Light & Wonder has launched Chili Chomp UltraUp™, the thrilling second edition in the UltraUp™ franchise by Lightning Box. This slot game transports players to a vibrant festival full of heat, excitement, and amazing winning potential.
Set against the background of a Mexican street carnival, the slot takes players on a journey to the heart of the party, with a distinct Day of the Dead theme brought to life on the reels.
Across a 5×3, 40 payline grid, Skulls act as a wild whenever they land, boosting win potential in the high volatility slot.
Landing six or more Scatter Skulls triggers the UltraUp™ Respins. This is a unique twist on the classic Hold and Spin mechanic, giving players a fresh, fiery twist that builds anticipation with each reveal.
The UltraUp™ symbol appears during the UltraUp™ Respins, where reels can expand from a 3×5 format to 4×5 or even 5×5. Each time a Chili symbol lands, the respins counter resets to three, and any Chili landing on an UltraUp™ symbol will increase its level to grant even larger prizes.
Three different levels of chili can land, with red ones offering the largest payouts, while also one of four jackpots can be triggered – Mini, Minor, Major, and Grand, with a max win of 5,000x. Unlocking 10 or 15 Chilis expands the reels for greater winning potential. When the repsins stop, all accumulated prizes are awarded.
Landing three bonus symbols unlocks the Free Games Feature, where players can choose between six free games with increased Scatter Skulls on the reels or twelve free games where every Scatter Skull transforms into a Scatter Skull Wild.
Chili Chomp UltraUp™ is a Light & Wonder title available exclusively for online players at BetMGM in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario.
Michael Maokhamphiou, Studio Director at Lightning Box, said:“Chili Chomp UltraUp™ combines immersive visuals with entertaining gameplay. The UltraUp™ Respins feature adds a new layer of excitement, ensuring that every spin offers something special.”
Rob Procter, VP of Game Development at Light & Wonder, said:“With Chili Chomp UltraUp™, we continue our commitment to innovative game mechanics and engaging themes that resonate with players worldwide. Chili Chomp UltraUp™ is a game that celebrates the Day of the Dead theme while further introducing a popular mechanic to a broader range of players.”
Play’n GO launches Legacy of Gems Blitzways™ – an amazing slot with treasure-themed iconography. With dazzling visuals, innovative features, and dynamic gameplay, this title is set to captivate players around the world.
Legacy of Gems Blitzways™ by Play’n GO, is a 5×3 online slot, offering up to 16,807 ways for players to win. This slot elevates the excitement with cascading wins, Multiplier Wilds, and a Free Spins feature where Sticky Wilds pave the way to legendary rewards. Designed to thrill both casual players and seasoned adventurers, every spin brings the chance to uncover dazzling riches.
The Cascading Wins mechanic ensures that every winning cluster vanishes, making way for new symbols to drop in, potentially forming consecutive wins. This cascade continues until no new combinations appear, keeping the excitement alive. Adding to the thrill are Multiplier Wilds, which emerge from winning clusters.
Wilds can transform into powerful Multiplier Wilds, amplifying rewards as more Wilds and clusters are involved. The action peaks with the Free Spins feature, activated by three or more Scatters. Starting with Sticky Wilds, this round can offer up to 46 Free Spins – with each additional Scatter adding extra spins for extended gameplay and chances to uncover legendary rewards for gamers.
Fans of Play’n GO’s gem-inspired slots such as Gemix 100, Crystal Sun,15 Crystal Roses: A Tale of Love, and Frozen Gems will feel right at home with this title. Like Gemix 100, which captivated players with its cascading mechanics and rich narrative world, Legacy of Gems continues the tradition of dynamic gameplay paired with stunning visuals.
Similarly, those who enjoyed the celestial exploration of Crystal Sun will appreciate the vibrant, jewel-like symbols and immersive atmosphere that bring this glittering adventure to life. With its blend of cascading wins, multiplier mechanics, and ethereal storytelling, Legacy of Gems Blitzways™ is a natural evolution of the elements that have made these iconic games so beloved.
Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, Magnus Wallentin said: “Legacy of Gems Blitzways™ is an adventure for players who love immersive visuals and dynamic features. From cascading wins to sticky Wilds in Free Spins, this game is packed with potential for thrilling rewards. We’re proud to deliver a title that’s as engaging as it is visually stunning.”
