The partnership will see QTech Games’ clients and their players gain access to CQ9 Gaming’s GLI-certified portfolio, consisting of slots, arcade and table casino games, including titles such as Good Fortune, 1945, Kronos, Zeus, Lucky Fishing, and more.

“We’re excited to be teaming up with CQ9 Gaming whose stunning graphics and gameplay chart near the pinnacle of the marketplace,” commented Ulf Norder, CCO at QTech Games. “The QTech Games platform is equipped with the best games from the world’s leading suppliers – and CQ9 now joins this branching tree.

“CQ9 Gaming may only be a young company, but they’ve already managed to build a strong fan-base in Asia and are moving on to conquer previously untapped markets in Europe and LatAm. Their titles run off an agile HTML5 gaming engine, meaning that you can access them either via desktop or mobile devices, even if the casino doesn’t currently offer a dedicated mobile app.

“Wherever you set your scene in this ever-changing landscape, our platform champions a mobile-first mantra, packed with all the best localised games that cater to varied cultural tastes. By way of an instructive example, if you don’t offer the fish game in China, there’s no chance of becoming successful. And it’s a similar story with the Andar Bahar in India. 

“CQ9 understands the demand for regional specificity throughout Asia and beyond, making them a logical and long-term ally with which to team up.”

The development is said to help QTech Games strengthen its array of gaming verticals, while for CQ9 Gaming, it broadens its global footprint.

A spokesperson for CQ9 added: “This deal significantly broadens CQ9 Gaming’s international influence, opening up ‘margin’ markets from Eastern Europe and Latin America for diversified growth.

“CQ9 is one of the leading video slot suppliers in the Asian market with more than 100 titles under our belt. We’re steadily working on extending that reach and establishing ourselves in Europe and CIS-facing territories, and QTech’s broad spread of emerging-markets access means we can achieve this with dexterity while also consolidating our existing Asia-facing audience.

“Our goal has always been to design intuitive and interactive live-dealer experiences that are customised for every generation of mobile end-user. Since QTech Games is a defining distributor across Asia and other unexploited regions, we can’t wait to see how our games connect with different and diverse player profiles.

“At a time of refined localisation techniques, QTech Games is really delivering on their brand promise of customising high-class content for varied cultures. This is what keeps them at the forefront of relevance for all kinds of players in the bubbling melting-pot of emerging markets.”

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$850m

MGM Resorts International and MGM Growth Properties have announced the completion of transactions to acquire Empire City Casino, located in Yonkers, New York.

MGM Resorts acquired the property for approximately $850m, with the company agreeing to pay an additional $50m if Empire City is awarded a license for live table games on or prior to December 31, 2022.

Following the purchase MGP secured the developed real property from MGM for in the region of $625m, and leased it back to an MGM subsidiary that is to undertake daily operations.

Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts, commented: “We are pleased to welcome the 1,200 employees at Empire City Casino to the MGM Resorts family.

“Over the past three years, we have established a meaningful presence in the northeast with Borgata in Atlantic City, MGM National Harbor in Maryland, and MGM Springfield in Western Massachusetts.

“With this new addition to the MGM Resorts portfolio, we have now gained a foothold in the high-density New York City region, and we look forward to leveraging the MGM platform to maximise value in this evolving marketplace.”

2024

Japan’s Wakayama Prefecture has announced further details of its integrated resort plans, should it win one of up to three licenses that are set to be issued by the country’s central government, report Asian news outlets.

The confident region, one of only three to confirm its interest in being a host thus far alongside Osaka and Nagasaki Prefecture, has earmarked Wakayama Marina City as its preferred site.

Chosen due to its established infrastructure, its location in close proximity to the Kansai International Airport, in addition to tourist spots such as the Shirahama Hot Springs and the Koyasan World Heritage Site, was also praised.

Wakayama is reported to have set aside $1.8m in next year’s budget for related costs, including IR research and wider financial concerns, with it estimated that an additional four million visitors will be attracted per year, bringing $2.75bn as a result.

It is intended that a grand opening will commence in 2024, alongside Osaka which is widely expected to be successful in its bid to host an IR.

51

Paddy Power Betfair has announced that it has secured number one position in the “fast growing regulated online Georgian market,” via the purchase of a 51 per cent stake in Adjarabet for an initial cash consideration of £101m.

