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Playson debuts €25M BLASTS & RACES global campaign

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Playson debuts €25M BLASTS & RACES global campaign

Playson has officially launched BLASTS & RACES, its new flagship global campaign featuring a €25,000,000 prize pool.

Evolving from the supplier’s highly successful Non-Stop Drops & Races initiative, BLASTS & RACES represents the next chapter in Playson’s renowned network campaign offering. Running until June 30th, 2027, the year-long engagement campaign offers a staggering €25,000,000 prize pot – a significant increase from the €10,000,000 awarded in the previous edition – making it one of the industry’s largest player engagement campaigns.

The launch follows the success of Playson’s previous edition, which generated record participation from operators and players worldwide, reinforcing the appeal of large-scale network engagement initiatives.

BLASTS & RACES introduces a refreshed identity for Playson’s flagship engagement campaign, reflecting its continued growth and ambition while maintaining the proven foundations that have made previous editions so successful.

As part of the refresh, several familiar campaign features have been renamed to better reflect their player experience. Cash Blast has become Power Blast, Tournaments evolved into Grand Races, and Short Races are rebranded as Turbo Races. While the names have evolved, the trusted mechanics and seamless integrations that operators value remain unchanged.

Powered by Playson’s proven engagement tools and featuring a portfolio of top-performing and newly released titles, the campaign provides operators with a simple and effective way to boost player retention. With no additional integration required, partners can seamlessly opt in and begin rewarding players through the year-long initiative from today.

Waldemar Antypov, Product Owner at Playson, said: “BLASTS & RACES represents a significant milestone in the evolution of our flagship network campaign, and we are delighted to officially launch it to operators and players around the world. Following the outstanding success of previous editions, we have increased the rewards budget from €10 million to €25 million to deliver even greater value across the network. Combined with our trusted engagement mechanics, refreshed campaign identity and seamless operator integration, BLASTS & RACES is designed to keep players engaged with exciting opportunities to win throughout the year.”

The launch of BLASTS & RACES underlines Playson’s ongoing commitment to developing innovative engagement tools that create value for operators while delivering entertaining and rewarding experiences for players.

Partners and operators can opt-in for participation, with no integration, any time during the one-year period.

NOVOMATIC named Austria’s second-most valuable corporate brand for 2026

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NOVOMATIC named Austria’s second-most valuable corporate brand for 2026

For the seventh consecutive year, NOVOMATIC has solidified its position among Austria’s corporate elite, securing second place in the 23rd annual Austrian Brand Value Study by the European Brand Institute (EBI).

With a valuation of EUR 3.938 billion—a 2.0 percent increase over the previous year—the group continues to trail only Red Bull, further cementing its status as one of the nation’s most valuable and sustainable brand leaders.

NOVOMATIC
NOVOMATIC AG Group expands Executive Board
Stefan Krenn

“This top ranking once again confirms the strong international appeal of the NOVOMATIC brand and the success of our long-term corporate strategy. We have succeeded in further strengthening the NOVOMATIC brand worldwide through continuous innovation, the expansion of our global presence, and a consistent focus on sustainable growth,” said Stefan Krenn, Member of the NOVOMATIC AG Executive Board. “The fact that we are once again among the leading companies in the Sustainable Brand Ranking shows that economic success and responsible business practices are inextricably linked at NOVOMATIC.”

This prestigious award highlights NOVOMATIC’s strong market position and sustainable growth. The company has consistently ranked among Austria’s most valuable corporate brands since 2020. The evaluation is based on international standards and considers factors including brand strength, brand potential, trends, and economic performance.

NOVOMATIC’s renewed second place reaffirms its position as a leader in the Sustainable Brand Ranking. A key factor in this success is the Group’s corporate responsibility and ESG program, which firmly integrates environmental, social, and governance aspects into the long-term corporate strategy. The effectiveness of these measures is regularly confirmed by independent ESG rating agencies.

