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Relax Gaming cement online pokies deal with SkillOnNet

January 31, 2020 by Admin

SkillOnNet is gaining traction towards being one of the most renowned platform providers in the online casino industry. They have seen significant, recent growth in their range of online pokies, thanks to an alliance formed with reputable development studio, Relax Gaming.

The deal gives Relax Gaming exclusive mandate to provide a full range of desktop and mobile optimised content to the platform, as well as its partnered operators. Further to this, Relax gaming will provide all titles created by their collaboration initiative, Silver Bullet. The Silver Bullet program gives independent developers access to the studio’s resources, in order to create inventive, appealing casino games outside the organisation’s primary operations.

Any operators engaging with SkillOnNet will have immediate access to the studio’s content. This encompasses all existing casino games, as well as any upcoming releases.

Fast growth

SkillOnNet has shown no signs of slowing its rapid expansion. Relax Gaming is a new entry on an extensive list of recently acquired partnerships.

The combined efforts of these developers have provided a total of 3,000 titles in total. This includes a huge catalogue of top premium online pokies, advanced live dealer games, online Blackjack, online Roulette and so much more. The list of titles includes popular classics and plenty of fan favourites. Some of the more popular online pokies include Tumble Tumble, Money Train, and Let’s Get Ready To Rumble.

The SkillOnNet platform is on the fast track to reaching the pinnacle of the online casino world. Maintaining their growth rate is a challenge they will have to meet if they hope to achieve their goals.

Favourable forecast for partnered operators

New operators are joining the platform at breakneck speed. Prominent names such as Max Win, Dice Labs, Electric Elephant, Northern Lights Games, and Kalamba Games have all joined the rush.

SkillOnNet’s ambitions are bright, bold and happening in front of us. With their dedication to growth and innovation, they’re sure to keep making the news for all the right reasons.

Guinness Gambling World Records

January 7, 2020 by Admin

Gambling is an international pastime and passion, with its own set of astounding records and achievements. We scoured the Guinness world records archives to bring you some of the more significant records held today.

Guinness Gambling World Records: The Slot Machine

Most slot machines running the same game simultaneously

Online casino news details that the record for most slot machines running the same game simultaneously was 1610 machines. This was achieved by Bally Technologies on 27th April 2013 at the Mohegan Sun Montville in Connecticut, USA.

Largest jackpot payout from an online slot machine game

Jon Heywood (UK) achieved this enviable record on 6 October 2015. He won an eye-watering €17,879,645 ($20,062,600, £13,209,300) after hitting the jackpot on Microgaming’s Mega Moolah on the Betway website.

Largest slot machine tournament

Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn, Washington, USA, achieved this mammoth record with a tournament that involved 3173 participants on 30 April 2016.

Largest slot machine win

In 2003, an unsuspecting software engineer put $100 into a slot machine at the Excalibur hotel-casino in Las Vegas and was surprised by a massive $39,713,982 win.

Guinness Gambling World Records: Casinos

The oldest croupier

The profession of being a croupier is almost as old as organized gambling. Joanna Dodd (b. 15 January 1936, USA) is currently the world’s oldest croupier at age 79 and still plies her trade at the Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The World’s Biggest Casino

The Cosmopolitan region of Macau on the Chinese South coast is home to a monolith of a casino. The Venetian Macau includes a massive 51,100 m2 gambling area, which opened on 27 August 2007. This casino-hotel resort is owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation and boasts over 3,400 slot machines and 870 gaming tables. The world’s second-largest casino is the Venetian Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, owned by the same company.

Image: Venetian Macua

Guinness gambling world records: Table Games

Most players in an internet poker room

Online poker news reported that the most players recorded together online were hosted at PokerStars.com on 6 September 2009. The players numbered 307,016, playing at 42,814 virtual tables.

Largest prize money for a baccarat tournament

Lin Hasain managed a huge 100,000,000 HKD (12,890,500 USD) win at the Sands Cotai Central Sheraton Ballroom in Macau on 3 March 2015.

Largest functioning blackjack table

On 13 September 2013, the Viejas Casino (USA) in Alpine, California, celebrated its 21^st anniversary on a grand scale with a novelty blackjack table that measured 206.85 m2 in surface area. One hand of blackjack was played at the table, using oversized casino chips and cards to match the gigantic installation.

Largest roulette wheel in the world

The Casino Du Liban in Lebanon made waves in 2017 by installing a gargantuan roulette wheel that measures 8.75 m2 in diameter. The fully functional mechanism is mounted on the dome ceiling of the casino and can be used via electronic control.

