The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is ready to make a big decision about whether electronic gaming terminals, commonly found in bars and convenience stores, should be considered illegal gambling machines. 

Pennsylvania Lottery and Casino Industry Blames Skill Games for Revenue Losses

The decision comes after an appeal by the attorney general’s office challenged a lower court ruling that said these “skill games” depend on a player’s ability rather than chance — making them different from traditional slot machines.

For years, the state has argued that these games operate illegally without a gambling license and can be seized by law enforcement. Manufacturers, distributors and operators of the games say they are legal under state law and do not fall under the definition of regulated gambling. This ruling could provide clarity on how those machines should be treated under the law for the first time, said Jeffrey Rosenthal, an attorney representing Parx Casino in Philadelphia, reported the Associated Press.

Courts and lawmakers have wrestled with their status or years. Texas, Virginia and Kentucky have had similar fights over them. 

The Pennsylvania Lottery and the state’s casino industry blame skill games for major revenue losses. Casinos pay out roughly 54% of slot machine revenues in taxes to the state government. Operators say skill games compete against slots tax-free. There are at least 67,000 such terminals in Pennsylvania — more than any other state, according to American Gaming Association estimates.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Skill Games

Attorney General Michelle Henry’s office emphasized in its brief to the court that these devices are all over the place and need clear legal guidance. The justices will study whether these electronic devices with supposed “skill” components are gambling devices by definition under the law. 

Commonwealth Court Judge Lori Dumas noted previously that though they start off looking like slot machines, they include a memory game element that makes them different.

The case started off in Dauphin County in 2019 when state police confiscated Pennsylvania Skill-branded machines from Champions Sports Bar in Highspire.

No criminal charges were filed, but the bar was given an administrative citation. Champions and Capital Vending Company, which owns the machines, sued for their return and won in county court, a decision later upheld by the Commonwealth Court.Pending legislation would ban or regulate these terminals — with the industry pushing for regulation to prevent seizures of its machines.

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NetBet Italy is thrilled to announce its new partnership with the renowned iGaming provider Playtech, a collaboration that promises to bring a range of unique Live Dealer games to players across the region.

Playtech’s reputation as a leading iGaming company is well established, with numerous awards and nominations under its belt. Most notably, the company was honored with the Gaming Product of the Year award at the 2023 American Gambling Awards, cementing its status as a top player in the industry.

Introducing Playtech’s Live Dealer Games

As a result of this partnership, NetBet Italy’s players will have access to an exciting array of Live Dealer games, including Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, and Live Baccarat. These games, along with other offerings from Playtech, are designed to bring the immersive experience of a physical casino directly to the players, no matter where they are.

Claudia Georgevici, PR manager at NetBet Italy, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We at NetBet aim to give our players access to a range of exciting titles – including Live Dealer games, which help bring the authenticity of a physical casino to players wherever they are. Playtech has a range of excellent titles for customers to enjoy, and this makes them a great fit for a positive and valuable relationship.”

Enhancing Player Experience with Playtech

NetBet Italy is committed to providing its players with high-quality gaming experiences, and the addition of Playtech’s Live Dealer games is a significant step in that direction. Players can now explore these thrilling new titles by visiting the official NetBet Italy website.

Playtech’s advanced technology and engaging game design ensure that players will enjoy a seamless and interactive gaming experience. The Live Dealer games, in particular, offer real-time interaction with professional dealers, bringing the excitement and social aspect of casino gaming to the online environment.

This partnership not only enhances NetBet Italy’s game portfolio but also underscores the company’s dedication to delivering top-tier entertainment to its users. With Playtech’s award-winning games now available, NetBet Italy continues to strengthen its position as a leading online casino in the region.

For more details on the new games and to experience the enhanced offerings, players can visit the NetBet Italy website and explore the diverse range of Live Dealer games and other exciting titles from Playtech.

Sources: “NetBet Casino joins forces with Playtech”, GlobeNewswire, June 12, 2024.

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Booming Games, a premium slot provider in the gaming industry, has announced its latest collaboration with SportBet.it, one of the largest operators in Italy. This partnership marks a significant milestone in expanding Booming Games’ presence in the Italian market and delivering top-quality gaming content to a broader audience.

Successful Integration of Premium Gaming Content

Last week, Booming Games achieved a successful integration of their premium gaming content with SportBet.it. This integration now allows Italian players to enjoy some of the provider’s top-performing games, including Burning Classics, Buffalo Hold and Win, TNT Bonanza, Cash Pig, and more. This collaboration enriches the gaming experience by providing access to a diverse selection of high-quality games, catering to various player preferences.

