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Brightstar Lottery secures contract with Lottotech for RetailerPro S2 upgrade

Brightstar Lottery has announced that its subsidiaries, Brightstar Global Solutions Corporation and Brightstar Lottery Cyprus Limited, have secured a multi-year contract extension with Lottotech, operator of the Mauritius National Lottery.

RetailerPro S2, Brightstar Lottery

As part of the renewed agreement, Brightstar will deploy an advanced lottery central system designed to unlock new operational benefits, while also upgrading Lottotech’s retail network with its latest RetailerPro S2 terminals, powered by the company’s cutting-edge OpenRetail platform.

“Extending Lottotech’s trusted relationship with Brightstar into its third decade through this latest contract underscores our shared commitment to long-term innovation and growth,” said Moorghen Veeramootoo, Lottotech Chief Executive Officer. “Enhancing our central system marks a significant milestone for Lottotech, enabling greater agility, flexibility, and disaster tolerance as we enhance the player and retailer experiences while positioning our business for continued success.”

“As Lottotech’s exclusive retail lottery technology partner since its inception, Brightstar has continuously pushed boundaries to revolutionize products that benefit and complement the expectations of today’s modern lottery,” shared Marco Tasso, Brightstar Chief Operating Officer International and Italy Operations. “We are excited to deliver our next-generation terminals and deploy our advanced central system to Lottotech, a natural next step in the evolution of Lottotech’s business critical operations.”

Engineered for speed and reliability, Brightstar’s Retailer Pro S2 is powered by a high-performance processor that ensures rapid transaction processing. Its ergonomic, modular design supports multiple player-facing displays and a broad range of peripherals enabling flexible and engaging player interactions.

Brightstar’s OpenRetail software is designed to streamline lottery operations with unmatched versatility and efficiency. Built on a single code line, updates and new features can be deployed easily across all point-of-sale devices.

Goa High Court blocks giant casino vessel from Mandovi River

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On May 6th, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court issued an interim order barring the MV Deltin Royale, a 112-meter, seven-story casino vessel with a capacity of 2,000 passengers, from entering Panaji Port on the Mandovi River.

Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar ruled that the ship cannot sail into port without a valid certificate of survey confirming its seaworthiness, and that even if it obtains the necessary certifications, it must still seek the court’s express permission before doing so.

The vessel, owned by Delta Pleasure Cruise Company Limited, was intended to replace the aging MV Royale Flotel, a 70-passenger boat currently licensed to operate on the river. The size differential is not subtle. Petitioners from the civil society group Enough is Enough told the court that the new ship’s passenger capacity exceeds the combined total of all six offshore casino vessels currently moored on the Mandovi.

That particular point landed. So did the concerns raised by the captain and secretary of ports, who had flagged as early as 2021 that new vessels of this scale “may create further navigational hazards and create a bottleneck at mooring positions”, warnings that were on record before the NOC for the new ship was granted anyway.

The legal challenge also takes aim at the regulatory mechanics of the deal itself. Activists and counsel for the petitioners argue that the Goa Gambling Act contains no provision for the “replacement” of one vessel with another under the same licence, particularly where the size and capacity differ so dramatically. The state government, for its part, gave the court an assurance it would not amend the MV Royale Flotel’s licence in favour of the MV Deltin Royale without first informing the bench. A follow-up hearing has been scheduled for July 6th.

The timing has an added layer. The next hearing falls after the monsoon season begins, meaning the ship – currently sitting at Mormugao Port – is not expected to enter the Mandovi before the rains clear. Petitioners have also filed a caveat before the Supreme Court of India, a precautionary move to ensure no ex-parte order can be obtained by the casino company at the apex level without first hearing their objections.

For Goa’s offshore gaming sector, the ruling is a setback with broader implications. The state is one of only three Indian jurisdictions where gambling is legal, and its six floating casinos have long occupied an uncomfortable space between major revenue contributor and persistent environmental controversy.

