NZ Casino news Archives - Page 4 of 7

Spinstars hits the big time with Microgaming content deal

October 3, 2021 by Admin

Globally recognised iGaming provider Microgaming has partnered with yet another innovative studio to grow the selection of content available on its aggregation platform.

The new addition to the Microgaming fold is the fledgling studio, Spinstars which will now have access to the provider’s extensive distribution channel and will be able to extend its reach across multiple markets, like Belgium, Germany, and all Malta jurisdictions. The developer will also be pleased that it will soon be able to get its foot in the door when the Dutch regulated market opens up.

Spinstars was founded in 2018 in Gibraltar. The company is run by a team of industry experts who share a wealth of combined experience in the iGaming sphere. The studio’s content is designed with mass appeal in mind and Spinstars has also launched a platform that offers operators a handy toolkit to assist with the implementation of its games.

The developer’s current slot portfolio includes ten exciting titles such as Wild Joker, Steampunk500, and the Netherlands-inspired The Voice of Holland. All of the studio’s content is licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority.

Potential-Packed Partnership

Microgaming Director of Aggregation, Graeme Powrie, said that the company is ecstatic to welcome its new partner as it offers a “wealth of unique and exciting gameplay experiences with a classic slot machine feel.”

Powrie added that the new partnership coincides with other exciting developments as the provider readies for its entry into the Netherlands’ newly regulated iGaming market on October 1.

Spinstars CEO, Joeri Dikkeboom, stated that the operators are eager to get their hands on the company’s content as they are looking for unique titles that “strike the right note” in markets where traditional slots still dominate over video slots, with the Dutch market being one such example.

Dikkeboom also said that Microgaming is the ideal partner to help it meet this demand and that the firm has been very helpful in Spinstars’ goal to inject ‘new technology’ into ‘classic games.’

Microgaming’s library of content keeps growing at an exponential rate with intriguing and engrossing new titles. One recent notable release was Jurassic World: Raptor Riches, a Fortune Factory Studios production.

NetEnt celebrates EGR nomination

September 28, 2021 by Admin

The EGR Italy Awards are a celebration of excellence in the local iGaming industry where the efforts of front-running brands are recognised and rewarded. The ceremony focuses on the best of the best in betting and gaming software, mobile, payments, recruitment, IT, infrastructure, and many more.

NetEnt is in a jovial mood after finding itself nominated for the illustrious Casino Content Supplier award for the 2021 edition of this event, thanks to the developer’s brilliant pokie releases. The awards will take place on 27 October 2021

With measures to combat the global pandemic beginning to take effect, the event organisers have opted for a 100% in-person format this year, in contrast to the 2021 EGR B2B awards which were a hybrid between virtual and in-person.

Stiff Competition

NetEnt will be facing down other global iGaming giants as it competes for the accolade. Names like Betsoft, Microgaming, Scientific Games and Playtech appear on the shortlist, guaranteeing that the judges will have a hard time making their final decision among these titans of the sector.

The developer, however, has good reason to get its hopes up, after recently snagging the hotly-contested Mobile Gaming Software Supplier and Innovation in Slot Provision trophies at the 2021 EGR B2B awards.

Over the past year, the supplier has released a flurry of excellent pokies including Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt and Divine Fortune Megaways, making it a top contender to take home even more silverware before the year is done.

A Flourishing Brand

NetEnt is a leading supplier of iGaming content and is part of Evolution Gaming Group AB. Its pokies enjoy high levels of international popularity, drawing particular interest from markets in Europe and the US.

The company recently gained further ground in the actively regulating US market via a content supply deal with social casino specialist, High 5 games.

Winning chances explode at LeoVegas with progressive jackpot fiesta

September 24, 2021 by Admin

LeoVegas has once again established itself as a top online casino with another mind-blowing promotion. Visitors to the site have the opportunity to tackle 100 progressive jackpot slots bearing the LeoJackpot badge to win fabulous cash prizes.

The operator has introduced four different progressive jackpots with the largest seeding at $5,000,000. You just need to ensure that you’ve chosen a qualifying bet and you have to select ‘Yes’ to communications in your account settings to be notified of new tournaments.

