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  • News

New Zealand TAB in hot water for paying out with dodgy banknotes

January 15, 2021 by Admin

TAB holds an online gambling monopoly in New Zealand, but even Major players can’t escape their moments of shame. According to Kiwi Stuff newspaper, the company’s image as a safe gambling option was tarnished after a racing bettor demanded a refund of NZ $ 200 as he had received counterfeit banknotes as payment.

The gambler, Bruce Gasson, received a total payout of NZ $ 680 in winnings on January 3. When he arrived home, he noticed NZ $ 200 of the amount was counterfeit bills. Gasson promptly asked TAB to exchange the two counterfeit notes of NZ $ 100 each.

TAB responded, saying that there was “not really a whole lot they can do about it” beyond refunding the money to the bettor if ordered by the local police. The police, however, took no action when informed of the incident.

It took Gasson contacting Kiwi Stuff and the subsequent news story to prompt some action from TAB and the authorities. TAB made contact with the gambler with a promise to refund the money. The police, for their part, collected the money from Gasson and opened an investigation.

Despite the satisfaction of getting his refund, the bettor is still perturbed by the lack of action on behalf of the police and the bookmaker when the “mistake” was brought to their attention.

This incident leaves TAB in an awkward position, considering the recent launch of its public awareness campaign that encourages locals to avoid gambling with internationally licensed online gambling operators.

The state monopoly’s ‘Bet with the TAB’ campaign seeks to sway local players in favour of operator bets. The campaign employs videos featuring sports stars to convince New Zealanders to reduce the volume of bets on international sites.

The stated objective behind this is “increased profit for New Zealand racing and better returns for New Zealand sport.”

Gambling monopolies have faced a lot of criticism internationally as their sites have been known to not pay prizes out to local bettors. This irony has not been lost on their detractors.

TAB is sitting pretty as far as the state of its finance goes. According to its most recent earnings report, gambling income in November 2020 reached NZ $ 232.6 million, which was NZ $ 26.7 million over the budget forecast.

Gross wagering income reached NZ $ 41.6 million thanks to TAB’s active customer base of 140,500 bettors. In November 2020, the monopoly reported a net profit of NZ $ 17.7 million which is NZ $ 1.4 million more than the same month in 2019.​

Filed Under: NZ Casino news, Sports Betting

Gaming machine profits boom in the wake of COVID-19 Lockdown

December 4, 2020 by Admin

New Zealand’s Department of International Affairs recently revealed that profits garnered from gaming machines have increased by 130.7m NZD or 116% as compared to the figures from the second quarter. Total Q2 profits produced by the sector reached 112.6 m NZD while Q3 profits came to 243.3m NZD.

This surge in growth can be directly linked to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions with players being allowed to return to visiting class 4 venues, including pubs and clubs.

According to the department, “New Zealanders were able to access Class 4 venues which were closed for seven to eight weeks during the Covid-19 lockdown, and then again as the Auckland region was moved back into alert level 3.”

Unexpected gains

The Q3 figures represent a much-improved increase in Gaming Machine Profits (GMP), in comparison to the period spanning June and September over the past five years, where the average was about 3%. September saw revenue 8% higher than what was projected. This data is sourced from the March 2020 quarter and other historical statistics.

Looking at 2020 holistically, the 12-month gaming machine profits came to 800.9m NZD for Q3, representing a 0.2% drop from 802.4m NZD in the previous quarter. At the moment, there are about 1068 venues in the country, indicating a 0.6% decline from Q2.

Pokies strike back

Online casinos have seen phenomenal growth and are a dominant force in the casino industry; however, land-based venues still provide thrilling real-world entertainment for thousands of Kiwis. As the number of pokies both online and offline continues to rise, national pokie machine expenditure has increased proportionately every year since 2014.

Data released by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) reveals that in the 2018-19 financial year New Zealand’s pokie expenditure climbed to a record high of 939m NZD. At this point, there are approximately 15,000 gaming machines across New Zealand that collectively bring in close to 2,572,602 NZD a day.

Kiwis have taken well to the option of virtual pokies thanks to the vast array of conveniently accessible options. Whether they are after a relatively casual gaming experience or high-stakes progressive jackpot action, there is a game to suit every taste that New Zealanders can easily play from any standard or mobile device.

