This sponsorship reflects their strong commitment to fresh ideas and ongoing progress in the iGaming industry.
Harmony Meetup 7 feat. Fasttoken and Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2025
The awards will take place during Harmony Meetup 7, featuring Fasttoken and the Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards, from 8 to 11 July 2025 in Yerevan, Armenia. Submissions are now officially open for the prestigious Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2025, set to take center stage at Harmony Meetup 7.
This year’s event will spotlight 21 award categories, exclusive sponsorship opportunities, substantial prize pools, and a vibrant celebration of the brightest minds across iGaming, NFTs, and digital innovation.
At the heart of the event will be the presentation of FTN’s 7 dimensions, a visionary concept that showcases how Fasttoken is set to shape the future of the digital world. From decentralised technologies and immersive virtual experiences to financial empowerment and creative freedom, these dimensions reflect the vast potential of the FTN ecosystem.
The Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2025 will honour exceptional achievements in NFT collections, game design, business innovation, and virtual experiences. It’s a must-attend event for forward-thinking creators, operators, and tech leaders aiming to make their mark in the digital space.
Whether attending to compete, connect, or collaborate, the Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards ’25 offers a unique platform to place your brand at the forefront of digital transformation.
Games Global has officially announced the exclusive U.S. launch of Gold Blitz Ultimate, the third instalment in the globally successful Gold Blitz franchise, available first to BetMGM’s players exclusively in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey.
The exclusive release follows a period of sustained success in the market for both the original, Gold Blitz™, and the sequel, Gold Blitz Extreme™, with the latest addition to the franchise set to elevate the player experience to new heights with more ways to win and an enhanced bonus round.
The release marks the latest milestone in the growing partnership between Games Global and BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator. Games Global recently developed a portfolio of bespoke live casino titles exclusively for BetMGM, further strengthening their collaboration.
After the two-month exclusivity period with BetMGM, Games Global will begin the rollout of Gold Blitz Ultimate™ to its extensive network of U.S. operators as the supplier continues to scale its footprint in the market.
Walter Bugno, Chief Executive Officer at Games Global, said: “The relationship between Games Global and BetMGM has gone from strength to strength, and this exclusive game release solidifies that symbiotic partnership. The Gold Blitz™ franchise is one of our biggest commercial successes across the entire globe, and following the impressive performance metrics of the first two titles in the States, we have no doubt Gold Blitz Ultimate™ will continue to raise the bar.”
Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming Product & Content at BetMGM, added: “BetMGM is proud to partner with Games Global and offer premium content like Gold Blitz Ultimate™ to our players exclusively at our online casino. The Gold Blitz™ franchise is one of the most popular franchises in iGaming, and the latest slot release will continue to captivate players.”
Good Morning. Never “rest on your laurels”. The quantity of reinvestment in research and development can be directly proportional to success. Sometimes it also cannot. But when you strike gold, you – obviously – hit it rich. Aristocrat has been perfecting that for decades, and appears to be in its prime in Asia now. Looking to Macau, ingots are on the table, with May GGR vying for a top spot on this year’s leader board, boosted by May Golden Week. And further abroad, yet another white label provider has pulled out of the UK gambling market, leaving questions for betting brands and Premier League partners.
A long-term approach is exactly what executives at Aristocrat aim for, solidifying their relationships in established markets with reputable clientele and providing consistent follow-up, as well as renewing casino floors with compelling products. A top executive explains how this strategy is playing out through Asia’s land-based operators, where the fun has been had and where it still remains to be sought.
With over 30% of global gaming revenue projected to come from Asia soon, the window of opportunity is wide open. Bettorify’s white-label and turnkey solutions deliver what most platforms miss: sharp execution backed by real local expertise.
A major Isle of Man-based white label provider has pulled out of the UK gambling market, leaving a trail of questions for several high-profile betting brands and their Premier League partners.
TGP Europe, a company long associated with providing white label platforms for sportsbook operators targeting the Asian market, has surrendered its UK license following a regulatory probe by the Gambling Commission. The exit affects 11 brands previously hosted under its license, including major shirt sponsors like SBOTOP and Fun88, and could now expose Premier League clubs to potential legal and reputational risks.
