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Wynn Macau signs marketing, staff secondment deal under $21.5M cap

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Wynn Macau and its wholly owned subsidiary Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. signed resort marketing services agreements with Wynn Marketing (Portugal) on June 30th, adding a related-party provider for international marketing services and staff secondment while keeping the group’s 2026 combined annual cap unchanged.

The cap is HK$167.6 million ($21.5 million) for the year ending December 31st, 2026. It covers payments under both the existing marketing and secondment services agreements with Wynn International Marketing, Ltd. and the new agreements with Wynn Marketing (Portugal).

Under the new agreements, Wynn Marketing (Portugal) will provide marketing services directly and through authorized agents. These include developing, implementing and operating an international promotional and marketing plan for the group’s casino resorts under the Wynn brand.

The company will also provide Foreign Resident Staff to the group through secondment arrangements. Wynn Macau defines the term as certain non-Macau residents based in, or to be based in, Macau and provided to the group through those arrangements.

Wynn Marketing (Portugal) will be reimbursed for secondment costs, including salaries and benefits, and for marketing expenses. It will also receive a service fee equal to 5 percent of aggregate costs and expenses.

Wynn Macau said the new agreements are continuing connected transactions because Wynn Marketing (Portugal) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wynn Resorts Limited, the controlling shareholder of Wynn Macau.

Taiwan passes first virtual asset law, mandates license for exchanges

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Taiwan’s legislature passed the Virtual Asset Service Act on June 30th, the island’s first dedicated cryptocurrency law, requiring virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to obtain a license from the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) before operating.

The law replaces the previous registration regime under the Anti-Money Laundering Act with a prior-approval system. VASPs must secure separate licenses for each business type, including exchange, trading platform, transfer, custody, underwriting, and lending. Traditional financial institutions may also apply to operate these services.

A dedicated chapter governs stablecoins. Issuers need FSC approval, granted only after consultation with the central bank, and must hold full reserve assets at domestic financial institutions, kept separate from their own funds and placed in trust. Stablecoins cannot pay interest or yield, and holders gain priority claims on the reserves if an issuer becomes insolvent.

Penalties rose sharply. Operating without a license now carries up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine up to NT$100 million ($3.1 million), against two years and NT$5 million previously. Fraud or market manipulation draws three to ten years and fines of NT$10 million to NT$200 million ($310,000 to $6.2 million).

Registered operators must apply within 12 months of the law taking effect and obtain a license within 21 months. The FSC expects to finalize sub-regulations by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

Macau arrests mainland man accused of livestreaming baccarat tables

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Macau Judiciary Police have arrested a 43-year-old mainland Chinese man suspected of livestreaming baccarat tables from a casino in the city’s central district to gamblers in mainland China and placing bets on their behalf.

According to Macao Daily News, the suspect was detained at around 10:30 a.m. on Monday during a special police inspection targeting alleged proxy betting activity. Police said he had been using modified clothing with a concealed recording setup to film a baccarat table and transmit the footage through a mobile messaging application.

Investigators said the suspect used a phone fixed to the chest area of the clothing, with the camera lens aligned through a small opening. He allegedly received betting instructions through an in-ear micro earpiece and placed wagers for mainland-based gamblers in real time.

Police said the suspect had been hired on an hourly basis since mid-May and had carried out the activity at least 8 times. He allegedly earned about HK$1,000 ($128) per hour and at least HK$20,000 ($2,551) in illegal proceeds, while also receiving commission-related gains.

Officers seized HK$41,000 ($5,230) in chips, HK$40,500 ($5,167) in cash, modified clothing, mobile phones, micro earpieces, a smartwatch and other equipment. Additional modified clothing and devices were later found in his hotel room in Cotai.

The individual has been charged with illegal operation of online games of chance or online mutual betting.

Push Gaming expands Brazil footprint through new KTO Casino partnership

As part of its ongoing LatAm expansion strategy, Push Gaming has partnered with KTO Casino in Brazil, building on its strong growth across key regulated markets such as Buenos Aires Province, Chile, and Brazil.

Brazilian players can now play top Push Gaming titles on KTO Casino with global favourites like Razor Shark, Jammin’ Jars, and 3 Magic Pots.