NOVOMATIC

The Austrian Brand Value Study is conducted annually by the European Brand Institute. For the 2026 ranking, 180 brand-name companies from 16 industries were analyzed, more than 45 percent of which are Austrian-owned. The evaluation is conducted in accordance with the international standards ISO 10668 and ISO 20671.

With its top rankings in both the Brand Value and Sustainable Brand categories, NOVOMATIC AG has once again underscored its position as one of Austria’s most important companies with international influence.

Quantum adds Cashback and Custard to growing digital rewards portfolio

AGBrief Editorial
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Quantum adds Cashback and Custard to growing digital rewards portfolio

Quantum International Holdings has officially expanded its portfolio beyond affiliate marketing, announcing today, July 1, 2026, the acquisition of digital rewards brands Cashback.co.uk and JoinCustard.co.uk.

Cashback.co.uk is a well-established UK cashback platform with hundreds of thousands of loyal customers. JoinCustard.co.uk, launched in October 2024, is a fast-growing digital rewards and gifting platform, while the Custard mobile app extends the platform’s reach to users on the go.

The acquisition marks Quantum’s first move into the digital rewards and cashback market, expanding its footprint beyond affiliate marketing and into direct consumer reward products. It is a natural extension of Quantum’s data-led, performance-first model, bringing two complementary consumer platforms into the business alongside the technology and expertise needed to scale them.

The deal builds on Quantum’s momentum following 36% year-on-year revenue growth in 2025 and recent launches in Ireland, South Africa and multiple US states. With operations now spanning the UK, US, Ireland and South Africa, Quantum is accelerating its ambition to become the world’s most used digital comparison service.

Jamie Walters, CEO of Quantum International Holdings, said:“Cashback and Custard are proven platforms with loyal users, clear product-market fit, and strong commercial potential. What they need now is scale, and that is where Quantum can add real value. We have the data, technology, and performance mindset to grow these platforms quickly and responsibly. This is a bold move into a fast-growing consumer rewards space, and a natural next step in our ambition to connect more people with better value across the digital economy.”

Quantum’s proprietary technology stack and intelligence engine, Qi Platform, will support growth across the acquired assets by enabling faster product iteration, improved personalisation, and deeper insight into user behaviour. 

Quantum’s in-house technology team of dedicated data engineering, machine learning and software engineering capability, will support the integration and development of both platforms.

Neil Durrant, CEO of Submission Technology, added: “We built Cashback and Custard from the ground up, and we are incredibly proud of what the team has achieved. Quantum is the right home for these platforms. Their technology, commercial relationships and ambition make them well placed to take Cashback and Custard to a much bigger audience. It is an exciting next chapter for both businesses.”

The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Main heroes of World Football Forum 2026 

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Main heroes of World Football Forum 2026 

From June 11 to July 19, the most anticipated football event of the year will take place across the US, Canada, and Mexico, with the whole world watching. National teams from 48 countries will compete for the title of the world’s best.

The tournament is held once every four years and goes beyond the framework of a traditional sporting event.

It has a special vibe, which is why even brands not directly associated with football are releasing exclusive merchandise inspired by the World Football Forum 2026. It also changes the perception of betting. For many fans, betting on their national team fuels their interest in the tournament matches and is an important part of supporting their home side. That’s why even those who are not particularly interested in the regular football season make their predictions. 

Biggest favorites 

According to analysts and bookmakers, the top 3 favorites for the tournament are Spain, France, and England. Their strength lies in the depth of their squads and the high level of individual skill among their players. La Furia Roja will arrive in America as European champions, while Les Bleus are the runners-up from the previous tournament. England haven’t won a major title for 60 years and have therefore appointed German manager Thomas Tuchel as head coach, with the aim of ending their long, unlucky streak. 

The list of the main favorites also includes the reigning champions, Argentina. At the last World Football Forum in Qatar, La Albiceleste showed they can play pragmatically, breaking the hearts of football romantics. Their archrivals, the Brazil national team, also have a good chance of success, having been bolstered by the experienced manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian has become one of the most successful coaches in club football and will now attempt to replicate that success at the national team level. 

