QTech Games enhances its premier Live-Casino suite with Live88

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AGBrief Editorial

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October 17, 2024

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QTech Games enhances its premier Live-Casino suite with Live88

QTech Games, a top game distributor for emerging markets, has announced a new premium partnership with Live88. This collaboration grants platform customers access to Live88’s extensive live-casino portfolio.

Live88 is a fast-growing provider of customizable live-dealer games – such as Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat, imbuing traditional classics with real-time gameplay and added social features. LatAm-facing favorites like Betsul, JKBet, and Arena Brasil have also recently been launched, introducing a new live casino vertical to engage new players and offering operators a broader cutting-edge for innovation across the ever-evolving landscape of emerging markets.

Live88 has quickly established itself as a trusted provider in the sector, with a number of unique tables recently added to its wide portfolio. The thriving live-dealer domain continues to go from strength to strength with a truly global fanbase – and Live88’s hit titles (e.g. Royal Riches Roulette, showcasing fresh takes and industry-first collectible features in our first gameshow) are now riding on the back of the fastest-growing distributor for all growth territories. QTech Games’ platform boasts the broadest gaming suite around, localized for each region, with native mobile apps, powerful reporting and marketing tools, and 24/7 local-language support.

Incorporating this ever-evolving production line emphasizes QTech Games’ diverse range of gaming options, providing a definitive one-stop shop, QTech ONE, which has fast become the “go-to” solution for worldwide operators across developing territories.

James Corrie, Head of Live Games and RNG at Live88, said: “Whether it’s custom-branded tables with dedicated live dealers in a range of different languages, or Live88 tables decked out to match any casino brand, we will equip QTech Games’ legion of partners with full flexibility and the highest-quality games.”

“Live casino is a hugely popular product worldwide and our offering is taking this vertical to the next level, encouraging players to bond together and enhance each other’s experience on a truly social journey. This agreement naturally broadens Live88’s geographic footprint, targeting emerging markets from Asia and Eastern Europe to Africa and Latin America, and uncovering new revenue streams.”

QTech Games CEO, Philip Doftvik, said: “We look forward to monitoring how these games perform across a range of untested markets which, in most cases, represent new territory for Live88. Thanks to a blend of classic appeal and modern social features, Live88 stands out as a breakthrough innovator for the live-dealer experience and a real revenue-driver revenue for digital casinos by offering their players a fresh-yet-familiar gaming journey. Ingenuity and creativity are central pillars of what we do, and we are pleased to have found a partner that shares these tenets. We can’t wait to deliver Live88’s games to our operator partners via the dominant platform for emerging markets.”

“We understand the need for flexibility, especially for businesses that experience fluctuating demands,” said Kristoffer Ottosson, COO at Internet Vikings. “By removing the standard barriers to scaling cloud resources we’re giving our clients the freedom to right-size their environments without operational delays.”

Rickard Vikström, Founder and CEO of Internet Vikings, added, “Businesses can now remain agile by scaling in real-time. This aligns with our mission to provide top-tier hosting solutions that develop alongside the customers. We believe this feature will improve the way businesses leverage cloud hosting.”

Internet Vikings’ flexible cloud offering is now available to all customers purchasing Internet Vikings VMware Cloud.

Three distinct Power Combo™ features – Green, Blue, and Red Scatter symbols – are collected above the reels, each triggering the Link&Win™ feature when activated. The specific color of the Scatter symbols determines the active Power Combo™ modifiers during the bonus round, offering exciting gameplay combinations.

Alternatively, players can collect Golden Eagles bonus symbols beneath each reel. Once all five have been collected, the Feature Pick is instantly awarded, allowing players to win up to three Power Combo™ modifiers or starting Link&Win cash or bonus prizes.

In the Link&Win™ bonus, the Titan Reels feature increases the grid size from 5×3 to a mighty 5×5, the Collect modifier awards a collect symbol to accumulate cash prizes, and the Multi Boost bonus splits the grid into sections with upgradable multipliers between 2x and 5x, with every cash prize in each full section at the end of the feature amplified by the corresponding multiplier and upgrades up to 10x.

All three of these Power Combo™ features can be triggered simultaneously, enhancing win potential to a thunderous 8,300x. Zeus Lightning Riches Power Combo™ showcases Infinity Dragon Studios’ commitment to developing cutting-edge content that drives engagement through exciting features and immersive themes.

Infinity Dragon Studios, Zeus Lightning Riches Power Combo

Phil Mason, Head of Studio at Infinity Dragon Studios, said: “The team and I are super excited about the game. Zeus Lightning Riches brings the new Multi Boost Feature to Link&Win™ for an exciting multi-layered chase as players spin to fill and upgrade Link&Win™ multiplier zones up to 10x. Power Combo™ Scatters may also reveal Golden Eagle symbols that are collected per reel, giving players yet another way into Link&Win™. The game brings a lot of energy and Zeus lore, with exciting animations, sound, and special effects to match the lightning action on the reels!”

