Chef Ljubomir Stanisic leads the new Portugal campaign for BacanaPlay by SkillOnNet, encouraging players to "press play on life" with exciting iGaming experiences. Global entertainment giant SkillOnNet has unveiled a blockbuster TV and billboard campaign in Portugal for BacanaPlay, its flagship Portuguese-language online casino brand. The campaign stars culinary icon and beloved Portuguese TV personality Ljubomir Stanisic, whose unmistakable energy helps bring the brand’s taglines to life: “Hey BacanaPlay!”  and “Dá um play na vida,”  which can be translated as “Press Play on Life.” Born in Sarajevo, Stanisic is one of Portugal’s top celebrities, a Michelin-starred restaurateur who presents hit TV shows, including Hell’s Kitchen Famosos and Pesadelo na Cozinha.  His star power and cultural impact make him an irresistible face for BacanaPlay’s message of fearless fun. The marketing push builds on previous high-profile campaigns that have helped make BacanaPlay a household name in Portugal since its launch in 2020. The push kicked off this month with a nationwide TV blitz and a widespread Out-of-Home (OOH) presence, with bold, eye-catching traditional print and digital billboards in Portugal’s busiest urban hubs. The TV ad sees Stanisic transported from his busy kitchen into a stylized Wild West Saloon after logging onto BacanaPlay on his mobile device. Suddenly a bar fight erupts as cards and gambling chips fly in cinematic slow motion.    The ad reinforces the ability for BacanaPlay to transport players into a word of entertainment, highlighting the fun aspect of the brand and showcasing the platform   as a portal to a whole universe of experiences. Pedro Garcia, Portuguese Country Manager   at SkillOnNet said: “With this campaign, we wanted to show that BacanaPlay isn’t just a gaming platform — it’s a mindset. It’s about stepping out of the everyday and into something more exciting, more cinematic. ‘Dá um play na vida’ is our way of saying ‘live boldly, have fun.’ Ljubomir was the perfect choice — he’s fearless, he’s intense, and he knows how to turn life into an experience. That’s exactly what BacanaPlay is all about.” Read related article: ELK Studios Expands Partnership with SkillOnNet to Ontario Market

Easter Bunny Hunt from ICONIC21 is a classic slot that lets operators meet the demand for Easter-themed games, giving players a chance to uncover sweet holiday wins. Get ready to hop into big wins this Easter with Easter Bunny Hunt from ICONIC21 , the latest classic slot capturing the spirit and joy of the season. Packed with colorful surprises and festive fun, Easter Bunny Hunt from ICONIC21  invites players to uncover sweet treats and exciting rewards in every spin. The game combines charming visuals with simple yet rewarding gameplay. Players find themselves in a beautiful meadow surrounded by trees, flowers and sunny skies where symbols such as carrots, chicks, eggs and, of course, bunnies land on the reels. The 777 symbol is Wild and appears on all reels to help form winning combinations. The Bunny brings the biggest wins, taking players to the game’s max win potential. Easter Bunny Hunt is set across three reels and three rows with five paylines active. The minimum bet is set to €0.05 and the maximum bet is set to €500. The maximum exposure is 150,000. The RTP goes up to 96.17%, with the volatility set to high. Easter Bunny Hunt has been developed to help operators tap into the surge in popularity of seasonal games among players. As with all of the provider’s slots, Easter Bunny Hunt is offered in real-money and social/sweepstakes formats to meet the demand it’s already experiencing from both types of operators for its existing suite of games. Edvardas Sadovskis, CPO at ICONIC21 , said: “Easter Bunny Hunt has been designed to capture the joyful spirit of Easter while giving players the chance to land some pretty sweet wins. “This game takes that classic format so is easy to understand and play, but with Wilds dropping to add some more bounce to the big-win potential. As the name suggests, the bunny brings the biggest wins with a max payout potential of 300x. “We know the demand for seasonal games is higher than ever and that’s why we include them in our product roadmap, and Easter Bunny Hunt is one of our best yet.” Read related article: ICONIC21 Adds Dragon-Themed Game To Growing Slot Portfolio