Frederik Niehusen, Chief Commercial Officer at Booming Games, expressed his excitement: “We are pleased to announce that our partnership with SportBet.it is now live. Italy is a highly significant market, and our presence here is crucial for our company. We are committed to ensuring that our upcoming gaming content remains as entertaining as ever. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration.”

Alessandro Palumbo, Casino Manager at SportBet.it, also shared his enthusiasm: “We’re thrilled to offer an even greater variety of top-quality games through our partnership with Booming Games. The integration of their premium gaming content further solidifies our commitment to providing the best possible gaming experience for our Italian audience. We look forward to seeing our community enjoy these exciting new additions to our platform.”

Booming Games has been a leading provider of premium gaming content for over a decade, catering to operators worldwide. Renowned for their visually stunning graphics, exciting features, and innovative mechanics, Booming Games consistently delivers top-tier entertainment experiences to players across the globe. Their collaboration with football icon Ronaldinho has resulted in a branded series that adds a unique flair to their portfolio. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, Booming Games continues to push the boundaries of gaming, captivating audiences and operators alike with their exceptional titles.

About SportBet.it

SportBet.it stands as one of Italy’s leading digital casino operators, offering a secure and transparent gaming experience through RNG software that ensures random and fair outcomes. New members can enjoy a range of promotions, both with and without deposits. SportBet.it delivers top-quality entertainment, featuring sports betting, live casino options, and a vast selection of slot games. Committed to excellence, SportBet.it is dedicated to providing an unparalleled gaming experience for all its users.

Source: Press release, June 5, 2024.

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PXD Slots, a licensed Remote Gaming Server platform that helps suppliers launch their products onto the regulated iGaming market in North America, has signed a new distribution partnership with TinyRex Games, an up-and-coming supplier with an equally ambitious game plan for the region.

Gearing Up for Further Expansion in Real Money Gambling

PDX Slots is banking on its original strategy which is dubbed “quality of quantity” by its chief executive officer. TinyRex CEO and co-founder Kenny Huang has welcomed the opportunity to team up with PDX Slots and become a part of the company’s distribution model.

So far as the real money sector goes, Huang noted, PDX Slots was a company that was determined to prioritize hard-hitting titles that stand out by virtue of their overall quality, and which are bound to appeal to players this way. TinyRex is bringing titles such as 21 Cats, The Wizard of Oz: idle Merge, Plinko, Catsino Solitaire, and Dice Drop among others.

PDX Slots CEO Christopher Housel was similarly happy to welcome this fresh opportunity between the two companies. According to Housel, the two companies coming together was an “alignment of vision and strategy.”

TinyRex’s expertise in delivering top-tier gaming experiences complements our approach perfectly, ensuring our games not only resonate with players, but also drive sustained engagement and revenue growth.

PDX Slots CEO Christopher Housel

TinyRex Games Happy to Align Ethos and Vision with PDX Slots

Both companies stand to benefit. On the one hand, TinyRex is looking to secure an entry into the real money casino landscape, as it pushes into new markets. PDX Slots is similarly keen to help with distribution deals for various operators and become a major player in this particular sector.

TinyRex Games co-founder and tech director Ernest Chan added that PDX will significantly allow his company to expand and innovative, bringing cutting-edge experiences and products to players. PXD Slots is currently only licensed in Michigan by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Homegrown slot developers in the United States and Canada have been looking to make sure that their products are visible to local audiences. One particularly successful company has been White Hat Studios which has been able to steal the thunder from international rivals and establish its slot games as Slot of the Month in Eilers & Krejick’s monthly rank list covering the North American iGaming market.

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Softswiss continues to acquire big industry names all over the world, and the most recent is purchasing stakes in Ously Games GmbH from Germany, following the acquisition of Turfsport in January 2024.

Acquisition of the biggest social casino in Europe

The company is best known for its popular social casino SpinArena.net, which is the largest social casino in the whole of Europe, and now Softswiss has a significant stake in it.

On the other hand, Ously Games will get a chance to try some of the most advanced technologies and modern solutions developed by Softswiss.

Social casinos recorded rapid growth in the recent period, so some people call it the future of gaming, and it seems that Softswiss recognized its potential. One of its main assets is gaming and betting without real money included, so it’s completely risk-free for players. Instead, they can use virtual currency to place their bets, and the revenue comes mostly from sales of virtual goods.