Make sure you’re eligible

To get in the running to claim one of the LeoJackpots, you have to choose a game with the LeoJackpot badge. Slots without the badge are not linked to the progressive promotion. Next, you will be prompted to read the rules of the promotion and a ‘Join Now’ button will allow you to opt-in. You will have to wager $0.10 or more per spin as anything lower will disqualify you.

From each bet you make, a fraction is funneled into the progressive LeoJackpot. The jackpot feature is random and can activate on any spin. When this happens, a segmented Jackpot Wheel will emerge and you will spin it to see which prize is yours.

The Mini, Minor, Major, and Mega jackpots are up for grabs with the Mini jackpot seeding at $15, and the Mega seeding at the magical amount of $5,000,000. Click here and visit LeoVegas Casino if you want to try out the LeoJackpot promotion and win one of four progressive jackpots.

The Jackpot winnings will automatically be transferred to your account and with the progressive prizes having no upper limit, one winning spin could change your life forever.

New BLAST! engine explodes into action with Relax Gaming and LeoVegas

September 21, 2021 by Admin

Relax Gaming has announced a thrilling development that sees it team-up with premium online casino operator, LeoVegas. The two have come together to release an exciting new slot mechanic with game-changing capabilities.

The innovation is named BLAST! And it has been designed by the developers at Relax Gaming to boost player engagement.

BLAST! answers a need that was likely on the tip of many players’ tongues. The mechanic allows slot enthusiasts to skip animations and normal spins of the reels while simultaneously running multiple games on auto-play. So all you need to do is choose your bet level, hit BLAST! and watch the system take care of the rest.

Gaining access to the new engine only requires you to open a game and select the BLAST! icon situated at the top of the screen. A lobby will open that contains all available games with the feature integrated.

Once the game has been chosen, you will choose your number of auto spins and decide on your bet. The BLAST! progress bar will show how the game is doing as it runs in the background and notifications pop up whenever a bonus round is triggered.

At the moment, you will only be able to experience this feature is in selected Relax Gaming titles at LeoVegas Casino.

Explosive innovation

Simon Hammon, CPO at Relax Gaming followed up the announcement with his own comments, saying,

“BLAST! is a fantastically innovative feature, and it really is an exciting step forward in iGaming, we’re delighted to be working alongside such an innovative partner.”

“We’re always looking to offer the best and most pioneering ways possible for players to consume our content, and working with a top-tier operator and respected name like LeoVegas has provided us with that opportunity,” he added.

Sam Leggott, Head of Strategy and Business Development at LeoVegas, conveyed the operator’s excitement at the release of the new feature and the new partnership. He emphasised that the casino endeavours to provide its players with “the greatest gaming experience there is, and to do so, we continue to innovate.”

“By adding our BLAST! feature to Relax top-performing titles, we will offer LeoVegas players a thrilling new way to enjoy their favourite games. We’re delighted to have worked with Relax on this project,” Leggott said.

Christchurch city council tightens Sinking Lid policy amid pokie concerns

September 17, 2021 by Admin

The city of Christchurch has decided to retain its restrictive policies regarding poker machines following requests from anti-gambling campaigners and gambling addiction groups for local authorities to continue its suppression of pokies.

The City Council made no changes to its existing policy that regulates gambling and TAB venues. This means that the allowed number and location of non-casino gambling facilities remains as is. Christchurch’s current gambling policy was created in 2004 with mandated regulatory reviews every three years.

The City Council’s choice to leave the existing rules has not gone over well with all involved. The Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand has continually requested that Christchurch authorities consider relaxing gambling machine-related legislation.

Jarrod True spoke for the organisation, asking the City Council to conduct public consultations before settling on sticking to the current rules. True requested that the Council replace the current sinking-lid policy with a more liberal approach, with fewer limits on machines. He additionally asked for local authorities to allow operators to move their poker machine licences between different sites.

The 17-year-old sinking lid policy prevents competent authorities from supplying new operating licences for gambling in local clubs and pubs, as well as prohibiting the movement of existing poker machine licences to different locations within the city.

At the moment, there are 82 club and pub gambling venues in Christchurch, with 1291 operational pokies in total. The current number of poker machines in the city is far less than in 2004 when 2158 pokies were operating and the number of gambling was slashed by half over the same period, from 164 to 82.

