Playson, a renowned supplier in the iGaming industry, has significantly expanded its presence in Italy by partnering with Sportbet, a local operator based in Rome. This collaboration aims to enhance Sportbet’s online casino offerings with premium casino games.

Playson’s popular Hold and Win titles, including Lion Gems, Coin Strike, and Energy Coins, are now available on Sportbet’s online casino platform following a direct integration. This move highlights Playson’s commitment to providing high-quality gaming experiences and solidifies its reputation within Italy, one of Europe’s most mature markets.

Strengthening Market Presence

Established in 2009, Sportbet offers a wide range of casino verticals, including bingo, live dealer games, and table games such as blackjack, poker, baccarat, and roulette. The partnership with Playson is expected to elevate Sportbet’s offerings further and enhance the gaming experience for its users.

Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership: “Italy remains a vital region for Playson and we are delighted to integrate our revered Hold and Win series with Sportbet directly. We believe that Sportbet’s ambitions align with ours to become a leading player in one of Europe’s most established markets.”

Boosting Casino Offerings

Alessandro Palumbo, Casino Manager at Sportbet, also shared his excitement: “At Sportbet, we pride ourselves on working with the world’s leading iGaming suppliers and this partnership with Playson fits seamlessly into our plans to maintain our focus in becoming Italy’s biggest online casino. The array of high-quality slots we offer our Italian players has undoubtedly been boosted by launching Playson’s popular Hold and Win series, which resonates with many across the region.”

This partnership is expected to deliver long-term value for both companies, reinforcing their positions in the competitive Italian market. Playson’s content portfolio, known for driving player engagement and retention, is anticipated to contribute to Sportbet’s growth and success significantly.

Playson’s strategic expansion into Italy through this partnership with Sportbet underscores its dedication to becoming a key player in the European iGaming landscape. The collaboration enhances Sportbet’s offerings and ensures that Italian players have access to some of the best online casino games available.

Source: “Playson Extends Italian Outreach with Sportbet Integration”, Playson, June 11, 2024.

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The Catalan parliament continues to discuss the Hard Rock casino plans over ten years after the project was announced. Parties are yet to reach a consensus on the matter, the Catalan News reported.

The Hard Rock casino project envisions the construction of a casino-hotel complex in Vila-seca and Salou, Tarragona, in the vicinity of the PortAventura amusement park. However, the property has been a point of contention for over a decade, causing delays in its development.

The initial mega project would have had six theme parks, covering 445 hectares in total. Originally called Barcelona World, the project was eventually picked by Hard Rock, which scaled it down. Its current iteration would feature a casino, two hotels, a large swimming pool, a shopping area and a big conference center.

However, Hard Rock’s project now still waiting for the approval of a new Urban Development Plan because the Catalan High Court annulled the first one in 2020.

Political Parties Are in Disagreement

Hard Rock’s project continues to be intensely discussed by political parties in the Catalan parliament. The casino plans have the support of the Socialists, the pro-independence Junts, the far-right Vox and the liberal Ciudadanos. In the meantime, the pro-independence Esquerra Republicana, far-left CUP, and left-wing Comuns Sumar are firmly opposed to the resort.

Comuns Sumar, for example, rejected the 2024 budget because its members believed that it would have advanced the Hard Rock project, despite the government claiming otherwise. As a result, Catalan president Pere Aragonès had to call for a snap election on May 12.

Raquel Sans, the main candidate for Esquerra Republicana, accused her political opponents of using Hard Rock as an excuse to push their agenda and end the legislature. According to her, these people chose their own benefits over those of the public.

Far-right Vox’s Sergio Macián added that separatism continues to prevent the economic development of Catalonia.

However, opponents of the project claim that it must be stopped because it is not entirely legal. According to them, proceeding with the project would be an injustice. Others have pointed out that the Hard Rock casino-hotel would not be environmentally sustainable.

Because of that, opposed parties believe that changes would be needed before Hard Rock receives planning permission.

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Leading iGaming publisher committed to delivering state-of-the-art online gambling solutions and innovative content to players, partners, and clients, Yggdrasil, has reached a new milestone in its growth plan. 

The provider has inked a fresh and “strong” partnership with Campeón Gaming, the 2017-founded “esteemed iGaming operator” that offers customized content that fits customers in worldwide markets and an immersive in-house platform. 

Yggdrasil, Expanding Its Reach in LatAm

The new partnership with Campeón Gaming will assist Yggdrasil with its LatAm expansion plans. 

