Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), the online casino powerhouse founded by billionaire Laurence Escalante, is branching out into the lottery sector after reporting a robust 30% increase in profits, fueled by its successful sweepstakes model in the United States. This expansion comes as part of VGW’s strategic growth, which has been significantly profitable, particularly in regions with stringent gambling
Month: September 2024
MGM Resorts has officially applied for a casino license in the United Arab Emirates, making it the first known operator to take such a step in this burgeoning market. This announcement came directly from MGM’s CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, during the Skift Global Forum 2024, highlighting the company’s strategic move to expand its global footprint into the Middle East.
Signing Day Sports, Inc., known for its innovative app assisting high school athletes in recruitment, has announced a pivotal acquisition of 95-99% of Swifty Global, a key player in the sports and casino technologies arena. This move marks the beginning of a comprehensive growth strategy aimed at acquiring and building companies within the sports and casino
Authorities in the Philippines have launched a nationwide manhunt for Harry Roque, former spokesperson for President Rodrigo Duterte, as part of an investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Roque is accused of withholding critical documents related to his involvement with Lucky South 99, a POGO hub, and his role as its alleged legal
Wynn Resorts has agreed to a $70 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed by shareholders, who accused the company of failing to disclose sexual misconduct allegations against its former CEO, Steve Wynn. The shareholders claim the company’s stock value plummeted after the misconduct allegations came to light in 2018. The settlement resolves claims brought
MGM Resorts has officially filed its application for a casino license in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), seeking to become the second major operator to enter the region’s burgeoning gaming industry. The move was confirmed by Bill Hornbuckle, CEO of MGM Resorts, during his keynote at the Skift Global Forum in New York on September
iGaming platforms developer and operator Golden Matrix Group has announced the debut of its subsidiary Expanse Studios’ first-ever social casino game, Beach Penalties, marking the developer’s entry into the fast-growing social gaming market. Beach Penalties, a dynamic instant game, offers players the thrill of a soccer penalty shootout set against a sunny beach backdrop, the
Global gaming provider Zitro has launched its Mega Lounge concept at the Trilenium Casino in Argentina, in partnership with Boldt Group. The gaming concept, which Zitro says has generated “great anticipation in the market,” is set to offer players of the Buenos Aires province casino with a “unique communal experience.” In a dedicated area of
Las Vegas Sands announced Tuesday that it will be a presenting partner sponsor of the 2024 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting on Sept. 23-24 in New York City. The company’s support of the global leadership event seeks to reaffirm its commitment to addressing economic empowerment, diversity, hardship relief and climate change, Sands said in a statement.
iGaming content supplier Pragmatic Play has launched High Flyer, the latest addition to its crash games portfolio, boasting wins of up to 1,000,000x the player’s bet. With two bet spots available, each featuring autoplay and auto cashout, players place their bets before the plane takes off alongside a rapidly increasing multiplier, which can end at
iGaming content provider Play’n GO has announced the launch of Divine Divas, a new 5×5 grid slot set in the world of Greek mythology. According to Play’n GO, the game offers players a chance to build mythological masterpieces with the help of three powerful Goddesses: Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite. “Step into a realm where Greek mythology
Sep 20, 2024 3 min read Some of the greatest poker players of recent years either grew up playing chess or have transitioned from chess. The same is true, with five-tiem world chess champion Magnus Carlsen, Jen Shahade and Ottomar Ladva all showing they have what it takes at the poker tables. Ladva’s most recent
The Dutch government’s decision to raise the gambling tax will be implemented in two stages, significantly affecting licensees in the country’s regulated market. By 2026, the gambling tax rate will hit 37.8%, with a preliminary increase to 34.2% in 2025. This hike, according to a government report, aims to generate additional revenue of €202 million
Norway’s Conservative party (Høyre) has called for the end of the country’s state-run gambling monopoly. The party’s latest manifesto, published ahead of the September 2025 election, proposes a transition to a licensed gambling market, potentially opening the doors to market liberalization by 2028. Norway remains the last Scandinavian country to maintain a gambling monopoly, while
Sep 20, 2024 5 min read Sebastian Huber‘s Team peace&loove held onto the lead in the inaugural WCOOP League thanks partly to one of its members becoming only the fifth person in PokerStars history to win ten World Championship Of Online Poker (WCOOP) titles. Patrick “pads1161” Leonard triumphed in the $1,050 World Championship of Razz,
The CasinoBeats Summit 2024 is poised to bring together over 3,500 industry professionals from across the iGaming spectrum, making it one of the largest and most significant gatherings on the industry’s calendar. A three-day event starting from the 21st of May until the 23rd of May in an exquisite setting, i.e., Intercontinental Hotel of St.Julian’s,
Sep 20, 2024 5 min read Wherever there is money involved, some individuals will do whatever it takes to get their hands on it through unscrupulous means. Online poker is no different. You only have to browse through PokerNews‘ news stories to see stories about bot rings, players colluding with one another, and the use
Sep 19, 2024 3 min read Jim Collopy wasn’t among the 10 players who cashed in the 2024 Poker Masters Presented by PokerStars NAPT series finale. But it didn’t matter as he’d locked up the Purple Jacket, awarded to the top performer throughout the series, before the $25,200 No-Limit Hold’em final table concluded when Aram
Sep 19, 2024 3 min read The World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas ended in July, but the chase for gold bracelets is never-ending these days. Poker players outside the United States are currently battling it out for some jewelry on GGPoker. American players can join in on the fun later this month
Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has announced new regulatory measures aimed at combating a “pandemic” of gambling addiction in the country. The measures, which will come into effect from October 1, will block betting operators who have not been authorized to operate in Brazil and introduce stricter controls on advertising, sponsorship, and the use of