The Queen Baton Rouge, a brand-new gaming establishment at the site of the former Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge, has adopted Konami Gaming’s SYNKROS casino management system. As a result, guests can now benefit from the unique rewards and benefits offered by The Queen Casino & Entertainment at each of the company’s four properties.

The SYNKROS system will also benefit the Baton Rouge casino by providing its management with a selection of solutions, including an anti-money laundering system and an employee mobile application, among others.

The Queen Baton Rouge is one of The Queen Casino & Entertainment’s two properties in the city. Having opened after a thorough renovation process, the casino currently boasts a 100,000-square-foot footprint with a large gaming area and multiple dining options.

Visitors can enjoy 700 gaming machines and 18 gaming tables offering games such as poker, craps, blackjack and roulette. The property also has a DraftKings sportsbook for the sports betting aficionados.

In the meantime, The Queen Casino & Entertainment plans to also renovate Belle of Baton Rouge, its other property in the city. As the first casino in Louisiana, Belle of Baton Rouge has a location of huge significance to the company.

Konami Is Happy to Support Another Queen Casino Property

The Queen Casino & Entertainment has been using Konami Gaming’s SYNKROS technology since 2021. The former company’s president and chief executive officer, Terry Downey, commented on the launch of SYNKROS at The Queen Baton Rouge, noting that it would allow his team to offer seamless loyalty rewards to its customers.

Following the successful installs at Belle of Baton Rouge, DraftKings at Casino Queen and Casino Queen Marquette, Downey is certain that the technology would reinforce The Queen Baton Rouge’s business as well.

We hope that the attractive rewards and technology will encourage loyal members and new guests to explore these exciting gaming and entertainment destinations.

Terry Downey, president & CEO, The Queen Casino & Entertainment

Randy Caron, Konami Gaming’s vice president of system sales, also commented on the matter, noting that The Queen Baton Rouge is The Queen Casino & Entertainment’s fourth property to adopt the SYNKROS system.

Caron praised the casino company on the grand opening of its second Baton Rouge property:

We offer our sincere congratulations to The Queen Baton Rouge on its grand opening and look forward to continued partnership.

Randy Caron, vice president of system sales, Konami Gaming

Last month, Konami posted its Q2 results, which were bolstered by its gaming & systems vertical.

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Despite the expected significant obstacles, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ) believes cross-operator deposit limits are vital for a safer market. The regulator’s decision to press on comes in response to growing concerns about the potential harms of excessive gambling. With potential market imbalances threatening players, the DGOJ continues its mission to promote responsible gambling practices.

Rising Challenges Necessitate a More Comprehensive Approach

One of the key objectives of the DGOJ’s recent decision to press on with a cross-operator deposit limit system is to promote responsible gambling practices among online operators. By imposing deposit limits relevant across different platforms, players will be encouraged to spend responsibly and effectively manage their gambling activities. 

Such a measure will introduce a valuable tool for self-control, enabling players to maintain a healthy balance between enjoyment and responsible gambling. DGOJ director general Mikel Arana noted that more than half of multi-operator players who had exceeded the current limits were among the biggest losers.

There is an undeniable relationship between surpassing the limit, doing so in more than one operator… and showing symptoms of a potential gambling problem.

Mikel Arana, DGOJ director general

The regulator’s data suggests a significant disbalance in the Spanish market. Statistics indicate that 1% of active online players contributed more than 40% of GGR. Furthermore, operator revenues between 2017 and 2022 skyrocketed by 75% despite a modest 200,000 increase in active players. A few individuals accounting for most gambling losses raise significant concerns, necessitating the DGOJ’s continued efforts.

The Planned System Faces Significant Challenges

Implementing cross-operator limits will complement the Spanish regulator’s forthcoming reforms. The new Royal Decree on Responsible Gambling Environments marks another milestone development for the country’s gaming market, introducing over 30 changes to existing regulations. These new rules seek to protect Spain’s youth and introduce a personalized approach for at-risk gamblers and new monitoring requirements.

Thanks to effective enforcement, gambling companies in the country will do their best to abide by the new rules. However, introducing a unified system spanning all operators will be no easy feat, posing budgetary, regulatory, and technical challenges. While not an all-encompassing solution, cross-operator limits will complement existing measures and serve as a lynchpin for player protection.

We see the cross-operator deposit limit system as an additional tool. It is intended… to complement (existing) operator limits and, of course, be voluntary for the player.

Mikel Arana, DGOJ director general

Collaboration between regulatory bodies and online operators, technological advancements, and public support will be crucial in successfully implementing the planned measures. As Spain maintains its focus on player protection, introducing cross-operator deposit limits will set a positive precedent for responsible gambling regulation worldwide.

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The world’s largest developer and distributor of casino table games, Galaxy Gaming, announced the launch of its next-generation game management system, the Galaxy Operating System (GOS).

Product of Extensive Table Games Progressives Knowledge

The launch of Galaxy Gaming’s new operating system is set to further enhance the attractiveness of the distributor of casino games, bonus systems and technology solutions to both the retail and online casino industry, introducing innovative progressive jackpot options, striking LED sensors and digital tracking.

Commenting on the launch, Todd Cravens, president and chief executive officer of Galaxy Gaming, noted that GOS is a product of the developer’s “extensive knowledge of table games progressives” which was paired “with a modern approach to table management systems” to come up with a “dynamic and scalable operating system.”

“We believe that this is greater than just a progressive system,” Cravens continued, outlining that GOS is “a full operating system designed to evolve with the industry,” the company’s partners, and most importantly, “with what players want.”

