Month: June 2023

Paddy knows where the pot of gold is at the end of the rainbow – and he wants nothing more than to help you secure it. Expect multipliers, free spins, respins and three mega jackpots on the way!

Download the affiliate pack for Paddy’s Payouts at First Look Games.

Game type:Video slotGo-live date (expected):29/6/2023Game special features:–Number of paylines:20Number of reels:5RTP% (recorded/theoretical):96.25%-96.33%Variance/volatility:MediumNumber of symbols to trigger feature/bonus?:–Can feature be retriggered?–Number of free spins awarded:–Stacked or expanding wilds in normal play?–Stacked or expanding wilds in feature play?–Number of jackpot tiers:0Auto-play function?Yes

Enjoy Spartacus with its 25 + 75 paylines across the main reel and colossal reel. Stacked wilds appear on both sets of reels, while scatters combine to trigger up to 20 free spins.

Download the affiliate pack for Spartacus Wonder 500 at First Look Games.

Game type:Video slotGo-live date (expected):Already live!Game special features:–Number of paylines:25-75Number of reels:10RTP% (recorded/theoretical):92%-94%Variance/volatility:Low-mediumNumber of symbols to trigger feature/bonus:3Can feature be retriggered?NoNumber of free spins awarded:8 – 20Stacked or expanding wilds in normal play?StackedStacked or expanding wilds in feature play?StackedNumber of jackpot tiers:0Auto-play function?Yes

Based on RAW’s innovative Dynamics Ways mechanic, which offers 243 to 3,125 ways to win, Ave Caesar has four different base game features, five different bonus rounds and three in-game jackpots.

Download the affiliate pack for Ave Caesar at First Look Games.

Game type:Video slotGo-live date (expected):29/6/2023Game special features:–Number of paylines:243-3,125Number of reels:5RTP% (recorded/theoretical):90%-95%Variance/volatility:Medium-highNumber of symbols to trigger feature/bonus:–Can feature be retriggered?–Number of free spins awarded:–Stacked or expanding wilds in normal play?–Stacked or expanding wilds in feature play?–Number of jackpot tiers:0Auto-play function?Yes

The objective is simple: climb the pay ladder, pig up as many coins as you can and hoof it all the way home with your stash. Who knows? You might just win the whole hog. Of course, you could be forgiven for thinking that Slingo Piggy Bank is all about the money – the name does kind of suggest that. But it’s also a game that offers pure, 100% unadulterated fun.

Download the affiliate pack for Slingo Piggy Bank at First Look Games.

Game type:SlingoGo-live date (expected):29/6/2023Game special features:–Number of paylines:–Number of reels:–RTP% (recorded/theoretical):96.45%Variance/volatility:MediumNumber of symbols to trigger feature/bonus:–Can feature be retriggered?–Number of free spins awarded:–Stacked or expanding wilds in normal play?–Stacked or expanding wilds in feature play?–Number of jackpot tiers:0Auto-play function?Yes

The game features a Norse mythology theme, with symbols including Thor’s hammer, Odin’s raven, Loki’s snake and more. The mechanic is based on a cascading feature, whereby when winning combinations appear on the reels, the symbols involved in the win will disappear and be replaced by new symbols falling from above.

Download the affiliate pack for Capsule Treasure Thor’s Strike at First Look Games.

Game type:Video slotGo-live date (expected):28/6/2023Game special features:–Number of paylines:15,625Number of reels:6RTP% (recorded/theoretical):87.06%-94.08%Variance/volatility:MediumNumber of symbols to trigger feature/bonus:–Can feature be retriggered?–Number of free spins awarded:–Stacked or expanding wilds in normal play?–Stacked or expanding wilds in feature play?–Number of jackpot tiers:0Auto-play function?Yes

When the GGL granted gambling operators the right to offer online games of chance it did so through permits that included provisions. These provisions imposed restrictions on the activities of the operators, notably in advertising.

The gaming businesses requested that the administrative court of Halle, where the GGL is based, suspend the provisions on the grounds that “the authority had not sufficiently justified the order for immediate enforcement”.

The Saxony-Anhalt court has reversed this ruling in response to a petition from the GGL, finding that “most of the contested ancillary provisions are legal after a summary examination”.

