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Oriental Regent Ltd, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed Summit Ascent Holdings Ltd, is set to sell its gaming and hotel operations in Russia. The wholly-owned subsidiary, G1 Entertainment LLC, is being sold to Russian entity Dalnevostochniy Aktiv LLC for a price consideration of $116 million.

According to reports from GGRAsia, the acquisition of 100% of shares of G1 Entertainment would grant Dalnevostochniy Aktiv LLC control over the Tigre de Cristal casino resort near Vladivostok.

Simultaneously, the sale of Oriental’s property in Russia is expected to significantly influence the balance sheet of its parent company, Summit Ascent Holdings. The sales price of $116 million is slated to be paid in Chinese yuan.

Oriental Regent, 77.5% owned by Summit Ascent Holdings, utilized its majority share to oversee the Tigre de Cristal casino facility through the operator G1 Entertainment. G1 Entertainment holds a gaming license granted by the Russian government, facilitating its role as a licensed operator.

The G1 sales deal is poised to smoothen the transition for Dalnevostochniy Aktiv LLC to seamlessly continue the resort’s operations. Meanwhile, Summit Ascent can utilize the expected $116 million proceeds to boost its balance sheet figures, which experienced a decline in 2023.

Summit Ascent Holdings acknowledged the impact of a loss of US$14,606,000 in 2023 due to foreign-operation exchange differences reclassification, resulting in a negative impact of US$3,784,000 on shareholder equity.

The $116 million price consideration is of particular interest to stakeholders like Taiwan-based Firich Enterprises Co Ltd, holding a 20% share in Oriental Regent. If the deal closes, Firich anticipates collecting $28 million in cash, effectively reducing its exposure in Russia to zero.

With a 77.5% share in Oriental Regent Ltd, Summit Ascent Holdings may significantly capitalize on the $116 million sale. Firich Enterprises expects $28 million from its 20% share, allowing Summit Ascent to garner around $85 million and potentially compensate for the negative impact of the loss sustained in 2023.

As of the news announcement on January 11, 2024, Summit Ascent’s shares were reportedly suspended from trading in Hong Kong. LET Group Ltd, the parent of Summit Ascent, simultaneously halted its shares, stating it was pending the release of an inside information announcement.

Aristocrat Gaming has announced that it will be showcasing at ICE 2024 in London, from February 6-8, 2024, with the event “Play the A”. At this attraction, the company plans to display over 75 games, including Premium, For Sale, and For Sale Link titles for the EMEA region.

Anaxi, a Real Money Gaming and Customer Experience Solutions Aristocrat division, will present the latest titles and developments, including Buffalo Gold Collection, Jackpot Carnival, among others. Another customer-focused experience will be the transformation of land-based games into online games.

Marcel Heutmekers

“We are committed to the growth of EMEA and expanding our offerings to our customers, that is why we continue to invest heavily in design and development each year, to create games that help to meet our customers’ needs and player demand,” said Marcel Heutmekers, VP of Sales and Operations in EMEA for Aristocrat Gaming. “We invite all ICE attendees to come experience our industry-leading games, cabinets, and online integrations first-hand to see what’s possible for their floors.”

Jackpot Carnival, named “Slot of the Year” at Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas 2023, , will make its European debut at ICE London 2024. Available in the MarsX Portrait cabinet, it includes new gameplay, themed bonus features, free games with multipliers, and other titles such as Buffalo, THE POWER OF 88.

Other Premium titles to be displayed include Tarzan Link: City of Gold and Palace of Diamonds featuring mechanisms like Hold & Spin, Super Hold & Spin, and Super Super Hold & Spin, accompanied by Cash-on-Reels prizes.

The Where’s the Gold Jackpots games: Buffalo, Geisha, and Pompeii, which, according to the provider, are well-ranked in the Eilers U.S. charts, will offer features that increase multipliers in the base game and jackpot.

Aristocrat Gold Jackpots

Also available to visitors will be Dragon Link titles: Autumn Moon, Genghis Khan, Golden Century, Happy & Prosperous, Panda Magic, and Peace and Long Life, featuring elements such as free spins, stacked wilds, and the Hold & Spin bonus.

The gaming provider highlighted the popularity of online games among operators and players in the EMEA region and announced that, for this year, 100% of the game sale titles presented at ICE are link-enabled. New For Sale Link titles on display include Ju Cai Gin Gui and Fortune Harmony in the MarsX Upright, and Lunar Cash, Reign of Gold, and Triple Power Link in the MarsX Portrait cabinet.

Ju Cai Gin Gui, Fortune Harmony and Jackpot Carnival slots

Aristocrat Gaming will also present Super Bowl Link, the first NFL-themed slot machine available in the MarsX Portrait cabinet, exclusively licensed by NFL Slots.

According to the company, there will also be a zone dedicated to South Africa with 5 Dragons series games configured in the South African Rand currency and a section for the United Kingdom with a variety of five familiar games.

Anaxi will offer its portfolio for the iGaming sector at the event, including popular land-based casino titles like Buffalo, Buffalo Gold, Buffalo Chief, Cash Express Luxury Line, and Jackpot Carnival, in fully online versions.

Aristocrat recently opened a new integration center in Barcelona, which, according to the provider, reinforces its investment in the EMEA region and its teams.

The Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee of the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 172, a sports betting bill, on the second day of the current legislative session. The vote, with an 8-3 majority, allows Georgians to place sports bets online or at remote terminals and “kiosks.”

Under the proposed legislation, the state would retain 20% of the gross revenue from most sports bets and 25% from “high-profit” bets, such as live bets during games, Capitol Beat News Service reported. The generated revenue is intended for various state programs outlined in a separate constitutional amendment.

The bill, introduced last year, resurfaced for consideration in the 2024 session, having been tabled in the previous legislative term. The bill’s early presentation in the session stems from its introduction in the prior year.

