News
The Rise and Rise of Live Dealer Gaming
Live Dealer games are a relatively youthful part of a relatively youthful industry. However, like iGaming itself, it hasn’t taken long for Live Dealer games to become a huge part of the gambling industry.
While the popularity has been there since the outset, recent technological advancements have given the opportunity for this game type to lift itself to a whole new level.
The History of Live Dealer Games
Since the inception of iGaming, the desire for players was to get that true to life casino experience from the comfort of their own homes.
It was, therefore, far from a surprise that the first Live Dealer games found an instant player base.
Live Blackjack and Live Roulette were the first two to appear, and while the games were limited, with one table, and a set time limit on playing time due to there usually only being one host, players loved them.
As is often the case with online casino games, it didn’t take long for evolution to take place, with the likes of Craps and Poker swiftly being added to the list.
As time went on, further developments took place, with more tables being added, more software developers creating their own Live Dealer offerings, and before long, Live Dealer games were available 24/7.
The Present of Live Dealer Games
In the eyes of many, Live Dealer games have peaked, and while there will undoubtedly be further evolutions, it’s hard to argue with that opinion.
The biggest change that has been made recently is the advancement of Live Dealer games from lifelike echoes of the real life casino experience, to games that use the online format to add extra dimensions to the gameplay.
Live Dealer games these days often offer intricacies and complexities that would not be possible in a brick and mortar casino.
As always, one of the biggest factors in the development of Live Dealer games being so swift, is competition, with several software developers battling it out for supremacy in this lucrative field.
NetEnt
NetEnt have historically been one of the first developers to step into a new section of the industry, but they were a little late to the party with Live Dealer games, launching their suite in late 2013.
Highlights of the NetEnt portfolio of Live Dealer options include multiple language options with dealers from around the world, and unlimited player Blackjack.
While there is less variation than from some other developers, NetEnt’s Live Dealer games often have a higher RTP than competitors.
Ezugi
Ezugi were a late entry too, but their focus on Live Dealer games has ensured a strong reputation has quickly developed.
Ezugi’s collection is headed up by a collection of innovative titles, they are one of very few developers to offer Live Keno, and have their own unique titles such as Wheel of Dice.
Playtech
Like NetEnt, Playtech is a developer that has made its name through other game types, primarily slots, before stepping foot in the Live Dealer world.
The fact that Live Dealers are not the sole, or indeed main focus for Playtech means they stand behind the big guns in this area of iGaming, but there is still a lot on offer here.
Games out of the Playtech studio in Latvia are available all across Europe and include all the classic games, as well as Unlimited Blackjack and a Dual Roulette game which allows for playing at two table at one time.
Evolution Gaming
While there are many pretenders to the throne, there can only be one King of Live Dealer games, and in the eyes of most, the crown rests firmly on the head of Evolution Gaming.
From Dual Play Roulette, which allows an unlimited number of online players to join a roulette game in a brick and mortar casino, to unique, branded titles such as Deal or No Deal Live and Monopoly Live Wheel, to the likes of Lightning Roulette and Lightning Dice, which bring unique gameplay aspects to Evolution’s games, it’s clear to see why this developer holds the top spot.
Evolution Gaming powered live dealer games are available at more than 100 online casinos and they hold a local license in almost all regulated casino markets. This includes the regulated USA states, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland and many more.
The Future of Live Dealer Games
As stated above, many believe Live Dealer games to have peaked, but as the popularity of this form of gambling keeps increasing, and technological advancement allow for further additions and progressions, we can expect more changes to come.
What these changes will be is anyone’s guess, but we can safely assume there will be more unique Live Dealer games, as well as further exciting tweaks on classic titles in the near future.
The Benefit of Live Dealer Games
While there are obvious advantages to Live Dealer games in terms of the excitement offered by the unique game types, there is a larger advantage for many players, and that is peace of mind.
For many players, even knowing a Random Number Generator (RNG) is exactly what it described, there are still concerns about how random these generators actually are.
It should be stated that these RNGs undergo strict scrutiny from regulators to ensure they are random, but to many, nothing ensures security in the random nature of a game like seeing a right in front of you.
This is where the benefit of Live Dealer games comes in, offering the same surety that one would get in a land based casino, but without the need to dress up smart and actually leave one’s house in order to play them.
With this added sense of comfort, the constantly evolving game types, the excellent designs and themes that the games have, and the ability to play them from home, and time of day or night, it is pretty much a guarantee that the popularity of Live Dealer games will not only maintain, but continue to increase over time.
Affiliate Success
ReferOn Shortlisted for “European Corporate Services Supplier” Category at EGR EUROPE Awards 2026
ReferOn, the next-gen affiliate management platform, has been named on the EGR Europe Awards 2026 shortlist in the “European Corporate Services Supplier” category, recognising the platform’s solutions that help real operators with their operations and growth.
Continuing 2025’s Momentum
The nomination reflects a busy 2025 for ReferOn, one that was highlighted by significant product updates, rapid growth, and an ascent to becoming one of the most recognised affiliate management platforms in the industry.
