Month: January 2023

Be prepared to journey away from your living room to exotic and beautiful lands. Slingo Golden Envelope is more than a treat for the senses. When the new year comes around, the Red Envelope rewards you with a cash bonus, additional picks, or a multiplier. The Gold Envelope is even more generous, with its five jackpot levels.

Download the First Look Games affiliate pack for Slingo Golden Envelope here!

Go Live Date (expected):Already LiveRTP% (recorded/theoretical):95.50%Variance/volatility:Low-MediumNumber of jackpot tiers?:5Auto-play function?:Yes

Play the bonuses for the best win potential or trade in your win spins and picks to take cash prizes instead. Land more scatters in view on the reels to start higher up the trail and reach the very top of the trail to win the max prize of 5,000x your stake.

Pick the luckiest of Leprechauns to act as your wild symbol – there are three Leprechauns to choose from, so pick your favourite to accompany you on your travels. Have you got the luck of the Irish? If so, spin to win the luckiest of Leprechaun gold!

Download the First Look Games affiliate pack for 3 Lucky Leprechauns here!

Go-live date (expected):07/03/2023Game special features:N/ANumber of paylines:243Number of reels:5RTP% (recorded/theoretical):94%-96%Variance/volatility:Medium-highNumber of symbols to trigger feature/bonus:3Can feature be retriggered?NoNumber of free spins awarded:10Stacked or expanding wilds in normal play?Single wildStacked or expanding wilds in feature play?Single wildNumber of jackpot tiers:N/AAuto-play function?Yes

This six-reel Megaways title is set within a rich Chinese-style environment full of symbols of prosperity and wealth. Offering up to 117,649 ways to win, the collection pot will gather your gleaming gold fortune prizes and grant you great riches.

Enter the free spins to find wealth beyond your wildest dreams with an unlimited pot multiplier. For a truly prosperous game seek out the enhanced free spins where you will find a wild red packet in every spin!

If you can’t wait for the shimmer of gold you can use win exchange to exchange your big wins for a chance to enter the free spins. Better yet, use bonus buy to directly enter the glistening realm of free spins or enhanced free spins.

Download the Gifts of Fortune affiliate pack at First Look Games here!

Go-live date (expected):18/01/2023Game special features:MegawaysNumber of paylines:117,649Number of reels:6RTP% (recorded/theoretical):96.29%Variance/volatility:HighNumber of symbols to trigger feature/bonus:3Can feature be retriggered?YesNumber of free spins awarded:10Stacked or expanding wilds in normal play?Single wildStacked or expanding wilds in feature play?Single wildNumber of jackpot tiers:N/AAuto-play function?Yes

KY MAC, which focuses on supporting small businesses in the state, has called on Kentucky lawmakers to create additional regulations for legal skill-based games while cracking down on illegal gaming operations.

The organisation hopes to add skill-based games to the gambling law. This, it said, would protect the income of small businesses in Kentucky that have benefitted from the supplementary income hosting the games provides.

The campaign will involve digital and radio advertisements going out across the state.

Skill-based games, unlike luck-based, require players to use patience and hand-eye coordination to win. Currently, these games are specifically designed not to meet the requirements of gambling in the state, which must be a game of chance.

As such, no tax is paid to the state for skill-based games.

However, in the states of Wyoming and Georgia and the District of Columbia, skill games are regulated and taxed.

Wes Jackson, president of KY MAC, added that coming down strong on these issues will result in more income for the state.

“KY MAC is working closely with Kentucky lawmakers to pass legislation that would not only eliminate unregulated gaming operations but also generate additional tax revenue for the state from legal skill games.

“As an organisation, our goal is to support legitimate sources of entertainment, such as billiards and skill games, that inject money into the Commonwealth. We are small business owners, we are community stewards and we are Kentuckians against illegal gambling.”

Tim Crisante, secretary for KY MAC, has said that skill games are a good way to keep players spending in small businesses.

“Similar to pool and darts, skill games offer entertainment to patrons who stay longer, enjoy food and beverages, and spend additional dollars at these establishments.

