Across the globe, integrated resorts offer premium hospitality, entertainment and gaming experiences. Large-scale resorts, bringing amenities such as luxury hotel accommodation, dining and shopping outlets, as well as casino gambling and recreational activities provide economic stimulus and boost the visitations for regions where they are located. One such large-scale project will be the first integrated resort in Subic Bay, the Philippines.

The integrated resort involves an investment of a whopping $300 million and is expected to significantly boost tourism and attract more visitors to the popular vacation destination. The globally-recognizable hospitality company, Accor International Group, is behind the new integrated resort project. For this region in particular, the company will operate under Subic Sun Convention Resort and Casino, Inc., and will be involved in the construction of the world-class integrated resort.

The world-class integrated complex will offer the Ibis Styles Subic and Mercure Subic hotels. While Ibis Styles is a part of Accor’s economy properties, Mercure is a part of its midscale segment. The opening of the resort is planned for 2025 and will be completed in several phases.

Besides luxury accommodation, the $300-million project will offer a wide range of shopping outlets, an exhibition and convention hall, different restaurants and a casino as well. Both Ibis Styles Subic and Mercure Subic are expected to welcome their first visitors at some point in 2026. While Ibis Styles will feature 175 hotel rooms, the midscale property, Mercure Subic is planned to offer 250 luxury hotel rooms.

Currently, Accor is famous as the largest hospitality group in Europe. Besides across Europe, the company has a strong presence on a global scale. Accor’s assets include properties in more than 110 countries across the globe with nearly 5,600 properties. Besides economy and midscale, the company offers premium and luxury hospitality destinations.

“A world-class integrated leisure and convention center will be constructed in progressive phases, encompassing a six-hectare property that will feature an integrated resort casino complex and five-star resort hotels.“

Pablo Edgardo T. Puyat, chairman and president at Subic Sun Convention Resort and Casino

Pablo Edgardo T. Puyat, Subic Sun Convention Resort and Casino’s chairman and president, who was recently quoted by Subic News Link, confirmed the company’s intention to complete the first phase of the resort with the opening of amenities in 2025. He spoke about the shops and facilities the Ibis Styles Subic and Mercure Subic are expected to offer. Finally, Puyat said that amenities for the $300 million project are going to be introduced via a phased approach.

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Caesars Entertainment is ready to elevate its culinary offerings by introducing Tortazo, the acclaimed restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Rick Bayless, at two premier destinations within its portfolio. Harrah’s Joliet and Caesars Palace Las Vegas will soon feature the vibrant flavors and culinary excellence of Tortazo, helping them stand out amidst the harsh competition.

Tortazo Encapsulates the Essence of Mexican Cuisine

Inspired by the gracious hospitality and lively culture of Mexico City, Tortazo is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant that encapsulates the essence of Mexican cuisine, with a particular focus on the renowned Mexican sandwich – the Torta. Acclaimed for his culinary prowess, cookbook authorship, and restaurant management, Chef Rick Bayless will bring his culinary magic to both locations.

Tortazo’s menu celebrates bold and flavorful Mexican cuisine, showcasing diverse culinary delights, including mouthwatering tacos, quesadillas, and irresistibly sweet house-made churros. Drawing inspiration from Mexico’s rich culinary heritage, each dish at Tortazo is a testament to Chef Rick Bayless’ commitment to authenticity and culinary innovation.

The Tortazo location at Harrah’s Joliet should open its doors in the spring, offering a culinary haven for guests seeking an authentic Mexican dining experience. Following this, the Las Vegas location at Caesars Palace will welcome patrons in late summer, adding to the iconic entertainment hub’s rich tapestry of culinary offerings.

This Addition Will Elevate the Customer Experience

The collaboration between Caesars Entertainment and Chef Rick Bayless signifies a strategic move to enhance the culinary offerings across the Caesars brand. Anthony Carano, President and COO of Caesars Entertainment, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, praising Tortazo as the perfect addition to the operator’s roster of culinary superstars.

This newest partnership should also significantly benefit Tortazo, improving the restaurant’s reach and exposure. Associating with a high-profile operator like Caesars should guarantee the restaurants will never be short on visitors hungry to experience the two venues’ complete offerings. Chef Bayless was thrilled regarding this partnership, highlighting Tortazo and Caesars’ shared values.

“The Caesars brand is synonymous with great hospitality, something that inspired the creation of Tortazo, so it feels like the perfect fit.”

