CasinoPlus, a licensed online gaming provider under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), has unveiled groundbreaking partnerships with seven integrated resort (IR) licensees across the Philippines, including several in Manila. This bold move aims to bring the excitement of traditional casino experiences into the digital world through a regulated and streamlined platform.
Bridging Physical and Digital Gaming
CasinoPlus’s initiative is focused on enabling land-based casinos to seamlessly transition to the online gaming space. According to CEO Evan Spytma, the company is dedicated to reducing the time and effort required for casinos to adapt to this new format.
“What we’re doing is shortening the timeline for land-based casinos to establish their online presence,” Spytma shared. CasinoPlus provides the necessary technology, infrastructure, and operational expertise, making it easier for traditional operators to thrive in the digital era.
The company offers a full-service package, from equipment and gaming paraphernalia to daily operational support. This approach allows casino licensees to use their “online quota” effectively, with no upfront costs. “We introduce our players to these casinos and share revenue with operators,” Spytma explained, though the details of the revenue-sharing model remain confidential.
Leveraging the PIGO Licensing System
These partnerships operate within the Philippine Inland Gaming Operator (PIGO) framework, which links online games to physical gaming machines or tables at licensed casinos. This model provides land-based operators with an opportunity to reach a broader audience while maintaining a connection to their physical establishments.
Under PIGO regulations, casino licensees enjoy an additional 25% allocation to their quotas for gaming tables and slot machines when used for online operations. Spytma described this system as a “new revenue stream” that also strengthens brand recognition.
“When online players interact with live slots or table games, the brand and logo of the integrated resort are prominently displayed,” he explained. Additionally, CasinoPlus enables casinos to promote on-site events and offers directly to their online audience, encouraging cross-channel engagement.
A Booming Online Gaming Industry
CasinoPlus’s success is rooted in its own operations, such as the Hotel Stotsenberg and Casino in Clark. This integrated resort, located two hours from Manila, is undergoing renovations as part of the company’s commitment to both online and land-based gaming.
Online gaming has significantly boosted the Philippine gambling industry. Pagcor reports that the electronic gaming sector generated gross gaming revenue (GGR) of PHP35.71 billion (around $605.1 million) in the third quarter of 2024—a staggering 464.4% increase year-over-year.
Pagcor Chairman Alejandro Tengco projects GGR for 2024 to exceed $6 billion, a record-breaking milestone for the industry. Tengco credits this growth to advancements in technology and the increasing accessibility of smartphones, which have transformed gaming into a convenient and popular pastime. “The future of gaming is online,” Tengco stated, highlighting the sector’s limitless potential.
Building the Future of Integrated Gaming
CasinoPlus is poised to become a pivotal player in this evolving landscape. By fostering partnerships with Philippine casino licensees, the company is not only expanding its reach but also enabling land-based operators to tap into the growing demand for digital platforms.
Spytma envisions a fully integrated network where online players can connect directly with specific casinos. “Operators can promote events and offers to CasinoPlus players, eventually drawing them to their properties,” he noted.
With its innovative approach and strategic alliances, CasinoPlus is redefining the gaming experience in the Philippines, blending traditional and digital worlds for a dynamic and engaging future.
Redstone has unveiled its latest slot game, Funky Fruits, a vibrant addition to its portfolio that combines classic fruit machine nostalgia with modern, eye-catching features. The new release is now live and ready to dazzle players with sparkling diamonds, engaging gameplay, and a chance to win big.
A Fresh Take on a Timeless Theme
With a 5×3 reel layout and five fixed paylines, Funky Fruits offers a sleek design that appeals to both new and experienced players. Packed with medium volatility, the game strikes the perfect balance between frequent wins and the potential for larger payouts. Players can aim for a maximum win of up to 1,500 times their wager, with an RTP of 95.96%.
Symbolic Gameplay with Big Rewards
True to its name, Funky Fruits features a classic fruit theme with cherries, oranges, strawberries, and apples serving as the low-value symbols. The medium-value tier includes bells, bars, and grapes, while the iconic red lucky sevens represent the high-value symbols, offering payouts as high as 600x the stake.
The slot also introduces two types of scatter stars:
- Silver stars appear on reels 1, 3, and 5, awarding 20x the player’s bet when three align.
- Gold stars offer even higher rewards of 3x, 20x, or 100x the bet for three, four, or five matches.
Adding to the excitement, expanding wilds in the form of sparkling diamonds appear on reels 2, 3, and 4, covering entire reels and substituting for all symbols except scatters.
Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Theme | Classic fruit with a modern twist |
| Low Value Symbols | Cherries, oranges, strawberries, apples (2x-20x bet) |
| Medium Value Symbols | Bells, bars, grapes (4x-100x bet) |
| High Value Symbols | Red lucky sevens (2x-600x bet) |
| Scatters | Silver stars (20x bet), gold stars (3x-100x bet) |
| Wilds | Expanding diamonds on reels 2, 3, and 4 |
| Progressive Jackpots | Three randomly awarded jackpots |
Progressive Jackpots for Added Excitement
One of the game’s standout features is its three progressive jackpots, which can be triggered randomly during gameplay. This adds an element of unpredictability and the potential for life-changing wins, making every spin an exciting prospect.
Available Now: Play Funky Fruits Today
Funky Fruits is already turning heads with its combination of classic charm and innovative features. To celebrate the launch, Redstone has made a free demo version available, giving players the chance to try the game before wagering real money.
Whether you’re a fan of traditional fruit machines or looking for the next big jackpot, Funky Fruits promises a sparkling slot experience that is not to be missed. Spin the reels today and let the diamonds light up your gameplay!
Brazil is gearing up for a seismic shift in its online gaming and sports betting industry. The Ministry of Finance has announced the official list of 81 licensed operators ready to launch under a new regulatory framework starting January 1, 2025. This marks a pivotal moment as the country formalises its burgeoning betting market.
The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) oversaw the licensing process, granting 15 definitive licenses valid through 2029 and 66 provisional licenses that require additional compliance adjustments. Among the definitive licensees are SuperBet, MGM, and SportyBet, while prominent operators like bet365 and Betano secured provisional approvals.
Navigating Financial and Regulatory Hurdles
Securing a license wasn’t an easy feat. Operators were required to pay a licensing fee of R$30 million and establish an emergency reserve fund of R$5 million. Beyond financial commitments, they had to meet stringent requirements concerning advertising, responsible gambling, and compliance with a 12.5% gross revenue tax. Those granted provisional licenses now face a 30-day deadline to resolve outstanding documentation issues to maintain their status.
Challenges Along the Way
The road to regulation was fraught with obstacles. Initially, 103 companies were deemed eligible for licensing, but delays in securing critical certifications narrowed the field to 81. The Ministry of Finance extended the deadline from November 13 to November 29 to accommodate certifier bottlenecks, but some companies still fell short of the requirements.
Despite these setbacks, the Ministry emphasized that excluded operators are not permanently barred. They may revise and resubmit their applications during future review rounds, ensuring they still have a chance to join the regulated market.
The Future of Unlicensed Operators
From January 2025, any platform operating without federal authorization will be deemed illegal if it offers services nationwide. Some companies, unable to meet federal licensing requirements, are exploring state-level alternatives. Regions such as Rio de Janeiro and Paraná have initiated localized licensing processes, providing an avenue for operators to maintain a presence in the market.
Paving the Way for Transparency
Brazil’s new regulatory framework goes beyond mere formalities. It establishes comprehensive measures to ensure accountability, including anti-money laundering protocols, certification audits, and stringent oversight. Licensed operators must also adhere to robust player protection policies and ethical advertising standards, with potential fines reaching up to R$2 billion for non-compliance.
Toward a Regulated Future
The Ministry of Finance’s initiative represents a transformative moment for Brazil’s gaming sector. By prioritizing transparency and accountability, the new regulations aim to foster a safer and more structured market for both operators and players.
As 2025 approaches, Brazil’s journey toward a fully regulated betting industry promises to redefine the landscape, creating opportunities for innovation while protecting consumers and ensuring fair play across the board.
Black-Market Allegations Rock the Industry
The UK Gambling Commission has launched a high-profile investigation into Evolution Gaming, a leading supplier in the gaming industry, over alleged black-market activity. This inquiry raises significant questions about the company’s operations and has the potential to jeopardize its UK operating licence.
According to the Commission, Evolution’s games were found to be accessible through unlicensed operators targeting the British market. While Evolution has already removed its content from these platforms, the implications of this discovery are far-reaching.
Evolution’s Response: Cooperation and Confidence
Martin Carlesund, CEO of Evolution, expressed the company’s commitment to resolving the matter.
“Evolution embraces the objectives of the review by the Commission. We are committed to supporting the licensed UK market and preventing unlicensed traffic,” Carlesund stated.
The company has implemented technical measures, including IP-blocking, to ensure its games are available only through UK-licensed operators. Carlesund emphasised the importance of collaboration with regulators to achieve swift resolutions, adding, “We remain committed to an open and transparent relationship with our regulators.”
What’s at Stake?