“This has been a long process. It’s been multiple years we’ve been dealing with these gambling issues,” Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, the committee’s chairman and the bill’s chief sponsor, was quoted as saying in the report.

Cowsert highlighted that approximately three dozen states have legalized sports betting since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expanded its legality beyond a few states like Nevada.

Efforts to pass sports betting legislation in Georgia have been ongoing, with previous attempts falling short. Senator Cowsert’s push for a constitutional amendment faced a setback in the previous year, securing 30 votes but falling short of the required 38. In 2023, a bill authorizing sports betting and betting on horse races without a constitutional amendment was also rejected.

The bill proposes the establishment of a seven-member sports betting commission empowered to grant at least six licenses for sports betting operations. Provisions in the legislation aim to safeguard bettors from fraudulent operators and assist problem gamblers in avoiding financial losses, the report said.

Described as an “enabling” bill, Senate Bill 172 fills in the details of an accompanying constitutional amendment. Some committee members raised concerns about passing an enabling bill before the constitutional amendment has been drafted.

Sen. Carden Summers, the committee’s vice chairman, expressed plans to introduce a sports betting constitutional amendment later in the session. Additionally, Sen. Brandon Beach intends to propose a constitutional amendment allowing voters to decide on legalizing casino gambling, pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, and sports betting, as per the report.

The debate continues as some lawmakers question the feasibility of securing the required two-thirds majority for a constitutional amendment. Sen. Matt Brass of Newnan, as the Rules Committee chair, expressed skepticism about the constitutional amendment route, referring to it as a ‘quagmire’ just before the committee’s vote.”

A 38-acre parcel of land on the Las Vegas Strip, designated for a prospective Wynn Resorts establishment, will be repurposed for special events during the upcoming Super Bowl weekend.

The vacant Wynn West lot, situated directly across Las Vegas Boulevard from the existing Wynn and Encore resorts, is slated to host the Homecoming Series and Taco Bell Innovation Summit from Feb. 8-11, aligning with Super Bowl week activities, Las Vegas Review-Journal reported, citing Clark County documents.

Daily live performances or DJ sets are scheduled as entertainment, expecting an estimated 2,500 to 4,000 nightly attendees.

California-based hospitality group H.Wood, proprietor of the renowned Delilah at Wynn, annually organizes the Super Bowl party, Homecoming, in the host city of the game. Recent editions featured rapper Drake as the headline performer. Taco Bell has been a consistent event sponsor for past Homecoming parties, the report said.

Plans for the event include the construction of a 41,300-square-foot main tent and a 12,000-square-foot sponsor tent on the site. Temporary structures are set to be erected between January 25 and February 7, with teardown scheduled to commence on February 13, following the Super Bowl weekend.

The main tent is projected to reach a height of 73 feet, while the sponsor tent will stand at 45 feet. Additional facilities such as portable restrooms, a VIP queuing area, and back-of-house spaces are outlined in the plans.

Event hours are slated for 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Feb. 8, 10, and 11, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 9.

The upcoming event at Wynn West adds to the array of activities planned along the Strip during Super Bowl week. Both official NFL events, including Super Bowl Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium, NFL Experience at Mandalay Bay, and NFL Honors at Resorts World, as well as non-official gatherings such as Michelob Ultra Country Club at Top Golf and Sports Illustrated the Party at XS Nightclub in the Wynn, will contribute to the vibrant atmosphere during the week.

Wynn Resorts acquired the vacant lot in 2017 for $336 million, originally intending to construct a third hotel tower with an anticipated addition of 2,000-3,000 rooms to the company’s Las Vegas portfolio.

DraftKings and NASCAR announced Friday that they have agreed to terms on a written designation agreement, paving the way for the digital sports entertainment and gaming company to operate in the state of North Carolina, pending licensure and regulatory approvals.

DraftKings also has been named the exclusive daily fantasy sports partner of NASCAR in the United States and Canada. The provider will now become an Authorized Gaming operator of NASCAR and will receive additional sponsorship benefits within the NASCAR ecosystem nationally.

Matt Kalish, President of DraftKings North America

“DraftKings and NASCAR have collaborated closely with each other over the years, sharing a like-minded commitment to enhancing the fan experience,” said Matt Kalish, President of DraftKings North America. “We look forward to the next chapter in our journey together and offering our leading mobile sportsbook to fans in the state of North Carolina.”

For his part, Joe Solosky, NASCAR Managing Director of Sports Betting, commented: “DraftKings has a proven track record of enhancing the fan experience across sports. We are thrilled to continue working with DraftKings to deliver NASCAR fans more engagement opportunities and bring its leading mobile sportsbook to North Carolina.” 

Joe Solosky, NASCAR Managing Director of Sports Betting

Once live, North Carolina would mark the 27th state in which DraftKings Sportsbook operates, following the company’s announced plans to enter Vermont on January 11. 

Online sports gambling has been gaining popularity since 2018 when a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowed individual states to legalize and regulate sports betting. Currently, 35 states allow some form of legal sports betting, with 21 offering full online wagering, and four with more restricted mobile betting.

NASCAR has been moving towards online gambling in recent years. In 2020 they put a policy in place that prohibited drivers, owners, crew members, and officials from betting on NASCAR races and barred them from revealing any inside information for “their own gain, or for the gain of others.”

In 2021 NASCAR became the first sports league to partner with the American Gaming Association. Richard Childress Racing became the first team to jump on board signing with BetMGM as a sponsor in 2021. Before the start of the 2023 season, NASCAR joined with gaming partners BetMGM, WynnBET, and Penn Entertainment in a deal that has NASCAR providing data to the sportsbooks who in turn use it to set betting odds.

North Carolina passed a bill last year that authorized up to 12 legal online sportsbooks, as well as eight in-person sportsbooks at professional sports venues in the state. The law was later amended to require that each operator have a license agreement with a professional sports organization within the state. Each of those licenses carries a $1 million fee for five years as well as an 18% tax with revenues supporting many of North Carolina’s publicly funded colleges and supporting a major event fund that the state hopes to use to recruit national sports and entertainment events for additional tourism, job creation and economic impacts.