The good news for operators is that social casinos don’t require licenses, and there aren’t any advertising restrictions. According to Softswiss, the global social casino market will be worth around $10 billion by 2030. At the moment, around $85 million people are active on social casinos.

SpinArena.net currently offers more than 3,000 captivating games from about 40 providers. Its players network has more than 700,000 players, and its annual turnover is €1.0 million.

Softswiss’ founder, Ivan Montik, commented on the deal: “Anticipating the development of social casinos within the igaming industry, Softswiss made strategic investments to diversify its portfolio. Together, we aim to create a comprehensive platform for social casinos, enriching the robust ecosystem of igaming products provided by our company.”

Jochen Martinez, the owner of Ously Games, added: “We are delighted to forge a strategic partnership with the global technology provider Softswiss. This alliance brings invaluable insights, innovations, and profound expertise to both parties.”

Successful year

The year started well for Softswiss. In January, the company expanded to Africa through a deal with Turfsport. Turfsport is one of the leaders in the industry when it comes to sports betting, horse racing, and lotto. Its operations in South Africa are recognized by more than 40 operators who want to partner with the company in this market.

Andrey Starovoitov, co-CEO, thinks that the African expansion is the natural next step for Softswiss since that market keeps growing rapidly, becoming more and more important in the global iGaming industry. He said: “With this agreement, Softswiss takes a significant step forward in its extensive expansion into South Africa and the African continent. I believe this region is becoming the next focal point globally, following Latin America.”

Source: “Softswiss takes stake in major European social casino”. iGamingBussines. April 17, 2024.

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Swintt, an increasingly popular software development studio, has partnered up with the pioneering game developer Twin Win Games. Under the B2B partnership, Swintt will integrate Twin Win Games’ exclusive content into its SwinttStudios library of selected titles to expand its 2024 offerings to partner operators worldwide. At the same time, Kyiv-based software studio will use the deal to extend its reach to a wider player community from new regulated markets around the world.

B2B Partnership

The content supply deal will make Twin Win Games available for players through the Swintt’s current distribution deals closed with multiple iGaming platforms on a global scale. Twin’s extensive portfolio is crafted by a diverse team of more than 110 industry professionals and experts into the up-to-date products boasting high-tech features and artistic design.

Development and Distribution

The deal signed with the in-demand software developer Swintt will enable the partners to channel the high-quality titles to customers through the exceptionally busy Swintt network. The enterprise will leave enough space for Twin Win Games to focus on content development, while Swintt will handle the distribution and take advantage of the favorable demand conditions regarding its releases. ‌

Exclusive Content Supply

For this reason, Twin Win Games’ content will be included in the popular SwinttStudios program to be offered to operators and aggregators as Swintt continues its global expansions.The deal foresees the Kyiv-based studio to add new casino game releases later this year, which will add the announced Twin’s developments like Cheshire’s Luck and Yellow Slotmarine to the pool of Swintt’s exclusive offerings.

‌Foundation of Long-Term Partnership

Both Swintt and Twin Win Games expect to benefit from the increased presence of the exclusive content in new regulated markets around the world. The partners are therefore looking to have the content rolled out on as many platforms as possible. Such a common expansion would represent a joint achievement of the partners to the deal. In turn, such an achievement would make the latest content supply deal entered by two renowned software development studios a foundation of the partnership to be extended over years to come.‌

David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “Going into 2024, one of our main goals at Swintt was to further expand the line-up of innovative third-party titles that are available via our SwinttStudios programme. Having now partnered with Twin Win Games, we’re well on our way to doing exactly that and we can’t wait to help the provider takes its current offering to the next level.”‌

Nataliya Makarova, Chief Executive Officer at Twin Win Games, said:“We’re very proud of the strong line-up of titles we’ve developed at Twin Win Games and to be recognised by a software provider of Swintt’s calibre reinforces all the good work we’ve done so far. By teaming up with Swintt, we’ll enjoy a mutually beneficial collaboration that will introduce our slots to new players worldwide.”

Source:

‘’SwinttStudios Teams Up with Twin Win Games’’, swintt.com, April 2024.

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SOFTSWISS, a renowned supplier of certified software solutions, analyzes the trends in the online casino gaming industry to find out that slot games continue to hold the largest share in the online casino market. SOFTSWISS has measured the recent performance of Slot Games, Live Dealer Games, and Crash Games segment to reveal that the Slot Games segment still covers around 80 percent of the online casino market.