“The legislation we support not only creates additional regulation around skill games, but it also cracks down on illegitimate gambling halls. It’s a win for Kentucky.”

In a recent op-ed, Jackson also accused Churchill Downs, which hosts the Kentucky Derby, of spreading misinformation against skill-based gaming..

“Instead of focusing their efforts on preserving the historic sport of horse racing, they are putting all their energy into running gambling operations full of historical horse racing machines.

“And now they are waging an outright war on small businesses by spreading misinformation in an effort to cut out any perceived competition. Specifically, I am referring to their efforts to ban legal skill games in our state.”

New gambling bill proposed in Kentucky

This campaign comes only days after a new bill was introduced to the Kentucky State House that would permit online sports, poker and paid fantasy competitions.

House Bill 106 was introduced on 5 January 2023 and, if passed, would legalise online betting for all nationally and internationally recognised sporting competitions, as well as online poker.

The gaming properties are Pure Casino Edmonton, Pure Casino Yellowhead, Pure Casino Calgary and Pure Casino Lethbridge. Each of the properties are based in Alberta, Canada.

The deal was financed with a combination of cash and funds drawn from VICI Properties’ existing credit facility.

In addition, VICI Properties has entered into a triple-net master lease agreement with Pure, which has an initial total rent of CA$21.8m to be paid annually and an implied acquisition capitalisation rate of 8.0%. The initial term is 25 years, with four five-year tenant renewal opportunities.

“Over the last five and a half years, VICI has built a portfolio of market-leading experiential real estate,” said John Payne, president and chief operating officer of VICI Properties. “Today’s announcement marks another momentous first for VICI as we expand our footprint internationally into Canada with the acquisition of the Pure Portfolio.

“This transaction highlights our ability to source, structure and fund cross-border transactions, widening our opportunity set as we continue along our growth trajectory. We are pleased to add Pure as our eleventh tenant and look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership.”

Conquestador becomes the first new brand to go live in Ontario in the 2023 calendar year and will offer players in the Canadian province access to a wide range of internet casino games.

The brand was able to launch following approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), which has been tasked with issuing local licences for the province’s market that opened in April last year.

Read the full story on iGB North America

Hofbauer highlighted the relationship between gambling addiction and debt, arguing that government action would be required in order to effectively manage the problem.

“Gambling addiction is often financed with payday loans, leading to personal tragedies,” he said. “Even if the individual gets help to get out of their addiction, the debts remain.”

Hofbauer argued that there should be some equivalent with the Swedish gaming self-exclusion platform for those at financial risk.

“Just as there is Spelpaus for those who want to block themselves from gambling and targeted gambling advertising, there should be a ‘loan block’ that protects against quick loans and advertising from loan companies,” said Hofbauer.

Svenska Spel as a state-owned former monopoly has a mandate to support responsible gaming initiatives more aggressively than a private operator since it is not principally set up for commercial purposes.    

Match-fixing

Hofbauer also argued the importance of recent efforts in mitigating the problem of match-fixing. In particular, the executive thanked the government for the “early Christmas present” that was amendments in the country’s Gambling Act that would allow for better cooperation between industry and government to combat match fixing.

“One of the concrete proposals is that gambling companies on the Swedish licence market will now be obliged to disclose the information needed to investigate crimes in connection with gambling at the request of the authorities,” he said.

While he appreciated that the bill had been passed, Hofbauer stated it was not ideal that the issue required legislation at all – arguing that the problem was a matter of public trust.   

“Unfortunately, the entire industry has not caught up. Now you are forced to do so.

“But acting first under duress is a bad strategy for any industry that wants to improve its reputation. And the gaming industry really needs to increase its trust with the public.”

Public trust

Hofbauer stated that subsequently it was his wish for 2023 that the Swedish gaming industry could work together more positively in the year ahead, pointing to recent events as an example of this in action.

“I am happy that Svenska Spel was able to agree with ATG and Kindred to openly report key figures for how we work with customers who show signs of risky gambling,” he said. “At the end of January, we will publish the first figures.

“This is something that will increase public transparency in how the companies work with the issue and a step in the right direction.”

