Good morning. Depending on who you’re talking to, Artificial Intelligence (AI) may seem like the best thing that’s been invented. In the world of iGaming, this means translating the loads of data flooding in to devise operable estimations for operators, says Blask’s CEO. Not an easy task. Meanwhile, Macau has high hopes for 2025, tipping GGR estimates at $29.7 billion, above some analysts’ expectations. And in the Philippines, GGR hit another record in 3Q24, at $1.6 billion, with strong growth in the eGames segment.
AI’s benefit to iGaming operators lies in transforming strategic data
Artificial Intelligence has become the key phrase in most recent iGaming conversations. But the CEO of Blask points out how AI is actually driving growth for operators, by focusing on strategically evaluating loads of data they now accumulate. Predictive analytics are helping improve both operations and player retention, improving engagement and lowering costs.
Asia is the most populated continent on the planet and Football is the No. 1 sport in most countries. The World Cup qualifying matches are traditionally watched by billions of fans in the region, but FIFA has decided to reward Asia with a significant representation at the tournament only now.
Altenar, a leading sportsbook provider is bringing its global expertise to Asia, looking to expand its operations. Since 2011, Altenar has powered hundreds of online sports betting sites worldwide and is a major B2B provider in Europe and Latin America licensed markets.
Everi stockholders have approved the $6.3 billion acquisition of the company, along with the Gaming & Digital business of International Game Technology (IGT) by a fund managed by Apollo Global Management via a merger.
The group announced the approval on Thursday, noting that ‘shareholders have voted at a special meeting’.
According to the release, ‘approximately 99.88 percent of the shares voted were voted in favor of the merger’. This represents approximately 71.48 percent of the total outstanding shares of Everi common stock (as of October 3rd, the date of the special meeting).
Michael Rumbolz, Chairman Board of Directors
“We are pleased that our stockholders supported our transaction with the Apollo Funds,” said Michael Rumbolz, chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. “We now shift our focus to the important next steps toward completing the transaction and maximizing value for Everi stockholders.”
The proposed transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter of 2025.
More information will be revealed via a form filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Everi stockholders will receive $14.25 per share in cash, representing a significant 56 percent premium over Everi’s closing share price on July 25, 2024. Meanwhile, IGT will receive $4.05 billion in gross cash proceeds from the sale of IGT Gaming.
After the transaction closes, IGT will transition to a pure-play lottery business, changing its name and stock ticker symbol.
The combined IGT Gaming and Everi enterprise will be headquartered in Las Vegas and led by a management team that includes Fabio Celadon as CFO and Mark Labay as Chief Integration Officer.
The operator of Newport World Resorts, Travellers, under the Alliance Global Group, has reported a fall in gaming revenues of 6.3 percent for the first nine months of the year, totaling PHP24.31 billion ($412.67 million).
Minus the promotional allowance, which fell by 10.4 percent to PHP6.8 billion, total net gaming revenues amounted to PHP17.49 billion ($296.59 million), a yearly drop of 4.5 percent.
The group attributed the contraction as ‘due to lower win rates in an overall volume growth’.
During the same period, non-gaming results for Newport World Resorts were on the rise, with occupancy of the five hotels on the property between 77 percent and 88 percent, helping push up its non-gaming core revenues by 9 percent yearly to PHP5.4 billion ($91.67 million.
A further breakdown of the specifics is expected on Tuesday after a delay in the investor briefing was announced.
Travellers brought in a total of PHP22.9 billion ($388.67 million) in core revenues, ‘supported by the rise in tourism and MICE activities despite lower net gaming revenues’.
However, net profit for Travellers fell by 69.1 percent yearly during the nine-month period, totaling just PHP155 million ($2.63 million).
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has announced its latest US operator partnership with Resorts Digital Gaming in New Jersey.
Boyd Interactive acquired Resorts Digital Gaming in September 2024, and this announcement sees the group’s players on the www.resortscasino.com and www.mohegansuncasino.com brands in New Jersey gain access to a multitude of classic Play’n GO game titles, such as the legendary Book of Dead, Rise of Merlin, and Rise of Olympus.
Play’n GO entered New Jersey in September 2022, shortly after first launching in the US via the state of West Virginia in July of that year. It has since seen its games live in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and most recently, Connecticut.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO, commented “New Jersey has been of crucial importance to our US operations for over two years now, so it is with great pleasure that we make this announcement in conjunction with Resorts Digital Gaming. The company joins two instantly recognizable operator brands, and the addition of Play’n GO’s games will be of enormous mutual benefit. We confidently describe ourselves as the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, and partnerships like this one are of great importance to us in establishing that idea. We’re excited to see this partnership flourish.”
