Home Blog Page 311

WinSpirit levels up with LuckyStreak: branded Live Baccarat now live

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
WinSpirit levels up with LuckyStreak: branded Live Baccarat now live

LuckyStreak, the Riga-based live games provider, has deepened its collaboration with progressive online casino operator WinSpirit by delivering bespoke, branded Live Baccarat powered by the provider’s advanced SmartStudio greenscreen technology.

The new branded baccarat game builds on the April 2025 launch of WinSpirit’s live Blackjack, which saw a significant uplift in both player engagement and session volumes. With LuckyStreak’s SmartStudio, WinSpirit can create a fully immersive live casino environment that reflects the brand’s unique identity – including customised backgrounds, colours, table layouts and real-time brand assets.

WinSpirit levels up with LuckyStreak: branded Live Baccarat now live

SmartStudio offers operators a high-spec production setup, delivering full HD low-latency streams, studio-grade multi-camera switching, chroma keying, dynamic layering of video and image content, and razor-sharp visual fidelity. The result is a distinctive and entertaining experience aligned with operator branding goals and player expectations.

The technology is flexible, fast, and cost-effective, meaning operators such as Winspirit can create fully customised, branded live casino environments without needing physical set builds. They can plan seasonal or topical designs, support for major promotions, and move quickly when opportunities arise, choosing different backgrounds, themes, and branding elements – even switching between them dynamically.

The result is a deeply immersive and visually distinct baccarat game that perfectly aligns with WinSpirit’s brand identity. Through LuckyStreak, WinSpirit has strengthened its ability to provide innovative, high-quality and deeply personalised player experiences. This launch reinforces LuckyStreak’s commitment to delivering versatile and custom solutions for operators looking for more tailored and brand-led experiences across their live casino offering.

Ido Kamiel, COO at LuckyStreak, said: “Extending our partnership with WinSpirit to include a fully branded version of our leading live Baccarat game demonstrates the power of our SmartStudio customisation to engage players and deliver a world-class experience. It is also testament to the flexibility and ease with which we can transform our partners’ game settings, enabling them to offer a truly tailored and enjoyable playing environment. We truly appreciate WinSpirit’s trust in LuckyStreak and SmartStudio’s full capabilities, and we’re delighted with the execution.”

Oleksandr Kotsenko, Business Development Lead at WinSpirit, added: “We’re very impressed by LuckyStreak’s SmartStudio and how it puts the power to build unique, stimulating gaming experiences for our players into our hands. Loyalty is king, and their enjoyment and satisfaction is at the heart of our strategy to build long-lasting relationships with customers by thrilling and satisfying them at these key moments of truth.”

“At WinSpirit, we strive to get better every day, and partnerships like this play a key role in elevating the player experience and strengthening our position as a progressive, customer-focused brand. Speaking as an operator, this solution’s flexibility and quick turnaround opens up a world of opportunity for us, as well as a new dimension in marketing.”

Bloomberry’s Medical Scholarship Program marks milestone with first 20 nursing graduates

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
Bloomberry’s Medical Scholarship Program marks milestone with first 20 nursing graduates

Bloomberry Cultural Foundation (BCFI), the social development arm of Solaire Resort & Casino, celebrates the graduation of the first cohort of 20 nursing scholars from its Medical Scholarship Program—part of the 313 college scholars who have completed their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

Out of 20 Nursing graduates, 11 received Latin honors and 8 received special awards in recognition of their academic and extracurricular excellence.

With Cum Laude Honors are 8 scholars from West Visayas State University and 3 scholars from Batangas State University with Latin Honors.

These nursing graduates are now being assisted by BCFI, through its implementing partner, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., for their Board Review Examination Grant.

In addition to this, a total of 44 residents from Barangay Tambo, Paranaque and 25 from Barangay Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City completed a caregiving course sponsored by BCFI and have passed TESDA accreditation.

Bloomberry Cultural Foundation

BCFI’s Medical Scholarship Program aims to help address the dwindling number of doctors, nurses, other health practitioners, and even professionals in the sciences, as many have gone overseas.

