Monthly Archives: January 2018

Betting firms in Kenya appeal for a tax dialogue

Wagering firms operating in Kenya are now seeking a dialogue with the Kenyan government in order to find a win-win solution to the gambling tax debacle.

The Star reported that members of the Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya (AGOK) met with senior officials from the Ministry of Sports, Culture, and Arts last week to discuss the tax debacle but they left the vicinity without any concrete solution to the impasse.

AGOK Secretary Judith Kiragu didn’t provide a blow-by-blow account of the meeting except that the group reiterated their appeal to lower the current 35 percent gambling tax to the previous tax limits of between 5 and 15 percent.

The group also expressed its willingness to review their withdrawal of sports sponsorship in the Kenyaif the government will agree to lower the 35 percent tax on gambling activities, according to Kiragu.

Bloomberry to reward loyal customers with stocks

Philippine-listed casino operator Bloomberry Resorts and Hotel Inc. has come up with a way to entice new players to gamble in its integrated resort while retaining their loyal patrons.

Bloomberry announced on Wednesday that it will reward loyal patrons of Solaire Resort and Casino with company stock as it tries to fend off competition posed by other integrated resorts in the Manila Bay entertainment district.

In a regulatory filing, Bloomberry said that it purchased 382,900 shares valued at PHP4.24 million ($83,000) for its marketing program.

“The board of directors of Bloomberry Resorts & Hotels Inc. (BRHI) in a board resolution dated 22 January 2018 authorized the Company to purchase up to two million (2,000,000) shares of Bloomberry Resorts Corporation (BRC) through the Stock Market at market price,” Bloomberry said.“These shares shall be given as a reward to Solaire’s loyal patrons and as part of Solaire’s marketing program.”

Italy, Portugal reassure on cross-border poker liquidity deal

Italy and Portugal are reaffirming their intentions to honor the European regulated market online poker liquidity sharing pact they agreed to last summer.

Last July, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain inked a cross-border agreement to allow licensed operators in their respective regulated online gambling markets to share poker liquidity. Last week, The Stars Group’s PokerStars brand’s French- and Spanish-licensed sites launched the first practical realization of this pact.

However, comments by some Italian politicians and domestic gaming operators – the former concerned about money laundering, the latter about sites like PokerStars reaping all the benefits – led to speculation that Italy was having second thoughts about honoring its liquidity commitments.

Perish the thought, according to Pier Paolo Baretta, Italy’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Finance with responsibility for gaming issues. Baretta told Italian gaming news outlet GiocoNews that “the agreement will be respected.”

British Columbia deregisters River Rock Casino VIP host

British Columbia gaming regulators have deregistered a VIP host at the River Rock Casino Resort over suspected money-laundering violations.

On Thursday, Postmedia News reported that BC’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) had revoked the registration of Lisa Gao, a River Rock employee since 2010 and who tended to the needs of VIP gamblers at the casino since 2012.

Gao’s responsibilities as River Rock’s director of VIP guest relations included “strategic directions and oversight of guest acquisition, development and retention.” Gao also oversaw “daily operations of all high-limit areas on property.”

The GPEB launched an investigation last November into whether Gao “acted in direct violation” of directives regarding “third-party cash buy-ins.” The decision to deregister is preliminary and a final review of the decision is pending.

Digitain set to showcase full suite at ICE

Leading provider broadening its global reach with exciting portfolio

25th January 2018, Yerevan – Multi-channel sports betting and casino platform provider Digitain is all set to showcase its expansive product portfolio to exhibitors at ICE Totally Gaming 2018.

Digitain has grown its footprint across Europe, central Asia and Africa over the past year, with its cutting-edge sportsbook platform (offering odds on 65 different sports, 7,500 leagues, and more than 3,000 betting markets) leading the march.

Sports betting, of course, will be one of the hot topics at ExCeL London from 6-8 February, with next year’s football World Cup in Russia set to shine the spotlight on flexible sportsbook innovation and in-play capacity.

eBET appoints Evan Spytma as CEO

Makati, Philippines – Jan 25, 2018 – eBET, the leading live mobile casino supplier, appointed Evan Spytma as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Spytma, reporting directly to the board of directors, is responsible for leading the strategic expansion of eBET’s organization, product line and global expansion.

Before joining eBET, Mr. Spytma held executive positions in leading interactive gaming companies such as Electronic Arts, PopCap Games and Unity Technologies. With 16 years of leadership in Asia’s fastest growing mobile markets, Mr. Spytma has a keen understanding that businesses need engaging experiences to attract and retain Asia’s mobile consumer.

“eBET is dedicated to bringing the best personal iGaming experience to players throughout Asia with our award winning live casino, superior customer support, and cutting edge mobile technology,” Mr. Spytma says. “Our brand has continued to strengthen and is now expanding into new territories through key partnerships. We will continue to support that growth by expanding our marketing, customer support, and development teams. Through innovation within our live casino, we will resolve some of the most critical market challenges faced by partners. In order to accomplish this, we are doubling the size of our development team to support the pipeline of cutting edge platform features and game improvements.”

