Monthly Archives: January 2017

ICE Totally Gaming: Why the industry is gambling on blockchain

What is going to be the impact of blockchain on the gambling industry?

That is one of the questions that will be asked at the upcoming ICE Totally Gaming 2017 conference. Cryptocurrencies are heavily integrated into various aspects of the online gambling industry, and 2016 saw the traditional online gambling industry start to adopt the digital cash system.

Even online gambling pioneer Calvin Ayre is bullish on the adoption of popular digital currency bitcoin.

“Mark my words: Bitcoin is eventually going to eat the whole global online gambling industry and the first courses of this meal are already being digested. Quite apart from liberating gambling sites from the anti-competitive dictates of government-imposed payment blocking, the blockchain technology underpinning Bitcoin is rapidly making the role of gaming regulators obsolete,” wrote Ayre.

ICE Totally Gaming: Why the industry is gambling on blockchain

What is going to be the impact of blockchain on the gambling industry?

That is one of the questions that will be asked at the upcoming ICE Totally Gaming 2017 conference. Cryptocurrencies are heavily integrated into various aspects of the online gambling industry, and 2016 saw the traditional online gambling industry start to adopt the digital cash system.

Even online gambling pioneer Calvin Ayre is bullish on the adoption of popular digital currency bitcoin.

“Mark my words: Bitcoin is eventually going to eat the whole global online gambling industry and the first courses of this meal are already being digested. Quite apart from liberating gambling sites from the anti-competitive dictates of government-imposed payment blocking, the blockchain technology underpinning Bitcoin is rapidly making the role of gaming regulators obsolete,” wrote Ayre.

ICE Totally Gaming: Why the industry is gambling on blockchain

What is going to be the impact of blockchain on the gambling industry?

That is one of the questions that will be asked at the upcoming ICE Totally Gaming 2017 conference. Cryptocurrencies are heavily integrated into various aspects of the online gambling industry, and 2016 saw the traditional online gambling industry start to adopt the digital cash system.

Even online gambling pioneer Calvin Ayre is bullish on the adoption of popular digital currency bitcoin.

“Mark my words: Bitcoin is eventually going to eat the whole global online gambling industry and the first courses of this meal are already being digested. Quite apart from liberating gambling sites from the anti-competitive dictates of government-imposed payment blocking, the blockchain technology underpinning Bitcoin is rapidly making the role of gaming regulators obsolete,” wrote Ayre.

Global Casino Gaming Equipment Market to rise 15.25% in 2021

The global casino gaming equipment market’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is expected to rise by as much 15.25% from 2017 to 2021.

In its latest report, Technavio predicted a steady rise in the global casino gaming equipment due to the easing of government regulations related to casino markets. It cited the recent development in Japan, wherein the country’s parliament passed a bill legalizing casinos last year.

The legalization of casinos in Japan has earlier been welcomed by international gambling companies that have been mulling on investing in Japan amid a boom in tourism, particularly from China. Among the operators that have expressed interest were US casino operators Wynn Resorts Ltd, MGM Resorts International and Las Vegas Sands Corp.

“The easing of government regulations related to casino markets is one of the major factors contributing to the growing demand for casino gaming equipment,” Technavio’s analysts said in a press release. “Many countries, such as Japan, are aiming at legalizing casino gaming because of the growing popularity of gambling and the high revenue contribution from casinos globally.”

Global Casino Gaming Equipment Market to rise 15.25% in 2021

The global casino gaming equipment market’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is expected to rise by as much 15.25% from 2017 to 2021.

In its latest report, Technavio predicted a steady rise in the global casino gaming equipment due to the easing of government regulations related to casino markets. It cited the recent development in Japan, wherein the country’s parliament passed a bill legalizing casinos last year.

The legalization of casinos in Japan has earlier been welcomed by international gambling companies that have been mulling on investing in Japan amid a boom in tourism, particularly from China. Among the operators that have expressed interest were US casino operators Wynn Resorts Ltd, MGM Resorts International and Las Vegas Sands Corp.

