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Brightstar Lottery showcases next-gen offerings in European launch at 12th EL Congress

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Brightstar Lotteryformerly IGT’s lottery division, has announced that it will present its impressive portfolio of world-class lottery solutions at the 12th EL Congress, presented by European Lotteries, from Sept. 14-17 in Bern, Switzerland.

Renato Ascoli, IGT, Brightstar Lottery
Renato Ascoli, Brightstar CEO of Global Lottery

“The EL Congress provides a compelling opportunity for Brightstar to introduce our new brand to our partners in Europe and reinforce our commitment to being a pure-play lottery business, focused on propelling the industry forward,” said Renato Ascoli, Brightstar CEO Global Lottery. “Brightstar’s talented team of experts will spotlight growth-driving solutions designed to engage players at retail, instantly and digitally. We’ve made significant investments in key areas of our product portfolio and are looking forward to demonstrating these innovations to customers at EL next week.”

As part of the EL speaking program, Renato Ascoli, Brightstar CEO Global Lottery, will moderate the panel discussion, Elevating Lotteries and Inspiring Players“, on Sept. 15.

Lotterylink by Brightstar Lottery

The 12th EL Congress attendees can experience a variety of Brightstar’s engaging retail, instant, and iLottery products. Among many highlights will be LotteryLink™, the first-ever small-format solution to enable in-lane instant and draw-game sales without a dedicated lottery terminal at the checkout lane or software changes on the retailer point-of-sale system. Also featured will be two versions of Brightstar’s Digital Menu Board, a modern, sleek way for retailers to showcase in-stock instant tickets at the point of sale.

Infinity Instants™ by BrightStar Lottery
Infinity Instants by Brightstar Lottery

Taking center stage in Brightstar’s booth will be exciting instants innovations including high-resolution imaging to elevate the play experience, proprietary registered holographic features that create added motion and visual impact, Infinity Instants™ scenes for engaging gameplay, and a handful of new playstyles. Customers can learn more about Brightstar’s portfolio of licensed brands, second chance promotions and how they can enhance their game portfolios with the latest omnichannel content across both retail and digital environments.

Additionally, Brightstar will be showcasing advancements in the fast-growing iLottery segment with its full suite of applications, marketing services and vast library of 250 captivating iLottery games, including a new eInstant category called Prize Tap.

Genius Sports supercharges Hard Rock Bet with expanded BetVision & Data partnership

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Genius Sports, a trusted partner to over 700 sports organizations, has expanded its long-term partnership with Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook to power the top-rated platform with its market-leading official data, trading and marketing solutions, as well as its ground-breaking BetVision product.

Genius Sports has worked in partnership with the leading operator since 2021, providing the highest quality official data and pinpoint trading solutions across top-tier leagues globally, including the Premier League, Serie A, European Leagues, Liga MX, NFL and more.

Hard Rock Bet will be able to provide its customers with Genius Sports’ first-of-its-kind BetVision low latency streaming solution. BetVision is the world’s first immersive live betting product, giving Hard Rock Bet customers access to real-time stats, augmented viewing options, and an integrated betslip from a single interactive player.

Hard Rock Bet will also deploy BetVision’s new ‘Touch to Bet’ capability, allowing users to immediately access player stats and betting markets in real-time by simply tapping on a player during live games. This feature allows fans to wager without navigating away from the low latency live stream. BetVision will give fans a new way to enjoy global soccer leagues including Serie A, as well as in-market and national NFL games on phone and tablet.

“Sports fans don’t just want to watch — they want to engage, interact, and be part of the action,” said Matt Primeaux, Executive Managing Director & President at Hard Rock Digital. “This expanded partnership with Genius Sports and the addition of BetVision will help us deliver a dynamic, more entertaining experience for every player on our top-rated app.”

“By providing Hard Rock Bet with the highest quality official data and immersive live viewing modes across the world’s biggest sports leagues, Genius Sports is supercharging the live betting experience,” added Sean Conroy, Executive Vice President, North America at Genius Sports. “We’re excited to roll out the latest version of BetVision across Serie A and the NFL, providing a compelling platform for fans to watch and bet on live matches.”

Genius Sports is the NFL’s exclusive distributor of real-time, official play-by-play statistics, proprietary Next Gen Stats (“NGS”), and official sports betting data feeds for global sports betting operators and media companies. As the exclusive partner to Football DataCo, Genius Sports also provides the fastest, most accurate data for over 4,000 games per season across all levels of UK football, including the Premier League.

Melco backs MGTO’s Hubei roadshow to spotlight Macau’s “tourism+” offerings

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Macau gaming operator, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, is participating in the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO)’s “Hubei-Wuhan-Macau week” between September 5-8, in support of the SAR government’s aims to expand tourism in Macau.

