edict egaming GmbH (edict) has announced a strategic partnership with Atomo Gaming, a Spain-based company specializing in the development of gaming platforms for both online and land-based games, as well as B2B integrations. This collaboration allows the Merkur Group subsidiary, known for its expertise in the sales and distribution of online casino games, to make its popular Merkur games available to Atomo Gaming’s online casinos in South America through its proprietary Aggregator Solution.

Expanding Merkur’s Reach in South America

Under this partnership, a wide array of Merkur slots will soon be accessible on the platforms of Atomo Gaming’s various gaming brands. Dominic-Daniel Liénard, CEO of edict egaming GmbH, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Atomo Gaming is dedicated to delivering the safest, most secure, and entertaining games, achieving great success with its high-quality products. With this cooperation, we have secured an internationally recognized partner, particularly in the South American market. We are proud to offer our diverse portfolio of Merkur games and are confident that our offerings will be well-received.”

Ramon Monros, CEO of Atomo Gaming, also shared his positive outlook on the partnership, saying, “At Atomo Gaming, we are thrilled to integrate Merkur games into our portfolio. We value the trust of this esteemed game developer and are confident that their games will soon become the preferred choice among players in Ecuador on Bet593, in Guatemala on Bet502, and in many other countries where we operate.”

Innovations and Expansions within the Merkur Group

edict egaming GmbH is renowned for developing cutting-edge casino software for the gaming industry. As part of the Merkur Group, edict egaming distributes Merkur online slots and other games through its Aggregator Solutions to leading casinos and sports betting operators worldwide.

Earlier in May, from May 7th to 9th, Merkur Dosniha, another subsidiary of the Merkur Group, showcased its latest games and cabinets for the Spanish market at the IFEMA Convention Centre. Occupying an exhibition space of approximately 850 square meters, the highlight of Merkur Dosniha’s display was the new “Spectra” roulette. This product, developed in collaboration with Spintec, represents a significant advancement in the roulette experience for the Spanish market.

The Spectra Roulette: A New Standard in Gaming

The Spectra roulette features a new user interface designed to simplify handling for guests, alongside ergonomically designed seating areas and hand rests that enhance comfort. The roulette wheel and topper boast improved visibility due to a flatter surface and a brighter, more contrasting color scheme. Additionally, a more durable ball track surface promises increased longevity. The product also includes two-sided player information displays and a round LED topper, allowing players to better follow the roulette action. These remarkable features made Spectra the focal point of attention at the exhibition, captivating visitors with its innovative design.

Source: “Edict Egaming Seals Collaboration Deal With Atomo Gaming”. Merkur Group. May 22, 2024.

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South Korea has been taking a harder look at illegal gambling operations, holding players and operators accountable for either participating or hosting such activities. In its latest bust, South Korea’s National Office of Investigation (NOI) reported that it had been able to arrest 2,925 people connected with illegal gambling.

Droves of South Korean Teenagers Are Gambling Illegally

All of these arrests had been effectuated over a six-month period prior to NOI’s report, and the country is now launching a second six-month campaign in May, that will seek to arrest more people connected with facilitating illegal gambling.

In the latest bust, some 1,035 teenagers were arrested, indicating that there is a strong proliferation of illegal gambling services among youngsters who tend to be the most vulnerable when it comes to games of chance. Despite the risks, youths have been partial to gambling in South Korea, and have mostly been nonplussed by its illegal status in the country.

NOI said that 566 teenagers had been sent for counseling, as young people need to be set on a recovery path right away. However, leniency has not been shown to all. A total of 12 teenagers were actually apprehended on suspicion of having operated online gambling platforms themselves, and at least six teenagers are said to have promoted these websites, whether through affiliates or in some other way.

A total of $44.9 million had been seized from illegal gambling businesses and players during the course of the six-month operation. NOI also said that peer influence played a huge role in helping illegal gambling websites proliferate, as teenagers saw and embraced gambling from their peers or at school, although social media does have a part to play.

The majority of teenagers arrested were actually interested in baccarat rather than online casinos. For example, 41.9% prefer this specific card game against just 17.1% for those favoring online casinos. At least 19.8% of those gambling gambled on sports, and another 14.7% enjoyed online slots.

Young People Affected by Gambling – But by How Much?

The data revealed by NOI is worrying as it points to a very high incidence of gambling participation among young people in the country, but it’s also a solid basis to address and further direct resources to help protect youths.