With the objective of producing 763 graduates in a 5-year-program, it has partnered with 13 universities nationwide: West Visayas State University, UP Visayas, UP Manila Alumni Foundation/UP Manila, St. Luke’s Medical Center, St. Louis University, Iloilo Science Technology State University, Eastern Visayas State University, Davao Medical School Foundation, Central Luzon State University, Cebu Institute of Medicine, Batangas State University, and Lyceum of the Philippines-St. Cabrini School of Health Sciences, Inc.

Meanwhile, BCFI’s institution partners in caregiving courses for residents in Solaire’s host communities in Paranaque and Quezon City are CAP Training and Assessment Center and Asia Pacific Caregiver and Training Center.

AvatarUX announces the appointment of Andrew Foster as its new CEO

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
AvatarUX announces the appointment of Andrew Foster as its new CEO

Award-winning slots studio AvatarUX has selected Andrew Foster as its new Chief Executive Officer, an appointment that reinforces the company’s efforts to expand its global footprint and become a leading force in the market. 

Andrew Foster is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and growth who joins AvatarUX after more than eight years with reactivation specialist Enteractive, most recently serving as the company’s Chief Business Officer.

Foster will be instrumental in guiding AvatarUX through its next phase of expansion and product development, with the studio recently entering several new regulated markets and significantly boosting its unique slots and mechanics portfolio.

The appointment is the second C-level addition for AvatarUX in just a month, with Deane Hendricks recently joining the studio as CPO to bolster and accelerate the company’s product roadmap.

Commenting on his appointment, Andrew Foster, Chief Executive Officer of AvatarUX, said: “I’m honoured to join AvatarUX as CEO during such a pivotal growth phase for the company. AvatarUX’s dedication to innovation and pushing the boundaries of slot development aligns perfectly with my own vision for the future of iGaming. I look forward to working with the exceptionally talented team to drive the business forward and cement our position as a leading force in the industry.”

AvatarUX

Wynn expands hiring for UAE casino positions ahead of 2027 opening

Viviana Chan
-
0
Wynn expands hiring for UAE casino positions ahead of 2027 opening

Wynn Resorts is ramping up recruitment for its Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in Ras Al Khaimah, advertising casino-specific positions as the company prepares for the region’s first legal casino opening in 2027.

The company expects to employ 330 staff by December 31st, 2025, according to Arabian Gulf Business Insight. In the second quarter of 2025, Wynn Al Marjan Island hired 52 new team members, increasing the total headcount to 100. These roles primarily include senior executives, management, and administrative positions.

The $5 billion resort, set to be larger than Wynn’s Las Vegas flagship venue, is currently seeking pit managers, dealers, table operations managers, nightlife planners, and loyalty and marketing executives for both domestic and international markets. These roles specifically require knowledge of casino games including blackjack dealing and poker table supervision.

Wynn is also recruiting multiple vice presidents of casino marketing to target key international regions. These roles, listed on the company’s website and advertised on LinkedIn, involve building a VIP player base across the Middle East and North Africa. Responsibilities include establishing and nurturing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, gaming agents, and regional influencers.

The executive positions also entail recruiting, training, and managing marketing teams and casino hosts based in key cities, including Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and Cairo. Additional vice president roles focus on targeted marketing strategies across Asia (including China, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia), Europe, and the Americas.

The resort is expected to generate up to $5 billion in annual revenue, according to Wynn projections. The company has also acquired additional land in Ras Al Khaimah, signalling potential future expansion plans.

While gambling remains officially prohibited in the UAE, the federal government has established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) to oversee licensing and operations. The job postings cite adherence to GCGRA regulations and include duties such as reporting suspicious activity or player disputes.

Hong Kong legalizes basketball betting, sets 50% tax on net stake receipts

Viviana Chan
-
0
Hong Kong legalizes basketball betting, sets 50% tax on net stake receipts

Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has passed a bill legalizing basketball betting, introducing a 50 percent tax on net stake receipts, matching the existing rate for soccer wagering.

The Betting Duty (Amendment) Bill 2025 cleared its third reading with 77 votes in favor, two against, and two abstentions out of 83 lawmakers present. The legislation authorizes the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs to issue licenses for basketball betting, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) expected to be the sole licensed operator.

Opposing votes came from lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen, representing the social welfare sector, and Chu Kwok-keung, representing the education sector. Abstentions included medical sector representative David Lam Tzit-yuen and election committee member Andrew Lam Siu-lo, who later explained he had intended to vote in favor but pressed the wrong button.