Originally, the publisher that welcomes everyone to a “world of entertainment” debuted in the region in May 2022 after it made a selection of games available to Colombian operators. 

This highlighted its clear intention to grow in the regulatory markets in LatAm, following a more complex strategy to grow its international business.

As a result of the newly announced collaboration, Campeón Gaming’s brands will benefit from Yggdrasil’s iconic game portfolio as well as its YG Masters content. 

The list will feature games that incorporate the provider’s Game Engagement Mechanics, with freshly launched titles Legend of Dragon Wins DoubleMax and high-performing games throughout the year including 10 000 BC DoubleMax and Starfire Fortunes TopHit. 

The YG Masters portfolio of slots includes releases from some of the most popular software providers and studios in the iGaming world. 

All games are highly innovative and they employ Game Adaptation Tool & Interface, which is Yggdrasil’s top-tier technology that allows its partners to generate “cutting-edge content followed by rapid distribution.”

The Partnership Mixed the Innovative Strengths of Both Parties 

As explained by Campeón Gaming’s group chief commercial officer, George Merodoulakis, the collaboration “combines the innovative strengths of both Campeόn Gaming and Yggdrasil.” 

The CCO also spoke about their intention to hit the refresh button on their game portfolio with Yggdrasil’s content, thus providing “a broader range of entertainment” to their users. 

Yggdrasil’s commercial director, Jose Kadala, also took the opportunity to comment on the new agreement. 

He spoke about the warm welcome that their proprietary content and YG Masters studios have received from both players and operators in LatAm while expressing excitement to further extend their reach in the market via Campeón Gaming, which he called “an established and prominent operator with expertise in the field.”

Earlier in the week, Yggdrasil announced the launch of ReelPlay’s King Arthur 10K WAYS slot. 

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Relax Gaming, the acclaimed iGaming aggregator renowned for its unique content has inked a promising deal with Playbook Engineering, elevating the global betting platform and significantly broadening its offerings. This alliance grants Playbook Engineering’s operator partners access to Relax Gaming’s impressive content repertoire, featuring popular titles like Sloth Tumble, Shark Wash, and Money Cart 3.

Playbook Engineering Solidifies Its Market Position

As a leading global betting platform, Playbook Engineering caters to established brands and newcomers in the industry, providing versatile services designed to make a significant impact. The company offers scalable solutions, including managed services covering trading, compliance, and customer support, tailored to meet diverse business needs and ensure lasting success regardless of the jurisdiction.

Ceiron Jones, head of casino at Playbook Engineering, was excited regarding the partnership, emphasizing Relax Gaming’s stellar content library and industry reputation. He highlighted the positive feedback from brands integrated with Relax Gaming and expressed eagerness about propelling their growth journey with industry-leading content. This move should significantly bolster the company’s competitiveness and help attract new customers.

“Relax Gaming is a company we have wanted to partner with for a while now… and we’re keen to make the most of their games.”

Ceiron Jones, Playbook Engineering head of casino

This newest development follows several significant high-profile management shifts at Playbook Engineering. June saw the company appoint Ivo Doroteia as CEO, bringing a fresh perspective, combining substantial management experience and a people-focused mindset. The deal with Relax Gaming is a promising sign for the new leadership, marking a significant milestone for the leading platform provider.

Relax Gaming Leverages Its Extensive Offerings

Relax Gaming has cemented its position as a top-tier B2B supplier, receiving accolades such as Casino/Slots Developer of the Year at the SBC Awards and Best Mobile Gaming Software Provider at the EGR B2B Awards. The company’s Dream Drop Jackpot product has garnered praise, earning multiple industry awards and nominations, further validating its position as a market leader.

A recent entry into the competitive New Jersey market after a deal with BetMGM highlighted the supplier’s commitment to delivering innovative and engaging gaming experiences. Relax Gaming CCO Nadiya Attard stated that the company was exploring every opportunity to bolster the scope of its content, lauding Playbook Engineering’s innovative approach and shared values.

“We are delighted to partner with such an innovative provider that puts the needs of its partners and their players first, which firmly aligns with our ethos.”

Nadiya Attard, Relax Gaming CCO

This partnership signifies a strategic move for Relax Gaming and Playbook Engineering, underscoring their shared vision of enhancing gaming offerings and expanding their presence in the iGaming landscape. The two companies should be able to leverage this mutually beneficial deal to achieve new heights and thrive despite rising macroeconomic pressures and regulatory uncertainties.

