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Apple & Google join forces to thwart Chameleon Apps

October 15, 2019 by Admin

Apps that lure users with false facades, while hiding hidden intentions have become an online peril, particularly for real money gambling content.

Google and Apple have vowed to clamp down on underhanded developers who use deceptive means to publicize their content. Stricter rules and restrictions have been implemented to stem the tide of fake or “chameleon apps” that have appeared on Google Play as well as Apple’s App Store.

Apps featuring gambling-related content are allowed space in the App stores of both companies. The challenge for the tech monoliths, however, has been eradicating the prevalence of related content in countries where online and mobile sites offering real-money gambling are prohibited due to local laws.

A targeted attack

Content and security specialists Trend Micro, have reported that both tech firms have recently launched a new, aggressive assault on chameleon apps and have managed to wipe out several games and other apps from their respective stores, following a discovery that some developers were attempting to sneak their way into territories where real-money gambling apps are banned.

The apps appear to mask their true intention by hiding money-gambling functions behind benign facades such as weather tracking systems and entertainment booking platforms.

The art of deception

The developers creating the programs in question have worked hard to conceal the true nature of their products by way of a “switch” feature. The “switch” is a function that swaps out certain features at specific points during the development and qualifier stages, in an attempt to circumvent automated screening systems and fool them into approving programs that contain gambling-related material.

While the developers involved in this deceit have caused Google and Apple a significant amount of trouble, their creativity is unquestionable. Their efforts have even landed many of the chameleon apps on Apple’s App Store’s Top 100 best apps list.

Apple is pinning its hopes on its new native content policies, hoping for a swift and decisive victory against a complex and intelligent foe.

New Releases from Microgaming

October 5, 2019 by Admin

Microgaming has unveiled a host of brand new releases to delight their fans:

Banana Odyssey

Microgaming roars through the final frontier of space in Banana Odyssey. This exclusive title comes out of Slingshot Studios, who also created Zombie Hoard and Cash of Kingdoms.

The game follows the journey of Buck and Chip, two astro-chimps on a space adventure for the Banana Planet’s legendary riches. The game is a high energy, five-by-three reel, 10-payline online slot. The features include free spins, expanding wilds and respins.

Bunches of bonus features await the space-traveling enthusiast, when the wild symbol lands on one of the three middle reels and expands to fill the entire reel, triggering the cosmic respin feature. When this feature is activated, the expanded wild remains locked in place as the remaining reels respin. Any additional wild that lands present an opportunity to trigger even further respins, ramping up the chance of rewards.

Free spins are also the starts of this game. Landing three scatter symbols on reels two, three and four triggers 10 free spins with the potential for locked expanding wilds, setting up great win potential in the space race.

Aurora Wilds

Neon Valley Studios, burst onto the gaming scene with their vividly enchanting debut title, produced exclusively for Microgaming.

Aurora Wilds is a five-reel, ten-payline online slot, themed around the magical Pacific Northwest. The game features expanding wilds, respins, bi-directional paylines, and the Jackpot Wheel. Players are gently immersed in the shimmering visuals of the Northern lights which serve as a backdrop

Totem animals jig wildly along the reels as gleaming wild symbols emerge on reels two, three and four. When the wild symbol lands, it expands to fill the entire reel, locking into place and awarding a free respin. A total of three successive respins can be triggered as additional wilds land during the feature.

A gentle, lilting soundtrack matches the game’s visuals perfectly, only changing when three scatter symbols land to trigger the Jackpot Wheel, which guarantees one of four jackpot prizes, awarding up to 2,000x the player’s bet

Tweet Hearts

This slot is themed around nesting love birds and their lush, tropical jungle home. This finely feathered five-reel, 17-payline slot boasts a variety of features, including the Double Lucky Line, Random Wilds, free spins and three different types of wild symbols.

Players joining the journey of the parrot pair will discover the Double Lucky Line, throughout the game, on the middle row across all five reels. When double symbols land on the Double Lucky Line, they are counted as two symbols for any winning combinations or free spin symbols.

The Random Wild feature, present throughout the base game, triggers two to six symbol positions to turn into wild symbols before the spin stops, transforming the reels into a wild zone.

Free spins are triggered when five or more free spin symbols land, immediately awarding 10 free spins. For each additional free spin symbol, an extra spin is awarded, up to a maximum of 25 spins in total.

During the free spins round, Lucky Wilds unlock extra double positions throughout the reels and award additional free spins. These transform into a double position for the duration of the free spins feature, increasing the potential to hatch amazing rewards.

Players ready to spread their wings and soar to new heights of winnings are bound to fall in love with Tweethearts.