“The easing of government regulations related to casino markets is one of the major factors contributing to the growing demand for casino gaming equipment,” Technavio’s analysts said in a press release. “Many countries, such as Japan, are aiming at legalizing casino gaming because of the growing popularity of gambling and the high revenue contribution from casinos globally.”

Las Vegas Sands in danger as Trump threatens war over Chinese islands

The Trumpian rhetoric against China is already hitting scary new highs and we’re only 4 days into Donald Trump’s presidency. Now may be the time to short Las Vegas Sands. Says Reuters, quoting anti-press secretary Sean Spicer on Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson’s opinion on a bunch of islands in the South China Sea:

“The U.S. is going to make sure that we protect our interests there,” Spicer said when asked if Trump agreed with comments by his secretary of state nominee, Rex Tillerson, on Jan. 11 that China should not be allowed access to islands it has built in the contested South China Sea.

What interests are they talking about? Your interests? My interests? I have no interests at all in mounds of dirt in the South China Sea. Do any of us? Normal peoples’ biggest interest is to leave nuclear armed governments alone, especially when you owe that government over $1 trillion and engage in over half a trillion dollars in trade annually.

If the US directly confronts China over those islands, all hell is going to break loose economically. I really don’t know if Trump understands that all China has to do is hit the “sell at market” button on its Treasury holdings all at once and the US government is finished financially. Meanwhile, the people protesting Trump are all totally missing the point as they’re worried about funding for Planned Parenthood and contraception and transgendered bathrooms and other things that won’t mean anything if economic cooperation with China breaks down into open conflict. And where would the US get money for funding Planned Parenthood and birth control and transgendered bathrooms in the first place? They’d borrow it from China of course.

Las Vegas Sands in danger as Trump threatens war over Chinese islands

The Trumpian rhetoric against China is already hitting scary new highs and we’re only 4 days into Donald Trump’s presidency. Now may be the time to short Las Vegas Sands. Says Reuters, quoting anti-press secretary Sean Spicer on Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson’s opinion on a bunch of islands in the South China Sea:

“The U.S. is going to make sure that we protect our interests there,” Spicer said when asked if Trump agreed with comments by his secretary of state nominee, Rex Tillerson, on Jan. 11 that China should not be allowed access to islands it has built in the contested South China Sea.

What interests are they talking about? Your interests? My interests? I have no interests at all in mounds of dirt in the South China Sea. Do any of us? Normal peoples’ biggest interest is to leave nuclear armed governments alone, especially when you owe that government over $1 trillion and engage in over half a trillion dollars in trade annually.

If the US directly confronts China over those islands, all hell is going to break loose economically. I really don’t know if Trump understands that all China has to do is hit the “sell at market” button on its Treasury holdings all at once and the US government is finished financially. Meanwhile, the people protesting Trump are all totally missing the point as they’re worried about funding for Planned Parenthood and contraception and transgendered bathrooms and other things that won’t mean anything if economic cooperation with China breaks down into open conflict. And where would the US get money for funding Planned Parenthood and birth control and transgendered bathrooms in the first place? They’d borrow it from China of course.

Congress manifesto seeks to shut down all casinos in Goa

Goa politicians are out to prove they’re not all talk when they say they want the Indian state’s gambling industry banned—they now have papers to back it, too.

This week, the Congress party came out with a manifesto for the upcoming state elections. In it, the politicians vowed to shut down all casinos in the coastal state, including the floating vessels.

“Floating casinos in Goa’s river will be closed permanently,” reads the manifesto of Congress, according to the Press Trust of India. Meanwhile, “those on the shore too will be closed at a later stage,” said Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro.

The first phase will involve the offshore casinos in the river Mandovi, while onshore casinos will be banned in the second phase, the chief said.

Congress manifesto seeks to shut down all casinos in Goa

Goa politicians are out to prove they’re not all talk when they say they want the Indian state’s gambling industry banned—they now have papers to back it, too.

This week, the Congress party came out with a manifesto for the upcoming state elections. In it, the politicians vowed to shut down all casinos in the coastal state, including the floating vessels.

“Floating casinos in Goa’s river will be closed permanently,” reads the manifesto of Congress, according to the Press Trust of India. Meanwhile, “those on the shore too will be closed at a later stage,” said Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro.

