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RubyPlay partners with Caesars in Ontario to expand North American presence

RubyPlay has announced a new partnership with Caesars Entertainment, further reinforcing its presence in Ontario and advancing its broader North American growth strategy.

The partnership will see a curated selection of RubyPlay’s fan-favourite titles, including JMania® Lucky PyggsMad Hit® Mr Coin and Diamond Explosion® 7s SE, made available on Caesars Entertainment’s online casino platforms, including Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, and Horseshoe Online Casino.

This partnership is also set to expand in the near future with the addition of content from Koala Games, one of RubyPlay’s most popular titles. The launch with Caesars represents a significant milestone for RubyPlay in Ontario, building on its momentum following its initial entry into the province early last year, where its portfolio of high-performance games has already gained traction with top-tier operators.

Partnering with Caesars Digital underscores RubyPlay’s growing influence and reputation within a key global territory, as well as the strength of its multi-studio platform, which is designed to bring tailored content to regulated markets worldwide. The partnership also forms part of a broader collaboration, with potential to expand into additional North American markets.

Dima Reiderman, CCO at RubyPlay, said: “By launching with one of the most trusted names in gaming, we’re not only expanding our footprint in Ontario but also demonstrating the value of our multi-studio model. Launching with Caesars in Ontario allows us to further scale our content offering within a highly competitive regulated market. Our approach is to deliver high-performing titles that align with each operator’s needs, combining the flexibility required for local markets with the consistency needed to scale, while ensuring efficient rollout and strong market relevance.”

Ricardo Cornejo Rivas, Vice President of Online Gaming at Caesars Digital, added: “We’re committed to partnering with brands that bring high-quality, differentiated content to our players. RubyPlay provides exactly that with its steady pipeline of tailored, high‑performance titles and we’re looking forward to introducing their games to our online casino customers in Ontario and enhancing our content offering in the province.”

Philippines confirms Interpol red notice for fugitive gambling-linked tycoon

The Philippine government has secured an Interpol Red Notice against fugitive businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, as authorities continue efforts to locate and arrest the gaming-linked figure.

Remulla confirmed in a media interview on April 16th that Ang remains within the Philippines, citing a recent sighting in the Calabarzon region approximately two weeks ago. The official said the businessman has been moving frequently between locations, reportedly changing residences every three to five days while traveling with a small group.

An Interpol Red Notice is a request circulated to law enforcement agencies across member jurisdictions to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition or similar legal proceedings. It does not constitute an international arrest warrant. The development follows earlier comments by Remulla on April 9th, when he disclosed that authorities had received an “eyeball sighting” of Ang within the country but failed to apprehend him in time. At that stage, the specific location had not been revealed.

Authorities had previously searched multiple locations linked to Ang, including a game farm in Batangas, shortly after arrest warrants were issued. The government has also been verifying reports of possible overseas movements. Earlier this month, officials said they were assessing whether Ang had been sighted in Vietnam, following prior speculation that he may have been in Cambodia.

Ang has been a fugitive since early 2024, when courts in Region IV-A issued warrants for his arrest. A PHP20 million ($333,000) bounty remains in place for information leading to his capture. He is a primary suspect in the disappearance of several “sabungeros” in 2021, a case that has drawn significant attention due to its links to the country’s cockfighting and associated betting ecosystem. Charges filed against him include kidnapping with homicide, as well as kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Philippine media have sought comment from Ang’s legal representative, but no response had been provided at the time of publication.

Pragmatic Play levels up the Big Bass series with Trophy Catch

Pragmatic Play has expanded its blockbuster fishing franchise with Big Bass Trophy Catch, where players can reel in bonus modifiers and wins of up to 5,000x.

Three fishermen face off in this 5×3 slot, where matching symbols can net base game wins of up to 200x. Landing 3-5 scatters triggers the bonus game with 10-20 free spins, while catching two scatters also has the potential to activate the feature at random.

During the feature, fisherman wilds collect all money symbols that hit on the same spin, awarding cash values of up to 5,000x. Every fourth wild landing awards 10 additional spins and a money symbol multiplier, starting at 2x and increasing to 3x and 10x for subsequent retriggers.

