PlayAIO data shows strong end to year for IGT’s Cash Eruption

The start of a new year provides British data and analytics company PlayAIO with the opportunity to reflect on how the online casino industry has grown and diversified.

PlayAIO leverages its RankIQ Engine, a proprietary game ranking solution, to collect the latest visibility data for online casino games offered by major operators and developers in America’s seven regulated iGaming markets. The RankIQ Engine allows PlayAIO to measure the visibility of online casino games and their month-by-month performance trends.

PlayAIO collects data from more than 14 operators, including BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel. The data provides accurate indicators of how front-end positioning influences content performance in U.S. markets that provide consumers with access to iGaming.

In December, PlayAIO’s data showed the viability of an online casino title that closed 2025 as the highest-ranked game for visibility despite a momentary dip in widespread reach.

Cash Eruption closes the year strong

IGT’s online casino title Cash Eruption finished December 2025 as the nation’s most visible iGaming title after a brief drop in visibility in July that was attributed to non-exclusive tags being removed from a popular Light & Wonder title.

In December, Cash Eruption ranked as the most visible game for seven of the 14 operators evaluated by PlayAIO, with the title ranking in the top 10 or trending games categories for an average of 24 days throughout the month.

“Although there was minimal Christmas branding for Cash Eruption, it continued to succeed,” PlayAIO CEO Joshua Gibbs told SBC Americas. “The game continues to show longevity above the norm.”

Another holiday drives momentum for visibility

In October, PlayAIO data showed an increase in visibility for online casino titles with Halloween themes. Two months later, PlayAIO also found that Christmas-themed games resonate with players across the country despite their limited availability.

In December, White Hat Studios’ Saint Nicked 3 closed as the highest-ranked game for visibility during the month. The title averaged 27 days as the top game for seven operators. White Hat Studios also had a strong month thanks to its other Christmas-themed titles that included Saint Nicked 2: Ho Ho Hoedown, Saint Nicked 3 and Saint Nicked Jackpot Royale. Other notable Christmas-themed titles that showcased strong visibility in December included Games Global’s Bass Cash Christmas X Up and Christmas Catch, an online casino title developed by Evolution.

New games solidify their footprint in the rankings

PlayAIO also evaluated new online casino games in December, providing evidence of the competitive nature of the online casino industry. Some of the largest stakeholders in gaming, including IGT, White Hat Studios, Playtech and AGS, released new iGaming titles with innovative features. IGT’s latest iteration of its Cash Eruption series emerged as the most visible new title in December, but games from AGS and Gaming Realms also showed the desire for other major players in online casino gmaing to make their titles visible to the masses.

Exclusivity impacts visibility rankings for operators

PlayAIO data shows the exclusivity of a title impacts visibility and can provide insights into how a title may be perceived by bettors, as proven by Light & Wonder’s performance in July 2025. Several of Light & Wonder’s exclusive titles garnered strong interest, but DraftKings proved to deliver a highly visible exclusive title in DraftKings Blackjack. The exclusive tag of games in December also allowed for operators besides FanDuel and DraftKings to catch eyes behind a new and diversified portfolio of online casino gaming options.

PlayAIO provides regional data

PlayAIO also measures how location impacts game visibility, collecting data in every regulated U.S. online casino market. In December, Cash Eruption was the most visible title nationwide, but in Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Huff ‘N Even More Puff closed with the highest ranking. West Virginia also proved to be a favorable market for Light & Wonder despite IGT rounding out the top three in visibility in the Mountain State.