White Hat Studios, the 'House of Brands' provider to the US iGaming market, has revealed its 2026 franchise-led content strategy with a roadmap anchored by the continued expansion of its top-performing Kong game family.
Game franchises continue to prove a powerful growth lever in US iGaming markets, leveraging recognisable IP and player familiarity to generate day-one traction.
The 2026 Kong lineup is headlined by the soccer-themed slot, Kong Even Bigger Balls Jackpot Royale Express, set to launch ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which takes place across the US, Canada, and Mexico. The release will enable US operators to capitalise on cross-sell opportunities surrounding one of the world’s most anticipated and widely spectated sporting events.
The proven series already includes standout titles such as Kong 3 Even Bigger Bonus – the fourth-ranked New Top Slot in Eilers & Krejcik’s December report – and will be further supplemented with several additional games launching for the first time in the US. This includes 4 Even Bigger Bananas Jackpot Royale Express, marking the franchise’s first integration with White Hat Studios’ quickfire progressive jackpot network.
As the supplier continues to evolve its content strategy, the Kong series will form part of its broader Amplify Franchises offering, housed under the Amplify Suite umbrella. Set to roll out in the coming months, Amplify Suite will bring together White Hat Studios’ bespoke, jackpot and franchise content, alongside enhanced operational support and data-led insights.
White Hat Studios has established itself as a leading developer of enduring game families across US markets. Its award-winning 7s Fire Blitz™ brand highlights its proficiency in curating high-impact franchises built for longevity, and the expanded investment in Kong further emphasises this strategic direction.
Armen Tatarevic, VP Gaming at White Hat Studios, said: “Franchises remain a core pillar of the White Hat Studios content strategy, allowing us to build on popular themes and features to deliver sustained player engagement for our partners.
“We have only scratched the surface of what the Kong game family can achieve in the US. With strong traction already generated, our focus will shift to meaningful IP expansion that gives operators a diverse range of titles aligned with player interests.”
Dingnews.com 09/02/2026