The organisation has also agreed a further stipulation, under the terms of which it expects to acquire the remaining 49 per cent after a period of three years, at a valuation equivalent to seven times of 2021 EBITDA.

In a media statement Paddy Power Betfair released further details of its latest deal: “This acquisition provides the group with exposure to two attractive, fast-growing, regulated markets.

“The online Georgian market is estimated to have grown at a CAGR of 40% from 2016 to 2018 to an estimated £180m of gross gaming revenue, with the nascent Armenian market providing a further growth opportunity.

“We believe that the combination of the market-leading brand and local operational expertise with Paddy Power Betfair’s technology, and leading sports capabilities, positions Adjarabet very well to capitalise on this opportunity.”

1

Las Vegas headquartered Caesars Entertainment has announced plans to debut its first non-gaming hotel in the United States, which is to be located in the Arizona city of Scottsdale.

Falling under the organisation’s new Caesars Republic brand, the four star property is to be developed by HCW Development and operated by Aimbridge Hospitality, with Caesars licensing its brand, in addition to advising on design elements and integrating its total rewards loyalty network.

Stated to tap “into the unique pulse of each host city,” Caesars stressed that no two Republic entity’s are to be exactly alike, with “everything from the décor to the culinary offerings inspired by local traditions and taste-makers”.

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32

Brazilian democrat, Paulo Azi, has submitted a bill which calls for the authorisation of 32 casinos across the country, according to Games Magazine Brazil.

The legislation, if passed, will allow a public bidding procedure to grant a 30 year licence to different states. Jurisdictions with a population of 15 million or less would be permitted to open one casino, while states with populations between 15 million and 25 million would have two.

São Paolo is set to be the only state that will be authorized to open three casinos due to its 45 million inhabitants. Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia would qualify for two casinos while 23 other states could have one each.

$1bn

The Philippines could set to be the recipient of huge investment, relating to the construction of a duo of casinos in the southeast Asian country.

This is courtesy of PH Resorts Group Holdings, previously known as Philippine H20 Ventures, and a subsidiary of Udenna Group owned by Chinese-Filipino businessman Dennis Uy, who has pledged to invest $1bn to build two casinos in the Philippines, with the first planned to be located on Mactan Island in Cebu and the other in Clark Freeport Zone.

The company will sell P18.48bn of shares next month and spend in the region of $665m to complete the build of The Emerald, an integrated resort and casino on a 13.5-hectare site in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, Cebu.

Furthermore, the company also released further information regarding its Clark Freeport Zone proposition, where PH Resorts has set aside $276.6m for the construction of Clark Resort.

2020

MGM Resorts International has re-emphasised its commitment to growth through its previously announced 2020 initiative, which the organisation hopes will deliver an adjusted EBITDA uplift of $300m across its domestic resorts.

Striving to to further reduce costs, improve efficiencies and position the company for growth, the Las Vegas headquartered firm has also emphasised a commitment to the latter point, with one of three integrated resorts licences in Japan very much on the radar.

Jim Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, addressed the company outlook moving forward: “Looking ahead, we remain highly focused on our strategic priorities, including maximising the performance of our premier properties, driving consolidated free cash flow growth and successfully executing MGM 2020 – our recently announced plan dedicated to improving efficiencies, reducing costs, and investing in key technologies to position the company for further profitability.

“Through MGM 2020, we are reinvesting in our business, and we expect to begin to see the financial benefits in the back half of 2019.

“We also remain committed to targeted growth opportunities, such as sports betting and the pursuit of an integrated resort in Japan. Importantly, we will continue to prudently allocate capital, with a focus of returning excess cash to shareholders.”

29

The European Casino Association has welcomed its 29th member, as the group also outlines an “ambitious three-year strategy” to develop leadership, exchange and development of best practices, across a variety of key issues affecting the land-based casino industry.

Gaining approval at the ECA’s recently held general assembly was the City of Dreams Mediterranean, Cyprus’ first integrated casino-resort, with the Melco Resorts and Entertainment owned property passing strict membership requirements whilst also signing up to the association’s code of conduct.

Scheduled for its grand opening in 2021, the €550m development is expected to become an integral contributor to the island’s tourism, with early forecasts approximating an added 300,000 tourists to Cyprus, whilst also creating in the region of 6,5000 jobs.

