BetMGM Bolsters Game Offering through GameCode Collaboration
BetMGM has entered into a significant partnership with GameCode, a provider known for its focus on the North American iGaming market. This alliance marks the introduction of several new game titles such as “Boom Boom Boom”, “HammerCash”, “GoldGold Gold”, and the “Super3” series. These games have already launched in Michigan and New Jersey, facilitated by a direct integration with BetMGM’s platforms.
The expansion plan includes launching GameCode’s entire game portfolio across all areas where BetMGM’s iGaming platform is active, pending regulatory approvals. Oliver Bartlett, BetMGM’s VP of Gaming Product & Content, expressed enthusiasm about the initial success of these titles and highlighted the company’s commitment to offering top-tier, innovative gaming content.
Innovative Gaming Solutions from GameCode
GameCode, led by CEO Matt Hanski, emphasizes the development of engaging and enduring gaming content, drawing on experience from land-based casinos across North America. “We aim to make a lasting impact with each title we release, and our efforts are reflected in the popularity of our games in active states,” Hanski noted. Wojciech Ziniewicz, GameCode’s CTO, also touched on the technological backbone of their offerings, emphasizing the robust, secure infrastructure of their Remote Gaming Server (RGS), which complies with stringent US regulations.
Enhancing Security with Prove Identity Partnership
Further bolstering its commitment to user security and experience, BetMGM has also teamed up with Prove Identity. This partnership focuses on enhancing the onboarding process for new customers using the Prove Pre-Fill identity solution, which has been shown to potentially increase registration completion rates to as high as 79%. This solution not only speeds up the process but also aids in preventing the misuse of bonuses and promotions.
Tom Hill from Prove Identity highlighted the synergy between the companies, pointing out that the Prove Pre-Fill® technology is a leap forward in identity verification, offering customers faster access to BetMGM’s comprehensive sports betting and casino products. This technology awaits regulatory approval for its use in the US market.
A Robust Year for BetMGM
Adam Greenblatt, CEO of BetMGM, underscored the strategic importance of these partnerships, stating, “These collaborations reflect our commitment to providing a seamless and secure betting experience.” He also shared insights from BetMGM’s fiscal year 2023 report, which showcased a strong performance with revenues reaching $1.96 billion.
These strategic partnerships not only enhance BetMGM’s product offerings but also solidify its position as a leader in the rapidly evolving online gaming industry, promising an enhanced and secure experience for players across its platforms.
Transition at the Helm: CFO Ronen Kannor Bids Farewell
Bragg Gaming Group has announced the impending departure of Chief Financial Officer Ronen Kannor on June 3, 2024. Kannor is set to explore new professional horizons, and the company is in the process of identifying his successor.
Reflecting on a Period of Significant Growth
During Ronen Kannor’s tenure, Bragg Gaming witnessed transformative growth, securing listings on prominent stock exchanges and finalizing key acquisitions. CEO Matevž Mazij lauded Kannor’s contributions to these achievements.
In his own words, Kannor expressed deep gratitude for his journey with Bragg Gaming: “It has been an honour to be part of the Bragg team that has successfully navigated many challenges and continued to deliver consistent growth over the past four years. I thank the Board for their support throughout my time with Bragg, and I am now fully focused on ensuring a smooth handover to my successor.”
Kannor also extended his appreciation to his finance team, acknowledging their relentless effort in fostering the company’s financial prosperity: “Special thanks goes to my finance team, who work tirelessly to deliver the positive change and financial growth that the Company continues to achieve. I wish them and all of my colleagues continued success with Bragg now and in the future.”
Financial and Strategic Milestones
Despite a brief revenue dip in the last quarter, Bragg’s yearly financials revealed a 10.4% revenue increase to €93.5 million and a notable jump in adjusted EBITDA. This financial resilience underscores the company’s strategic acumen, including the formation of a committee to explore future growth avenues.
Solidifying Presence in Latin America
Bragg’s strategic acquisition of a B2B license from Peru’s Mincetur marks a significant step in cementing its position in the Latin American online casino market. This initiative will offer operators access to Bragg’s extensive game portfolio through the Bragg Hub platform, as the Peruvian igaming market awaits its official launch.
