Admin, Author at BestCasinos.co.nz

Spintec makes inroads into the “outback”

September 1, 2019 by Admin

“A great success”

This is how Slovenian electronic table game developer Spintec Gaming Technology described their time at the Annual Australasian gaming expo (AGE), which took place in Sydney, last week.

In an official press release, Spintec revealed how they thrilled customers and forged new alliances at the three-day event. This international expo allows exhibitors to demonstrate new and exciting technological innovations to the Australian gaming and hospitality industry.

The showcase

Spintec opened with an exhibition of an 8-station version of their Karma GEN2 automated roulette advance, which features inventive design concepts aimed at maximising player comfort and accessibility. This product exhibits how Spintech maintain a proven track record of keeping players engaged for longer sessions.

Also on show was their Aura multi-game amphitheater solution. Already a favourite with operators throughout Australia, Aura made an enduring impression on visitors encountering it for the first time.

The well-attended event allowed visitors to discover why Spintec can confidently claim that their innovative gaming solutions make the firm a gaming industry leader.

A new alliance

Spintec signed a milestone deal with Independent Gaming, a local gaming distributor. According to Spintec, the partnership with the Sydney-based firm had already resulted in several installations in various locations across Australia. The alliance is vital to the company’s strategy to grow into new market territory and acquire new partnerships and installations.

More expos on the horizon

Spintec call the Slovenian town of SempeterpriGorici home but have their eye on conquering the rest of the globe. Eager to ride the wave of their Australian success story, Spintec expect to wow attendees with their unique product line. They will begin in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the annual ICE Africa expo in October. Next, the company will exhibit in Las Vegas, at the prestigious Global Gaming Expo (G2E).

The growing pains of online gambling in New Zealand

August 29, 2019 by Admin

Online gambling has recently gained increasing popularity in New Zealand and while the industry is enjoying the boom, it has drawn attention from anti-gambling activists and other concerned groups who have proposed that government regulators have adopted an inappropriate approach with regards to dealing with this new trend.

A dicey situation

Despite its availability, online gambling is not fully legal in New Zealand. Players are able to access it via foreign companies, with up to NZ$381 million flowing out of the country over the last 18 months. This detail, in particular, has raised the ire of campaigners, who have in turn placed pressure on New Zealand’s government to take action.

Regulation revamp

Lawmakers have taken the hint and have begun the process of amending the country’s gambling laws. The Gambling Act, which has not been updated since 2003, is dated and inadequate for dealing with this new wave of technology. On July 31^st, the Department of Internal Affairs advised that four major reforms were in the pipeline for the online gambling industry. However, according to activists, these reforms are far too concerned with economic issues, rather than mitigating the potential negative impact on New Zealanders.

Reforms, but at what cost?

Anti-gambling organizations have pointed out that, rather than regulating more strictly, three of the reforms appear to allude to more avenues of gambling being made available to players, with the fourth doing nothing to change the status quo.

The option that seems most likely to succeed would grant the national lottery, currently the only legal online operator, an expanded mandate to introduce its own online gambling platform, including casino games. The issue is still currently pending as no firm decisions have been taken as yet.

The public has been encouraged to provide their input, which will form part of the final resolutions made at the end of September this year.

John Schappert to Join The Stars Group

August 25, 2019 by Admin

The Stars Group, known as international big-hitter in the gaming and online gambling world, has announced it has appointed industry guru, John Schappert to its board of directors. Schappert has joined the company’s international management team as an independent director and a member of the board’s compensation and technology committees.

A Long and Distinguished Career

Few can boast the wealth of industry experience Schappert brings as he enters The Stars group, having first made an impact on the industry when he co-founded Tiburon Entertainment, the video game development studio. During the early part of his career, Schappert occupied the position of Corporate Vice President Microsoft Corporation’s Interactive Entertainment Business unit in addition to serving as Chairman and Chief Executive at both EA and Zynga.