The Portugal national team is also well-prepared for the competition. The Seleção das Quinas have the perfect balance of experience and energy, and their key players have had a fantastic season.

Who will win the Golden Boot of the tournament? 

Fans will be betting not only on the new champions, but also on the individual achievements of the most outstanding players. The World Football Forum 2026 will be the last dance for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Far from fading into a symbolic role, Messi has defied expectations entirely — entering WCMCU2026 as the active goalscoring leader and rewriting the tournament’s record books along the way. 

The leading contender for the Golden Boot at WCMCU2026 is Kylian Mbappé. The France captain enters the tournament in red-hot club form, having scored around 40 goals for Real Madrid this season. He is also chasing a place in World Football Forum scoring history. Klose’s once-untouchable career goalscoring record has already fallen during this edition of WCMCU2026, with Messi now standing as the tournament’s all-time top scorer — and Mbappé not far behind, with every chance of catching him before the tournament is over. 

Harry Kane stands a good chance of challenging the French star. The England captain comfortably won the 2025/26 European Golden Shoe with 36 league goals, finishing well clear of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, who came second and third respectively. At the same time, this WCMCU2026 could also be a breath of fresh air for Vinícius Júnior, who is capable of shining in America after a less than successful season at Real Madrid. 

Which countries are seeing the highest interest? 

The global scale of the event is fuelling interest in the tournament’s matches, even in countries where football isn’t the most popular sport. The World Football Forum final in Qatar was watched by around 1.5 billion people. By comparison, the Super Bowl attracted 124 million viewers, and the Champions League final about 150 million. Therefore, the games of the upcoming competition will be watched worldwide. 

However, the most attractive markets for monetizing traffic are the countries of South America, Africa, and Asia. They boast impressive growth rates, high levels of user engagement, and have strong representatives in the tournament. Brazil and Argentina will be aiming for triumph, while Uruguay, Colombia, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Japan, and South Korea are capable of causing major problems for the big names and delighting fans with sensational upsets in the knockout stage. 

The matches of the No. 1 football tournament will be watched by both seasoned fans and housewives. This isn’t just another sporting event, but a socio-cultural occasion during which teams represent their countries to the whole world. 

People tend to support those close to them 

When launching advertising campaigns for this year’s major sporting event, it’s important to take the regional context into account. For example, Bolivia and Nigeria didn’t qualify for the World Football Forum 2026, but fans from these countries will support teams from South America and Africa, respectively, because they feel a close affinity with them. Similarly, a neutral audience follows the matches of the top teams with particular interest, as these sides are at the heart of the title race and often put on a spectacular show. 

Viral creative content will help capture the audience’s attention and convert registrations into actual deposits. 1xPartners offers a wide range of promo materials for the World Football Forum 2026, all of which are designed with a deep understanding of the local context across all key iGaming markets in Asia, Africa, and South America. This approach will help you make effective use of traffic during the period of increased interest in the tournament. 1xPartners affiliates receive ready-made solutions that can be quickly adapted for different regions.

Macau GGR falls 12.1% in June as World Cup weighs on demand

Viviana Chan
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Macau GGR falls 12.1% in June as World Cup weighs on demand

Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) in June totaled MOP18.52 billion ($2.29 billion), down 12.1 percent year-on-year, according to data released by the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ).

The June figure also represented an 18.1 percent decline from May’s GGR of MOP22.61 billion ($2.80 billion). The result was broadly in line with analysts’ expectations, after some had forecast weaker gaming revenue in June and July.