Under the new law, there are currently 11 organizations qualified to partner with the legal online sportsbooks. NASCAR was listed alongside the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, and the NFL’s Carolina Panthers among others. Also listed were Charlotte Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway, both owned by Speedway Motorsports.

This past week both of NASCAR’s eligible entities announced online sportsbook partnerships. Friday, Speedway Motorsports announced a market access agreement with BetMGM and Charlotte Motor Speedway that will allow BetMGM to bring its online sports betting platform to the state. 

However, the formal date for sports betting to launch in North Carolina hasn’t been finalized. State officials overseeing sports betting met this past week to discuss policies and rules that will take effect once the all-clear is given. The date for that all-clear though wasn’t announced.

The period for legalization and the all-clear starts Monday, January 8, though state officials said it will not in reality launch that early. A target date of March 17 was discussed which is the day the NCAA’s Men’s Basketball Tournament will begin but when the actual date will be released is still up in the air.

According to reports, legal sports betting in North Carolina could generate $610.7 million in revenue for the state. It should be noted that NASCAR doesn’t share in any of the revenue generated from its gaming partners, instead, they benefit from the marketing provided by those partners whose reach extends far beyond the sport.

Prairie Band Casino and Resort in Kansas has made history by becoming the state’s inaugural tribal casino to introduce a sportsbook. This launch follows extensive negotiations between the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe, state authorities, and the US Department of the Interior, subsequent to Kansas legalizing sports betting in 2022.

Zeke Rupnick, the Chairperson of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, emphasized the collaborative effort required to secure this amenity. He credited the cooperation with Governor Laura Kelly and state legislators for amending their compact, ensuring tribal casinos stood on equal footing with other gaming establishments across Kansas.

“I think when the state first went with sports betting tribes weren’t really considered in that and then we had to go back and amend the law to allow us to amend our compact with the state,” Rupnick added.

The most recent data from the Sunflower State regarding sports betting indicates over $43 million in revenue was generated during the last fiscal year, with a portion of $4 million contributing back to the state.

At the official sportsbook opening on Thursday, Rupnick made the inaugural bet, placing $20 on the University of Kansas (KU) Jayhawks to win the National Championship, citing confidence in KU’s prowess and a family connection. This symbolic act marked the commencement of sports wagering at the resort.

The casino’s sportsbook features a dedicated sports lounge where patrons can watch games and relax while placing bets using gaming kiosks. Chris Garrow, the Director of Gaming, highlighted the uniqueness of their sportsbook, being locally owned and operated, a departure from commercially-run competitors. Notably, all revenue from sports betting will contribute to supporting the tribal community.

Garrow hinted at potential future developments, suggesting that the initial setup might just be the beginning, with possible expansions or enhancements in the future.

In September last year, sports betting services provider Kambi Group signed a sports betting partnership with Prairie Band Casino & Resort to support the launch of the first tribal sportsbook in the state of Kansas. It followed approval earlier last year from authorities for an on-site sports betting facility at the casino, which sits on tribal land close to Topeka.

Amidst the ongoing disagreement between Raj Bhavan (Governor House) and the Left government in the Indian state of Kerala, state Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Friday signed an ordinance amending the state’s Goods and Service Tax (GST) law concerning gambling.

News agency Press Trust of India (PTI) cited Raj Bhavan sources who confirmed that Khan has signed the ordinance. The Governor can initiate ordinances when a legislative assembly is not in session.

The ordinance was promulgated by the state government after the 50th GST Council meeting had fixed 28 percent GST on gambling at casinos, horse racing, and online gaming and had also decided that the tax should be levied on the face value of the bet.

The ordinance includes provisions to remove some of the ambiguities in the existing GST law concerning betting for money including online gaming, betting at casinos, and horse racing, the government had earlier said.

Last year, at the 50th GST Council, Indian Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman confirmed that the 28% GST on full face value would be implemented. The GST council also finalized the modalities for the determination of supply value in online gaming and casinos for levying the tax.

The 28% GST, in the case of online gaming, applies only where wagering is involved and not to any services provided by those hosting casual games. Previously, online betting and gambling were taxed at 28% GST, while other games were taxed at 18% of gross gaming revenue. 

Sitharaman had announced the hike in taxes for online gaming, horse racing, and casinos, after several deliberations with the GST Council. Speaking at a press conference, Sitharaman noted that the GST Council would come back with a position review after six months from October 1, 2023. This meant that from October 1st, all states would be required to clear changes to state GST laws in this regard, regardless of their views on the tax.

Albania’s Regency Casino Tirana has expanded its collaboration with EGT, with the Bulgarian manufacturer’s Spider casino management system now installed across the venue’s 500 gaming machines. The system is equipped with three modules: Accounting, Security and Alarm, and Jackpot.

Through the Accounting module, the casino receives daily and jurisdictional reports and real-time meters view, and can also access the custom reports builder option, which allows settings to be made for customized reports tailored to the client’s specific needs.

The Security and alarm module of Spider CMS offers real-time events reporting and real-time alarms, as well as a detailed separation of user access.

The Jackpot module supports multigame and multi-denomination progressive jackpots, standard and time-based mystery jackpots. It enables the operator to set its own schedule for players’ participation and includes a Multimedia Control Center with full HD graphic and video panels, interactive jackpot triggering frames and advertising videos.

Biserka Draganova

“We are very glad that Regency Casino Tirana trusted us once again,” shared Biserka Draganova, Sales Manager for the Balkans and Egypt at EGT. “I believe that Spider CMS will contribute to the easy and effective management of the gaming hall’s daily activities and will further enhance the gaming experience of its visitors.”

According to the Bulgarian company, the management of Regency Casino has also expressed satisfaction with the partnership, highlighting the performance of the machines and software, especially General cabinets and the bestseller Bell Link, which led them to try out the CMS. Plans are underway to expand the installation of more EGT products in the future.