The review’s potential outcomes range from no action to more severe penalties, such as financial sanctions, licensing conditions, or even licence suspension or revocation. For Evolution, the stakes are high, though the UK market represents just 3% of its overall revenue.
The news has sent shockwaves through the market, with Evolution’s share price plummeting by nearly 12%, now standing at SEK 806.80 ($73.11).
Broader Implications for the Industry
The investigation has sparked speculation that other regulators might follow the UKGC’s lead. Analysts at Jefferies have noted that the uncertainty surrounding this review could have ripple effects across Evolution’s global operations, raising questions about the company’s regulatory compliance in other jurisdictions.
Regulatory Landscape Tightens
This development comes at a time when regulatory scrutiny of online gaming is intensifying worldwide. Although Evolution has acted swiftly to address the UKGC’s concerns, the company’s response highlights broader challenges for the industry as it grapples with evolving compliance standards.
Evolution’s Future: Uncertain but Resilient
Despite the turmoil, Evolution remains focused on its long-term growth. The company recently announced strong Q3 revenue of €579 million ($602.8 million) and expanded its partnership with FanDuel, alongside plans to acquire Galaxy Gaming for $85 million.
While the UK review has clouded its immediate future, Evolution’s global footprint and ongoing collaborations position it to weather the storm.
Market Reaction and Next Steps
Investors remain wary, with shares reflecting a lack of confidence in the outcome of the review. The industry will be watching closely as the UKGC continues its investigation and determines whether Evolution’s actions are sufficient to retain its licence.
In the words of a Gambling Commission spokesperson, “We have nothing further to add to the Evolution statement.” For now, the gaming world waits with bated breath to see how this saga unfolds.
The Philippines’ online gaming sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, even as the government phases out the controversial Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). With new revenue records and regulatory shifts, the industry finds itself at a crossroads.
Online Gaming: A Rapidly Growing Economic Powerhouse
The Philippine online gaming sector continues its meteoric rise, with annualized gross gaming revenue (GGR) reaching $2.4 billion in Q3 2024. This figure, representing 70% of the country’s land-based gaming GGR, highlights the shift toward digital platforms. According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Morgan Stanley, online gaming now dominates the domestic market.
In addition to driving revenues, the sector has become the largest contributor to gaming taxes, generating PHP28 billion ($490 million) in Q3 alone. Tax reforms set to take effect in January 2025 will reduce rates from 35% to 30% for most operators and 25% for integrated resorts, aligning online taxation closer to land-based rates.
Major players like DigiPlus have capitalized on this digital boom, capturing 50% of the domestic market share with 30 million registered users. The company has outperformed traditional giants such as Bloomberry Resorts Corp. in GGR and EBITDA. However, competition is expected to intensify, with Bloomberry planning to launch a new online gaming app by Q3 2025 to diversify its customer base.
The End of POGOs: A Controversial Legacy
As domestic eGaming flourishes, the Philippine government is phasing out the POGO sector. Once a booming industry catering primarily to Chinese clientele, POGOs peaked in 2019 with nearly 300 operators. Today, only 17 remain, with all operations expected to cease by December 31, 2024.
Critics argue that the sector’s decline is long overdue, citing its links to money laundering, human trafficking, and cyber fraud. PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco emphasized that eliminating POGOs is necessary but insufficient. “Without broader reforms, banned operators could go underground, exploiting the same vulnerabilities that allowed them to thrive,” Tengco warned.
Figures like former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, accused of human trafficking and espionage, underscore the sector’s darker side. While Guo denies the charges, her case highlights systemic flaws that enabled foreign-linked criminal networks to flourish.
Broader Implications: National Security and Foreign Influence
The POGO crackdown has reignited debates about China’s influence in the Philippines. Experts warn that shutting down offshore operators does not eliminate deeper vulnerabilities. “Pogos are part of a larger web of foreign interference,” said Dindo Manhit of the Stratbase-ADR Institute. Political scientist Aletheia Valenciano echoed these concerns, calling for stronger coordination among government agencies to root out corruption and improve oversight.
China has publicly supported the Philippine government’s actions, urging a ban on POGOs to combat offshore gambling and associated crimes. However, analysts caution against complacency, noting that Beijing’s influence strategies often operate on long timelines.
The Road Ahead: Balancing Growth and Governance
As the Philippines embraces the booming domestic online gaming industry, it must address lingering challenges. Strengthening regulatory frameworks and inter-agency cooperation will be critical to sustaining growth while safeguarding national security. With digital gaming revenues poised to continue climbing, the sector represents both an economic opportunity and a governance test for the Marcos administration.