Marcieli Pelizzaro, Head of LatAm at Push Gaming, commented on the partnership, saying: “We’re excited to announce that we are live with KTO in the Brazilian market. This represents a major milestone as we expand our footprint in Brazil and continue strengthening our presence across the country. This collaboration highlights the strength of our partnership and our ability to deliver reliable, compliant, and scalable solutions in highly regulated environments. It lays a strong foundation for continued growth in the region.”

Myrella Allgayer, Head of Casino at KTO Casino Brazil, also added: “We’re excited to welcome Push to our growing catalog of partners. Their Brazil-certified games are a perfect fit for our platform and for the players who count on us every day. At KTO, our commitment to the Brazilian regulated market is at the core of everything we do, and partnering with providers who share that same dedication is what drives us forward. This is a partnership we’re truly looking forward to growing together.”

Former Light & Wonder executive Daryl Bruce joins Solaire

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Former Light & Wonder executive Daryl Bruce has joined Solaire Resorts as Vice President, Gaming Optimization, announcing the move on LinkedIn after leaving his regional product management role at Light & Wonder in June 2026.

Former Light & Wonder executive Daryl Bruce joins Solaire
Daryl Bruce

Bruce said the new role brings together areas he has worked across during his career, including gaming product, strategy, optimization, and industry partnerships, within the Philippines gaming market.

‘I’m thrilled to share that I’ve joined Solaire Resorts as Vice President, Gaming Optimization,’ Bruce wrote. He added that he was ‘energized to take on a new role’ covering gaming product and strategy, optimization and partnerships.

Bruce most recently served as Director of Product Management Asia at Light & Wonder from July 2024 to June 2026, based in Singapore. Before that, he spent nearly 4 years at SkyCity Adelaide in Australia, where his roles included General Manager Gaming, General Manager Electronic Gaming and Casino F&B, and General Manager Gaming Machines.

His earlier experience includes more than 2 years as General Manager, Strategy & Product Management at Wymac Gaming Solutions, as well as over 8 years at Crown Resorts. At Crown, he held positions including Group Head of Commercial Development and Electronic Table Games, Commercial and Development Manager – Table Games, and Electronic Product Manager – Table Games.

Bruce’s appointment comes after former Sands China executive Sean McCreery joined Manila’s Solaire Resort Entertainment City as Chief Operating Officer. McCreery’s move was part of a broader reshaping of Bloomberry Resorts Corp’s leadership over the past 18 months, which also included Greg Hawkins replacing Tom Arasi as President and COO, and the resignation of Cyrus Sherafat as Executive Vice President, Head of Gaming.

Bloomberry reported a net loss of PHP125 million ($2.0 million) in the first quarter of 2026, as gross gaming revenue fell 13 percent year-on-year to PHP16.8 billion ($273 million). Gross gaming revenue at Solaire Resort Entertainment City declined 18 percent to PHP10.0 billion ($162 million).

What 1xPartners winning the Best Affiliate Program tells us about where the industry is heading 

1xPartners’ victory in the Best Affiliate Program category at the recent SBC Awards Malta, in April, confirms that AI-driven automation, transparent partnership terms, and local expertise are now the key trends shaping affiliate marketing in the iGaming industry.

These factors define market direction and the behavioral patterns of target audiences, directly influencing business performance. 

Technology sets the pace for industry development 

In recent years, affiliate-led fraud has become an increasingly serious issue in marketing. Distorted advertising metrics force advertisers to pay for low-quality traffic, often generated by bots. 1xPartners addressed this challenge by developing a real-time analytics system powered by artificial intelligence, earning recognition from both experts and partners at the SBC Awards Malta. 

Simon Westbury on the 1xPartners victory 

Simon Westbury

Easy API integration and machine learning to combat fraud are no longer concepts of the future – they are now standard requirements for an effective affiliate program. 1xPartners has set a new benchmark for automation and delivered industry-leading information processing speed, becoming a catalyst for the market’s overall development. Thanks to this approach, advertiser trust in affiliate marketing in the iGaming sector has increased significantly. Companies can now see real, transparent data and clearly understand what they are paying for. 

Media partners no longer need to manually fight fraud. AI can handle this task faster and just as effectively, protecting both the platform and its partners from low-quality traffic. Automating the evaluation of clicks, impressions, and leads marks a major step forward for the entire industry.

Clear and transparent rules instead of surprises 

Stability and predictability help businesses scale and enter new markets. That is why affiliates are tired of aggressive practices built on inflated promises and prefer programs with transparent partnership terms instead. 

