With 2024 already behind us, Casino Guru News had the pleasure of catching up small portOstrovtsovaThe CEO of BGaming reflects on the company’s remarkable year. From industry awards to groundbreaking game releases, BGaming continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, strengthening its position as a leading developer of innovative online casino games.
In this exclusive interview, Ostrovtsova talks about the company’s biggest milestones, including the debut of its first data-driven game, Aztec Clusters, and the release of Snoop Dogg’s smash hit Dollars. It also talks about the expansion of the global BGaming market, the awards received and the commitment to social initiatives.
Find out how 2024 has impacted BGaming and what’s next for the forward-thinking company in 2025.
Question: Marina, as BGaming prepares to summarize 2024 results, what would you highlight as the company’s most important achievements this year? Also, what makes 2024 a good year for BGaming in terms of growth and impact on the industry?
Looking ahead to 2024, I am very proud of everything we have achieved at BGaming. This year has been full of achievements that demonstrate how far we have come and the impact we are having on the industry.
One of the highlights for us was the launch of Aztec Clusters. It wasn’t just a game; was our first fully data-driven game, created in collaboration with Casinolytics. Seeing how players connected to it and knowing that it was made up of real ideas made me feel very special.
Another key milestone this year was when Yulia Alekseeva, our co-CPO, received the Product Manager of the Year award at the CasinoBeats Developer Awards. Personally, I also had the honor of being named Leader of the Year at the SBC Awards. It was a special moment, but it really is a reflection of the great people I work with at BGaming and all the effort we put in as a team.
BGaming also held our first private client event in Amsterdam. We chose Zandvoort Circuit, the iconic Formula 1 venue, for its incredible combination of luxury, fun and relaxed atmosphere. It wasn’t just a business; it was about creating memories and celebrating relationships in a way that felt so genuine to us.
The launch of Snoop Dogg Dollars was another big moment for us – it was our first celebrity-branded game, created in collaboration with Roobet and Casinolytics, and it was a huge success. To top it all off, winning Best Game Studio of 2024 at the SiGMA Europe Awards was the perfect way to end the year.
Overall, 2024 has been a year of growth, big launches, and valuable connections, and I’m looking forward to what we’ll accomplish in 2025!
Question: Looking at your growth this year, which markets have proven to be the most important to your company? Have you had several opportunities to expand into new jurisdictions this year?
This year has been a big one for BGaming in terms of entering new markets and forming partnerships. We made our debut in Argentina through a partnership with the country’s largest casino chain, Casino Club, which was a big step for us. We have also signed a multi-brand agreement with Premier Bet in Africa, opening us up to this fast-growing market.
In Europe, we made waves in Slovakia with a deal with TIPOS, a state lottery operator, and entered Armenia through a partnership with Adjarabet, one of the country’s leading online gaming operators. Switzerland followed with the popular 7 Melons online casino, and we also expanded our presence in Lithuania with Uniclub, a renowned casino and sports betting platform. With Solverde we even expanded to Portugal.
Additionally, we have our games certified in Peru and Italy, which is a big win for us and opens even more doors for us in those regions.
Q: In addition to expanding its presence among operator clients and launching new products, BGaming appears to be focusing on several important social initiatives, from green projects to the arts. Why is BGaming involved in these areas?
At BGaming, we believe our responsibility goes beyond business: it’s about making a positive impact on the world around us. That is why we pay special attention to supporting social initiatives, especially in the field of art and education. We value personal growth and the well-being of society and we want to contribute to it.
For example, during SiGMA Americas we supported the A7MA Galeria Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which helps develop children’s creative talents. In July, we made a donation to the Orion Fathers Youth Education Center in Warsaw, Poland, to help develop a chess school for youth, providing them with more classes, equipment, and tournament opportunities. More recently, during the SBC Summit in Lisbon, we contributed to the European Intercultural Club, which supported a biodiversity education program at a local school. It’s about developing children’s creativity and creating a sense of community.
It’s not just about growing our business, it’s about growing with the communities we are a part of and giving back where we can.
Q: We also saw you launch your first celebrity spot this year with Snoop Dogg. How popular is this game among your partners and their players?
Since we launched Snoop Dogg Dollars, it’s been great to see how much people enjoy it. After launching exclusively on Roobet and then spreading everywhere, the response has been overwhelming. We had over 1,100 mentions and reached 2.3 million people online, including social media.
The players really like it and we are working hard to keep that momentum going. It’s been a fun ride and we can’t wait to see how it performs in the long run!
Q: You continue to reimagine individual gaming experiences, from creating a bird’s-eye-view crash game in Top Eagle to adapting popular video game franchises like Minesweeper to the current iGaming landscape. How successful have these products been?
It’s a little difficult to compare casual games to our main slot games, but I can safely say that games like Top Eagle and our new casual games have been quite popular.
Top Eagle, with its unique aerial view and feeling of flying, has really attracted the attention of players. It offers a new experience for crash game lovers and also welcomes new players who are just trying out the genre. It was great to see how passionate the players were about it.
We recently launched Tile Master, inspired by classic games like Minesweeper and modern games like Mine Gems. It combines the best elements of board games and video games, giving players a fun, stress-free experience and plenty of rewards. With different levels of volatility, high RTP and features like turbo mode, it has become a hit among players of all preferences.
These types of games will always be successful because they are simple, fun, and offer quick wins that players love.
Q: Player customization and gamification have been some of the hottest topics of the year. Do you think BGaming is keeping up with these changes?
Of course, we’re keeping an eye on changes related to player customization and gamification. We’re always looking for ways to make our games and experiences more engaging for players. One of the things we’ve been really excited about lately is the launch of BGaming Loyalty.
We created it because we know how difficult it is for online casinos to retain players, especially with so much competition. BGaming Loyalty is our way of helping players and operators build stronger, longer-lasting relationships. Offers players a fun and rewarding experience with custom loyalty levels, progress tracking, and unique rewards. It’s all about keeping players excited and motivated, whether they’re chasing quick wins or long-term goals.
We have also focused on creating a personalized experience with features like the lobby, which acts as a hub where players can easily find BGaming games. With smart filters and recommendations, it’s all about making the gaming experience smoother and encouraging players to delve deeper into a portfolio of games, helping them feel more connected.
Question: Would you like to make a prediction for 2025 and your company’s place in the industry?
Oh, that’s a tough question! But if I had to make a prediction for 2025, I’d like to see us create another amazing celebrity-branded game that will eclipse the success of Snoop Dogg Dollars. Something that goes even further and really pushes the boundaries. This would help us strengthen our position and truly establish ourselves as an unconventional games provider, known not only for its fantastic games but also for always thinking outside the box.
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