Newly introduced golden coins enhance bonus game excitement, transforming into green, red or blue tokens, each activating a unique modifier. Green doubles all wins with a 2x multiplier, red increases the number of money symbols in play, and blue adds extra wilds to the reels.

Big Bass Trophy Catch expands one of Pragmatic Play’s most enduringly popular series, following the release of Big Bass Raceday Repeat.

Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: Big Bass Trophy Catch expands Pragmatic Play’s ever-popular Big Bass universe with three dynamic modifiers that bring a fresh energy to the bonus game, offering new ways to unlock 5,000x win potential.”

ELA Games named finalist in Under 5 Years categories at the EGR B2B Awards 2026

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ELA Games has announced that it has been shortlisted for the EGR B2B Awards 2026, earning finalist positions in both the Slot Supplier – Under 5 Years and Casino Software Supplier – Under 5 Years categories.

The EGR B2B Awards celebrate the finest service providers and software developers in the global iGaming sector, honoring technical excellence and commercial performance.

Earning a place among the industry’s most respected innovators follows a period of swift development at ELA. The brand has worked on widening its reach across various regulated territories, prioritizing technical reliability and smooth integration for its partners. This shortlist status points to the studio’s evolution into a versatile provider capable of meeting the standards of leading operators.

[Read more: ELA Games recognized as a standout challenger at EGR Awards 2026

The recognition for innovation and software development reflects the team’s commitment to moving beyond standard play. By introducing interactive elements such as the Winpot feature, which rewards strategic timing, and an action‑driven shooter format, the studio offers a clear alternative to conventional casino content. These advancements highlight player agency, blending classic gaming styles with decision‑based mechanics. The release of Shoot Happens exemplifies this direction, powered by a bespoke engine that merges narrative progression with dynamic betting systems.

Strong performance across multiple markets has also contributed to the nominations. Recent titles have gained broad traction by combining crisp visual design with balanced gameplay structures, driving growth in player acquisition and overall appeal. This momentum reinforces the studio’s focus on quality and narrative‑led entertainment.

The EGR B2B Awards 2026 ceremony, set to mirror the high standards of the EGR Europe Awards earlier in the year, will take place on 3 June 2026 at City Central at the HAC in London, where the winners will be officially announced.

Broadway Platform granted Curaçao B2B supplier license

Broadway Platform, the all-in-one iGaming platform, has been granted a B2B license by the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA), authorising the company to provide its trusted technology solutions to licensed operators across international markets.

The license covers Broadway Platform’s end-to-end AI-powered product suite designed to support rapid market entry and long-term growth. The ecosystem includes its casino and sportsbook infrastructure, payment solutions, CRM, risk management, affiliate tooling, and fully-customisable back-office systems.

In addition, the license also certifies BroadHub, the next-generation content aggregation platform, enabling operators to access thousands of premium slots, table games and live dealer titles from more than 120 leading providers. The approval further strengthens Broadway Platform’s position as a single-source provider for operators seeking a lightning-fast and smooth route to market, as the company looks to further boost its commercial reach in key regulated markets.

Giorgi Samkharadze, Director of Broadway Platform
Giorgi Samkharadze

The certification becomes the latest achieved by the company, which has strong ambitions for growth in Latin America and Africa’s emerging markets. With a major summer of sporting events ahead, Broadway Platform is well positioned to support partners looking to launch and optimise sportsbook and casino offerings in competitive markets.

Commenting on the recognition, Giorgi Samkharadze, Director of Broadway Platform, said that obtaining the Curaçao B2B license represents an important step in the company’s commitment to delivering a trusted, future‑ready platform within recognised regulatory frameworks, noting that as compliance expectations rise across global markets, the goal is to ensure operator partners have complete confidence in the regulatory standing of their infrastructure provider.

DATA.BET unveils In‑Stream Betting, bringing wagers directly into the live mobile experience

DATA.BET has launched In‑Stream Betting, a new frontend feature that integrates directly into existing streaming infrastructure to let players access markets, odds, and their bet slip without ever leaving the live broadcast, keeping them fully immersed in the action.