The first phase will involve the offshore casinos in the river Mandovi, while onshore casinos will be banned in the second phase, the chief said.

Product Profile – Commerce Casino

In this interview with CalvinAyre.com’s Stephanie Raquel, Howard Taylor of Commerce Casino tells us why Southern California is the best place to gamble.

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Product Profile – Commerce Casino

In this interview with CalvinAyre.com’s Stephanie Raquel, Howard Taylor of Commerce Casino tells us why Southern California is the best place to gamble.

Loading the player…

jwplayer(‘camediasplayer-319746’).setup({

file: “http://30.cdn.bit2host.eu/videos/product-profile-commerce-casino-video.m4v”,

Yggdrasil launches spellbinding Alchymedes slot

24th January, 2017 – Yggdrasil Gaming’s latest spell binding slot opens the door to a mysterious laboratory where the player chooses between larger multipliers and larger spreading wild patterns to put together their own magic mix of bonuses.

Alchymedes does away with free spins; instead it has players chasing the best mix of spreading wild pattern and multipliers by completing levels. Players complete levels by scoring line wins on all symbol positions.

Once all positions have been part of a win line, the level is completed, and the player can choose between the chance for better wild patterns or better multipliers for the next level. Each level-ending winning spin is also awarded with a multiplier that has been rising throughout the level.

There are more than 15,000 spreading wild patterns in the game, while each level starts with a x1 multiplier that can increase as high as x100. The game also includes a bonus feature, which can be triggered at the start of each level and awards one of six rewards, from additional wilds on the pattern, to coin wins, to higher and more frequent multipliers.

Yggdrasil launches spellbinding Alchymedes slot

24th January, 2017 – Yggdrasil Gaming’s latest spell binding slot opens the door to a mysterious laboratory where the player chooses between larger multipliers and larger spreading wild patterns to put together their own magic mix of bonuses.

Alchymedes does away with free spins; instead it has players chasing the best mix of spreading wild pattern and multipliers by completing levels. Players complete levels by scoring line wins on all symbol positions.

Once all positions have been part of a win line, the level is completed, and the player can choose between the chance for better wild patterns or better multipliers for the next level. Each level-ending winning spin is also awarded with a multiplier that has been rising throughout the level.

There are more than 15,000 spreading wild patterns in the game, while each level starts with a x1 multiplier that can increase as high as x100. The game also includes a bonus feature, which can be triggered at the start of each level and awards one of six rewards, from additional wilds on the pattern, to coin wins, to higher and more frequent multipliers.

InterGame’s David Snook and NetEnt CDO, Åsa Bredin to open ICE 2017

Veteran gaming journalist David Snook and NetEnt’s Åsa Bredin, who is one of the leading advocates of recruiting more women to senior positions within gaming, have accepted invitations to officially open the 2017 edition of ICE Totally Gaming. They will be joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by senior members of the ICE organising team, including Kate Chambers, Managing Director of the Gaming Division at Clarion Events, and the person responsible for overseeing the development and growth of ICE including its relocation to the ExCeL Exhibition Centre.

“David reported on his first ATEI, the low stake gaming and amusements show from which ICE was born, back in 1967.” stated Kate Chambers. “He has not missed one edition in half a century and has reported on the transformation of the industry which has been reflected in the development of ICE into the world’s most international business gaming event. David is a true friend of ICE and has made a major contribution to its success through fair, constructively critical and honest reporting.”

She added: “Diversity is an issue which is close to my heart and that of Åsa Bredin, who holds a senior role at NetEnt where she is Chief Development Officer. I think it’s true to say that we would not have been discussing diversity at ICE a decade ago. Thanks to the pioneering work of organisations, notably Global Gaming Women and the professional achievements of many women who hold positions of real influence inside gaming’s executive offices, it is now firmly on the agenda, including at ICE, where Clarion’s Head of Content Ewa Bakun has organised a seminar dedicated to the issue.”

With exhibitors drawn from 67 jurisdictions and sovereign states, ICE provides the most comprehensive shop window on world gaming and in 2016 attracted a record 28,487 visitors drawn from 150 nations. Gaming professionals wishing to secure their place at ICE Totally Gaming 2017 should visit icetotallygaming.com.