Book of Oz: Lock ‘N Spin

This five-reel, ten-payline, high-volatility online slot opens up a brand new chapter in the acclaimed Book of Oz series. All of the magical wonder of the original breakout game, released in December last year, returns to conjure up brand new ways to win. The spellbinding Hyperspins™ Lock ‘N Spin and 2nd Chance features await to thrill both mobile and desktop players.

The Hyperspins™ Lock ‘N Spin feature within the base game, allows players to lock up to four reels and then respin in an attempt to complete massive wins or trigger the Free Spins feature. Locking reels offer players the chance to achieve near wins or reap the benefits of five Book Scatter symbols, giving rise to potentially spellbinding rewards.

The Book symbol doubles as both a wild and scatter. Finding three, four or five Book symbols triggers the Free Spins feature, rewarding 10, 12 or 25 free spins respectively. The Book of Oz blesses players with a special symbol that will expand on the reels during free spins and unlock astounding win potential.

The new 2nd Chance feature emerges during free spins and gives players a choice between choosing to keep the original symbol or reshuffle for a chance to upgrade their special expanding symbol. As the special symbol expands and illuminates on each reel, win potential grows up to 5,000 times the initial bet. Landing three or more Book symbols within the free spins feature will grant further free spins.

Boom Pirates

Captain Mary and her motley pirate crew feature as brilliantly drawn and animated characters in this seafaring adventure. This slot boasts a treasure-trove of gems for players to discover, including the all-new Wonderways™ and Foxify™ features.

The Wonderways feature, unleashes cannon fire to transform the five-by-four reel grid into an astonishing nine-by-six reels, offering over 10 million ways to win.

When activated, Foxify gives players the chance to increase their chances of triggering the game’s three treasured features; raising the initial wager by 50% and triggering a grid explosion.

Captain Mary periodically swings by during the game, turning non-winning spins into a five-of-a-kind winning combination.

When the captain gets the crew in the mood to sing sea-shanties, YO-HO-HO scatter symbols land on reels one, three and five. Finding all three symbols will activate free spins launching a special treasure hunt. When the Boom Pirates cannon is fired, activated Wonderways remain open for the duration of the free spins. This combined with the fact that any three scatters landing offer an additional five free spins, provides the potential for tantalizing rewards.

Players may also purchase free spins for the pirates’ price of 100x the initial bet. This buy-in feature allows players to access free spins at any point throughout the game.

Yukon gold casino player strikes jackpot on Mega Moolah slot

September 29, 2019 by Admin

Whenever online gambling or any form of gambling is mentioned the thought of life-changing wins occur.

Of course, not every player can be a winner but every now and again one lucky player strikes a massive win that creates hope in every other online gambler.

It doesn’t matter when you play, a massive win can happen at any time when playing progressive jackpot slots.

One very lucky player managed to strike the Mega Moolah progressive jackpot at Yukon Gold Casino.
September Winnings

On the 5th of September 2019 one very lucky Canadian player at Yukon Gold Casino decided to try their luck on the Mega Moolah slot from Microgaming.

While playing this very popular progressive jackpot slot the Canadian player managed to land a life-changing jackpot of CA$4,746,748.54. This win came as a big surprise for everyone as September has been rated one of the slower months for the Mega Moolah jackpot over the years.

This lucky Canadian player not only managed to break the streak of bad luck in September on the progressive slot but also managed to become the first to hit the jackpot on the 5th of the month. In the past, most September wins on the game only occurred on the 6th, 25th, and 28th of the month.

And although it hasn’t been confirmed if the jackpot winner is from Canada the prize paid it Canadian dollars basically tells the story. Lady Luck has been favouring Canadian players when it comes to the Mega Moolah slot. In 2019 alone Canadian players have earned a total of 42,228,633.73 in jackpot prizes on this progressive slot game.

Some might say it’s high time as there were no jackpots on the Mega Moolah slot in Canada up until June 2014.

Mega Moolah and Progressive Winnings

With the latest progressive jackpot win, many players are wondering what will happen and how much jackpot money will be up for the taking. While you might think the Mega Moolah slot would have no jackpot prize to win after such a marvelous win it couldn’t be further from the truth. The Mega Moolah jackpot has just been reset to back to 1.8 million giving players a chance to aim for those big
winnings once more.

About the slot

Mega Moolah is a fun progressive jackpot slot with an African Safari theme that can be played on all devices. The slots comes with four progressive jackpot prizes known as the Mini, Minor, and Major and Mega jackpot.