Chef Rick Bayless

As Caesars Entertainment retains its priority on delivering exceptional experiences to its guests, collaborating with Tortazo further solidifies its commitment to offering a diverse and unparalleled range of dining options. More details about both Tortazo locations will be unveiled in the coming months, promising an exciting culinary journey for visitors to Harrah’s Joliet and Caesars Palace Las Vegas.

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In the context of the growing pressure to implement safer gambling standards in Australia, the country’s federal government has embraced the task of enforcing a series of fresh regulations that would increase the protection of players. 

The new regulations are impacting several areas of sportsbook operations, including retail betting and payments.

Cashless Retail Betting 

Given the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s (VGCCC) latest report related to the rise in the number of gambling incidents involving minors, they decided to take immediate action by asking Tabcorp, which is Victoria’s exclusive betting license holder, to introduce cashless retail betting on 70% of all of its terminals. 

This way, Tabcorp’s staff would be the first to prevent potential underage betting scenarios. 

Approximately 1,800 electronic betting terminals belonging to Tabcorp are expected to become cashless effective later on in the month. 

In order to use them, visitors would need to obtain a voucher from the betting venue’s counter. This way, customers who appear to be younger than 25 would need to first go through an ID verification procedure.

Last December, Liquor & Gaming New South Wales announced it would expand its cashless gambling trial amid increased interest shown by clubs and other venues. 

RWA Deems Underage Gambling as “Absolutely Unacceptable” 

SBC News and Payment Expert discussed the matter with Responsible Wagering Australia (RWA), the trade body that represents a number of high-profile holders of Australian licenses with names like bet365, Sportsbet, Pointsbet, Betfair, Unibet, and Entain on the list.

While Tabcorp is not a representative of RWA, the association has highlighted the critical importance of accurately meeting all standards regarding responsible gambling across the industry as a whole. 

Plus, Tabcorp shares responsibility concerning the implementation and enactment of safer gambling standards throughout Australia. 

RWA’s chief executive officer, Kai Cantwell, called it “absolutely unacceptable” for any underage Australian to be able to gamble, further mentioning the way online betting suppliers perform age and identity verifications on all customers prior to allowing them to make any transaction. 

Cantwell called the procedure “an important mechanism to mitigate money laundering and terrorism financing risks.”

The CEO added that RWA encourages “sensible regulatory measures” that can carry other forms of gambling up to the current standard that online betting providers are now operating on. 

At the moment, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cabinet is busy implementing no less than 31 recommendations made by a parliamentary inquiry into gambling.
 

Last December, the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee issued a request to the state of Victoria, asking for TV gambling ads to be restricted as part of a more complex report on gambling and liquor regulations in the state.

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Leading B2B technology provider EveryMatrix has announced the appointment of Bobby Longhurst as its new Group chief commercial officer (CCO). Longhurst brings a wealth of experience to the role and replaces Stian Hornsletten, who will move to the position of chief executive officer of the Games division at the start of next month.

EveryMatrix Continues Investing in Top Talent

The company’s latest announcement is part of ongoing changes to EveryMatrix’s executive team. Bobby Longhurst will assume the responsibilities of Group CCO, stepping into co-founder Stian Hornsletten’s shoes. Adding to the executive reshuffle, Nikolina Gabelica was appointed head of lottery two days before Longhurst’s announcement, further bolstering the company’s leadership.

EveryMatrix Group CEO Ebbe Groes expressed his confidence in the new appointment, noting that attracting leading industry talent would pay significant long-term dividends. He lauded Longhurst’s expertise, hoping the new CCO would contribute to the company’s sustained growth. The leading supplier maintains impressive momentum and should benefit from a fresh perspective.

Bobby’s… extensive commercial, product, and strategic experience will provide us with even greater firepower to expand our reach across new and existing verticals.

Ebbe Groes, EveryMatrix Group CEO

The B2B provider’s impressive Q3 2023 results mean that Longhurst’s new position as CCO will be dynamic and challenging as the company prioritizes its North American expansion. EveryMatrix recently announced a new partnership with gaming giant Caesars Entertainment, agreeing to supply its content for Caesars Sportsbook & Casino and Caesars Palace Online Casino.

Longhurst Is Well-Prepared to Excel in His New Position

Bobby Longhurst enters EveryMatrix with an extensive background, accumulating over 15 years of experience in various roles. His professional journey includes a three-year stint at venture capital firm Mindhub Capital as director of business intelligence. Longhurst also served as the Owner & CEO of Farrell Longhurst, his human capital acquisition company, for more than seven and a half years.