Studies from all over the world have shown that regulating gambling has generally made it easier to track the rate of gambling participation among young people. Bringing more gambling options may have prompted some youths to gamble more, but it has also made it much simpler to track their participation and inform public debate and political action.

 South Korea does not allow any form of online gambling, which has made players seek alternatives such as offshore or illegal gambling sites. Those, however, may be contributing to a gambling problem that is festering. According to a study conducted in 2022, the level of gambling addiction in the country was 5.5% but the actual numbers could be much higher.

Last year, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family began offering 12-day rehabilitation programs to help young addicts recover.

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South Korea’s government has unveiled a massive expansion of its Kangwon Land casino resort. The state-owned property will be remodeled to triple the area of its casino floor, allowing it to welcome more guests.

The Kangwon Land gaming area, which covers 167,000 square feet currently, will be expanded to cover approximately 533,000 square feet. In addition to that, the $1.85 billion expansion will see a new hotel and a new convention space constructed, allowing Kangwon Land to accommodate more visitors and host international gatherings.

The expansion will also include the creation of a new wellness center in the nearby forest, as well as the launch of new local attractions.

The expansion comes as more Asian countries rise to challenge South Korea’s casino industry. Kangwon Land and the country’s foreigner-only casinos enjoyed a period of calm during the temporary decline of Macau gaming and the crackdown on the special administrative region’s junket operators. However, Japan’s upcoming resort and Thailand’s desire to launch casino gaming are likely to cause fiercer competition.

South Korea Is Wary of Japan’s Upcoming Integrated Resort

Situated in its namesake Kangwon Province, Kangwon Land is the only casino in South Korea that accepts local players. The property boasts some 1,000 slots and 100 gaming tables, allowing hundreds of players to enjoy gambling at the same time. In addition, Kangwon Land has some 700 hotel rooms for guests. Despite that, finding a seat has been increasingly difficult the last few years.

While Kangwon Land, originally founded in 1998, is the only casino in South Korea that locals can visit, the launch of MGM Resorts’ resort in Osaka will likely upset the power balance. Considering Japan’s proximity to Korea, local customers might be tempted to visit the Osaka casino instead.

The expansion of Kangwon Land is, according to the government, a precautionary measure that seeks to ensure the property’s appeal to local consumers. Since MGM’s resort in Japan will not open earlier than 2029, the South Korean operator has ample time to reinforce its offering.

Still, the renovations envisioned by the government are also likely to take several years. Because of that, until the construction of the extra facilities starts, the government will open a temporary expanded casino.

 The $1.85 billion investment is notably the largest investment in the property since its opening.

In addition to casinos in other Asian countries, Kangwon Land will also have to compete with the Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort which recently onboarded new solutions that will allow it to understand guests at an individual level.

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South Korea is seeing a concerning rise in gambling among teenagers. While iGaming is strictly prohibited in the country, young players often find ways to circumvent the rules and restrictions.

Unfortunately, the rise of online gambling among younger players also means that addiction treatment institutions are struggling to provide services to all affected players. In fact, the National Center for Youth Internet Addiction Treatment is the only establishment that offers such programs.

The center is run by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and offers 12-day rehabilitation programs for people struggling with gambling addiction. To help patients cope with the absence of gambling and overcome their addiction, the program offers a variety of activities, including sports and playing music. However, the program fails to hold the attention of many younger participants.

Shim Yong-chool, the center’s director, told The Korea Herald that despite the short duration of the program, many teenagers fail to complete it and quit early. For example, he noted that only 12 of the 17 recently admitted teens managed to complete the entire program.

This shows that the center, which opened in 2015, is struggling to help the increasing number of problem players.

Young Players Are More Prone to Becoming Addicted

Shim noted that many young addicts fail to resist their urges. In addition, the proliferation of online gambling continues to highlight the need to reinforce South Korea’s capacity to deal with gambling harm.

Data shows that the number of teenagers being treated for gambling addiction has skyrocketed by 75% in just four years. In addition, the National Police Agency’s recent crackdown on online gambling saw 353 people arrested, 39 of whom were juveniles. Survey shows that some 28,838 are at risk of developing gambling problems.

According to Lee Hae-kook, a professor from the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, teenagers are a very vulnerable demographic because they are already immersed in the digital sector. Internet access from an early age increases their chance of coming across gambling content and starting to gamble themselves.