Mobile devices now account for the majority of all bets placed, and that share keeps growing. In-Stream Betting is built with that in mind, adapting the experience to where players actually are. The overlay is on-demand — players can switch it on or off at any point during the stream. 

The component addresses one of the core challenges in live betting: maintaining player immersion. By eliminating the need to navigate away, operators benefit from stronger user engagement, higher retention, longer betting sessions, and improved lifetime value. This, in turn, drives betting frequency and operator revenue with minimal technical overhead on their end.

A key advantage of the new feature is its simplicity of integration

In-Stream Betting connects at the frontend level, requiring no backend implementation. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry, allowing operators to launch the overlay fast, making it an accessible engagement tool with measurable impact. This feature is available now upon the clients’ request.

In-Stream Betting launches first with virtual sports, with plans to expand to additional verticals in the near future. When paired with DATA.BET’s virtual content (in-house algorithmic simulations), it further enhances the experience with near-zero latency inherent in broadcasts, creating a seamless, continuous betting flow.

“In-Stream Betting is designed to meet players where their attention already is — inside the broadcast,” said Rostyslav Likhtin, Head of Product at DATA.BET. “For our clients, this means an additional engagement layer that is easy to implement but delivers real results in terms of retention and player satisfaction. Having everything on one screen cuts the time it takes to place a bet and that kind of frictionless experience is exactly what builds long-term player loyalty toward the operator.”

Star Entertainment adds Grant Bowie as non-executive director

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Australia’s Star Entertainment Group has appointed veteran gaming executive Grant Bowie as a non-executive director, the company said in a Thursday filing to the Australian Securities Exchange.

The move comes as the operator continues efforts to stabilize its operations and strengthen governance.

According to the filing, Bowie will initially join the board as an ‘observer’ and will formally assume the non-executive director role once all required regulatory and ministerial approvals are obtained.

Star Chairman Soo Kim welcomed the appointment, stating: “I would like to welcome Grant to the Board and look forward to working with him to assist in delivering our strategic objectives and creating a sustainable future for The Star.”

Bowie brings more than 40 years of experience across tourism, gaming, and hospitality. His career includes senior roles at major operators in Australia and Macau, including leadership positions with Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts. He later served as chief executive of MGM China Holdings Ltd, where he oversaw strategic development and expansion initiatives.

His appointment comes at a critical time for Star, which has undergone significant restructuring in recent months. In June, shareholders approved an AU$300 million ($215 million) rescue package led by U.S.-based Bally’s Corp, now the company’s largest shareholder. Soo Kim also serves as chairman of Bally’s.

Earlier this month, Star completed the disposal of its 50 percent stake in the Destination Brisbane Consortium. Following the transaction, the group continues to manage the Brisbane casino and receive a casino operator fee. The company also operates The Star Sydney casino complex.

SOFTSWISS LinkedIn Live Panel: What stops casino operators from launching a sportsbook?

SOFTSWISS will host its second LinkedIn Live Panel on 29 April 2026, bringing together experts in data analytics, esports betting, media, and sportsbook product development.

The session explores why many casino operators remain hesitant to launch a sportsbook and whether those concerns are justified. Industry professionals can submit questions in advance, with selected topics addressed live.

Real Barriers or Myths?

Sports betting is one of the fastest-growing verticals in iGaming, yet many casino operators still have not launched a sportsbook. The same concerns surface repeatedly. This panel will put each one to the test.

Topics the Panel Will Tackle
  1. Operational complexity
  2. Audience overlap
  3. Bettor value
  4. Margin volatility
  5. Integration risks

Live on LinkedIn: 29 April 2026

The session, What Stops Casino Operators from Launching the Sportsbook: Myths vs. Reality,will be held on 29 April 2026 at 14:00-15:00 CET on LinkedIn Live. The Live Panel is open to all iGaming professionals with free registration available on the LinkedIn event page.

Industry Challenges Through Expert Eyes

SOFTSWISS has created a space where experts from Oddin.gg, Bambi Data, Revpanda, and SOFTSWISS Sportsbook give operators a clear path forward on these concerns from multiple perspectives – including data analytics, esports betting, industry media, and sportsbook product development.