Macau GGR falls 12.1% in June as World Cup weighs on demand

Analysts said this year’s FIFA World Cup could have a stronger impact on gaming demand than previous major football tournaments due to its expanded format. The tournament includes 104 matches, more than double the 51 matches played during UEFA Euro 2024 and well above the 64 matches in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

June also included the Dragon Boat Festival holiday from June 19th to 21st. Macau recorded more than 380,000 visitor arrivals during the three-day break, as public holidays in Macau, Hong Kong and mainland China supported cross-border travel, according to police data.

For the first half of 2026, Macau’s casino GGR reached MOP126.90 billion ($15.72 billion), up 6.8 percent year-on-year. However, the figure remained 15.1 percent below the same period in 2019, when GGR totaled MOP149.50 billion ($18.53 billion).

TransAct names Troy Ingianni CFO after Campbell withdraws

Viviana Chan
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TransAct names Troy Ingianni CFO after Campbell withdraws

TransAct Technologies has appointed Troy Ingianni as chief financial officer, effective July 1st, after Robert Campbell withdrew his candidacy to succeed retiring CFO Steven DeMartino for ‘personal reasons’.

NOVOMATIC
Troy Ingianni

The U.S.-based company, which provides casino and gaming technology as well as food-service software and hardware solutions, announced the appointment on June 29th. Ingianni will also serve as secretary, treasurer and principal accounting officer.

Campbell, TransAct’s controller, had previously been appointed to succeed DeMartino as chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer. According to a June 26th filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Campbell will step down as principal accounting officer on June 30th but remain in a non-executive role in the company’s finance department.

The filing said Campbell’s decision was not due to any disagreement with TransAct over its operations, policies or practices.

Ingianni brings more than 25 years of financial reporting, technical accounting and SEC compliance experience. He most recently served as vice president, global controller and chief accounting officer at Barnes Group Inc.

“Troy’s exceptional background in technical accounting and public company financial leadership makes him the most qualified candidate to step into this role,” TransAct CEO John Dillon said.

iGaming veterans launch Crypto-Casinos.com with Paul Puolakka as Co-Founder & CMO

AGBrief Editorial
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iGaming veterans launch Crypto-Casinos.com with Paul Puolakka as Co-Founder & CMO

With the official launch of Crypto-Casinos.com, a team of veteran iGaming experts has united to establish a premier media destination dedicated to the intersection of crypto-gaming, blockchain payments, and emerging digital entertainment.

The founding team includes Paul Puolakka, who joins as Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. 

With more than a decade of experience across both the operator and affiliate sides of iGaming, Puolakka has built a reputation for brand development, marketing strategy, partnerships, and business growth.

Throughout his career, he has also become a recognized industry speaker, appearing at events including NEXT.io, SBC Summit, SiGMA, HIPTHER and AffPapa. As Co-Founder and CMO, Puolakka will lead the company’s marketing strategy, communications, partnerships, and long-term brand development. 

Rather than positioning itself as another comparison website, Crypto-Casinos.com aims to become an independent source of information covering cryptocurrency payments, blockchain technology, Web3 entertainment, industry developments, and trusted operator reviews. 

The platform will combine practical player guides with expert interviews, market analysis, educational content, and commentary, serving both consumers and industry professionals. 

Co-Founder and CEO Havard Lehn believes that the combination of entrepreneurial thinking and industry experience positions the founding team uniquely to build a long-term brand. 

“Paul has a rare combination of experience from both the operator and affiliate sides of the industry. He understands growth, partnerships and brand building, but he also understands where the market is heading. Digital assets, alternative payment solutions and prediction markets are all areas we believe will become increasingly important over the coming years. 

“We’re not interested in building another short-term affiliate project. Our ambition is to build a trusted media brand that creates long-term value for readers, partners and the wider industry.”

Havard Lehn

For Puolakka, joining the project was driven as much by the people as the opportunity itself. “I’ve been fortunate to work with some fantastic companies throughout my career, but I’ve always enjoyed building something from the ground up. At this stage, I wanted to be involved in a project where I genuinely believe in both the people and the long-term vision.” 