With its polished features and dazzling design, Legacy of Gems Blitzways™ is poised to be a crown jewel in Play’n GO’s vast and collection.
The hotel sector in Macau recorded strong performance in 2024, with the average hotel room occupancy rate rising by 4.9 percentage points year-on-year, to reach 86.4 percent.
According to the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), among hotel categories, five-star hotels led with an occupancy rate of 88.6 percent, marking a 6.1 percentage point increase. Similarly, four-star and three-star hotels posted growth, with rates climbing to 82.3 percent and 83.8 percent, up 3.1 percentage points and 3 percentage points, respectively.
By the end of 2024, Macau had 146 hotel establishments, four more than the previous year. However, the total number of available guest rooms declined by 7.8 percent year-on-year to 43,000.
The growth in hotel occupancy was supported by a 6.4 percent increase in the number of guests, which totaled 14,433,000 in 2024. International guests surged by 57.4 percent year-on-year to 1,108,000. Among them, visitors from South Korea reached 321,000, more than doubling, with a rise of 100.8 percent.
Additionally, hotel guests from Malaysia, Japan, India, and Singapore saw significant growth.
In December 2024, the hotel sector performed exceptionally well, with the average occupancy rate climbing to 89.9 percent, up 4.2 percentage points year-on-year. However, the total number of guests for the month declined by 9.6 percent year-on-year to 1,194,000, while their average length of stay remained steady at 1.6 nights.
Strong recovery in package tours
Although mainland China visitors using the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) have been the mainstay of Macau’s travel market, package tours continue to hold a significant place.
Macau welcomed 2,103,000 inbound package tour visitors in 2024, representing a 63.8 percent year-on-year increase. Of these, 1,867,000 visitors came from mainland China, a 57.1 percent increase.
International tour visitors saw substantial growth, surging by 157 percent to 204,000. Visitors from South Korea reached 91,000 and those from India totaled 24,000, registering increases of 226.4 percent and 302.2 percent, respectively.
In December 2024 alone, 189,000 package tour visitors arrived in Macau, up by 13.1 percent year-on-year. Mainland Chinese visitors accounted for 163,000, a 9.5 percent increase.
International visitors spiked by 50 percent to 22,000, with significant growth from South Korea reaching 11,000, up 86.5 percent, and Thailand totaling 3,000, up 83.4 percent.
Macau gaming operator Wynn Macau has announced a salary increase for eligible employees, effective March 1st, 2025.
The salary adjustments for Wynn Macau staff, excluding senior management, range from 2.5 to 5.7 percent. The company expressed that the increase is in appreciation of their contribution to the company’s growth and success, which has allowed Wynn Macau to continuously provide exceptional service and experiences to both residents and tourists.
Linda Chen, Vice Chairman Wynn Macau
According to the announcement on Wednesday, employees earning a monthly salary of MOP16,000 ($1,988) or less will see a salary increase of MOP600, translating to an increase of 3.8 percent to 5.7 percent, depending on their starting level. Employees earning above MOP16,000 ($1,988) will receive an average salary increase of 2.5 percent.
The salary increases are said to apply to around 98 percent of Wynn Macau’s 11,527 employees, who work across the Wynn Macau property on the Macau Peninsula and Wynn Palace in Cotai.
Linda Chen, President, Vice Chairman, and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, expressed her appreciation, stating: “Our heartfelt appreciation goes to every team member of Wynn for their relentless efforts and contribution.
“As we step into the new year, we anticipate moving further forward with all our team members to make great achievements together for Macau,” indicated the executive.
This marks the final announcement of salary increments from all six Macau gaming concessionaires for the year.
Good morning.Crypto adoption is no longer a thing of the past. And from Wall Street boardrooms to online casinos, the advantages of speed and efficiency that crypto provides are impossible to ignore. The CEO of BetHog envisions a future where online gambling platforms will require crypto but warns of the potential stifling effect that overzealous regulation could have on innovation. Meanwhile, the Philippines is still pushing to remove itself from the FATF grey list, with the move to eliminate POGOs seen as a strong step forward. But will it be enough?