The brand’s victory at the SBC Awards Malta confirmed that transparency and predictability are now among the most valued qualities in the industry, as they create the ideal environment for sustainable business growth. Clear conditions matter more than unrealistically high payouts. 

The trend toward long-term partnerships instead of short-term CPA sprints will only continue to strengthen. 1xPartners is among the industry leaders in affiliate loyalty and satisfaction – a highly valuable asset that translates into mutually beneficial collaboration. 

Localization as a key competitive advantage 

Tier-2 and tier-3 markets hold the greatest growth potential in the iGaming industry. Successfully entering these regions requires a balanced combination of global experience and local expertise – something that the 1xPartners affiliate program demonstrates exceptionally well. The company has been active in the market for more than 10 years and has united over 500,000 partners across 150 countries. 

1xPartners offers an interface supporting 69 language localizations and access to 250 payment methods, including systems from local operators. This combination has become the foundation of the platform’s high conversion rates. Deep immersion into regional contexts is also reflected in local sports partnerships, whose credibility strengthens audience trust in specific markets. 

1xPartners also provides a wide range of creative materials tailored to regional interests. Football may be globally popular, but other sports also have strong potential for audience acquisition, especially when campaigns are adapted to local traditions and cultural preferences. Horse racing and Gaelic football are hugely popular in Ireland, and basketball is rapidly growing in the Philippines, while Brazil has become one of the key architects of the modern CS2 esports scene.

1xPartners offers up to 45% commission for every referred player through the RevShare model, as well as CPA and Hybrid collaboration formats. Joining the affiliate program takes only a few clicks, without lengthy registration forms or excessive verification procedures. 

New chapter in affiliate marketing 

1xPartners winning the Best Affiliate Program award at the SBC Awards Malta is more than just a prestigious achievement as it confirms that the market is moving toward greater technological innovation, transparency, and deep localization.

The brand has successfully combined AI-driven optimization, flexible collaboration models, and a great understanding of regional market specifics into a unified ecosystem. It delivers strong results for both advertisers and media partners alike. Consequently, 1xPartners continues to shape new trends within the iGaming industry and remains an effective solution for affiliates focused on stable growth and long-term profitability.

Million Games releases Skull King’s Treasure in partnership with Arcane Pixel

Million Games has expanded its portfolio with the release of Skull King’s Treasure, a high-volatility cluster slot created in partnership with new Million Stars studio, Arcane Pixel.

The launch marks Arcane Pixel’s first title under the Million Games banner, delivering a feature-rich experience centered on cascading wins, dynamic Wild generation, and escalating multipliers.

Set on a 6×6 grid, the game uses a cluster-pay system where five or more matching symbols trigger wins. Each successful combination initiates cascading reels, opening the door to consecutive wins within a single spin.

At the core of the gameplay is the Skull King feature. Winning Wild symbols are collected and converted into multiplier boosts for subsequent cascades, creating a progressive mechanic where continued wins directly increase payout potential.

The Free Spins bonus is triggered by landing four or more Scatter symbols, awarding up to 10 spins. During this feature, multipliers carry over between spins, allowing players to build momentum and significantly enhance their winning potential.

“Arcane Pixel has made a strong entrance with Skull King’s Treasure,” said Thomas Nimstad, CEO of Million Games. “It blends proven cluster mechanics with compelling multiplier progression, delivering a clear, engaging experience with meaningful upside. This is exactly the type of innovation the Million Stars programme is designed to foster.”

With a maximum win potential of up to 10,000x the stake, Skull King’s Treasure is tailored for players seeking high-volatility gameplay and extended winning streaks.

The title is available to operators and aggregators through the Million Games distribution network from 30 June 2026.

ReferOn shortlisted for Best Affiliate Management Platform at the iGB Awards 2026 

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ReferOn has proudly announced that it has been officially shortlisted for ‘Best Affiliate Management Platform’ at the renowned iGB Affiliate Awards 2026—a nomination that reflects ReferOn’s continued growth, ongoing product innovation, and its commitment to helping operators and affiliates manage partnerships more efficiently.

This reсognition underscores ReferOn’s core product strengths and its measurable impact on partner operations over a year of rapid expansion. Built to support high-volume affiliate programmes, ReferOn processes millions of data points across partner networks while automating key operational workflows. This gives operators and affiliates greater control over their partner programmes, reduces administrative workload, and allows teams to focus on growth.