Andy Booth, Chief Product Officer at Games Global, said: “Power Combo™ games have become a favourite with Games Global players, offering unique gameplay in every session, with the different combinations of features meaning every game session provides something unique. Marrying this mechanic with the ever-popular Greek mythology theme, Infinity Dragon Studios has once again delivered an impressive title that we’re confident will resonate with players.”

Authorities are noticeably following up on their pledge to go after public officials who might have been involved in aspects of POGO setup and operations, with the latest detainees being charged with ‘undue haste in the approval of permits’ for Lucky South 99, from the period of 2021 to 2023, ‘despite blank and incomplete application forms’, notes the Philippine News Agency.

Officials also ‘failed to act on law enforcement reports on alleged criminal activities, including human trafficking, taking place in Lucky South 99,’ notes the agency.

Just this week, authorities also apprehended alleged POGO scam hub operator Lyu Dong, indirectly linked to Lucky South 99. The hub has led to multiple arrests, as the crackdown on illegal POGO operations continues, netting a series of Chinese individuals, as well as those of other nationalities, in the bid to eliminate the illegal offshore operations in the country.

Good morning. Too big to fail? NSW gaming authorities have chosen to continue the suspension of The Star’s Sydney casino license, rather than cancel it outright. Authorities praise better communication while also highlighting the group’s difficult financial situation, giving it until March of 2025 before another evaluation. Meanwhile, in Macau VIP play in 3Q24 appeared to improve, making up nearly one-quarter of GGR. Also, the SAR passed new legislation aimed at preventing gambling crimes – including undercover agents.

What you need to know

The Star has had its casino license suspension extended, instead of canceled, being issued a fine and conditions to operate until March 2025.
Macau legislature approves new legal framework set to enhance administrative powers to tackle gambling crimes.
Macau’s VIP baccarat revenue hit $6.95 billion in 3Q24, 23.5% of GGR, with an 11.1% yearly increase, reports the regulator.

On the radar

SkyCity loses appeal on taxation on loyalty points converted to machine play.
City of Dreams Sri Lanka opens hotel, casino to open mid-2025.
Macau GDP to grow up to 11% this year: Economic Association.
China illegal gambling cases reached 27K in Jan-Sept, up 10% YoY: Court.
Philippine authorities are closing in on four POGO financiers.

AGB Intelligence

AUSTRALIA

The Star Sydney casino license not canceled, fined and suspension extended

Australian gaming operator The Star is likely to be celebrating after the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) chose not to cancel its Sydney casino license and instead issue a fine and extend the license suspension period until March of next year. This means that the NICC-appointed Manager will remain in place until then, after which it will be reevaluated for suitability. New leadership likely had a strong hand to play, as the NICC praised CEO Steve McCann on “communication and cooperation”.

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MEMBERSHIP | INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS

According to the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission, the group has been handed a AU$15 million ($10 million) fine, and its license will remain suspended, while NICC-appointed manager Nick Weeks ‘will continue to have oversight of casino operations until at least 31 March 2025’.

After this date, ‘the NICC will reassess The Star’s Suitability to regain its casino license’.

Following a press conference early on Thursday, which caused The Star to suspend trading, the NICC Chief Commissioner indicated that the Bell Two inquiry ‘identified continuing compliance failures and operations at The Star that fell far short of suitability’.

Philip Crawford, NICC Casino Commissioner

Speaking of the issue, Philip Crawford noted that “Despite more prescriptive supervision that prevented the type of misconduct seen in the first inquiry, numerous shortcomings in governance, regulatory compliance, technology and risk management remain, including in areas that The Star claimed it had remediated.”

The official furthered that “In a casino setting, compliance breaches can have serious consequences for the community, and the Bell Report illustrated how quickly weak controls can lead to criminal infiltration and gambling harm.”

The NICC Chief Commissioner did recognize that The Star was facing “many challenges” and indicated that the commission would “closely monitor The Star’s progress in proving it is capable of regaining its casino license.”

The full scope of the conditions upon The Star encompass:

AU$15 million fine ‘for serious breaches of four internal control manuals;
Directions ‘that reflect Adam Bell SC’s report recommendations;
Stipulated additional financial and operational reporting required between now and March 2025;
A proposal to amend The Star’s suspended casino license to include more prescriptive requirements around board constitution and key management personnel;
Requests for amendments to the Casino Control Act as recommended by Mr Bell.

The NICC did praise the new leadership at The Star, noting that its CEO, Steve McCann “has established open lines of communication and cooperation with the NICC which has resulted in a much healthier relationship between the company and the regulator.”