Slot Games Segment

For the purpose of the study, the provider of one-stop-shop casino and aggregation platforms and other solutions to international operators analyzes more than 300 customers and around 16,500 games. The study used parameters such as the gross gaming revenue and handle achieved by the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator platform in 2023 and the beginning of 2024. The research finds that slot games took an 85.56% market share in 2023 and an 83% share at the beginning of 2024. This segment is therefore expected to stay above 80% in the forthcoming period.

Top-Performing Titles

In 2023, Pragmatic Play’s Gates of Olympus and Sweet Bonanza slots were constantly included in the top 10 most popular games. But Push Gaming’s Retro Tapes took over the lead at the beginning of 2024 to move Pragmatic’s title to the second and third place, respectively.

Live Dealer Games

This type of games gained popularity over the subject period. Unlike slots, these games attract players ready to place larger bets and contribute to the handle with a lower bet count than slots. Therefore the average bet placed on card games in 2023 was 49.95€, compared to 0.75€ average slot bet placed on the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator over the same period.

The most popular games from the category were roulette and card games. The segment was ruled by live casino games such as Crazy Time in 2023 and Prive Lounge Blackjack 5 at the beginning of 2024. As for roulette games, Playtech’s blockbuster Roleta Brasileira was leading the sub-category in 2023 to extend a high ranking in 2024. It is notable that this game is the most popular online gaming vehicle among players in Latin America.

Crash Games Category

This segment of the online gaming market follows the live casino games segment in terms of gross revenue generated in 2023 and the beginning of 2024. In 2023, the most popular crash game was Aviator by the Spribe studio, to be replaced by other titles in 2024. The trend testifies about the dynamics of this market segment and the continuously evolving player preferences.

Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, commented: “Analysing just the first month of the year doesn’t provide the full picture, yet we do this to predict emerging trends. While slots continue to reign supreme in the gaming world, the diversity we see among the top-ranked games highlights the varied interests of our players. It emphasises the critical need to maintain a diverse portfolio that meets different layer preferences, ensuring a rich gaming experience. Adopting this strategy helps attract a wider audience and retain players by offering them various options, reducing the likelihood of them seeking alternatives.”

Source: “Slot Dominance: Online Casino Games Snapshot 2024”. European Gaming. March 4, 2024.

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The leading supplier of content and technology, powering online gambling operators across the globe, Playtech, confirmed a strategic partnership with the Finnish state-owned and monopoly operator, Veikkaus. The company disclosed details regarding the new collaboration on Thursday. Under the terms of the new agreement, Playtech agreed to power Veikkaus’ offering by delivering an extensive range of customized live casino games.

The latest new deal takes the collaboration between the duo to a new level. This is because previously, Playtech agreed to supply the Finnish state-owned monopoly with its retail VLT machines, casino management system, as well as online casino and poker games. Now, Veikkaus’ offering will expand further with the addition of live casino games from Playtech.

The new partnership follows a competitive Public Procurement Process. Ultimately, Veikkaus picked Playtech as the supplier of its live casino games, recognizing the company’s quality and innovative offering.

“We are thrilled to be selected as Veikkaus’ partner for Live casino games, and this long-term partnership is a testament to the strength of our Live product and further solidifies our position as a leading supplier in the Nordic region.“

Fredrik Sylvander, commercial director at Playtech

Fredrik Sylvander, Playtech’s commercial director, revealed that the company is excited to grow Veikkaus’ offering by delivering live casino games. He explained that this new collaboration builds upon the success of the partnership between the two companies. “We are excited to support Veikkaus in their first launch of Live casino games, providing Finnish players with an exceptional gaming experience,” added Sylvander. Finally, he predicted that the new collaboration would bring unrivaled entertainment and experiences for customers of the Finnish gambling monopoly.

The Partnership Marks a Milestone Achievement for Veikkaus

The deal with Playtech is expected to strengthen Veikkaus’ offering by delivering engaging live casino games. Per the strategic deal, the iGaming content supplier will collaborate with the Finnish gambling monopoly to deliver exclusive games from a new Veikkaus-branded studio. Ultimately, the games are expected to fit the preferences of Finnish players and provide immersive, engaging and entertaining experiences.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Playtech as our partner for Live casino games, following a comprehensive public procurement process.“

Riikka Seppänen, VP iCasino at Veikkaus

The collaboration brought excitement for Veikkaus with its VP iCasino, Riikka Seppänen, explaining that the company is thrilled to join forces with Playtech for the delivery of live casino games. The VP iCasino said that the deal represents an important achievement for Veikkaus as it marks the first time live casino games will become available for its players. Finally, Seppänen predicted the new partnership will bring exciting experiences, adding that it underlines Veikkaus’ dedication to supplying the best games for its growing customer base.

