Monthly Archives: February 2020

QTech Games confirms Epic merger

4th February 2020 – QTech Games, Asia’s number-one games distributor, has announced a major merger with leading games reseller, Epic Media, in order to bolster its platform’s position at the forefront of the industry for taking the best online games to market across emerging territories.

Under the terms of the reseller agreement, every component of QTech’s digital one-stop shop will be made available, from slots and table games to instant win, virtual sports and live casino games.

Epic Media is headed by industry trailblazers Staffan Lindgren and Ulf Norder, both of whom have a proven record for business development and scale-up success. Norder is a former Director of Development at Yggdrasil and Evolution Gaming, while Lindgren was a co-founder of NYX, which now forms a key part of Scientific Games.

Thanks to a recent partnership with Ezugi’s live-dealer portfolio, QTech Games now has an all-inclusive service for global operators, particularly across developing gaming spaces where demand for a comprehensive-yet-localised product set is paramount against a diverse backdrop of cultural trends and player preferences.

Goa’s political leaders disagree on casino visits by locals

The ink on a new resolution in Goa prohibiting locals from stepping foot inside area casinos is just barely dry, but is already receiving some public pushback. Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recently appointed the region’s Commissioner of Good & Services Tax to be the new Gaming Commissioner, a position that will enforce prohibition of locals from entering casinos. However, not everyone is happy with the plan and at least one of Sawant’s fellow legislators believes the state is headed in the wrong direction. He has publicly come out to question the validity of the move and, while supports the gambling ban, doesn’t feel that locals should be prevented from visiting casinos.

In reality, Goans have been banned from entering casinos since The Gambling Act of 2012 was introduced. However, not much attention has been paid to the rule until now. State Ports Minister Michael Lobo doesn’t necessarily disagree with the prohibition on gambling and believes that there is a difference between being allowed to enter a casino and being allowed to gamble at one.

According to The Times of India, Lobo states, “There are other things in casinos besides gaming. There is music, entertainment, food, etc. Nepal and Sri Lanka have banned their citizens from gambling in casinos. Goans are Indian nationals, so you should not allow all Indians entry while not allowing Goans. This needs to be debated at the highest levels.”

The Gambling Act of 2012 was introduced after complaints of individuals losing their shirts to gambling. However, gambling addiction is something that needs to be treated, not swept under the rug. Just because gambling is illegal doesn’t mean that people aren’t going to gamble, and not allowing locals into casinos only forces the activity to go underground where no consumer protection can be found. It also prevents governments from collecting revenue on the activity.

Despite predictions, state lottery ticket sales have not been hurt by casinos

When Massachusetts lawmakers were considering legalizing casino gambling a decade ago, opponents argued that the industry could take a big bite out of the lottery program, which generates a huge share of the state government’s revenue. But with three casinos now open, the lottery appears to be chugging along as if nothing has changed.Financials, Massachusetts, Retailer, Casino

Colin McDonagh appointed CSO at Pronet Gaming

London 3rd February 2020 – Pronet Gaming has appointed Colin McDonagh as Chief Sales Officer as it swells the ranks of its management team ahead of a push into emerging markets.

The industry stalwart, who most recently spent four years as Sales Director at Sporting Solutions, has more than a decade of relevant business experience and has a reputation for delivering contracts with tier one bookmakers and global lotteries.

His appointment follows that of Bobby Longhurst as Chief Commercial Officer, who will lead the charge at this week’s ICE London.

McDonagh will oversee sales in growing yet under-serviced markets with the company’s new-look platform, which provides tailored online sportsbook, casinos and retail solutions.

Playtech extends agreement with Mansion until 2025

London, February 3 2020 – Playtech, the world’s leading gambling technology company, has announced the extension of its long-term agreement with online gambling giant Mansion for another five years.

The agreement will see Playtech extend its collaboration with Mansion in the UK and Italy building on a highly successful partnership across two of Europe’s leading regulated markets. The deal includes a dedicated Casino tab on Mansion’s flagship brand Casino.com and follows Mansion’s recent commitment to a bespoke Live Casino studio space in Playtech’s Eurolive facility, featuring both Live Roulette and Live Blackjack.

Mansion’s investment in its Live Casino business is the latest of many developments in its partnership with Playtech; the company having successfully implemented a series of Playtech engagement and gamification tools, including in-game messaging and leaderboard competitions. Mansion also recently successfully integrated CaptainUp – a specialist gamification tool available to Playtech customers via its Open Platform technology.

Shimon Akad, Chief Operating Officer at Playtech, comments: “We enjoy a close and collaborative relationship with Mansion, and they remain a key long-term partner for Playtech. We continue to grow with them and support their position as market leaders.  Mansion’s commitment to an exclusive Live Casino space for Casino.com is a significant step in taking the company’s Live offering to a new level and creating a valuable new USP.