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The company, which sees slots and live dealer titles accompany sports wagering on its offering, will see its branding appear on all of the Burnley FC adult home and away shirts for three years, commencing in the 2019/20 Premier League season.

Edward Li, senior director from LoveBet, said of the new agreement: “We are thrilled to announce our first English Premier League shirt partnership with Burnley Football Club.

“The growing presence of the club in Asia and worldwide will help us further promote our brand. We’re already planning a lot of activities for the fans and our users and are looking forward to the partnership in the coming three years.”

Current official Asian betting partner of French Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain, LoveBet is to be featured on the front and the sleeves of all adult home and away shirts, however junior shirts are to remain blank.

Anthony Fairclough, commercial director at Burnley Football Club, added: “We are delighted to welcome LoveBet, who we believe will be the ideal partner for the club.

“Together, we will reach and engage with our ever-increasing global audience, in particular in the Asian market.”

Next season will be Burnley’s fourth consecutive season in English football’s top division, following the side’s 15th place finish last season.

Premier League stability led the club to being ranked as the 32rd-most valuable brand in football by Brand Finance earlier in the year, with the club’s valuation aided by a seventh placed finish and Europa League qualification in 2017.

Through the new agreement that has seen LoveBet drafted in as new shirt sponsor, the Turf Moor based Clarets are striving to boost presence across the Asian continent.

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CasinoBeats spoke to Markus Nasholm, QTech CEO, to discuss just that, as the Asian focused distributor gets set to launch its new support services division.

Discussing the inclination of those in the industry that feel the need to establish a footprint within Asia, Nasholm stressed that, while fathomable, why exactly QTech’s new operation could offer a helping hand: “We are witnessing an emerging trend whereby European operators feel a pressing urgency to establish a presence in Asia.

“However, understandable as this desire is, due to regulatory and business reasons, they cannot run their operation in Asia. Or, alternatively, they simply know they want to sample the market but lack the know-how.

“It appears Asian operators don’t really care if you have the ‘traditional’ game provider”

“Outsourcing customer service and admin has been a staple in all other industries for the past 20 years or more, and QTech Games are now applying it to igaming. With our extensive industry experience and knowledge, we have been running a progressively successful platform business in Asia for years, from an established and well-resourced headquarters in the Philippines.

“As an eloquent case in point, QTech Games have recently signed the first operator partner to whom we will offer customer service and administration around their legal-entity structure in Asia, aimed for now at servicing the Japanese wing of the business.”

Working on a mantra of ‘one integration for all the emerging and growth markets,’ Nasholm goes on to address Europe’s busy environment, and alternative viewpoints that exist in Asia: “As Europe is getting more and more competitive, there is a need for one partner for all emerging markets, and naturally one of the key components for sustained success is to have all the right games and products readily at your disposal,” he says.

“It appears Asian operators don’t really care if you have the “traditional” game providers. That said, if you don’t have the Fish game in China, there’s a zero per cent chance of becoming successful.

“And it’s a similar story in other markets – just take the Andar Bahar card game in India, or the pachinko parlours that are ubiquitous across Japanese cityscapes, as instructive examples.

“This tide is only rolling one way in the future, too. So you can either fight it, or ride it”

“In other news, you also need to possess a flexibility and rapidity of integration which can meet ramping or fluctuating demand – i.e. if one game suddenly becomes popular, capturing the zeitgeist, you must integrate within days to ensure that you retain your players, and acquire new ones from any rivals who can’t respond in similar fashion.”

In the midst of a rising tide for the continent, Nasholm was quick to remind of the possibilities that could still lie ahead: “I have said it for many years, but it bears repeating: If you are not present in fast-growing markets such as China, India, Japan and Africa, you will not survive.

“The volumes here are megalithic and seems to keep on growing in double-digit (even triple-digit) increments year-on-year. This tide is only rolling one way in the future, too. So you can either fight it, or ride it.”

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One such organisation occupying a portion of this space is Helio Gaming, who are coming out of a busy first quarter and eyeing an equally as bustling rest of the year.

Recent deals saw Asian opportunities embraced before Risq recruited the firm to drive its jackpot offering. Richard Mifsud, Helio’s CEO, spoke to SBC News about a variety of issues, starting with a quick update on how the vertical has changed in recent times:

“For many years, lottery was seen as the ugly duckling of the gambling world, particularly when it came to innovation,” he said. “Despite being a huge industry, and probably the most common form of wagering on the planet, it was beginning to wither on the vine.