Paul Puolakka Joins Crypto-Casinos.com as Co-Founder & CMO
Paul Puolakka

Looking ahead, Puolakka expects digital assets to play an increasingly important role in online entertainment. “Users increasingly expect speed, flexibility and choice. Blockchain-based payments solve many of those challenges, and while traditional payment methods will continue to play an important role, I believe digital assets will become a much larger part of the ecosystem over time.” 

He also believes prediction markets represent one of the most interesting developments within the broader digital entertainment sector. 

“They’re attracting entirely new audiences and creating conversations that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Whether they ultimately evolve closer to finance, gaming or somewhere in between, I think they’ll become an increasingly important part of the wider ecosystem.” 

Paul Puolakka

In addition to reviews and platform rankings, Crypto-Casinos.com plans to invest heavily in educational content, interviews, market insights, blockchain explainers, and coverage of emerging technologies shaping the industry’s future. 

“Trust is difficult to earn and easy to lose,” said Puolakka. “That’s why transparency, quality content and genuine expertise will sit at the centre of everything we build.”

Asia Gaming eBrief: MGM China buys mainland hospitality arm for $20M

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Asia Gaming eBrief: MGM China buys mainland hospitality arm for $20M
Good morning. Bring the pieces back to the board. MGM China has bought MGM Asia Pacific for $20 million, folding a mainland hotel-management platform into the Macau operator as it looks beyond casino floors and deeper into hospitality and cultural tourism. The timing adds intrigue, with MGM Resorts reviewing a takeover offer and Pansy Ho having sold her direct MGM Resorts stake. In the Philippines, Solaire has brought in former Light & Wonder executive Daryl Bruce for gaming optimization. Wynn Macau has also added new marketing and staff secondment arrangements under a $21.5 million annual cap.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

M&A

MGM China, Macau

MGM China acquires the mainland MGM hotel business

MGM China has bought MGM Asia Pacific Limited for $20 million from a company indirectly owned by its controlling shareholder, MGM Resorts International. The acquisition gives MGM China direct control of a mainland hotel-management platform with eight operational hotels, more than 12 active projects and access to over 1.5 million Mlife loyalty members. The deal also comes shortly after Pansy Ho disposed of her direct MGM Resorts holding and MGM Resorts received a takeover bid from People Incorporated.

Industry Updates

Corporate Spotlight

How Crypto Adoption in Asia is Changing iGaming Payments

Yevhen Krazhan, CSO for GR8 Tech

Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech, explores how surging crypto adoption across Asia is revolutionizing iGaming payments, stating: “When I look at what’s changing fastest in Asia, it’s payment behavior,” as wallets, stablecoins, and seamless cross-border transfers become deeply ingrained in player habits. The winning operators will be those that offer fast, reliable, and local deposits and withdrawals. To make sense of it, Yevhen breaks Asia into two crypto realities.

INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | AWARDS | CAREERS | EVENTS

Emperor Entertainment loss narrows 90% after Macau gaming exit

Viviana Chan
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Emperor Entertainment loss narrows 90% after Macau gaming exit

Emperor Entertainment Hotel narrowed its net loss by 90 percent for the year ended March 31st, 2026, after exiting its casino business in Macau. 

The Hong Kong-listed hospitality group posted a net loss of HK$24.8 million ($3.2 million), down from HK$248.1 million ($31.8 million) a year earlier.

The gaming area at Grand Emperor Hotel ceased operations on October 31st, 2025, after the company and SJM Resorts, S.A. agreed to terminate their service agreement early. No gaming revenue was recognized after that date, and gaming revenue for the full year fell to HK$179.4 million ($23 million), down from HK$505.6 million ($64.8 million).

Total revenue fell to HK$512.2 million ($65.7 million) for the year, compared with HK$837.0 million ($107.3 million) in the prior year. Revenue from hotels and leasing apartments held broadly steady at HK$332.8 million ($42.7 million), against HK$331.4 million ($42.5 million) previously, and accounted for 65.0 percent of total revenue, up from 39.6 percent a year earlier.