The Commission confirmed that TGP Europe’s departure follows a penalty notice demanding a GBP3.3 million ($4.4 million) payment and an overhaul of its compliance framework. Regulators flagged serious shortcomings in the company’s due diligence and anti-money laundering protocols—issues that echo a previous enforcement action from 2023, when TGP was fined GBP316,250 ($422,000) for similar faults.
The registered address of TGP Europe in Douglas on the Isle of Man
This month, all 11 TGP-linked sites – including 12bet, Fun88, Sportsbet.io, SBOTOP and DuelBits – ceased operations in the UK. Notices on their websites informed users that accounts were closed, bets settled, and balances returned or refunded where possible. Several of the impacted brands had high-visibility sponsorship deals with Premier League teams, a practice that has previously drawn scrutiny in the UK due to transparency concerns around white label partnerships.
SBOTOP, which appears on Fulham FC’s kit, and Fun88 – Newcastle United’s long-time Asian betting partner, are among those caught in the crossfire. Following the license surrender, the Gambling Commission has warned clubs that continuing to promote these now-unlicensed brands to UK consumers could constitute a criminal offense under the Gambling Act.
The headquarter of Celton Manx, the company behind SBOtop, on the Isle of Man.
“The operators behind these brands can no longer lawfully offer gambling services in Great Britain,” said John Pierce, head of enforcement at the Commission. “These sites may lack adequate consumer protections and must not be accessible to British players. We are actively monitoring this and will conduct unannounced checks to ensure compliance.”
Several clubs – including Fulham, Newcastle United, AFC Bournemouth, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley FC – have reportedly been contacted directly by the Commission and advised to review their sponsorship arrangements. Club officials were warned they could face prosecution if found to be promoting unlicensed gambling operators to UK consumers.
The case reignites debate around the UK’s white label system, a long-criticized framework that allows license-holding firms to effectively rent out their regulatory permissions to foreign-facing brands. While marketed as a compliant gateway to global expansion, critics have argued that the model invites regulatory arbitrage and facilitates access to the UK market for firms that would not otherwise meet licensing standards.
TGP Europe had its registered office in Castle Street in Douglas, above a now-shuttered branch of Joe Jennings bookmakers. Although the company was not licensed by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) at the time of its exit, its operations and identity remained closely associated with the island’s well-established eGaming sector.
In a statement, the GSC confirmed that TGP Europe held no active Isle of Man license and was not conducting licensable activity from the island. Celton Manx, parent company of SBOTOP and a former Isle of Man license holder, also surrendered its local permit on May 9th.
The office of the UK Gambling Commission.
The collapse of TGP’s white label empire highlights the increasing pressure on UK authorities to tighten controls around the system. The 2023 Gambling White Paper identified white labels as a regulatory loophole that could enable unsuitable firms to access the British market by proxy. Gambling Minister Fiona Twycross has since indicated the government intends to close this loophole.
The broader implications extend beyond compliance. For football clubs, it’s a reputational minefield. Premier League teams have benefited from Asian betting sponsorships for years, often with minimal visibility into the operational or regulatory standards of the partner brands. The current episode demonstrates the potential liabilities that can arise when compliance breaks down.
While white labels once offered a streamlined way for overseas brands to gain exposure through Premier League partnerships, the fallout from TGP’s withdrawal may finally force clubs – and their commercial teams – to re-evaluate the true cost of these arrangements.
It also poses a challenge to operators looking to maintain a UK presence through third-party licensing. The Commission’s increasingly proactive stance signals a move away from tolerating business models that outsource responsibility. Any operator pursuing white label deals in the UK can likely now expect greater scrutiny – not only from regulators but from commercial partners wary of collateral damage.
Gaming equipment and services group Light & Wonder announced on Monday that it had completed the acquisition of Grover Gaming’s charitable gaming assets.The deal encompasses $850 million in cash and a four-year revenue-based earn-out of up to $200 million in cash.
Expectations are for L&W to operate the business with a combination of Grover Gaming and L&W employees after the acquisition.
The move allows L&W access to an installed base of over 10,000 leased electronic pull-tab units across five states in the US, operating under a recurring revenue model.
As previously stated, under the agreement, the founder of Grover Gaming will ‘collaborate with Light & Wonder to help drive the continued success of the business over the next three years’.
In the latest update, Matt Wilson, President and CEO of Light & Wonder noted that “This addition enhances our position as the leading global cross-platform games company and opens new opportunities to deliver our world-class content to even more players.”