According to Lee Byung-chul, a professor from Hallym University College of Medicine’s Department of Neurology, gambling addiction, even if treated fairly quickly, can cause serious problems in young people’s neurological development. According to him, the state needs to fund systems that connect schools, mental health institutions and youth facilities.

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NeoGames subsidiary and leading content provider and aggregator, Pariplay, continues to expand its global footprint after announcing a new important partnership. The company unveiled Thursday it joined forces with Bet Network, paving the way for its expansion in the regulated gambling market in South Africa.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Pariplay will leverage Bet Network’s presence and knowledge within the market. The collaboration will see the leading aggregator utilize Bet Network’s National Manufacturing License to deliver its games within the regulated market in the country. Such titles would include games from Pariplay’s Wizard Games studio, along with third-party titles delivered via Ignite.

The Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board will initially certify Pariplay’s products for the region. Additionally, the aggregator confirmed it will consider further expansion in South Africa soon.

Iain Gutteridge, Bet Network’s managing director, was thrilled to see the company team up with Pariplay. He explained that the aggregator delivers an extensive range of games that are already popular with fans across the globe.

Moreover, Gutteridge predicted that Pariplay’s content would be well-received by the local players, allowing the company to expand its reach rapidly. “By working closely together, we’ll be able to greatly expand its reach in South Africa, and we’re very excited by the potential of this partnership,” he said in conclusion.

“Pariplay brings an unmatched level of aggregated and in-house content that is beloved by players the world over, and we’re confident that by bringing it across South Africa we can quickly establish it as a must-have portfolio for operators.“

Iain Gutteridge, managing director of Bet Network

The Leading Aggregator Continues to Expand

The latest collaboration complements Pariplay’s growth trajectory. Last month, the aggregator further expanded its presence by adding games from the up-and-coming iGaming provider, Boldplay, to its Fusion platform. That collaboration enabled the iGaming content supplier to reach new customers across the globe.

Elsewhere, seeking expansion into Latin America, Pariplay joined forces with Eyas Games back in July. Teaming up with the prominent operator for the region further expanded the aggregator’s global footprint.

“South Africa is a market with enormous potential, and we’re delighted to partner with Bet Network to ensure we can maximize our reach in the country through their local insight and knowledge.“

Andrew Maclean, VP of sales at Pariplay

Andrew Maclean, Pariplay’s VP of sales, acknowledged the importance of the South African market for the company. Highlighting the incredible opportunities that the market holds, he said that Pariplay is excited to join forces with Bet Network.

Maclean explained that Pariplay’s content is well-received across different markets around the globe. Finally, he predicted that the collaboration would bring thrilling experiences for players in South Africa.

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In a significant move to address gambling harm in New South Wales (NSW), the state government has pledged $100 million in funding for initiatives and services to reduce the industry’s harmful effects on communities. This commitment is a part of the first Minns Labor Government Budget, reflecting their long-term dedication to combating money laundering, implementing gaming reforms, and mitigating the social consequences of gambling.

The $100 million injection will encompass various areas, covering the most pressing issues. The 2024-25 financial year will see gambling harm minimization initiatives and reforms receive $21.7 million annually for three years. The recently introduced gambling reform panel will select worthy initiatives and distribute these funds accordingly.

The second most substantial portion of the funding, $10 million, will bolster the Responsible Gambling Fund through the Office of Responsible Gambling. The extra capital will support GambleAware’s counseling and support services, awareness and education campaigns, initiatives like “Reclaim the Game,” and cutting-edge gambling research. These will hopefully provide long-term reductions in problem gambling rates.

An additional $6.4 million will enhance self-exclusion programs and introduce third-party exclusions in pubs and clubs, providing individuals with more tools to control their gambling habits. The remaining $3.4 million will help facilitate the upcoming 12-month cashless gaming trial at select venues, paving the way for broader reforms.

These Initiatives Form a Broader Agenda

Since its election in March, the Minns Labor Government has undertaken several significant steps to address gambling-related issues in NSW. These efforts include banning political donations from clubs involved in gaming, launching an independent panel to oversee a comprehensive cashless gaming trial, reducing cash input limits for new poker machines, reducing gaming machine entitlements, and banning external gambling-related signage.

