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BetGames appoints Giedrius Vegele as new Chief Technology Officer

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BetGames appoints Giedrius Vegele as new Chief Technology Officer

Leading games provider BetGames has appointed Giedrius Vegele as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as it targets significant commercial growth with a pioneering product roadmap.

Vegele will focus on supporting the development of cutting-edge games that provide immersive, engaging experiences and bridge the gap between sports bettors and casino players.

Boasting a wealth of experience developing and implementing technology solutions, Vegele has held a variety of roles that have propelled his career, including Senior Engineering Manager at Rocket Software and, most recently, CTO at Metasite, where he played an influential role in driving expansion in the financial sector across the UK, Europe, and the US.

The supplier has also announced ambitious product roadmap plans for the remainder of 2024 and beyond. Vegele is set to take the lead as BetGames continues to develop unique, market-leading gaming solutions.

Andreas Koeberl, CEO at BetGames, said: “We are delighted to welcome Giedrius to the BetGames team. He has a proven track record building and implementing best-in-class product solutions and is the perfect person to drive our product expansion from a technical perspective.”

Giedrius Vegele, CTO at BetGames, said: “I am very excited to join BetGames. They are among the most forward-thinking providers in the industry, and I am looking forward to helping them amplify their presence through optimized product development.”

SpinOn debut title offers gameplay from the gods in Gates of Thunder

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SpinOn debut title offers gameplay from the gods in Gates of Thunder

Exciting new studio SpinOn has unveiled Gates of Thunder to the industry, its debut title developed via Yggdrasil’s YGG Masters program.

The new game is the first of many that the studio aims to disrupt the market with through engaging stories and immersive gameplay.

SpinOn’s maiden game delivers the hugely popular thunder god in levels of detail seldom seen in iGaming. The hero deity guards Asgard’s gates against agents of chaos that threaten the divine realm across 6×5 reels, featuring tumbling symbols and electrifying multipliers that can unlock legendary awards.

Gates of Thunder brings the electricity to SpinOn’s first-ever game release and with it the new benchmark for online slots that the fledgling studio aims to disrupt the space with.

The title is powered by GATI, with Yggdrasil’s state-of-the-art technology enabling partners to employ the preconfigured, regulation-ready, standardised development toolkit to produce cutting-edge content followed by consistent, rapid distribution.

Zoe Bird, Head of Masters at Yggdrasil, said: “What a first effort from SpinOn! Gates of Thunder is a fearsome feast of fun that really makes the most of the scatter pays mechanic and multipliers. It will also leverage YGG Masters’ extensive network and expertise to accelerate its presence in the market.”

Racing Victoria announces Aaron Morrison as new CEO

Nelson Moura
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Racing Victoria announces Aaron Morrison as new CEO

The Board of Racing Victoria (RV) has announced the appointment of Aaron Morrison as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Morrison has served as Interim CEO since May 2024 after transitioning from his roles as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. He has also been involved with several racing industry boards, including Racing.com and RSN 927.

According to an announcement, Morrison joined RV in 2017, and prior to his tenor was the CEO of the Sand Hill Road Group and held senior executive positions at Crown Resorts Ltd and SkyCity Entertainment Group, where he served as General Manager of the Adelaide Casino.

Racing Victoria

The Board of Racing Victoria also stated that his selection as CEO followed a comprehensive recruitment process conducted by executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles.

“His deep knowledge of the industry, coupled with his strong relationships with staff and stakeholders, makes him well-suited to lead Racing Victoria“, RV Chairman Tim Eddy expressed in a dispatch.

In his new role, Morrison acknowledged the challenges ahead and emphasized the need for necessary changes to ensure long-term success and sustainability in the industry.

“I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be appointed CEO of Racing Victoria. I look forward to working with our dedicated team and stakeholders to grow Victorian racing“, Morrison noted.

He also highlighted the importance of collaboration within the industry and aims to review the structure and operations of Racing Victoria, including its media businesses, highlighting immediate priorities including maximizing returns for participants and enhancing the alignment of resources.

Macau gaming workforce average wages rise in June

Nelson Moura
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Macau gaming workforce average wages rise in June

Macau’s gaming sector workforce has seen a significant boost in wages in June of this year, according to the latest data from the city’s Statistics and Census Bureau.

As of June 2024, average earnings for full-time employees in the sector reached MOP26,750 ($3,346), marking an 8.2 percent increase from the previous year. Dealers also experienced wage growth, with average earnings climbing to MOP21,660 ($2,715), up 6.5 percent due to higher salaries and increased working hours.