Expanding Offerings and Market Reach
Highlighting the importance of adapting to new markets, Ivica Jovanovski, Head of Aggregation at Bragg, shared the company’s enthusiasm for entering Peru. Bragg’s Oryx Gaming subsidiary now boasts over 9,000 game titles, complemented by a full-service player account management platform. This platform includes a comprehensive suite of tools designed to enhance player engagement and operational efficiency.
Looking Ahead
As Bragg Gaming Group forges ahead, it remains committed to strategic expansion, regulatory compliance, and product innovation. With the Peruvian license in its portfolio and a technology-driven approach, Bragg is well-prepared to explore new opportunities in Latin America and beyond, promising an exciting future for the company and its stakeholders.
Stakelogic, a prominent content supplier, has joined forces with online platform operator L&L Europe. This collaboration is set to broaden Stakelogic’s influence across the European sector, particularly in Malta, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Expanding Horizons in Europe
Through this partnership, Stakelogic aims to distribute its award-winning online slots and live casino content to L&L Europe’s players in these critical markets. This move is anticipated to enhance the gaming experience for players in Malta, Sweden, and the UK, with Stakelogic’s library boasting popular titles such as TikiTiki Hold’N’Win and Wild Wild Bass 3, among others.
A Diverse Offering of Cutting-Edge Gaming Content
L&L Europe’s gaming offerings will substantially upgrade with the addition of Stakelogic’s live casino content. This includes immersive live blackjack and roulette experiences with state-of-the-art studio setup and professional dealers. The partnership is expected to elevate the thrill of gaming with features like the Super Wheel, offering players the chance to win big through several bonus options.
Innovations in Slot Gaming: Introducing Minimals
The collaboration could also see the introduction of Stakelogic’s latest slot game, Minimals, to L&L Europe’s platform. This game presents a dystopian theme with up to 32,768 ways to win, packed with features like Cascades, Multipliers, and Modifiers, and offers players a chance to win up to 5,000x their stake.
Industry Leaders Express Enthusiasm Over the Partnership
Neil Tanti, Senior Sales Manager at Stakelogic, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting L&L Europe’s unique market position and the synergy between the two companies in aiming to provide thrilling and innovative content. Jan Wienk, Head of Marketing & Product at L&L Europe, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the alignment of Stakelogic’s offerings with their goal to provide the best casino experience and how Stakelogic Live’s product strategically fills a gap in their service offerings.
Why Live Games Are an Exciting Addition for Players
The integration of live games into L&L Europe’s platform, courtesy of this partnership with Stakelogic, heralds a new era of interactive gaming that bridges the gap between traditional brick-and-mortar casinos and the digital gaming world. This dynamic fusion introduces players to a realm where the authenticity of live dealers, the tactile sensation of real cards, and the immersive environment of a casino floor are accessible from the comfort of home.
Beyond the technological marvels and the convenience of online play, live games engender a social atmosphere through real-time interaction with dealers and fellow players, enhancing the gaming experience with a human touch. This blend of innovation, accessibility, and community not only elevates the thrill of gaming but also caters to a broad spectrum of players, from seasoned veterans seeking the authenticity of live play to newcomers enchanted by the allure of interactive and engaging experiences. Consequently, the strategic addition of live games is a significant milestone for L&L Europe and Stakelogic, promising to captivate and retain players by offering a richer, more vibrant, and deeply engaging online casino environment.
Betsson Makes Strategic Moves in Serbian Market
Online casino software provider Swintt has struck a deal to partner with Betsson’s Rizk Casino brand, allowing Swintt to enter the newly regulated Serbian online gambling market. The partnership will see Swintt provide the popular Rizk Casino platform with its full suite of games from the SwinttSelect and SwinttPremium libraries.
This comprehensive content package from the innovative game studio will significantly bolster Rizk Casino’s gaming offerings for Serbian players. Swintt’s portfolio contains over 140 top-performing online slot games packed with engaging themes, cutting-edge features, lucrative bonus rounds and potential wins up to 500x the original bet amount.
Betsson recognizes Swintt’s rising popularity and the supplier’s ability to deliver an immersive gaming experience. The deal allows Rizk Casino to take advantage of Swintt’s compelling titles as well as future releases from its new Elysium Studios game studio venture.