Octoplay expands via BoyleSports partnership, bringing top-tier gaming content to UK and Irish players, reinforcing its rapid growth in regulated markets. Octoplay expands its UK and Irish presence through integration with BoyleSports, Ireland’s largest independently owned bookmaker. The partnership brings Octoplay's premium gaming portfolio to BoyleSports' digital platforms, marking the company's third major UK market integration in recent months. This strategic move brings popular titles such as Cash Link Express: Hold & Win, Lightning Blitz: Chain Collect, and The Great Jackpot Expedition to BoyleSports' extensive UK player base. Building on partnerships with tier-one operators like Rank Group, Flutter Entertainment, and William Hill, this collaboration further demonstrates the UK and Irish market's strong response to Octoplay's premium gaming products. "BoyleSports' extensive market reach and strong brand presence strengthen our position as we accelerate our UK expansion," says Ralitsa Georgieva, Director of Business Development at Octoplay. "This collaboration reinforces our strategic focus on the UK and Irish market and allows us to deliver our premium titles to an even broader audience." James Stephenson, Gaming Manager at BoyleSports, adds: "Octoplay's proven performance and strategic approach to game development made this collaboration an ideal fit for our game portfolio. Its strong results in the UK and Ireland, and its focus on premium quality complement our vision of delivering exceptional, responsible entertainment to our players." The partnership with BoyleSports marks another strategic step in Octoplay's expansion across regulated markets. With a growing presence across ten key European jurisdictions, including the UK, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Romania, Ontario, Malta, and Slovakia, as well as a recent provisional license in Michigan, Octoplay's momentum reflects its consistent delivery of high-performing content that resonates with players across multiple markets. Read related article: Octoplay Expands Dutch Market Reach with JOI Gaming Deal

Games Global named a "Trusted Partner" by Tipico in Germany, strengthening its commitment to regulated markets and responsible gambling through quality content. Games Global, a leading supplier of online gaming content, has been certified as a ‘Trusted Partner’ by respected German operator, Tipico, as part of the brand’s newly launched quality initiative. The initiative was established by Tipico with the aim of supporting providers who commit to servicing only the regulated German market amidst growing concerns of unlicensed operators skirting legislative guidelines. As one of the first suppliers recognised by Tipico as a ‘Trusted Partner’, Games Global has reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency by aligning rigidly with jurisdictional regulation. The partnership, centred around a shared objective of eradicating illegal operations and promoting responsible gambling, will see an array of quality content from Games Global and its exclusive studios made available to Tipico’s players, extending the provider’s reach in a key market. The collaboration will also enable Games Global to feature within Tipico’s omnichannel marketing strategy, as the prominent German operator vows to undertake all promotional activity exclusively with its ‘Trusted Partners’. Joann Pierce, Chief Commercial Officer at Games Global , said: “Games Global remains steadfast in its mission to promote transparency and player protection, and we are honoured to be named a ‘Trusted Partner’ by Tipico’s quality initiative. “We are wholly aligned with Tipico’s goal of prioritising accountability in the German market, and this collaboration further emphasises our drive to build an ethical and sustainable environment.” Christian Heins, Director of iGaming at Tipico , added: “Tipico founded this initiative to champion those that support the regulated market. “Games Global has showcased its desire to place consumer protection at the forefront of its German commercial strategy, and we are happy to add the supplier to a growing list of companies aligned on this mutual objective.” Read related article: Playnetic Partners with Microgame to Enter Italian Market

BGaming launches Arrow Slot, delivering retro thrills, unique gameplay, and big win potential as the content provider continues its rapid global expansion. Popular iGaming content provider BGaming puts a fresh spin on a classic formula, blending the engaging feel of casual games with familiar slot mechanics in Arrow Slot.  In this visually striking, retro-inspired game, players will encounter a distinctive arrow-shaped grid featuring six positions pointing towards the arrow’s tip. As each position spins, it can reveal multipliers, with the main prize landing on the central cell. Wins are paid whenever a prize lands in the top position, with any adjacent multipliers being instantly applied. The game's vibrant color scheme and neon-infused boulevard backdrop evoke visual memories of BGaming’s highly successful Wild Cash title, fostering positive associations and instant familiarity for players. Keep your eyes peeled for the Scatter landing on the arrow’s tip. This launches the Wheel of Fortune Bonus game, offering players the game’s maximum win. Arrow Slot also includes a Respin Multiplier feature, locking multipliers in place and respinning all positions except the top one. Flexibility is an essential part of the BGaming experience, and players can skip the queue and activate the bonus features thanks to the Buy Bonus and Chance x2 options. Arrow Slot is not just about its unique gameplay and retro vibes. The slot serves up an exciting math model, reeling players in with a generous RTP of 97.33% and the chance to land a win of up to 3,600x their stake. Alex Baliukonis, Game Designers Team Lead, said: “ With Arrow Slot, we’ve successfully combined a novel gameplay mechanic with appealing retro visuals to provide players with a simple and highly enjoyable online slot game. We believe this combination, alongside an excellent math model and engaging bonus features, will hit the sweet spot with players.” Read related article: GLI Granted: Growing Content Provider Enters Italian Market