The new CCO’s foray into the gambling sector began in January 2017 as he joined B2B trading and pricing service provider Sporting Solutions. He quickly became a leading industry expert, making his new role a natural next step in his career. Longhurst was keen to join EveryMatrix, hoping to help the company capitalize on its ongoing growth.

There are huge opportunities on the horizon across all our major business units and products following the success the business has had in recent years.

Bobby Longhurst, EveryMatrix CCO

The recent series of strategic appointments and management reshuffles is part of EveryMatrix’s plan to strengthen its position in the dynamic and competitive iGaming landscape, leveraging the expertise and leadership of experienced professionals like Bobby Longhurst. The company hopes to maintain its impressive 2023 momentum and achieve even greater success in the new year.

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Affiliate performance marketing specialist Raketech has announced a major new addition to its leadership team. As reported by the company, it welcomed the experienced Dalia Turner as its new chief people officer.

Turner started her term as Raketech’s CPO on December 5 and will leverage her experience and talent to support the global senior management team. In her new role, she will be responsible for strategic HR leadership across the affiliate’s global workforce. She will also be tasked with reinforcing the company culture and supporting Raketech’s growth.

The new appointee joins Raketech from Feedzai, a fraud-detection data science company. Her time with the latter saw her expand the company’s team from 300 to 600 employees.

Before her tenure at Feedzai, Turner worked for the global tech corporation Microsoft, spending time with the company in both Portugal and the APAC region. During her time with the tech giant, Turner was responsible for people strategy talent and performance management, leadership development and the organizational culture across multiple countries.

Turner’s time at Microsoft also saw her serve as the business partner of the regional commercial leadership team of 1500 people.

Raketech’s CEO Welcomed the New Hire on Board

Turner is the latest new addition to Raketech in a string of recent appointments. Before onboarding the new chief people officer, the company also unveiled new additions to its board of directors.

Oskar Mühlbach, Raketech’s chief executive officer, commented on the latest appointment, welcoming Turner to the company’s global senior management team. He praised her extensive international experience in Europe and beyond, saying that she would bring “valuable insights, know-how, networks and strategies” to the company.

I’m very much looking forward to working together with Dalia to ensure Raketech stays attractive to the best talents in the industry while keeping our entrepreneurial culture.

Oskar Mühlbach, CEO, Raketech

For reference, Raketech is a leading online affiliate and content marketing company that boasts significant experience in supplying comparison services for sports and gaming, online guides, communities, and social media products. The company’s goal is to guide sports and gambling aficionados to the services most suitable to their needs.

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As a result, QTech Games will strengthen the available game library for partner operators by introducing crypto-compatible titles from Onlyplay, which has established a reputation for building robust slot, fast, and crash games, that have been increasingly popular across the entire industry.

Adding Differentiation Through Out-of-the-Box Games

The specific verticals in which Onlyplay has been excelling include slots, instant win games, lotteries, and not least crash games. Among the games players will be able to access through QTech Games are such titles as Hot & Spicy, Lucky Tanks, Limbo Cat, Jack Potter Deluxe, Crystal Cascada, and Fighter, as part of a constantly expanding portfolio.

QTech Games is also happy to see this opportunity realized, as the company wants to consolidate its leadership position as a repository of highly original, thematic, and innovative games, with a strong focus on the Asian iGaming market. Commenting on the latest collaboration, company CCO Daniel Long said that integrating premium content from Onlyplay is best described as a resounding success.

“Together, we will continue to raise the bar and shape a localized experience for global players. We can’t wait to witness how these games perform across a range of untapped markets which, in many cases, represent new territory for Onlyplay,” Long noted.

Onlyplay CEO Christina Muratkina was happy to see this alliance formed between the two companies. She attested to the quality of Onlyplay’s products and how they use an advanced tech stack and compelling visuals to build experiences that are fit for a modern audience.

Mobile friendly and RNG certified the titles provided by Onlyplay are set to take on any market and region and drive engagement and retention for partners. QTech has embarked on similar partnerships over the past months, driving strong differentiation to its portfolio as a result.

QTech Games Continues to Build on Strong Partnerships

Another similar alliance was formed with Galaxsys, a company that equally focuses on creating out-of-the-box experiences that introduce new gameplay mechanics, and notably skill-based gameplay.