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Playtech, the global supplier of technology and gaming content for online casinos, has announced it reached an agreement with Boyd Interactive, one of the top online casino operators in the United States.

The deal will see the online casinos operated by Boyd Interactive under the Stardust brand in the United States feature both slot games and table games provided by Playtech. Live dealer games from the supplier are also included in the agreement.

The content will be rolled out in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including popular titles such as Age of the Gods, Gold Rush: Cash Collect and Adventures Beyond Wonderland, along with live casino titles such as Adventures Beyond Wonderland, along with different variants of Roulette and Baccarat.

Boyd Interactive appeared on the iGaming scene in 2022, when Boyd Gaming acquired Pala Interactive and all its subsidiaries in a deal worth 170 million dollars. After the acquisition the company was rebranded as Boyd Interactive and shortly after that it launched its Stardust online casinos in the spring of 2023.

In October 2023 Boyd Gaming announced that it had registered healthy online growth as the company’s revenue recorded an increase in the third quarter of the current year.

Expecting Mutual Success

Speaking about the partnership with Boyd Interactive, Marcus Yoder, the Chief Commercial Officer of Playtech USA, declared himself confident that the agreement would bring “mutual success” to the two companies and added that the American company has a “reputation for excellence.”

The Playtech executive added that Boyd Gaming has “expanded its long-standing tradition” on the American gambling market by launching the Stardust online casinos, which aim to deliver “unique entertainment experiences into the online space.”

Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Interactive, declared himself “excited” by the addition of games from Playtech into the offerings of Stardust both in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Playtech has been gaining more and more ground on the United States market this year. In July the company formally announced its plans to launch a live casino game show broadcast from a dedicated studio in New Jersey, while in November it launched a new live casino studio in Pennsylvania.

Source: “Playtech Partners with Boyd Interactive to Launch Games for Stardust Online Casinos in the United States“. Playtech. December 20, 2023.

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As the festive season approaches, concerns are mounting in Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) over the AUD 15 million ($10.1 million) year-on-year rise in gambling losses among its populace. This trend roughly matches other regions in the country, placing increasing pressure on local authorities and the federal government to implement better player protection policies and curb the growing gambling addiction epidemic.

Gambling Tax Income Comes at a Price

Recent data from the NT’s Department of Industry, Tourism, and Trade exposes the immense daily average of AUD 411,000 ($277,000) poured into poker machines across the region. Nearly half of these losses occurred in Darwin, where 722 pokies operate within 31 venues. This sum amounts to AUD 149 million ($100.42 million)  spent on poker machines in 2022-23, a worrying AUD 15 million increase.

Despite this worrying trend, higher poker machine profits contributed to the NT government’s substantial revenue of AUD 48.4 million ($32.62 million) from gaming machine taxes and an additional AUD 15.1 million ($10.18 million) from a community benefit levy raised by casinos and hotels last fiscal year. While these results underscore the financial significance of gambling within the region, they also caused significant player safety concerns.

Government data showing a recurrent December increase and subsequent January decrease in poker machine losses over the past three years has triggered concerns as welfare groups and researchers believe financial stressors and heightened emotions during the holiday season can be particularly detrimental to vulnerable individuals. These can be especially problematic in a society already struggling with addiction.

The Problem Is Not Isolated to NT

While NT’s gambling losses are impressive, they pale compared to other regions like New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, where this figure reaches well into the billions. Kim Caudwell, a senior lecturer in psychology at Charles Darwin University (CDU), told ABC News that Australians had a cultural affinity for gambling, noting that the government’s efforts to curtail this phenomenon were a monumental task.

Australians love to gamble. It’s something that’s very much embedded in our culture.

Kim Caudwell, CDU senior lecturer in psychology

Regions like New South Wales have undertaken extensive measures to combat this worrying trend. The upcoming cashless gambling trial shows substantial promise. If this measure is successful, it will be a significant milestone in Australia’s battle against problem gaming and may inspire other regions to follow suit. While NT has made some efforts to reduce the number of pokies in public venues, its efforts have been largely ineffective.

As concerns escalate, stakeholders urge proactive measures, emphasizing the urgency to support problem gamblers, address the root causes of addiction, and implement comprehensive strategies to counteract the societal impact of excessive gambling. The federal government faces rising pressure for rapid reform, but it cannot do so without the cooperation of local authorities.

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3 Oaks Gaming, the fast-growing distributor of iGaming content for online casinos, has announced that its international reach has further expanded following the signing of an agreement with NetBet, a powerful operator of online casinos and sports betting websites.

