Playtech kicked off 2026 with three major deals. We will cover the software provider's custom slots for Novibet, a 100-game expansion in South Africa, and bet365's first exclusive US live studios.
Key Highlights
- Three Witches slot joins Fire Blaze series as exclusive Novibet content targeting Greece, Brazil, and Mexico
- LottoStar partnership adds 100+ Playtech titles to South African online casino market
- bet365 receives 10 branded live dealer tables across two US states in market-first deployment
- Partnerships reinforce Playtech’s position as the leading provider of custom gaming solutions
Source: All information in this Casinoplusbonus news report is sourced from the official Playtech news page on the software provider's website.
Exclusive Game Development for Novibet
Playtech released Three Witches on January 16, marking the second exclusive slot built for Novibet. The first one, Blue Witch, performed well enough to warrant a sequel. It is basically a follow-up on Playtech's Blue Wizard collection of online slots, which includes Cash Collect & Link and Fire Blaze. This latest title is part of the Fire Blaze series and uses the Hold and Respin mechanics already popular with players. The exclusive angle matters because it gives Novibet an advantage competitors can’t match. Novibet operates in Greece (where it's a major player), Brazil, and Mexico, so the game is available in those markets.
Panos Scoursis, Playtech's Commercial Director, said the partnership shows how closely the two teams work together. The mystic theme fits Novibet’s brand while keeping familiar Fire Blaze mechanics.
South African Market Expansion Through LottoStar
On January 14, Playtech teamed up with LottoStar (owned by Betfred) to add more than 100 casino and live casino games to the South African platform. It’s a major content boost. We’re talking slots, live dealer tables, and the promotional tools that help keep players coming back. Simon Munsamy, Playtech's Managing Director for Africa, noted that South Africa is a key market for the company's broader African plans. For LottoStar players, this gambling news means access to many more games than before, helping the operator compete in a still-growing market.
Both companies emphasized their commitment to player protection and responsible gaming. The partnership puts Playtech in a stronger position across the region while giving LottoStar the content library it needs to stay competitive.
US Live Casino Breakthrough with bet365
Playtech and bet365 opened dedicated live casino studios in Pennsylvania and New Jersey on January 12. This is bet365’s first exclusive live dealer setup in the US, with a total of 10 tables across both locations, featuring roulette, baccarat, and blackjack. Dedicated studios are becoming increasingly common; live casinos often use shared tables where you're playing alongside customers from other operators. These dedicated studios are available only to bet365 players and offer custom branding and greater control over how games run. Thomas Griffiths, bet365’s CEO and Head of Gaming, described this as part of their broader US expansion rather than a short-term promotion.
Marat Koss, Playtech's Chief Interactive Gaming Officer, noted that the US is a priority market. The studio launch demonstrates they can deliver scalable live casino solutions that comply with each state's regulatory requirements.
Casinoplusbonus Opinion
These partnerships are a mixed bag for players. On the one hand, exclusive games like Three Witches require a Novibet account to play; you can't just hop over to your preferred casino and find it there. That can get annoying if you end up juggling multiple accounts just to access specific games. On the flip side, dedicated studios, such as the ones bet365 has in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, actually improve the experience. You're getting higher production quality and a more personalized setup than generic shared tables. For South African players using LottoStar, this is good news: more games are available on a platform you already use.
The bigger picture here is that Playtech is focusing on regulated markets with proper licensing, which generally means better player protections and responsible gambling tools, even if it limits options in places without clear regulations.