Jim Ryan, Chief Executive Officer at Boyd Interactive, added “The whole Resorts Digital Gaming team is excited to bring Play’n GO games to our players. Play’n GO is one of the world’s leading iGaming brands, and we’re confident that our players are as excited as we are to see those Play’n GO titles on both www.resortscasino.com and www.mohegansuncasino.com.”
Evolution, the industry-leading B2B solution provider for casino operators, has announced a three-year extension of their US agreement with FanDuel Casino.
The renewal strengthens the strategic partnership between the two companies, reaffirming Evolution as FanDuel’s sole provider of core live dealer casino games.
Under the terms of the extension, FanDuel players will continue to have access to Evolution and Ezugi’s full portfolio of industry-leading live casino games, along with top-performing slots from NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, and Nolimit City. This marks the second extension of the original partnership, which began in 2020 when Evolution’s live dealer games were integrated into FanDuel’s Casino platform.
Jacob Claesson, Chief Executive Officer of Evolution North America, said: “We are thrilled to extend our successful partnership with FanDuel, providing players with the very best in online casino entertainment. FanDuel’s trust in Evolution highlights our shared commitment to growing the live casino market and creating a truly immersive experience for players across North America.”
Asaf Noifeld, Managing Director of FanDuel Casino added: “FanDuel Casino is the leading Casino operator in the U.S., offering the largest selection of exclusive live casino tables in the market. Expanding our partnership with Evolution for Live Casino and RNG games enables us to consistently provide a top-tier experience to our customers. We look forward to our continued growth in the Live Casino sector.”
Wynn Resorts Macau has recently partnered with Switzerland’s prestigious EHL Hospitality Business School to launch a certified hospitality management program, aimed at nurturing the next generation of young professionals in Macao’s hotel and tourism industry.
The course attracted 20 Macao youths who are passionate about the hospitality industry. During the program, they received valuable vocational training and gained an in-depth understanding of hotel operations and the practical skills required in the hospitality industry.
Ranked as the world’s leading hotel management school, EHL offers an elite team of professionals and international lecturers to ensure the educational experience is of high quality and impactful.
Wynn is also currently designing a variety of its training courses including: personal effectiveness and leadership skills training, hospitality luxury brand management, hospitality data analytics, and more to help local talents boost their professional knowledge and skills to succeed in the highly competitive field of hotel management. Course content will cover event planning, execution, and management.
Through practical training and case studies, students will master the skills needed to host successful events. These training courses will provide participants with the necessary tools and strategies for becoming future hospitality industry leaders.
Dr. Barry Ip, Vice President of Learning and Advancement at Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace said, “The Wynn X EHL Hospitality Management Certified Program has effectively introduced innovative perspectives on hospitality management. The international lecturers have provided numerous valuable examples from abroad that contribute significantly to the development of youth in Macau.”
In the future, Wynn will continue to organize even more training initiatives such as these to cultivate more professional talents for the hospitality sector, help promote the sustainable development of Macao’s tourism industry, and make significant contributions toward solidifying Macao’s position as a World Center of Tourism and Leisure.
In the iGaming industry, operators are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data they generate daily. From tracking player behavior and game performance to analyzing financial transactions and marketing strategies, the data can be staggering.
Max Tesla, co-founder and CEO of Blask
However, as Max Tesla, co-founder and CEO of Blask, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics startup focused on iGaming, points out in a recent interview with AGB, the real challenge isn’t the volume of data—it’s the ability to extract actionable insights from it.
Tesla discussed the growing complexities operators face and how Blask’s AI tools are revolutionizing the way businesses turn data into valuable, strategic decisions.
The iGaming sector has always been data-heavy, but in recent years, the sheer scale and complexity of data have grown exponentially. Tesla notes that the fast pace of industry growth—coupled with the sheer number of players, games, and platforms—and what this means for operators.
“The challenge isn’t just about collecting data, it’s about making sense of it,” said Tesla. “There’s an overwhelming amount of data, and without the right tools, it’s nearly impossible to extract meaningful insights from it.”
This data overload has serious implications for decision-making in the iGaming world. Operators need to quickly analyze vast datasets to understand player behavior, optimize game offerings, and ensure financial performance is on track. However, without the ability to synthesize this data effectively, operators risk making decisions based on incomplete or inaccurate information.