Currently, Schappert serves as Chief Executive and Chairman for the video game software developer, Shiver Entertainment, (since 2012) and as Chairman for developers, Motorsport Games, and Pipeworks Studios.

Extensive Management Reshuffling

Schappert has been appointed in the midst of a much broader shift within the top management structures of Star Group’s international division.

For example, Asaf Noifeld, has vacated his position as Director of Product and Innovation and taken over as Managing Director of Casino. Notfield has replaced Bo Wanhammer, Mr. Green Chief Executive, who has been moved into a strategic advisory position for all international business. Meanwhile, Severin Rasset, former Director of Poker Innovation and Operations, has assumed the role of Managing Director and Commercial Officer of Pokers. Also, the new President of the International Unit and now reporting directly to Rafi Ashkenazi – Stars Chief Executive – is Gino Appiotti, who, since joining the group in 2011 has occupied different senior roles in the firm.

International Revenue Dip

It should come as no surprise that The Stars Group has introduced these managerial shifts at the same time as releasing its six-month results for the period ending 30 June 2019. While these results show a 51.4% increase in revenue for the period (up to US$1.22 billion from US$804.4 million in the same period last year) the showing of the company’s international business division has been less than impressive. As the group’s principal revenue producer, which covers operations outside of the United Kingdom (Sky Betting and Gaming) and Australia (William Hill Australia and CrownBet), their 9.5% year-on-year decline to US$662.5 million can only be viewed as disappointing. Furthermore, all other sectors experienced a decline over the first half of the year, even as betting revenue increased by 5.5%.

Perhaps a managerial reshuffle is just what the firm needs to turn the fortunes of its international division around.

Skycity Online Casino launches this August

August 18, 2019 by Admin

In a perpetual state of advancement, online gaming brings with it something new to gamers just about every day, and New Zealand gamers are about to experience a brand new world of entertainment thanks to a new partnership between SkyCity Casino and GiG. The partnership is said to be a long-term one and with it, a bright new world of fun and games comes this way.

What the Partnership Entails

SkyCity Malta Limited signed a long-term partnership agreement with the Gaming Innovation Group Inc (GIG) in May of this year. SkyCity is a new subsidiary of SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (SKYCITY) based in New Zealand and its purpose is to provide its turnkey online casino solution. This includes a gambling license.

This turnkey solution will include the following:

the technical platform
fully managed services
gaming content
front end development
CRM
And compliance and marketing

GiG’s role will be to operate the online casino site from Malta on behalf of SkyCity. This would allow them to offer online gambling to gamers living in New Zealand.

It is illegal, according to New Zealand’s gambling regulations, for online casinos to be hosted or operated within the country. Therefore, SkyCity, a New Zealand based company, has chosen Malta from which to host their new online casino.

The idea to enter the online gaming market was first made known by SkyCity in February 2019. This was followed in May by an announcement of their partnership with GiG.

GiG is the legendary mastermind which has brought us some of the most impressive online casinos the industry has seen. These include massive titles like Guts and Rizk Casino. Bearing this in mind, their partnership with SkyCity could go down in gaming history as a masterstroke.

Partners in Success

The SkyCity CEO, Graeme Stevens, stated that they were extremely delighted with their partnership with GiG. Stevens said growing and diversifying their earnings was a key component of their group strategic plan. He continued to say that the online casino will allow them to offer an enhanced gaming proposition to their customers. He described the online casino as a strategic entry into a space they believe has more long-term relevance.

Graeme Stevens, CEO of SkyCity, said that they were ecstatic about the meeting of minds with GIG, stating that diversifying and growing their earnings is one of its primary focal point in their company strategy. He went on to say that the partnership outcomes will provide an enhanced gaming experience for its customers and described the goal of entering the space as one of growing long-term relevance.

As delighted with the partnership was GIG CEO, Robin Reed, as it has enabled the company to enter the market of a new continent, claiming in the same breath that their new partners (SkyCity) share the same ideals i.e. to provide the highest of gaming standards and to work toward a responsible, safe and fun gaming experience.