This extra funding was possible due to the substantial fines imposed on Star Casino by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC). The financial boon to select initiatives should hopefully lead to a safer, more sustainable industry, offsetting the damage by the problematic operator. Such actions perfectly align with NSW’s rising focus on gambling harm prevention and will form the foundation for future changes.

This government has a clear focus and is committed to evidence-based reform.

David Harris, Minister for Gaming and Racing

Despite the NSW government’s efforts, years of ineffective regulations and lack of enforcement have caused significant gaming-related issues as gambling harm rates remain high. Remedying such deficiencies will be long and arduous, but recent initiatives show substantial promise. If the government remains steadfast with its planned reforms, it should achieve noticeable improvements.

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South Korea’s tourism and casino industries anticipate a significant boost with the return of Chinese group tours, suggests a recent report by NH Investment & Securities Co Ltd.

This move follows China’s August announcement about easing travel restrictions for its citizens and allowing group travel to more destinations, including Japan and South Korea, as part of the post-Covid-19 measures.

According to sources, the South Korean government is further incentivising group tourism by waiving processing fees, which were “currently set at KRW18,000 [about US$13.60] for visitors arriving in groups” until the end of this year.

NH Investment’s analyst Hazell Lee commented on this resurgence, declaring it likely to have a positive impact on South Korea’s casinos.

MORE: CHINESE ONLINE CASINOS

“The expansion of Chinese inbound traffic following the resumption of group tours to [South] Korea should eventually lead to a sharp recovery in the number of casino visitors, especially mass visitors,” she said.

The relationship between China and South Korea’s tourism sectors has been strained in recent years. It began with tensions over Seoul’s deployment of a U.S. missile defence system in 2017. While China didn’t publicly admit to restricting group tours to South Korea, the situation was further exacerbated in 2020 when China implemented a broad ban on outbound group tours due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, Ms. Lee provided a word of caution, noting that while mass-market tourism is expected to see a resurgence, VIP gaming segments might still lag.

Recent policy shifts in China underscore a negative sentiment towards high stakes casino players. In the past few years, Chinese authorities have cracked down on citizens traveling abroad for casino play or participating in online betting activities, which they term as “cross-border gambling”. China further solidified this stance by amending its criminal code in March 2021, making it illegal for anyone to facilitate such activities.

In conclusion, Ms. Lee particularly highlighted the potential benefits for South Korea’s foreigner-only casino operator, Paradise Co Ltd. She believes that both the gaming and non-gaming sectors of the company stand to “benefit significantly” from the revival of Chinese group tours. Specifically, she emphasized that the amenities and accessibility of Paradise City, the company’s casino resort complex in Incheon, should be particularly appealing to group visitors and casino enthusiasts.

As per the Korea Casino Association, South Korea boasts 17 casinos, 16 of which are exclusively open to foreign visitors.

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Visitors to Deadwood, South Dakota are in for a treat, after Hard Rock International celebrated the opening of its newest boutique hotel and casino, offering different entertainment and hospitality options. A grand ceremony, commemorating the opening of the Rocksino by Hard Rock, took place earlier this week. The glamorous event saw the participation of the state’s governor, leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the South Dakota Sioux tribes, along with music stars and many guests.

The new Rocksino brings iconic Hard Rock hospitality, offering a boutique hotel and casino. The venue is slightly smaller in size than the usual Hard Rock resort properties, but it is still packed with entertaining options, including music memorabilia, a full-service restaurant and a bar that offers craft cocktails.

Not unexpectedly the Rocksino offers gambling entertainment as well and visitors can play 86 new slot machines. As with other such entertainment locations, a Rock Shop is also available where visitors can purchase custom apparel from Hard Rock Deadwood. Judging by a statement released by Hard Rock, later this year, the property will open its renovated luxury guest rooms.

Celebrating the grand opening ceremony, Hard Rock Deadwood made a donation of $40,000 to the Oglala Sioux Tribe Veterans Shelter. The generous contribution came from the Hard Rock Heals Foundation in collaboration with the Willie G. Invitational Golf Tournament.

Besides the donation, the opening ceremony included Hard Rock’s popular Guitar Smash where 22 individuals appeared on stage, smashing guitars. However, Big Kenny, from the country music duo Big & Rich, explained that the smashed guitars weren’t real guitars but rather Hollywood props. He outlined that thousands of real guitars are donated by Hard Rock to different communities around the globe.