Reporting directly to Patrik Hofbauer, CEO and president of Svenska Spel, Enquist will form part of the group management team at Svenska Spel. He will join the business in June 2023.

Enquist has been chief operating officer of First Camp since October 2019, prior to which he was senior director of retail operations at Circle K.

Earlier in his career, Enquist spent six and a half years with Statoil, first serving as training managing, before going on to become head of company owned stores and retail sales operations, then senior director of retail operations.

Enquist also had a spell as training manager at SHL Group and management consultant at Mindset AB, while prior to beginning his professional career, he spent over eight years as an officer in the Swedish armed forces.

“I look forward to being involved in developing the experience for the guests of Casino Cosmopol and the customers within the Vegas business,” Enquist said. “The Svenska Spel Group signals a good culture and great team spirit, which I am happy to be a part of. 

“I hope to be able to contribute with my experience in guest experience, but also focus on team and results. I am a committed and present leader and therefore it feels extra fun that both Casino Cosmopol and Vegas are physical businesses where I will be able to be on site and meet guests and employees.”

Hofbauer added: “Ola’s experience from, among other things, the hospitality industry and retail will be valuable in developing our business within land-based casinos and ATMs. Ola also has solid leadership skills from leading positions in business, as well as from his time as a professional officer.”

The new appointment comes as Hofbauer issued a public call for a national debt register in Sweden. Hofbauer highlighted the relationship between gambling addiction and debt, arguing that government action would be required in order to effectively manage the problem.

Hofbauer also argued the importance of recent efforts in mitigating the problem of match-fixing. In particular, the executive thanked the government for the “early Christmas present” that was amendments in the country’s Gambling Act that would allow for better cooperation between industry and government to combat match fixing.

Players at licensed operators in Greece will now have access to Relax Gaming’s proprietary content including Temple Tumble 2 Dream Drop, Net Gains and Money Train 3.  

Alexia Smilovic Ronde, chief regulatory officer at Relax Gaming, said: “We’re delighted that Relax Gaming has been issued an igaming supplier licence by the Hellenic Gaming Commission.

“We’re pleased to continue our global scale expansion within a jurisdiction that has such a huge potential for growth in the online casino sphere. We’ll keep a close eye on regional regulatory developments to continue with its successful journey of expansion in newly regulated markets.” 

The Hellenic Gaming Commission began to issue permanent gaming licences to online suppliers in 2021, after a law was passed in 2019 to overhaul Greek igaming regulations. 

Jarvand is an internal hire – having joined the business as head of CRM in November 2020, before rising to director of customer engagement the following year.   

Jarvand will lead on the company’s data strategy, as well as retain his remit from his previous position. Jarvand has experienced a variety of different roles in his career including in analytics, product and most recently in data-driven insights.  

Data driven insights

 ComeOn chief executive Juergen Reutter said he was “delighted” that Jarvand would be joining the executive team.

“Sherwin has an outstanding track record in the industry, and I am sure that he will further intensify our efforts around personalisation and player engagement enablers for us to continue delivering an exciting and safe entertainment experience to our customers,” he said.

“To add, I am also very proud that we have promoted talent from within, which is something we always encourage from a people strategy perspective here at ComeOn.”

Jarvand will be based in ComeOn’s offices in Saint Julian’s, Malta, reporting to Reutter on a day-to-day basis.

“I feel privileged to lead the data strategy and join the executive team here at ComeOn Group,” said Jarvand. “There is a huge opportunity to utilise our rich data to continue to accelerate our business.

“For us, data has always played a crucial part of our business strategy and our vision to personalise our products and services, enable smarter decision making and ultimately enhancing the experience of our players.”

European expansion

ComeOn Group received authorisation from a number of European regulators in the second half of 2022, including in September becoming the twentieth operator licensed by the Dutch Kansspelautoriteit (KSA).

In June, the business also received a German online sports betting licence, allowing the operator to launch up to three brands in market – clearing ComeOn to offer games on the websites Sunmaker.de, Comeonwetten.de and Mobilebet.de.