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Pokies Company Aristocrat Moves To Mobile Gaming With $1.3B Acquisition

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Aristocrat Moves To Mobile Gaming With $1.3B Acquisition
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The Sydney-based gambling machine manufacturing giant Aristocrat Leisure has enjoyed its prominence in the gambling industry for years as the second largest manufacturer of slot machines in the world. Now the company is moving into the digital gaming world as they have completed a billion-dollar takeover of a US-based casual gaming company known as Big Fish Games.

 

Big Fish Games Acquisition

Aristocrat welcomed 2018 with an announcement that they’ve completed the acquisition of Seattle’s Big Fish Games for $1.3 billion. Founded in 2002, Big Fish Games is the developer and distributer of many popular PC and mobile games such as the popular Mystery Case Files series. The company has developed both premium paid and free-to-play social casino games such as Big Fish Casino, Gummy Drop! and Fairway Solitaire. Big Fish Casino continues to be the company’s most successful title, regularly ranking in the top five most popular apps in the US.

The acquisition of Big Fish Games solidifies Aristocrat’s efforts in recent years to establish itself as a top player in the online social gaming market. As the online gambling industry continues its strong growth in the recent years, Aristocrat’s decision to tap the younger and more technologically savvy market will see the company looking to take advantage of the massive digital gaming push.

Aristocrat Expanding With Each Acquisition

The Australian pokies giant completed a strategic acquisition prior to its deal with Big Fish Games. Aristocrat bought out Israeli gaming company Plarium for $635 million a few months prior to the Big Fish acquisition. The Plarium deal started in August and was completed in December and added to Aristocrat’s impressive portfolio – Vikings: War of Clans which is Plarium’s most successful title.

Back in 2014, Aristocrat also acquired Video Gaming Technologies for $1.3 billion to secure its strength in the gambling machine business in North America. According to Adam Krejcik, analyst at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, Aristocrat saw an estimated $292 million in digital revenue in the period that ended September 30, 2017. This is a 41 percent increase in digital revenue from 2016, which includes a $93-million boost in social casino games revenue.

Riding its digital growth momentum, the Big Fish Games acquisition will further Aristocrat’s position in the digital gaming sphere. The deal has effectively doubled the size of the company’s growing digital arm, which now accounts for 38 percent of Aristocrat’s total revenue. It has also made Aristocrat, the second largest provider of social casino games in the world, next to Chinese-owned Playtika. Aristocrat’s wide range of social casino offerings now include free-to-play online poker, table games, slots and bingo games for the smartphone and PC.

The $1.3 billion sum that Aristocrat is paying to acquire Big Fish is very close to the amount Churchill Downs paid when it bought the company in 2014.

In a statement, Trevor Croker, chief executive officer of Aristocrat, said “The strategic and financial benefits of this acquisition are highly compelling. Big Fish’s digital-first social casino content and industry leading meta-game capability and applications are highly complementary to Aristocrat’s existing and industry-leading land-based digital content business.”

Aristocrat Taking A Chance On Big Fish Games

Indeed, after the Big Fish Games acquisition, Krejcik estimates Aristocrat’s digital arm to generate over $1.1 billion in revenues and $250 million in EBITDA by the end of 2018. If Aristocrat plays their hand well, they may well be poised to overtake American video game developer Zynga, who currently has a $3.5 billion market value.

Aristocrat first came out with their plans to buy out Big Fish in November 2017 and the news was flagged by several of their investors. According to Macquarie Research, Big Fish has not been performing as well as its rivals in the digital segment for the past few years. The company was only able to deliver 2 percent revenue growth when its segment has been continuously growing at 15 per cent a year. Because of this, the acquisition announcement back in in November pulled Aristocrat’s share price at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) down to almost 7 percent.

As with many mergers, the new acquisition comes with various risks. Krejcik mentioned that the difficulty in merging the two large-scale social gaming companies emanate largely from the fact that Aristocrat’s operations will be widespread in San Francisco, London, Israel, Oakland, Ukraine, and Seattle. The company will have to focus on global operations and look to diversify its offerings across the global digital gaming landscape.

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Week 50/2024 slot games releases

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Week 50/2024 slot games releases
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Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming

ELA Games is proud to announce its latest release, Flame Fruits Frenzy. This new title is a fresh and modern take on classic fruit slot machines found in pubs and casinos across the world. The studio emphasises the importance of art and design with this new 5-reel, 3-row game with enticing animations and eye-catching graphics. Flame Fruits Frenzy’s core gameplay is simple, featuring 5 paylines, with players taking home the highest win per line. Scatter symbols add to the excitement, offering a payout whenever they land on the reels.