Mr. Spytma added:“ I also believe that our business model needs to evolve to allow for rapid partner growth and market expansion. You will hear more about this in the coming months.”

Macau government green lights MGM Cotai table allocations

Macau’s Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has approved the allocation of more than 100 new-to-market live dealer gaming tables to MGM Cotai, just in time for the scheduled grand opening of the facility next month.

Secretary for Economy and Finance Lionel Leong Vai Tac announced on Wednesday that MGM Cotai will get 100 new gaming tables this year and an additional 25 tables next year, according to The Macau Daily Post.

Tac said MGM China will move 77 tables from MGM Macau to the new gambling site in Cotai. The DICJ also allowed the installation of some 900 slot machines at the company’s Cotai resort.

The number of allocated gaming tables, however, was lower than the analysts’ expectations of 150 tables.

Racecourse pool betting operation appoints David Williams as Director of Communications

David Williams is to join British Racing Bet as its new Director of Communications, it was announced today.

British Racing Bet is the entity formed by the majority of British racecourses to deliver pool betting on British racing and is gearing up for its July 2018 launch.

Williams was most recently Director of Media at Ladbrokes and will next month take up his new position with the pool betting operation as it adds expertise to its senior team.

Nigel Roddis, Managing Director of British Racing Bet, said: “David is a highly talented, well known and well regarded professional who brings a wealth of communications experience to the team. His knowledge of the racing and betting industries is first-rate and we are delighted he will join us shortly as we continue our preparations towards launching later this Summer.

Waves establishes strategic partnership with International Financial Center Astana

MOSCOW, 25 JANUARY 2018. Waves has forged a strategic partnership with IFCA, Astana’s International Financial Center, based in Kazakhstan.

The memorandum of cooperation was signed at the CryptoHQ event, within the framework of the World Economic Forum currently being held in Davos (Switzerland), at which Waves also has a presence. The goal of the partnership is the creation of an advanced ecosystem for financial technologies using the latest blockchain technologies.

“We are confident that our partnership will bring to Kazakhstan the most advanced practices in the field of blockchain technologies and will turn IFCA into one of the most innovative centres for the development of industry in the world. Thanks to the experience accumulated in the framework of our cooperation, we will also be able to replicate the best solutions, which will have a positive impact on the development of the entire blockchain ecosystem in the CIS,” said Alexander Ivanov, CEO and founder of the Waves Platform.

The partnership is a significant step towards the normalisation and adoption of blockchain technology at the state level, as well as by individual businesses and industries. One of the purposes of the collaboration will be to support start-up companies as they engage with new financial and blockchain technologies, providing them with access to Waves blockchain solutions. Waves will also help attract foreign startups to the IFC Acceleration Program and conduct training events.

Becky’s Affiliated: Slots Stream Betting, Twitch & slots innovation with Nik Robinson

Nik Robinson is one of those names and faces we recognize, yet likely without awareness of the significant contribution he’s made to the online casino industry, especially in slot game development.

“I’ve been fascinated with slot machine mechanics as long as I can remember, and have been working in the online gaming industry for over 20 years. My first business, NT Media, pioneered browser-based gaming back in the late nineties. NT was snapped up by News Corp alongside Orbis and became Openbet”, Robinson shared.

Robinson served on the Openbet management team for five years, helping to grow the business from 50 to 500 staff, move to an open platform and via BCLC, license the first casino product into North America.  In 2011 he founded Big Time Gaming (BTG) out of Sydney, an innovative slots development company with a special focus on “high volatility” slot game streamers.

Last year, BTG developed a relationship with live stream internet star Kim Hultman, also a slots enthusiast who broadcasts his sessions live via a Twitch account, allowing thousands of fans to watch his ride in real time.

Turkey needs casinos to lure rich Chinese tourists

Turkey should open casinos to boost international tourism, particularly the rich Chinese kind, according to local travel agents.

On Tuesday, Timur Bayındır, president of the Turkish Travel Agencies Union, told reporters that opening foreigner-only casinos would help boost levels of inbound Chinese tourists, who currently account for less than 1m visits to Turkey per year.

Turkish media outlet Hurriyet quoted Bayındır saying Chinese tourists “love gambling and they spend a lot of money … If we do not open casinos, we will not be able to attract more Chinese tourists.” Bayındır claimed Chinese tourists were instead flocking to “Bulgaria, Georgia and Romania because they have casinos.”

As for where these Turkish casinos might go, Bayındır suggested the “idle” island of Yassıada in the Mamara Sea, the inland body of water that links the Black Sea to the Aegean, could accommodate a “large casino” that would only accept foreign passport holders.

The iGathering comes of age

The iGatherings have become a staple on Malta’s iGaming calendar, a sign of SiGMA’s year-round commitment to the industry. Over the previous editions guests have really been treated to some of the finest dining extant, and the experience is only getting better with successive editions of the event.

