Australian Casino News Archives - Page 7 of 9

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.

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.