The internet gambling sector continually achieves surprising levels of growth thanks to ever-evolving technology and matching innovation from developers. Many more online casinos and entertaining pokies will emerge in the years to come to cater to a growing market with increasingly sophisticated demands. Unfortunately, this explosion of growth will attract unscrupulous operators who attempt to exist beyond or circumvent laws and regulations and will often make off with their customers’ cash, leaving few avenues of reprisal for duped punters. It is then, essential for online gamblers to do their research and ensure that they only interact with reputable, licensed casinos.

Filed Under: NZ Casino news

GVC read the riot act over unethical advertising

November 20, 2020 by Admin

The UK Advertising Standards Authority recently took GVC to task over a Gala Spins ad published on Facebook in August 2020 that features the five toy characters from the’ Fluffy Favourites online pokie by Gala Spins.

The ad displayed the captions “It’s a Rollercoaster of Cuteness”, and “What’s your spin?”, accompanying video clips of the pokie gameplay. The ASA ruled that the featured text and images are extremely likely to appeal to children as well as appropriately aged players.

At the time of writing, GVC has removed the advert has from social media.

Outdated ad

Gala Spins responded to the ruling, stating that they uploaded the video by mistake and that it was already out of date when posted. Gala went on to explain that the mistake could have occurred because the original Fluffy Favourites ad was part of a broader campaign directed at female online gaming fans within the age category of 18 – 65.

GVC furnished the authority with proof supporting its refutations, showing that the content of the ad had not been viewed by anyone under 18, stating that the campaign was intended to only be targeted at adult social media audiences.

GVC in the dog house

The ASA responded to GVC, explaining that, aside from the content being displayed to an audience accountable for self-reporting of their age, there were no other measures in place to guarantee compliance with to the relevant age-specific guidelines published early in 2019 by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP). Last year we published a story about how anti-gambling advocates reached out to the New Zealand public and authorities, urging them to consider a total ban on betting advertising of any kind.

The ASA explained that the content featured in the Fluffy Favourites section of the campaign is typical of content usually employed to appeal to under-age persons and children. The watchdog reiterated its ruling that GVC and Gala Spins had acted in a socially irresponsible manner, as per the provisions of Section 16.1 of the CAP code of good advertising practice.

In the end, the ASA opted against handing down a fine or any other form of severe penalty, but it did caution Gala Spins against any future posting of pokies ads that display content that under-age persons would find appealing.

Filed Under: Australian Casino News, NZ Casino news

Microgaming plays a winning hand with a new poker offering

November 3, 2020 by Admin

Microgaming, an international online casino content development powerhouse, recently unveiled its latest step in expanding its online casino vertical.

Poker enthusiasts will be thrilled at the news that the company has a new range of poker titles set to roll out to its platform. Microgaming and its partners also stand to draw great benefit from the expansion of their respective portfolios.

Game changer

Microgaming revealed In an official press statement that they have designed their upcoming titles to cater particularly to players who were disappointed by the termination of the Microgaming Poker Network (MPN) earlier in 2020.  The network had a rich 16-year history of delivering high-quality online poker.

Hold’Em Poker is the first game from the new line-up due for release with other titles like Lucky Showdown following soon afterward.

Next level entertainment

The introduction of the new Hold’Em Poker game offers Microgaming the chance to deliver a new gaming experience to its players with this new title designed to offer a novel, captivating experience with added features for enhanced gameplay.

Hold’Em Poker is a Sit & Go tournament, a fast-paced poker game generally between 6 to 10 players over a 20 to 60-minute period. The game has been optimised for mobile devices and comes with a few new surprises. A new wheel mechanic featured in the game dishes out random prize pool awards and has a progressive jackpot that starts at an astounding $25,000.

John Coleman, Microgaming’s CEO, laid out how the game would significantly enhance the company’s casino vertical. He detailed how they designed the game to appeal to fans of poker and online casinos, offering a riveting and entertainment-packed experience.

Coleman went on to state that Microgaming intends to further broaden its offering through the addition of new and thrilling innovations and titles.

Hold’Em Poker will have an exclusive, limited release on December 1 with the global launch following soon after on December 9.

Microgaming Hold'Em Poker

Filed Under: NZ Casino news, Video Pokies

Pragmatic Solutions unwraps Blueribbon online casino deal

October 23, 2020 by Admin

Pragmatic Solutions recently dropped some major news, announcing a new partnership with Blueribbon Software Malta via an official press release. The partnership means that Pragmatic will have access to, impactful marketing software that enhances player engagement, created by the Malta-based company.

Pragmatic Solutions’ spokesperson expounded on the details of the deal stating that the software focuses on cross-content promotions. The technology would allow for, jackpot promotions to be implemented across various online casino games.

