage.
In the Game Performance categories, the competition for the Slot of the Year title is set to be fierce with ten prominent studios including AvatarUX, ELA Games, ELK Studios, Endorphina, EveryMatrix, Nolimit City, Pragmatic Play, Push Gaming, Red Tiger and Relax Gaming locking horns for the coveted title.
Pragmatic Play is in the running for multiple accolades including the Slot Legacy title with its Gates of Olympus as well as the Game Mechanic of the Year award for its MultiHold mechanic. Additionally, the studio is contending for the Game Feature of the Year and Game Design and Art Direction awards in the Game Creation Categories with Zeus Versus Hades. Competing alongside Pragmatic Play for the Slot Legacy award are studios such as Blueprint Gaming, Eyecon, Fortune Factory Studios, Games Global, IGT, Light & Wonder, Mascot Gaming and NetEnt.
In the Game Creation categories, an impressive lineup of 14 companies earned their spot in the shortlist for the Game Mechanic of the Year title. These companies, apart from the previously-mentioned Pragmatic Play, include 7777 Gaming, BGaming, Bragg Gaming, Evoplay, Fortune Factory Studios, Hacksaw Gaming, Nailed It! Games, Omnigame, PearFiction Studios, Slotmill, Spribe, Swintt and Wazdan, each having introduced a ground-breaking game mechanic that has either redefined industry standards or elevated existing features to offer players an unmatched level of gaming excitement.
The Game Feature of the Year award also witnessed a record-breaking number of 15 shortlisted companies including Wazdan with its unique feature in the Coins series; the winner of last year’s award in the same category. Other categories within the Game Creation segment include Game Licensed Content, Game Retro-Style, Game Design and Art Direction and Game Music/Soundtrack.
Among the noteworthy nominees for Game Music/Soundtrack is Mascot Gaming, recognised for its Dreamshock Jackpot X soundtrack. Mascot Gaming has also been shortlisted for the Slot to Watch award with Hook Up! Fishing Wars, Slot to Debut with Crash, Hamster, Crash! and the Game Composer of the Year award for its Dreamshock Jackpot X soundtrack composed by Maxim Shulgin.
The Game Composer of the Year award falls under the umbrella of the Game People categories, uniquely designed to honour the individuals responsible for the triumph of various titles. This year, alongside composers, recognition will be extended to game designers and product managers. Notably, ten individuals will contend for the Product Manager of the Year title, twelve for Game Designer of the Year and seven for Game Composer of the Year.
On the streaming scene, three prestigious awards are on offer, honouring the Streamer of the Year, Next-Gen Streamer of the Year and Responsible Streamer of the Year. Competing for the Streamer of the Year title are casino streamers Brian Christopher, CasinoDaddy, Chipmonkz, Classy Beef, Fruity Slots, GamDucks, Haddzy, Hideous Slots and Kim Hultman (LetsGiveItASpin). Notably, Haddzy is also in contention for the Next-Gen Streamer of the Year while CasinoDaddy, Chipmonkz and Hideous Slots are up for the Responsible Streamer of the Year. Bob Slots is set to appear in both the Next-Gen Streamer of the Year and Responsible Streamer of the Year categories.
Among the contenders in the Casino Platform categories, WA.Technology, Bragg Gaming Group, Digitain, EveryMatrix and iGP emerged as notable presences, securing nominations in both the Aggregator of the Year and Platform Innovation of the Year category shortlists.
To reserve a table at the CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards ceremony, please reach out to Sales @ SBCGaming. com. For comprehensive details regarding the CasinoBeats Summit conference and exhibition taking place at the InterContinental in St Julian’s, Malta from May 21 to 23 May and to secure your pass, kindly visit the event website.
The post CasinoBeats Game Developer Awards 2024 Shortlists Announced appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Press Releases
James O’Kelly Appointed Head of Corporate Development at SolutionsHub

SolutionsHub is pleased to announce the appointment of James O’Kelly as Head of Corporate Development, a newly established role that underscores the company’s commitment to strategic growth, innovation, and excellence in client service.
Since joining SolutionsHub, James has been instrumental in driving key initiatives across the organization. Over the past 18 months, James has headed high-impact growth intiatives, managed treasury and led sucessful licensing for clients. His contributions have also extended to representing SolutionsHub on the international stage, enhancing the company’s global presence.
