Month: October 2022

Reporting to Matt Primmer, chief product officer at Aristocrat Gaming, Kaminkow will work with teams across Aristocrat Gaming, Pixel United and Anaxi. He will be responsible for encouraging innovation throughout the whole company, including new gaming products and mobile game genres.

Aristocrat is currently in a period of major transformation. The business has rebranded its online real-money gaming division as Anaxi, as it attempts to grow its capabilities in the online casino space.

This expansion occurred after Playtech stakeholders rejected Aristocrat’s attempt to acquire the technology giant, and also included a deal to acquire UK-based igaming content supplier Roxor Gaming.

“I am thrilled to expand my commitment to Aristocrat in a dedicated, full-time role, enabling me to devote my creative energies to all areas of the Group’s ongoing growth and success,” Kaminkow said.

Kaminkow initially started at Aristocrat Gaming in 2013 when he was appointed as SVP of game development. Previous to this, he worked at Zynga as chief creative officer, where he created several successful game titles.

Kaminkow holds more than 130 patents and has either produced or contributed game design intellectual property to over 1,500 games throughout multiple markets.

“We are delighted that someone of Joe’s calibre will be working full-time across the company to champion innovation, helping us to further penetrate growth opportunities and develop even more outstanding talent within our business,” said Hector Fernandez, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming.

“I have been so impressed with the talent and drive of our employees over the past nine years and am excited to help Aristocrat take its next steps forward,” said Kaminkow.

The group in April 2021 announced it was to bring together its UK operations under the new Allwyn name and completed the rebrand of its entire business in December of the same year.

Further name changes were announced in May of this year at the group level, but at the time, the group said the names of its subsidiaries, which operate across Europe, had not changed.

In the latest update published by the operator, a further 10 name and brand changes were set out, including Sazka Group UK Holding being renamed Allwyn UK Holding.

Other rebrands included CAME Holding and Medial Beteiligungs, both of which are based in Austria, switching to Allwyn Austria Holding 2 and Allwyn Austria Holding 3, respectively.

In the Czech Republic, Sazka Czech will now be known as Allwyn Czech Republic Holdings, while two Sazka Group Financing (Czech Republic) businesses will be renamed Allwyn Financing Czech Republic 1 and 2.

Sazka Delta Hellenic Holdings will change its name to Allwyn Greece & Cyprus Holdings, while Rubidium Holdings Limited will rebrand to Allwyn Greece & Cyprus Holdings 2. The Rubidium Holding 2, which is focused on the Cypriot market, will also switch to Allwyn Investment Cyprus.

In addition, the Asia-facing Sazka Asia operation will be renamed as Allwyn Asia Holding.

UK National Lottery

The ongoing rebrand comes after Allwyn was last month formally awarded the UK’s fourth National Lottery licence, ending Camelot Group’s 28-year tenure as operator. The transition to a new lottery operator has now begun.

Also last month, the operator mutually agreed with special purpose acquisition company Cohn Robbins Holdings Corp to not to proceed with a previously proposed business combination.

The business said it remained committed to joining public markets in due course when conditions are more favourable, as well as to expanding its business into the US.

The regulator – which took over enforcement of German laws against unlicensed online gambling in July – said it had succeeded in getting some payment providers to stop working with Lottoland. 

Lottoland had been the subject of the Glücksspielbehörde’s first payment and IP blocking orders, which the regulator said was because lottery betting is illegal under Germany’s Fourth State Treaty on Gambling. It added at the time that it saw the vertical as particularly harmful, as players may confuse a lottery betting operator for an actual lottery.

Now, the regulator said it would put more pressure on internet service providers to also block Lottoland. It may issue “substantial” penalty payments to internet service providers that do not comply.

“Raising awareness among Internet service providers is extremely important. Providers who fail to prevent access to unauthorised offers despite the GGL’s order face the threat of severe penalty payments,” said board member Ronald Benter.

The regulator also noted that, besides payment and website blocking, it could potentially take further action against unlicensed sites by reporting operators to tax offices, so they may be prosecuted for not paying taxes.

Soon after issuing the initial order against Lottoland, the regulator put forward plans for a new system whereby it would request internet service providers (ISPs) to voluntarily block websites it deems to be operating in the country illegally.

Earlier today, betting giant Tipico became the latest business to be licensed to offer online slots in Germany.

In his new role, Fritz will be responsible for the group’s growth strategies in digital gaming, including both organic growth and potential M&A activities, as well as driving growth through the BetMGM sports betting and igaming platform.