Last month, CEO Vladimir Dokov spoke to Yogonet about EGT and EGT Digital’s growth in 2023. “I am glad to share that 2023 brought a lot of success to EGT,” said Dokov. “After the turbulent period of the crisis, which had a profound impact on the gaming industry in 2020 and 2021, a period of recovery and stable growth followed in 2022 and 2023.”

iGaming tech supplier SOFTSWISS has announced that the anti-fraud team within its SOFTSWISS Managed Services solution helped secure over €13 million ($14.2 million) for its clients in 2023.

According to a press release, in 2023, the Anti-Fraud team “efficiently handled over 100,000 tasks, demonstrating a remarkable 62% increase in its year-on-year output” encompassing diverse issues ranging from operator requests and player verifications to reports of suspicious activities.

Predominantly, instances of fraud detected by the SOFTSWISS Anti-Fraud team were related to bonus abuse, with a smaller percentage associated with money laundering. The remaining cases involved chargeback incidents, abuse of payment systems, and various other forms of fraudulent activities.

Ilya Nesterov, Anti-Fraud Team Lead, commented: “In addition to this, the team has successfully addressed over 200 player complaints submitted to regulators or industry forums. Drawing upon our vast expertise, we meticulously analyze each challenging case, offering operators thoughtful consultations on how to settle issues before they escalate.” 

“Through the efficient resolution of the named disputes and complaints submitted by players, we were able to aid SOFTSWISS clients in saving an additional 350,000 euros. This underscores our dedication to delivering exceptional service and ensuring the success of our clients in the dynamic landscape of the iGaming industry,” Nesterov added.

The company stated that in its commitment to Responsible Gambling, SOFTSWISS is crafting “an advanced automated tool to diligently monitor players for suspicious behaviors and evaluate corresponding risk levels.”

This system utilizes a comprehensive range of available metrics and indicators “to enhance accuracy and effectiveness in identifying potential risks,” the business detailed.

Integral to the SOFTSWISS Managed Services, the Anti-Fraud Support plays a crucial role in the solution. Furthermore, according to the business, more than 200 casino brands have already embraced the Managed Services solution, “establishing themselves as dedicated clients of SOFTSWISS.”

“Delivering essential services that include First Line Support, VIP Player Retention and Reactivation, and Content Management, SOFTSWISS Managed Services function as a seamless bridge linking operators with their players. This seamless integration optimizes casino operations, ensuring a frictionless gaming experience for all involved,” the company concluded. 

The president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, presented before the Constitutional Court a referendum project in which he proposes, among other points, to allow again the opening and operation of casinos, betting shops, and in-person gambling halls.

The proposal is part of a package of 11 questions that must be processed by the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court to be eventually voted on by the citizens. Among the consultations presented, question 11 asks the following:

“Do you agree with allowing the operation of casinos, gambling halls, betting shops, or businesses dedicated to the operation of games of chance, under the conditions detailed in the Annex to question 11?”.

It should be noted that the prohibition and elimination of in-person gambling halls was promoted by former president Rafael Correa, who also passed the measure through a popular consultation held on May 7, 2011.

At that time, the former president assured that the purpose of eliminating casinos was to create “a healthier environment” for young people and to prevent parents from losing income due to “the vice of gambling.”

As a result, the operation of casinos, gaming halls, or betting shops in Ecuador was typified as a crime in the Penal Code, approved in October 2013. According to the Code, persons who manage this type of business may face a prison sentence of one to three years, in addition to a fine of 100 to 150 basic salaries. 

Referendum procedure

According to Ecuadorian regulations, the referendum proposal must be processed by the Constitutional Court, which must decide whether the issues raised can be decided using direct democracy or whether an amendment to the Magna Carta is necessary.

For such analysis and the issuance of an opinion, the court has a term of 20 days. In case any amendment is necessary, the Executive may submit a new proposal.

In case the proposal is approved, the President will issue an executive decree and the National Electoral Council will have 60 days to start the electoral process. According to Ecuadorian media estimates, if there are no major obstacles, the referendum will be held by the end of March.

The Forest County Potawatomi Community is reportedly planning to construct a $200 million concert venue adjacent to its Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee. Insider sources told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the proposed venue is expected to accommodate up to 6,000 people and is slated for construction on the properties formerly owned by Cargill Inc. in the Menomonee Valley.

The tribe, which aims to secure city approvals and gain Common Council consent this year, anticipates breaking ground in the first quarter of 2025. A source familiar with the project told the Journal Sentinel: “It would be shovel in the ground in March or at least the beginning of 2025.”

While officials from the Potawatomi tribe have refrained from commenting on the concert hall project, it is speculated that the tribe intends to independently fund the venue, potentially posing a challenge to the city-approved $60 million music theater planned for the Deer District, boasting a seating capacity of 4,500.

The unexpected proposal has stirred anticipation of a competitive scenario between the two venues for performers, setting the stage for a showdown between the Deer District theater, backed by Live Nation Entertainment, and the Potawatomi’s casino-funded music hall.

The Forest County Potawatomi Community’s casino, located at 1721 Canal St., has been reporting substantial gains. In the 12-month period ending June 30, the casino garnered at least $415 million from gamblers, according to Journal Sentinel calculations.

The proposed music hall marks the tribe’s re-entry into the music and entertainment domain. Almost a year ago, the Potawatomi tribe closed the Northern Light’s Theater, a 22-year-old concert and comedy venue with a seating capacity of 600. The new music hall is anticipated to be a seated theater with the flexibility to reconfigure the floor level for general admission audiences.

As Milwaukee already hosts several prominent concert venues like the Miller High Life Theatre, Riverside Theater, and Fiserv Forum, the addition of a major concert hall by the Potawatomi tribe would intensify competition.

Milwaukee insiders are divided on the potential audience attraction, with some foreseeing overlapping demographics, while others suggest that the tribe may focus on traditional performers for casino audiences.

