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Plucky follows funding round success with EGR Innovator of the Year award

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Plucky, the leading platform for monetising free-to-play games and modernising pool betting, has been awarded the Innovator of the Year award at the prestigious EGR Operator Awards 2024, emerging victorious from the headline category which included the likes of Entain, Kaizen Gaming, and PokerStars.

The UKGC-licenced operator was commended for its pioneering means of bringing new revenue streams to free-to-play and fantasy games providers, with its partnership with Genius Sports, powering the first publisher in its agreement – The Telegraph Fantasy Football game with paid leagues, one of its standout deals in the judging period.

The inaugural gaming award win for Plucky follows a successful funding round – which closed earlier in October – that has raised over £500,000 and will provide strategic funding to facilitate the firm’s next stage of growth across its B2B and B2C arms.

The new financing will be used to accelerate Plucky’s free-to-play monetisation arm, as well as expanding the footprint of its pool betting, which allow social circles to easily set-up randomised cash draws on any sporting event, such as the Grand National and Euro 2024. The UKGC-licensed operator is also exploring opportunities within live competitive socialising venues and has imminent ambitions to enter new regulated gaming markets.

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Prominent investors entered in the latest round, demonstrating confidence in both the scalable business model that utilises existing partner audiences, and the Plucky team, consisting of serial entrepreneur Sebastian Lewis and fantasy sports expert Matthew Steer, amongst other industry and tech veterans.

Sebastian Lewis, CEO & co-founder at Plucky, said: “The Plucky model has been refined over the past couple of years to ensure it can fully meet the vast demand that we know is there for more engaging free-to-play games and pool betting opportunities. To have this validated with the Innovator of the Year award is testament to the concept and rare capacity to bring new revenue streams and retention opportunities to such a competitive igaming sector.”

“This latest funding round comes at a great time, having demonstrated what Plucky is all about with our partnership with Genius Sports. We’ve shown the appeal that paid leagues and app-first pool betting opportunities have for the end user, and the monetisation opportunities these bring to free-to-play and media partners is vast.”

The post Plucky follows funding round success with EGR Innovator of the Year award appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Industry Awards

ProgressPlay Shortlisted for SBC Awards Europe 2025

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The iGaming industry thrives on constant innovation, where yesterday’s breakthroughs quickly become today’s baseline. In this fast-moving landscape, ProgressPlay has firmly positioned itself at the forefront, earning a prestigious shortlist spot for “Industry Innovation of the Year” at the SBC Awards Europe 2025.

This isn’t just another nomination; it’s the culmination of years of challenging conventions, rewriting playbooks, and delivering technology that doesn’t just keep up with the industry; it propels it forward.

The story behind this recognition begins with a simple but radical idea: what if operators weren’t constrained by their platform? While many providers offered rigid solutions, ProgressPlay bet on flexibility, building a standalone system that hands operators the keys to their own destiny; customisable branding, agile market entry, and tools to adapt to regulations in real time.

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The industry took notice. From the moment the platform launched, partners reported 40% faster deployment in new regions and unprecedented control over player experiences, proving that innovation isn’t about flashy features, but real-world empowerment.

But the SBC nomination speaks to something deeper: impact. This year, ProgressPlay’s technology became the backbone for operators navigating Europe, Latin America and Asia’s most complex markets. Meanwhile, the multi-brand deployment toolkit turned what was once a logistical nightmare into a seamless process, letting partners launch tailored experiences for diverse audiences, all from a single, unified system.

Marina Nahhas, Head of B2B Sales and Marketing, explains: “What sets this nomination apart is its timing. The iGaming industry stands at a crossroads, where scaling responsibly is no longer optional. ProgressPlay’s recognition by SBC underscores that the future belongs to platforms that marry innovation with integrity, where cutting-edge tech serves not just profits, but sustainability.”

Whether it’s real-time fraud detection, slashing chargebacks or localised payment integrations boosting conversion, every breakthrough has been measured by one metric: operator success.

At the heart of ProgressPlay’s standalone technology is its unparalleled flexibility. Unlike traditional white-label offerings, this standalone platform is a true turnkey solution, allowing operators to craft their own brand identity, select their preferred gaming content, and integrate the most effective payment methods suited to their target audience.

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With full autonomy over the gaming portfolio, operators can curate a mix of casino games, live dealer experiences, and sportsbook markets tailored to the preferences of players in their chosen markets. This ability to fine-tune every aspect of the standalone platform ensures that businesses remain ahead of the curve, delivering experiences that resonate deeply with local players while maintaining a globally competitive edge.

ProgressPlay CEO Itai Lowenstein said: “As the awards night approaches, this shortlist is more than a milestone, it’s validation for every partner who took a chance on reimagining what an iGaming platform could be. For the ProgressPlay team, it’s a reminder that the boldest ideas often start as whispers before they become benchmarks.”