Image: Casino Du Liban Roulette wheel

Guinness Gambling World Records: The Gambling World

Largest gambling city

In 2016, gambling revenue records revealed that Macau, China pulled in $27.8 billion in gambling revenue. Macau’s gambling industry is currently 330% larger than Las Vegas’.

Most money lost by a nation to gambling per capita

Sadly, there are no winners with this record. During 2010 Australia recorded that the average Australian, aged 17 or over, lost US$ 1,199. Approximately 70% of Australians participate in some type of gambling, with total average annual gambling losses hovering somewhere around the US$19 billion mark.

Choose the Right Payment Method to Efficiently Manage Your Casino Bankroll

November 20, 2019 by Admin

Playing casino games online involves real money. That’s why it is important to take care of every aspect of it. Casino bankroll management is a concept that can help you be a successful casino player. While it cannot help you beat the game, it can save you from turning into a loser. Knowing how much you can afford to gamble is the first step to mastering the art of casino bankroll management. Another thing that can help you manage your bankroll efficiently is to know which payment method is perfect for you. In this article, we bring you information that can make you decide which casino deposit method may be the most suitable for you.

Safety is the Number One Priority

When joining an online casino, you will be faced with multiple options. It is not only about choosing casino games. You need to select a banking method you will use to fund your casino account and withdraw your winnings from it as well. If you want to win real money payouts, you need to wager real money and whenever real money is involved, you should think about safety. Signing up with a reputable online casino that holds a license issued by a trustworthy gaming authority is the first step towards ensuring that you will enjoy a safe gaming experience. Such a gaming establishment supports safe and convenient banking methods you can use without worries.

However, certain payment methods are safer to use than others when it comes to online transactions. For instance, when you use your credit or debit card, you need to provide the casino with sensitive details such as your card number. Although a reputable online casino won’t compromise your data, revealing them to the third party always comes with a risk. That’s why payment methods that serve as a link between your credit card or bank account and your casino account are more convenient and safe to use. Think about e-wallets that enable you to carry out your transactions externally. If you have ever used any e-wallet like Skrill or PayPal, you know what we are talking about. Once you set up your e-wallet, you need to login into your account through the casino website to complete your transaction, which adds another layer of security.

Transactions Should Be Processed Fast and Free of Extra Costs

Today, deposits are processed instantly in most cases. On the other hand, cashing out may take some time, which depends on the preferred banking method. If you want your transactions carried out quickly, check out which the fastest banking options are. In most cases, they are e-wallets while bank transfers typically take so long, which is their biggest drawback.

What can help you save your bankroll and play casino games longer is to avoid paying transaction fees. This is one of the most important aspects you need to take into consideration when choosing a payment method. When it comes to fees, you need to study all the terms and conditions, imposed by the casino and the payment service provider as well. Some costs may not be visible at once. For example, transferring your funds via e-wallets is typically free of any additional costs charged by the casino. However, when you want to upload funds to your wallet or clear money from it, you will probably have to pay a certain fee. Fees differ from brand to brand and sometimes their rate depends on the country you are coming from.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are more and more popular with online casino players lately. They allow players from countries that have not regulated online gambling yet to play real money casino games. While transactions in virtual currencies are processed in no time and typically have no fees, you should keep in mind that they are quite volatile. The price of Bitcoin fluctuates often, which can affect your bankroll. If you want to buy any of cryptocurrencies or turn them into a fiat currency, you will have to pay a conversion fee though. Speaking of conversion fees, always look up for those casinos that accept your local currency so that you don’t have to spend money on these expenses.

Payment Method Can Earn You a Bonus

Certain casinos host recurring or one-time promotions where you can obtain a bonus for using a certain payment method. This is a nice way to give your balance a boost. Yet, you should pay attention to all the terms and conditions under which this payment method operates. You don’t want to choose a solution that will earn you a bonus once while charging fees on each transaction you make.

There are also casinos that exclude users of some e-wallets from welcome bonuses and promotions. That’s why it is of the utmost importance to read the terms and conditions thoroughly before you opt for a certain banking method.

In Conclusion

To sum up, if you want to make the most of the money you deposit to the casino, you need to be careful about the choices you make. Read the terms and conditions and choose those payment solutions that will be the most convenient for you in the long run. We have provided you with the most important criteria you need to pay attention to, but there is no general advice that applies to all casino players. The factors that may affect your choice are manifold, so make your decision wisely taking into account all of the above.

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.