The amendment establishes a regulatory framework covering licensing conditions, tax collection, and oversight by the Betting and Lotteries Commission. Home and Youth Affairs Secretary Alice Mak said the government will coordinate with the HKJC to finalize an implementation timeline. The official emphasized that the legislation is intended to curb illegal betting rather than encourage gambling, noting that additional resources will be allocated for public education and youth counseling services.

The government also announced it will expand the Ping Wo Fund’s outreach, adding a fifth counseling center dedicated to youth education on gambling risks. The Ping Wo Fund is a government-established institution that finances preventive and remedial measures to address gambling-related problems.

HKJC, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mark Six

Debate highlights support and concerns

According to local media reports, most lawmakers supported the bill, arguing that it could redirect significant sums away from unregulated platforms and into legal, regulated channels. Bill Committee Chairman Chan Chun-ying said the legislation would “redirect funds flowing into the illegal market toward regulated and safer channels,” enhancing oversight and generating additional government revenue.

Last year, during discussions on legalizing basketball betting, HKJC Chief Executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges mentioned that about 560,000 Hong Kong residents wagered with illegal bookmakers, with 100,000 to 150,000 of them betting on basketball. The illegal sports betting market is estimated at HK$350 billion ($45 billion), with basketball accounting for 15 percent, or HK$52.5 billion ($6.7 billion). Legal basketball betting could generate turnover comparable to the HKJC’s soccer wagering business.

In the debate, opponents warned of potential social costs. David Lam Tzit-yuen argued that “legal does not mean harmless, and regulation does not mean harm reduction,” pointing to soccer betting’s limited effect in curbing illegal gambling since its legalization in 2003. Lawmaker Chu Kwok-keung added that young people remain especially vulnerable to gambling-related harm.

With basketball betting now legalized, the HKJC is set to expand its role as the city’s sole licensed sports wagering operator alongside horse racing and soccer. It is also worth noting that the Hong Kong Jockey Club is actively promoting horse racing tourism. In October last year, Hong Kong authorities considered the possibility of relaxing age restrictions to allow teenagers under 18 to attend horse racing events.

Summer seasonality drives Sands to extend market share gain in August: UBS

Viviana Chan
-
0
Summer seasonality drives Sands to extend market share gain in August: UBS

Macau gaming operator Sands China continued to expand its market share in August, posting the largest gain among operators, according to an investment memo from UBS.

The operator’s share increased by about 150 basis points month-on-month, supported by summer seasonality, stepped-up marketing campaigns, and the ramp-up of 1,400 additional hotel keys at the Londoner Grand, available since April. As a result, Sands’ market share rose to 23.5 percent in August, up from 22 percent in July, the memo noted.

Other operators reported mixed results. Melco Resorts rebounded, recovering 150 basis points of market share, rising from 13.5 percent in July to 15 percent in August. Galaxy Entertainment gained 50 basis points month-on-month, bringing its share from 21 percent to 21.5 percent. By contrast, MGM China registered the sharpest decline, with its share falling 250 basis points month-on-month to around 15 percent. Despite the drop, UBS noted that MGM maintained a mid-teens market share.

Wynn Macau’s share also slipped by 100 basis points in August to 13 percent, while SJM Holdings’ share remained flat at 12 percent.

Overall, UBS said channel checks indicated that in the current quarter to date, Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) has shown signs of improvement. Daily mass GGR was about 3 percent higher compared with the second quarter, while VIP GGR rose by around 15 percent, partly due to a higher hold rate.

The UBS memo also highlighted strong equity performance among the six gaming operators, with most stocks rallying alongside the broader Hong Kong and China markets. On average, gaming stocks rose about 30 percent year to date. Melco Resorts led the gains with a 68 percent increase, while its parent, Melco International Development, surged 70 percent. MGM China’s stock climbed 59 percent, while Wynn Macau and Galaxy Entertainment each advanced 25 percent.