In particular, the court approved the bans on infomercials, affiliate advertising through streamers and through partners that promote unlicensed sites.

“The regulations are necessary to ensure compliance with the goals of the State Treaty on Gambling, which include averting the risk of addiction and protecting minors,” said the court.

“As in the area of ​​legal gambling, the GGL has also had success in combating illegal gambling,” added the regulator.

“According to the State Treaty on Gambling 2021, public gambling in Germany is prohibited without a licence and can be prohibited.

“The reservation of permission is compatible with the provisions of European law because it serves the legitimate goals of youth and player protection and the fight against crime under union law.”

GGL wins affiliate case

In May, the GGL also proved victorious in a case concerning affiliate advertising. On that occasion, the court ruled that the GGL could penalise a gambling operator which “deliberately” advertised its services on a site which also linked to unlicensed offerings.

“We consider these advertising regulations to be very good and justified,” said GGL chief executive Ronald Benter. “The GGL consistently monitors offerings from legal operators. In the event of violations, we levy heavy fines.

“The withdrawal of the licence in the event of repeated violations of the provisions of the State Treaty on Gambling Regulation is a measure that we do not shy away from.”

Amid the mayhem, the mighty buffalo is charging through the other animals, embodying strength, life force, and abundance. Are you brave enough to go on this wild quest and claim the good fortune of the majestic Buffalo?

Play the demo for Buffalo Goes Wild here!

Game Type:Slot GameGo Live Date (expected):14 June, 2023Game special features:Wild: Wild symbols have stacking multipliers X2, X3 that multiply the win of each pay line that they are part of. Jackpot Bonus Game: A combination of 6 or more Special Coins and/or Jackpot Coins launches the Jackpot Bonus Game. During the Bonus Game, all Coins and Jackpot symbols stick to the reels, and Special Coin and Jackpot symbols pay. 3 Respins are granted at the beginning of the Bonus Game. Each new Coin or Jackpot symbol added to the reels will reset the number of Respins back to 3. Buy Bonus Feature: The Buy Bonus feature will grant you instant access to the Bonus Game.Number of paylines:20Number of reels:5 reels, 3 rowsRTP% (recorded/theoretical):95%Variance/volatility:HighNumber of symbols to trigger feature/bonus?:6 Special Coin symbolsCan feature be retriggered?:NoNumber of free spins awarded?:–Stacked or expanding wilds in normal play?:YesStacked or expanding wilds in feature play?:NoNumber of jackpot tiers?:4Auto-play function?:Yes

The operator submitted the request earlier today (27 June) to allow it to manage continuous disclosure obligations in relation to a “material transaction”.

If granted, the halt would remain in place until the start of normal trading tomorrow (28 June) or when an announcement is made, whichever came first.

PointsBet added it is not aware of any reason why the request should not be granted, nor of any other information necessary to inform the market about the halt.

As such, no further details were disclosed at this time. However, it comes ahead of a scheduled shareholder vote on Fanatics’ proposal to acquire PointsBet’s US business, on 30 June.

DraftKings joins acquisition race

The trading halt comes after DraftKings submitted a rival proposal to acquire PointsBet US.

That proposal is worth $195.0m (£153.0m/€178.5m), with DraftKings looking to enhance its sportsbook product through PointsBet’s trading capabilities and unique Pointsbetting product.

DraftKings’ move prompted an angry response from Fanatics chief executive Michael Rubin, described the proposal as a “desperate” attempt to slow progress on his deal with PointsBet.

Fanatics Betting and Gaming struck a deal purchase PointsBet US for $150.0m in May.

It arguably has more to gain from the deal. Should Fanatics complete the acquisition, it would gain access to 12 states. Among those are major betting and igaming hubs, such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

However, should PointsBet opt for the DraftKings proposal, FBG would need to seek other routes to these and other markets.

Potentially “superior” bid

In the days after the DraftKings proposal was tabled, PointsBet said it would engage with the group, saying the proposal could be “superior” than the Fanatics deal.

However, PointsBet reiterated the DraftKings proposal does not constitute a binding offer or commitment from DraftKings to place a firm bid. 

In addition, the group said it would continue to recommend shareholders vote in favour of the agreed sale to Fanatics while it considers the DraftKings proposal. A vote on the Fanatics deal will take place on 30 June at an Extraordinary General Meeting.

