Marina Ostrovtsova: “2024 has been a year of growth, great releases, and valuable connections”

As 2024 is now behind us, Casino Guru News had the pleasure of catching up with MarinaOstrovtsova, CEO at BGaming, to reflect on a remarkable year for the company. From industry accolades to groundbreaking game launches, BGaming has continued to push the envelope, solidifying its position as a leading developer of innovative online casino games.

In this exclusive interview, Ostrovtsova highlights the company’s most significant milestones, including the debut of its first-ever data-driven title, Aztec Clusters, and the release of the celebrity-branded hit, Snoop Dogg Dollars. She also discusses BGaming's global market expansions, award wins, and dedication to social initiatives.

Find out how 2024 shaped BGaming's journey and what lies ahead for the forward-thinking company in 2025.

Q: Marina, as BGaming prepares to wrap up 2024, what would you highlight as the company’s most significant milestones this year? Additionally, what makes 2024 a good year for BGaming in terms of growth and industry impact?

Looking back on 2024, I’m really proud of all that we’ve achieved at BGaming. It’s been a year full of achievements that show just how far we’ve come and the impact we’re making in the industry.

One of the highlights for us was the launch of Aztec Clusters. It wasn’t just any game; it was our first-ever fully data-driven title, crafted in partnership with Casinolytics. Seeing how players connected with it and knowing it was shaped by real insights made it feel so 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. On a personal note, I was also honored to be named Leader of the Year at the SBC Awards. It was a special moment, but it’s really a reflection of the amazing people I work with at BGaming and all the effort we’ve put in as a team.

BGaming also hosted our very first private client event in Amsterdam. We chose Circuit Zandvoort, an iconic Formula 1 venue, for its incredible blend of luxury, fun, and relaxed vibes. It wasn’t just business; it was about creating memories and celebrating relationships in a way that felt so authentically us.

The release 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’s been a huge success. To top it all off, being named Best Game Studio of 2024 at the SiGMA Europe Awards was the perfect way to wrap up the year.

Overall, 2024 has been a year of growth, great releases, and valuable connections, and I’m really looking forward to what we’ll achieve in 2025!

Q: Analyzing your growth this year, what markets have proven the most important for your company – you have had several opportunities to enter new jurisdictions this year?

This year has been a big one for BGaming in terms of expanding into 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 huge step for us. We also signed a multi-brand deal with Premier Bet in Africa, opening up that fast-growing market for us.

In Europe, we made a splash in Slovakia with a deal with TIPOS, the state lottery operator, and entered Armenia through a partnership with Adjarabet, one of the top online gaming operators there. Switzerland was next, with 7 Melons, a popular online casino, and we also grew our presence in Lithuania with Uniclub, a well-known casino and sports betting platform. We’ve even expanded into Portugal with Solverde.

On top of that, we got our games certified in Peru and Italy, which is a big win for us and opens even more doors in these regions.

Q: Besides growing your footprint with individual operator clients, and launching new products, BGaming seems to have focused on several major social initiatives – from green projects to art. Why is BGaming getting itself involved in these areas?

At BGaming, we believe that our responsibility goes beyond just business, it’s about making a positive impact in the world around us. That's why we've been focusing on supporting social initiatives, especially in art and education. We value personal growth and community well-being, and we want to contribute to that.

For example, during SiGMA Americas, we supported the A7MA Galeria Institute in São Paulo, Brazil, which helps nurture kids' creative talents. In July, we donated to the Youth Educational Centre of the Orion Fathers in Warsaw, Poland, to help develop a chess school for young people, giving them more classes, equipment, and tournament opportunities. Most 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 all about developing kids’ artistic skills and building a sense of community.

It’s not just about growing our business — it’s about growing with the communities we’re a part of and giving back where we can.

Q: We also saw you release your first celebrity slot this year, featuring the image of Snoop Dogg. How popular has this game been with your partners and their player bases?

Since we dropped Snoop Dogg Dollars, it’s been awesome to see how much people are enjoying it. After the exclusive launch on Roobet and then releasing it everywhere else, the response has been huge. We’ve had over 1,100 mentions and a reach of 2.3 million across the internet, including social media.

Players are really loving it, and we’re working hard to keep that momentum going. It’s been a fun ride, and we can’t wait to see how it does in the long run!

Q: You have continued to reimagine individual game experiences, from bringing a bird’s eye type of crash game in Top Eagle to adapting popular video game franchises, such as Minesweeper, to fit today’s iGaming landscape. How successful have these products been?

It's a bit tricky to compare casual games to our main slot titles, but I can definitely say that games like Top Eagle and our newer casual titles have been pretty popular.

Top Eagle, with its unique bird's-eye view and the sense of flight, has really grabbed players’ attention. It offers a fresh experience for fans of crash games, while also welcoming new players who are just trying out the genre. It’s been great to see how engaged players are with it.

Just recently, we launched Tile Master, which draws inspiration from classic games like Minesweeper and modern titles like Mine Gems. It combines the best elements of board games and video games, giving players a fun, low-stress experience with plenty of rewards. With different volatility levels, high RTP, and features like Turbo mode, it’s been a hit for players with all kinds of preferences.

These types of games are always going to do well because they’re simple, fun, and offer those quick wins that players love.

Q: Player personalization and gamification have been among the hottest topics of the year – do you feel that BGaming has kept pace with these changes?

Absolutely, we’ve been keeping up with the changes around player personalization 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 recently is the launch of BGaming Loyalty.

We created it because we know how tough it can be for online casinos to keep players coming back, especially with so much competition out there. BGaming Loyalty is our way of helping both players and operators build stronger, lasting connections. It gives players a fun, rewarding experience with personalized 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 also focused on creating a personalized experience with features like the Lobby, which acts as a hub where players can easily discover BGaming’s games. With filters and smart recommendations, it’s all about making the experience smoother and encouraging players to dive deeper into the game portfolio, helping them feel more connected.

Q: Would you want to make one prediction for 2025 and your company’s place in the industry’s landscape?

Oh, that’s a tough one! But if I had to make a prediction for 2025, I’d love for us to create another amazing celebrity-branded game that outshines the success of Snoop Dogg Dollars. Something that takes things even further and really pushes the boundaries. This would help us strengthen our position and really establish ourselves as a beyond-game provider, known not just for great games but for always thinking outside the box.

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