Dorota Gruszka and Craig Asling: “Events like SBC Summit are essential for keeping Booming Games at the forefront of the industry”
Dorota Gruszka, Head of Marketing, and Craig Asling, Director of Games, spoke to Focus Gaming News about how Booming Games is preparing for the event.
Exclusive interview.- Booming Games is preparing to attend SBC Summit in Lisbon, in September. To learn more about the company’s expectations for the event, its latest releases, and its future plans, Focus Gaming News spoke to Dorota Gruszka, Head of Marketing, and Craig Asling, director of games. They also shared details about the company’s most successful game launches in the past few months, new game mechanics, and its expansion in Africa.
How do events like SBC Summit Lisbon help Booming Games gain insight into the latest market trends and stay ahead of the competition?
Events like SBC Summit Lisbon are essential for keeping Booming Games at the forefront of the industry.
They give us a concentrated view of the latest innovations, from game mechanics and visual trends to technological advancements that are shaping player engagement. By seeing what other suppliers are bringing to market and listening to the conversations happening across the floor, we gain a clear understanding of where the industry is heading.
Equally important are the direct interactions with operators, platform providers, and industry experts. These discussions provide valuable, first-hand insight into market performance, player preferences, and regional opportunities. This knowledge allows us to adapt our strategy quickly, refine our product roadmap, and ensure we’re delivering games that not only meet current demand but anticipate future trends — keeping Booming Games competitive and ahead of the curve.
Are there any major announcements or exciting developments coming from Booming Games that attendees can look forward to at SBC Summit Lisbon?
We are pushing it to the next level. Our roadmap for 2026 looks very promising — we will double the number of releases compared to this year. We have several game series with a proven track record of exceptional performance, and we’re also about to launch our very first crash game — something we’re particularly excited about.
Over the past year, we’ve received significant industry recognition, being shortlisted for multiple prestigious awards, and we’ve partnered with major operators worldwide. This is a clear sign that we’re moving in the right direction. Our content is now licensed in more and more regulated markets, expanding our reach and reinforcing our commitment to compliance and quality.
On top of that, we’re investing heavily in innovation, both in gameplay and in player engagement features. Attendees can expect to see not only fresh titles but also new mechanics and formats designed to set new standards in entertainment and retention.
What have been some of the most successful game launches for Booming Games in the past few months and what feedback have you received from players and operators?
The last few months have been very successful for us. We released several titles that have received outstanding feedback from both players and operators. Among these are Buffalo Hold and Win 10,000 — currently our top-performing game in multiple markets — 64 Gold Coins Hold and Win, Tasty Bonanza, Cash Pig 2, Fish Tales Monster Bass, and Coin Crusher Hold and Win.
“Our roadmap for 2026 looks very promising — we will double the number of releases compared to this year.”
These launches have shown that we can consistently deliver engaging, high-quality content that appeals to a wide audience. Our portfolio includes timeless, classic-style games and modern, innovative titles, ensuring we cater to different player preferences while maintaining strong performance across diverse markets.
What’s especially rewarding is hearing from operators that our games drive strong engagement and retention, while players praise the immersive visuals, exciting features, and rewarding mechanics. This direct feedback confirms that our focus on blending creativity with proven game formulas is paying off — and it motivates us to keep pushing boundaries with every new release.
Are there any new game mechanics or unique features that Booming Games is focusing on in its upcoming releases?
At Booming we are always looking at market trends and we look to see how we can adopt mechanics and features that are resonating with players. We then see how we can take those core mechanics and build upon them to bring something new to the player. Whilst we do look at new innovations, we don’t need to completely reinvent the wheel. We take popular features and mechanics and put our own spin on them.
We know that player favorite features such as Cash Collect, Hold & Win, etc, are still highly sought after by players. We take those core mechanics and build upon them in innovative ways. Our upcoming release Shields of Gold Valkyrie Hold and Win, for instance, at its core, it has a Cash Collect feature, but we have engineered it in a way that’s new for the player, landing Shield symbols in combination with Wild symbols can transform them into instant cash prizes or even a Hold & Win bonus trigger. Small iterations like this strike the right balance of player familiarity and innovation.
In 2025, Booming Games has expanded its footprint across Africa. How do you see the African online gaming market evolving, and what opportunities do you anticipate for further growth and innovation?
We are certified in South Africa, and our focus on growth in the region is very strong. Just last month, we sponsored the Durban Horse Racing event together with one of the top-tier operators in South Africa, Hollywood Bets. We look forward to more such collaborations, as they are extremely beneficial in strengthening partnerships and building brand visibility.
The African online gaming market is evolving rapidly, driven by increasing internet penetration, growing smartphone adoption, and a strong appetite for mobile-first entertainment. We see tremendous opportunities to introduce localized content tailored to regional preferences, as well as to innovate with lightweight, mobile-optimized games that deliver premium experiences without compromising performance.
Looking ahead, we aim to not only expand our footprint in more regulated African markets but also explore unique engagement strategies — from exclusive game releases with local partners to incorporating themes and features inspired by African culture and player trends. This combination of strong partnerships, tailored content, and continuous innovation will allow us to play a leading role in shaping the market’s growth.
“We are certified in South Africa, and our focus on growth in the region is very strong.”
Can you talk to us about the process of customising your products to meet the needs of niche markets?
We are highly committed to providing localised and market-specific content. Firstly, we offer games that are fully localised for each individual market, as well as offering branded or even fully custom games for our customers. Recently, we launched a title in collaboration with one of South Africa’s biggest operators, Hollywood Bets, in which we delivered a custom game based around the famous Durban Horse Race event. We worked closely with the customer to deliver a top-performing game, and it was used as part of their promotional activities during the event. We listen and work closely with our customers to ensure that we are providing top-tier products for these markets.