By contrast, Sands China was the only operator to post a decline, falling 6 percent year to date due to its high comparison base. SJM Holdings’ shares rose 10 percent over the same period.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Macau entertainment push yielding dividends

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Macau entertainment push yielding dividends
Good Morning. Come for the show, stay for the entertainment. Macau is proving that its event-based investment is paying off, with the upcoming Golden Week holidays to peak a tourism boost that is expected to ride the forthcoming wave due to the talent bookings and sports highlights. This gaming uplift is in part because of improved consumer sentiment in mainland China, as strong stock upticks have increased disposable income, a nice gain for those who want to visit Macau to try their luck.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

MACAU

Macau Galaxy Arena

Entertainment boosts non-Golden Week GGR

The move by Macau’s gaming operators to focus on entertainment is proving fruitful, with events driving both gaming and non-gaming spend. Analysts note that the upcoming Golden Week holiday is likely to already see significant gaming play, but that momentum driven by the post-holiday entertainment will prove significant, as side bets and improved consumer sentiment help bolster figures.

Corporate Spotlight

90-Day Playbook for Winning Asia’s Gaming Market | GR8 Tech

GR8 Tech, Kate Pozdnysheva

Every operator can launch, but few can lead. In Asia, leadership is won in the 90 days after go-live, when payments feel effortless, content resonates locally, and every touchpoint builds trust.

Why Asia’s iGaming operators must rethink risk strategy | SEON

SEON,Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud: Why Asia’s iGaming Operators Must Rethink Risk Strategy

Winning Trust, Stopping Fraud. Asia Pacific’s iGaming market is expanding extremely fast, and a new wave of digital-savvy players is pushing demand through the roof. But the rise in adoption has outpaced regulation in many markets, and fraudsters have taken notice.

Industry Updates

INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS

1xBet powers SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 with premium sponsorship and exclusive events

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
1xBet powers SBC Summit Lisbon 2025 with premium sponsorship and exclusive events

Global betting brand 1xBet will become a Premium Sponsor of the SBC Summit 2025 — one of the key iGaming events held on September 16–18 in Lisbon.

This partnership emphasises the company’s status as one of the leaders in global betting and opens up new opportunities for networking with top executives and industry experts.

The 1xBet team looks forward to welcoming guests at booth C130, where they can expect the company’s signature hospitality, surprises, and new connections. Every day, 1xBet, together with Paris Saint-Germain, will bring the spirit of top-level football to the SBC Summit. Visitors can enjoy a lively experience at Game Zone B855, featuring the dynamic 1xFunball challenge, where the thrill of the game meets champion vibes.

The event’s highlight will be the spectacular appearance of Claude Makélélé on September 17. He will showcase his skills in the Game Zone and give away exclusive prizes. Participants will have the chance to win branded merchandise, valuable gadgets, and a championship trophy signed by the Paris Saint-Germain and France national team legend.

On September 17, we are in for the panel discussion EURASIA LEADERS PANEL: Expansion or contraction – which way will the bridge between continents swing? as part of the SBC Summit. Simon Westbury, the Strategic Advisor at 1xBet, will join the discussion on key development directions. “It is a great honour for me to join the prestigious panel discussion with SBC leaders on September 17,” he said.

As part of the forum, the 1xBet booth will host two prize draws featuring valuable prizes, including a Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console, a Jordan Wings Cashmere and Leather Varsity Jacket, four tickets to a Paris Saint-Germain match, a book on the club’s history, and a Louis Vuitton Horizon 50 suitcase with an exclusive design. The lucky winners will be announced on September 16 and 17. The prize draws will start at 4:00 PM.

Company managers will also introduce forum guests to the 1xPartners affiliate program, which has been operating for 9 years and covers over 150 countries. The project supports more than 250 payment methods, features a lifetime revenue share of up to 50% from referred players, and includes exclusive offers for VIP partners.

For 1xBet, participating in the SBC Summit is a great opportunity to share its experience in implementing innovations, discuss iGaming industry trends, and contribute to the sector’s development.

China’s stock market boost ups spending in Macau: Scholar

Nelson Moura
-
0
China’s stock market boost ups spending in Macau: Scholar

China’s stronger-than-expected economic growth in the first half of the year has created room for Beijing to shift focus toward consumption and structural reforms, a move that could benefit Macau’s tourism and gaming industries, according to a local academic.

“The better-than-expected GDP growth in the first half has given China room to prioritize consumption and structural reforms to prepare for the beginning of its 15th five-year plan,” said Carlos Siu, Associate Professor of Business Management in the Gaming and Recreation Management unit at Macau Polytechnic University.

