Onlyplay highlights at recent SBC Summit Malta

How it was

Onlyplay team recently attended SBC Summit Malta, where representatives joined industry discussions, met partners, and explored the future direction of gaming, player behavior, and casino entertainment. Representing Onlyplay at the event were Anna Serheieva, Head of Partnerships, together with members of business development and partnership team. 

The summit became an important platform for highlights of discussions around innovation, evolving audiences, alternative game mechanics, and the future role of casino operators in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.

Highlights of SBC Summit

One of the most important moments of the conference for the Onlyplay team was participating in inspiring panel discussions focused on the future of slots and the image of casino operators in the next 10 years, moderated by Arjan Korstjens. According to Anna Serheieva, it was especially exciting to see how actively the industry is now discussing ideas that Onlyplay has believed in for years – gamification, social features, mobile-first entertainment, fast gameplay sessions, and new mechanics beyond traditional slots.

“Five years ago, when I joined Onlyplay, these ideas were our key selling points. We were talking about the future of games, innovations, gamification, social mechanics, and the evolution of players. At that time, it felt like we were bringing a completely fresh perspective to the market,” shared Anna Serheieva, Head of Partnerships at Onlyplay.

Prediction markets and alternative entertainment formats

Another major topic heavily discussed during SBC Malta was the rise of prediction markets and alternative entertainment formats during a panel moderated by Martyn Elliot. Anna noted that several years ago, during an interview with Martyn, Onlyplay was already speaking openly about the market transformation that is now becoming visible across the industry.

“At that moment we already understood that the gaming industry needed innovation. After that interview, our motto was born: ‘We create games today for the players of tomorrow.’ Seeing these conversations becoming part of the mainstream today is incredibly inspiring,” Anna added.

What will players actually want in the future?

Throughout the summit, discussions repeatedly returned to one key question — what will players actually want in the future? While slots continue holding strong positions, new game mechanics are clearly becoming more influential, opening larger debates about the future of casino entertainment and which formats will dominate the next generation of gaming.

Are Gen-Z, Millennials, and future Alpha audiences going to engage with classic slots in the same way after 35? Or are we already entering the era of fast, mobile-centered, TikTok-like dopamine entertainment focused on simplicity, dynamics, and instant engagement?

For Onlyplay, these questions are directly connected to the company’s long-term strategy. Through Tap Games™, crash games, lightweight mobile-first products, and new interactive mechanics, Onlyplay continues exploring entertainment formats designed for modern player behavior and shorter, more dynamic gaming sessions.

“What we see from distributing Tap Games™ is that the market truly demands novelty. Players are looking for fast entertainment, simple mechanics, action, and accessible gameplay. The niche for these products already exists, and the industry is actively evolving in this direction,” Anna explained.

The company also sees growing competition and expansion within the segment, as more studios begin creating alternative mechanics and social-driven products. For Onlyplay, this is a positive sign that the market is embracing innovation and moving toward new forms of engagement.