The post ProgressPlay Shortlisted for SBC Awards Europe 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Soft2Bet, Betinia & Campobet Shortlisted for 12 EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025

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Soft2Bet and Its Brands, Betinia and Campobet, honoured by 12 Shortlist Nominations at the EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025

Soft2Bet, a leading iGaming turnkey solutions provider, is delighted to announce that it has secured 12 nominations at the prestigious EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025. Showcasing both B2B and B2C excellence, the shortlists highlight the company’s brands, Betinia and Campobet, alongside Soft2Bet itself and its proprietary Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA).

Betinia is nominated for Best Native App, Best CRM Campaign, Innovation in Casino, Innovation in Sports Betting, and Innovation of the Year (B2C). Campobet has been recognised for Brand of the Year (B2C), Best CRM Campaign, Innovation in Casino, Innovation in Sports Betting, and Innovation of the Year (B2C). In addition, Soft2Bet is shortlisted for Brand of the Year (B2B), with MEGA receiving a nod in the Innovation of the Year (B2B) category.

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Over the past 12 months, main brands such as Campobet, Betinia, Don.ro, Tooniebet and others have excelled in fiercely competitive, saturated markets and tightly regulated territories, where only the most agile, innovation-focused operators can stand out. Soft2Bet’s approach merges cutting-edge technology with data-driven personalisation, ensuring that player experience is always paramount. Betinia and Campobet’s high-performance results with retention and acquisition tactics reflect a strategy that recognises different user motivations and local market preferences while still adhering to complex regulatory standards.

Oksana Tsyhankova, Soft2Bet’s CMO, commented: “By prioritising sustainable, data-driven engagement, customer experience, Soft2Bet and its brands continue to set a high standard for growth in high competitive markets and 12 nominations are a strong proof of our B2B and B2C excellence. Each shortlisted category, from CRM and brand strategy to platform innovation, demonstrates our ability to adapt to industry demands while placing player protection and satisfaction front and centre.”

These achievements reflect Soft2Bet’s broader vision to build and scale performance-driven brands that thrive even in jurisdictions with strict advertising and bonus limitations. In 2024, Betinia recorded a 148% increase in GGR, while Campobet achieved a 54% increase. Retention also soared, with a 128% uplift for Campobet and 106% for Betinia, highlighting the effectiveness of MEGA-powered engagement. Operating a total of 13 brands, all highly adapted to local market strategies, Soft2Bet ensures that each brand reflects regional preferences and player behaviours. For example, Campobet recently sponsored the popular tennis event “Nordic Battle,” aligning the brand closely with local sports passions. With a flexible platform that can be tailored for various jurisdictions, Soft2Bet consistently delivers strong outcomes for both operators and players, proving that authenticity, creativity, and compliance can successfully coexist.

The post Soft2Bet, Betinia & Campobet Shortlisted for 12 EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Casino Guru Awards 2025: Winners decided, spotlight turns to the Live Gala in Malta

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A Celebration of Fairness, Responsibility, and Innovation in iGaming

The countdown is on for the Casino Guru Awards 2025, where the most impactful and forward-thinking figures in the online gambling space will be honored. After an intensive evaluation period, the panel of expert judges has already cast their votes. The winners are now known—though kept under tight wraps—awaiting their official reveal during the gala evening.

The Gala Ceremony, taking place on June 6, 2025, at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta, will bring together key stakeholders from across the industry to celebrate excellence in transparency, fairness, and player protection. This year’s event continues to spotlight initiatives that drive real change, showcasing responsibility and innovation at the heart of iGaming.

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In addition to the categories evaluated by the judges, the Players’ Choice and Voice of the People awards have engaged the wider public—highlighting community involvement. Notably, the Voice of the People category attracted over 150,000 public votes, underscoring the growing influence and reach of the Awards.
“It’s truly inspiring to witness such a strong response from the global community. The number of nominations and public votes speaks volumes about how well-known and meaningful these projects have become,” said Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Projects Director at Casino Guru.

Since the launch of the 2025 edition, the Awards have attracted nearly 600,000 visitors, generated hundreds of nominations, and reflected a growing movement toward greater accountability in the industry.
The shortlist represents a diverse mix of organizations pushing boundaries and raising standards in responsible gambling—including notable names such as EveryMatrix, DraftKings, Pragmatic Play, BGaming, Soft2Bet and more. The evaluation phase involved detailed questionnaires, evaluation calls with shortlisted companies, and a transparent scoring framework. To preserve credibility and impartiality, judges disclosed all potential conflicts of interest before the review process began.

Gala highlights
Hosted by renowned presenter Martin Sepiano, the evening promises an engaging blend of insight and entertainment:

  • Panel Discussion with Judges – A rare behind-the-scenes look into the evaluation process and the values driving the Awards.
  • Live Performances by Jessica Micallef & Band
  • Special Dance Act by The Snake Venom Project Dancers
  • Afterparty at Tiffany Lounge with DJ Luke Panza

With anticipation building, the Casino Guru Awards 2025 Gala promises not only to reveal the industry’s top performers, but also to foster meaningful dialogue about the future of fair and responsible gambling. Whether judged by a panel of experts or chosen by the public, each nominee has contributed to shaping a more transparent and ethical iGaming landscape.

The post Casino Guru Awards 2025: Winners decided, spotlight turns to the Live Gala in Malta appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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