The government earned INR6,03 billion ($72 million) from casinos in the 2023-24 financial year – a figure that fell back to INR4.6 billion ($55 million) the following year. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said as recently as March that the government has no plans to issue licenses for new offshore casinos, a position this ruling does nothing to contradict. For now, the Mandovi stays as it is.

GKL 1Q26 net profit falls 6.3% to $10.1M

Grand Korea Leisure Inc. (GKL), the South Korean operator of foreigner-only casinos under the Seven Luck brand, reported a 6.3 percent year-on-year decline in first-quarter net profit, according to a filing released Wednesday.

Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent company totaled KRW15.09 billion ($10.1 million) for the three months ended March 31st, 2026, compared with KRW16.11 billion ($10.8 million) a year earlier.

Operating income for the quarter fell 10 percent year-on-year to KRW18.15 billion ($12.2 million), while sales increased 0.7 percent to KRW110.65 billion ($74.3 million).

GKL also reported net income from continuing operations before income tax of KRW19.34 billion ($13.0 million), down 8.9 percent from KRW21.22 billion ($14.2 million) in the prior-year period.

Compared with the previous quarter, the company returned to profitability. Operating income reversed from a loss of KRW801 million ($538,000) in the fourth quarter of 2025, while net income swung from a loss of KRW660 million ($443,000).

GKL operates three foreigner-only casinos in South Korea under the Seven Luck brand.

GEG appoints Jaime Sze, Robert Drake after Yip and Mecca retire

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Galaxy Entertainment Group said William Yip Shue Lam and Michael Victor Mecca resigned as independent non-executive directors with effect from May 13th, 2026, due to retirement, while the company also appointed Jaime Sze Wine Him as a new independent non-executive director.

The Macau casino operator said Yip would also cease serving as a member of the Audit Committee and chairman of both the Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee upon his resignation, taking effect.

GEG said both outgoing directors confirmed they had no disagreement with the board and that there were no matters relating to their resignations requiring the attention of shareholders or The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.

‘The Board would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Yip and Mr. Mecca for their valuable contributions to GEG during their tenure as independent non-executive Directors of GEG,’ the company said.

Mr. Sze, aged 51, was appointed as an independent non-executive director and member of the Nomination Committee effective May 13th, 2026. GEG described him as having extensive experience in the investment industry. He is currently the investment director of Hang Tung Resources Holding Limited and a non-executive director of Hong Kong-listed Prosperous Future Holdings Limited.

The company also announced the appointment of Robert Charles Drake as a non-executive director effective the same date.

Betable Group debuts Newshore to streamline unified payments

Betable Group has announced the launch of Newshore, a new payment processing platform designed to simplify and streamline operator payment infrastructure.

Newshore is part of Betable Group, which offers a range of platform solutions to iGaming and fintech operators.

Once connected to Newshore, iGaming operators can accept payments via credit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets through a single, easy-to-use tool, without the need to set up multiple accounts or work with different services.

Led by Operations Director Chris Prentice and Product Manager Jonathan Luke, the new platform addresses longstanding operator pain points around fragmented integrations, operational complexity and rising processing costs.

Chris Prentice has previously served as UK General Manager at Grace Gaming, while Luke brings six years of experience working on digital fraud and risk at Rank Interactive and Lloyds.

Chris Prentice, Operations Director at Newshore

Commenting on the platform launch, Chris Prentice, Operations Director at Newshore, said: “We spoke extensively with iGaming operators and the message was consistent. Payments have become too complex, with too many integrations and too much operational friction. Newshore was built to change that. Our platform gives merchants a single, streamlined connection to the payment ecosystem, removing the burden of managing multiple providers while improving efficiency and cost control. It’s about making payments infrastructure simpler, more flexible and ready for global growth.”

Newshore is designed to provide merchants with a comprehensive and flexible payment ecosystem, allowing businesses to easily connect to a wide array of payment providers and methods. By consolidating integrations and simplifying operations, the company helps operators enhance payment performance and expand internationally with greater ease.