The agreement allows 3 Oaks Gaming to enter key regulated markets such as Mexico and Italy, where NetBet has a strong presence. The deal will see NetBet gain access to the extensive portfolio of games offered by 3 Oaks Gaming, including Goddess of Egypt, Little Farm, 3 Hot Chillies, and 777 Coins. The last three titles have the Hold and Win feature, one that has become quite popular among online casino players.

NetBet is a powerful international brand which is licensed in Malta but also operates in regulated markets such as Romania, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Mexico. It started out in 2001 and offers a wide range of content, from online casinos and sportsbooks to lotto, live casino and poker.

3 Oaks Gaming on the other hand is a rather young company, it was founded in 2021 and since then it has gradually expanded its reach through partnerships with online casino brands such as Favbet, Cosmolot, Vbet, Betlive, Slots City and Pin-Up Casino. The supplier also has agreements with providers of turnkey casino platforms. One of these partnerships was signed in November 2022 with EveryMatrix, one of the biggest suppliers of online casino platforms.

A Pivotal Moment

Speaking about signing the partnership with NetBet, Sebastian Damian, Managing Director at 3 Oaks Gaming, described it as “a pivotal moment” for the company, because it enhances its standing in Europe but also manages to expand its footprint in Latin America.

In fact, 3 Oaks Gaming already had a presence in Italy thanks to an earlier deal with Tuko Productions, so the agreement with NetBet will only solidify that presence. As for Mexico, the company will make its debut on this key Latin American market thanks to the agreement with NetBet.

Sebastian Damian declared himself confident ahead of the debut on the Mexican market: “We firmly believe that our meticulously designed titles will captivate and engage players, offering them an immersive gaming experience.”

Source: “3 Oaks Gaming bolsters international reach through NetBet partnership“. 3 Oaks Gaming. October 31, 2023.

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Pro League Network (PLN), a sports entertainment company, has ventured into the world of slap-fighting by acquiring the renowned SlapFight Championship. 

JT Tilley Takes the Helm as Creative Director at PLN

The acquisition brings not only the SlapFight Championship assets but also the expertise of its Founder and CEO, JT Tilley, who will now take on the role of creative director within PLN. Tilley, whose background spans sports, entertainment, comedy, and music, is tasked with shaping the creative direction of PLN’s entire sports portfolio, emphasizing entertainment value alongside betting opportunities.

SlapFight, established in 2017 by Tilley, has transformed slap-fighting into a legitimate sport with strict rules and a growing fan base. Notable fighters, including former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia and home-grown talents like Wolverine, The Bell, and Neanderthal, have graced its roster. The championship’s live pay-per-view and tape-delayed events have drawn millions of social media impressions, especially on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Since PLN secured wagering rights for SlapFIGHT in 2022, the sport has gained recognition in six US jurisdictions, making it available for betting enthusiasts through DraftKings. With this acquisition, PLN takes full control of SlapFight Championship, encompassing branding, content libraries, and social media channels.

In October 2022, slap-fighting officially became regulated in Nevada after approval by the Nevada Athletic Commission. 

PLN Unveils Ambitious Plans for SlapFight

PLN’s co-founders, Mike Salvaris and Bill Yucatonis, expressed their enthusiasm, saying: “We couldn’t be more excited to add SlapFight to our portfolio and are looking forward to growing the brand, as well as introducing SlapFight fans to other PLN sports.”

They also highlighted Tilley’s talent for developing sports that are not only easy to comprehend but also captivating to watch and likely to go viral. This collaboration aims to bring even more unique sports experiences to the audience.

Additionally, as part of the deal, PLN plans to establish a state-of-the-art studio in Branson, Missouri, where Tilley will oversee the creation of a new entertainment series, including “BFC Extreme.” This series will showcase a regular roster of athletes competing in emerging PLN sports, promising an immersive sports and entertainment experience. Tilley shared his vision, stating:

When I first met the PLN team last year it was clear that we shared a vision for the future of sports entertainment – one where sports that may be considered ‘niche’ could, if produced correctly, be appealing to a broad audience and engaged with across multiple channels – including betting, fantasy and watch-alongs.

PLN creative director JT Tilley

PLN, founded in 2022, has gained recognition for promoting alternative sports and creating wagering opportunities, filling under-optimized slots on the sports calendar. It boasts a portfolio of over 16 brands, including the World Putting League, CarJitsu Championship, XTreme Long Drive, Pro Footgolf, National Carrom League, Strongman, T3 TouchTennis, and Beastball.