Despite a slight decrease in the total number of dealers, which fell to 23,467 (down 0.9 percent), the overall workforce in the local gaming sector grew to 52,518 full-time employees, an increase of 825 or 1.6 percent year-on-year.

Only local Macau residents are allowed to work as croupiers.

This growth reflects a recovery in the city’s tourism volume and an increasing demand for labor as visitor arrivals continue to rise. Macau welcomed 14.4 million tourists in the first seven months of the year, up by 314.6 percent compared to last year.

MACAU-Visitor-Arrivals-July-2024

Accompanying these wage increases, job vacancies in the gaming sector surged to 498, a notable rise of 385 vacancies or over 340.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

The job vacancy rate also increased significantly to 0.9 percent, up 0.7 percentage points year-on-year, demonstrating the need for additional manpower in the SAR’s industry.

The sector recorded 1,492 new hires in the second quarter while 1,143 employees left their positions. This led to an employee recruitment rate of 2.9 percent, up by 1.0 percentage point, while the turnover rate slightly decreased to 2.2 percent.

The Survey on Manpower Needs and Wages of the Gaming Sector does not include junket promoters and associates’ data, focusing solely on broader employment trends.

As of June 11th, Macau had only 22 licensed junket operators, less than half of the permitted quota, in an industry that some 10 years ago had some 235 junket operators registered.

Macau visitor arrivals top 3M in July 

Viviana Chan
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Macau visitor arrivals top 3M in July 

Macau’s visitor arrivals increased by 9.5 percent year-on-year and 18.4 percent month-on-month, reaching over 3 million in July 2024.

This figure represents 85.6 percent of the number recorded in July 2019, signaling a strong recovery.

MACAU-Visitor-Arrivals-July-2024

According to data released on Tuesday by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC), Macau saw robust visitor arrivals last month. The number of international visitors rose by 33.3 percent year-on-year to nearly 173,000, returning to 75.5 percent of the figure from July 2019.

Macau Visitor Arrivals July-2024
JULY 2024

In terms of Southeast Asian markets, visitors from the Philippines reached nearly 43,000, marking a 38.2 percent increase from the previous year. Visitors from Malaysia totaled almost 9,000, up by 31.4 percent year-on-year, while arrivals from Singapore, at around 5,700, saw a 13.3 percent increase. Conversely, visitors from Indonesia, numbering about 13,600, and those from Thailand, at approximately 8,300, experienced declines of 7.4 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

As for Northeast Asia, the number of visitors from South Korea surged to nearly 33,000, reflecting a 66.3 percent year-on-year increase, while arrivals from Japan, at just under 8,800, jumped by 57.9 percent.

From long-haul markets, visitors from the United States numbered around 14,900, showing a 52.7 percent year-on-year rise.

In the first seven months of 2024, Macau recorded 19.7 million visitor arrivals, representing a 37.0 percent increase year-on-year and recovering to 82.9 percent of the level during the same period in 2019. International visitors totaled over 1.3 million, reaching 68.1 percent of the 2019 figure for the same period. 

Same-day visitors exceeded 10.4 million, a 51.8 percent rise year-on-year, while overnight visitors numbered over 9.2 million, up by 23.4 percent. The average length of stay for all visitors shortened slightly by 0.1 day to 1.2 days, with the duration for same-day visitors decreasing by 0.1 day to 0.2 day, while the stay for overnight visitors remained stable at 2.3 days.

Japan’s police to start first investigation into offshore online casino operations

Viviana Chan
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Japan’s police to start first investigation into offshore online casino operations

Japan’s National Police Agency is set to launch its first investigation into online casinos operated overseas.

According to The Japan News, these sites have rapidly gained popularity among younger people in Japan, leading some into debt and involvement in illegal part-time jobs.

The National Police Agency will share the findings of its investigation with relevant ministries and agencies, with the goal of regulating access to the gambling sites and addressing issues related to addiction.

While certain forms of gambling, such as horse racing, are legal in Japan, online betting is illegal—even if the site is legally operated overseas. Nonetheless, a widespread misconception persists that these overseas-operated gambling sites are legal to use in Japan.

A survey by Tokyo-based digital analysis firm Similarweb Ltd. revealed that there were about 700,000 visits per month to online casinos from Japan in December of 2018. This number surged sharply from 2019, reaching approximately 83 million visits per month by September 2021.

The National Police Agency reported that 107 individuals used illegal online casinos last year. Of these, 32 accessed these sites via smartphones or other personal devices, a significant increase from just one person in 2022. However, detecting individual gamblers is challenging, and authorities estimate these 32 cases are likely only a small fraction of the actual number.