MGM China lists $750M senior notes due 2033 in Hong Kong

MGM China Holdings Limited said Wednesday that its $750 million 6.25 percent senior notes due 2033 are expected to begin trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on May 14th, 2026.

The notes were recently issued by MGM China as part of a refinancing transaction.

As previously reported by AGB, citing a recent CreditSights report, the refinancing transaction is intended to extend the company’s debt maturity profile and preserve liquidity flexibility, rather than prioritize further deleveraging.

CreditSights said proceeds from the issuance are expected to repay borrowings under MGM China’s HK$23.4 billion ($3 billion) revolving credit facility, which matures in April 2030. The research house added that MGM China’s leverage metrics had already recovered to below pre-pandemic levels since the second quarter of 2024.

As of the first quarter of 2026, CreditSights estimated MGM China’s gross leverage at 2.1 times, compared with 2.7 times in 2019, while net leverage stood at 1.35 times.

Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan and Bank of China Macau Branch acted as joint global coordinators for the offering.

EvenBet Gaming awarded five-year Danish B2B supplier license

EvenBet Gaming, a leading online poker and casino software developer, has received a five-year B2B supplier license from Denmark’s Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden), reinforcing its presence in one of Europe’s most established regulated markets.

The strategic move into the Danish market aligns with EvenBet’s mission to provide its global client base with seamless access to high-potential regulated jurisdictions. By securing this license, the company enhances its ability to support both new and existing operators in diversifying their market reach through scalable, fully compliant gaming solutions.

The license covers a comprehensive portfolio of products, including EvenBet’s industry-leading poker software, turnkey online casino platform, and extensive content catalogue comprising roulette, baccarat, blackjack, punto banco, bingo and slots.

The approval follows a rigorous assessment process covering RNG certification, platform security, and business procedures, reinforcing EvenBet’s ongoing commitment to compliance, integrity and player protection.

With the Danish iGaming market generating approximately DKK 11 billion (€1.47 billion) in gross gaming revenue during 2024, the license represents a significant commercial opportunity for operators seeking long-term growth within a stable and highly profitable market.

By partnering with EvenBet, operators benefit from a streamlined route to regulated markets and gain access to the company’s world-class poker infrastructure and comprehensive casino suite. This enables them to diversify their offerings and engage high-value player segments within a secure and fully compliant framework.

Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming, said: “Securing our Danish B2B license is another important milestone in EvenBet’s long-term strategy. Denmark has established itself as one of the most mature and well-regulated gaming markets in Europe, making it an extremely attractive jurisdiction for both suppliers and operators. This approval not only reflects the strength and reliability of our technology, but also allows us to support our existing and future partners with fully compliant access to a highly valuable market.”

Data silos, not technology, key bottleneck for gaming’s future: panel

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Data silos across operator and supplier systems are holding back the gaming industry’s ability to deliver personalized player experiences and smarter floor decisions, panelists said at G2E Asia in Macau.

Speaking on a panel titled “How is technology going to shape gaming’s future?”, Aristocrat Gaming Chief Revenue Officer Kurt Gissane said data has become “the most valuable asset on the balance sheet,” but the industry is struggling to make use of it.

“Both operators and vendors alike have a lot of good data, but we have multiple different systems, so it’s hard to capture and unify that data,” Gissane said. “Tech can get us there, but it’s about removing those data silos and figuring out a way to move forward.”

Light & Wonder International Managing Director Jamie Dorbian agreed, warning that fragmented systems undermine the industry’s ability to understand players. “If all these systems are not talking to each other, they’re not going to get an accurate view of the player, their behaviors, or the predictive analytics,” he said. “There’s really no point unless they can have everything talking and create this one ecosystem.”

Gissane added that the shift from hardware-led to experience-led business models has made data integration even more critical. Operators using analytics to inform decisions, he said, are “separating themselves from the rest,” as the competitive edge no longer lies in property size or machine count, but in optimization and personalization.

Both executives pointed to the convergence of land-based and digital channels as an area where unified data is essential. Dorbian said the future lies in crafting a seamless player journey across both environments, while Gissane predicted a much more customized, frictionless experience between touchpoints.