Tesla elaborates: “Operators are often in a situation where they have mountains of data, but they lack the clarity and insights needed to make the right decisions quickly.”
Tesla also pointed out that the problem is not just one of volume. iGaming data is highly complex, with many interrelated factors that require a nuanced approach to analysis. “For example, a slight change in player behavior can have cascading effects across multiple platforms and departments. You need advanced analytics to track and understand these connections. Without it, operators are left to make educated guesses rather than data-driven decisions.”
How AI Is revolutionizing data analytics in iGaming
Given these challenges, AI-driven tools are becoming an essential part of the iGaming landscape. Tesla explained how Blask uses AI to sift through large datasets and deliver actionable insights. “At Blask, our AI models are designed to do the heavy lifting. We focus on automating data analysis, which enables operators to focus on what really matters—the strategic decisions that drive growth and improve profitability,” Tesla said.
Blask’s AI platform is not just a simple reporting tool; it’s a sophisticated system that identifies key trends and patterns in real-time. “We use AI to predict player behavior, spot emerging trends, and even optimize game offerings based on data-driven forecasts,” Tesla explained. “What might take an operator weeks to analyze manually, Blask can deliver in seconds.”
One of the core strengths of AI in this context is its ability to handle predictive analytics. Tesla pointed out that this feature is crucial for operators who need to stay ahead of the competition.
“AI isn’t just about reporting what happened yesterday or last week. It’s about forecasting what will happen tomorrow.”
Max Tesla
“If you know that a particular type of player is likely to leave your platform or that a specific game is about to become more popular, you can act proactively rather than reactively.”
Gaining clarity and actionable insights
“The beauty of Blask’s AI platform is that it doesn’t just dump raw data on you. It filters through the noise and brings to the surface the most important insights,” Tesla said. “For example, it will identify which games are underperforming, which players are most likely to churn, and even pinpoint which marketing campaigns are yielding the best return on investment,” notes the CEO.
“For example, if an operator is running a promotion and needs to know which player segments are responding best, Blask can instantly highlight that,” Tesla said. “That’s the power of AI—it’s not just about numbers, but about turning those numbers into strategies that can be implemented right away.”
Forecasting and automation with AI
For iGaming operators, the ultimate goal is to use data to drive better business decisions—whether it’s improving player retention, optimizing the gaming experience, or maximizing revenue. Tesla emphasized that AI plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal. “AI helps operators identify trends before they become visible to the naked eye,” Tesla explained. “It’s not just about analyzing what’s happening right now, but about making sense of what’s likely to happen in the future. The ability to forecast is a huge advantage.”
For instance, Blask’s AI models can help operators identify the early warning signs of player churn, which allows for timely intervention. “If our system detects that certain player behaviors are shifting in a way that historically leads to churn, we can alert operators before it happens,” Tesla noted. “This enables them to take action—whether it’s offering personalized promotions or improving customer service—before the problem escalates.”
Moreover, AI can help iGaming operators improve operational efficiency by automating routine tasks.
Looking toward the future
Tesla is optimistic about the future of AI in iGaming. He believes that as the technology matures, AI will become even more integral to operators’ decision-making processes. “The future of iGaming is data-driven, and AI is at the heart of that transformation,” he said. “As the industry grows, so will the amount of data. But with AI, operators will be able to manage this complexity and use it to their advantage.”
In Tesla’s view, AI’s potential is still being unlocked. “We’re only scratching the surface of what AI can do in iGaming,” he said.
“The more data we collect, the smarter our algorithms become. Over time, AI will be able to provide even more granular insights and even more precise predictions. It will be a game-changer.”
Zitro, a global leader in entertainment providing an extensive range of Video Bingo and Video Slots games, systems, and online gaming solutions, has awakened the power of ancient gods in its new game release, Cash Totems.
With two exciting themes—Tomahawk and Vikings— the Cash Totems title transports players to a mystical world where Ancient Gods hold the key to incredible fortunes.
Cash Totems offers a Free Games bonus with 10 initial free spins and introduces 3 combinable metamorphic features, each supported by its own scatter symbol. The left accumulator features Sticky Wilds, where players can earn credits with the corresponding scatter symbol.