Using cryptocurrencies in online casinos benefits both the users and the operators, with more efficient and cost-effective transactions. This could lead to a future in which all online gaming requires crypto, says BetHog’s CEO. But crypto casinos also need to continue to invest in improving the player experience, and leveraging engagement, to stand out from the pack. And regulators are starting to play a heavier hand, potentially stifling innovation.
In 2024, 1xBet achieved significant breakthroughs and successes, solidifying its position in the iGaming industry. The brand secured major partnership deals, received prestigious awards, and showcased its innovations at the world’s leading forums.
Cryptocurrency in the gaming field provides both users and operators with considerable benefits, including convenience, speed, and cost efficiency, while significantly reducing payment processing fees, fraud risks, and chargebacks compared to fiat currencies.
These advantages led BetHog, a crypto casino and sportsbook platform, to make the bold decision to operate exclusively with cryptocurrencies. In contrast, the majority of established platforms offering crypto betting still provide both fiat and crypto payment options.
Nigel Eccles, CEO of BetHog
In an interview with AGB, Nigel Eccles, CEO of BetHog, shared his views on the development of the crypto casino and expressed confidence in the future of crypto-only gambling platforms, especially as crypto adoption continues to grow. “I see a future where casinos and sportsbooks will simply require users to buy crypto first,” he said.
This shift, according to Eccles, could make gambling the entry point for a new generation into the world of cryptocurrency. As more users experience the benefits of crypto, including self-custody and faster transactions, he believes they will increasingly move away from traditional financial systems.
Anjouan-licensed BetHog was launched in November 2024 by Nigel Eccles and Rob Jones, two co-founders of another sports betting platform operating in the United States, FanDuel. The inauguration of BetHog coincided with the so-called ‘Trump Bump,’ during which Bitcoin’s price surged past $100,000.
When asked whether he believes a crypto-only sportsbook and casino can succeed or if both crypto and fiat are essential for long-term success in the space, Eccles responded: “There is definitely a place for fiat, but crypto just offers massive convenience, speed, and cost advantages to users and operators. Many fiat operators are paying 12-20 percent of GGR on payments, plus dealing with fraud, chargebacks, and other issues. Crypto is better.”
“With crypto, we can reduce these costs and offer a smoother, faster experience for our customers,” Eccles explained.
Innovating the gaming experience
BetHog’s strategy goes beyond just improving payment processes. Eccles shared that one of the platform’s major focuses is enhancing the overall gaming experience. “Right now, there isn’t a lot of difference between playing casino games across 100 different crypto casinos, and we want to change that,” he said.
BetHog plans to invest heavily in the gaming experience, aiming to make it more immersive and engaging for users. In addition, Eccles sees great potential for innovation in the structure of casino games. “The five-reel format is dominant right now, but we believe there are opportunities for new formats that could revolutionize the gaming experience,” he added.
Another core element of BetHog’s vision is to bring back the social aspect of gambling.
While traditional gambling is a highly social experience, online platforms have often struggled to recreate that connection. “Offline gambling is highly social, but online platforms often miss this element. BetHog aims to change that by making the experience more interactive and engaging for users,” said.
Regulation concerns
The efficiency of cryptocurrencies offers notable advantages, but the evolving regulatory landscape may pose a growing threat to their future growth, particularly as the EU prepares for the full implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation, which is set to take effect on December 30th, 2024.
Concerns about the regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies in the European Union (EU) have been voiced by various stakeholders, including Eccles, who fears that stringent regulations could stifle innovation.
“The EU has a tendency to regulate technologies to death before they even have a chance to succeed,” he said. While the US is expected to embrace new technologies, particularly crypto, Eccles worries that the EU’s stringent regulations could hinder innovation and push operators to exclude EU users. This regulatory uncertainty remains one of the significant challenges facing crypto operators today.
Focusing on Asia, Latin America, and MENA
BetHog’s primary target markets are in Asia, Latin America, and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, where crypto adoption is already widespread. Eccles explained that countries with more volatile currencies have been quicker to embrace crypto, making them more promising markets compared to Western Europe and the US. “Markets like Asia and Latin America have been ahead of the curve when it comes to crypto adoption, which makes them ideal markets for us,” he said.