“It was concentrated in the hands of very few, often state-run, operators, and primarily retail-focused, with an ageing demographic. Whilst other sectors embraced online, and mobile in particular, it wasn’t really making that transition. In truth, this was mostly because the majority of lotteries were sitting in a very comfortable and protected position as state monopolies.

“The advent of betting on lotteries has really shaken that up. There is a new-found desire to reach out to a newer, younger demographic with an improved product that chimes with modern consumer habits, and is far more relevant to today’s casual gambler.”

“We are hopeful that this product will have a similar effect to what live dealer had to casino”

With this wave of demand currently enjoyed, Mifsud moved on to address how Helio evolves its product to suit the changing landscape. He added: “Players want far more regularity and accessibility when it comes to lottery, just like they get through other gaming verticals such as sportsbook and casino.

“The days of waiting for a weekly draw are well and truly over. We have a number of different lottery draws available in the Hero family of games, and our betting on international lotteries is very popular.

“We will shortly add a new dimension by broadcasting live lottery draws from our studios here in Malta that bring a unique interactive and visual excitement to the process. It is probably too early to compare the two as equals, but we are hopeful that this product will have a similar effect to what live dealer had to casino.”

“The beauty of modern lottery products is that any operator can take advantage. State lotteries have been bolstering their offering with casino, but with a more nuanced and varied selection of lottery products they can engage their existing audience far more, as well as attracting new customers.

“It is also a hugely attractive product to cross-sell to existing customers”

“But casino and sportsbooks can also set up their own lottery tab to attract new customers who might not ordinarily seek out their site. It is also a hugely attractive product to cross-sell to existing customers in between sports bets or casino sessions.”

Concluding, Mifsud gave a brief insight into where Helio sees, and is looking to embrace, further growth: “The simple answer is everywhere,” he said. “But I’d say that for us in particular, we’re looking at Asia and Africa. We were out in Manila last month attending various conferences and there was a lot of interest.

“We’ve also been very active in a number of different African companies. We already have clients live across the continent, but there are a number of other operators in countries who could really benefit from modern lottery products.”

To read the full interview with Richard Mifsud, click here.

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Selecting to enter into partnership with the risk-management and insurance specialist, RISQ is to act as insurance supplier for betting on Helio’s range of lottery solutions and Hero Games suite of products.

Julian Borg-Barthet, RISQ’s director of business development, said of the deal. “We are very pleased that Helio Gaming has decided to use the RISQ iGaming insurance platform iGiP, to back the hero products and their betting on lottery suite.

“We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial and prosperous partnership. The new deal reflects a shift in the industry towards proprietary lottery games, and giving more players access to international lotteries”.

Via utilising the RISQ’s iGiP, Helio is to be able to offer high-value jackpots up to €150m as part of their Hero Games, custom branded lottery games and betting on international lottery games.

Richard Mifsud, CEO of Helio Gaming, commented: “Working with RISQ will give Helio Gaming the flexibility to deliver even more attractive lottery solutions to our clients. Partnering with RISQ will set new standards in delivering high frequency and high-value jackpots in the gaming industry”.

This follows the company setting its sights on a period of sustained Asian expansion, with Helio stressing an intention of building on the “popularity and prevalence of sportsbook and casino” across the region.

Mifsud added last month when revealing the fresh focus: “The popularity and prevalence of sportsbook and casino in Asia is undisputed, but the adoption of next generation lottery has yet to be exploited, particularly outside of the big state lotteries.

“Lottery used to be the domain of lottery operators only, but it is so much easier just to add the vertical to existing operations, where you can introduce new players to your site and cross-sell really appealing opportunities to win large jackpots to existing customers.

“The live lottery element will also be very appealing and fit easily given the preference for the live dealer format in casino. I really think lottery could be the next big thing in Asia.”

The post Helio Gaming drives jackpot offering alongside RISQ appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Acquiring a majority stake in Snowborn last year, QTech launched GameFactory in early February as it vowed to invest in gaming studio’s from around the world.

Stressing an aim to ensure “partners continue to supersede and surpass their rivals,” Markus Nasholm, QTech Games’ global CEO, said following the VIP launch: “GameFactory is the next step in our bid to become the largest provider of digital entertainment in Asia over the next few years.

