Play’n GO, a world-leading casino-entertainment provider, has today announced that its industry-leading games are now live in Brazil.
Players in the world’s newest regulated market can now enjoy an initial suite of more than 50 titles including Play’n GO’s all conquering Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, multiple games from the fan favourite ‘Toonz and Moon Princess series, as well as Sweet Alchemy Bingo and Rainforest Magic Bingo that are expected to be hits in the South American market.
As of January 2025, Play’n GO offers a portfolio of close to 400 premium titles in over 35 regulated jurisdictions worldwide.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO, said: “The industry has been waiting for more than a decade for Brazil to open a regulated market and it’s fantastic to see what was once just a pipe dream now become reality.”
“As is the Play’n GO way, we’re excited to be among of the first in the new market with a wide range of games certified and ready to go. Our customers know they can launch Play’n GO games with confidence, and we’ve seen that pay dividends time and again when new markets open like now in Brazil or markets re-regulate.”
Michele Stefanelli, Sales Leader for Southern Europe and LATAM at Play’n GO, added: “The Brazilian market has proven itself in the pre-regulated phase and we’re excited to see our games launch with some of the biggest operators in the world who are committed to making the regulated Brazilian market a success.”
Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, has announced the release of Aztec Smash, a new cluster-pays game featuring increasing multipliers.
On any spin or tumble in this 7×7 slot, random symbols can be marked by the Smash Multiplier, which multiplies the value of a winning cluster by 10x for each marked symbol it includes.
Hitting 3-7 scatters triggers the bonus game with 10-30 free spins. During the feature, the Smash Multiplier starts at 10x. Each subsequent win that includes marked symbols increases the Smash Multiplier in increments of 10x up to 100x, then 100x up to 1,000x.
The bonus game can be retriggered, awarding up to 30 additional free spins for even more chances to land the 9,000x maximum win.
Aztec Smash is the latest slot to join Pragmatic Play’s award-winning portfolio, following recent hits Money Stacks Megaways™ and Mining Rush.
Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “Aztec Smash is the latest cluster-pays slot from Pragmatic Play. Introducing random marked symbols with increasing multipliers, the jungle-themed game awards wins of up to 9,000x.”
EvenBet Gaming, a leading developer of online poker software and solutions, has launched its 2024 E-book , which explores the latest trends and challenges impacting the global iGaming industry. The book reveals regulatory concerns and market competition as the highlight challenges from the previous year.
EvenBet conducted in-depth research involving over 350 professionals spanning numerous industry sectors, such as marketing, technical development, and sales. The highest percentage of respondents were Chief Executive Officers and stakeholders (31%).
For a second successive year, regulation and competition remained critical concerns, while more respondents emphasised the increased difficulty in technology adoption associated with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. The issues with high-quality recruitment also feature prominently, with the regulation of new jurisdictions bringing fresh challenges regarding the appointment of localised market experts.
The most notable trend was the priority of expansion, both into emerging markets and overall, which accounted for a total 53% of responses as companies continue to seek out additional market share. This was tailed closely by the prioritisation of technological advancement, which was highlighted as a focus by 16% of participants.
This technology development includes a drive to implement personalised customer experiences, product innovation, and leveraging AI technology, the latter of which was markedly pivotal in Asian markets. AI featured prominently throughout responses, with its utilisation for content production, personalisation, customer support, and anti-fraud processes establishing it as a key asset powering the industry, and there remains significant investment behind the effective integration of machine learning tools into development and operational cycles.
EvenBet Gaming’s full 2024 report not only outlines the key issues facing businesses, but also delves into specific trends centred around technology, marketing channels, and recruitment, which include:
Implementing personalised customer experiences was the driving force behind technological advancement in 2024.
Artificial intelligence is being utilised for content personalisation, player behaviour analysis, and fraud prevention.
There is growing interest in iGaming in virtual realities and the Metaverse among C-level executives, but financial constraints and infrastructure limitations are deterrents holding back the widespread adoption of this technology.
The importance of social media in industry news consumption has waned, decreasing from 31% in 2023 to 15% in 2024, with conference events and online media outlets trailing closely.
Marketing channels differ vastly by continent, with social media dominating news transmission in Asia.
Both employees and C-suite executives agree that a professional, supportive team is the main driver that attracts talent.
EvenBet’s latest E-book reaffirms the provider’s unwavering dedication to delivering genuine insight into industry matters, equipping both operators and suppliers with the necessary data to forge their future commercial strategies.
Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming, said: “This E-book is our most comprehensive to date, with over 350 in-person surveys allowing us to target the most relevant participants, which included industry professionals from a range of sectors. We also added industry experts’ points of view on the trends and problems mentioned, creating even more value for the reader.
“Almost a third of this year’s respondents were CEOs or stakeholders, offering unparalleled insight from decades of industry experience. This all-encompassing analysis of iGaming trends reflects on a year of evolution and shifting demands and demonstrates EvenBet’s commitment to providing critical observations to supplement business decisions.”