Although BetHog has its sights set on Western markets in the long term, Eccles acknowledged that regulatory changes will need to occur before the company can enter those markets. “We’re open to entering Western markets, but we’ll need to see a more favorable regulatory stance towards crypto for that to happen,” he added.
BetHog and BetDex: a distinct venture
Nigel Eccles also founded BetDex, a decentralized sports betting exchange built on the Solana blockchain.
BetDex was initially licensed in the Isle of Man. However, in April 2024, BetDex canceled its license and subsequently moved to Anjouan.
In the same interview, Eccles clarified the relationship between BetHog and BetDex, two projects he co-founded. He currently serves as BetDex’s non-executive chairman. Eccles emphasized that the two platforms are entirely separate entities, with different management teams and investors.
“BetDex and BetHog have distinct visions and operations. BetDex has its own direction, while BetHog is focused on creating a unique crypto-only experience,” Eccles said.
Licensing in Anjouan
BetHog chose to obtain its license in Anjouan rather than the Isle of Man, a decision that Eccles said allowed the platform to move forward quickly and cost-effectively. “Anjouan offered a solution that was dramatically faster and more affordable than alternative jurisdictions,” he explained.
While Anjouan provides more flexibility, Eccles emphasized that BetHog remains committed to building a strong compliance framework as the platform grows. “We view Anjouan as a good starting point, but we are working towards a much more robust compliance standard, particularly around KYC, AML, and responsible gambling,” he concluded.
The move to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a step in the right direction, but more will be necessary for the Philippines to get off the FATF grey list, says a Moody’s analyst.
The analyst notes that further efforts should be placed on managing non-financial institutions, such as casino operators, with continued regulatory oversight.
“Across the region and in fact across the world, traditionally the corporate organizations are not as regulated as the financial institutions […] A lot of these organizations are the ones serving some of the high-risk clients,” analyst Choon Hong Chua told Bloomberg.
Of particular concern has been the post-ban transition of POGOs into other types of illegal underground operations, such as scam centers.
Regionally, scam centers have become a top priority for governments, aiming to eliminate human trafficking, money laundering and illegal online gaming operations.
This has been particularly prevalent in regions such as Myanmar, but the increased enforcement actions in the Philippines following the POGO ban have seen continued cases of underground operations. These involve different scales and venues – oftentimes running out of gated communities or even resorts.
The Philippines has set a lofty goal of being removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list within this year.
The country has substantially completed its action plan, consisting of 18 items that have led to increased monitoring since June 2021. An on-site visit is planned for early this year by the FATF’s Asia/Pacific Joint Group on Money Laundering.
But illegal online gaming is not the only concern for exiting the grey list, with concerns over AML/CFT controls over casino junkets and risk-based supervision for designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) also key areas of reform requested by the FATF.
Additionally, improving law enforcement access to beneficial ownership (BO) information; increased use of financial intelligence and enhancing money laundering investigations and prosecutions; measures within the non-profit organization (NPO) sector and enhanced financial sanctions frameworks for terrorism financing and proliferation financing are also of primary concern.
Numerous government departments and officials have pledged to make the exit from the FATF list a top priority, which would have a significant ripple effect on how the nation’s financial flows are treated internationally.
Given the large amount of remittances from outside the nation, this could prove highly beneficial for individuals and companies based abroad and needing to transfer money to the Philippines.
Back in May, 2024, before the country’s mutual evaluation by the FATF in October, Choon Hong Chua had indicated that Manila was “on track” to exit the grey list, noting “it is clear the country is committed to strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism controls and has implemented more stringent requirements”.
Chua now suggests that the Philippines should leverage changes in legislation and enforcement to tackle the evolving role that underground operators (particularly former POGOs) take in order to continue their illegal activities.
After its groundbreaking debut in North America, Aristocrat Gaming is now thrilling fans beyond the continental U.S. with the highly anticipated NFL Slots franchise. The journey continues with a 13-casino launch on the Jackpot del Encanto link in Puerto Rico.
The all-new NFL Triple Score by Aristocrat Gaming will be the first title in the NFL Slots franchise to launch beyond the U.S., and the company marked the industry game-changing event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration on January 22 at Casino del Mar in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
NFL Triple Score is now available on gaming floors alongside Jackpot del Encanto, a program featuring select slot machines in participating casinos across the Island. In this program, prizes increase as more players participate, with a progressive jackpot starting at $20,000. The game is showcased on the MarsX™ Portrait cabinet and is modeled after the wildly successful Bao Zhu Zhao Fu™ game family. It incorporates the best features of other NFL-themed games, including the “pick your team, play your team” customization option, complete with 32-team graphics, symbols, and NFL game footage.