SOFTSWISS

Speaking about the initiative, Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, shared: “ We bring together unique experts who each add value to this conversation from a different angle. We want operators to concrete, experience-led perspectives they can apply to their own evaluation process. Our goal is to help operators reach their goals in regulated markets, and hosting this kind of open industry dialogue is part of how we support operators beyond the technology itself.”

Ahead of the session, industry professionals can submit their most pressing sportsbook-related questions for consideration by the panel. Selected questions will be addressed live during the session.

Behind The Gloves creates Advisory Board to drive its next phase of expansion

Behind The Gloves, the purpose-driven fitness and wellness initiative, has formed an official Advisory Board, kickstarting its transition from event-led activations to a scalable, long-term business and community.

The organisation seeks to build stronger communities through boxing, fitness and wellness-inspired training and discipline, hosting popular early-morning sessions at industry events that energise teams and make a measurable social impact.

The creation of the Advisory Board represents the next major step in Behind The Gloves’ growth strategy, with the industry leaders bringing deep expertise to drive the organisation’s expansion into new verticals, such as corporate wellness programmes, brand partnerships and future digital products.

Behind The Gloves Advisory Board Members

  • Michael Brady, Founder and Chairman of Bede Gaming and Chairman of Connexus Group, brings extensive experience in building and scaling successful businesses.
  • Rob Fell, CEO of RiskCherry, who offers strong expertise in regulatory strategy, commercial growth, operations, product and market positioning,
  • Katie Byers, former SVP of People and Capability at Light & Wonder, has supported organisations through periods of significant change, talent strategies, and by building purpose-led, high-performing teams.

The next step in its development will allow Behind The Gloves to continue as a ‘business for good’ with a commitment to reinvesting a portion of its profits into community initiatives and charitable causes.

Lee McFarland, Founder of Behind The Gloves, said: “The foundation of our Advisory Board reflects Behind The Gloves’ commitment to building a strong business that can expand globally and reach more people than ever. We’re thrilled to welcome Katie, Rob and Michael to the Board and look forward to leveraging our industry’s unmistakable energy to support good causes and deliver accessible activities for all fitness levels on a larger scale.”

Online gaming overtakes casinos as Philippine GGR rises 6.39% to $6.61B in 2025

The Philippine gaming industry recorded gross gaming revenues (GGR) of PHP396.14 billion ($6.61 billion) in 2025, marking a 6.39 percent increase from PHP372.33 billion ($6.21 billion) in 2024, according to a press release from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)

Growth in the online and electronic gaming segment offset declines in revenues from traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, with the segment emerging as the industry’s largest contributor.

SOFTSWISS

The electronic and online gaming segment — including E-Bingo, E-Games, Bingo Grantees, and onsite and offsite poker — generated PHP201.12 billion ($3.35 billion) in revenues, up 30.04 percent from PHP154.66 billion ($2.58 billion) in the previous year.

“The E-Games and online gaming segment accounted for 50.77 percent of total industry GGR,” said PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco. “It has overtaken licensed casinos as the largest GGR contributor.”

In contrast, revenues from licensed casinos declined by 9.58 percent to PHP182.50 billion ($3.04 billion) from PHP201.84 billion ($3.37 billion) in 2024. PAGCOR-operated casinos also reported a drop in revenues, totaling PHP12.52 billion ($209 million), reflecting a 20.95 percent year-on-year decrease.

Tengco said the 2025 GGR results highlight the increasing importance of online gaming to the industry’s overall performance.

SOFTSWISS

“The increase in electronic gaming revenues shows how the industry has evolved,” he said. “Online gaming is no longer a supplementary segment but has now become the leading driver of overall GGR growth.”

He added that the growth in electronic gaming revenues came despite a temporary slowdown in the third quarter of 2025 following the de-linking of e-wallets, which disrupted player access and payment channels.

According to Tengco, adjustments to digital payment systems were implemented to improve transaction traceability, enhance player protection, and strengthen confidence in regulated online gaming.

“The 2025 GGR performance underscores the importance of regulatory balance as the industry evolves,” he said.

“Our objective is not simply to grow revenues, but to ensure that growth is sustainable, transparent, and compliant because of a stronger regulatory environment that supports the long-term stability of the gaming industry.”