Fruity Action: ELA Games Reveals Modern Take on a Slot Classic With “Flame Fruits Frenzy”

 

GAMOMAT has released its fruity hit, Juicy Joker. This vibrant title sits within a 3×3 framework and offers players a classic fruity experience with radiant traditional fruit, bar, and bell symbols. A refreshing twist on the reels comes from the star of the show, the Joker – which serves as a Wild symbol that – if shown – substitutes for all symbols.

GAMOMAT unveils Juicy Joker

 

Think you can handle the heat of some super-hot Wasabi? Then Silverback Gaming’s latest slot, Wasabi Wilds, is just the game for you. Players come face to face with an expert sushi chef whose delectable delights pack a flavoursome punch thanks to plenty of glowing green wasabi. Players take a seat at the chef’s table and watch as the magic of consecutive cluster explosions unravels a world of tasty treats and rewards.

Can you handle the heat of Wasabi Wilds from Silverback Gaming?

 

Evoplay has launched Hot Triple Sevens Hold and Win, the latest addition to its popular flaming sevens series. The game features a traditional 5×3 reel layout enhanced with dynamic visuals and a light board that tracks every win, creating an interactive and visually appealing experience. Its standout Bonus Game, triggered by six or more Bonus symbols, allows players to win four jackpots, including the Grand Jackpot worth 3,000x the bet.

Evoplay reignites excitement with Hot Triple Sevens Hold and Win

 

Red Rake Gaming is pleased to announce the launch of Million Christmas 2, the latest Christmas-themed release to bring big wins and magic to players all over the world. With a series of innovative features and a very Christmassy feel, Million Christmas 2 promises to bring fun and happiness throughout the holiday season. The greatest new feature of Million Christmas 2 is the “Santa’s Gifts & Wins Minigame,” triggered when players obtain three or more Santa’s Bag symbols.

Red Rake Gaming is bringing the magic of Christmas to players with Million Christmas 2

 

Thunderkick has launched Ways of Athena, a Greek mythology-themed title where matching mystery symbols reveal up to 43,923 ways to win. The goddess of wisdom and warfare reigns supreme in the 3×5 slot, where helmets, shields, amphoras, and lyres line the reels. Matching mystery symbols land on reels two to five and enhance base game action, transforming into double symbols and mirroring an icon on reel one to increase the number of pay ways and boost wins.

Thunderkick diversifies ancient mythology game collection with Ways of Athena

 

Push Gaming’s latest release, 10 Flaming Bisons, brings the American Frontier to life, featuring the provider’s innovative Push-up mechanic and thrilling jackpots that enhance excitement. Played initially across 5×3 reels, various native American characters must form a matched combination across 20 paylines to award a win.

Push Gaming ignites the reels with 10 Flaming Bisons

 

Amusnet has released Extra Crown Deluxe, a new addition to its online casino portfolio. This online video slot will take players to a world of art-inspired luxury, where every spin is a masterpiece. The game features 5 reels and 20 fixed paylines hosting 11 symbols – an abundance of fruits, bells and sevens.

 

 

Burgers, because who doesn’t love them? In Big Time Gaming’s latest slot creation, players are invited for a tasty treat as they fire up the reels on the 4×4 gameboard in search of multiplier-boosted wins amongst the patties and buns. The game is set against a Route 66 backdrop with a classic burger joint to the left-hand side of the reels. Visually striking, packed with flavour and innovation, Burgers is set to satisfy your hunger for big wins and bigger thrills.

 

Reel Reindeer, a seasonal entry into the Reel franchise and right in time for the Christmas holidays, featuring the red-nosed character himself. This 25 payline game offers an insane Free Spins round where all winnings are multiplied by 50x and expanding wilds activate on the reels. Plus, the game also offers a Hold & Win round where filling the reels will trigger the top payout of 10,000x. That is quite the Christmas treat!

HÖLLE GAMES LET IT REIN

 

Play’n GO invites players to join an adorable crew of canines in Hot Dog Heist, a 5×3 slot with 40 paylines. Set against the charming backdrop of suburban BBQs, this fun-filled adventure delivers sizzling gameplay and delectable rewards. Hot Dog Heist takes players to a sunny, picture-perfect neighbourhood where a pack of mischievous dogs has its eyes set on a delicious prize – hot dogs fresh off the grill.

Play’n GO’s Hot Dog Heist serves up tasty slot treats

 

Players can adventure deep into the heart of the ancient Aztec empire when they spin the reels on Stakelogic’s latest title, Fire and Gold Cluster Breaker. Each exciting spin presents the chance to trigger explosive bonuses and reward monumental wins, with players able to win up to 10,000x their stakes. This captivating slot uses a 5×4 game grid with a cluster-pay system, with the game granting players wins when they hit clusters of five or more on the grid.