In his new role, James will take the lead on a range of high-impact strategic initiatives in close collaboration with the Board of Directors. His primary focus will be on identifying and cultivating key partnerships, as well as spearheading the development of innovative product lines that align with the company’s long-term vision. To fully dedicate his efforts to these forward-looking priorities, James will be transitioning responsibility for day-to-day operations and compliance to other senior members of the leadership team. This shift will enable him to concentrate on shaping the company’s future growth trajectory and ensuring its continued success.
“James has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep understanding of our business and industry,” said Lee Hills, CEO of SolutionsHub. “His appointment as Head of Corporate Development is a natural evolution that aligns with our long-term strategic goals and further reinforces the strength of our leadership team.”
James will continue to play a pivotal role in advising and supporting clients through increasingly complex regulatory, licensing, and jurisdictional considerations. Leveraging his extensive experience and strong track record of delivering innovative, compliant, and forward-thinking solutions.
The post James O’Kelly Appointed Head of Corporate Development at SolutionsHub appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Industry Awards
ELA Games Receives Key Nomination at EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards

The studio is shortlisted for the “Brand of the Year – B2B” category
ELA Games, an innovative game development studio, has been shortlisted for the “Brand of the Year – B2B” category at the upcoming EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025.
The EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards is an event that celebrates key figures and innovative brands within the iGaming industry. The ceremony recognises companies that demonstrate commercial success through game-changing creativity and contributions to the improvement of the industry. It gathers the brightest and most influential minds to reward those who have helped the online gaming sector grow.
ELA Games’ nomination for the “Brand of the Year – B2B” category highlights the company’s efforts in creating a portfolio that balances operator-centric growth with player-friendly gaming experiences. The studio has demonstrated a commitment to helping operators improve player acquisition and retention metrics through data-backed performance, making it a beneficial partner.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the nomination, “The ELA Games team is proud to receive a nomination for a significant category at a prestigious event. We’ve made considerable strides in 2025 to develop our portfolio and create games that both help operators grow and provide fun for players. We look forward to networking with all our peers at the ceremony, and congratulations to all nominees!”
The EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025 will take place on June 19, 2025, at The Mermaid, London. The ELA Games team will attend the ceremony for a night of excitement, networking, and celebration.
The post ELA Games Receives Key Nomination at EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Giorgia Kasat
Reals Appoints Giorgia Kasat as New Head of HR, Strengthening Organizational Strategy in the Betting Industry
Leading Brazilian Betting Brand Reals Welcomes Former Itaú and Votorantim Executive to Drive Human Capital Development
Reals, one of Brazil’s leading regulated online betting and gaming platforms, has announced the appointment of Giorgia Kasat as its new Head of Human Resources. With over 20 years of experience in strategic people management, organizational transformation, and leadership development, Giorgia brings a wealth of expertise from her roles at major corporations such as Votorantim, Banco Itaú, Duratex, Capgemini, and Munksjö.
Recognized as a finalist in the 2024 “Most Admired CEOs and HR Leaders” awards by Grupo Gestão RH, Giorgia also holds an Executive Business degree from Fundação Dom Cabral, an MBA in Business Management from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), and certification in Group Psychodrama from PUC-SP.
“We believe that a company’s success is directly linked to its ability to foster the best in its people within a healthy, growth-oriented environment. Giorgia’s human-centered leadership style drives engagement and positive results. As a serious and regulated company, professionalism is a core value for us, and her arrival is a strategic step in our organizational growth,” said Hilton Andrade, CFO of Reals.
Giorgia expressed enthusiasm about joining Reals at a pivotal moment for the company and the industry: “I’m excited to take on this new challenge with a major player in the betting and online gaming industry. My passion lies in developing people who go on to inspire and empower others. Together, we’ll build a strong culture of growth, diversity, and performance in a sector that is rapidly consolidating in Brazil and globally.”
Reals Expands Workforce and Strengthens Market Presence
Amid rapid expansion, Reals is in the process of hiring approximately 1500 new employees and preparing to move into a new 6,000 m² headquarters in São Paulo. Already a standout in the market, Reals made headlines earlier this year by becoming the first Brazilian betting operator to sponsor a major European football club, AC Milan, as its Official Regional Betting Partner for Latin America.
Reals also holds a master sponsorship with Coritiba Foot Ball Club in Brazil and boasts an all-star ambassador roster led by TV personality Rodrigo Faro, alongside popular influencers Ítalo Sena, Edu Primitivo, and Gabi Nery.
With a 9.5 rating on Reclame Aqui, Reals is among the top-rated licensed betting operators in Brazil, reinforcing its reputation for reliability and customer trust.
The post Reals Appoints Giorgia Kasat as New Head of HR, Strengthening Organizational Strategy in the Betting Industry appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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