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In a significant stride towards conquering the US iGaming market, Play’n GO, the renowned global casino entertainment provider, has made its grand entrance into West Virginia. The Mountain State is now home to an array of thrilling Play’n GO slot titles, thanks to a strategic partnership with BetMGM.

Play’n GO’s Enthralling Titles Arrive in West Virginia for Gamers

Players in West Virginia are in for a treat as they can now immerse themselves in the captivating world of Play’n GO classics. Titles like Book of Dead, Reactoonz, Boat Bonanza, and the highly acclaimed Gerard’s Gambit, which was shortlisted for the prestigious 2023 Game of the Year award, are all at their fingertips.

Magnus Natt och Dag, the commercial director for North America at Play’n GO, expressed his enthusiasm about the company’s latest venture. He stated: “We’re delighted to be able to offer our game catalog to players in West Virginia, and we’re confident that players there will love engaging with our content. Play’n GO prides itself on producing games that engage players and keep them coming back for more, and we’re sure that we will replicate our success here in West Virginia too. Success in a sustainable, regulated industry has always been Play’n GO’s primary focus, and we can’t wait to get started in West Virginia.”

As part of its North American expansion strategy, Play’n GO has bolstered its team with key hires based in the United States. 

Play’n GO Thrives in US Expansion, Adding West Virginia to the Mix

This landmark expansion marks Play’n GO’s fourth foray into the American iGaming landscape. Previously, the Swedish gaming giant had successfully launched its games in New Jersey, Michigan, and Connecticut. Now, West Virginia joins the ranks of states where players can revel in Play’n GO’s exceptional gaming content.

In August, Play’n GO entered a partnership with Rush Street Interactive, enabling the supply of its games to RSI’s BetRivers platform in New Jersey and Michigan. This collaboration allowed RSI to expand its offerings and deliver popular Play’n GO titles to its growing customer base, while Play’n GO extended its North American reach.

In February, Play’n GO continued its expansion in the North American iGaming market with the acquisition of a license in Connecticut. 

The company’s strategy focuses on delivering engaging content to partners and strengthening retention efforts, with plans to release over 50 new products in 2023 to meet the unique challenges of North America’s iGaming industry. 

In 2022 alone, Play’n GO released over 50 online slot titles and established its presence in more than 25 regulated jurisdictions worldwide. 

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The developer of premium slots, scratch cards and instant win games for the iGaming industry, Hacksaw Gaming, announced Monday a new deal, allowing it to expand its presence in Europe. The company confirmed it joined forces with Italy’s largest online casino operator, GBO.

Under the terms of the freshly minted partnership, Hacksaw agreed to supply a selection of its games, powering two brands of the operator in Italy. As a result, customers of GBO’s GoldBet and Lottomatica in the country will be able to benefit from top-performing slot games provided by the leading iGaming developer.

Currently, GBO is known as the largest online casino operator in Italy. With plenty of experience and strong market presence, the company continues to expand its offering, delivering new games for its customer base. Now, thanks to the latest collaboration with Hacksaw Gaming, GBO will further elevate the excitement and experience for its customers through premium games.

While the partnership will boost the offering of the two brands in Italy, it also helps the iGaming studio reach new clients. Earlier this month, Hacksaw expanded once again its global footprint, via an entry into the regulated gambling market in the United States. At the time, the company confirmed it launched its games with Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers brand in West Virginia.

The aforementioned launch helped complement the growth of the company in North America. In fact, if follows a successful activation with RSI’s brand for the iGaming market in Ontario, Canada.

The iGaming Content Developer Is Excited to Expand

Gabrielle Star, Hacksaw’s CCO, revealed that the company is excited to team up with such a trusted and respected brand with strong presence in the country. She added that as the largest operator in Italy, GBO has the biggest customer base.

Moreover, Star said that this collaboration complements Hacksaw’s vision to deliver thrilling online experiences through unique games. Finally, she said: “We’re excited to see our award-winning content reach an even broader audience as we drive forward our strategy to grow regulated markets.”

“It gives us immense joy to team up with such a marquee name.“

Gabrielle Star, CCO of Hacksaw Gaming

Under the terms of the new collaboration, the clients of GBO’s two brands will gain access to Hacksaw’s flagship game, Wanted Dear or a Wild. Additionally, the deal includes fan-favorite games like Fruit Duel, Born Wild, Book of Time, as well as Chaos Crew. Further games are also expected to be delivered by Hacksaw for GBO soon.

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