While noting that it was “encouraged by the steps initiated since Mr. McCann’s appointment” and that The Star “is now taking the opportunity to reset its remediation priorities, strengthen its financial position and bolster the leadership team to refocus the business,” the NICC did not that “more work needs to be done before The Star can be regarded as a compliant and responsible operator, deserving of a license”.

The Star Sydney will continue to operate, under the supervision of the NICC-appointed manager ‘until at least 31 March 2025, ‘thus allowing The Star to operate gaming facilities while its license is suspended’.

In comments to AGB, former top regulator Peter Cohen questioned whether The Star might be deemed ‘too big to fail’, noting that a suspension of the casino license was the likely avenue authorities would choose, rather than its outright cancellation.

Despite the PAOCC’s earlier reports that POGO operations have dwindled since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered their ban in July, Casio acknowledged the difficulties in tracking down those still operating underground. “There are quite a few underground operations, and it’s been challenging to catch up,” he admitted.

The President has directed relevant government agencies to shut down all POGO hubs by the end of this year due to their links to criminal activities. Casio assured that the task force would continue its operations beyond December 31st if needed.

“We will continue our mandate. Assuming that some POGOs will remain beyond December, we will still go after them and shut them down,” he concluded.

One high-profile case, reported in July by China’s state-owned television network CCTV, involved a cross-border gambling syndicate led by Suncity Group founder Alvin Chau. According to court documents, this syndicate processed more than RMB300 billion ($42.2 billion) in bets from Chinese gamblers between 2015 and 2019.

The Chau case has been also recognized as one of China’s Top 10 Cases of 2023 and serves as a prime example of cross-border gambling operations. The SPC spotlighted this case as typical of the issue, stressing the enormous capital outflow from China and the significant social harm it caused.

At the time, the SPC emphasized that the problem of offshore casinos and internet gambling syndicates targeting Chinese citizens had grown increasingly severe in recent years, contributing to the massive capital outflow. The SPC identified six cross-border gambling cases as particularly significant, including the Chau case.

Alvin Chau, Suncity, Junket, China illegal gambling cases reach 27K — Alvin Chau, former head of Suncity Group, Macau’s then-largest junket operator

The court revealed that Chau operated VIP rooms in several Macau casinos and established multiple online gambling platforms in the Philippines and other regions since 2015. He also recruited agents, who became integral members of the organization’s operations.

By November 2021, Suncity Group had developed over 480 shareholder-level agents, more than 280 of whom were Chinese nationals, and recruited over 60,000 ordinary agents, including 38,000 Chinese nationals. The group had also attracted over 60,000 customers from China, according to SPC data.

Chau was arrested by Macau’s Judiciary Police in November of 2021 and charged with illegal gambling and gang-related crimes. In January 2023, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, a sentence upheld after his appeals were rejected earlier this month.

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Experience the Infinite 27 Wild Respin

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A Game for All Adventurers

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In the upcoming earnings season, Bank of America anticipates that among the gaming operators, SJM Holdings will demonstrate the strongest performance, with a 20 percent growth in EBITDA in 3Q24 compared to the previous quarter, driven by the continued ramp-up of its Grand Lisboa Palace. In contrast, other operators are likely to see a decline in EBITDA.

QTech Games, a top game distributor for emerging markets, has announced a new premium partnership with Live88. This collaboration grants platform customers access to Live88’s extensive live-casino portfolio.

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Internet Vikings, a licensed hosting provider for iGaming and online sports betting, has introduced a new flexible cloud service. This offering enables customers to scale their cloud infrastructure on demand, eliminating the need for prior approval or lengthy provisioning.

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Infinity Dragon Studios, a Games Global exclusive, has launched Zeus Lightning Riches Power Combo™, a thrilling new game featuring expanding reels, dynamic multipliers, and cash collection, enhancing their growing portfolio.

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Graft complaints have been filed in the Philippines against suspended Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil as well as other officials in regards to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) Lucky South 99.

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What you need to know

On the radar

AUSTRALIA

Corporate Spotlight

Industry Updates

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Australian gaming operator The Star has been fined and had license conditions imposed on its Sydney operations however it has not had its casino license cancelled entirely.

The full scope of the conditions upon The Star encompass:

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The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in the Philippines has announced that it is close to arresting at least four suspected financiers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) of Chinese and Malaysian-Chinese descent.

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The Supreme People’s Court (SPC), China’s top judicial authority, reported that judges across the country heard approximately 27,000 criminal cases involving illegal gambling operations between January and September.

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Tom Horn Gaming, a leading igaming software provider, unveils 27 Crystal Fruits, the newest addition to their popular Crystal Fruits series.

Experience the Infinite 27 Wild Respin

Amplify the Action with QuickX™

A Game for All Adventurers

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VIP baccarat revenue in Macau for the third quarter of 2024 was just under MOP13.08 billion ($1.64 billion), accounting for 23.5 percent of the total gross gaming revenue (GGR) of nearly MOP55.6 billion ($6.95 billion) during the period.

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