Land Earth Shattering Wins in Stakelogic’s Fire and Gold Cluster Breaker

 

Relax Gaming, the iGaming aggregator and provider of unique content, has launched The Great Pigsby Dream Drop, a jackpot infused take on the much-loved classic. The game preserves the elegance and charm of the 1930s-inspired original while adding the Dream Drop Jackpot, giving players the chance to win one of five progressive jackpots: Rapid, Midi, Maxi, Major, or Mega. At the core of the experience is the Dream Drop feature, which triggers randomly and transports players into a jackpot bonus round.

 

Relax Gaming adds Dream Drop excitement to The Great Pigsby

 

 

For this festive season, Booming Games is bringing a little bit of warmth this winter with the brand-new Burning Classics: Royal Edition. The Burning Classics series has proved to be a firm favourite among online casino players, and the latest instalment, the Royal Edition, is undoubtedly going to follow suit. As with its predecessors, this 5×3 reel, 20-payline slot is filled with fruit – which are joined this time around by three high-paying, colorful crowns. All pay symbols land stacked in classic slot game fashion.

 

 

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Veikkaus signs partnership agreement with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association

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Veikkaus signs partnership agreement with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association
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Veikkaus continues its long-term partnership with Finnish ice hockey. The Finnish Ice Hockey Association and Veikkaus have agreed on a comprehensive partnership that will continue until 2030.

“Ice hockey is a major Finnish spectator sport that strongly resonates with and moves people. At Veikkaus, we have a long-standing and successful cooperation with Finnish ice hockey and Leijonat, of which we are proud. It’s very important to us that this long and successful journey continues for many years to come”, rejoices Reija Laaksonen, Veikkaus’ EVP, People, Culture and Communications.

Ice hockey is an important sport for Veikkaus from the perspectives of betting offerings and the company’s brand. The Finnish national Lions teams are a source of pride for Finns, and Leijonat matches are top offerings in Veikkaus’ betting.

“Thanks to the cooperation, we can continue to offer Veikkaus’ customers the interesting domestic betting products, services and content they desire, and develop them even better”, Laaksonen says.

“Our comprehensive partnership with Finnish ice hockey allows Veikkaus’ channels to continue to be strongly involved in the most interesting moments and series of Finnish ice hockey.”

The multi-year partnership between Veikkaus and Finnish ice hockey covers the Finnish men’s national team, the Women’s national team, the U20 national team, and the Aurora League.

“We are very pleased that Veikkaus remains one of our main partners in the Leijonat family. We share Veikkaus’ values, and we believe that in the future’s changing business environment, Sustainability will play an even greater role”, says Lassi Rönkkönen , Sales and Marketing Director of the Ice Hockey Association.

“Together with Veikkaus, we have lived and experienced the success moments of different Leijonat teams and built impactful marketing campaigns. It is great to continue the cooperation far into the future.”

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Regulating the Game Announces its Latest Addition to its 2025 Masterclass Series in Sydney

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The organisers of the Regulating the Game conference have announced the latest addition to its 2025 Masterclass Series in Sydney: “Beyond Compliance – Safer Gambling Training and Building a Culture of Customer Care,” presented by the renowned Jay Robinson, chief stakeholder relations officer at Focal Research Consultants.

With over 20 years of global experience in developing and delivering impactful training programs across jurisdictions—from pubs and clubs to casinos and online operators—Jay is a leading voice in creating safer gambling environments that transcend compliance. Jay’s approach focuses on building a culture of customer care that prioritises player protection and staff well-being while enhancing the overall gambling experience.

Why attend this masterclass?

Great training is more than ticking a compliance box—it is the foundation of cultural transformation and customer care. This masterclass will delve into:

How industry leaders, regulators, and frontline staff can embed a culture of safer gambling.

The critical role leadership plays in sustaining training initiatives.

Strategies to extend the reach and effectiveness of safer gambling programs, improving customer experiences, reducing staff burnout, and driving long-term benefits for operators and stakeholders alike.

“Effective gambling staff training must meet the real needs of both staff and customers, ensuring that safer gambling practices become second nature. This masterclass is about empowering organisations to go beyond compliance, fostering a culture of care and leadership that makes a lasting impact,” said Jay Robinson.

Who should attend?

This masterclass is essential for operational leaders, C-suite executives, regulators, and anyone committed to advancing safer gambling initiatives. Participants will leave with actionable insights and tools to lead cultural change, elevate training outcomes, and strengthen their organisation’s reputation.

Regulating the Game: A leading global event

The Regulating the Game conference has established itself as a flagship event, bridging the gap between regulators, industry professionals, and stakeholders. Now entering its fifth year, the conference continues to attract world-class speakers and attendees, driving innovation and inspiring meaningful discussions on policy, regulation, and sector challenges.

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