SkyCity Online Launch

There is a huge buzz around the launch of the online SkyCity Casino, which will take place in the third quarter of 2019. The main focus of the online casino will be on New Zealand players, but the operator has said it will be more than welcoming of players from Europe and Canada.

An exact date of the launch has yet to be announced but word around is that it will happen sometime this month. If one thing is certain, New Zealand gamers can look forward to amazing new bonuses when signing up at the casino.

If you’re a New Zealand resident we advise that you keep a lookout for the keenly awaited launch of the SkyCity online Casino.

LeoVegas Doubles Your Fun With New Mobile Multiplay Function

August 14, 2019 by Admin

The online gaming industry can be a difficult space to navigate when you’re looking for a high-quality gaming experience. Not to worry, though. LeoVegas’s Multiplay is about to change all that!

Introducing MultiPlay

LeoVegas Casino is one of the more popular online casinos around. Not only does it offer you great casino entertainment, but it also offers its players a sportsbook.

Recently they launched their LeoAlerts App, which gives gamers and sports bettors the chance to stay ahead of bets. The app also allows you to make changes when the odds change in your favour.

But they didn’t stop there. Now, they’ve brought us Multiplay, which is a real game-changer for mobile slot players. And this is not surprising. In gaming circles, it has been well-known that LeoVegas has secretly been working on creating this app since last year with the main idea behind it to make their casino and mobile casino more enjoyable for players.

What this means for you is that you can play two different mobile games at the same time with this app. That’s right. You don’t have to just play one slot at a time. With Multiplay, you now have the option of simultaneously spinning your favourite slots for big wins!

How does MultiPlay work?

As soon as you’ve chosen a game with the Multiplay icon, you will see a white icon that looks like a mobile phone’s screen in 2 boxes. Click on it and it will let you choose a second game. Upon choosing the two games you wish to play, your screen will split into two. The top half of the screen will see your open slot while the other game will feature at the bottom.

And it gets even better – there is no need to change between the slots. This app allows to you run one slot on auto-play while you place your entire focus on the other. You are also given a full view of both slots without the edges being cut off.

One of the most notable features of the MultiPlay app is that it is adjustable. This allows you to play in the screen mode you prefer. In Portrait Mode the screen is divided evenly, while in Landscape Mode you can enjoy one on full screen while the other one is minimized. You can also move the latter game to any area of the screen. At any time, you have the option to click on the minimized screen and swap the two games around.

Double the Entertainment

LeoVegas Casino is really upping their game for mobile gamblers with their new MultiPlay function, and is definitely the place to be if you want to experience the joy of playing two slots at the same time!

Microgaming Poker Announces “Cash Mountain” Promotion

August 10, 2019 by Admin

An awesome new summer promotion providing real money game players a chance to win some delicious rewards has been announced by Microgaming Poker Network (MPN). The promotion is officially called, “Cash Mountain,” about which MD of Poker at Microgaming, Alex Scott stated, “Building upon the success of our last cash game leaderboard, we are delighted to launch Cash Mountain, a new promotion designed to reward cash game players. We look forward to the promotion kicking off in August,”

The promotion will be made up of three cash game leaderboards on 12-16 August, 19-23 August, and 26-30 August. If you happen to be one of the lucky five players to end up in the top five spots on one of the leaderboards, you will have a choice between these three amazing prizes: $750 in cash, a $1500 live events package or a $1550 online tournament tickets package.

If you wish to hit the summit of the Cash Mountain leaderboards you must play a minimum of 2500 hands at stakes of $0.05/$0.10 or above during each leaderboard phase. Big blind increments won at each eligible stake level will earn you leaderboard points. Negative points are scored on any day for those who play 100 hands or more at stakes $0.05/$0.10 or above. These players will be entered into the Daily Run Bad Flip Freeroll the following day at 8 pm when the top 10 players will be awarded $50 each.

