Ahead of next week’s SBC Summit Lisbon, BGaming CCO Olga Levshina reflects on what has been a prolific year of trading thus far. One that incorporates some big successes on the game development front, moves into LatAm and collaborations with the art world.

How has trading been so far this year for BGaming and what have been the highlights for the company?

Looking back at this year, I’m really happy to see BGaming continue to grow. One of the biggest highlights was the release of our data-driven game, Aztec Clusters, in February. We worked on this game with the Casinolytics AI platform, and what makes it special is that it’s designed around the gaming habits of streamers. 

Casinolytics spent 18 months analyzing over 10,000 hours of data, looking at how streamers play, what emotions they show, and their gaming styles. In just a few months, Aztec Clusters became a huge hit with both streamers and players. Even now, more than six months later, it’s still one of the top games.

We’ve also made great progress with our marketing tools, especially with the Drop campaigns and the launch of B-Rush Challenges. On top of that, we’ve entered new markets this year, including Lithuania with UniClub, Bulgaria with InBet and Winbet, Armenia with Adjarabet, Slovakia with Tipos, and Africa with PremierBet, and many others. We’re also building new partnerships in Romania and Latin America.

And lastly, I’m excited to share some exclusive news — we recently certified our games in Peru. This is a big step for us, as it not only helps us grow in that region but also strengthens our plans to expand further into Latin America.

There’s a distinct Portuguese theme coming from BGaming right now. You have a new art collaboration with street artist Gonçalo MAR and a high-profile attendance this month at SBC Summit Lisbon. Let’s talk firstly about your art collaboration, the rationale behind it and the creative process involved.

At BGaming, we love to do things a little differently. For us, participating in exhibitions around the world isn’t just about showcasing our games — it’s a creative journey. That’s where our “When Art Meets Gaming” project comes in. In each country we visit, we collaborate with local street artists to give our iconic game characters a fresh and unique look. 

Ahead of SBC Summit 2024 in Lisbon, we’ve teamed up with Portuguese street artist Gonçalo MAR. He’s been blending comic book, floral, and street art styles for over 25 years to create vibrant, surreal pieces. For this collaboration, our 7th art project, Gonçalo MAR used floral and leaf designs to reimagine some of BGaming’s most popular characters, including those from Aztec Clusters, Elvis Frog TRUEWAYS, Aztec Magic MEGAWAYS, and Book of Cats. We’ll be showcasing his artwork at our stand, and we’ve also prepared branded merchandise and gifts for our partners and visitors. I warmly invite everyone to stop by stand B120 and see all these firsthand!

And secondly, SBC Summit Lisbon, where BGaming will showcase its latest game releases. Can you walk us through some of the new games and highlight their unique features?

Since the market is already filled with a wide range of slots, we make it a priority to release different types of games and themes each month. Let me highlight a few of our latest releases that really stand out.

First, we have Kraken’s Hunger, our first-ever horror-themed slot. It features adaptable reels, bonus symbols, special Ship symbols, Free Spins, and a Bonus Buy option. Only the bravest players will dive into the deep, dark ocean to face the tentacled beast lurking beneath! With multiple ways to influence the game’s outcome, Kraken’s Hunger offers an exciting and immersive experience.

Next is Street Power, a casual game with win-only mechanics, three fighter options, and upbeat audiovisual effects. In this retro-style game, players choose their hero, and each champion brings their own gameplay style, with different levels of volatility, multipliers, and max wins. It’s a fresh and dynamic take on classic fighting themes.

Finally, I’d like to mention Mine Gems, a modern twist on the classic Minesweeper game. This casual game is simple but captivating, with progressive multipliers and familiar diamond and dynamite symbols. The goal is to collect as many gems as possible while avoiding hidden explosives, all while trying to multiply your bet. Mine Gems is unlike anything else in our portfolio, combining easy-to-understand gameplay with thrilling odds and engaging visuals for a truly fun player experience.

What other key initiatives can delegates look forward to from BGaming in Lisbon?

Alongside our 7th art collaboration for the “When Art Meets Gaming” project, our main focus at SBC Summit Lisbon is to showcase what we do best — our games. In addition to the new titles I’ve mentioned, we’re really excited about an exclusive game release on September 25th with a celebrity on Roobet, which is something we’re sure will catch a lot of attention.

Visitors to our stand will also have the chance to try out our B-Rush Challenges marketing tool, where they can play and win some great prizes. We’ve been preparing for this event all summer, so we have some exciting plans ready to go from September 24-26.

As part of our visit to Lisbon, we’re also continuing our tradition of giving back. This time, we’re making a donation to the European Intercultural Club, a local non-profit founded in 1998. The organization focuses on youth education, training, and employability, while promoting values like democracy, equality, and respect for cultural differences.

Finally, you’ve been busy in LatAm this year. How are you finding the business there and can you tell us more about your charity work with the A7MA Galeria Institute in Sao Paulo?  

Latin America is a unique market with its own preferences and rules, just like many others. We’ve been actively studying player trends, working with streamers, and organizing B-Rush Challenges with them in the region. These activities help us tailor our roadmap and create games that resonate well in Latin America. This year, we also made our debut at an exhibition in São Paulo, Brazil, which was an incredible and new experience for us.

As part of our creative “When Art Meets Gaming” project, we collaborated with a Brazilian street artist duo. We wanted our visit to have a lasting positive impact, so we also supported the A7MA Galeria Institute, which helps with children’s creative development.

Our donation helped organize a visit for children to the A7MA Gallery, where they toured ‘Batman’s Alley’ and explored art. Together with local street artists they transformed home facades into colorful murals. Additionally, A7MA representatives had an opportunity to renovate the warehouse, enhancing the space so it can host school groups and distribute food to underprivileged areas.

We’re excited about continuing these charitable efforts and proud that BGaming can make a positive impact both within and beyond the igaming world.