Grover Gaming’s CEO Brian Brown noted that “We’re proud of what we’ve built in the charitable gaming space, and we see tremendous opportunity to grow even further as part of Light & Wonder”.
Wynn Resorts, the parent company of Wynn Macau, has announced that it is abandoning its plans for a casino license in the US state of New York.
In a release, the company said that it made the decision after pondering the ‘years of persistent opposition’.
This potentially frees up the Hudson Yards neighborhood plot in Manhattan for a new developer aiming to capitalize on the space.
It also follows a similar move by Las Vegas Sands to drop its New York bid, cancelling its proposed project at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island.
The significant delays in the bidding process have tempered interest in the once promising investment, but have not stopped other contenders from holding their ground.
MGM and Genting continue to stay the course in their bids, while other American operators are each pushing for one of the five potential licenses.
Multiple venues have been proposed, each with their own unique selling points, with operators aiming to woo not only the public, but the political sphere to push the licenses through.
Macau. Philippines. Singapore. The three main Asian markets for large-scale gaming machine suppliers are unlikely to see a shift any time soon, even as new properties are being built elsewhere and new legislation tries to overcome the hurdles. But for Aristocrat – in its Asian land-based gaming focus – the ongoing long-term delivery from these markets is indisputable.
For Kurt Gissane, Chief Revenue Officer of Gaming for Aristocrat Gaming, the three represent vastly differing opportunities and evolutionary timelines.
Kurt Gissane, CRO, Aristocrat Gaming
Having spoken to Gissane at the G2E Asia in Macau, it seems most pertinent to start there.
“We have a 12,000-machine cap,” laments the executive about the Macau market; something that is unlikely to change, unless the SAR government decides to alter legislation.
“Slots are strong in terms of their performance basis compared to other parts of the world, but relative to the game of baccarat – I don’t think so”.
Baccarat has always dominated Macau. Official data from the regulator show that in 1Q25 the trend, obviously, continued – with VIP baccarat gross gaming revenue totaling MOP14.45 billion ($1.8 billion) and mass baccarat GGR bringing in MOP34.32 billion ($4.26 billion).
Comparatively, slots GGR was MOP3.27 billion ($405.9 million), while that from LMGs was MOP1.21 billion ($150 million).
But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for growth, especially if the cap were to be opened up.
“I do see slots as a potential growing space, but under the current environment, we are where we are. So, it’s about making sure we optimize and that we build the best games to have the best optimization and utilization on their floor,” notes the CRO.
A partial boost to this is the EGM Technical Standards 2.0, introduced in late 2021 in Macau.
“There’s refreshment rates, and that’s been worked over this four-year period. So that gives us an opportunity”. Slots are also showing a comparative boost due to the refocus of Macau’s market away from VIP, and Gissane does indicate that there has been an improvement to slots “from what we were in 2019, just pre-COVID”.
Having spent a significant amount of time in Macau over the years, Gissane knows the market, and the clientele, very well. And lauds Aristocrat’s team on the ground for their work – not in only in world’s largest gaming hub but throughout Asia. “The energy that I see in this team, I would love to bottle it and bring it around the world,” notes the executive.
But Macau can be a bit boring, so where is the excitement coming from?
Philippines and beyond
Solaire North Resort casino floor
“I see the Philippines as being a great opportunity,” notes Gissane – speaking not only of Entertainment City and Manila, but also of the strong potential of the Clark market – particularly with Hann and Solaire North.
“The Philippines has been a big growth market for us the last few years, and continues to be,” notes the executive.
Both in the Philippines and throughout Asia, Aristocrat is focusing on the long game.
“We’re not a transactional supplier, we’re looking at long-term partnerships […] It’s about working with everybody on growing their business and what’s important to them”.
And not every game matches every market.
“We’ve definitely done a heavy focus internally on making sure we’re curating the product for Asia”. This caused the group to bring six game studios to G2E Asia, and ensure “they can see the focus, they can see the growth for the region, and they’re taking time to spend time in the region to make sure we’re curating the right games”.
Staying on the forefront
The success of diverse products, opines Gissane, also keeps it on the forefront of “new trends, new game mechanics”. The launch of Dragon Link “has really helped put us back on the map in this region”.
“We made sure we curated and fine-tuned that product to suit these players”.
So, how do you keep yourself relevant, especially amongst strong competition?