QTech has also made sure to work closely with Turbo Games, a company that is known for its flagship CrashX game, and Rocket X. Turbo Games have been building titles specifically cut for innovative and forward-thinking operators, including those that promote and adopt digital payment solutions, such as cryptocurrencies.

The partnership came on the tail of similar arrangements with Vivo Gaming and Ad Lunam, which saw QTech Games consolidate its reputation as the go-to supplier for games in the Asian iGaming market.

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Oddset Sportwetten, a German online and retail sports betting operator, has become a part of the Deutscher Sportwettenverband (DSWV), the German sports betting association. The former party joined the association with immediate effect on December 1 and will work with like-minded companies to promote legal and responsible gambling across the country.

As a member of the DSWV, Oddset will be responsible for protecting players and joining the war on illegal marketing – two very hot topics in Germany at the moment. For reference, the country continues to have serious problems with black market operators and is working hard to channel players toward the legal alternative.

By joining the association, Oddset will become a part of a family that includes companies such as Bet365, Betway, bwin and Tipico, among others. The DSWV is firmly committed to protecting the sector and ensuring its integrity while promoting legal betting across the country.

The DSWV was founded in 2014 to represent the sports betting industry and mediate between the betting sector, the government and the public.

Germany Struggles with the Black Market

Germany continues to struggle with unlicensed operators which continue to occupy a large market share. According to a recent study, a whopping 50% of the gambling in Germany occurs on unlicensed sites.

Commissioned by the German iGaming association (DOCV) and the DSWV, and conducted conducted by economist Gunther Schnabl from the University of Leipzig, the survey raised concerns about the efficacy of Germany’s online gambling regulations.

In addition, a recent Gambling Atlas report revealed that 7.7% of German adults experience gambling-related problems that cause them social and financial stress. In addition, the report showed that 3.3 million Germans are at risk of gambling addiction.

In the meantime, the gambling powerhouse Entain just commented on the results of the former study, critiquing the inefficiency of Germany’s iGaming regulations.

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In a strategic move aimed at enhancing its casino offerings and driving profitability by fiscal year 2025, PointsBet Canada has appointed Brooke Hilton as its new Head of Casino. Hilton, a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the North American regulated iGaming industry, brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.

PointsBet Canada Gains a Strategic Edge with Brooke Hilton’s Expertise

Brooke Hilton, a native of Vancouver, previously worked with Ingenuity Gaming and Bally’s Interactive, where she served as Director of Business Development and Director of iGaming Product for North America, respectively. Additionally, she spent seven years with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, honing her skills as a slot and tables product manager for the online casino and product specialist for the online casino.

Expressing her excitement about the new role, Hilton shared her enthusiasm on LinkedIn, stating: “It is with immense joy that I announce the beginning of my journey as the head of casino at PointsBet. I have dedicated myself to the Canadian iGaming industry for the past 10-plus years. I’m absolutely thrilled to align my passion with a company as influential as PointsBet Canada.”

PointsBet Canada’s decision to bring Hilton on board underscores the company’s commitment to staying ahead in the competitive Canadian market. Hilton’s extensive experience in managing casino operations and developing localized commercial strategies aligns perfectly with PointsBet Canada’s vision for growth. 

As the company continues to expand its footprint in Ontario, Hilton’s expertise is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of PointsBet Canada’s casino offerings. With Hilton at the helm, PointsBet Canada is well-positioned to navigate the complex regulatory landscape and deliver innovative and engaging casino experiences to its customers.

PointsBet Canada Surges Amidst Ontario’s Booming iGaming Market

PointsBet Canada’s decision to appoint Hilton comes at a pivotal time for the company. The Ontario market, where PointsBet Canada currently operates, has shown promising figures in the recently released Q2 FY (2023-24) market performance report. During this period, Ontario witnessed a significant increase in total wagers, reaching CAD14.2 billion ($10.4 billion), up from CAD14 billion ($10 billion) in Q1. The majority of the revenue, CAD11.9 billion ($8.6 billion) in wagers, came from the casino vertical, including slots, bingo, and table games. There were 943,000 active accounts during this period, with an average monthly spend per active player being CAD191 ($140).

Meanwhile, PointsBet, operating in Australia and North America, reported a slight 3% decrease in its total sports betting handle, which amounted to AUD611.0 million ($387.5 million) for Q1 FY24. This decline followed the sale of its US assets to Fanatics for $225 million. Despite the dip, the company experienced an 18% increase in total net win, reaching AUD58.2 million ($36.9 million) year-over-year. 