The most exciting part of playing Mega Moolah is that you can trigger the special Jackpot Bonus Game on any given spin. During this bonus game, you will be presented with a large wheel that will reveal your award once after the spin.

The bigger your bet size, the more likely you are to trigger the jackpot bonus game although you can take a spin from as little as 0.25.

Try the Mega Moolah progressive slot at Yukon Gold Casino and you could be the next big jackpot winner.

Microgaming shuts down MPN which is no longer aligned with Growth Strategy

September 25, 2019 by Admin

Online gaming software provider Microgaming has announced the imminent closure of the Microgaming Poker Network (MPN), one of its oldest flagship operations.

Microgaming has not disclosed an exact date but aim to have the network closed down by 2020.

In a statement issued on its official website, the company advised that MPN was deemed unnecessary after an exhaustive internal review of its online poker product portfolio and strategy.

MPN was launched over 16 years ago and has been instrumental in shaping the world of online poker. Its closure is sure to affect poker players everywhere.

The final curtain

While Microgaming has not settled on a specific date, they are aiming to complete the closure process by the second or third quarter of 2020. MPN has outlived its usefulness and no longer has a role to play in future strategies, according to the firm.

Alex Scott, Microgaming’s poker head, stated that the company wants the poker community to “have fond memories of the network.” Business will continue as normal until the network’s shutdown, previously scheduled online tournaments, live events, cash games, and promotions will not be affected.

This at least means that the ongoing Universal Championship of Poker and MPN Poker Tour will still take place.

Are Players’ Funds Safe?

Scott said that players need not worry about any funds that are currently with MPN poker rooms. Operations will continue as usual for the moment and all existing MPN rooms have informed Microgaming that they would find a new poker supplier. Microgaming has, in turn, assured them of a smooth transition.

Players are free to withdraw any funds that they currently have with MPN. Scott explained that as a condition of operating on the poker network, “each of our poker rooms is required to, at minimum, segregate all player funds from its operating expenses.”

Scott assured fans of online poker games that scenarios like these have already been well planned for. Addressing potentially concerned gamblers, he advised that the closure of the network will have “no impact on the safety of your funds.”

Microgaming’s shutdown of MPN is far from a signal that the company wishes to walk away from poker. On the contrary, it forms part of a larger strategy that the company’s CEO, John Coleman, says will actually help them adopt a new strategic direction for the vertical.

NetEnt Opens New UK Office

September 22, 2019 by Admin

Swedish company NetEnt is legendary in the iGaming industry. They are known for delivering some of the best online casino game experiences, characterised by superior quality, stunning visuals, and highly innovative design. Recently the corporation announced the intention of a stronger focus in the United Kingdom market, referring to it as one of the most important in the world. Now, shortly after the announcement, that intention has come to pass. A new NetEnt office has been announced, under the NetEnt UK Ltd banner.

Managing director and chief strategist at NetEnt UK Ltd, Andy Whitworth, and director of products and services Rob Fell, are responsible for the new venue. According to them, the new offices are an important step in a long-term plan, and that more should be expected in the local market in the coming months.

This almost certainly means a new game is incoming, which is great news for different type of pokies enthusiasts.

Recruiting Talent

Reports are that the new venue is already populated by top talent from the online casino industry, as would be expected from a corporation with such an outstanding reputation. Yet according to Whitworth, the initial employee recruitment phase was only the beginning, with a second wave of employment opportunities due in the near future. He made it clear that since further expansion was guaranteed, and as new talent was drawn to the opportunity, further recruitment was also a certainty.

So, it seems that there is now major room for talented artists and game designers to get into the industry.

Closer to Customers

But the new offices aren’t all just about finding the most skilled developers. Whitworth pointed out that the United Kingdom was currently the biggest market for NetEnt. With that being the case, it makes sense that the company wanted to be closer to its core customer base.

Though the move also spells an effort by the corporation to drive growth. CEO Therese Hillman said as much in her own statement. She called the new presence in the United Kingdom one of her key strategies for the year. A strategy which had now clearly been achieved.

What the future holds for this giant of the industry remains to be seen. But expectations are high, and online casino game enthusiasts will be waiting with bated breath for the next outstanding product to be released to the public. Whatever that product is, it will surely be made with the level of quality that has NetEnt is known for.

New CEO for William Hill

September 18, 2019 by Admin

With the stepping down of largely provisional CEO Philip Bowcock, Ulrik Bengtsson has been selected to ascend to the top spot at William Hill. Bowcock will assume an advisory role going forward, supporting Bengtsson with his extensive knowledge and experience in the online gaming industry.