Alex Bukin, CEO at ReferOn, commented on the shortlisting: “Being shortlisted for an iGB Affiliate Award is a significant milestone for our team. As affiliate programmes scale, complexity often becomes the biggest obstacle to growth. Our goal is to remove that complexity by giving operators clearer insights, stronger automation, and full control over their affiliate operations. This nomination reflects the direction in which we’re continuing to invest in.”

Refie: A New Chapter in User Experience 

One of the most recent additions to the platform is Refie, ReferOn’s new user experience layer designed to make complex workflows easier to navigate and understand. Designed to connect technical precision with intuitive navigation, Refie translates complex system logic into clear visual feedback across onboarding screens and system state pages.

Refie helps users navigate platform workflows more intuitively by providing clearer visual guidance, simplified onboarding experiences, and improved visibility across key operational processes. The goal is to reduce complexity and help teams complete tasks with greater confidence and efficiency.

The winners of the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026 will be announced live on July 2 during the iGB L!VE week in London. 

The team looks forward to meeting partners, operators, and affiliates during iGB L!VE London and discussing the future of affiliate management.

Paysecure appoints ex-Entain’s Ganesh Iyer as Head of Product to drive growth

Paysecure has announced the appointment of Ganesh Iyer, formerly of Entain
, as its new Head of Product. Iyer will lead the next stage of Paysecure’s product design as it scales internationally across the iGaming and global ecommerce sectors.

Additionally, Lili Piper has joined as Senior Partnership Manager. Piper brings significant experience from her previous roles as Business Development Director at Volt.io
and Senior Business Development Manager at Paysafe. She will focus on expanding Paysecure’s partner network and securing strategic alliances to accelerate growth and broaden payment method choices for clients.

Ganesh joins Paysecure from Entain, where he led Global Payments across 20+ regulated markets. An expert in navigating complex regulatory environments and diverse consumer behaviors, he has successfully scaled products in eCommerce, SaaS, and iGaming across multiple continents, including North America, Asia, and Europe.

Over the last 2 months, Paysecure has continued to scale its business with the appointment of new roles including Head of Infrastructure and Head of Blockchain as the company focuses on expanding its global technical footprint.

Commenting on his new role as Head of Product, Ganesh Iyer, said, “I am pleased to join the Paysecure team and having worked on the operator side of the orchestration space, I can’t wait to get started. I’m looking forward to refining our products to clearly address the deep needs of our client personas, and surface clear product and functionality feature sets that differentiate us in our market as a challenger brand.”

Amit Hooja, Co-Founder and CEO at Paysecure, added: “We’re excited to welcome Ganesh and our new colleagues to the Paysecure team. Ganesh will spearhead our product development, and there’s a shared sense of purpose towards the work we are doing, which we believe is game changing in the payment orchestration space. We look forward to bringing new products to the market and continue to lead the way in the sector”.

JCM Global completes massive 2,300-unit iVIZION rollout at MotorCity Casino

MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit has finalized a major floor-wide upgrade, transitioning over 2,300 gaming machines from UBA® to JCM Global’s® advanced iVIZION® bill validator technology, marking the latest North American venue to bolster security and player convenience.

The upgrade to iVIZION boosts security, increases efficiencies, and ensures the casino is prepared for upcoming U.S currency updates with the latest bill validation technology. The new iVIZION cash boxes are compatible with the existing ICB® Intelligent Cash Box system and highly advanced ICB ASAP® robotic solution in MotorCity’s count room.

Stacey Young, SVP Casino Operations at MotorCity, said, “We have partnered with JCM for decades, and the fact that their UBA product has served us so well for so long is a testament to the high quality and durability of their products. Now with iVIZION, we can further boost our security and maximize our efficiencies with it and the ICB ASAP system on our floor.”

“For over two decades, our partnership with MotorCity Casino Hotel has been defined by a shared vision, trust, and a commitment to elevating their guest experience to deliver on their brand of ‘Your Escape From The Everyday,’ shared Dave Kubajak, SVP – Sales, Marketing & Operations at JCM Global. “This latest floor wide upgrade to iVIZION further boosts their security and creates a smoother, more seamless experience across their gaming floor, allowing guests to enjoy the very best play environment possible.”

iVIZION is the leading bill validator in its class, unmatched in protection and performance. Its advanced Contact Image Sensor (CIS) technology enhances security by scanning 75 times more data points than any bill validator, capturing the full image of both sides of a banknote or ticket, all while maintaining the fastest and highest acceptance rate.