Good luck!

The Top 10 Biggest Online Progressive Jackpot Slots of 2019 So Far

August 4, 2019 by Admin

There are so many slots out there, but when it comes to choosing the one for you, which ones are the best? Literally, thousands of slots, featuring an array of different themes and features exist, but if there is one truth about the gaming world everybody is plainly aware of, it’s that it is always games with progressive jackpots that get the most attention. Progressive slots are a unique group of games thanks to its potential to yield massive, life-changing payouts. This, even when played at the lowest of stakes. The following are the best of the best of these slots; the ones that just happen to stand out from the rest.

1. Mega Moolah

Microgaming’s progressive slot, Mega Moolah, presently stands tallest among the bunch. This is largely due to currently holding the record for the biggest-ever jackpot won online – a mind-boggling €18.9 million – which one lucky gamer won in October of 2010. The slot is known for its 25-paylines and will take you through the African wilderness on a safari adventure. Mega Moolah can be triggered on any random spin and will take you to the jackpot wheel, where you can win one of four progressives: Mini, Minor, Major, or the Mega.

2. Mega Moolah Isis

Mega Moolah Isis is essentially its predecessor in a different guise. Also, brought to you by Microgaming, both games share the same jackpot pool. They also offer virtually identical gameplay options with 25 paylines across 5 reels coupled with a free spins bonus which comes with a win multiplier. The biggest difference is aesthetic. Mega Moolah Isis takes on the old Egyptian theme, with symbols such as pyramids, golden butterflies, Nile crocodiles and, of course, Isis herself.

3. Mega Fortune

Mega Fortune is another huge hit among gamers who love their progressive jackpot slots and is brought to you by NetEnt. The game once held the record for the biggest-ever online jackpot for some time after its massive payout of €17.8 million in 2013. Mega Fortune features 25 paylines and is themed around a luxury lifestyle. The game’s symbols include yachts, fancy cars, watches expensive wine bottles, etc. You can trigger the jackpot bonus by landing three bonus wheel symbols on one of the paylines.

4. Jackpot Giant

Jackpot Giant has never reached the heights of popularity some of the other games on this list have. That’s due in part to its creators, Playtech, not making the games in their stable as widely available on online casinos as other operators do. Don’t overlook this game, though. It is known to have paid out one of the biggest jackpots in online slot history – a whopping $12.3 million jackpot October 2018. On the Jackpot Giant, you will see 50 paylines and an assortment of rocks and gems for symbols. To win a jackpot, players must line up five golden wild symbols on the first payline while playing the maximum bet.

5. Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights may not be the most popular in the NetEnt’s stable of progressive slots, but the game has a reputation for big hits thanks to its incredible €8.6 million payout back in November of 2012. From the slot’s name, you could guess the slot features symbols represent the Arabian culture. In order to land a jackpot, players must bet the maximum on all 10 lines and hit five wild symbols on a payline.

6. Joker Millions

The Joker Millions slot is relatively new to the universe of progressive slots. It was created by Yggdrasil, an industry up-and-comer which has been creating a lot of buzz recently. Joker Millions is a 25-payline slot, and its world is made up of classic symbols like 7s, bells, cherries, plums, watermelons, and oranges. If you to trigger the bonus round by landing five Joker symbols on the reels followed by filling the screen up with jokers, you will hit a jackpot. This may appear difficult, but several players have already managed to do it with the luckiest of them all seeing a massive payout worth €7.8 million in November of 2018.

7. Hall of Gods

Hall of Gods features the always popular Norse theme with Viking gods and heroes on the reels. Although this is an older game created by NetEnt, with graphics that won’t blow you away, Hall of Gods, a 20-payline slot, more than compensates for its lack of aesthetic charm with its amazing jackpot. Its biggest payout of €7.8 million occurred on April 2015. The jackpot can be won in the pick-and-click bonus feature.

