Monthly Archives: December 2017

Greek top court wants to send Alexander Vinnik to US

Score one for United States. Again.

On Wednesday, the Greek Supreme Court approved the order for Russian national Alexander Vinnik’s extradition to the United States, where he is facing charges for allegedly laundering billions of dollars through digital currency platform BTC-e.

Vinnik was arrested in a beachside village in northern Greece last July on suspicion of laundering more than $4 billion via BTC-e as well as facilitating hacking, fraud, identity theft, tax refund fraud, public corruption and drug trafficking activities during his time in the digital currency market.

The Supreme Court decision was the latest update in the ongoing legal battle between the U.S. government and Russia, which are both seeking Vinnik’s extradition. A lower court initially ordered the 38-year-old to be sent to the United States, but the Russian Foreign Ministry lodged its own extradition request for Vinnik, who also appealed to be sent to his home country.

Nektan’s US subsidiary respin partners with Seven Feathers Casino Resort

Friday 15th December (London, UK) – Respin LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nektan PLC (AIM: NKTN), has reached an agreement with Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Oregon.

As part of the deal, the Evolve in-venue platform will be integrated to SUZOHAPP’s Interactive Pro Table, allowing guests to enjoy video slots, bingo and poker games, as well as free-to-play content at the bars and restaurants of the resort.

Rapid GamesTM, the brand name for Respin LLC, is the creator of the first and only approved Class II and III in-venue mobile platform, which has previously gone live with a tribal casino in California.

Gary Shaw, Interim CEO of Nektan, said: “We are thrilled with this latest contract win for Rapid games as our first customer in Oregon extending the states in which we will operate.

Btobet and iSoftbet join forces to expand in New Markets in Africa And Latam

iSoftBet, apremium online and mobile casino game supplier – operating in Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Romania – and the sportsbook and iGaming platform provider BtoBet, fresh Sports betting innovator 2017 at the SBC awards, have successfully signed a partnership aimed at offering a wide range of exciting games to the ever demanding i-gaming players.

iSoftBet’s impressive portfolio of games that include exclusive branded content based on Hollywood films, famous TV series, unique original slots and excellent table gameswhich will be fully integrated into BtoBet’s advanced, secure and flexible platform.The two companies are ready to expand in all regulated markets in Europe, Africa and Latin America, offering progressive technology, available in an HTML5 format, compatible with desktop as well as mobile.

Commenting on the partnership, iSoftBet’s Head of Business Development Michael Probert, stated:

“We are always looking to increase the distribution of our games, and this deal with BtoBet helps us to enter new markets, in particular Africa and Latin America. While these markets are still evolving, we believe they offer huge potential for the iGaming industry as more countries move towards regulation. We aim to assist operators by providing them with our high-quality, top-performing titles through BtoBet’s advanced platform, who, in addition, understand the market and regulations in place very well”.

PAGCOR: Casinos may face closure for letting minors in their facilities

State regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has warned casino operators to not let minors inside their gambling facilities if they don’t want their casinos to be shuttered for good.

In a memorandum posted on its website, PAGCOR reminded casino operators to forbid guests below 21 years old from entering the gambling area of their integrated resorts. The penalty set by PAGCOR for erring casinos was the closure of the gaming site.

The state regulator also reiterated its long-standing prohibition on all government officials and employees, as well as their immediate relatives; members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP); Gaming Employment License holders; and persons included in the National Database of Restricted Persons from setting foot in any casino in the country.

Casino operators that will violate the directive will face a penalty of PHP100,000 (US$1,980) per entry per individual classified as a “prohibited person,” according to PAGCOR.

Playtech presents Christmas live casino

Available to all licensees from the world’s largest live studio

London: December 15th 2017 – Playtech is offering all its Live Casino licensees an early Christmas present this year by unwrapping a dedicated festive area 10 days before the big day.

Playtech, the world’s leading omni-channel gaming software, systems and services supplier, has purpose-built and designed a dedicated Christmas experience full of magic and festive cheer featuring its best-performing Roulette and Unlimited Blackjack.

Following the success of last year’s Christmas Roulette, as well as the strong performance of Playtech’s promotional Halloween Fortune and Paradise Roulette tables, the 2017 room has been extended to two tables, this time featuring golden chips and multi-player options. With golden chip 50 UK-only winners are selected at random, each one receiving 20 golden chips worth £5 that they can use on the live tables.