The tribe’s move into the entertainment sector is seen as a strategic response to the competitive landscape among Native American gambling halls. The Potawatomi tribe faces competition from other tribes, such as Ho-Chunk’s new $405 million casino in Beloit and the Menominee tribe’s proposed $360 million Kenosha casino and hotel managed by Hard Rock International.

Questions remain regarding the primary promoter for the Potawatomi venue, as Live Nation and AEG Presents, dominant players in the industry, currently lack any apparent connection with the tribe.

The Las Vegas airport has soared past its previous annual passenger record, with Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) clocking 52.8 million travelers through November 2023. This milestone cements 2023 as the airport’s busiest year to date, outstripping the previous record set in 2022 by 0.2 million passengers, with December 2023 numbers yet to be reported.

“Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) has already broken the previous annual record set in 2022. LAS connects the world to Las Vegas, whether that be for work, vacation, visiting loved ones, or attending a sporting or special event,” stated Rosemary Vasiliadis, the Clark County Director of Aviation.

November alone witnessed a remarkable influx of 4.8 million passengers, propelling the airport beyond the established benchmark. Vasiliadis emphasized LAS’s global connectivity and expressed anticipation for the bustling start to 2024, noting the forthcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and other major conventions, while preparing for Las Vegas’ inaugural hosting of the Super Bowl.

Southwest Airlines emerged as the dominant carrier, ferrying 1.8 million passengers in November and an impressive 19 million throughout the year, more than double the tally of the next-largest carrier. The top five carriers at Reid Airport comprise Southwest, Spirit, Delta, United, and American.

This surge in airport traffic coincides with the remarkable wider Las Vegas tourism economy’s performance. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) revealed a new record for average hotel rates, reaching $249 in November, soaring to $270 on the Strip due to the F1 event’s influence on prices.

Simultaneously, the Strip’s casinos, the backbone of Nevada’s economy, achieved their second-highest win ever, raking in over $820 million. Reflecting the state’s economic buoyancy, Nevada hit its second-highest win of $1.37 billion.

B2B casino and sportsbook platform provider Soft2Bet has experienced significant growth in 2023. As the year draws to a close, the company looks into the trends that are likely to dominate the iGaming sector in 2024. 

Gamification will expand further in 2024 and become hyper-localized

Gamification features will keep expanding in 2024 and Soft2Bet will continue to customize them to players’ preferences in their individual markets. Gamification will also grow in popularity as it becomes even more localized and captures more of consumers’ attention and screen time. ‍

Why gamification is important in iGaming  

Gamification is a term that is and continues to be widely used in the online gaming and betting industry. There are a number of reasons for this, but going back to the social casino craze of 2012-2013, it is strongly linked with social and casual gaming and the ability to extend player values through engagement and gameplay.

The social gaming craze may have calmed down from those heady days, but the companies active in that sector continue to generate substantial revenues through micro-transactions, in-game advertising or secondary marketplaces. Gamification, in other words.  

How does this apply to iGaming and how does Soft2Bet harness gamification? 

The short answer to that question is that we have integrated social engagement and gameplay features, localized them to specific countries and regions into our real-money gaming products to create the Soft2Bet Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), our gamification engine. 

‍Global gamification continues significantly growing, while MEGA features have generated very strong financial and product-performance results, it’s also important to remember the huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to make this happen. 

‍

As Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer at Soft2Bet, explains: “In practice this translates into our tech, development, marketing or CRM teams spending many man-hours integrating all those elements into our products’ gameplay.” 

“This has meant hours of painstaking technical work developing a fully integrated solution that is seamless, secure, tailored and geo-targeted to players’ habits and preferences. This work is paying off and has enabled Soft2Bet to grow faster than ever in 2023.” 

iGaming trends 2024 

• The Era of Mobile Gaming.

The mobile gambling market is expected to reach over $150 Billion by 2030, and around 70% of online betting revenue comes from mobile gambling. With the addition of new innovations in personalization and gamification on mobile apps, mobile gaming will only accelerate its growth in 2024. iGaming brands must be focused on staying ahead of the curve, bringing the most exciting and engaging mobile gaming offerings to players in its new and existing markets around the world.

• AI will become even more integrated and inform new features.

As AI continues to progress and advance, companies such as Soft2Bet will prioritize discovering innovative ways to harness this technology. By effectively employing AI to analyze data, it becomes capable of pinpointing crucial trends and detecting shifts in player preferences. These insights can be directly applied to enhance the platform’s features and elevate the overall user experience.

• UI, UX enhancements combined with player behavior analytics will be key drivers.

Player behavior analytics will play a key role, and being up-to-date with the latest technologies and innovations will be crucial for iGaming companies hoping to see success in 2024. 

• Responsible gaming initiatives will take center stage 

Soft2Bet has always been committed to responsible gaming and predicts that other companies will continue to increase investment in this field, especially as they enter new jurisdictions with new regulations. The industry will introduce more innovative, proactive, and user-friendly responsible gaming tools and solutions in 2024. 

MEGA drives Soft2Bet

Motivational Engineering has been key to Soft2Bet’s success in 2023 because it enables us to deliver  quality products that are highly personalized and localized to the markets we operate in. This trend will continue in 2024 and we will keep providing tailored offerings to our casino players and sports betting customers: City Builder features for our casino-focused players, while sports bettors can engage with our Sports Stadiums.   

Uri Poliavich, founder and CEO of Soft2Bet added: “As we move into 2024, the key to succeeding in our industry lies in adapting to evolving player preferences, harnessing cutting-edge AI, advanced motivational engineering techniques, and ensuring a seamless user experience. At Soft2Bet, we are fully equipped and committed to meeting these challenges head-on. With our innovative and hyper-localized MEGA solutions, advanced analytics, and a strong emphasis on responsible gaming, we’re poised to not only adapt to the changing landscape but to lead and define it.”