An official City Council report advises that while the number of gambling venues and poker machines in Christchurch has fallen significantly, the pokies per capita in the city is still higher than the national average. The report further reveals that there are 3.3 machines per 1000 residents in Christchurch while the cities of Dunedin and Wellington both toe the national average of 2.9 pokie machines per 1000 residents, while Auckland comes in at 1.9 per thousand.

Further concerns raised were that many Christchurch residents have sought out problem gambling treatment. With the city representing 8% of the total population of New Zealand, a concerning 10% of the people in the country under treatment for gambling addiction in 2020 came from Christchurch.

Pro-gambling groups, for their part, have asserted that the rapid growth of online gambling means that the strict limitations placed on poker machines are only truly affecting recreational players and not gambling addicts.

Gambling Harm Awareness Week puts Kiwis to the test

August 31, 2021 by Admin

Gambling Harm Awareness Week is in full swing in New Zealand and Kiwis have been pressed to examine their gambling habits against the backdrop of COVID-19 restrictions.

Andree Froude, the Director of Communications at the Problem Gambling Foundation, explained that the stressful times people are going through are likely to trigger the urge to gamble in some.

“This is a good time to check-in if you’re unsure if your gambling has become harmful to yourself or your family, so taking a quick, online anonymous test, will tell you more about your gambling. At the end of the test, you get a personalised report and the option of sharing your results and talking it over with a qualified gambling counsellor,” she said.

Froude explained that during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, many Kiwis had no choice but to take a break from gambling, but when venues were allowed to reopen, an unparalleled amount was spent on pokies in pubs, clubs and TABs.

Huge losses

Gamblers in New Zealand lost $252 million in the last quarter of 2020. At the time, this represented the highest amount ever since record-taking commenced in 2007 and this record was already broken by the April to June quarter of 2021. Department of Internal Affairs data reveals that Kiwis lost over $260 million on pokies across the country between April and June in 2021.

Froude added that the scale of post-lockdown pokie losses repudiates the Gaming Machine Association’s claims that community projects would find themselves starved of pokie funds should venues be forced to closed again.

“Surely the significant losses over 2020 and 2021 are being shared as grants now. These lockdowns are, however, a reminder that we need a transparent and sustainable form of funding for our community and sports groups rather than one that relies on vast amounts of gambling losses from poor communities and whānau where it causes so much harm. Fifty percent of pokie machines are in New Zealand’s poorest communities,” she said.

Pokies located in pubs, clubs and TABs, or Class 4 gambling, have been identified as the most harmful form of gambling in New Zealand, making up almost half of all submissions to gambling support services.

Kiwis have been encouraged over Gambling Harm Awareness Week to approach the available free, professional and confidential assistance and counselling if they or anyone they know is experiencing problems with gambling. The nationally available services can be accessed via phone, video conferencing, text, email, and live chat options.

NZ Casinos close amid COVID scare

August 20, 2021 by Admin

New Zealand has displayed exemplary performance in its fight against the spread of COVID-19. With the country’s borders closed to non-residents over the past 18 months, fewer than 3,000 cases and 26 deaths have been recorded.

However, the first outbreak in six months has seen the country revert to an Alert Level 4 lockdown as of the 17^th of August. While most of the country will endure a three-day lockdown, Auckland and Coromandel will be shut down for an entire week.

This has had expected consequences for casinos and other non-essential businesses. SkyCity has had to close its Hamilton, Auckland, and Queenstown properties. One of the newly infected individuals confessed to previously being at SkyCity Auckland.

Alert Level 4

Under the level 4 lockdown, citizens are only permitted to leave home for healthcare, work, or local exercise. Heading out for groceries and COVID testing is also permitted. All public facilities have also been instructed to close and this includes cinemas, libraries, restaurants, and museums, to name a few.

The businesses and services still allowed to operate include supermarkets, petrol stations, healthcare facilities, and pharmacies with any customers visiting these places being legally required to wear masks, under threat of arrest.

Early childhood education centres and schools have been closed and the mask mandate, which also applies to public transportation and flights, as well as a mandatory 2 metres distance from others must be maintained.