The country’s economy grew by a strong 5.3 percent in the first half of 2025, exceeding initial expectations and putting it on track to meet its annual growth targets. However, the major priority for the Chinese government in 2025 is to revive domestic consumption, which was a weak point in the previous year. 

China’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) remains near historic lows and has only gradually been recovering, with concerns about employment, economic stability, and especially the ongoing property downturn pushing consumption down.

The Chinese authorities have prioritized boosting household consumption, with a CNY200 billion ($28 billion) program introduced to subsidize designated consumer purchases in 2024, which was further expanded by CNY300 billion ($42 billion) in 2025.

However, Siu added that the country’s authorities are unlikely to roll out broad-based stimulus “unless the outlook deteriorates again,” pointing to another factor that could lift Macau’s economy.

“The recent surge in China’s stock market would foster a wealth effect and boost consumption in tourists’ stay in Macau,” he said.

His comments come as investment banks raise their expectations for the city’s casino revenues. JP Morgan analysts highlighted that August delivered the highest non-Golden Week GGR since the pandemic, supported by peak summer visitation.

Macau August GGR reaches post-COVID high, totaling $2.77B, China

In a recent note, Morgan Stanley now forecasts a 15 percent year-on-year increase in market-wide gross gaming revenues (GGR) in the second half of 2025.

The bank is also upbeat about the industry’s outlook, predicting “double-digit GGR growth” in the coming quarters, with momentum expected to continue until the first quarter of 2026.

Siu, however, struck a more cautious tone. “Based on the above, I would be a bit conservative to expect a single-digit growth with the current momentum forecast in the coming quarters,” he said.

Konami casino slots launch in Brazil via Kaizen Gaming’s Betano platform

AGBrief Editorial
-
0
Konami casino slots launch in Brazil via Kaizen Gaming’s Betano platform

Konami Gaming and Kaizen Gaming have officially launched Konami casino games in Brazil, marking a milestone debut via the Betano online platform.

Betano online players are the first in the nation to experience iconic Konami slot classics like China Shores™, as well as recent hits such as Fortune Mint™.

Brazil opened its market to regulated online casino games on January 1, 2025, authorizing rules, requirements, and licensing for legal online betting. Brazil is the latest real-money iGaming market served by the partnership between Konami and Kaizen Gaming. 

Tom Jingoli, President and COO, Konami Gaming
Tom Jingoli, President & COO at Konami Gaming

“The first ever Brazilian debut of Konami’s popular casino games is a significant milestone for our iGaming division, and our global company as a whole,” said Tom Jingoli, president and chief operating officer at Konami Gaming, Inc. “Online players can enjoy a large library of Konami slot creations beloved in land-based markets from Las Vegas to Macau for many years, with the assurance of Betano’s secure platform, which is the most popular in the country.” 

Kaizen Gaming was the first online gaming operator in Brazil to be awarded an online betting license under the new regulated market. Each day its Betano online platform attracts millions of users from across the country.

Kaizen Gaming
betano

Online players nationwide can now hit spin Konami’s All Aboard Piggy Pennies™, Cobra Hearts™, China Shores, Fortune Mint, African Diamond™, and more, for the chance to win real-money jackpots directly from any personal desktop, tablet, or mobile device.  

“Our focus on delivering the most exciting, innovative and responsible online gaming experiences has been integral to establishing Betano as Brazil’s market leader. We constantly enrich the variety of games available, offering options found on no other platform. Such is the case now, as we become the first operator in the country to launch real-money Konami slots,” added Evangelos Dedoulis, director of product, gaming and rewards at Kaizen Gaming. “From classic 5-reel games to rewarding progressive slots, Betano users can look forward to an ever-increasing library of Konami casino releases among the platform’s top tier range of entertainment.”

Aching, vice president of iGaming & international gaming operations at Konami Gaming
Aching, VP of iGaming & International Gaming Operations at Konami Gaming

“Through close cooperation and shared action, Konami and Kaizen Gaming have taken a partnership that began in Canada’s real-money gaming sector, and expanded it to one of the largest emerging markets on the globe,” shared Eduardo Aching, vice president of iGaming & international gaming operations at Konami Gaming. “Our organization is excited to be part of Betano’s success in Brazil, and support the region with slot entertainment beloved by players for over 20 years.”

1...310311312...1,828Page 311 of 1,828