Macau International Airport (MIA) reported a strong recovery in 2024, with passenger traffic surpassing 7.64 million, marking a 48 percent year-on-year increase from 2023.
This surge in passenger numbers represents a significant milestone, reaching levels not seen in recent years.
Flight movements also saw robust growth, totaling over 59,000 operations, a 41 percent increase compared to the previous year.
December proved to be a peak travel month due to the festive season, with 680,000 passengers and 5,280 flight movements recorded. This reflects an annual growth of 14 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively, compared to December 2023. During the Christmas holiday period (December 20th–25th), the airport handled an average of 22,000 passengers daily.
On December 22nd, 2024, passenger traffic peaked at 25,000, the highest single-day figure for the month.
Currently, MIA connects Macau to 41 destinations across mainland China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia, serviced by 27 airlines.
In addition to passenger traffic, MIA’s cargo operations demonstrated substantial growth. The airport managed 108,000 tonnes of cargo in 2024, a 70 percent year-on-year increase.
To further strengthen Macau’s aviation logistics capabilities, the MIA Hengqin Upstream Cargo Terminal Project Implementation Ceremony took place in December 2024. The project is set to advance through its design and review phases, with construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025. The initiative aims to enhance Macau’s role in regional and global aviation logistics.
Macau’s Judiciary Police has uncovered a case involving a money exchanger using the Macau non-resident worker scheme to run a business in the city.
The investigation began after a 50-year-old woman from mainland China was detained for conducting money exchange activities in a casino area. Further investigation revealed that she held a domestic helper visa in Macau.
The police also arrested the woman’s employers, a retired couple in their 60s. The husband is identified as the main suspect, while his wife is considered the second suspect, allegedly encouraging her husband’s actions.
According to the investigation, the money exchanger paid over HK$60,000 ($7,717) in visa application fees. Although she obtained her working visa in June 2023, she never worked at her supposed place of employment, the couple’s residence in Coloane.
Macau’s new Law on Illegal Gambling Activities, which came into effect on October 29th, 2024, imposes stricter measures on unauthorized gambling operations, particularly focusing on illegal money exchange for gambling purposes. Offenders now face penalties of up to five years in prison.
Since the law’s passage, Macau police have enhanced patrols in casino areas. Dozens of illegal money exchangers have been arrested, and millions of dollars in illicit funds have been seized.
Several Indian gaming firms are appealing to the country’s Supreme Court for interim relief from retroactive GST demands, which could result in tax liabilities exceeding their earnings.
According to local media outlet The Economic Times, at least two companies filed interlocutory applications in December, requesting the court to suspend the tax office’s actions until a final decision is made. The dispute centers around the imposition of a 28 percent GST on the entire betting pool for past years, with gaming companies warning that the industry could collapse without temporary relief.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) department is pursuing retroactive tax claims for the period between January 2018 and September 2023, following a change in GST regulations in 2018 and an amendment to the law in 2023 that included online money gaming. Since October 2023, companies have been paying 28 percent GST on their betting pools, but the new adjudication notices target past years.
The gaming industry is under pressure, with the GST department aiming to convert past show-cause notices into tax demands by February 5th, 2025, creating an urgent deadline.
Legal sources suggest the Supreme Court will hear the case soon, as the gaming sector faces a tense stand-off with the tax office. If adjudication orders are not issued by early February, the tax notices will become invalid. However, pushing through the hefty tax demands could prove fatal for many firms.
The same report also highlights that the case before the Supreme Court covers three critical issues: whether GST can be applied to the full deposit made by gamers; whether it applies retroactively to the period before October 2023; and whether games like poker, rummy, and fantasy sports are classified as games of ‘chance’ or ‘skill.’ If deemed games of chance, these activities could fall under India’s gambling laws, potentially leading to the end of the online gaming industry in the country.
Imagine Live, a live casino supplier, has named Digitain’s Deputy CEO Martin Martirosyan as its new Group CEO.
The executive will maintain his role with Digitain amongst the new appointment.
Martirosyan originally joined the leadership team of the Digitain Group in 2023.
The Digitain Group’s founder, Vardges Vardanyan, praised the CEO on his new role, noting that “As we strategically expand across various regulated markets, it is vital that we realign our leadership team and business unit structures.
“Martin’s extensive leadership and multi-jurisdictional market experience position him perfectly to lead our team, and with Imagine Live’s exceptional performance in the premium segment of live dealer solutions, we anticipate remarkable expansion under Martin’s guidance,” he noted.
Last January, Imagine Live announced that it was launching an Asian-themed Live Casino Studio, including Speed Baccarat, Sic Bo 102 and Dragon Tiger baccarat, all within a studio designed to draw inspiration from Asian cultures. The studio operates 24/7.
Resorts World Genting (RWG), the only casino in Malaysia, has recently unveiled a new mass gaming floor: Genting Casino. While this move is seen as a positive step for Genting Malaysia, an analyst cautions that its impact on the company’s overall performance will be minimal.