8. Beach Life

To be honest, Beach Life isn’t as popular as it should be. Brought to you by Playtech, the game offers a simple, cartoonish design depicting things and characters you’d expect to find at a beach on an average day, but it also hides great potential on its 20-payline. If you land five wild sun symbols on the 20th payline you will hit the game’s progressive jackpot. The biggest amount paid out to date by Beach Life is €6.2 million.

9. Gold Rally

Gold Rally is an old-fashioned slot. However, it also has the potential to change your life. A Playtech creation, with its 3×3 grid and just 8 paylines, the slot’s relative simplicity will remind you of days gone by. However, if you are lucky enough to fill an entire grid with scatters (golden scales), you’ll be in for a special treat in the form of a progressive jackpot. The biggest payout this slot is known for is €4.7 million.

10. Millionaire Genie

Millionaire Genie is featured on a limited number of online casinos, brought to you by 888. Because it’s not widely found, this online slot treat can easily be missed by players so look out for it. Themed around Arabian traditional symbols, this slot features 15-paylines and a shot at a big jackpot payout. To date, the biggest amount won on the Millionaire Genie slot machine is €4.6 million.

Microgaming Skates in on Ice with New Break Away Deluxe Video Pokie

July 31, 2019 by Admin

Hot on the heels of premiering its Jungle Jim and the Lost Sphinx video game, Microgaming, the renowned online casino games and software developer, has taken to the ice for Break Away Deluxe, its latest five-reel slot sensation.

On the Back of Winning Titles

The operator, based in Isle of Man, recently announced in a press release that its newest video pokie was exclusively developed in the wake of the popular Agent Jane Blonde Returns, Fortunium, and Dragon Shard games. In this game, you are invited to have fun and win big as a professional ice hockey player.

Payline Offerings

According to Microgaming, Break Away Deluxe is a mobile-friendly version of its predecessor Break Away. The game offers ‘fast and high-volatility action’ as it employs its rolling reels to present online gaming lovers with the choice to select between 18, 38, 68 and 88 paylines.

Wilds

Global Operations Director for Microgaming, James Buchanan, used the press release to expound on the idea that higher rewards lie in wait on this game across more paylines. Furthermore, scoring in the base game is even easier with the ability to now collect super stacked wilds on reels three, four and five. Break Away Deluxe, he went on to say, offers the Smashing Wild feature where one of the three middle reels is turned fully wild for certain wins before staying in place for every roll that follows.

Bonus Features

Buchanan added that in addition to all of the above, the game gives players who land a minimum of three scatter symbols a twelve-spin bonus round featuring an octuple multiplier trail. This advance, he stated, is accompanied by Growing Wilds on reels two to five in order to increase ‘each wild stack by one wild with every spin and intensifying the excitement throughout the feature’.

Summing up the game, Buchanan stated, “Break Away Deluxe takes all the action of the phenomenally popular original slot, layering it up with even more exciting and rewarding features. Stormcraft Studios has successfully created a high-volatility slot experience with excellent win potential up to 3,200 times the initial bet. We’re looking forward to seeing fans and new players alike immerse themselves in this engrossing update of a true Microgaming classic.”

Tesla Model 3 Giveaway with Big Time Gaming

July 28, 2019 by Admin

Breaking news! Big Time Gaming is offering you the chance to win your own Tesla Model 3.

Casino games developer Big Time Gaming are giving players at online casinos across New Zealand where their game content is featured, the opportunity to win a brand new Tesla car. That’s right! Between now and the end of November you could stand the chance to drive off in model 3 Tesla, which has a range in excess of 300 miles on a fully charged battery and acceleration of 3.2 seconds for 0 – 60mph. This awesome ride is worth just under NZ$72 000.

Between now and November BGT will track, across all their pokies and as well as all their casino partners, the biggest win multiplier every month. If you are one of the lucky players to achieve the biggest win in any of the months leading up November your name will be entered in the final draw.

