Merge Up

What is Merge Up?

Members pushed the government for further action to block illegal websites, in the same way it provides power to quickly address terrorist and child pornography sites.

Members advocated for stronger powers to be given to Kansspelautoriteit (KSA), the regulator of gambling in the Netherlands, with tougher action taken against payment providers, social media sites and affiliates that facilitate illegal gambling.

Van Bruggen revealed the cabinet was in the process of developing legislation to introduce DNS blocking for illegal sites, with a consultation due for early 2027.

About Merge Up

The implications could extend well beyond companies already established in other areas of gaming.

“You shouldn’t necessarily need 100 people and millions of euros of infrastructure to have a great idea and turn it into a successful slot,” Curwen says.

Lower barriers to entry could significantly widen the pool of potential game creators. Curwen sees opportunities not only for established and emerging studios, but for operators, suppliers, entrepreneurs and potentially entirely new entrants.

About Merge Up

The most distinctive product choice is presentational. Chicken and Johnny Cash are brought to life with voiced exchanges between the two characters, a detail BGaming describes as an industry-first for the studio and one aimed squarely at retention rather than math.

The clearest read on Johnny vs Chicken is this. BGaming is starting to treat its characters as reusable brand assets that can be moved between games. That’s a meaningful shift for a studio, because it turns individual hit titles into a connected roster rather than one-off releases.

The provider frames the goal in engagement terms. BGaming says the rivalry makes the game feel more personal, drawing players in and inviting them to pick a side, creating the potential for longer play sessions and building streamer appeal. Streamer visibility in particular rewards recognizable characters and on-screen drama, which is where the voiced duel format is designed to pay off.