“We are currently very active in this arena, looking to enlist small gaming studios with big ideas that can form part of our developing QTech family.

“Notice how the industry has changed in Asia over the past three years, or how many eyes are presently trained on LatAm and Africa. A flexible platform and an open mind are the only things you must be sure to pack, wherever you’re travelling across this ever-changing landscape.”

Built around the plot of a diamond heist, QTech’s new offering, The Vault, is set around the backdrop of Parisian landmarks, with the ultimate goal of stealing a prized pink diamond.

Complete with a number of “signature Snowborn features,” The Vault, as with all titles released from the studio, are available exclusively on the QTech Games platform.

Nasholm added: “We’re delighted to take the wraps off The Vault, as we continue to break open fresh igaming opportunities for both our partners and their players.

Stressing a pleasing take-up rate from operators, Nasholm continued: “Games such as The Vault and Portals add yet more muscle to QTech Games’ burgeoning platform, which is bringing the widest range of online games to Asia, from established industry names to most innovative rising star suppliers.

“This standout video content adds another aspect to QTech’s growing portfolio, which allows partners to cater to a diversity of consumer tastes across any Asian territory.

“Snowborn Games share our passion for pioneering design, underpinned by cutting-edge technology and the finest maths models on the market for engaging gameplay.”

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Spearheaded by chief executive officer Richard Mifsud, stakeholders are to be told that the continent represents a “great opportunity” to embrace a growing new wave of online lottery products.

The organisation made its Asian debut in Macau and Japan last year, bringing a portfolio offering betting opportunities on a variety of international lotteries, which the organisation states “will have particular resonance to audiences in the Far East”.

Helio Gaming’s hero titles now include daily, weekly, and event-based draws, which can be branded by individual operators to appeal to a large number of player demographics.

Offering unlimited jackpots, the draws can use the supplier’s certified RNG or live broadcast using existing casino studios, and can include non-monetary prizes such as cars, yachts and luxury holidays.

Mifsud, who is to join nine other Malta-based suppliers in front of operators at the SiGMA roadshow in Manila, which takes place after the ASEAN gaming summit in the Philippines capital, commented: “The popularity and prevalence of sportsbook and casino in Asia is undisputed, but the adoption of next generation lottery has yet to be exploited, particularly outside of the big state lotteries.

“Lottery used to be the domain of lottery operators only, but it is so much easier just to add the vertical to existing operations, where you can introduce new players to your site and cross-sell really appealing opportunities to win large jackpots to existing customers.

“The live lottery element will also be very appealing and fit easily given the preference for the live dealer format in casino. I really think lottery could be the next big thing in Asia.”

The post Helio Gaming embraces Asia’s “great opportunity” appeared first on CasinoBeats.

This is courtesy of PH Resorts Group Holdings, previously known as Philippine H20 Ventures, and a subsidiary of Udenna Group owned by Chinese-Filipino businessman Dennis Uy, who has pledged to invest $1bn to build two casinos in the Philippines, with the first planned to be located on Mactan Island in Cebu and the other in Clark Freeport Zone.

The company will sell P18.48bn of shares next month and spend in the region of $665m to complete the build of The Emerald, an integrated resort and casino on a 13.5-hectare site in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, Cebu.

Construction on the property initially got underway in December 2017, with the casino expected to be ready to swing open its doors by the third quarter of 2020.

Unveiling further details of the property, it was revealed that the gaming floor will cover 7,585 square meters and feature 1,186 electronic gaming machines, 146 gaming tables, a five-star hotel complete with 838 rooms including five villas, a retail complex covering 8,000 square meters, a convention centre and 18 restaurants.

In its second phase of development a further 9,400 square meters is to be added to the games floor, in addition to a five-star hotel with 1,300 room, food and beverage facilities and retail space.

Furthermore, the company also released further information regarding its Clark Freeport Zone proposition, where PH Resorts has set aside $276.6m for the construction of Clark Resort.

Stressing an expectation to host its grand opening by 2022, the property is set to host 600 electronic gaming machines, 100 gaming tables, several hotels with 400 rooms and a retail and restaurant complex.

Finally, the organisation is to also spend $40.9m on the purchase on Donatela Hotel in Bohol, before undertaking an expansion of its current operations.

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