Hosted at Wuhan Customs House Square in Wuhan City of Hubei province, the four-day mega roadshow strives to promote Macau’s “tourism+” elements to potential clientele from the Chinese mainland.

At its customized booth, Melco is presenting key attractions from its integrated resorts City of Dreams and Studio City, alluring visitors with the properties’ unparalleled experiences. Bringing to life the essence of its once-in-a-lifetime must-see aquatic show “House of Dancing Water“, visitors are provided an exclusive sneak peek of the fascinating visual spectacle and vitality of this epic experience as Melco demonstrates its “tourism+” integration initiative.

The Melco booth also showcases Morpheus, winner of UNESCO’s global architecture and design award, the “Prix Versailles”, which was also honored as one of the world’s most beautiful hotels; “Studio City Water Park”, Macau’s largest all-weather water park with a water roller coaster and multiple thrilling waterslides; and Melco’s series of MICHELIN-starred and Black Pearl Diamond-rated restaurants.

Music and dance performances, exclusive giveaways, together with entertainment, dining and hotel accommodation packages from Melco are also available at the event.

3 Oaks Gaming strengthens European presence with Starcasino Netherlands launch

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3 Oaks Gaming, an established distributor of iGaming content, has marked its entry into the Netherlands after securing a partnership with leading European casino and sportsbook operator, Starcasino.

Through this agreement, Starcasino will host 3 Oaks Gaming’s acclaimed portfolio of high-quality releasesincluding Lucky Penny 2, Magic Clovers and Coin Volcano 2strengthening its content offering in the Dutch market.

With over 10 years of expertise, Starcasino has become one of the most respected regulated casino platforms in Belgium, and since May this year, the Netherlands.

Expanding into regulated markets remains a core priority for 3 Oaks Gaming, and the partnership underscores the company’s commitment to engage with a broader audience of online players worldwide. This collaboration further reinforces 3 Oaks Gaming’s global reputation as a trusted content provider while supporting its continued expansion into regulated European markets.

Krasimir Pankovski, Head of Sales at 3 Oaks Gaming, said: “Starcasino is a leading operator throughout the Netherlands and wider Europe, and we are thrilled to supply our content to their platform. Entering the Dutch market has long been a key focus for us, and we look forward to seeing our games resonate with new players in this important region.”

Pieter van den Bos, Director at Starcasino, added: “Starcasino is proud to be the operator bringing 3 Oaks Gaming’s portfolio to the Netherlands for the first time. This partnership combines Starcasino’s trusted reputation with a studio recognised for innovation, ensuring we remain at the forefront of delivering high-quality, responsible entertainment.”

Creedroomz rolls out innovative gamble feature in Cashout Blackjack update

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The centerpiece of this release is the first-of-its-kind Side Bet Gamble feature, a revolutionary mechanic that gives players unprecedented control over their side bet winnings. Unlike traditional bonus rounds that are passive or tied to specific game events, this optional decision occurs only for players who have won a side bet, right at the end of the round after the last dealer card has been dealt.

Players are presented with two clear choices—Gamble or Skip—during a rapid five-second countdown. This dynamic feature transforms a standard win into a heart-pounding decision point, designed to heighten the emotional investment in every hand. 

The Side Bet Gamble feature’s real-time, high-stakes dynamic is simple yet powerful:
  • Gamble: If chosen, all side bet winnings are placed into an RNG. A winning draw instantly doubles the original winnings, while a losing draw results in the loss of the entire amount. This mechanic offers a thrilling risk-reward dynamic that is unmatched in the live casino space.
  • Skip: Players who prefer a safer option can select Skip or simply let the timer expire, and their side bet winnings will be credited to their balance as usual. This ensures that the feature remains an optional, non-intrusive part of the experience.
In addition to this groundbreaking feature, Cashout Blackjack brings a suite of powerful enhancements to the user experience, demonstrating Creedroomz’s commitment to continuous improvement: 
  • A Sleek New UI: The user interface has been completely redesigned from the ground up. The new UI is not just visually appealing; it is built for enhanced usability and a seamless experience on both desktop and mobile devices, allowing for intuitive navigation and quick decision-making.
  • Rebalanced Side Bets: Payouts for all existing side bets have been meticulously rebalanced to offer more compelling and rewarding gameplay. This strategic adjustment increases the overall value and excitement of participating in side bets, encouraging deeper player interaction with the game’s features.
  • Auto-Stand Feature: To streamline gameplay and allow players to focus on strategic decisions, the game now features an automatic stand on hard, non-splittable scores of 17, 18, 19, and 20. This quality-of-life improvement respects the player’s time and allows for a faster, more fluid game pace.