Going into the new year, the ReferOn team has ambitious plans to accelerate this positive momentum by scaling alongside its growing partner base with advancements to its product vision around clarity, transparency, and ease of use. The EGR Europe Awards 2026 marks a pivotal start to 2026, and an award win demonstrates that the platform’s direction truly resonates with operators and affiliate managers worldwide.
Refie’s Human Impact
Refie, the platform’s human layer, transcends a mere surface-level companion. It hops around dashboards and workflows, providing relevant assistance, such as fixing reward logic, identifying anomalies, and making suggestions to the user.
In 2026, ReferOn plans to enhance Refie’s functionality with advanced platform gamification, engaging users and transforming how affiliate managers interact with their day-to-day operations. These developments will pave the way for personalised, smart intelligence on the platform and set an industry standard for affiliate tech.
Alex Bukin, General Manager, commented on the nomination and plans for 2026, “ReferOn made great strides in the past year, with major product developments, key recruitments, and a rapidly growing partner base. With this growth, our expectations have risen, and we want to establish ourselves as a platform that accelerates affiliate tech across the board. Being nominated for the ‘European Corporate Services Supplier’ category solidifies our ambition and is a meaningful start to our new year. With Refie driving more innovation, we look forward to driving our goal of transparency, clarity, and customer-facing features even further.”
Conferences
Aff.Tech Wraps Strong ICE & iGB Affiliate, Earns AIBC Eurasia Shortlist
Aff.Tech, the affiliate management platform by GR8 Tech, closed out ICE and iGB Affiliate Barcelona 2026 with over 30 meetings—connecting with new prospects, aligning on growth plans with existing partners, and visiting client booths to celebrate their recent wins firsthand.
Market Signals That Match the Roadmap
Across both events, several themes dominated conversations: AI-driven automation across affiliate operations, heightened focus on compliant and transparent tracking, demand for flexible commission structures, and a clear shift from short-term acquisition toward long-term, value-driven partnerships.
For Aff.Tech, the signals validate recent product direction. Updates showcased at ICE—including new fixed-fee commission plans for tighter budget control, a third-party CRM integration API, and redesigned reporting for real-time performance visibility—speak directly to what operators said they need: infrastructure that supports diversified affiliate ecosystems without the operational drag.
“The conversations at ICE confirmed what we’ve been building toward,” said Mariia Shmelova, CEO of Aff.Tech. “The industry is moving away from short-term acquisition thinking. Operators want partnerships they can measure, manage, and grow over time—and they need platforms that make that sustainable at scale. That’s the direction we’re committed to.”
Industry Recognition Follows
Shortly after the event, Aff.Tech was shortlisted for Best Affiliate Software at the AIBC Eurasia Awards 2026—recognition that aligns with the momentum the team is carrying into the rest of the year.
News
N1 Puzzle Promo by N1 Partners Named Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards
N1 Partners is proud to announce that N1 Puzzle Promo has been awarded Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards, recognizing the campaign as one of the most impactful and innovative marketing initiatives in the iGaming industry.
The European iGaming Awards celebrate excellence across the European iGaming industry, honoring companies and projects that demonstrate outstanding performance, creativity, and contribution to the sector.
N1 Puzzle Promo stood out as a large-scale global affiliate marketing campaign that became one of the most visible and performance-driven initiatives in iGaming in 2025. Built around a competitive, leaderboard-based mechanic, the campaign featured a total prize pool of €500,000, with a Robinson R22 helicopter as the ultimate reward. This ambitious concept motivated affiliates worldwide to actively scale traffic and compete for top positions across multiple Tier-1 markets.
The campaign was supported by a strong and continuous online presence throughout the year. N1 Puzzle Promo was actively promoted via leading iGaming media, digital advertising, and social media channels. This ensured consistent 360-degree exposure across all key touchpoints, keeping both existing partners and new affiliates highly engaged. The campaign drove sustained activity across Tier-1 and growth markets, with affiliates increasing their monthly FTD volumes by 150% in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The campaign culminated in a grand final party and winner announcement event in Barcelona, where top-performing partners gathered to celebrate the results together. This transparent and public conclusion reinforced trust, credibility, and community within the affiliate network, transforming months of competition into a shared industry milestone.
“Winning Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards is a powerful validation of our vision for N1 Puzzle Promo,” said Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners. “This wasn’t just a promo, it was a global journey that united partners and drove strong, measurable growth. We’re grateful to our partners and proud to set a new benchmark for affiliate marketing in iGaming.”
This award further strengthens the position of N1 Partners as a team that consistently delivers bold, high-impact marketing solutions and continues to set new benchmarks for affiliate campaigns in the iGaming industry.
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News2 weeks agoN1 Puzzle Promo by N1 Partners Named Best Advertising and Marketing Campaign at the European iGaming Awards
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Press Releases1 week ago
N1 Partners Hosts the N1 Puzzle Promo Grand Final and Reveals the Helicopter Winner at iGB Affiliate 2026 in Barcelona
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Awards2 weeks ago2RBO Affiliates Secures Affiliate Marketing Campaign of the Year at International Gaming Awards 2026
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Conferences3 days agoAff.Tech Wraps Strong ICE & iGB Affiliate, Earns AIBC Eurasia Shortlist
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Affiliate Success3 days agoReferOn Shortlisted for “European Corporate Services Supplier” Category at EGR EUROPE Awards 2026