Market share on the rise

This deal will further boost Blueribbon’s ascent in the iGaming industry and is just one in a recent flurry of online casino deals for the corporation. In July 2020, the company finalised a content supply arrangement with development studio Playson, adding a welcome boost to its catalogue of titles.

Pragmatic Solutions-affiliated Rhino Entertainment, which recently launched its online casino, is drawing particular benefits from the Blueribbon deal. A company spokesperson revealed that the deal would allow efficient promotion of jackpots across international markets. They further stated that beyond increasing growth and revenue, the agreement would boost the company’s ambitions of evolving as an industry leader.

 

Competing at the highest level

Pragmatic Solutions CEO, Ashley Lang, referred to the new partnership as ground-breaking, stating that sharing resources with Blueribbon Software Malta would provide operating partners with a valuable competitive edge. She added that the technology was ideal for boosting player excitement and anticipation, which is essential to cultivating a growing online casino player base.

She stressed that the jackpot system has profound flexibility at its heart as it allows for tailored promotional solutions. Custom campaigns for selected client bases can be easily created and implemented, a vital advantage for partners who aim to be more competitive in the market.​

Filed Under: NZ Casino news, Video Pokies

Intralot SA extends New Zealand contract

September 25, 2020 by Admin

Intralot SA, a gaming and lottery solutions provider recently shared the finalizing of an agreement that will allow its New Zealand subsidiary to continue providing systems for the electronic monitoring of the nation’s slot parlours.

The announcement took the form of an official press release in which it was revealed that the deal, authored by its Intralot NZ Limited subordinate, will extend its association with the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs until 2025. This will mean the continued provision of cutting-edge reporting, accounting, auditing, and secure management solutions to the government.

Intralot SA first started trading in electronic monitoring services in 2007, providing its operating partners with the technology ‘to track and monitor gaming machine operations in pubs and clubs’ for the sake of ‘ensuring the integrity of games and the accurate financial reporting’. The company is now active in 42 regulated international jurisdictions.

 

Welcomed advancement

Chris Dimitriadis, Intralot SA’s CEO spoke out in the press release, calling the refreshed deal “an endorsement’ of the pair’s previous cooperation before thanking the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs ‘for its continued confidence and trust over more than a decade.’

He further went on to state, “Our world-class solution, which is designed according to Gaming Association standards, serves the most demanding regulatory environments and we are committed to continuing to support the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs on establishing a responsible gaming environment for the local player community.”​

Filed Under: NZ Casino news

Stakelogic & Jelly shake things up with online casino deal

September 18, 2020 by Admin

Stakelogic is emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the iGaming sector, thanks to the rapid expansion of its online casino development partner network. Recently the brand signed Hurricane Games and Touchstone Games up to its Greenlogic partner platform and Jelly is about to join their ranks.

As per an official statement, the studios will be working closely together, playing to their strengths to achieve their combined goals. Jelly will be responsible for game mechanics, gameplay, and features while Stakelogic’s team will handle the intricate back end.

The combined talents of these two companies will be used to forge unique and engaging online slots.

The more the merrier

Stakelogic’s Greenlogic platform has grown rapidly in size and reportedly encompasses agreements and partnerships with over 500 specialized organizations and 8 aggregator partners across the globe. The network is a talent and resource goldmine, it includes game logic specialists, localization teams, and distribution partners to name a few.

So far, Stakelogic has only attracted the aforementioned three developers to the network but the company plans to get these numbers up in the near future.

Any titles released via the Greenlogic platform will be distributed in strict accordance with the Stakelogic brand and collaborators on projects will be given appropriate recognition and publicity.

Promising horizons

Victoria Newbolt, Jelly’s marketing lead expressed pride at the finalization of the deal, particularly since Jelly will now be counted among the first developers to join the Greenlogic network. She also revealed that the company’s first collaborative title with Stakelogic would be released soon.

Newbolt wrapped up her statement by saying that this opportunity would ultimately strengthen her design team’s essential skills and knowledge.

Jelly is an assembly of industry veterans with a wealth of combined experience who have managed to build a reputable and professional operation in under a year.

The Stakelogic deal is a mutually beneficial one and will have an impact on the future of the iGaming industry for years to come.​

Filed Under: NZ Casino news

Online gaming boom mitigates the coronavirus effect in New Zealand

September 11, 2020 by Admin

SkyCity Entertainment has revealed that it anticipates a continual increase for its online gaming customer count, which is serving to offset the economic impact of the closure of its New Zealand and Adelaide venues due to coronavirus lockdowns.