“We are incredibly proud to introduce Cashout Blackjack, with industry-first Gamble Feature for side bet winnings, that we believe will set a new standard for player interaction in live casino games,” said Hayk Tovmasyan, Head of Live Casino at Creedroomz. “This update is a testament to our commitment to innovation. By giving players a thrilling new layer of control and risk, we are not just adding a feature; we are creating a unique, memorable experience that will drive significant engagement and player loyalty for our partners.”

“Creedroomz stands at the forefront of iGaming innovation, creating and delivering next-generation live casino products,” Hayk Tovmasyan added. “We specialize in developing unique gameplay mechanics and features that go beyond standard offerings. By combining high-quality streaming with our pioneering approach, we provide our partners with a distinct competitive edge and a superior gaming experience that captivates players. We believe our expertise lies in creating the features that get us there, ensuring our partners are always ahead of the curve.”

The new Cashout Blackjack, complete with the Side Bet Gamble feature, is now available to all Creedroomz partners, providing an unparalleled tool for attracting new players and retaining existing ones in a highly competitive market. This launch underscores the company’s strategic vision to provide partners with groundbreaking tools that ensure they remain at the forefront of the competitive iGaming market.

SOFTSWISS invites industry experts to shape the iGaming Trends 2026 report

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The upcoming report is written in collaboration with NEXT.io, the world’s iGaming community, and will spotlight the key tendencies set to shape the industry in the year ahead.

The previous edition, iGaming Trends 2025, became one of the most influential industry resources. With over 100 pages of insights covering regulation, marketing, responsible gambling, innovation, and fraud prevention, the report had over 13,000 downloads . This strong reception confirmed the importance of having a trusted knowledge hub – and set the stage for an even more ambitious 2026 edition.

The iGaming Trends 2026 report will be built on the contributions of industry experts worldwide. The survey is anonymous, but participants may leave contact details if they wish to be quoted. In appreciation of the participation, a few lucky winners will receive Apple AirTags, and one special winner will score a unique one that comes with an exclusive SOFTSWISS merch bundle.

“The iGaming industry is changing faster than ever, and foresight comes from collective expertise. The strength of iGaming Trends lies in the community behind it. By partnering with NEXT.io, we are making iGaming Trends 2026 the most forward-looking edition yet, built directly on the voices of industry leaders,” said Max Trafimovich, International Non-Executive Director at SOFTSWISS.

Pierre Lindh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of NEXT.io added: “The iGaming Trends report has become a cornerstone resource for our industry, and this year’s edition will be the most collaborative yet. We’re truly excited to be working alongside SOFTSWISS to bring iGaming Trends 2026 to life, ensuring it reflects the voices, insights, and ambitions of the people shaping the future of our sector. At NEXT.io, we believe foresight comes from community, and this partnership embodies that vision.”

Your Expertise Matters—Here’s Why

  • Co-create a leading industry resource: Your insights will directly influence one of the most widely read iGaming reports.
  • Strengthen your professional visibility: A chance to share your perspective with thousands of peers across the industry.
  • Be part of a collaborative effort: For the first time, the report is being developed together with NEXT.io, raising its scope and relevance.

The iGaming Trends 2026 report is being developed jointly with NEXT.io, the world’s iGaming community, bringing additional depth and diversity of perspectives to the research. By combining the expertise of both teams with insights from the industry at large, the new edition will offer an unparalleled overview of the forces driving iGaming forward.

The SOFTSWISS Team will be at SBC Lisbon 2025, stand B160, a perfect chance to connect and talk about iGaming Trends 2026.

Powerhouse of NBA players to headline first NBA House in Macau in October

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Macau is set to welcome a powerhouse of basketball legends during the NBA House event at the Venetian on October 8th to 12th. The National Basketball Association announced Monday that Shaquille O’Neal, Deron Williams, Tim Hardaway, Stephon Marbury, Mitch Richmond and Shawn Marion are set to headline.

The basketball showcase epitomizes Sands China’s push for sports tourism, bolstered by its multi-year partnership with the NBA covering pre-season games and community outreach programs and initiatives.

Analysts estimate that each NBA event at the Venetian Arena could generate between $9.6 million and $16 million in local spending, drawing between 30,000 and 50,000 visitors per event. This aligns with the Macau government’s 2028 target of raising non-gaming contributions to 60 percent of GDP, compared with today’s heavy reliance on gaming revenue, which accounts for about 80 percent of tax income.

The NBA House event will be free and open to fans of all ages, with live viewing parties of games, appearances by the NBA stars, basketball clinics and games.

“The first NBA House in Macau will be an immersive celebration of the culture and technology that surround today’s game,” noted NBA Asia Managing Director Wayne Chang, as cited by state media.