The purpose of the iGatherings is to expose the movers and the shakers of the iGaming industry to some of the finest locations the island has to offer. The largely expatriate community will have the opportunity to experience a different side of Malta in a featured venue, enjoy fine food from a featured chef, with the work of a featured artist in the background.

This marquee event started off at fine local restaurants, but as of the last edition it has taken flight. The last event was organized at the MCC, whose 16th century architecture provided a stunning backdrop. Going forward, iGatherings will always take place at one of the most majestic locations the island has to offer, and display the talents of the finest local chefs and artists. The Casino Maltese, a wildly underrated venue with a truly unique atmosphere, has been chosen to host iGathering 18.

As ever, no expense is being spared, and the industry elites in attendance will be able to enjoy a night of finer living – and do a spot of networking if they’re so inclined. Once again, this event is co-organized with six sponsors, and promises to be a quintessential fusion of Maltese culture and the iGaming biz.

Just two weeks left of the BetterBetting ICO public sale for BETR, the betting currency of the future

January 25, 2018 – Tallinn, Estonia: BetterBetting, a blockchain based, decentralised peer-to-peer sports betting system, has now reached its soft cap of $2 milllion and is expected to quickly reach its $30m hard cap by the end of January.

Once the target $30m in ICO sales is reached there will be no further token sales apart from maintenance tokens (to compensate for tokens burnt as part of transaction fees) and reserve funds. The total token pool is hard capped at 650,000,000 BETR.

Of the total tokens, 180m tokens will be locked in reserve making the liquid distribution only about 470m (depending on token sales). The digital BetterBetting currency will be the industry standard for a transparent, provably fair and trustless sports betting system, for all online sports gaming.

The company’s advanced distributed peer-to-peer and peer-to-sportsbook wagering platform facilitated through frictionless use of BETR, will be accepted and integrated with the leading sports betting sites, worldwide.

The legend lives on as Pariplay & Atari launch Atari Pong online slot

New online slot celebrates Pong’s place in gaming history with retro look and modern features

25 January 2018 – Pariplay Ltd., a gaming technology company serving iGaming operators, land-based casinos and iLotteries, and Atari, a leading publisher of video games, have announced the launch of the real-money online slot Pong®, based on the iconic Atari Interactive arcade game. Having recently celebrated its 45th Anniversary, this legendary table tennis simulator has been enjoyed by countless players since its original 1972 release and is often credited with establishing the video game industry as it is known today.

Pong is the latest video arcade classic from Atari® to be honoured with an action-packed online slot, featuring non-stop excitement and plenty of big win potential. Pariplay’s previous Atari®-branded releases include Asteroids®, Star Raiders® and Black Widow®. The new release also further expands Pariplay’s iGaming content portfolio of over 100 video and classic slots, instant-win games, online scratch cards and bingo games.

Featuring five reels and 20 paylines, the Pong online slot is highlighted by a Referee Central Spot from which special features can be expanded for a chance at even more lucrative rewards. Expanding wilds, random wilds and wild multipliers, combine in an offering that will appeal to young and nostalgic audiences alike.

Spillehallen.dk launches Betsoft Games on new site Bingohygge.dk

Betsoft Gaming have announced that Spillehallen.dk will be launching Betsoft games across Bingohygge.dk. This exciting new site will focus on the Danish market, primarily targeting Danish women between ages of 30 and 65.

Bingohygge.dk will be offering Betsoft’s full suite of gaming software to their players, including Slots3™, ToGo™ mobile and Classic Slots.

“It is brilliant to target Bingohygge.dk toward a female audience,” said Aaron Axisa, Account Manager at Betsoft Gaming. “Women are the fastest growing player demographic in our business, and we are sure that building a site customized to that group will be a resounding success. We know Spillehallen.dk has the experience and dedication to create a superior experience for these players.”

“Spillehallen.dk is a well-known company in Denmark both for our online casino site Spillehallen.dk and for producing the original Danish slots both for the online and offline market,” said Erik Boye Hansen

Pennsylvania mini-casino license auctions bringing in the bucks

Pennsylvania’s second mini-casino license auction resulted in another major payday for the state.

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board announced that Stadium Gaming LLP had won the state’s second Category 4 casino license auction. Stadium’s winning bid of $40,100,005 was sufficient to fend off three unidentified rival bidders (and we really hope that extra five bucks was what sealed the deal).

Stadium Gaming is the joint venture of the Cordish Companies and Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment. The latter firm operates the state’s market-leading Parx Casino in Bucks County, and Stadium Gaming is also currently building the $600m Live! Hotel & Casino Philadelphia.

Stadium Gaming’s new Cat 4 venue will go somewhere near Derry Township in Westmoreland County in the western half of the state, not far from Pittsburgh. Stadium spokesperson Carmen Gonzales promised area residents a “world-class gaming and entertainment venue” along with “thousands of new excellent jobs.”