Balkans
Bulgarian Bill Proposes Closure of Most Casinos
A political leader has presented a bill to the Bulgarian parliament which proposes the closure of most of the country’s casinos and gambling halls by the end of 2025.
Put forward by Valeri Simeonov, leader of the National Front for Salvation of Bulgaria (NFSB), the bill proposes that casinos and gambling halls be allowed only at five-star hotels and at ten resorts located within 20km of the border.
Simeonov’s objective is for casino gambling to be aimed only at foreign tourists rather than Bulgarians. The move would mean closing around 75% of the country’s land-based casinos and gambling halls.
Casino games would be offered by the state only, and all visitors to casinos and gambling halls would be checked against the register of gambling addicts.
He appeared to recognise that the bill could be detrimental to his party’s standing and would attract fierce criticism, but said it was necessary to fight against gambling addiction.
Simeonov reportedly said of gambling: “It’s a pandemic, like the Coronavirus. There are cases of suicide, mortgaging the home, loss of everything. This must end.”
The Bulgarian Gaming Association BTAGI said if the bill was approved it would close 638 casinos, risking 30,000 jobs, while pushing players to the unregulated market and leading to a major loss of tax revenue for the state.
BTAGI said in a statement: “The project submitted by MP Valeri Simeonov (…) creates conditions for an uncontrollable increase in illegal gambling.
“Global practice shows that the restriction of regulatory opportunities for the development of the gaming industry creates a favourable ground for the development of illegal gambling, which cannot be effectively controlled.
“In this situation, the consumer will not be able to be protected and all regulations to combat gambling addiction will be completely inapplicable. Once the business enters the criminogenic contingent, conditions are created for corruption to flourish.
“The closure of gambling halls and casinos that do not meet the restrictive requirements to be in 5-star hotels and in resort and border locations raises doubts about lobbying interests.
“With the proposed regime, the work of a legal, well-organised and operating on the principle of free economic initiative sector will be blocked, providing an opportunity to redirect and limit to a certain circle of persons: owners of luxury hotels.”
Balkans
CT Gaming Announces its Participation at BEGE 2024
For the 15th edition of BEGE, CT Gaming will showcase a selection of its most popular products, including the NEXT 27″ and EZ Tower slot cabinets, as well as the Rhino casino management system, along with exciting new products like Diamond King 4—the latest addition to the Diamond King family.
“We are eagerly anticipating the annual BEGE exhibition, where once again we will have the opportunity to present the latest innovations from CT Gaming. As long-term exhibitors, we are proud to support the region’s most significant event and reconnect with industry colleagues and leaders,” said Biser Bozhanov, Director of Strategy and Business Development at CT Gaming.
Under the spotlight, visitors will have the chance to experience the NEXT 27″ cabinet, offering a seamless user experience thanks to its innovative features. It is equipped with 27″ HD high-brightness screens, six high-quality mechanical buttons, and numerous advanced design and hardware solutions.
“Since its debut, NEXT has received excellent feedback from both expos and clients. With its modern design and cutting-edge technologies, the cabinet offers both physical comfort and exciting content, creating a memorable experience for players,” added Mr. Bozhanov.
In honor of its anniversary, CT Gaming will present the sequel to its popular Diamond King multigame series, debuting at BEGE. This multigame embodies the essence of CT Gaming, combining innovation with legacy. The latest addition to CT Gaming’s product portfolio will feature a mix of classic, fan-favourite titles as well as new, captivating games aimed at the next generation of players. Additionally, players are able to win any of the 3 jackpot levels even in the base game, and the linked progressive jackpot, Diamond Tree Deluxe, comes with a new concept, visualised with white and pink diamonds.
In addition to these highlights, CT Gaming will also present its popular multigame Diamond King 3. Offering a selection of 50 games, 20 of which are linked to a progressive jackpot, the pack provides an exhilarating gaming experience. Moreover, at booth #3.11, visitors will be able to explore Mermaid’s Quest, a relatively new product that has quickly gained popularity. Featuring 12 underwater-themed games with high-quality graphics, the package is linked to a progressive jackpot, adding even more excitement to gameplay. Last but not least, attendees will have the chance to explore the features of the Rhino Casino Management System. Recently upgraded with new modules, Rhino offers a full suite of tools for the successful management of any size gaming venue.
CT Gaming’s team will be available to provide all the necessary information about the company’s product portfolio.
Balkans
WorldMatch Announces Partnership with Slotino
WorldMatch has announced a new partnership with Slotino, one of the fastest-growing online gaming platforms. This strategic collaboration aims to bring WorldMatch’s top-tier gaming solutions to an even wider audience, enhancing the player experience on Slotino’s dynamic platform with a range of high-quality, engaging titles.
With over two decades of expertise in the online gaming industry, WorldMatch is renowned for its unique approach to game development, blending advanced graphics, immersive gameplay and sophisticated mathematical models. This partnership will allow Slotino’s players to access WorldMatch’s portfolio of cutting-edge casino games, including popular slot titles and fresh new releases that offer captivating themes and rewarding experiences.
“We are thrilled to partner with Slotino, a platform that shares our commitment to delivering outstanding gaming experiences. This collaboration will enable us to reach a broader audience in Bulgaria and introduce our world-class games to new players. Slotino’s innovative approach to the market aligns perfectly with our vision of combining creativity, technology, and player satisfaction,” said Xhuljana Demerxhiu, Head of Sales at WorldMatch.
Through this partnership, Slotino will now feature some of WorldMatch’s most successful games, known for their smooth performance, high-definition graphics and engaging features. Players can expect a seamless integration of these titles, enhancing their overall gaming experience on Slotino.
“We are very excited to partner with WorldMatch in our first year of operation. As a company striving to bring a new feel on the Bulgarian market and centered around user experience and the ultimate journey for players, we have found our match. We are convinced that the portfolio of games offered by WorldMatch will bring a whole new dimension of excitement and winning for our players,” Vasil Stumbov, Director at Slotino, said.
This collaboration marks an important milestone for WorldMatch as it continues to expand its presence in the international online gaming market. By partnering with Slotino, WorldMatch reinforces its position as a key player in the industry, delivering innovative gaming solutions to a growing global audience.
Balkans
Bulgaria’s National Revenue Agency Shuts Down More Than 2500 Unlicensed Gambling Websites This Year
So far this year, Bulgaria’s National Revenue Agency (NRA) has shut down over 2500 gambling websites operated by entities without an active gambling licence under the gambling law, NRA said in a press release.
In September, NRA Executive Director Rumen Spetsov issued over 640 decisions to halt the operations of online betting platforms without the required permits in the country. After the NRA publishes a decision, the affected websites have three days to cease operations. If they fail to comply, the NRA refers the case to the court, which may instruct internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to the non-compliant websites.
Decisions by the NRA and court rulings are available in the Online Gambling section of NRA’s website. NRA also keeps an updated register of gambling websites run by entities lacking a valid gambling operations permit.
NRA encourages online users to report unlicensed betting websites by emailing a specific address. The report should include the website’s name and the user’s ISP.
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