Gameworkz founder and chairman Shaun McCamley, also on the panel, argued that cross-platform capability is now a foundational requirement, and that loyalty programs — “a key cornerstone of most operators’ bottom lines” — must interact seamlessly with both digital products and the casino floor.

He warned that many land-based operators in the region still fail to grasp how to structure their digital business internally, treating it as an extension of casino operations, IT, or marketing rather than as an independent unit.

BMM Testlabs to showcase product testing and certification expertise at SiGMA Asia 2026

BMM Testlabs (BMM), a leading provider of testing, certification, cybersecurity, compliance, and training services, has announced its participation in the SiGMA Asia Summit, taking place May 31–June 3 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, as part of its World Tour 2026.

Attendees can visit BMM Testlabs at Stand No. 2619 to learn how the Company supports suppliers, operators, and regulators across regulated gaming markets worldwide through its comprehensive compliance and product certification services.

BMM will highlight its ability to test and certify gaming products to every regulator’s standard, anywhere in the world.

In the Philippines, BMM Testlabs is licensed to provide testing and certification services for slot machines, table games, electronic table games, iGaming, bingo, retail, and online sports betting, poker, and mobile gaming solutions.

“SiGMA Asia Summit continues to be an important event for the gaming industry across the Asia-Pacific region,” said Jeffrey Fong, VP of Business Development for BMM Testlabs – Asia. “We are proud to support suppliers, operators, and regulators with trusted compliance expertise that helps bring products to market efficiently and responsibly. Our global experience, combined with our strong regional knowledge, allows us to help our customers grow confidently in regulated gaming markets throughout Asia and beyond.”

BMM Testlabs continues to expand its support of regulated gaming markets worldwide through its global network of laboratories and technical experts, helping customers achieve faster market access while maintaining the highest standards of quality, security, and regulatory compliance.

To schedule a meeting with BMM at SiGMA Asia Summit 2026, please visit the BMM World Tour page.

Aristocrat posts $574M first-half normalized profit, lifts interim dividend

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Aristocrat Leisure Ltd reported an 8.4 percent rise in first-half normalized profit and declared a higher interim dividend, supported by continued momentum in its gaming business and market share gains in key regions.

The Australian gaming supplier posted normalized profit after tax and amortization (NPATA) of AU$794.0 million ($574.4 million) for the six months ended March 31st, 2026, up from AU$732.6 million a year earlier, according to a filing to the Australian Securities Exchange. On a constant-currency basis, NPATA increased by 16.3 percent.

Revenue was little changed year-on-year at AU$3.03 billion ($2.19 billion), although constant-currency growth reached 6.4 percent.

Aristocrat also announced an interim unfranked dividend of AU$0.50 per share, up from AU$0.44 a year earlier, representing a total payout of AU$301 million ($217.8 million). The record and payment dates are May 26th and July 1st, respectively.

The company’s gaming division generated revenue of AU$1.96 billion ($1.42 billion), up 4.9 percent year-on-year, while segment profit rose 3.0 percent to AU$1.06 billion ($767.0 million).

Aristocrat said the segment benefited from strong outright sales growth, including market share gains in North America and the ANZ region, as well as continued expansion of its gaming operations installed base.

Social gaming division Product Madness reported revenue of $546.2 million, down 4.1 percent year-on-year, although social casino revenue increased 4.7 percent.

Meanwhile, Aristocrat Interactive recorded revenue growth of 6.5 percent to $230.3 million, though segment profit declined 10.6 percent to $64.3 million due to investment in newly acquired businesses and the company’s exit from the white-label business.

“Aristocrat delivered a strong first half, with clear progress across the business and market share gains in key segments,” chief executive and managing director Trevor Croker said in a statement.

The company also announced a AU$1 billion increase to its on-market share buy-back program, lifting the total authorized amount to AU$2.5 billion and extending the program through May 12th, 2027. Aristocrat said it returned AU$981 million ($709.0 million) to shareholders during the half through dividends and on-market buy-backs.