Shao Yang Yin, from Maybank, points out that – despite the added gaming capacity – the new floor is not large enough to compensate for the absence of key mass gaming floors, which are still under renovation.
The Genting Casino is divided into two areas with distinct themes—one resembling the Sky Casino, and the other featuring traditional Chinese elements. While the floor includes a mix of slot machines and electronic tables, it is relatively modest in size compared to the closed Circus Palace and Hollywood mass gaming floors, which are much larger.
The new casino offers only 36 conventional tables, with minimum bets ranging from MYR10 ($2.2) to MYR100 ($22). However, the lack of smoking lounges is seen as a downside, as gamblers must leave the casino to smoke, potentially affecting the length of their play.
In a recent visit to RWG, Shao Yang Yin observed that, while the Genting Casino’s opening adds capacity, it is unlikely to “move the needle” for Genting Malaysia’s overall revenue. “The Genting Casino is a positive addition, but its size is nowhere near the capacity of the Circus Palace and Hollywood floors, which remain closed for renovations,” Yin said.
The renovations of these larger gaming floors have been delayed since February 2024, with no definitive reopening date in sight. Genting Malaysia has reassured the public that both Circus Palace and Hollywood will eventually reopen, but the timing remains uncertain. As a result, the company’s short-term gaming revenue projections have been revised downwards, with analysts cutting their long-term mass market gross gaming revenue (GGR) forecasts by 25 percent.
Despite the limited immediate impact of the new Genting Casino, there are still positive aspects of the development. For example, the casino’s use of electronic tables and slot machines may help reduce operational costs by requiring fewer staff, which could result in higher margins. However, the new floor still represents only a small fraction of the total capacity previously available when the Circus Palace and Hollywood floors were operational.
Yin remains cautious about revising earnings estimates for Genting Malaysia. “The new casino floor is a step in the right direction, but until the larger gaming areas are fully reopened, we do not see an immediate need to revise our earnings forecasts,” he said.
For analyst to consider increasing their earnings estimates, the reopening of the Circus Palace and Hollywood mass gaming floors is essential, as their combined capacity represents a significant portion of RWG’s overall gaming offering.
In the meantime, analysts maintain their ‘BUY’ recommendation for Genting Malaysia, noting that the company’s current valuations remain attractive despite the slower-than-expected recovery in its mass gaming operations. With potential upside from the reopening of the larger gaming floors, there is optimism that Genting Malaysia can eventually recover its previous revenue levels.
Genting Malaysia’s latest financial update revealed a 3Q24 revenue of RM6.5 billion ($1.47 billion), reflecting an 11 percent decline from RM7.4 billion ($1.65 billion) in the same quarter of the previous year. This drop was mainly attributed to a decline in the Leisure & Hospitality Division.
However, for the nine months ending September 30th, 2024, the company saw financial growth. Genting Malaysia reported a revenue of RM20.8 billion ($4.69 billion) and EBITDA of RM7.1 billion ($1.6 billion), representing increases of 5 percent and 8 percent, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023.
One of Vietnam’s major banks has denied claims that its executives were linked to gambling and had transferred large amounts of money overseas.
According to recent media reports, Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), one of the country’s top 10 most profitable banks last year, has blasted the claims, saying the rumors had damaged the company’s image as well as the honor, dignity and rights of its Chairman Tran Hung Huy,
The company has indicated that it will collect the material necessary to further its case ensure accountability for those involved.
The company response comes after a social media influencer on the TikTok platform claimed that ACB’s chairman had engaged in gambling and illicit money transfers involving tens of millions of dollars.
In its release, ACB states that ‘As a leading bank in risk management, ACB always affirms transparency, safety and high responsibility in all activities to ensure the interests of customers, shareholders and partners’.
Light & Wonder welcomed 2025 with some new leadership changes, elevating Glenn Huybrecht to the role of Vice President and Managing Director for Asia.
The executive made the announcement via LinkedIn, noting that “As LNW Asia becomes a true growth engine, I’m determined to build our growth mindset and our innovation focus across the region”.
In his post, the executive praised the support from industry veterans Ken Jolly, Simon Johnson and Siobhan Lane.
Ken Jolly and Simon JohnsonSiobhan Lane
Jolly has moved into the role of Vice-President for Strategic Development for Asia, while Johnson remains as SVP & International Managing Director (for EMEA, Asia and ANZ). Siobhan Lane is LNW’s Chief Executive Officer – Gaming.
Furthering his comments on the new role, Huybrecht noted that “the gaming market is rapidly expanding across Asia, we will focus on embedding customer centricity in our execution to ensure we become true business partners to our esteemed patrons”.
Light & Wonder posted a 12 percent yearly increase in its third-quarter revenue, reaching $817 million, despite net income falling to $64 million, due to restricting costs and ‘certain legal matters’.
