Latest News
Movers and Shakers: Creating noise in the shark tank: what it takes to build a successful slot studio

Fredrik Johansson, CEO and Founder at Fantasma Games, on the challenging environment and organizational focus it takes for developers to create a sustainable business amid ever-increasing levels of competition.
Five years ago, the market entry barrier for a new game studio was relatively low.
This, combined with the low cost of accessing global and local distribution networks through well-established aggregators, led to an influx of studios moving into the space.
The result? Today, there are more than 750 game studios that released close to 11,000 new titles during 2023 alone – on average, an operator takes content from more than 60 providers.
One of the main challenges is that game themes and mechanical similarities now exist between the vast majority of games, and this is impacting the wider competitiveness of the market, and ability to position a unique player experience.
The market barrier entry for a new game studio is now incredibly high and for those who can get up and running, actually staying in the game is almost impossible.
Why? Because studios need to build trust with their portfolio and product roadmap and have a proven track record of creating premium content that hits the market with players.
If you can’t achieve this, you quickly find there is no demand for your games.
Does this mean new studios can’t succeed? Of course not. Fantasma Games is proof that with a clear focus and strategic direction you can get in on the action and find meaningful and trustful place in the market.
We have been able to establish ourselves as an innovative and premium provider of player-centric games that go beyond gambling to truly engage players.
We also keep our promises, and our customers are confident in our ability to continue to deliver games that perform highly and generate outstanding player engagement KPIs.
For me, this is crucial to the success of any studio.
Studios must be able to deliver premium, high-performing games that resonate with a wide range of player audiences in multiple markets, but they must also earn the trust of their operator partners.
Operators need to be confident in the studio’s strategic growth agenda and ambitions and that they will not only meet but exceed the goals they have set.
Of course, the success of a studio’s games comes into this and that is why the product roadmap must be balanced.
For Fantasma, this means daring to innovate and try something new while at the same time capitalising on existing high-performing mechanical frameworks that we know hit the mark with players.
The studios that take this approach can find they quickly move on from being the new kid on the block to being a major player in the content provision space.
For Fantasma, this has been achieved by working with a clear strategic plan and having a truly talented and passionate team always willing to go the extra mile to make a difference.
Hard work, focus and dedication from all our teams have been key to unlocking the strategic milestones that have enabled us to become established in this industry.
Again, I can’t downplay how important it has been to foster trusted relationships with our customers who believe in our roadmap and organisational capabilities just as much as we do.
Of course, you must always ensure the business is moving forward and that’s why we recently launched our own remote game server, FantasmaXpand.
This allows us to capitalise on existing partnerships and expand our joint collaborative initiatives in a way that ensures our customers are integral to how our roadmap is prioritised and developed.
It means our teams can focus on enhancing the technology roadmap, tuned and calibrated to our customer’s specific needs which in turn allows us to bring even more value to our partners.
This includes being able to deploy our content into new markets – another important capability for a studio to not only survive but thrive.
It has been natural for us to expand our geographical footprint alongside our international customers, as well as build strong local partnerships in key markets such as the US.
This ensures we stay relevant and allows us to keep optimising our global and local games roadmap in tight collaboration with our partners.
So, when you look at what goes into making a studio a success today compared to five years ago, it’s perhaps easy to see why some companies simply don’t make it.
Thankfully, Fantasma is a success story, but it has taken a great deal of passion and hard work to get to where we are today – and this is just the beginning.
Latest News
Win Systems to showcase the future of connected gaming at the Southern Amusement & Entertainment Expo

Win Systems, a leading provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, will participate in the Southern Amusement & Entertainment Expo (SAEE), which will take place on August 19–21 in Georgia, USA. This event, a benchmark for the distributed gaming market in the region, will serve as the ideal platform for Win Systems to showcase its comprehensive and cutting-edge ecosystem of solutions.
At SAEE Expo, the company will present WIGOS One, a flexible and scalable casino management system that can be seamlessly adapted to the specific requirements of the distributed gaming market in Georgia. WIGOS One enables operators to monitor and manage multiple venues and gaming terminals under a single, centralized platform, allowing real-time tracking of player activity, integration of loyalty and bonusing programs, and access to advanced analytics for strategic decision-making. The system supports the transition from anonymous play to a fully connected environment, enhancing operational control and opening new opportunities to boost player engagement and retention.
Additionally, Win Systems will present Win Up Wallet, a secure mobile solution that allows players to connect to gaming machines, access rewards, and manage their funds directly from their smartphones — eliminating the need for physical tickets or cash. In line with its digital-first approach, and in partnership with LoopPay, the company will also introduce a feature that enables players to redeem their winnings digitally through gift cards, without requiring TITO tickets or kiosks, while still offering the option to redeem traditional physical gift cards.
“We’re excited to bring our latest innovations to the SAEE Expo,” said Hunter Kampf, Country Manager USA & CANADA. “Georgia is a strategic market for distributed gaming, and WIGOS One precisely meets its unique requirements. Our connected solutions will enable operators to simplify management, reduce operational costs, and strengthen relationships with their players through real-time data and seamless digital tools.”
With a focus on integration, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation, Win Systems continues to lead the way in offering robust and scalable solutions for today’s dynamic gaming landscape. The company’s presence at SAEE underscores its strong commitment to the U.S. distributed gaming market and its ongoing efforts to support local operators with the most advanced tools available.
Latest News
Inspired Launches V-Play Football Brazil with EstrelaBet via the Altenar Sportsbook

Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a leading B2B provider of gaming content, technology, hardware, and services, is pleased to announce the launch of V-Play Football Brazil with EstrelaBet, a leading Brazilian gamingtech company. The integration is powered by Altenar, a leading sportsbook platform provider for licensed operators around the world.
This launch marks an exciting new chapter in Inspired’s expansion across Brazil delivering its market-leading Virtual Sports content to a local, LATAM focused operator. V-Play Football Brazil, designed specifically to capture the flair, passion, and energy of Brazilian football, provides fast-paced betting action with high-frequency, ultra-realistic match simulations.
“We’re thrilled to bring V-Play Football Brazil to EstrelaBet’s customers,” said Brooks Pierce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Inspired. “Brazil has a deep-rooted passion for football, and our latest Virtual Football product is tailor-made for that audience. This launch with EstrelaBet, through Altenar’s dynamic platform, represents a powerful combination of cutting-edge technology, local insight, and premium virtual content. It’s a major milestone in our commitment to growth in Brazil.”
EstrelaBet, known for its strong brand presence in Brazil and innovative approach to player engagement, continues to invest in new ways to enhance its sportsbook offering. V-Play Football Brazil is now available at estrela.bet.br, optimized for desktop and mobile platforms, as well as the Android app.
“Inspired’s V-Play Football Brazil delivers the quality, authenticity, and excitement that our players expect,” said Fellipe Fraga, CBO (Chief Business Officer) at EstrelaBet. “The launch of this product aligns perfectly with our mission to offer customers a dynamic and differentiated sports betting experience. We’re excited to bring Brazilian fans a product that feels made just for them.”
The launch was made possible through Altenar, whose scalable and flexible sportsbook platform supports operators across more than 30 countries.
“We are proud to power this exciting launch between Inspired and EstrelaBet,” said Antonis Karakousis, Director of Operations at Altenar. “Inspired’s V-Play Football Brazil is a perfect match for the Brazilian market, and this rollout exemplifies Altenar’s ability to support rapid integration and localization of best-in-class content. We look forward to seeing strong engagement and performance from this partnership.”
Gaming
Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open

The Avalanche Foundation and Helika, a leading provider of technical and creative solutions for the video games industry, have officially launched their joint video game accelerator program and opened applications for the first cohort.
The newly announced strategic partnership is designed to engage both Web3-native studios and traditional game developers exploring blockchain integration. The accelerator aims to identify and support the next generation of studios building at the frontier of blockchain-based gaming.
The program is focused on product interaction and is designed to discover, support, and fast-track promising studios and projects building on the Avalanche blockchain. It will provide selected projects with unparalleled access to resources, mentorship from industry leaders, technical support, activations, and funding opportunities for qualifying or top-performing teams.
The accelerator is open to seasoned teams building high-quality, engaging experiences across platforms, from mobile to desktop and everything in between. Projects with prior traction or cross-platform aspirations are especially encouraged to apply.
The program will run for 3 months, with virtual onboarding and IRL showcases planned across major gaming and blockchain events.
What selected teams get:
Funding & Resources: $25,000 in initial support and up to $125,000 in additional funding for qualifying or top-performing teams.
Expert Guidance: Mentorship from game veterans, blockchain experts, and industry leaders through group sessions and 1:1 consultations.
Analytics Support: Comprehensive analytics solutions to track performance, improve retention, and optimize monetization strategies.
Blockchain Integration: Dedicated assistance for integrating with the Avalanche blockchain and optimizing technical performance.
Community & Growth: Activations with partner communities and platforms and support in player acquisition, community building, go-to-market strategies.
Helika Advisory Access: Access to specialized experts from Helika’s network for tailored support.
Ecosystem Access: Direct connection to a vibrant network of developers, investors, publishers, and Web3 enthusiasts.
Showcase Opportunities: A final Demo Day event to present games to investors, publishers, and ecosystem partners.
“We are excited to partner with the Avalanche Foundation to create a world-class accelerator for Web3 gaming. Avalanche’s robust and scalable infrastructure makes it an ideal environment for innovative game development. Studios need tools that work, data that matter, and real support from people who understand what it means to build in this space — this accelerator provides all of that, plus a direct line into a powerful Web3 ecosystem,” said Anton Umnov, Founder and CEO of Helika.
“Avalanche is focused on the long game. There’s no shortage of flashy ideas. What’s missing is the support that helps studios turn those ideas into real, playable, scalable games. Avalanche has long been the go-to chain for speed and innovation, and now we’re channeling that energy into the future of gaming, supporting teams who understand the nuance of player experience, community building, and long-term value creation,” said Parker Heath, Ava Labs Gaming Partnerships Lead.
Avalanche plays host to a vibrant lineup of video games, including Off The Grid and Maple Story Universe, all pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in blockchain-powered play. Thanks to its customizable Avalanche L1s, lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees, developers can tailor unique environments for their games without compromising on user experience.
Helika has become a cornerstone for modern game studios, equipping developers with real-time insights into player behavior, on-chain economies, and engagement metrics. From Proof of Play and Parallel to Nexon, Ubisoft, and Com2Us, Helika’s platform is shaping how developers build, balance, and scale their games in real-time. This accelerator takes that impact further by embedding support into the earliest stages of development when it matters most.
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