“This launch is a major step forward in continuing our successful partnership with the NFL,” said Craig Toner, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming. “The NFL has immense popularity globally with fans worldwide, and we are thrilled to bring the game to a broader stage now. We look forward to seeing the excitement from players in Puerto Rico and continuing the success our award-winning NFL portfolio has seen in North America.”
Following the Puerto Rico launch, Aristocrat Gaming anticipates bringing the NFL Slots franchise to markets across greater Latin America and Europe.
Aristocrat Gaming is committed to responsible gameplay, with a comprehensive company program focused on strong compliance, empowering customers and casino players, and investing in innovation to help lift the bar.
BMM Testlabs (BMM), the globally acclaimed gaming test lab known for its exceptional product compliance and testing services, has announced its official accreditation to test systems and games for the Brazilian state of Maranhão.
This new accreditation allows BMM Testlabs to test fixed-odds betting systems and lottery platforms for the Maranhão market. The Company is now authorized in every Brazilian jurisdiction that has regulated at state-level online fixed-odds betting.
The Maranhão accreditation, issued by Maranhão Parcerias SA (MAPA/LOTEMA), authorizes BMM Testlabs to work with lottery operators in the state to ensure compliance and quality standards for the gaming and lottery industry through end-to-end product compliance testing for Maranhão’s standards.
Additionally, Brazil’s Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas has federally authorized BMM Testlabs to test betting systems, live gaming studios, and online games used by fixed-odds betting operators.
BMM Testlabs’ Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, said, “We are excited and deeply honored that the State of Maranhão’s official lottery has entrusted BMM Testlabs with the responsibility of testing products for their new online fixed odds betting program, knowing that we’ll do so with the highest levels of impartiality, technical expertise, transparency, efficiency, and, most of all, integrity.”
With the Maranhão accreditation, BMM Testlabs solidifies its position as the leading independent test lab in Brazil. BMM Testlabs is accredited in all jurisdictions that have authorized fixed-odds betting for online gaming and sports betting.
BMM Testlabs brings 44 years of global leadership in product compliance across regulated markets and is trusted by games, systems, and lottery manufacturers, suppliers, developers, and regulators worldwide.
In addition to product compliance testing, BMM Testlabs provides end-to-end cybersecurity protection solutions. Through its sister company, RG24seven Virtual Training, BMM also offers compliance-grade virtual training on responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, and other important topics – presented by industry experts and available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
International Game Technology (IGT) has announced that IGT Global Services Limited, has signed a 7-year contract with the Thuringian State Lottery (LOTTO Thüringen) in Germany to implement its Aurora™ retail central system technology and related software upgrades.
The contract term will begin upon go-live of the new platform, planned for March 2026.
An integral part of OMNIA™, IGT’s player-centric, omnichannel solution for lotteries, Aurora helps drive lottery innovation and profitability. The platform will provide intuitive, user-friendly applications, tools and reporting capabilities which will handle all of LOTTO Thüringen’s transaction processing, game management and back-office operations.
“LOTTO Thüringen has relied on IGT’s versatile and strong-performing central system technology throughout the course of our decades-long relationship,” said Jochen Staschewski, LOTTO Thüringen Chief Executive Officer. “Upgrading our central retail system to IGT’s advanced platform and back-end software will enable us to streamline our business processes and continue operating with the highest levels of efficiency.”
“IGT’s retail central system incorporates a suite of flexible solutions designed to help manage, transform and further grow LOTTO Thüringen’s business,” added Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Global Lottery. “With this long-term contract extension, LOTTO Thüringen is well-positioned to continue benefiting from IGT’s secure, responsible and modernized technology and software. Leveraging these best-in-class solutions will aid in the Lottery’s goals of supporting good causes throughout the state.”
As the global lottery market leader, IGT is the primary technology provider to 26 of the 46 lotteries in the U.S., eight of the world’s 10 largest lotteries and 16 of the world’s top 25 lotteries.