NetGaming supercars take centre stage at ICE

03rd February, 2020: NetGaming, the creative new casino studio, is gearing up for ICE London with an exclusive supercar display as part of its announcement of two exciting automotive brand licence agreements.

The vehicles will be displayed in the main boulevard at Stand MS6. Delegates are encouraged to enter a competition to win 1 of 5 high-octane driving experiences by taking a picture of any NetGaming logo and posting it on one of four popular social media channels with the hashtag ‘#NetGaming’.

NetGaming’s entire portfolio, including its recent hit Infinity Battle, can be enjoyed at Stand N1-413 where the company’s team will be on hand to answer all questions.

The show caps a successful period for the supplier, which has just signed a series of high-profile distribution deals with the likes of Relax Gaming and Bet Construct as it continues its rapid international expansion, with several important market entries on the horizon.

QTech Games partners with Ezugi to elevate live casino for Asia

3rd February 2020 – QTech Games, Asia’s number-one games distributor, has launched with leading live casino provider Ezugi in a breakout deal for the company which completes its definitive product portfolio, establishing QTech Games as a comprehensive one-stop-shop for global operators.

Ezugi already provides high-class mobile live dealer and desktop solutions to digital gambling businesses and brick-and-mortar casinos across international markets, such as Europe, the U.S. and Latin America. Now, though, this agreement with QTech Games’ leading platform also expands Ezugi’s geographic reach still further, opening up Asia’s array of both established and emerging markets for accelerated growth.

Ezugi’s state-of-the-art live studio delivers an unrivalled immersive experience for players, who can now enjoy these engaging, real-time table games (from classics like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and three-card poker to regional favourites such as India’s Andar Bahar) via the flexible QTech platform which offers the fastest integration on the market.

As the fastest-growing distributor in Asia over the past few years, QTech’s platform boasts the broadest gaming portfolio around, localised for each region, with native mobile apps, powerful reporting and marketing tools, and 24/7 local-language support.

Australia’s Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation has a new leader

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF) has a new chief, which means the gambling industry in Victoria needs to be ready for changes. The organization is led by a board who responds to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation and works to prevent gambling addiction in Victoria. Following the departure of Julie Ligeti as the chair of the VRGF, Tass Mousaferiadis is going to be installed as the new leader, and other changes are being made inside the top echelon that will most certainly build upon the country’s plans to control gambling on more levels than ever.

Mousaferiadis has served on the board since February 2017 and has a background in entities that focus on health and education. He is the chair of Eastern Health Services and of Star Health, and is also a board director for Foodbank Victoria, according to a press release on his appointment. Additionally, he has been in leadership roles with a number of organizations, including Beyond Blue and VicHealth.

Marlene Kairouz, Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, says of the appointment, “Mr Mousaferiadis is passionate about the development and delivery of high-quality health policy, programs and services that are informed by the experiences of those affected and I have every confidence in his ability to lead the Foundation.”

Joining Mousaferiadis is coming in at the same time that another board member is moving up, as well. Monique Conheady has served on the board since 2013 and will now carry the title of Deputy Chair. She is a co-founder and former CEO of Flexicar, and has served on the governing board of Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority. Her increase in responsibilities comes as Belinda Duarte, with ties to the Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung aboriginal people, resigns.

Australia’s Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation has a new leader

The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF) has a new chief, which means the gambling industry in Victoria needs to be ready for changes. The organization is led by a board who responds to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation and works to prevent gambling addiction in Victoria. Following the departure of Julie Ligeti as the chair of the VRGF, Tass Mousaferiadis is going to be installed as the new leader, and other changes are being made inside the top echelon that will most certainly build upon the country’s plans to control gambling on more levels than ever.

Mousaferiadis has served on the board since February 2017 and has a background in entities that focus on health and education. He is the chair of Eastern Health Services and of Star Health, and is also a board director for Foodbank Victoria, according to a press release on his appointment. Additionally, he has been in leadership roles with a number of organizations, including Beyond Blue and VicHealth.

Marlene Kairouz, Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, says of the appointment, “Mr Mousaferiadis is passionate about the development and delivery of high-quality health policy, programs and services that are informed by the experiences of those affected and I have every confidence in his ability to lead the Foundation.”

Joining Mousaferiadis is coming in at the same time that another board member is moving up, as well. Monique Conheady has served on the board since 2013 and will now carry the title of Deputy Chair. She is a co-founder and former CEO of Flexicar, and has served on the governing board of Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority. Her increase in responsibilities comes as Belinda Duarte, with ties to the Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung aboriginal people, resigns.