Soft2Bet’s EBITDA grew by more than 300% in 2023, driven by Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA), our unique gamification technology.  The company also obtained 10 new licenses in seven different countries, including Sweden, Italy and other major markets.  

The effectiveness of our MEGA technology was also demonstrated by the growth of our Betinia brand in Denmark and Sweden, the two leading Scandinavian markets, where GGR increased by more than 65% and by more than 50% of the playerbase engaged with gamification. In addition, deposit amounts were 50% larger and 30% more frequent and average revenue per user (ARPU) grew by more than 70%. These achievements have been recognised by our peers and we were delighted to be shortlisted in the following five categories of the EGR Nordics Awards. 

Martin Collins, CBDO at Soft2Bet, commented: “For 2024, we look forward to furthering our innovation and motivational engineering offerings while expanding our reach across the globe. The next year will be a pivotal one both for our company and the iGaming industry more broadly. We focused on driving these exciting new trends as we continue to disrupt and drive the industry forward.” 

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) welcomed the adoption of the sports betting law by the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. The law introduces a regulatory and licensing system for operators in Brazil for both sports betting and online casinos. It also includes a range of integrity measures to combat sports betting-related match-fixing.

The law includes a requirement that sports betting operators are part of an international monitoring body; a provision that the IBIA says will help to ensure proper mechanisms are put in place to help protect operators, their customers, as well as sports, from potential fraud and manipulation. In addition, the ability for betting operators to suspend payments of bets for matches that are under investigation for potential corruption was also described as “important” by the association in protecting operators and deterring sports betting-related fraud.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “This is a historic moment for sports betting in Brazil and is a major step forward in the fight against match-fixing. IBIA welcomes the adoption of specific betting integrity provisions in the law, which the association has been campaigning for since discussions on regulating sports betting began in 2018.”

“A number of Brazilian market-focused operators have already joined IBIA, and we look forward to engaging with other operators intent on offering well-protected sports betting products to Brazilian consumers via IBIA’s world-leading integrity network,” he added.

The International Betting Integrity Association is a not-for-profit body that has no competing conflicts from the delivery of commercial services to other sectors. The association claims to be run “by operators for operators.” It monitors approximately $150 billion in betting transactions on approximately 650,000 competitive sporting events globally.

According to H2 Gambling Capital IBIA members already account for over 60% of the remote gambling market in Brazil. In a press release, the Association said that its international monitoring and alert network will “provide accurate and detailed intelligence” on suspicious betting activity in Brazilian sports to betting regulators, law enforcement, and sports governing bodies.

“Although the new law is a very important milestone in the fight against match-fixing, there is no room for complacency. We are committed to working more closely and sharing our expertise with the Brazilian regulatory authorities on the implementing regulation on integrity, as well as with sports and law enforcement to ensure we more effectively detect, deter and sanction sports betting related match-fixing and fraud.”

Khalid Ali

Opening markets to licensed sports betting operators is key to protecting consumers and the integrity of sporting competitions from sports betting-related match-fixing, says the association. Regulated sports betting markets channel consumers away from the unregulated markets where most of the issues with match-fixing and corruption arise.

“Sports betting exists within a highly competitive international market and an overly burdensome framework of regulation and taxation will have the counterproductive, and unintended, consequence of driving sports betting customers into unregulated markets, reducing tax revenues, and increasing the risk of corruption and match-fixing,” IBIA said in a statement.

Therefore, whilst IBIA welcomes the fact that the Chamber of Deputies has resisted the temptation to impose higher levels of gambling taxation, the association warns that the impact of the overall tax burden and the substantial cost of the licensing fee, which remains BRL 30 million, may deter investments in Brazil.

“By opening up the market to licensed sports betting operators Brazil is sending a very important message to other markets in Latin America that a dynamic and competitive regulated sports betting framework with strong integrity provisions is essential to the fight against sports betting-related match-fixing,” the CEO concluded.

2023 was a great and productive year for Slotegrator, one full of reflection and solid research. In this article, the iGaming solutions provider takes a look at what goals were fulfilled and what new goals Slotegrator should set. 

For Slotegrator, 2023 was a year of thorough research, deep insights, rethinking, and qualitative growth. During the year, the Slotegrator team visited key countries in its main markets (Europe, LatAm, Asia, Africa), learned all the new trends, and became convinced that it had chosen the right path and way of development. 

The Slotegrator team visited many iGaming events in 2023. Among them were SiGMA Asia in the Philippines, ASEAN Gaming Summit Philippines, GAT Expo Colombia, Spice India, SAGSE Latam, Casino Beats Summit, Belgrade Future Gaming, Central European Gambling Summit 2023 (CEGS23), Romania, and SBC Summit Tbilisi. We also presented with a stand at several expos, including SiGMA Malta, SBC Summit Barcelona, SiGMA Cyprus, iGB LiVE Amsterdam, SiGMA Brazilian iGaming Summit, SiGMA Eurasia in Dubai, ICE London, and SiGMA Africa in Kenya.

Ayvar Gabidullin, business development manager at Slotegrator, comments: “Expanding into key markets around the world is crucial for international gambling providers like Slotegrator, and we keep searching for new opportunities to contribute to our clients’ growth.”

A quick look back at the most noteworthy events of the year: 

• 2023 was very eventful in terms of gambling market regulations. Slotegrator stayed on top of every little detail that could potentially be important for the company’s clients. This year Slotegrator created and presented an interactive map with the most relevant information about the gambling laws. The map is constantly updated.

• Cutting-edge, in-demand technologies were implemented in the company’s products and solutions. For example, the turnkey platform was updated with new modules and features for smoother and more optimized online casino and sportsbook management: the Casino Builder module for easy alterations of website UX, the KYC module for more efficient AI-driven player verification in compliance with regulatory requirements, the Anti-fraud module to identify suspicious behavior, the Artificial BI module for quick and effective analysis of platform metrics, the Bonus module for a quick adjustment of bonus campaigns, and other features like Progress bar, a Wheel of Fortune, and integration of ChatGPT. 