The agency plans to investigate online casino operators targeting Japanese users, including their locations, money transfer methods, and the volume of visits from Japan. Additionally, it will survey over 7,000 people across various age groups in Japan, from teenagers to those in their 70s, and produce a report on online casino usage by the end of the fiscal year.

Japan approved its first land-based casino last year, with MGM Osaka planned to open as early as 2030.

Although Japan’s entry into land-based gaming came later, the country has long had local gambling activities, such as pachinko, which have been popular for many years.

Former PH Mayor Alice Guo risks prosecution in China over POGO allegations: Senator

AGBrief Editorial
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Former PH Mayor Alice Guo risks prosecution in China over POGO allegations: Senator

Former Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac, faces potential prosecution if she returns to China, according to Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

In a recent interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel, Gatchalian highlighted the stringent gambling laws in China, particularly concerning Philippine Offshore and Gaming Operators (POGOs), which Guo is alleged to have supported.

Gatchalian pointed out that recent updates to Chinese gambling legislation have broadened the scope of prosecutable offenses related to gambling activities.

“In China, merely investing in or being associated with gambling can lead to legal consequences”, he stated. He suggested that Guo would likely face legal action in China if she returns, given her involvement with POGOs, which are illegal there.

Regarding reports of Guo’s departure from the Philippines, Gatchalian mentioned that his office is still verifying the information.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Philippines, POGO, Pogo ban, Alice Guo

Gatchalian shared that Guo filed a counter affidavit related to a human trafficking case on August 14th, personally visiting a notary public for the process. “According to the notary public, Guo was indeed present in the country as of August 14th”, he noted.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding her whereabouts, Gatchalian assured that legal proceedings against Guo would continue. He revealed plans for the Senate to pursue additional charges against her, including perjury and disobedience. “The long arm of the law will eventually catch up with her”, he asserted.

If convicted, Gatchalian indicated that extradition back to the Philippines could be pursued, especially if Guo seeks refuge in neighboring Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia or Malaysia.

Australian online betting operator fined $400K for illegal gambling inducements

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Australian online betting operator fined $400K for illegal gambling inducements

Online betting operator PlayUp Interactive, trading as Draftstars, has been fined AU$586,000 (nearly $400,000) for offering free bets to potential players.

The operator received a record penalty for illegally promoting gambling inducements in multiple advertisements. PlayUp Interactive was found to have offered free bets and other incentives to attract players in 33 ads displayed on its website.

Sydney’s Downing Center Local Court imposed the fine after the company was found guilty of all 33 offenses.

In New South Wales, it is illegal to offer incentives to open betting accounts, refer friends, maintain an account, or agree to receive gambling advertising.

Liquor & Gaming Authority, NSW, Australia, Online Betting operator

Liquor & Gaming NSW Director of Compliance & Enforcement, Dimitri Argeres, said online betting operators were well aware of the legislation in NSW regarding inducements.

“NSW bans the advertisement of any offer of an inducement to participate in a gambling activity, including an inducement to bet more frequently, to persons who do not hold a betting account with the operator,” Argeres said.

Government urged to crack down on gambling advertising in Australia

“Wagering operators like PlayUp Interactive are allowed to legally advertise their products in various ways, but they can’t advertise or promote inducements such as offers of increased odds or bonus bets to entice people to open a betting account.

“It is the responsibility of the betting service provider to ensure prohibited gambling advertising is not published or communicated in NSW.

“Liquor & Gaming NSW will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to these offenses, and this sentence shows that strong penalties can apply,” noted the official.

Draftstars, a fantasy sports betting app, was acquired by PlayUp in 2018 from CrownBet, which later merged into Sportsbet.

Sydney-based PlayUp also operates in New Zealand, India, and the US. It is Australia’s largest daily fantasy sports provider and an approved betting operator for major sports organizations like the NRL, AFL, and Cricket Australia.

The AU$586,000 fine imposed on PlayUp surpasses the AU$210,000 ($141,000) penalty given to Betr in 2023 for 14 similar infringements related to inducements in advertisements.

Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Macau and China team up on illicit money exchange

AGBrief Editorial
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Daily Asia Gaming eBrief: Macau and China team up on illicit money exchange
Good morning. Cash is king. That fact hasn’t gone unnoticed by authorities in mainland China, as they try to stem every outflow of capital from the country. The death of junkets in Macau has led to the surge in illicit money exchangers, with efforts against the operations intensifying on both sides of the border, however, this will most likely only affect VIP play, notes an expert. Also in Macau, the premium mass segment appears to be doing well, with Galaxy in particular expanding market share as wagers rise.