InterGame’s David Snook and NetEnt CDO, Åsa Bredin to open ICE 2017

Veteran gaming journalist David Snook and NetEnt’s Åsa Bredin, who is one of the leading advocates of recruiting more women to senior positions within gaming, have accepted invitations to officially open the 2017 edition of ICE Totally Gaming. They will be joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by senior members of the ICE organising team, including Kate Chambers, Managing Director of the Gaming Division at Clarion Events, and the person responsible for overseeing the development and growth of ICE including its relocation to the ExCeL Exhibition Centre.

“David reported on his first ATEI, the low stake gaming and amusements show from which ICE was born, back in 1967.” stated Kate Chambers. “He has not missed one edition in half a century and has reported on the transformation of the industry which has been reflected in the development of ICE into the world’s most international business gaming event. David is a true friend of ICE and has made a major contribution to its success through fair, constructively critical and honest reporting.”

She added: “Diversity is an issue which is close to my heart and that of Åsa Bredin, who holds a senior role at NetEnt where she is Chief Development Officer. I think it’s true to say that we would not have been discussing diversity at ICE a decade ago. Thanks to the pioneering work of organisations, notably Global Gaming Women and the professional achievements of many women who hold positions of real influence inside gaming’s executive offices, it is now firmly on the agenda, including at ICE, where Clarion’s Head of Content Ewa Bakun has organised a seminar dedicated to the issue.”

With exhibitors drawn from 67 jurisdictions and sovereign states, ICE provides the most comprehensive shop window on world gaming and in 2016 attracted a record 28,487 visitors drawn from 150 nations. Gaming professionals wishing to secure their place at ICE Totally Gaming 2017 should visit icetotallygaming.com.

InterGame’s David Snook and NetEnt CDO, Åsa Bredin to open ICE 2017

Veteran gaming journalist David Snook and NetEnt’s Åsa Bredin, who is one of the leading advocates of recruiting more women to senior positions within gaming, have accepted invitations to officially open the 2017 edition of ICE Totally Gaming. They will be joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by senior members of the ICE organising team, including Kate Chambers, Managing Director of the Gaming Division at Clarion Events, and the person responsible for overseeing the development and growth of ICE including its relocation to the ExCeL Exhibition Centre.

“David reported on his first ATEI, the low stake gaming and amusements show from which ICE was born, back in 1967.” stated Kate Chambers. “He has not missed one edition in half a century and has reported on the transformation of the industry which has been reflected in the development of ICE into the world’s most international business gaming event. David is a true friend of ICE and has made a major contribution to its success through fair, constructively critical and honest reporting.”

She added: “Diversity is an issue which is close to my heart and that of Åsa Bredin, who holds a senior role at NetEnt where she is Chief Development Officer. I think it’s true to say that we would not have been discussing diversity at ICE a decade ago. Thanks to the pioneering work of organisations, notably Global Gaming Women and the professional achievements of many women who hold positions of real influence inside gaming’s executive offices, it is now firmly on the agenda, including at ICE, where Clarion’s Head of Content Ewa Bakun has organised a seminar dedicated to the issue.”

With exhibitors drawn from 67 jurisdictions and sovereign states, ICE provides the most comprehensive shop window on world gaming and in 2016 attracted a record 28,487 visitors drawn from 150 nations. Gaming professionals wishing to secure their place at ICE Totally Gaming 2017 should visit icetotallygaming.com.

InterGame’s David Snook and NetEnt CDO, Åsa Bredin to open ICE 2017

Veteran gaming journalist David Snook and NetEnt’s Åsa Bredin, who is one of the leading advocates of recruiting more women to senior positions within gaming, have accepted invitations to officially open the 2017 edition of ICE Totally Gaming. They will be joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by senior members of the ICE organising team, including Kate Chambers, Managing Director of the Gaming Division at Clarion Events, and the person responsible for overseeing the development and growth of ICE including its relocation to the ExCeL Exhibition Centre.