“We look forward to welcoming fans of all ages to this exciting event during what will be a week-long celebration of basketball and the NBA in the city,” furthered the executive.

Macau is aiming to position itself as an events-centered tourism city, banking on recent success of music and sporting events which have also bolstered footfall on the gaming floor.

NZ online casino bill critics worried about gambling adverts, propose ban on credit card use

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Critics of New Zealand’s move to legalize and legislate online casinos are slamming the proposal over possible increases in gambling advertisements and potential lost pokie revenue.

The proposed bill would allow a government auction of up to 15 online casino licenses, while aiming to prevent other operators’ access through geoblocking.

The issue of the potential impact on pokies has been raised before, with concerns the possible loss in revenue could impact pokie operators’ contribution to community projects funding.

Now critics are also concerned with the possible impact advertisements for the legal online casino operators could have, particularly the inducements that they can offer to attract clients.

Moving even beyond advertising, a spokesperson for the Problem Gambling Foundation, cited by The Post, proposed banning all gambling advertising and also preventing the use of credit cards for gambling purposes.

Amongst the debate, the industry was also allowed to weigh in, with sports betting operator TAB highlighting the two sides of the legislative coin.

“The online casino market could and potentially will take away from our betting market and reduce our returns to community sport and racing, so we need to get into this new form of gambling,” stated TAB board member David Bennett.

Meanwhile, online casino operator SGHC (behind the Betway platform) proposed a possible increase to the 15 operator cap, highlighting its harm minimization tools to avoid gambling disorder.

“When it comes to operators like us, this bill places you in control,” noted SGHC senior vice president Antony Gevisser, “You regulate us, you tax us, you set the standards.”

While the bill has been hotly debated, the government has generally adopted an open stance, hoping to gain tax revenue from an unregulated sector, while providing better player protection through regulated platforms.

Chief Executive supports Hong Kong Jockey Club’s efforts to promote horse racing tourism

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Hong Kong’s Chief Executive is doubling down on the government’s indication that it would support horse racing tourism to further encourage visitation to the city.

John Lee on Sunday helped kick off the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s race season, attending the commemoration at the Sha Tin Racecourse.

The top official noted that the government plans to work together with the HKJC in creating sports tourism experiences that can draw in more visitors on race days, themed events and for performances.

The HKJC has been steadily developing horse racing both in the SAR and in the region, as it aims to commence regular racing at its Conghua Racecourse in Guangzhou by October of 2026. In its annual report, the group noted that ‘we envision the integrated triangle of Conghua, Happy Valley and Sha Tin will evolve into a center of excellence for the Greater Bay Area. This strategic network will support the National Equine Industry Development Plan by fostering a premium equine sector in the Mainland’.

The group notes that it is ‘aims to cultivate horse ownership interest on the Mainland and strengthen our brand presence there’.

The synergy is facilitated by owners’ ability to bring move horses between Conghua and Hong Kong without undergoing a quarantine period, allowing them to participate in races on both sides of the border.

While the Hong Kong races can be wagered on, the future races in mainland China will not.

Aside from its horse racing focus, the HKJC is also keenly awaiting legislation to allow it to open up to basketball betting, a move that will be costly for it in the short term but can provide strong benefits in the long run.

PAGCOR reiterates stance on improving online gaming regulation instead of ban

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The head of the Philippine gaming regulator (PAGCOR) is again pushing for the government to implement stricter regulations for the online gaming sector rather than ban it outright.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro H. Tengco reiterated the regulatory body’s wish to continue to develop and improve the sector instead of shutting it down.

The executive made the statements at the Light & Wonder iGaming Symposium on Monday.

Tengco highlighted that electronic games revenue last year accounted for nearly half of the industry’s gross gaming revenue of PHP372.33 billion ($6.57 billion).

For this year, the sector has already contributed PHP114.83 billion ($2.02 billion), higher than that derived from land-based operations.

Philippines GGR hits $3.8B in 1H25, e-games dominate with 53% share

“We support stricter regulations to protect our people, but we are against a total ban which will only drive players to illegal operators and result in loss of revenues and jobs,” noted Tengco.

The statement echoes that made by top experts, including gaming lawyer Tonet Quiogue, who has published multiple opinion pieces on how an outright ban would be detrimental to the overall gaming environment, safety of players, and government coffers.

PAGCOR’s Chairman highlighted how the regulator has been reforming itself, including its move to separate its regulatory and operational functions and improve responsible gaming, alongside its ban on gaming advertising.

The executive called on operators to implement “compliance by design”, strictly following anti-money laundering regulations, improving KYC and aligning with PAGCOR’s responsible gaming guidelines.

“With responsible growth, compliance, and transparency, the Philippines can develop a safer, stronger, and globally competitive iGaming industry,” stated Tengco.