Deadwood Expands Entertainment Options

David Ruth, Deadwood’s Mayor, praised the efforts of Steve Slowey and Marc Oswald, which helped deliver the iconic Hard Rock brand to one of the most popular Wild West towns in the US. “As a community famous for entertaining guests since 1876, Deadwood is excited to welcome Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood as our newest, can’t-miss property,” he said. Finally, Ruth pointed out that the new Rocksino will fit well with the region and deliver supreme experiences for its visitors.

“Our rich, Old West history combined with the Hard Rock brand will enhance the Deadwood experience for which we are known for. The Rocksino by Hard Rock Deadwood is sure to be an additional gem luring visitors to this amazing town.“

David Ruth, Mayor of Deadwood, South Dakota

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem also attended the recent grand opening ceremony. She said that for years, different initiatives delivered unique experiences for visitors to Deadwood. Now, according to Gov. Noem, the new Rocksino will further expand the entertainment options available for visitors to the city.

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Spinomenal, an up-and-coming provider of iGaming content, has minted another content agreement, this time with Hollywoodbets, an iGaming and online sports betting company based in Durban.

As agreed, the former party will leverage its portfolio of cutting-edge titles to provide its new South African partner with exciting gaming experiences. The agreement is made possible by Intelligent Gaming, Spinomenal’s local partner.

Thanks to the partnership, South African gamblers will get to experience some of the supplier’s best games. Spinomenal’s portfolio is known for its high-quality graphics, superb sound design, exciting gameplay and engaging features.

Some of the games that Hollywoodbets’ players will be able to try out include hits such as Demi Gods III, Queen of Fire and Story of Medusa, among others.

Hollywoodbets is a leader in South African gambling, thanks to its diverse selection of online casino offerings and rich variety of sports betting markets. The company has a retail presence, as well as a presence in South Africa’s iGaming sector, making its products very accessible to local customers.

The deal with the African operator follows a recent expansion in Bulgaria that saw the provider team up with Palms Bet and Alphawin. In July, Spinomenal also minted an agreement with Luckia, expanding its presence in Portugal.

Hollywoodbets Prides Itself on Providing Exciting Products

Spinomenal’s chief executive officer Lior Shvartz commented on the new partnership, lauding Hollywoodbets as a “leading player” in African gaming. Shvartz said that his team is very excited about the content agreement with the operator and is looking forward to further bolstering its portfolio.

The operator is known for bringing the best entertainment and we know our games will enhance that commitment.

Lior Shvartz, CEO, Spinomenal

Meanwhile, Hollywoodbets’ head of product Wayde Dorkin said that his team is delighted to welcome Spinomenal’s content on board.

Hollywoodbets prides itself on providing its customers with the best and most exciting products that the market has to offer and we feel our clients are going to enjoy the variety of engaging content that Spinomenal offer.

Wayde Dorkin, head of product, Hollywoodbets

The two parties also teased their plans to expand their cooperation to the United Kingdom and Ireland later this year.

In the meantime, Spinomenal continues to roll out new content. One of the supplier’s latest releases is Majestic White Rhino, an exciting new slot with many engaging mechanics and free spins.

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Moving forward, FSB will be able to demonstrate that it’s a highly-trusted supplier following the company’s certification from Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). The certification applies to the regulated market in South Africa and provides FSB with the means to expand more aggressively.

The accreditation unlocks the potential of the regulated gambling market in South Africa. This allows FSB to move forward with its selection of products. FSB is already a highly-trusted and respected brand on the African continent but this new certification further establishes it as a go-to and trusted partner locally.

Welcome News for Further Expansion and Growth

FSB CRO Ian Freeman has welcomed the opportunity to be recognized and welcomed in another relevant target market for the company. Freeman added:

We have a very clear strategy of aligning our market-leading sportsbook, platform and casino portfolio of products and services with markets that offer FSB and its partners the best chance to succeed.

FSB CRO Ian Freeman

The executive further hailed this certification as a continuation of the company’s strategy to work with Tier 1 partners and deliver trustworthy and dependable markets in any market it operates in.

FSB’s platform has already been able to see some excellent results across its partners not just in Africa. The company saw partner operators rake in record numbers during the Royal Ascot horse racing competition, one of the biggest events on the calendar.

The company’s infrastructure provided uninterrupted experience from start to finish. Meanwhile, FSB has also been pivoting towards even bigger markets. The company made a successful first foray in Ontario, Canada earlier this year as well.

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