“David reported on his first ATEI, the low stake gaming and amusements show from which ICE was born, back in 1967.” stated Kate Chambers. “He has not missed one edition in half a century and has reported on the transformation of the industry which has been reflected in the development of ICE into the world’s most international business gaming event. David is a true friend of ICE and has made a major contribution to its success through fair, constructively critical and honest reporting.”

She added: “Diversity is an issue which is close to my heart and that of Åsa Bredin, who holds a senior role at NetEnt where she is Chief Development Officer. I think it’s true to say that we would not have been discussing diversity at ICE a decade ago. Thanks to the pioneering work of organisations, notably Global Gaming Women and the professional achievements of many women who hold positions of real influence inside gaming’s executive offices, it is now firmly on the agenda, including at ICE, where Clarion’s Head of Content Ewa Bakun has organised a seminar dedicated to the issue.”

With exhibitors drawn from 67 jurisdictions and sovereign states, ICE provides the most comprehensive shop window on world gaming and in 2016 attracted a record 28,487 visitors drawn from 150 nations. Gaming professionals wishing to secure their place at ICE Totally Gaming 2017 should visit icetotallygaming.com.

InterGame’s David Snook and NetEnt CDO, Åsa Bredin to open ICE 2017

Veteran gaming journalist David Snook and NetEnt’s Åsa Bredin, who is one of the leading advocates of recruiting more women to senior positions within gaming, have accepted invitations to officially open the 2017 edition of ICE Totally Gaming. They will be joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by senior members of the ICE organising team, including Kate Chambers, Managing Director of the Gaming Division at Clarion Events, and the person responsible for overseeing the development and growth of ICE including its relocation to the ExCeL Exhibition Centre.

“David reported on his first ATEI, the low stake gaming and amusements show from which ICE was born, back in 1967.” stated Kate Chambers. “He has not missed one edition in half a century and has reported on the transformation of the industry which has been reflected in the development of ICE into the world’s most international business gaming event. David is a true friend of ICE and has made a major contribution to its success through fair, constructively critical and honest reporting.”

She added: “Diversity is an issue which is close to my heart and that of Åsa Bredin, who holds a senior role at NetEnt where she is Chief Development Officer. I think it’s true to say that we would not have been discussing diversity at ICE a decade ago. Thanks to the pioneering work of organisations, notably Global Gaming Women and the professional achievements of many women who hold positions of real influence inside gaming’s executive offices, it is now firmly on the agenda, including at ICE, where Clarion’s Head of Content Ewa Bakun has organised a seminar dedicated to the issue.”

With exhibitors drawn from 67 jurisdictions and sovereign states, ICE provides the most comprehensive shop window on world gaming and in 2016 attracted a record 28,487 visitors drawn from 150 nations. Gaming professionals wishing to secure their place at ICE Totally Gaming 2017 should visit icetotallygaming.com.

SMP eGaming celebrates first anniversary

Specialist gaming consultancy SMP eGaming will celebrate its first anniversary next month.

The company will host a reception at London landmark The Shard on 6th February to mark its first year in business, with staff joining clients and other specially-invited guests for the event.

The anniversary coincides with ICE Totally Gaming, a major industry gathering at ExCeL, London, from 7th to 9th February, at which SMP eGaming will also be represented with a 10-strong team.

SMP eGaming was launched in February 2016 by SMP Partners, a leading name in eGaming which had decided after six years as a major player in the industry, and a dominant force behind the growth of the Isle of Man’s gaming sector, it was time to create a dedicated eGaming consulting company.

SMP eGaming celebrates first anniversary

Specialist gaming consultancy SMP eGaming will celebrate its first anniversary next month.

The company will host a reception at London landmark The Shard on 6th February to mark its first year in business, with staff joining clients and other specially-invited guests for the event.

The anniversary coincides with ICE Totally Gaming, a major industry gathering at ExCeL, London, from 7th to 9th February, at which SMP eGaming will also be represented with a 10-strong team.

SMP eGaming was launched in February 2016 by SMP Partners, a leading name in eGaming which had decided after six years as a major player in the industry, and a dominant force behind the growth of the Isle of Man’s gaming sector, it was time to create a dedicated eGaming consulting company.