PointsBet also addressed allegations that DraftKings had only put forward a proposal to disrupt the process with Fanatics. The group said that it believed DraftKings had acted in “good faith” when submitting its proposition.

“Hell or high water”

In a letter to DraftKings’ CEO Jason Robins, PointsBet’s non-executive chairman Brett Paton set out certain expectations surrounding the proposal. Paton said PointsBet would conduct due diligence and requested DraftKings do the same.

Paton said PointsBet would require written confirmation of DraftKings’ position on funding the cash burn of the US. He added that the FBG deal caps PointsBet’s cash burn at $21.0m on 1 July.

In addition, Paton said PointsBet would hold DraftKings to a “hell or high water” standard in regard to anti-trust clearances.

Q1 struggles at PointsBet

Both proposals came after PointsBet in April confirmed it was in talks with “multiple parties” regarding the sale of its North American arm.

The company also said that it had terminated previously reported talks to sell its Australian business to the News Corp-backed gaming venture behind the Betr brand.

Despite this, PointsBet said it remained in discussions with “other third parties” who expressed interest in acquiring the business.

This came on the back of a first quarter in which PointsBet posted a 39% year-on-year rise in revenue to AU$106.6m. 

North American growth drove this increase, with revenue up 103% year-on-year to $49.8m. PointsBet’s Canadian business also experienced growth over the period; growing 21% on a quarter-on-quarter basis to $6.1m.

Despite this, the group said it expects to make an EBITDA loss of between $77.0m and $82.0m for H2 FY3.

Additionally, the business expects cash outflow, including movements in player cash, to be approximately 30% lower than in H1 FY23. Due to these pressures, the group has attempted to cut costs in order to drive the business towards profitability.

Under the deal, Betclic will serve as an official betting partner of the UFC in France, Poland and Portugal.

Betclic will also become presenting partner for the UFC Fight Night Paris, which is due to take place in the French capital on 2 September. The operator will benefit from branding placement inside the UFC Octagon as well as across its social and digital platforms.

The deal marks the first time Betclic has partnered with a global organisation. It is also the UFC’s first betting partnership in France, Poland and Portugal.

“France is an incredibly important market to the UFC,” UFC vice president of global partnerships Nicholas Smith said. “Throughout the company’s hard work to have the sport of MMA recognised, one of our main objectives was to create impactful and meaningful partnerships with local organisations. 

“We’re looking forward to working alongside Betclic to enhance our fans online gambling experience and bring exciting activations to our event in Paris.”

Betclic managing director Nicolas Béraud added: “We are delighted to be UFC’s first partner in our three main markets, France, Portugal and Poland. 

“UFC has accomplished amazing things in developing the sport of MMA. It is at the core of our mission to promote and partner with emerging sports and enhance fans’ passion. 

“With this partnership, we will offer them a new experience with increased interactivity during UFC events and some surprises for UFC Fight Night Paris.”

The charity said while blocking options are available across many banks, not all customers are aware of these tools.

As such, GamCare said banks should do more to promote the tools to help customers avoid gambling-related harm.

The call was one of a number of recommendations put forward by the charity to improve the blocking tools available.

Recommendations were put forward by a number of parties at GamCare’s recent Gambling Related Financial Harm (GRFH) workshop event.

GamCare calls for more awareness

“Our analysis of bank gambling tools shows that gambling blocks have inconsistent naming conventions across different banking apps,” said Deelan Maru, an advisor from the Behavioural Insights Team. 

“For example, one bank may call it ‘card freeze’, whilst another would place it under ‘merchant control’ or ‘restriction’ settings – ultimately causing ambiguity and confusion for the consumer. 

“Offering these tools in intuitive locations and adopting consistent naming across the finance sector could help drive awareness and adoption of gambling management tools, ensuring more vulnerable customers are protected from gambling harms.”

Other proposals included banks ensuring they routinely refer customers to external support such as TalkBanStop. This is a joint initiative between GamCare, Gamban and Gamstop.

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) also announced the launch of a registry containing bank account details for its members. By implementing this into their systems, the BGC said banks can stop faster payments and transfers to operators when a block is in place.

Meanwhile, the Financial Ombudsman Service urged banks to continuously test and monitor gambling management tools, as well as explore other support options.