SkyCity Auckland feels the heat

One individual who later tested positive for COVID-19 had visited the main casino gaming floor of SkyCity Auckland on August 14^th from 1.15 am to 3 am. This means that 1000 customers and 240 staff members could have been exposed and have been asked to self-isolate and get tested.

SkyCity CEO Michael Ahearne commented,

“This is an anxious time for some of the SkyCity team and their whanau, and we are extremely grateful to them for their cooperation in helping us protect the wellbeing of all our people and our guests.”

The casino is now receiving a deep clean from a team of specialists as the operator eagerly awaits the end of the lockdown.

Point of entry

Following an intensive operation, the country’s authorities soon discovered how the virus made its way into the country. It was traced to a 58-year-old man from Auckland who had just returned from a visit to Sydney. His test came back positive for the Delta variant on August 7th and he was quarantined by the next day. The subject was transferred to Middlemore hospital on August 16 as his condition deteriorated.

The number of infections is expected to grow for the foreseeable future and contact tracers have discovered that, in addition to SkyCity Adelaide, the identified infected have also visited schools, churches, restaurants, gas stations, and a hospital.

Safety first

The nation’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, recently stated that New Zealand intends to keep its borders closed to non-residents until 2022.

“While the pandemic continues to rage overseas, and the virus continues to change and mutate, the best thing we can do is lock in the gains achieved to date while keeping our options open and giving ourselves choices,” she declared.

Closed borders will enable the country to more effectively execute its vaccination program. New Zealand’s vaccinations have had a slow start with currently only 20% of the population having received the first jab and only 17% receiving both doses.

When the borders reopen, only fully vaccinated visitors from low-risk countries will be allowed to move around freely in the country, while those from medium to high-risk nations will be compelled to take precautions, including self-isolation to a fortnight under quarantine.

Reduction in gaming table hours gives rise to ‘pokie den’ fears

July 27, 2021 by Admin

Anti-gambling proponents in New Zealand have sounded the alarm over the risk of casinos becoming “pokie dens” as venues have taken to slashing gaming table numbers, due to reduced patronage.

This issue was brought to light in recent submissions to the Gambling Commission following an application by Dunedin Casinos Management Ltd, which operates the city’s Grand Casino, to vary its operator’s licence. This would allow the casino to ignore the mandatory requirement for at least one gaming table to be open for play between noon and 6 pm.

The casino put it to the commission that it had lost revenue as a result of the global pandemic, with the loss of cruise ship passenger business being a particularly sore point. The downturn in business had caused the casino to let some of its staff go and the venue argued that it needs “to consider different scenarios, and creative ways, to ensure that the business remains viable and competitive.”

The submission proposed that one gaming table could operate between noon and 6 pm only if there is a demand, but stated “this is not possible in the current climate”.

Internal Affairs assented, saying that a staffed gaming table would serve no purpose if no patrons were playing, but there were voices of opposition raised against the proposal.

The Ministry of Health objected, saying that casinos across the nation were cutting their table game operations, turning them into predominantly gaming machine venues. The ministry added that gaming machines are widely considered to be the most detrimental form of gambling in New Zealand.

An excerpt from the counter-submission reads “If changes to licence conditions keep going in this direction, then it is very likely that table games will disappear and casinos will not be in keeping with what the public considers to be a casino.”

The Problem Gambling Foundation noted that table game hours had also been reduced at the Hamilton, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wharf casinos. The foundation also expressed concern that casinos were transitioning into gaming machine venues, an opinion that the Salvation Army shared.

A spokesperson from the foundation used the term “pokie dens’’ to describe the phenomenon and cautioned that the availability of table games is likely to keep declining.

“As pokie machines are the most harmful form of gambling, we wouldn’t want to see this happening. It does seem to make the licence conditions around the ratio of table games to pokie machines somewhat meaningless if this is consistently being changed,” she said.

In June, the Gambling Commission relaxed the Dunedin licence, waiving the requirement for the venue to offer table gaming during the prescribed period.

The text of the decision reads, “The removal of a minimum open table requirement can be expected to have no effect on the opportunities for casino gambling.”