William Hill is currently listed on the London stock exchange and has online casinos, sportsbetting sites and numerous land-based operations in its portfolio. Expanding their online business is a prime directive for the organization and Ulrik Bengtsson is just the man to lead the organisation in this direction, according to a statement made by Bowcock,

Bengtsson’s ascension

Bengtsson joined William Hill in 2018 after being headhunted by Philip Bowcock to run the digital branch of the company. His excellent reputation in the sector is well deserved as he successfully ran a similar division for Betsson AB in Sweden. The move to CEO, within a year of his initial appointment, was a logical one as he and Bowcock have worked closely together over the period, aligning their efforts with the company’s objectives. The new appointee can look forward to a smooth transition, with Bowcock providing support and consultation.

Bowcock has been CEO for the majority of his four-year tenure at William Hill, after a brief stint as Chief Financial Officer. His appointment as provisional CEO was an abrupt transition, following the sudden resignation of James Henderson.

Broader horizons

William Hill has had its eye on further expansion into the realm of online gaming for several years, necessitating Bengtsson’s appointment. Bengtsson unveiled a bold strategy for the company’s future in an official statement. His intention is to position William Hill to be able to take advantage of and navigate the ever-changing landscape of the industry

Bengtsson concluded by saying that his strategy focuses on international as well as domestic growth. His future plans for the company include branching out into the USA online casino and sports betting markets while simultaneously extending their reach across Europe.

Neon Valley Studios Joins Microgaming

September 15, 2019 by Admin

Prominent digital casino gaming monolith Microgaming has made a significant move to further its expansion. The company has, in recent months, taken multiple smaller studios under its umbrella. Their latest acquisition is Neon Valley Studios, who recently announced that they have signed on with Microgaming.

Neon Valley Studios have gained a reputation for unique takes on pokies with story-driven experiences, inspired by Las Vegas Culture. The studio’s focus is generally directed towards players beyond the United States, which is likely why Microgaming brought them on board. The firm has openly stated that diversifying the offering of games for a global audience is one of its main objectives. Neon Valley Studios was clearly a perfect addition to further their plans.

Fresh Pokies

A statement on the official Microgaming site declared that the new addition to its emergent network would add a unique flavour, bringing distinctive game experiences to the online casino market.

Beyond the potential diversity Neon Valley Studios bring to the table, the company boasts a team of seasoned designers and creators. Their creative talent pool is part of a larger development unit that brims with passion and productivity. The team takes pride in their ability to adapt and respond to an ever-changing technological and cultural landscape.

Gameburger sizzles with potential

Gameburger Studios, another recent acquisition by Microgaming, are well known for creating content that celebrates United States culture, popular with players all over the world. Exciting new developments and titles are surely on the horizon for this partnership.

Not wasting any time, Neon Valley Studios have already released their first official online pokies title under their new contract. The new game, titled “Aurora Wilds”, is already receiving rave reviews. The 5-reel, 10-payline game offers a rich visual experience, themed around the Northern Lights or ‘Aurora Borealis’. The new title is an exciting indication of what the future holds for this fresh partnership.

Yggdrasil beefs up their Pokies Portfolio with Yokozuna Clash

September 12, 2019 by Admin

Yggdrasil Gaming Limited has launched an all-out assault on the competition with the release of a new pokie called Yokozuna Clash. This sumo-wrestling themed extravaganza is more than just a five-reel pokie. Players get to experience the thrill of battling it out in a winner-takes-all tournament to snatch the championship title and win excellent rewards while they’re at it.

Yggdrasil, a Malta-based firm, has gained prominence in the online gaming development industry, with a reputation for innovation and exciting releases.

Built-in innovation

Yokozuna Clash combines the classic “243 Ways to Win” game experience with a fighting element that is increasingly popular with today’s gamblers.

The pokie is set against the backdrop of Tokyo and players are assigned a sumo wrestling character at the start of the game. The player enters dohyo, a traditional sumo-wrestling arena, to battle their opponents in an effort to ascend to the championship title. The fighting element of the game elevates it well beyond what the market currently offers. Yggdrasil, named after a mythical tree from Norse mythology, has shown their desire to change the face of gaming while planting the seeds of future successes.

A win-win, win situation

Yokozuna clash features Yggdrasil’s innovative winnings mechanics which allow the player many paths to attaining rewards. There are many hidden and exciting features, which are triggered randomly as the game progresses. A wide range of wilds and multipliers await users daring enough to take up this challenge.

Yggdrasil’s standard Prize Drop makes an appearance in this title, as well as their intriguing Mystery Prize Drop. Players trigger instant cash rewards, as well as other prizes, as they advance. On top of all of this excitement, free spins rounds are also included; these spins are randomly triggered and will give players advantages in each of their fights.