The world’s first Dynamic Progressive is set to blend with Galaxy Gaming’s most popular games and transform its renowned progressives by increasing pay alongside an exhilarating experience. In addition, the system supports digital tracking for Galaxy’s Roulette Up Progressive and Make’em All Progressive, as well as the Two-Way Dice Progressive.

Linking Tables on a Single Floor or across Several Casinos

The new operating system allows operators to run multiple jackpots on a wide range of table games with multi-game, tier and denomination progressive options. GOS also supports progressive jackpots with any of these configurations, linking multiple tables on a single floor or across several casinos.

The system also features vibrant sensors capable of instantly registering bets and allows for tables to be fitted with single, dual, or even triple progressive sensor bet spots. A modern UX not only supports these features but also allows for rapid deployment and streamlined field support, while the intuitive design of the dealer touch tablet and its easy-to-learn functions provide for a seamless jackpot procedure.

Designed as a full operating system, GOS is meant to continually evolve in line with advancements in hardware and software enhancements, and Galaxy Gaming is determined to present its next iteration of the system and its latest enhancements at G2E 2023.

Blueprint Gaming, a game studio in the UK owned by German’s Gauselmann Group, became a partner of the headquartered in Las Vegas Galaxy Gaming, after choosing Galaxy for its popular Side Bets features.

Aspers CasinoWestfield also recently teamed with the developer of casino table games to introduce its new 3 Dice Baccarat.

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A recent study into the gambling monopoly system conducted by the Finnish government has concluded that maintaining the status quo is not a recommended option. 

Unlicensed Gaming Amounts to $600m Loss for Finland’s Exclusive Rights System

The report stated that around 50% of all gaming activity takes place on unlicensed sites, which amounts to a considerable loss of money outside the exclusive rights system, estimated to be around EUR500-550 million ($549-603 million) per year.

Furthermore, engaging in gambling outside the system can lead to considerable drawbacks, which are difficult to prevent under the current system’s framework.

Veikkaus’ top management welcomed the report and its findings and highlighted the scale of the offshore industry, expressing readiness to implement a licensed system to increase Finland’s channeling rates.

According to Olli Sarekoski, the CEO of Veikkaus, it is significant that the gaming revenue outside the exclusive rights system has been confirmed to be within the range of EUR500-550 million ($549-603 million), which is consistent with the information presented by H2 Gambling Capital.

Sarekoski further added that in Veikkaus’ opinion, if there is a shift towards a licensing system, it would be preferable for this change to occur quickly rather than gradually.

Already back in September 2022, Veikkaus’ deputy CEO Velipekka Nummikoski suggested that implementing a licensing system similar to Sweden’s, which reached 90% channelization, may be a good solution as more and more Finnish players are turning to unregulated markets. 

Several independent policy agencies recommended dropping the monopoly system, but the Social Democrat Party rejected the proposal. Veikkaus also asked for a delay in identification checks implementation, citing difficulties in supplying the necessary hardware.

Finland Considers Two Paths for Gaming Market Reform

The government report presented two possible paths for reforming the country’s gaming market. The first option – based on the Norwegian model – would be to reduce the availability of unlicensed offerings to Finnish consumers. This would be achieved by giving new powers to the regulator and law enforcement to make it more difficult to successfully deliver such gaming to users.

The second option would be to introduce a licensing model, which is the model embraced by the majority of Finland’s neighboring countries. 

According to the preliminary study, a licensing system could potentially result in a higher channeling rate for online gambling than the current situation.

The study further noted that a possible licensing regime would in principle cover online casino games and online betting. Veikkaus would retain exclusive rights for slot machines, physical casinos, on-premises betting, and lotteries, as well as lotteries and sweepstakes, regardless of the channel.

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Over the last few years, GGPoker has been growing at a steady pace. The network kept improving its games, introducing innovations, as well as lucrative rewards and promotions. But while offering engaging poker action for high rollers and newcomers, GGPoker has kept a higher rake, when compared to its competitors.

While this didn’t bother many players, an update in the raking system started a boycott, led by a number of high roller players, who rejected the new rake structure by GGPoker, a forum post on Two Plus Two released earlier this week reveals.

“As of today, the High Stakes community will boycott 25/50+ games on GGPoker. Ninety percent of the highest volume players at these stakes have already committed to the boycott,“

reads a statement released by the group opposing the updated rake system on GGPoker

Can the Boycott Impact GGPoker?

Led by “the High Stakes community,” the boycott reportedly has already impacted $25/$50+ games on GGPoker. In fact, Mixgrill, the representative of the group opposing the updated rake system, confirmed that the high-stakes tables have been down to one, as of Monday, confirming that the boycott is already working.

According to the forum post, the group that opposes the new high rake system consists of 90 high-stakes players and poker pros. Ultimately, the group calls for the development of a “sustainable long-term playing environment.” The boycotting high rollers noted: “An environment in which it is possible for players to win money and enjoy themselves, as the network continues to generate enough revenue to profit.”

“The boycott is already working. The table count has decreased to just one, and we are currently contacting the last few players who have not yet joined us,“

explained the boycotting group

An important topic raised by the boycotting group involved the high rake back advertised by GGPoker. The high rollers acknowledged that this high rake back is “supposed to offset the rake.” However, they claimed: “With up to 60% being offered in the client, these numbers are misleading and generally false.”

According to the boycott group, the increase in rake was so drastic that pro poker players realized that they cannot win. The group predicted a significant decrease in the volume of raked hands, which can also ultimately impact recreational players. This, in turn, may also result in less revenue for GGPoker and customers switching to alternative poker networks, said the boycotting group.

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