The right accumulator offers Rainy Multiplier Wilds, granting extra spins with each corresponding scatter symbol, enhancing winning opportunities. Finally, the central accumulator unveils a thrilling Jackpot feature, where each corresponding scatter symbol reveals two potential prizes (Low/High) and awards players one of the following: Credits, Extra Spins, or the chance to spin the Jackpot Wheel. Landing on the jackpot symbol activates the wheel, offering one of four jackpots: Mini, Minor, Super, and Mega.
OnePlay, India’s premier cloud gaming platform, has today announced the addition of Akshat Rathee, a prominent figure in the gaming and esports industry, as a strategic investor and advisory board member.
With over two decades of experience in transforming the gaming landscape in India and other emerging markets, Akshat’s addition marks a significant milestone in OnePlay’s journey toward redefining gaming experiences in India and beyond.
A seasoned entrepreneur and the Managing Director and Co-founder of NODWIN Gaming, Akshat Rathee brings a unique blend of industry expertise and entrepreneurial drive to OnePlay. Throughout his career, Akshat has founded more than 20 companies across various sectors, including consulting, clean energy, sports tech, and gaming, demonstrating his versatile business acumen.
Under his leadership, NODWIN has grown into Asia’s largest esports company with a presence spanning regions such as the Middle East and Europe. His experience in expanding NODWIN’s reach and creating large-scale gaming and esports initiatives will be invaluable for OnePlay as it seeks to strengthen its position in the cloud gaming market.
Additionally, Akshat’s involvement in mentoring startups and investing in emerging companies through Good Game Investments adds a layer of strategic insight that will help drive OnePlay’s innovation and growth. Now, with his strategic vision and industry expertise, OnePlay aims to further penetrate into India’s lucrative gaming market and scale globally as well.
The onboarding of Akshat Rathee comes as OnePlay embarks on an exciting new phase of growth and expansion. The platform is expanding its portfolio with diverse games and strategic partnerships, along with a recent collaboration with Velosting, a leading Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provider. This partnership will bolster OnePlay’s data centre infrastructure across India and the APAC region, enhancing response times and ensuring seamless gameplay for users.
Harshit Jain, Co-Founder & CEO of OnePlay
Harshit Jain, Co-Founder and CEO at OnePlay, commented on Akshat’s recent onboarding, stating, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Akshat Rathee to the OnePlay team. His extensive experience with NODWIN Gaming will be instrumental as we embark on our journey in the cloud gaming space. We believe that Akshat’s insights and strategic vision will be pivotal in driving innovation and shaping the future of gaming at OnePlay, as we strive to create unparalleled experiences for gamers in India and beyond.”
Akshat Rathee, MD and Co-founder of NODWIN Gaming
Sharing his thoughts on the partnership, Akshat said, “OnePlay stands at the forefront of the cloud gaming and computing revolutions, with immense potential to redefine the gaming landscape in India. I am excited to join this dynamic team and contribute to our shared vision of transforming how players engage with games in India. Together, we will explore new opportunities and elevate the gaming experience for millions, harnessing the power of technology to shape the future of this vibrant industry.”
This strategic partnership reinforces OnePlay’s leadership in the gaming and entertainment industry, solidifying its position as a forward-looking and gamer-focused brand.
The International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) has officially announced the addition of four new trustees to its Board, including the CEO of the UAE General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, Kevin Mullally.
An ex-VP of Government Relations and General Counsel for Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), Mullally was appointed last year as the inaugural CEO of the recently created UAE gaming regulator, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
Aside from Mullally, the new IAGR board members include Anders Dorph from the Danish Gambling Authority, Peter Kesitilwe Emolemo from the Gambling Authority of Botswana, and Louis Rogacki from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement in North America.
Kevin Mullally, CEO, UAE General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority
IAGR President Ben Haden expressed that the “diverse expertise and leadership across different jurisdictions will bring fresh perspectives” to IAGR’s work, and further strengthen its global approach to gaming regulation.
“I look forward to working with Peter, Louis, Kevin, and Anders as we continue to foster innovation and drive forward effective, responsible regulation for the benefit of the global gaming community.”
The IAGR also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing Board members Trude Høgseth Felde and Mabutho Zwane, thanking them for their dedicated service. Additionally, Jason Lane will continue in his role as a Trustee for another term.
The IAGR serves as a global forum for gaming regulators to collaborate and share best practices, hosting annual conferences and workshops that focus on current issues in gaming regulation.
The organization has confirmed that its 2025 annual conference will be held in Toronto, Canada, from October 20th to 23rd with registration opening early next year.