“It’s trying to see what is that next trend. And sometimes that’s a bit of luck. And that’s why we’re fortunate at Aristocrat, because of our percentage of topline D&D (design and development) investment. We do about 12 percent in revenue topline into development, we have about 13 studios globally, we have about nine that look after Asia,” notes Gissane.
Every time a company can find that next leading game or mechanic “it can change the industry. And that’s what we’ve seen”.
New frontiers
Gissane classifies Aristocrat as number one amongst global gaming machine manufacturers “not from an arrogant standpoint. I say it because of our reinvestment. We reinvest more than any of our competitors and that’s the key”.
Acknowledging that the Australian-founded company is not the leader in every one of its markets, he hopes for that to change, even as the company seeks out new horizons.
Thailand, while being highly publicized recently, is not yet a sure thing.
“As a manufacturer, we wait until the gaming regulator is in place, we have regulations around what the gaming looks like and who the license holders are. Before any of that happens, we can’t really engage,” notes GIssane.
“Things are dynamic. I think it’s got enormous potential. I personally think it will happen, but [regarding a possible] timeframe – it’s a little unsure at the moment”.
Japan, however, is much more certain, with MGM Osaka set to open by 2030. And the group has hit the ground running.
“It’s exciting because we’ve been talking about Japan for a long time, and I think that could be a spectacular property and opportunity for that whole landscape”.
But the UAE is also rearing its head, with Wynn Al Marjan Island growing quickly – even visible from Gissane’s hotel room on a recent trip he says.
“There’s still a bit of time but we’ve been in discussions with them for quite some time now. They’re great partners for us on a global basis, obviously here in Macau and in the US”.
The group’s long relationship with Wynn is a positive but doesn’t mean they automatically get the ticket – as many other parties circle trying to get a piece of the pie.
But the UAE still begs many questions, namely “what the player base is […] and what product they’ll gravitate towards,” questions the executive, noting, however, “we should be able to utilize our global product portfolio towards that market”.
No matter what, the newer jurisdictions always undergo growing pains, and no company or operator has a direct ticket to success.
“From a manufacturer’s perspective, I expect us to show commitment to the local jurisdictions, to local development and infrastructure, and whatever that becomes. It’s not necessarily a shoe-in unless you’re showing these operators you’re dedicated to what that market is going to be”.
What’s the overall solution for success?
“The key is to not rest on your laurels, [EG] “we’ve got a big hit and that will do”. It’s to continue to reinvest and then make sure that we can fulfil portfolios all around the world”.
Even the tariffs by the United States have not inhibited Aristocrat, improving manufacturing diversification to different parts of Asia, with other bases in Mexico and Australia.
“We’re well positioned to supply to the globe from different avenues”.
Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), urged for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders in the gaming industry to combat the risks associated with problem gambling and addiction.
Speaking at the 2nd International Conference on Responsible Gambling and Addiction, Tengco highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to address the negative consequences of gambling, including financial devastation.
“As regulators, policymakers, industry operators, healthcare professionals, and academicians, we must not only share knowledge but also act as partners in understanding, preventing, and reducing the threats posed by problem gambling”, he stated according to a release, emphasizing the need for unity among various sectors.
The conference theme, “Empowering Pathways: Problem Gambling and Gaming Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery,” resonates with PAGCOR’s initiatives aimed at promoting responsible gaming.
Tengco reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to minimizing gambling-related harm through several key policies, including the automatic exclusion of minors, students, and active government employees from gaming venues.
He also highlighted PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Program, which allows for self-exclusion or family-initiated exclusion from gaming activities, regulation of gaming advertisements, and partnerships with rehabilitation centers to support affected individuals and families.
“Gaming has inherent social risks, but with the right safeguards and collaboration among all sectors, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our players”, Tengco concluded, calling for a collective effort to tackle gambling addiction.
Melco Resorts & Entertainment is expected to accelerate its de-leveraging trajectory throughout 2025, supported by EBITDA growth and strategic capital moves, according to a recent investment memo by CBRE Credit Research.
The report highlights Melco as the most compelling de-leveraging story in Macau’s gaming sector, underscoring the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce debt across its organizational structure.
In a note released after Melco announced its 1Q25 results, CBRE points to the company’s first-quarter 2025 performance, during which both Melco and its subsidiary, Studio City, continued progress—primarily through EBITDA gains. This trend is expected to continue, with the potential for accelerated debt reduction through incremental repayments.