Okada Manila First Quarter 2025 results show a sharp decline in VIP gaming revenue, while mass-market table games report steady growth, highlighting a market shift. Okada Manila First Quarter of 2025  results revealed a mixed performance, according to operator Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc. While overall gross gaming revenue (GGR) experienced a decline, the mass-market segment demonstrated resilience, highlighting a shift in player preferences and continued strength in non-VIP gaming activity. Key Financial Highlights: ​ Total GGR:  PHP7.81 billion, down 11.1% year-on-year. VIP Revenue:  PHP1.77 billion, a 31.5% decrease from the previous year. Mass-Market Tables:  PHP3.04 billion, up 2.8% year-on-year. Gaming Machines:  PHP2.99 billion, a 7.5% decline year-on-year. Non-Gaming Revenue:  PHP941 million, down 3.1% year-on-year. Adjusted EBITDA:  PHP1.78 billion, a 23.8% decrease from the previous year. The significant drop in VIP revenue contributed to the overall decline in GGR. However, the mass-market tables segment showed growth, indicating a shift in player preferences.​ Operational Insights: ​ Hotel occupancy remained stable at 82.9%, suggesting consistent visitor interest. The decline in non-gaming revenue, including hotel, food and beverage, and retail, indicates areas that may need strategic focus. Industry Context: ​ The challenges faced by Okada Manila reflect broader trends in the gaming industry, where VIP segments are experiencing volatility. Operators may need to adapt by enhancing mass-market offerings and diversifying non-gaming amenities to maintain revenue streams. Conclusion: Okada Manila's Q1 2025 performance underscores the importance of balancing VIP and mass-market strategies. Focusing on mass-market growth and improving non-gaming experiences could be key to sustaining long-term success. Read related article: Okada Manila Operator Named IGSA Member

SBC Summit Malta 2025 will include the organizer's biggest-ever workshop programme, delivering hands-on, practical learning tailored for betting and iGaming professionals.  Running from 10–12 June at the InterContinental Malta, the event will host 17 expert-led workshops across five core themes, each designed to address real-world challenges and provide practical insights for attendees. These five key themes are: Leadership, Talent & Culture Responsible Gaming & Player Protection Marketing, Player Engagement & Product Knowledge Technology & Innovation Brand-Building & Business Growth The decision to significantly expand the workshop programme this year was driven by overwhelmingly positive feedback from previous summits, where this format proved to be a true highlight for attendees. Delegates appreciated the chance to move beyond passive listening — gaining deeper insights, sharpening strategic thinking, and walking away with practical takeaways they could immediately apply within their businesses. Workshops covering Leadership, Talent & Culture include Confident Communication – Speak, Present & Create Video Like a Pro and HR Trends 2025: Ensuring Wellbeing, AI Integration, and Retention in a Changing Workforce , among many others. These workshops are designed to help brands optimise internal strategies, enhance employee relations, empower talent, and develop effective communication and presentation skills for industry professionals. On the topic of Responsible Gaming & Player Protection , workshops include Responsible Gaming Learning from the Past: Historical Cases Shaping Responsible Gaming Practices and Customer Service in Gaming: Challenges and Opportunities in Identifying Problem Gamblers . These informative sessions will help attendees navigate Europe’s complex regulatory landscape, ensuring brands remain compliant while prioritising player safety. The Marketing, Player Engagement & Product Knowledge- themed segment will see player-focused strategy take centre stage, with a number of dedicated workshops exploring how to attract, understand, and retain audiences. Key sessions include: AI & CRM – Are You Really Using It to Your Full Advantage? and Masterclass Marketing: Knowing Your Customer by Understanding the Psychology Behind Our Product. Technology and Innovation workshops will explore how AI and emerging tech are streamlining operations, enhancing customer service, and tackling key industry challenges in sessions such as: AI and Automation: Streamline Operations, Improve Efficiency, Elevate Customer Experiences and Why Betting on Esports Isn't Dead, It's Just Beginning. Finally, Brand-Building & Business Growth workshops will focus on launching and scaling gaming businesses, attracting investment, and building brands in a competitive market. Key workshops include How to Launch & Run a Successful Betting or Gaming Operation and From Startup to Acquisition: Preparing Your Business for Investment and a Successful Sale. Speaking on the decision to upscale SBC’s workshop offering, Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: "Workshops have become one of the most valuable parts of our events because they offer something truly actionable.  "Attendees aren’t just there to listen. They’ll be engaging, solving problems, and gaining insights they can implement immediately. With SBC Summit Malta 2025, we’ve taken this to the next level with our biggest-ever workshop programme, tailored to the real challenges facing professionals in our industry." Secure your workshop seat . Secure your spot at SBC Summit Malta with our discounted ‘ Group Pass’. For groups of three or more, you can gain access to three days of networking , exhibition , and conference content for the price of €400 (a discount of €200 off a standard ticket). Additionally, you can purchase our ‘ Expo+ Pass ’ for €150. This pass grants you access to the conference and exhibition only. Operators and affiliates can apply for complimentary passes. Read related article: SBC Summit Malta Expands Agenda for Betting & Gaming