SkyCity Entertainment is New Zealand’s largest tourism, leisure and entertainment company and posted a 63 percent increase in reported net profit to $NZ235 million for the 12 months to June 30. This was principally driven by a $NZ160 million impairment for the company’s Adelaide operation.

Prominent casino operator, NCA has also reported that online gambling has somewhat made up for the closure of its venues according to NewsWire.

SkyCity recently downgraded its earnings expectations for its Adelaide venue, which is currently undergoing expansion and is expected to open later in the year with the company expecting further earnings losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Skycity, Adelaide

Malta is home to the SkyCity online gambling operation that launched in 2019, started turning a profit in April, and has attracted over 35,000 new customers.

The company views this rapidly growing business unit as a logical extension of its land-based business that has proved its value, even in the early days of its existence.

In its full-year results report, SkyCity said, “The launch is an important step on the journey of pursuing opportunities to grow and diversify our earnings.”

The company acquired New Zealand based broadcaster and e-sports tournament operator, Let’s Play Live Media, in July 2019.

In a mixed bag of fortunes, SkyCity’s Asian tourist business has been negatively affected by New Zealand’s border closure to international visitors, with predictions that it may remain closed through to the end of 2020-21 informing the organisation’s future plans.

​

Filed Under: Australian Casino News, NZ Casino news

BlueOcean Gaming onboards Pragmatic Play’s Live Casino offering

September 8, 2020 by Admin

The new partnership between Pragmatic Play and BlueOcean is set to change the future for both companies.

Pragmatic Play’s Live Casino offering is now available with BlueOcean Gaming, giving players access to a whole new world of entertainment.

Expansion ambitions 

Over the past year, Pragmatic Play has advanced its expansion plans significantly by cultivating its Live Casino portfolio, adding more products that include classics like Roulette, Baccarat, and Blackjack, and localized products and speed variants.

BlueOcean in focus

BlueOcean’s B2B online casino software provision business has been in operation for over a decade. Notable achievements include the development of the popular game aggregation platform GameHub and the brand’s White Label and Turnkey solutions for online casinos.

Pragmatic Play’s Vice President, Lena Yasir, said: “BlueOcean Gaming has a fantastic reputation in the industry, and we’re delighted to be expanding our audience with the company. Our aim is to enhance the Pragmatic Play brand and deliver our innovative games to as many players as possible and we’re delighted to collaborate with the brand.”

BlueOcean Gaming’s CEO Dejan Jovic stated “Pragmatic Play’s state-of-the-art Live Casino product is one of the most popular on the market and will make a great addition to our diverse and vibrant offering. Providing our customers with the best gambling experience possible means incorporating the sector’s most innovative products, and we know our fans will be thrilled with this new offering.”

​

Filed Under: NZ Casino news

SkyCity provisionally shutters Auckland casinos

August 18, 2020 by Admin

The new freedom of movement and business limits imposed by the New Zealand government in response to the resurgence of the coronavirus does not bode well for the fortunes of the Auckland SkyCity venue. The establishment has again had to close its casino and entertainment areas to the public.

The casino and accommodation monolith is currently enforcing stricter physical distancing and hygiene measures at its Hamilton and Queensland operations, following new coronavirus cases being recorded in New Zealand after 102 days of no new infections. The government’s response has been to re-implement stage 3 warnings and restrictions.

Limited hotel functionality in Auckland

SkyCity has advised that regular guests occupying its hotel rooms on an “in-house” basis will be permitted to remain on the premises, but the casino side of the business will remain closed.  Any further moves the business makes will be informed by the government’s decisions going forward.

As per the re-introduced restrictions, Auckland residents must stay home as much as possible, refrain from attending or holding large public gatherings, and temporarily close any non-essential businesses.

Toeing the line is paramount says CEO

SkyCity CEO, Graeme Stephens, has advised that his company is committed to being fully compliant with government regulations. He stated that the casino operator is “well prepared” for sudden changes, having formulated a rapid response strategy to counter sudden changes. According to Stephens, SkyCity Entertainment is in good enough financial standing to weather the impact of any temporary restrictions.

In July, SkyCity unveiled plans for a $330 million expansion of its Adelaide-based casino and accommodation/amenities offerings. “The District” will feature the first-ever fully functional microbrewery inside a casino.

This announcement followed hot on the heels of the organization signing a partnership deal with Pirate Life. The Pirate Life branded microbrewery will exist alongside a poker room, sports bar, bistro, and a live entertainment venue.​

Filed Under: NZ Casino news

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