Five winners (the biggest winners of each month) will vie for the top prize of the Tesla Model 3, while the four runners up will walk away with an 8k TV and 3 lots of cash prizes worth just over NZ$18600. Terms and conditions apply. Be sure to check out the leader competition leader board which will be published on Casino and Affiliate sites between now and the final draw.

Mark the date. The last day of the competition is the 30th of November, while the prize draw is all set to take place in early December.

How to enter

These Competitions may be entered online via the affiliated casino sites.
Availability and pricing of Competitions is at the discretion of the Promoter, entry to the Competitions is available via the Websites and the operator of the Websites shall have absolute discretion on whether an entry is valid and the Websites shall have the discretion as to whether to participate in the Competition.
All real money players of BTG’s slots on Websites who have a big win will be eligible to be entered into the Competition provided that the operator of the Websites provides the relevant information and agrees that they will be participating in the Competition by providing the relevant data to BTG.
In order to enter a Competition, you will need to register an account with a Website or already have one with a participating Website. You will then have to play a BTG slot and if you have the biggest multiplier win with real money play on a BTG slot you will be entered into a leaderboard. The highest placed people on the leaderboard (the players with the biggest win) which will be decided on NOVEMBER 30th 2019 will be entered into a prize draw to win a Tesla Model 3. In addition, there will 4 runner-up prizes of an 8k Samsung TV, 3x £1000 cash which will be drawn from the prize draw.
You will automatically be entered into the Completion if the Operator of the Website provides the information to BTG
The Promoter reserves the right to refuse or disqualify any Entries if it has reasonable grounds for believing that an Entrant has controverted any of these Terms and Conditions.

Good luck!

Evolution Gaming Brings You 2 New First-Person Games

July 24, 2019 by Admin

Two new titles by the top providers of Live Casino solutions, Evolution Gaming, have just been launched. The games, First-Person Lightning Roulette and First-Person Dream Catcher, have been added to the brand’s palette of RNG online slots, which include the inventive and integrated Go Live function.

Both titles are RNG-based versions of the company’s award-winning Evolution Gaming live casino with Evolution’s Lightning Roulette having won three awards in 2018 for Game of the Year for its live dealer version, and Dream Catcher, which features a spinning money wheel and a charismatic presenter, crowned Digital Product of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards at G2E Las Vegas.

Online and mobile operators looking to spice up their current line-up have added the new First-Person versions, as they have just become available.

Specs

An HD hyper-realistic, animated roulette table is the centerpiece of the First-Person Lightning Roulette game. Lightning effects flashing all over the game literally make for an electrifying experience. One to five randomly generated Lucky Numbers are struck by lightning in each round, attaching a random multiplier with it, which can be anything from x50 to x500.

First Person Dream Catcher is easy to play. Its design is based on the huge, multi-segmented spinning wheels of fortune often seen hanging in land-based casinos. All you would need to do is place your bet on the numbered segment where you believe the wheel will stop. The excitement of the game is raised by x2 and x7 multiplier segments on the wheel.

Going Live

A key feature of these two games is the Go Live button and, as with any Evolution Gaming First Person game, it can be found in the User Interface of the games. You will find yourself instantly transported from the First-Person version you are playing through an in-game portal to a live version when you hit this button. The transition is seamless with the First-Person mode offering a user-friendly interface. Also, the same rules as the live version apply.

Todd Haushalter, Chief Product Officer at Evolution Gaming, explained how their First-Person Gaming range continues to capitalize on modern technology. The company did this to assist their licensees to build player loyalty, which he believes they are in the process of doing right across their online casino palette. Haushalter added that all their Evolution Gaming First-Person titles are great games in and of themselves in addition to offering gamers excellent animation and gameplay. However, these titles depart from the standard RNG equivalents with the addition of the Go Live button. This button allows you to go further than before into the universe of Live Casino.