Lawrence Ho, CEO, Melco Resorts
‘Melco continues to prioritize debt paydown as a means of de-leveraging,’ the memo states, citing not only internal cash flow improvements but also recent financial actions, such as the parent company’s April rights offering. A portion of the proceeds—between 50 percent and 60 percent—was used to repay credit facility debt at Melco International Development Ltd, the parent holding company controlled by Lawrence Ho.
CBRE notes that this rights offering, worth approximately $100 million, was backstopped by a shareholder loan agreement and came at a steep discount. This suggests urgency in managing upcoming maturities, notably the $600 million facility debt due in June 2026 at the parent HoldCo. Given the parent’s lack of standalone cash-generating assets, the report indicates a possibility that Melco could be called upon to support refinancing efforts.
Additionally, Melco’s path to deleveraging may be strengthened by the ongoing strategic review of City of Dreams Manila. Several prospective buyers have reportedly signed nondisclosure agreements and are conducting due diligence ahead of a formal bidding process. Proceeds from a potential sale could be redirected toward further debt reduction.
Despite higher bond yields relative to peers like MGM China and Wynn Macau, CBRE maintains an ‘Outperform’ rating on Melco and Studio City bonds. The firm sees Melco’s clearer de-leveraging strategy as a key reason for this positioning, especially as spreads have widened by nearly 100 basis points over the past three months—outpacing the 50–75 basis point increase observed among competitors.
Liquidity conditions remain solid, according to the report. The company has sufficient cash and revolver availability to manage the $1 billion in Melco notes and $222 million in Studio City notes maturing this year. Melco management has indicated a preference for utilizing internal liquidity levers over accessing the high-yield bond market in the near term.
Elsewhere in its portfolio, Melco’s Cyprus operations showed good topline growth, though EBITDA contribution was modest. Regional headwinds are expected to ease as summer travel picks up. Meanwhile, construction in Sri Lanka remains on schedule, with the new casino set to open in the third quarter of 2025. Financial contributions from this project are expected to begin appearing in results from August, excluding pre-opening expenses.
Macau’s gross gaming revenue (GGR) has reached MOP12.7 billion ($1.58 billion) in the first 18 days of May, according to a Citigroup investment memo released on Monday.
Analysts George Choi and Timothy Chau maintain their May 2025 GGR forecast unchanged at MOP21 billion ($2.61 billion). If realized, May’s GGR could be the highest month this year, and also the only month to top the MOP20 billion ($2.5 billion) threshold that Macau’s budget plan has projected.
The gaming revenue figures suggest a daily run rate of approximately MOP706 million ($87.6 million) during the first 18 days, with the week of May 12th-18th averaging roughly MOP593 million ($73.6 million) per day. Citigroup notes this performance aligns with typical seasonal patterns following the Labor Day holidays in early May.
Industry sources indicate both VIP and mass market segments showed positive momentum. VIP volumes expanded 10 to 12 percent month-on-month, while mass market GGR grew 6 to 8 percent sequentially. Additionally, VIP hold rates appeared higher compared to the previous week, contributing to the overall revenue performance.
Macau’s entertainment calendar features several high-profile concerts for the remainder of May. Singer Sammi Cheng will perform two additional shows on May 24th and 25th, followed by Show Lo’s concert on May 31st. Leon Lai will also begin his 10-show series with the first performance on May 31st.
The current GGR trajectory positions May 2025 revenue at approximately 81 percent of May 2019 levels, representing a 4 percent yearly increase. This performance reflects the continued recovery of Macau’s gaming sector following the challenges of recent years.
It is worth noting that the first week of the month showed robust performance, with strong GGR growth and visitation figures that exceeded expectations. According to channel data, Macau’s GGR reached MOP5.1 billion ($633 million) during the first five days of May – the May Day Golden Week in mainland China – averaging MOP1.02 billion ($127 million) per day. This represented strong year-over-year growth of 12 percent despite a higher 2024 base, reaching more than 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels for the same period.
Macau recorded 850,000 visitor arrivals during mainland China’s 5-day Labor Day holiday, averaging 170,000 daily. This represented a 40.7 percent increase from last year, breaking post-pandemic records, according to the Macau Government Tourism Office.