The narrower net loss was driven largely by a smaller fair value loss on investment properties, which fell to HK$106.2 million ($13.6 million) from HK$371.7 million ($47.7 million) in the prior year. Basic loss per share was HK$0.01, compared with HK$0.16 a year earlier.

Following the gaming closure, the group’s headcount fell to 349 employees as of March 31st, 2026, from 659 a year earlier, with total staff costs dropping to HK$212.4 million ($27.2 million) from HK$325.1 million ($41.7 million).

The group’s remaining portfolio includes the Emperor Hotel and three leasing apartment blocks under “The Unit” in Hong Kong, along with Grand Emperor Hotel and Inn Hotel in Macau. 

The board did not recommend a final dividend for the year. The company said it is exploring alternative entertainment and amusement offerings at Grand Emperor Hotel to broaden its revenue base following the exit from gaming.

Visualize Group expands gaming compliance portfolio with eCOGRA acquisition

AGBrief Editorial
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Visualize Group expands gaming compliance portfolio with eCOGRA acquisition

The Visualize Group, a private investment firm specializing in mission-critical services businesses, has agreed to acquire eCOGRA, a leading provider of testing, certification, and compliance services for the global online gaming sector.

The acquisition follows Visualize’s recent purchase of BMM Testlabs, further strengthening its position in the gaming testing and certification market.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in London, eCOGRA serves gaming software suppliers, operators, and regulators across more than 50 jurisdictions worldwide. The company is widely recognized for its independent certification standards that promote player protection, game fairness, and regulatory compliance.

eCOGRA
BMM Testlabs, Long-established testing

Together, eCOGRA and BMM will provide complementary expertise across digital and land-based gaming, enabling Visualize to expand service capacity, broaden licensing coverage, enhance turnaround times, and deliver greater value to customers while maintaining each company’s operational independence and accreditation standards.

As part of the transaction, Visualize plans to extend its employee ownership program to eCOGRA’s workforce, aligning employees with the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Will Shuckburgh, CEO of eCOGRA, said, “For more than two decades, eCOGRA’s mission has been to ensure that players can trust the games they play and that operators can meet the highest standards of compliance. As regulated gaming expands into new markets around the world, the demand for fast, rigorous, and reliable certification has never been greater. Partnering with Visualize gives us the resources to serve our customers better — to invest in our people, our technology, and our capacity — while continuing to operate with the independence and integrity that our accreditation partners and customers expect.”

C. C. Melvin Ike, Founder and Managing Partner of Visualize, added, “As high-conviction thematic investors, we back exceptional businesses and management teams providing mission-critical services in growing markets, and we build deep expertise in the sectors to which we commit. Building on our experience in regulated gaming, the independent testing and certification that both eCOGRA and BMM provide is fundamental to protecting players and sustaining the trust of regulators, and the two businesses bring distinct capabilities across online and land-based gaming. With eCOGRA, our intention is straightforward: to build eCOGRA into a generational business that can deliver faster, more responsive, and more innovative service to a fast-growing market that needs more high-quality service. We’re thrilled to partner with Will and the entire eCOGRA team.”

“We invested in eCOGRA because it was a high-quality business operating in an attractive market, with a well-earned reputation that had been built over many years,” shared David Cowan, Managing Partner at Hanover Investors. “Since then, the team has continued to strengthen the business, expanding its global reach, investing in its capabilities and reinforcing its position as a trusted partner to regulators and operators around the world. We are proud of what has been achieved during our ownership and grateful for the commitment and hard work of Will and the wider eCOGRA team. We believe Visualize is the right partner to support the next phase of growth and are excited to see eCOGRA continue to develop in the years ahead.”

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and clearances.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Greenberg Traurig acted as legal advisors for Visualize. Macquarie Capital acted as financial advisor for Hanover and eCOGRA. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP acted as legal advisor for Hanover and eCOGRA.

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