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Flutter-owned gambling operator Sky Bet has formed a new partnership with Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, to release a new soccer-themed game. The new game will see Sky Bet explore opportunities within the iGaming sector as it seeks to channel more players toward its products.

The new game is called Match 5 and will allow Sky Bet to differentiate its online offering from its competitors. Combining elements of iGaming and sports betting, the new game allows fans to visit the Sky Bet app daily to collect a different Premier League team.

The teams players get are picked at random, adding a layer of unpredictability to the product. In addition, players can get up to £20 in free bets depending on how many of their teams win at the weekend.

Match 5 is now available to all new and eligible Sky Bet customers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The official launch was held on February 12, providing fans with a new opportunity to explore the world of professional soccer.

In an update on LinkedIn, Incentive Games pointed out that the new product has enjoyed “phenomenal uptake” in the first week. The provider is excited to see how this partnership with Sky Bet will evolve.

Match 5 Will Be a Game-Changer

John Gordon, Incentive Games’ co-founder and chief executive officer, said that his team is very excited about the game. He described it as a “classic example of simple insight, easy accessibility and engagement,” saying that it will be a way for soccer aficionados to take their experience to the next level.

Combined with Sky Bet’s scale, this is a real game-changer.

John Gordon, co-founder & CEO, Incentive Games

In the meantime, Dan Colton, managing director at Sky Bet, said that Match 5 is the “culmination of months of hard work.” He praised Incentive Games’ team for its incredible work on the game and said that Sky Bet cannot wait to see how customers interact with it.

The beauty of the game is that it’s a really creative way of rewarding football fans that replicates the thrill of an acca but is totally free to play.

Dan Colton, MD, Sky Bet

A month ago, Sky Bet altered its best odds guaranteed (BOG) promotion, restraining access to active Sky Bet Club loyalty program members. Despite these changes, Sky Bet remained convinced of the success of the offering.

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NetBet Italy, a leading operator of online casino and slot games in the Italian market, partners with the reputable content provider Espresso Games to bring its innovative content to the growing Italian online gambling community. The partnership will launch the provider’s unique portfolio on the NetBet Italy platform to expand the operator’s offerings. At the same time, the deal will help Espresso Games to extend its reach in the regulated Italian market.

Cutting-Edge Content Supply

Espresso Games has been improving its in-house software development capabilities and competencies since the foundation to become one of the leading providers of the cutting-edge gaming experience. The latest content supply deal will enable the Italian customers to get acquainted and prospectively accustomed to the supplier’s outstanding portfolio of titles employing high-end solutions to offer an immersive game play and the unique gaming feel.

Increasing Italian Foothold

The supplier is committed to gaming excellence and thrives for continuous improvement of its development practices and solutions. Its innovative approach drives the industry to constantly seek for improvements across technology and content to meet the most selective customer requirements. The content supply deal with the renowned Italian online casino corporation represents another chance for Espresso Games to increase its foothold in Italy.

Such a commitment is completely in line with the NetBet Italy business principles. The operator exclusively partners with industry leaders to secure a wide range of high-quality games to its players at all times. Therefore the partnership with Espresso Games represents an excellent opportunity for NetBet Italy to expand its platform’s offerings and include another industry-leading provider into the supplier portfolio.

Win-Win Partnership

The content supply deal will enable NetBet Italy to access Espresso Games’ library and source the popular titles like Apple Temptation, Rooster Booster, Angel or Joker, and more. The partners’ commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is set to make the latest deal a win-win situation.

Commenting on the deal, Claudia Georgevici, PR manager at NetBet Italy, said: “We are delighted to welcome Espresso Games to the NetBet Italy family. Espresso Games’ innovative approach to gaming aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering top-notch entertainment to our players. We are eager to introduce our Italian players to Espresso Games’ exceptional titles and look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

Tiziana Cannizzaro, Italian Commercial Director at Espresso Games, added: “We are excited to collaborate with NetBet which is a brand of great fame in the world and with a high potential in the Italian market. This partnership will allow Espresso Games to conquer a new network of players in Italy and to increase our brand awareness. We have made available our best selection of games and we will make this a fruitful partnership.”

Source: “NetBet Italy Partners with Espresso Games”. European Gaming. February 13, 2024.

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