A spokesperson for SkyCity, which operates five casinos in Auckland, Hamilton, and Queenstown, said that all casinos were obliged to obey licence conditions that prescribe the number of gaming machines and tables, and the allowable ratio between the two. They also mentioned that table games and gaming machines are central components at all SkyCity properties.

SkyCity had been granted interim permission from the Gambling Commission to only offer pokie machines at its Hamilton and Queenstown venues up until the COVID alert level 1 was lifted.

Stakelogic goes live with a brand new studio

July 2, 2021 by Admin

Leading iGaming supplier Stakelogic has entered the live casino arena, armed with a premium selection of titles like blackjack, roulette, and a variety of game shows.

Stakelogic Live will be streamed from a newly-built ultra-modern studio in Birkirkara, Malta.

In an official statement, Stakelogic explained that the live studio has been kitted out with the latest technology including HD cameras and innovative broadcast and streaming facilities. The company stated that the resources and effort it has invested are geared at allowing it to provide a high-quality experience in a fiercely contested sector.

The company also stated that it enjoys support from its software factories in Belgrade and Kyiv, enabling it to “push the boundaries of live casino as it will come up with a range of new live dealer features and innovations.”

Stakelogic Live currently includes a selection of over seven live casino game types, including blackjack, roulette, auto roulette and some money wheel game show-style titles. The provider emphasised that its live dealer product catalogue would be receiving an influx of fresh content soon.

Opportune times

The new studio boasts 22 live tables, all of which are placed against a backdrop dripping with opulence. Pro dealers use their skills to host the games while maintaining rapport with players to make the experience all the more real

The CEO of Stakelogic, Stephan van den Oetelaar said that it makes perfect sense for the company to leap into the live casino sector. He also stated that several of Stakelogic’s top-tier operator partners have been asking for live casino products to make their offerings more alluring and added that Stakelogic would “hit the ground running, as many of our clients have already committed to go with Stakelogic Live.”

Anthony Sammut, the Head of Live Casino at Stakelogic Live, stated that the firm has “built an incredible reputation for designing and developing some of the most popular slot games” and that now they plan to repeat that success in the live casino sector.”

He also said that that the brand’s pioneering philosophy around games development shines through in its live casino offering, providing players with experiences across all its titles that bear the same high quality.

The news of this new development comes soon after Stakelogic recently embarked on a re-branding campaign revealing its transition from a B2B slot studio to a casino content provider for operators and players too. The company also recently acquired Belgrade-based developer Smart&Applied and the relatively new Hurricane Games.

Microgaming to revolutionise its live casino offering with On Air Entertainment

June 18, 2021 by Admin

iGaming industry leader Microgaming has announced its intent to “reinvigorate the live casino industry” with the inking of a deal to power a new product by On Air Entertainment. The Malta-based On Air was founded in January 2021 by a crew of experienced industry professionals who specialise in live casinos.

Classic and custom

On Air Entertainment is 100% powered by Microgaming and the creative force behind a new live dealer suite that will launch on the studio’s custom-built platform. The launch will take place in early 2022 and will comprise a selection of classic and bespoke live casino games.

John Coleman, the CEO at Microgaming said,

“On Air Entertainment represents a new evolution of live casino gaming, possessing all the experience, talent and passion required to innovate in the live casino space. I am delighted that Microgaming is playing an integral part in their exciting journey.”

Top of the world

In its short time of operation, On Air has established a studio in Riga, Latvia staffed with developers based in both Latvia and Estonia. Microgaming has stated that it is preparing for a period of “rapid growth” in the near future as it strives to achieve its mission of bringing “competitive, customisable and world-leading content to the table.”

Andres Rengifo, Managing Director at On Air Entertainment said,

“Our vision is to be the global innovator of choice for tailored live casino experiences and to achieve this we’re bringing together the very brightest and best live casino talent from across the industry. Powered by Microgaming, we will have access to unrivalled customer and market reach, this is a game-changer for us, and we can’t wait to begin broadcasting together.”

Microgaming has been highly productive lately, with a series of commercial deals which were announced towards the end of May. Notable partnerships established during this period include those with Gold Coin Studios, the Solverade Group, and the platform and content provider Blox.