Balkans
Greek court sides with Russia in BTC-e Vinnik’s extradition case
Russia has snagged the first win in the legal battle to bring Alexander Vinnik, the man accused of laundering more than $4 billion through the BTC-e digital currency exchange he allegedly operated, back home.
On Wednesday, Russian news outlet Ria.ru reported that the Council of Judges in Thessaloniki has upheld the request to extradite Vinnik to Russia, where he will face fraud charges amounting to 667,000 rubles (US$11,500).
The Greek court previously ordered Vinnik to be extradited to the United States, where he has been indicted on charges of operating an unlicensed money service business, 17 counts of money laundering and related money crimes. Vinnik, who was arrested in a beachside village in northern Greece last July, was also suspected of facilitating hacking, fraud, identity theft, tax refund fraud, public corruption and drug trafficking activities during his time in the digital currency market, according to investigators.
Compared to Russia’s modest fines, U.S. federal authorities want Vinnik to cough up $12 million in fines, while BTC-e has been slapped with a $110 million bill for failing to meet the country’s anti-money laundering requirements.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called the Greek court’s decision a violation of the international law and lodged its own extradition request for Vinnik, who also appealed to be extradited to Russia. Vinnik was quoted by the Russian news outlet that he doesn’t want an extradition to the United States because “it has nothing to do with” him.
“I am a Russian citizen and let the court in Russia deal with it,” Vinnik said.
The battle to bring Vinnik home hasn’t ended yet because the Greek court’s decision can still be appealed. The final decision lies with Greece’s justice minister, who decides where to send people accused of crimes in times of competing requests. Vinnik’s lawyer said that according to the Greek law, “the Minister of Justice independently makes decisions on extradition, regardless of the court decision.”
Balkans
AdmiralBet Introduces OKTO.CASH in Serbia
AdmiralBet, a leading brand in Serbia within the Novomatic Group, has announced the rollout of OKTO.CASH, the fast and direct cash-to-digital payment solution of OKTO. The new integration offers a convenient and secure way for users in the region to top up their igaming accounts with cash, further enhancing the customer experience on AdmiralBet.
The partnership underscores OKTO’s expansion in Serbia and reflects its commitment to delivering easy, fast and secure payment options for players who prefer offline transactions but seek the convenience of online igaming. It allows AdmiralBet customers to deposit cash directly into their gaming accounts instantly, via e-voucher payment of OKTO’s at an always’ growing network of points of sale across the region. The seamless integration allows players to complete deposits without leaving the gaming environment, ensuring an uninterrupted and smooth experience.
OKTO’s CCO Simon Dorsen said: “OKTO has built a strong reputation for aligning its payment solutions with the needs of modern users who prioritize flexibility, convenience, speed, safety, and security. Our proprietary technology is fully integrated with AdmiralBet architecture, enabling instant access to funds without the player needing to exit the app or website. This is the perfect solution for users who want the benefits of the digital world while still using cash, that aligned with AdmiralBet’s user focused payments strategy.”
“Our payment platform is specifically designed to cater to the demands of the Serbian market. We recognize the value of thinking locally, and this partnership delivers real benefits to both players and operators,” he added.
Milan Djurmez, Head of Online Gaming at AdmiralBet, said: “We operate in a highly competitive and fast-paced industry, where delivering the best mobile-first experiences is crucial. OKTO has proven to be a trusted partner with an impressive track record in digital payments in Europe and beyond. We are excited to offer this new cash-to-digital payment solution to our players, further enhancing their experience.”
The collaboration of AdmiralBet with OKTO reaffirms the commitment of all parties to offering state-of-the-art experiences to consumers. As OKTO continues to grow its presence in the Serbian market, this partnership marks a significant step toward modernizing payment methods for the region’s igaming community.
Balkans
EGT’s Supreme Green Selection made its successful debut in Bulgaria
Supreme Green Selection, the latest multigame in EGT’s portfolio, had its debut installation in Bulgaria. The gaming establishments of the leading operator Inbet throughout the country now offer the mix which is available in General Series’ slot cabinets.
Supreme Green Selection is a part of EGT’s latest multigame series Supreme Selection. This mix features 50 exciting titles, including popular games like Rise of Ra, Amazons’ Battle, and Burning Hot, along with new additions such as Rainbow Hot, Mighty Heracle, and Book of Artifacts. They all present players with various themes, eye-catching designs, and many attractive bonuses.
Biserka Draganova, Sales Manager for The Balkans and Egypt at EGT, commented: “I am very happy that we accomplished the first installation of Supreme Green Selection in the gaming halls of the local leader Inbet. The mix has a new interface, different from the other multigames in our portfolio, and allows players to select game according to the category they prefer. It also includes user-friendly updates, making it easier to scroll through and select your preferred games. When presented at this year’s ICE London, Supreme Green Selection immediately caught the attention of operators, players, and industry experts, and its first good results are already a fact. I am confident that the mix will become one of the favorite products of Inbet’s customers.”
Mihail Hadzhiev, Casino Manager at Inbet, also gave positive feedback on the performance of Supreme Green Selection. He stated: “The selection of titles in the multigame is excellent as they keep players engaged for a long time, and during their next visit, our clients are looking for these slots again.” Mr. Hadzhiev added: “We can’t wait to try the other multigame from the series Mega Supreme Fruits Selection, as well as the new Bell Link Boost jackpot.”
Balkans
Synot Group Debuts at the BEGE in Bulgaria
For the first time ever, SYNOT Group will present its extensive product portfolio at the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Exhibition, which will take place from 27th to 28th November at the Inter Expo Center in Sofia, Bulgaria.
“We are delighted to invite all visitors to our booth 2.18 where they will have the opportunity to explore SYNOT’s advanced multigame progressive jackpot systems MAGIC BALL LINK and SUPER LINK, which offer a wide range of exciting themed and fruit linked games,” the company said.
“Visitors can also discover SYNOT’s latest cabinet portfolio, including the state-of-the-art UP2-32, Eclipse FL-32 and UP1-27 models, as well as the latest games from the Firebird system and the proven Explosive Games Premium+ sets.
“Visitors interested in online slots or comprehensive iGaming solutions should not miss the online section, where representatives from SYNOT Games and SYNOT Interactive will be demonstrating the full range of products.
“Given the strategic importance of the Balkan market, our participation at BEGE is of great importance to us. We look forward to interacting with all visitors, presenting our innovative products and demonstrating the SYNOT Group’s cutting-edge solutions. This event is a valuable opportunity to strengthen relationships with both new and existing partners and to explore how our comprehensive land-based and online portfolios can drive mutual success.”
-
Asia7 days ago
VSPO, the largest esports company in Asia, rebranded Hero Esports to support global growth strategy
-
Central Europe7 days ago
Evoplay enters Czech market with exclusive Fortuna collaboration
-
Latest News7 days ago
Week 45/2024 slot games releases
-
Industry News6 days ago
iGB Affiliate attracts registrations from 55 nations in just six weeks
-
Industry News6 days ago
Endorphina Affiliate Hub: Huge Benefits for Affiliates
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
Aviatrix lands in the Netherlands
-
Compliance Updates7 days ago
Comtrade Gaming Receives UKGC Approval to Distribute Gaming Content
-
Balkans7 days ago
Endorphina Partners with Volcanobet