Fritz will take on the new role having previously served as head of gaming for IAC, a major shareholder in LeoVegas Group, the online gambling operator that MGM is in the process of acquiring.

In September, MGM’s offer for LeoVegas was accepted by a total of 98.07% of shareholders in the online operator, with the acquisition expected to conclude in the near future.

During the same month, LeoVegas elected a three-member board ahead of the acquisition, with Fritz sitting on the board alongside LeoVegas CEO Gustaf Hagman and MGM Resorts CEO William Hornbuckle.

Aside from this, Fritz will also become a member of the MGM executive committee, join the board of directors for BetMGM and serve as chairman of the board of LeoVegas.

“I’m excited to join MGM Resorts and contribute to the company’s success as it looks to accelerate its growth in digital gaming,” Fritz said. “MGM is the global leader in premium gaming and entertainment, and I look forward to continuing to drive our strategy around global expansion and digital innovation.”

Hornbuckle added: “Enhancing and growing our digital businesses is one of MGM Resorts’ top priorities, and Gary is uniquely positioned to help the company build on successes and seize new opportunities.

“Gary will play a vital role in MGM Resorts’ diversification strategy and drive our investment in digital innovations.”

Aqua Lord is a 5×3 video slot loaded with sea creatures, treasures and floating big wins with a max win of 5,000 x bet. By gathering 3 Pearl Symbols, the prevailing Pearl Feature will be activated, where all sums from the Pearl Symbols are summed up and added to your wins. The Pearl Feature ends if all Feature Rounds are played, or all positions are filled with Pearls. Along with, collecting 3 Book Symbols triggers the Book Feature where a Lucky Symbol is randomly selected and provides 10 Feature Games. The Lucky Symbol can expand on the entire reels and pays on active paylines. Jump into the ocean with the Aqua Lord to fetch massive wins!

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Go Live Date (expected):Already live!Number of paylines:5Number of reels:5RTP% (recorded/theoretical):85.23% – 94.51%Variance/volatility:LowNumber of jackpot tiers?:0Auto-play function?:Yes

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it was confirmed the ZenSports team will now join KeyStar.

KeyStar was incorporated in 2020 and originally described itself in its prospectus as operating in the spheres of e-commerce and convention services.
However, after the deal, the business now lists its three main divisions as ZenSports, Ultimate Gamer and new digital currency and NFT-focused arm Burstive.

KeyStar said it will use the ZenSports brand to expand its sports betting presence in the US and global markets, with the aim of securing new licences across US states and regulated markets around the world. This expansion effort, KeyStar said, will include targeting both B2C operations and B2B licensing opportunities.

ZenSports offers a range of sports betting, esports, digital currency, payment, NFT, content curation and identity solutions, while it secured a Nevada gaming licence in August 2021. 

It was noted that the deal will not include ZenSports’ Nevada assets or gaming licence, and KeyStar will look to secure its own Nevada licence in the future. In the meantime, KeyStar will leverage ZenSports’ sports betting technology to grow in other strategic jurisdictions.

Meanwhile, KeyStar said it will also host and manage all esports tournaments under the Ultimate Gamer brand, except for those incorporating sports betting. All sports wagering will take place within the ZenSports brand. 

Ultimate Gamer allows players to create, play in and watch a range of esports tournaments, with the option to take part in contests for free and win real-money prizes.

“Together with our net new innovation initiatives, by acquiring both ZenSports’ and Ultimate Gamer’s assets, KeyStar has assembled a comprehensive platform capability that enables both business-to-business and direct-to-consumer offerings within the exciting sports betting, esports, and fintech/digital currency markets,” KeyStar chief executive John Linss said. 

“The establishment of these three pillars represents an opportunity for KeyStar to grow our global business and provide many benefits for both our business and consumer clients. 

“In addition, our leadership team has decades of experience in these industries, and we’re thrilled to have ZenSports’ amazing team join us as we acquire and grow these product lines and solutions.”

ZenSports co-founder Mark Thomas added: “The combination of KeyStar’s brands and ZenSports technology provides an innovation platform that we believe will position KeyStar as the entertainment, gaming, and fintech technology leader for many years to come.”

The remote gambling licence will allow One Casino to offer a range of online slot and casino games to players in the country.

The igaming licence was issued on 5 October and will run for a period of five years, through to 4 October 2027.

Kansspelautoriteit said One Casino is yet to confirm which website domain it will operate under in the Netherlands, with this to be announced in due course.