David Mann, CEO of Swintt, commented: “With Rizk Casino being celebrated for providing players with an unrivalled selection of games, we’re thrilled to strengthen their lineup with our Premium and Select collections. This deal will put us on the map in Serbia.”
Matthea Dudic, Regional Casino and Operations Chief at Rizk, added: “Swintt’s slots have seen great success, and we’re delighted to welcome them to our Serbian platform, offering both classic and modern games that will be a huge hit.”
Finnish Court Suspends Betsson Payment Blockade
In Finland, Betsson recently secured a temporary victory as the Supreme Administrative Court suspended an order that required banks and payment providers to block all payments from Finnish customers to the operator’s subsidiary BML Group.
The payment blockade stemmed from the Helsinki Administrative Court imposing a record €2.4 million fine on BML Group in March for allegedly targeting the Finnish market illegally. Betsson fiercely contested the fine and vowed to appeal to a higher court.
With the appeals process ongoing, the Supreme Administrative Court has halted the payment blockade order. Betsson will also not need to pay the €2.4 million penalty until the legal process concludes. Finland’s National Police Board has removed BML Group from its list of blacklisted operators during this period.
To mitigate the initial payment blockade, Betsson transferred its brands for non-Swedish and non-Irish EU customers to the new Rizk Nordic Limited entity licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority.
Finland’s Gambling Monopoly Ending by 2026
These developments coincide with Finland’s plans to phase out the gambling monopoly held by state-run operator Veikkaus by 2026 and transition to a licensing system that allows private operators.
While Veikkaus has said it welcomes the regulatory overhaul, the company warned the licensing regime could force it to reduce its workforce substantially.
The monopoly reform aims to create a better-regulated online gambling environment and tackle Finland’s high rates of problem gambling. A recent study found around 150,000 Finnish citizens, or nearly 3% of the population, potentially suffer from gambling addiction.
Experts argue ending Veikkaus’ monopoly and opening up licensing is crucial for safeguarding consumers and combating the unregulated black market for online gambling that has thrived under the current regime.
Entain’s Chairman Barry Gibson to Step Down After Transformative Four-Year Tenure
Barry Gibson, the Chairman of Entain, the owner of prominent gambling brands such as Ladbrokes and Coral, has announced his intention to step down from his position and the company’s board by the end of September 2024. However, his departure could potentially occur earlier, depending on the appointment of a new permanent CEO, which is currently in progress.
Gibson’s Tenure and Transformative Impact
Gibson’s tenure as Chairman, which began in February 2020 after replacing Lee Feldman, has been marked by significant transformations within Entain. Under his leadership, the company underwent a rebranding from GVC Holdings to Entain and executed several strategic acquisitions, including the Dutch group BetCity and Croatia’s largest betting operator, SuperSport.
Furthermore, Gibson oversaw the growth of Entain’s BetMGM joint venture, which has emerged as a substantial business with annual net gaming revenues exceeding $2 billion, bolstered by the legalization of sports gambling across multiple US states.
Challenges and Setbacks During Gibson’s Tenure
Despite the transformative changes, Entain faced challenges during Gibson’s tenure. The COVID-19 pandemic imposed severe restrictions on the company’s operations in 2020 and 2021, while tighter betting regulations and an investigation into bribery at a legacy Turkish-facing business impacted its growth and resulted in a £615 million settlement.
The bribery investigation also led to the resignation of Jette Nygaard-Andersen as Entain’s Chief Executive, prompting the appointment of Stella David as the Interim CEO.
Stella David to Succeed as Chair
In line with the succession planning process, Stella David, who has been serving as a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director since March 2021, has been chosen to succeed Gibson as the Chair upon his retirement. Her extensive experience on the Board and her tenure as Interim CEO will prove invaluable as she takes on this new role.
Future Outlook and Challenges
As Entain navigates this leadership transition, it will face various challenges and opportunities within the rapidly evolving sports betting and gaming industry. The incoming leadership will be tasked with charting the company’s strategic direction, maintaining its focus on regulated markets, and addressing any regulatory or compliance issues that may arise.
Additionally, the company will need to adapt to changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and intensifying competition to maintain its competitive edge and drive sustainable growth.