Organizers of iGB L!VE London announce the launch of the iGB Affiliate Manager Academy, an AI-focused event set for July 1 during London iGaming Week 2025. The training and mentorship program which is being curated in partnership with Affiverse, founded by veteran affiliate marketer Lee-Ann Johnstone -  and which guides businesses on how to launch, scale and grow successful affiliate programs, has been designed to help organizations of all sizes understand how to leverage new tactics and simple AI tools to recruit, retain and activate affiliates more effectively. The Academy will offer a mix of practical learning, tactical assessments and personalised coaching providing affiliate managers with an invaluable opportunity to learn from industry leaders. Each unique session will include topical insights drawing on the dominant trends in the market. Looking ahead to the Academy Lee-Ann Johnstone said: “I’m delighted that Clarion has invited Affiverse to develop a bespoke training academy specifically for iGaming Affiliate Managers. “In an industry that’s constantly evolving, and which is powered by the early adoption of new technologies, businesses and  affiliate managers  have to keep learning in order to remain competitive. The only way we get to understand the affiliate space and all the complexities it entails is on the job - from others!   “It has always been important to me that those who have knowledge pay it forward and I’m really excited to be given the task of leading the curation of this unique event bringing the best of the best together in order to teach, train and coach affiliate managers as we move forward. “The gap between AI-empowered affiliate managers and those relying solely on traditional methods is widening every month. The iGB Affiliate Manager Academy will provide the bridge to ensure businesses are on the right side of that divide.” Reflecting on the importance and objectives of the iGB Affiliate Manager Academy, Global Portfolio Director Naomi Barton said: “Our live events are all about delivering real value to our international community of stakeholders. Lee-Ann and her team at Affiverse are spearheading the academy syllabus and content stream alongside IGB’s events production team to provide tailor made training and mentoring for new and existing affiliate managers as well as those who want to learn and scale their affiliate programs faster. “The workshop will provide insider access to the exact AI-driven techniques that are assisting brands to deliver real results. Most significantly this isn’t just theory — instead it’s a hands-on expert-led roadmap focussing on immediately implementable tactics that will transform your program performance.” Read related article: Record-Breaking 59,101 Attend ICE, iGB Affiliate Barcelona

Incentive Games partners with Light & Wonder to distribute pay-to-play and free-to-play games globally, expanding reach in top regulated iGaming markets. Leading B2B games provider, Incentive Games, today announced its new agreement with premium gaming company and content provider Light & Wonder, Inc. (NASDAQ and ASX: LNW) (together with its subsidiaries “Light & Wonder”). Through this agreement, Incentive Games will distribute its premium pay-to-play games – including new arcade-style titles – to key global regulated markets including the USA, Canada, South Africa, UK, and within Europe via Light & Wonder’s extensive operator network. Additionally, Incentive Games’ popular free-to-play content will be made available to a wider audience through Light & Wonder’s content marketplace. The agreement brings together two industry leaders in iGaming and the strengths of both companies to deliver exceptional player experiences and elevate customer engagement. Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games said, “This agreement is a landmark moment in our company's history. Previously, we've worked directly with major operators such as bet365, FanDuel, and Sky Bet. Now, we can distribute our games via Light & Wonder, an exceptional aggregator that we trust will handle our games with care.” Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Partners at Light & Wonder, said: "We are excited to work with Incentive Games, a leader in gamification solutions. We look forward to leveraging their innovative platform and bringing their customizable crash and fast game content to all major regulated markets." Read related article: Incentive Games Secure UK Gambling Commission Licence