• The company also reaffirmed its status as one of the pioneers of the Telegram Casino solution — this product is only becoming more and more popular due the growing popularity of portable gambling and the messaging app itself.

• Among other important trends in the iGaming industry is a focus on regulatory compliance and responsible gambling. The Slotegrator team has noticed a growing interest in ESG in the industry. Paying attention to this issue is a sign that the industry realizes the importance of safe and responsible gambling, and that it begins with leading companies like Slotegrator.

• The Slotegrator team constantly collects and updates information about new technologies, game types, payment methods, and player behavior. In an industry that evolves as fast as iGaming, relevant, up-to-date knowledge is essential — which is why the company produces so much informative material in Slotegrator Academy. In December 2023, Slotegrator released a detailed report about modern players. You can download it here, and watch a video overview at Slotegrator Academy.  

• In January 2024, Slotegrator is presenting a new report with gambling trends in 2024. Sign up for the newsletter here so you don’t miss it.

In 2023, Slotegrator’s solutions and services were nominated for awards in the following categories:

• Innovation in Mobile, SBC Awards 2023

• Mobile Gaming Software Supplier, Innovation in Mobile, EGR B2B Awards 2023 

• Online Casino Provider of the Year, SiGMA Awards Americas 2023

• Platform Provider of the Year, Aggregator of the Year, AffPapa iGaming Awards 2023

• Aggregator of the Year, Sigma Manila Awards | Asia 2023

The company won in the category: “Sports provider of the Year by Affpapa iGaming Awards 2023”. 

Yana Khaidukova, Managing Director at Slotegrator, says: “We had an interesting journey and we enjoyed passing every milestone of 2023. We are convinced that we are on the right path, and finally determined our goals for 2024.

We appreciate our extensive partner network, every new deal, and every new connection, as well as every insight and every development we got this year.  We are looking forward to 2024, hoping it will bring us more interesting events and achievements. We wish our partners and clients growth and prosperity in the next year.”

Aside from the bill presented by the senator of the Uruguayan National Party Sergio Botana to regulate the activity of slot machines, Uruguay does not have any law regulating online gambling, despite the overall consensus of its necessity.

Since August 2022, the Finance Committee of Deputies has been studying a bill approved by the Senate which introduces modifications to the regulation presented by the Executive Power in November 2021. This bill seeks to legalize and regulate online gambling by the General Directorate of Casinos and private parties.

Juan Martín Rodríguez, a member of the Commission, commented that in the lower chamber, they consider that “the best proposal is that of the Executive Branch” but, since the Senate’s proposal had been voted unanimously, it was decided to “work on a specific modification” of the 10 articles that made up this second one. 

Both projects differ in that the one presented by the Executive Branch did not consider assistance to gambling addicts, something that was added in 2022 by the Senate.

The change proposed by the Chamber of Deputies refers to the article that enables the profit on online gambling only when the investors finish the works in a physical place where a casino must operate. Now it is sought to establish a graduality to determine when internet gambling can be operated by a private company established in the country. 

According to the deputies’ proposal, when a percentage of investment is reached, which may range from 20% in some cases to 50% in others, the generation of resources through online casinos may begin.

In any case, and in spite of the refusal of the National Party, in the session on Wednesday, December 20, it was decided to postpone the discussion until the first session of March of next year in the House of Representatives, due to the lack of agreements within the Treasury. 

“In our country, there is no legislation on the matter and that causes that many times there is another type of online gambling not legislated or not regulated, we as legislators have to aim that all economic activity is done under the protection of the law”, Rodríguez concluded.

The inaugural edition of SBC Summit Rio will take place March 5-7, 2024 at the 5-star Windsor Barra hotel in Rio de Janeiro and tickets are already sold out. Event organizers confirmed the event’s agenda this week and stressed that the aim is that, “in addition to the countless networking opportunities on the show floor, the more than 3,000 attendees will be able to take advantage of a meticulously crafted world-class conference program.”

The first of the panels detailed by the organization is the regulators’ panel titled ‘a look back at the first six months of regulated sports betting, with an eye on the next six’.

In this context, the organizers said that Brazil has been working against the clock to have a regulated and operational sports betting market by 2023. The first step to make it happen was the publication of the provisional measure, which was then signed by President Lula da Silva.

“This roundtable will be attended by the main players who made this provisional measure possible, who will also share their views on the situation of the sector in the near future,” they added. These names are José Francisco Manssur, special advisor to the Brazilian Ministry of Finance; Martin Lycka, SVP of Regulatory Affairs and Responsible Gaming in the Americas at Entain; Rafael Marchetti Marcondes, legal director of Rei do Pitaco; and Tiago Gomes, partner at Ambiel Avogados.

As for the panel entitled “International Operators: How to make headway in Brazil”, the speakers will be Cecilia López Boronat, Communications Director of Clobet; Andreas Bardun, founder of KTO; Alex Fonseca, CEO Brazil of Superbet; and Jon Moss, director of 34 Consulting Ltd.

The speakers will seek to provide an answer to the question of what the future holds for international brands making their way into Brazil. “As brands move into this new territory, how can they better understand the local culture, media consumption trends, and marketing strategies?” the organization invited.

Finally, the organizers announced that a third panel will deal with the “advertising regulations in the new sports betting paradigm”, analyzing the recent controversies surrounding advertising in the Brazilian sports world, which call into question issues of integrity and responsible gambling.

This panel discussion, led by Filtro Cassio, Brazil Country Manager at KTO; Rafael Ganem, Commercial Director at SAF Botafogo; Angelo Alberoni, Country Manager Brazil at Novibet; and Udo Seckelmann, Head of Gambling & Crypto at Bichara e Motta Advogados, will offer insightful and engaging perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing operators in the wake of potential advertising bans.