Notably, PointsBet’s operations in Canada showcased significant growth, with a 111% increase in turnover to AUD44.2 million ($28 million) and a 212% rise in total net win to AUD5.4 million ($3.4 million) during the same period. PointsBet’s CEO, Sam Swanel, expressed optimism about the company’s profitable path and emphasized Canada’s attractiveness as a market, surpassing certain regions in the United States.

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OpenBet, a leading provider of technology, content and services to the sports betting industry, has reinforced its product leadership. As announced, the company has appointed the experienced Sam Depoortere as its new vice president of platform products and will rely on him to drive innovation.

In his new position, Depoortere will leverage his years of experience in the gambling industry to bolster OpenBet’s platform solutions product strategy. He will be responsible for growing the company’s products and helping it innovate and set itself apart from its competitors.

As VP of platform products, the new hire will work directly under Nikos Konstakis, OpenBet’s chief product officer.

As mentioned Depoortere is an industry heavyweight with years of experience with various high-profile companies. Most recently, he served as business director for TOTO at Nederlandse Loterij, the largest Dutch operator. During his time with the Dutch gambling company, Depoortere was responsible for overseeing its casino, retail and sports betting arms. 

Prior to that, Depoortere served as marketing & sportsbook manager at TOTO. He has also worked for a variety of other companies such as Betway and Media Odds.

Depoortere’s experience will help OpenBet grow and double down on its platform product strategy.

Depoortere Is Happy to Join a Prestigious Company

Depoortere expressed his thoughts on his new position, sharing his excitement about joining OpenBet. The appointee praised the company as an industry leader that is known for its innovation and strong partnerships and said that he is looking forward to helping it reach new heights.

Leveraging my experience and insights from the operator side, I am committed to steering OpenBet’s platform products to new heights and ensuring that we remain at the forefront of delivering safe and entertaining betting experiences for players worldwide.

Sam Depoortere, VP of platform products, OpenBet

In the meantime, Nikos Konstakis, OpenBet’s chief product officer, welcomed Depoortere to the OpenBet family. He praised the hire’s experience and said that the appointment of the experienced product expert as VP of platform products poses OpenBet for growth.

As we look to the future, we are confident that with Sam’s extensive experience and leadership qualities, OpenBet will continue to redefine the standards in sports betting entertainment.

Nikos Konstakis, CPO, OpenBet

In other news, in mid-July OpenBet added odds and lines for the Professional Bull Riders event. A week earlier, the company secured WLA’s Gold Contributor status.

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The latest partnership sees the prominent international brand sign a content collaboration with R. Franco Digital, an established developer of online casino products. The latter’s titles are now integrated into NetBet’s library of games, with R. Franco Digital bringing such popular picks as Gnomos Respins, Red Mantis and 40 Super 7 among the available titles.

R. Franco Digital Focuses on Growing Reach

R. Franco Digital also develops roulette, bingo, video poker, and other games, that are also going to be available as part of the content tie-up. Commenting on this partnership, NetBet PR manager Claudia Georgevici hailed the latest in a string of deals that sees her brand further reinforce its content footprint and presence. Georgevici noted:

We are delighted to partner with R. Franco Games and bring their award-winning games to our players.

NetBet PR manager Claudia Georgevici

She further said that NetBet was fully committed to continuing to deliver an exceptional gaming experience that is aligned with the brand’s own value and delivers precisely what players are thrilled about and want to experience first-hand.

NetBet has been delivering on this promise and commitment through a string of similar partnerships, including individual partnerships with distinguished suppliers such as Spinomenal and Platipus.

The games that are now being onboarded by R. Franco Digital are built on HTML5 technology, making it much easier for players at NetBet to experience them on mobile and desktop, and take them on the go.

Commenting on this opportunity, R. Franco Digital online sales manager Guillermo Ruipérez was similarly pleased with the opportunity to see his company expand with NetBet, a trusted name in the gambling industry.

Bringing Worthwhile Games to a Global Brand

“We are thrilled to embark on this new journey with such a leading operator,” Ruipérez added. The sales manager was similarly excited to be providing its content to one of the most demanding player bases that NetBet has been able to build.

R. Franco Digital has been busy building up its footprint. The company has signed a similar partnership with Betsson, boosting its reach in the process, and ensuring that its games are available with the 20+ brands operated by the group.

Another prominent content deal was negotiated with 888casino in Spain, as both companies seek to secure a broader footprint in regulated markets.

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