Text scams adopt “guerilla operations” after POGO shutdown deadline. Smaller teams now operate independently, says DICT Sec. Uy. MANILA – Text scams have transitioned to a "guerilla" operational model following the shutdown of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), according to Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy.  This strategic shift involves smaller, dispersed teams operating independently, a significant departure from their previous large-scale operations conducted within POGO facilities.  This assessment aligns with recent reports from government authorities indicating that POGOs are pursuing more decentralized, small-scale operations in the wake of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to shut down the industry. Uy's statement coincided with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group's (PNP ACG) announcement of the arrest of a Malaysian national for selling illegal text-blasting equipment online. This arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat these scams, even as their tactics become more elusive. Previously, scammers leveraged the extensive infrastructure of POGOs, operating from large buildings housing numerous personnel and sophisticated equipment. The POGO ban, formalized by President Marcos Jr. through an executive order after his July State of the Nation Address, mandated complete closure by December 31, 2024.  This deadline has compelled scammers to adapt their methods, resulting in the current "guerilla" approach characterized by smaller, more mobile operations. Authorities are actively monitoring this evolving threat and implementing countermeasures. Furthermore, Secretary Uy issued a strong warning to political candidates against the use of text blasters for campaign purposes, stating that such actions could seriously jeopardize their campaigns.  "We will confiscate equipment, file criminal charges, and potentially involve the Comelec if we find these devices being used to promote specific candidates," he affirmed. "We are monitoring this activity closely." Read related article:   China, ASEAN To Team Up Vs. Online Gambling, Telecom Fraud

Macau illegal gambling cases surged in 2024, with a 28.6% rise in investigations and prosecutions compared to 2023, though still below pre-pandemic levels. Macau's Judiciary Police (PJ) reported a mixed trend in gaming-related crime for 2024. While 1,423 investigations and prosecutions were launched—a 28.6% rise from 2023—this figure is still 34% lower than pre-COVID-19 levels.  Within these gaming-related crimes, 252 cases involved illegal borrowing for gambling and 47 involved gaming-related imprisonment. The PJ highlighted that the decline from 2019 indicates a continued decrease in serious and violent gaming-related offenses. Macau police arrested 120 illegal money exchangers following the October 29th implementation of laws criminalizing such activity. These arrests, coordinated with mainland Chinese authorities, resulted in the seizure of over MOP 11 million (US$1.4 million). While telephone fraud decreased by 13% (354 cases), online fraud increased by 4%, a much slower rate than the previous year's 42.8% jump, likely due to increased public awareness. However, phishing and fraudulent websites targeting credit card information surged, with 689 cases reported (a 1.1-fold increase) causing over MOP 14 million (US$1.8 million) in losses, making it the fastest-growing online crime category. Overall crime in Macau also saw an increase. The PJ handled 14,049 criminal cases in 2024, a 13.4% increase from the previous year. This included 7,762 investigations and prosecutions (up 14.1%) and the closure of 12,856 cases (up 22.7%). Macau recently enacted a new "Illegal Gaming Law” which includes provisions against "under the table" betting (punishable by up to eight years in prison) and penalizes those participating in illegal gambling activities (up to six months in prison). Read related article: Macau Recovery To Hinge On Mass Market - Report .

Lottery fever gripped Malaysia as a record RM121.7 million jackpot drew huge crowds. From long queues to social media stunts and bizarre luck rituals, see the frenzy surrounding the draw. Malaysia was swept up in lottery fever as a record 121.7 million ringgit (US$27.7 million or P1.5 billion) jackpot drew massive crowds to Sports Toto outlets.  The frenzy surrounding the draw, one of the last before the Lunar New Year, saw long queues, social media stunts, and even bizarre attempts to influence luck. Videos surfaced of punters ranging from office workers to senior citizens lining up for a chance to win, with some social media influencers spending thousands on randomly generated number combinations.  One punter in Sarawak even brought snakes, including an albino python, to a betting shop, hoping for a lucky omen in the upcoming Year of the Snake. However, the excitement also boiled over into violence. A video circulating online showed a fight erupting inside a crowded betting shop in Klang, with several men exchanging punches while others looked on. Police later confirmed the incident, stating they were alerted to a disturbance at a shop in Taman Klang Utama.  This incident highlighted the intense emotions surrounding the record-breaking jackpot, which ultimately saw three winners from Selangor and Negeri Sembilan each taking home 34.9 million ringgit (US$7.9 million). The record prize surpassed the previous high of 97.75 million ringgit in 2022.  The popularity of Sports Toto, majority-owned by billionaire Vincent Tan’s Berjaya Corp, underscores the prevalence of legal gambling in Malaysia, contrasting with the significant problem of illegal gambling operations that cost the government substantial revenue each year. Read related article:   After Galaxy, MGM: Genting To Explore Opening Casinos In Thailand