This medium-volatility pokie is available at all Yggdrasil powered desktop and mobile casinos and is sure to thrill anyone with a thirst for battle and winnings.

Fate of Gambling Ads in the hands of New Zealand public

September 8, 2019 by Admin

The government and various charity organisations will soon appeal to the public to weigh in on the possibility of banning certain promotion of gambling services and products. Anti-gambling advocates have recently reached out to both the New Zealand public and authorities, urging them to consider a total ban on betting advertising of any kind. Alternatively, they have suggested that warning messages be considered.

Innocent Ads or subversive promotion?

There is a plethora of advertising material for different wagering services that are available in New Zealand and anti-gambling activists have expressed concern that the presentation of this material may be deliberately misleading.

According to those opposed to gambling, these ads create the impression that wagering is simply a different kind of entertainment. Further concerns expressed were that wagering is depicted as being potentially profitable and fun. Some ads even go so far as to promote it as a wholesome activity for the entire family.

Perhaps taking advantage of the fact that betting at Online casinos etc. is an integral part of NZ culture, many of the advertisements in question do not explicitly mention wagering as such. Concerning in this regard is that some viewers may not recognize them as promotional while being encouraged to take risks in order to win.

A significant upsurge in wagering has increased both general participation and problem rates. A growing number of young people, some underage, are being afflicted by gambling addiction.

Statistics paint a startling picture

The fiscal year of 2016/17 saw the country’s residents registering losses of over NZ$2 billion, according to New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation.

Estimates by the foundation state that roughly 2% of Kiwis can be categorised as addicts, with their addiction affecting up to 6 other people on average. This includes family members, friends, and other members of the community.

Research studies indicate that gambling addiction may cause up to 3 times as much harm as drug abuse does.

Proponents of an outright ban on gambling have accused New Zealand casino operators of employing psychological manipulation to encourage people to spend more time and money at their establishments. Most typical casino, have a noticeable lack of clocks or external windows, designed to ensure that customers lose track of time.

Less overtly, Instant Kiwi, Lotto, and TAB services employ the use of advertisements that normalise wagering and depict it as simply another harmless element of New Zealand culture. There is a call to see direct-to-consumer ads banned outright or to have customer access to these drastically restricted. Whether or not these measures are introduced and to what extent, may now rest in the hands of the general public.

Gambling Law Change leaves Tasmania’s GST untouched

September 4, 2019 by Admin

Despite a possible increase in Tasmania‘s gambling tax rates, the state will not see a change in their Goods and Service Tax (GST) outcome.

Damien Febey, a Department of Treasury and Finance intergovernmental and financial policy branch assistant director, revealed this while answering a question from Murchison Independent MLC, Ruth Forrest, at a hearing in August

Forrest, the chairperson of the Legislative Council select committee, was conducting an inquiry into the Commonwealth GST distribution system’s impact on Tasmanian service delivery and expenses. The inquiry is being conducted, in part, through a comparison of actual and estimated expenses per capita in the state with the national average.

All income is equal

Tasmania currently receives 3.7% of the national GST pool. This will remain unchanged even if the state sees an increase in revenue due to higher gambling taxes. Febey advised that the state’s GST outcome would not be affected, as the income would be treated equally.

Earlier this year, the state government announced that it would introduce as much as a 15% point-of-consumption (POC) tax on net wagering revenue generated within Tasmania. The new tax is set to come into effect on 1 January 2020.

This will put the state in line with South and Western Australia, as well as Queensland and ACT, which also charge a 15% POC gambling tax. Victoria and New South Wales charge a lower POC tax at 10% and 8% respectively. The Northern Territory stands alone as the only state yet to implement a similar tax.

This tax category, which first made an appearance in Australia in 2017, has not been universally accepted.

In a letter to South Australian officials, The Australian Trainers’ Association, as well as Thoroughbred Racing SA, blasted the 15% tax rate, describing it as disadvantageous. They explained that the rate put their operations in jeopardy, due to bookmakers encouraging real money gamblers to bet in states with lower POC rates.

Quarantined Grants Questioned

In addition to the Tasmanian portion of the GST outcomes, Forrest questioned why certain Commonwealth Grants were quarantined. Forrest mentioned the example of the funds granted to the Royal Hobart Hospital for a rebuilding project, pointing out that the grant had been not been subject to GST.

Economic and financial policy deputy secretary Fiona Calvert responded, saying that any quarantined payments had been negotiated with the federal treasury. She added that the treasurer would prefer payments not to be quarantined as they would prefer to dissuade similar requests from other states.