Multilotto announce NetEnt partnership

Online lottery betting operator strengthens casino vertical with addition of games from world-leading supplier.

Online lottery betting operator Multilotto has strengthened its casino offering by adding NetEnt to its list of suppliers.

Multilotto will have full access to NetEnt’s catalogue of games, with the plan being to release two new titles per week on their platform.

That means big name titles such as Starburst, Mega Fortune, Hall of Gods, Gonzo’s Quest and Guns N’ Roses will be available to Multilotto players in the near future.

Illinois judge upholds gambling parlors, terminal operators split profit share

An Illinois County judge has junked a petition seeking to allow gambling parlors to negotiate their own profit-sharing deals.

The State Journal-Register reported that Cook County Judge Neil Cohen upheld the split sharing of profits between video gambling parlors and terminal operators, which he said would prevent operators from offering incentives to gambling establishments.

In a nine-page decision, Cohen concurred with the arguments raised by Illinois Gaming Board and the Illinois Machine Gaming Operators Association that the 50/50 profit split protects the welfare of small, retail locations.

“Plaintiffs argue that they should be allowed to negotiate the profit split, comparing themselves to grocery stores negotiating with suppliers,” Cohen stated in the ruling. “Gambling, however, is not an ordinary business.”

Kiron Interactive partners with Pinnacle

Provider’s full range of titles extended to leading operator

London, 15th December 2017 – Specialist virtuals provider Kiron Interactive has put pen to paper on an agreement with leading online operator Pinnacle.

Under the terms of the agreement, Kiron will make its online bet management platform, Betman Online, available to the operator through the Iforium platform.

Kiron’s full gaming portfolio will be at the disposal of Pinnacle customers, including its diverse catalogue of virtual sports titles.

Highly anticipated game releases from Wazdan

Thursday, December 14, 2017, Malta – Wazdan, the major casino games producer with products covering slots, table games and video poker continue to expand their games portfolio with the release of Fruit Fiesta, a slots game that is a veritable fruit-basket of fun. Fruit Fiesta stars friendly mariachi fruits, and is set to be of the most exciting slots ever made!

Wazdan’s Fruit Fiesta is a game that will bring pleasure, entertainment and wins to everyone. The new 20-line, 5-reel slot takes players into a colourful Mexican world, an endearing Chilli pepper character spices things up with multiple winning combinations. With Wadan’s unique Volatility Level players can change the win level between spins, a feature proving to be very popular amongst casinos.

Apart from stunning graphics and an uplifting mariachi soundtrack, Fruit Fiesta has some extra features that boost both gaming experience and chances to win big.

Wazdan does not slow its pace as we approach the festive season and has also simultaneously released an interesting classic feel casino game, Mystery Jack Deluxe. With this game upgrade the Malta-based developer takes players to a desert where the cruel sun beats down and lizards scurry for shade that includes a variety of animals which thanks to HTML5 technology can be launched on all devices including smartphones and tablets. Players get the chance to win a substantial cash prize of up to 500 times their stake. Each win can be doubled and the well-designed slot offers a oneof-a-kind gamble feature where the players’ goal is to help Mystery Jack find his booty.

Asia Lottery Expo & Forum 2018 to make its debut

Macau, December 2017 – The Asia Lottery Expo and Forum is set to make its official debut on May 15 – 17, 2018 in Macau.  The three-day event follows the success of the Asia Lottery Forum and 7th China Lottery Industry Salon, which attracted more than 700 lottery professionals to the event in 2017.

The launch of the multi-faceted Asia Lottery Expo & Forum aims to deliver a business, learning and networking platform exclusively designed for lottery professionals, and provide an opportunity for technology and solution providers to showcase their current and upcoming game designs, platforms, systems, capabilities and innovations, while meeting and exploring collaboration prospects with fellow lottery operators in Asia.

“The Asia Lottery Forum is an annual, not-to-be-missed event.” said Professor Su Guojing, renowned lottery expert and founder of the China Lottery Industry Salon. “The China Lottery Industry Salon and Asian Responsible Gaming Alliance are honored to have co-hosted the Asia Lottery Forum with G2E Asia in 2017. As the Secretary General of Sub-committee for Lottery Major under National Teaching Instruction Committee of Civil Affairs Vocational Education, I am also very pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Organizer. We invited industry experts, academics and professionals from across Asia and created a unique opportunity for them. The participants exchanged ideas, learned from each other, and explored how to better promote the healthy and sustainable development of Asia’s lottery industry. This marks a new stage for regional lottery cooperation and development. We look forward to even greater success at Asia Lottery Expo & Forum 2018!”

