Monthly Archives: October 2018

Svenska Spel talks tough ahead of Sweden’s market liberalization

Sweden’s state-run betting monopoly reported falling revenue and profits in Q3 but expressed confidence in its ability to compete with new international competition in 2019.

This week, the state-owned Svenska Spel monopoly reported net gaming revenue of SEK2.12 (US$233m) in the three months ending September 30, a 2.3% decline from the same period last year. Profit was similarly down 2.2% to SEK1.17b.

The company blamed the shortfall on its Vegas video lottery terminal business, which reported revenue falling one-fifth. The decline spoiled an otherwise solid performance by Svenska Spel’s digital operations, which reported sales up 22% to SEK675m.

Digital sales accounted for nearly 32% of group revenue, up from 25% in Q3 2017. The company credited the surge to strong mobile growth (+42%), thanks to overall consumer trends, an improved user interface and enhanced mobile banking facilities.

BetEasy launch counterstrike in Sportsbet/Sportingbet fight

Australian online sports betting operator BetEasy has asked a court to force rival Sportsbet to rebrand, the latest skirmish in an increasingly testy legal tiff over gambling brand identity.

In June, Sportsbet – the down under brand of UK gambling giant Paddy Power Betfair – filed a trademark infringement suit to block rival Crownbet’s plan to rebrand its operations as Sportingbet. In July, a Federal Court granted Sportsbet’s request for a temporary injunction against the proposed rebranding.

On Wednesday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Beteasy – the brand that Crownbet ultimately chose as its new moniker in August – had filed a lawsuit asking the Court to cancel the Sportsbet trademark, essentially redirecting that company’s own claim of market confusion back on itself.

If all this has left you confused, here’s a primer: Sportingbet was a standalone betting brand until it was acquired by William Hill in 2013, only to be retired two years later after Hills rebranded all its Aussie operations under its own umbrella.

Shaun Deeb Narrowly Misses Third Bracelet of 2018, and Does Anyone Really Care About WSOP Europe?

Shaun Deeb came up just short of his third bracelet of 2018, finishing in second (€63,731) place in WSOP Europe Event #6, €1,650 Mixed Pot-Limit Omaha/No-Limit Hold’em. But he’s essentially wrapped […]

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Evolution Gaming’s live casino tables breeding like bunnies

Live dealer casino technology suppliers Evolution Gaming credited new tables in new markets for its double-digit revenue and profit gains.

Evolution released its Q3 fiscal report card on Wednesday, showing strong double-digit year-on-year growth in revenue (€64.3m, +41%), earnings (€28m, +28%) and profit (€21.2m, +27%) in the three months ending September 30. However, profit margin dipped nearly four points to a still impressive 33%.

The margin shrinkage reflects a “faster-than-expected” growth in Evolution’s number of active tables, which neared 500 by the end of the quarter, up around 100 from the end of 2017, while its full-time payroll grew 44% to 3,970 by the end of the quarter. Total global payroll hit 5,257, a figure that Evolution CEO Martin Carlesund called “a great achievement.”

The quarter saw Evolution launch its first US-based gaming studio – and its tenth studio globally – in New Jersey’s regulated online market. Evolution’s New Jersey client roster already includes 888 Holdings, Hard Rock Atlantic City, Ocean Resort Casino, Resorts Casino Hotel and Rush Street Interactive’s PlaySugarHouse brand.

BetConstruct is best fantasy sports supplier of 2018 as per Starlet Awards

5 STAR iGaming Media announced its Starlet Awards Winners where BetConstruct has been recognized as a Best Fantasy Sports Supplier of 2018.

Through the investigations of the gaming industry BetConstruct discovered Fantasy Sports as a globally eminent product, which gives a player an opportunity to have a genuinely personalised gaming experience. For our Fantasy Sports we have developed a deeper understanding of the players needs and came up with a range of updates enriching our software.

The mark of BetConstruct Fantasy Sports has already been tested by the users from a number of European countries, yet we are on our way to further development of fantasy sport gamezone that will provide the most engaging user experience in the world.

BetConstruct is an award-winning developer and provider of online and land-based gaming solutions with development, sales and service centers around the globe.

World Cup wagers drive Betsson to record revenue, earnings

Swedish online gambling operator Betsson AB enjoyed the second half of the 2018 FIFA World Cup even more than the first, at least, in financial terms.

Figures released Wednesday show the Stockholm-based Betsson reporting revenue of SEK1.43b (US$156.8m) in the three months ending September 30, up 21% from the same period last year and a new company record. Earnings improved 49% to SEK424m while net income jumped 63% to SEK305m.

Sportsbook revenue improved 23% to SEK339m as turnover was up 14% and margins (after free bets) rose to 7.4%. The July portion of this summer’s World Cup football accounted for 1.8% of Betsson’s group revenue in Q3.

Casino revenue improved 22% to SEK1.06b, representing a full three-quarters of group revenue. Betsson’s ‘other products’ category reported revenue falling 37% to SEK21.6m.

ORYX’s impressive year kicks on with Kindred deal

October 24th 2018 – ORYX Gaming has underlined its hugely impressive year by striking a landmark deal with online gambling operator Kindred Group, who oversee 11 massive brands.

ORYX’s outstanding proprietary content will be made available across each of the brands, which includes Unibet, Maria Casino, 32Red and iGame.

In addition to the native ORYX games being made available on the Kindred portfolio will be titles from content partners Kalamba Games and Gamomat.

Gamomat’s hugely popular Royal Seven XXL, as well as the immersive Red Hot Firepot and Golden Nights Jackpot side game features, known to have a significant impact on operator revenues, are included within the content deal.

NetEnt signs contract with Svenska Spel ahead of Swedish market re-regulation

NetEnt has entered into an agreement with Svenska Spel Sport & Casino AB (subsidiary of AB Svenska Spel) to supply a wide selection of its award-winning online casino games as the re-regulated gambling market in Sweden opens on January 1, 2019.

Regulated markets form a key part of NetEnt’s strategy, and after a thorough qualification process, NetEnt has been selected as online casino supplier to Svenska Spel Sport & Casino AB.

On June 7th, 2018, the Swedish parliament, Riksdagen, approved the re-regulation of Sweden’s gambling market. The new legislation comes into force on January 1st, 2019, and NetEnt aims to be ready to operate together with its partners on the day of market opening.

”NetEnt was an obvious choice when selecting an online casino supplier ahead of our re-regulated market entry on January 1st, 2019. We are convinced that NetEnt will deliver casino games of the highest quality and become a very important partner for us,” says Fredrik Wastenson, MD and Head of Business Unit, Svenska Spel Sport & Casino.

Genesis Global: grows it portfolio with new Pay N Play casino product Spela.com

Superior player experience with instant withdrawals and no registration required

Genesis Global have announced the launch of their latest casino offering Spela.com, that offers players more control over how they play with no registration required and instant withdrawals, to the Scandinavian market.

Spela.com uses the latest in Pay N Play technology to bring players an online casino offering that is not only convenient to use due to its instant payment processing, but also with an intricate UI design that is fully focused on keeping everything straight forward and simple.

CEO, Ariel Reem stated: “We are excited to launch Spela.com as our new brand tailored to the Scandinavian market. Making innovative use of the Pay N Play platform, along with instant deposit and withdrawal payment technology. Adding into this the vast experience in UI, UX and retention strategies at Genesis Global, we are positive that we will provide the ultimate player experience.”