In October, Arizona’s sportsbooks reported a handle of $648.2 million, marking the state’s second-highest total in 26 months of legal wagering. This significant growth is attributed to the presence of the World Series during the month, contributing to a higher monthly total than in over a year.

The Arizona Department of Gaming provided the statistics, revealing a 5.1% increase in sports betting handle compared to the previous October, bringing the total for the calendar year above $5 billion. However, despite the impressive numbers, the state’s sports gaming law structure has limited its revenue gains, reports 12News.

While October’s bettor losses reached $56 million, only $3.3 million went to “privilege fees,” the tax paid by betting companies to the state. Arizona’s privilege fees stand at 10% for online betting companies and 8% for on-site sportsbooks.

However, the 2021 sports gaming law allows these companies to write off substantial portions of their gross receipts for the first five years, diverting revenue that would otherwise go to the state, for promotional giveaways to bettors. That means during the first full year of online and retail gaming, the state brought in a total of just $21 million.

“It should be bringing in $50 million a year in receipts to the state. But it’s not even close to that because they get to write off all these free bets,” Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association and a critic of the deal, was quoted as saying in the report.

The law, negotiated by former Governor Doug Ducey, Indian Tribes, and legislators, granted exclusive sports betting licenses to Arizona sports franchises without a bidding process, potentially limiting revenue opportunities. However, the percentage of write-offs that betting companies benefit from is set to decrease steadily, reaching zero by the year 2028.

Critics argue that the agreement does not adequately benefit the state. A representative from the Arizona Department of Gaming emphasized to 12News that the revenues collected should not be unexpected, as they surpass the estimates initially provided by The Joint Legislative Budget Committee before the bill’s passage.

While tax rates for online sports betting operations vary from state to state, Arizona’s rate aligns with those of other states such as Colorado (10%), Iowa (6.7%), and Nevada (6.7%). Ohio imposes a higher tax rate of 20%, while Illinois has a tax rate of 15%. On the higher end, New York and New Hampshire have elevated tax rates at 51%. In contrast, for the sake of comparison, Arizona levies a 16% excise tax in addition to standard sales taxes on marijuana dispensaries.

Critics argue that the state could increase its revenue from betting companies by raising the current annual licensing fee, which stands at $150,000.

In terms of sports betting operators, DraftKings secured the top spot in October for both handle and gross revenue for the first time since December 2021. DraftKings’ $220.6 million in accepted wagers, its second-best in Arizona, outpaced FanDuel by $320,257. However, FanDuel had a lower spend on promotions and bonuses, resulting in a narrower gap in adjusted revenue.

BetMGM claimed the third position with a $90.4 million handle and $9.2 million in gross winnings, maintaining a streak of double-digit holds. Caesars, ESPN Bet, BetRivers, Golden Nugget, WynnBET, and TwinSpires are also featured in the Arizona sports betting landscape, with varied outcomes in handle and revenue.

The International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) has announced the departure of its longstanding President, Peter DeRaedt, effective December 31, 2023. With his departure, DeRaedt’s 25-year career with the organization comes to an end. Throughout that time, he was instrumental in bringing disparate interests in the gaming business together.

The IGSA Board expressed its deepest gratitude to DeRaet for his unwavering dedication and outstanding service. Peter W. DeRaedt has advocated for global gaming standards ever since the association’s inception in 1998. From May 1998 to October 2002, he presided over the GSA as its inaugural Chairman of the Board of Directors. Subsequently, he tendered his resignation to assume the role of President, a role he maintained since that time.

Recognizing his contributions, the Board conferred upon him the honorary title of “President Emeritus” for life, acknowledging his impact on the industry. In a testament to his ongoing influence, DeRaet has agreed to remain available in an advisory capacity to IGSA for the next two years.

According to the association, IGSA evolved into a neutral advocate and authoritative voice in the gaming industry under DeRaedt’s leadership. The association developed numerous globally adopted standards under his tenure, transforming many gaming companies. 

In accordance with IGSA’s succession plan, Mark Pace, currently the Vice President of IGSA, will step into the role of acting President. Pace, a veteran with over 20 years of experience within IGSA, has held various positions, including Committee Chair, Treasurer, Vice Chairman of the Board, and Founder and Managing Director of GSA Europe.

Earle G. Hall, Chairman of IGSA, said: “Peter DeRaedt’s legacy is profound, having steered IGSA through numerous challenges and opportunities. His foresight and leadership have been pivotal in shaping an industry that is dynamic and ever-evolving. He leaves behind a robust and well-respected organization, poised for continued success and innovation.”

The Board will carry out a comprehensive vetting procedure before formally announcing the appointment of the incoming President at the first Board meeting of 2024, in keeping with IGSA’s dedication to transparency and diligence.

Gaming firm Macau Legend Development has confirmed the sale of its Savan Legend casino resort in Laos, sealing the deal at $39 million. The firm disclosed the transaction in a stock filing sent to Hong Kong’s exchange, projecting a pre-tax gain of approximately HKD47 million ($6 million).

The decision to divest the Laos-based casino resort was initially revealed in June, aligning with the company’s strategic plan to refocus its resources on its Macau-based business operations.

Initially intended to sell for $45 million, the resort will now be transferred at a revised price of $39 million, with Shundo Yoshinari, a Japanese citizen unrelated to the company, confirmed as the purchaser. Yoshinari will acquire MLD Resorts Laos, an indirect subsidiary of Macau Legend holding complete control over Savan Legend.

Macau Legend cited the profit-making status of the Lao PDR gaming and hotel business in the 2022 financial year but underscored its financial instability. The company highlighted the increasingly restrictive landscape in Lao PDR, potentially impacting future profitability.

The sale’s anticipated gain is expected to fortify the company’s cash reserves, empowering liquidity. This move will redirect financial resources to Macau-based core business operations and future development endeavors.

Macau Legend is known for managing the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf complex and the Legend Palace casino, as a satellite operator under SJM’s license.