Asia-Pacific’s lottery industry reported total sales of $107.7 billion in 2016, according to the World Lottery Association. The August 2017 edition of WLA Magazine additionally reported global lottery sales up by 0.9 percent in the first quarter of 2017, with sales in Africa, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region soaring by 9.4 percent, 5.8 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively.

MintBet launches affiliate programme with Income Access

Irish sportsbook launches new affiliate programme after completing integration with Income Access Network

Montreal, QC. 15th December 2017 – MintBet, the online sports-betting and casino brand has launched their new affiliate programme in partnership with Income Access, Paysafe’s marketing technology and services provider. The programme will drive affiliate partnerships by leveraging the Income Access Network, the iGaming industry’s longest-serving independent affiliate network.

The MintBet brand launched earlier in 2017 and is licensed under the Republic of Ireland’s Gambling Act of 2015, as well as by the UK Gambling Commission. The site boasts a range of sports-betting products, including both pre-event and in-play betting on football, cricket, rugby union and other sports markets. MintBet’s online casino, featuring live-dealer functionality plus jackpots and slots, is offered alongside the brand’s core sportsbook.

To celebrate the launch of MintBet’s affiliate programme, the brand has unveiled an enticing player promotion for affiliates. New depositing players receive a free £10 bet every weekend for the sportsbook, while customers depositing at the brand’s online casino enjoy a 100% welcome bonus of up to £200.

Sweden warns Metro: drop the gambling adverts or take the pain

Sweden’s gambling regulator has fired what it claims is its final warning shot across the bow of local media outlets that run adverts for unauthorized online gambling operators.

On Thursday, Sweden’s Lotteriinspektionen gaming regulatory body published a notice on its website warning the publisher of the free daily Metro newspaper to stop running ads for internationally licensed online gambling sites or face the consequences.

Lotteriinspektionen accused Metro, which is read by over 1.1m Swedes, of running ads promoting numerous internationally licensed sites, including Multilotto.com, The Lotter, Ninja Casino and Jackpotjoy. Lotteriinspektionen maintains that these ads are in violation of the Lottery Act, which prohibits the promotion of any lottery organized outside the country.

Lotteriinspektionen further claims that Metro has been repeatedly warned to cease and desist such naughtiness yet the publishers apparently couldn’t care less. Lotteriinspektionen is now warning that future violations of this sort will result in a financial penalty of SEK 250k (US $29,600).

Doing great things: Dan Smith & the Crowley Bros create $1m matching challenge

Dan Smith and the Daily Fantasy Sports duo Tom and Martin Crowley have come together to create a $1m charity matching drive with proceeds going to effective charities.

We can sit here watching re-runs of Salem’s Lot while we pick our arse, the little kid floating outside the window, tapping, “let me in.” We can eat ourselves to death. We can bathe in the fluorescent lights of the shopping mall buying shit that we don’t need.

We can do that.

Or we can do something else.

Calling the Clock: WSOP schedule; WPT record; Smith $1m Challenge

Another round-up of poker news including the release of the schedule for the 49th Annual World Series of Poker, a new record for the World Poker Tour at the Bellagio, and Dan Smith and the Crowley Brothers promise to match $1m in a new charity drive.

I’ll start my weekly round-up of news from the world of chips, cards, and cocky card sharps by focusing on the World Series of Poker (WSOP).

In the summer, the iconic poker series returns for the 49th time, and we got a sneak peek at the schedule when someone accidentally leaked the information onto the Club Poker website.

Disaster!

Former Legendz Sports employee sues Caesars over Championship ban

A former employee of the now-defunct Legendz Sports online sportsbook is suing Caesars after they allowed him to compete in World Series of Poker Circuit events, win a seat into the Global Casino Championship, and then banned him for his part in the Legendz debacle.

You bust out the vision board, cover it with pictures of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) – gold rings, bracelets and all. You post it at the foot of the bed so you can see it before you close your lids, and when they open again.

You take out the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) schedule and circle your events. Your plan is a simple one. Win a gold ring and qualify for the WSOP Global Casino Championship and your shot at the bracelet.

You don’t win the ring, but you do cash 12-times, earning over $100,000, and secure your $10,000 package in the big event, after finishing 39th on the leaderboard.