One Casino is based in Malta and has held a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority since December 2016.

The latest licence comes after Kansspelautoriteit last month also awarded an online gaming licence to Holland Gaming Technology Ltd, which is also located in Malta.

Licences in the country are awarded under the Netherlands’ remote gambling act (KOA), which came into force on 1 April 2021.

This week, Kansspelautoriteit chair René Jansen reflected on the first 12 months of the Netherlands; online gaming market, saying the country is moving towards creating a “completely safe environment for people who want to gamble online”.

The reflection came in a post on the regulator’s website following the one-year anniversary of legal igaming in the Dutch market. This followed a report on the first year of activity in the country.

The report found that the channelisation rate in the Netherlands was 85%. It also revealed that the Netherlands igaming market had generated an average of €80m in gross gaming revenue each month.

Both-way multipliers will assist players in their quest to destroy the flesh-eating plants as special rewards trigger after four consecutive wins. Enter the free spins mode and watch the multiplier bloom to impressive levels!

Florageddon! launches on 24 October.

Play the demo of Florageddon! here!

Go-live date (expected):24/10/2022Game special features:– Gamble feature
– Free spins
– Buy bonus
– Both-way multipliers
– Special rewardsNumber of paylines:243Number of reels:5×3RTP% (recorded/theoretical):96.0%, 94.0%, 90.5%, 86.0%Variance/volatility:HighNumber of symbols to trigger feature/bonus:3+Can feature be retriggered?NoNumber of free spins awarded:7/9/11 for 3/4/5 scattersStacked or expanding wilds in normal play?NoStacked or expanding wilds in feature play?NoNumber of jackpot tiers:N/AAuto-play function?Yes, except for markets where it’s banned

Wilson had been serving as interim CEO since August of this year following the departure of Barry Cottle, who had held both positions for over four years.

Prior to taking on the interim role, Wilson was executive vice-president and group chief executive of the group’s gaming business.

Wilson, whose appointment is effective immediately, will now also become a member of the Light & Wonder board of directors.

“I am honoured that the board has put their trust in me to lead Light & Wonder as we work to capture the incredible opportunities ahead,” Wilson said. “I am excited to work with the best team in the business as we chart our cross-platform future. 

“With a portfolio of unparalleled evergreen franchises, industry leading positions and unmatched platforms, combined with a strengthened balance sheet, we are well-positioned to drive substantial growth and shareholder value.”

Light & Wonder executive chair Jamie Odell added: “The board unanimously determined that Matt is the right choice to lead Light & Wonder’s next chapter given his impressive track record, extensive industry experience and his pivotal role in transforming our business.

“Matt has demonstrated impressive leadership, strategic vision and a passion for our business. He fully embodies the Light & Wonder culture rooted in embracing innovation, a player-first mentality and a deep commitment to performing and winning as a team.”

Gaming division

Meanwhile, Light & Wonder also announced that Siobhan Lane will assume Wilson’s existing role of group chief executive of gaming

Lane was previously its senior vice president and chief commercial officer of gaming.

“Siobhan has played a pivotal role in helping me lead the gaming business since joining the company in 2020, and her strong leadership and depth of experience have helped drive our success,” Wilson said. 

“I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Siobhan in this new role and am confident that under her leadership, our gaming business is well-positioned for continued growth.”

The double appointment comes at a time of significant change at Light & Wonder, with the group in April having sold its lottery business to private equity company Brookfield Business Partners in a deal worth $5.8bn.

Last month, the business also completed the sale of its OpenBet sports betting platform to Endeavor, while the group earlier this month acquired the assets of loyalty and marketing software and technology provider House Advantage.

Cast your net to reel in a Mega Catch and when the tide is high set your sights on the Golden Lobster (which will multiply your win by x1000) who lies in wait below the sea’s surface. Drop your anchor, let’s GO fishing!

From the 13th of October, you can play the Boat Bonanza demo here!

Go Live Date (expected):13/10/2022Game special features:Cash collection symbols, Golden Catch, Golden Lobster, increasing multipliers and RespinsNumber of paylines:12 fixedNumber of reels:5RTP% (recorded/theoretical):96.21%Variance/volatility:7/10Number of symbols to trigger feature/bonus?:3 or moreCan feature be retriggered?:Yes (extra free spins can be won via cash collection mechanic)Number of free spins awarded?:Max 39Stacked or expanding wilds in normal play?:NoStacked or expanding wilds in feature play?:NoNumber of jackpot tiers?:N/AAuto-play function?:Yes