What you need to know

On the radar

AGB Intelligence

MACAU

Mass Gaming, Macau

Mass play largely unaffected by money exchange crackdown

Macau is pushing forward with efforts to curb illegal money exchange operations which have plagued its casinos, in particular following the elimination of the junket sector. New legislative efforts should have an impact on VIP, but are unlikely to curb mass GGR, notes gaming scholar Carlos Siu. Further efforts to curb the illegal activity are expected on both sides of the border, as China urges Macau to help tap the money outflow.

Corporate Spotlight

How 1xBet dominates the Asian market: conditions and approach

1xBet, Asian Market

1xBet operates in several dozen countries in Asia, and the number of partners in this region is growing steadily, which indicates the effectiveness of the 1xPartners affiliate program. The brand offers favorable conditions and a modern set of tools for making money on the Internet.

Know Your Enemy: An Interactive Guide to Online Gaming Fraud

Sumsub, Online Gaming Fraud, verification platform

Online gaming fraud is on the rise in the iGaming industry. In Q1 2022, there was an 85% increase in fake account registrations compared to Q4 2021. While players are undoubtedly affected by gaming fraud, iGaming platforms also suffer due to damaged reputations, huge financial losses, and legal consequences.

Industry Updates

MEMBERSHIP | INTELLIGENCE | ASEAN | CAREERS

Macau’s premium mass wager up with Galaxy gaining market share: Citigroup

Viviana Chan
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Macau’s premium mass wager up with Galaxy gaining market share: Citigroup

Citigroup, in its August premium mass table survey, has observed that Macau continues to demonstrate resilience in gaming amid China’s economic headwinds, maintaining robust player demand.

Galaxy Entertainment Group, Macau

The survey shows that total premium mass wagers grew both year-over-year and quarter-on-quarter. Meanwhile, Macau gaming operator Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) likely gained market share.

In a detailed analysis of the survey data, Citigroup notes that the total wagers observed in August this year amounted to HK$12.8 million ($1.6 million), up 35 percent year-over-year from HK$9.5 million ($1.2 million) the previous year.

This robust result was driven by a 40 percent year-over-year increase in player count. The survey identified a total of 655 premium mass players.

This implies that the wager per player in August 2024 fell to HK$19,606 ($2,517), which is 7 percent lower than July 2024’s HK$21,193 ($2,720). This decline reflects ‘normal seasonality’.

Analysts George Choi and Ryan Cheung note that data from 2019 surveys show a similar month-over-month decline in wager per player, around 6 percent. The seasonal trend is due to August, a month with strong visitation, also attracting more casual and less enthusiastic players.

The survey found an increase in ‘whales’ this month. A ‘whale’ is defined as a player whose bet size ranges from HK$100,000 to HK$500,000 ($12,800 – $64,000) per hand or more. The number of whales observed was 25, compared to 23 last month and 24 in August last year.

City of Dreams Macau, Melco Resorts

The ‘Player of the Month’ was noted at the Dragon Palace of Melco’s City of Dreams, where he placed a HK$600,000 ($77,006) bet. His friend, sitting next to him, placed a HK$400,000 ($51,337) bet on the same hand.

There were also six whales who bet between HK$130,000 and HK$330,000 ($16,680 – $42,350) during a short visit to Galaxy Macau’s Horizon Room. Whales betting HK$100,000 to HK$330,000 ($12,830 – $42,350) were observed at Wynn Palace’s Chairman Club.

Galaxy Entertainment Group, Galaxy Macau
Galaxy Macau
Wynn Palace Macau
Wynn Palace

Regarding premium market share, Citigroup notes that Galaxy ranks number one in the premium mass survey, with approximately 29 percent of the total wagers observed, up from 25 percent last month. Eight out of the 25 whales were seen at its casinos.

Citigroup’s survey results seem to echo Galaxy management’s recent comments on its earnings call: Galaxy’s market share in August to date has improved from the July level, and mass table drop in August is 10-15 percent higher compared to 2024.

An expansion in smart gaming tables has been observed across several prominent casinos in Macau. The survey reveals 30 new smart tables at Studio City’s grind mass area, all tables at Londoner’s Apex room are now smart, and Venetian has increased its smart tables to 225 in the grind mass area, up from 73 last month. Additionally, 28 tables in Venetian’s High Limit area are now smart.

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