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70+ Operators Approved Under Sweden’s Newly Liberalized Gambling Market

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Sweden’s newly liberalized online gambling market has only been in place for a couple of months, but already it is proving a success. Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority), granted licences to 60 gambling operators before the new laws were implemented on January 1. It has since approved an additional 13 operators, bringing the total number of licence holders to 73.

 Sweden’s Liberalized Gambling Laws Having Intended Effect

 Spelinspektionen has been handing out new licenses at a rate of more than one a week since the new year, with no signs of a slowdown any time soon. A glance at https://www.casino.se/ shows many of Europe’s largest gambling operators among the new Swedish licence holders.

Prior to the new laws, Sweden’s gambling market was essentially a state monopoly. Unlicensed gambling operators were accepting Swedish customers, but without going through the proper legal channels. In 2018, foreign gambling sites accounted for 29% of Sweden’s $2.5 billion gambling market, up from 24% the previous year.

Sweden’s new gambling laws were designed to give the state more control over the market. The fact that 73 companies have already jumped on board shows the new laws are having their intended effect.

Swedish Gambling License Holders Must Pay Tax, Monitor Customers

Sweden’s new gambling laws impose a number of strict rules on operators. For starters, it includes a taxation component, with operators taxed at a rate of 18% of their profits from Swedish customers. The Swedish government will undoubtedly monitor tax collections particularly close this year, given the country is heading toward a budget deficit in 2019.

The new regulations outline several ways in which licence-holders must protect players from excessive gambling. For example, operators must monitor individual players and, if necessary, help them to limit the amount they bet. In addition, operators may only offer a bonus the first time a player bets on their site. They aren’t permitted to offer bonuses to repeat customers.

Under the new laws, Spelinspektionen maintains the right to request that an online operator block payments. It may also request that an online operator display a warning message on websites that aren’t approved for business in Sweden. Moreover, players themselves may be able to exclude themselves from online gambling via Spelinspektionen directly. This would save players from having to make the request from each individual licence holder.

Svenska Spel Sees Consolidation of Swedish Gambling Market

 Svenska Spel, the state-owned Swedish gambling company, will continue to operate alongside the dozens of approved private operators. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Svenska Spel CEO Patrik Hofbauer said he expects that only 5-10 of the 70+ licenced operators will survive in the long term.

“Things will fall into place in the coming one to three years,” Hofbauer told Bloomberg. “I find it hard to believe there will be 70 companies in the future, as this business is driven by volumes.”

Of course, Hofbauer has some interest in talking down private operators given his company now has to compete with them. But whether he’s right, wrong, or if the truth is somewhere in between, one thing is for sure: Sweden’s newly liberalized gambling market is here to stay.

 

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Uncover more treasure in Blueprint Gaming’s The Goonies Megaways™

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Uncover more treasure in Blueprint Gaming’s The Goonies Megaways™
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One of Blueprint Gaming’s most popular series returns, as the gang is back to discover more secrets hidden in One-Eyed Willy’s treasure map in The Goonies Megaways™.

Built in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, the newest instalment from its series of games inspired by the award-winning film offers Megaways™ alongside Cash Collect features.

The film’s iconic characters lead the way on a colourful background with bespoke logos and symbols as players try to move the Inferno along the treasure map to trigger the bonus game by landing collect symbols. Reaching the One-Eyed Willy position will unlock its own unique upgrade.

Landing four collect symbols awards free spins and a cash multiplier, alongside the potential of a x10 each time a cash win is collected.

Cash symbols are present between reels 1-6, with the special Collect symbol awarded by landing on the sixth reel.

Activate free spins by landing three or more scatters, with 10 free spins awarded in the base game and more retriggering 10 additional spins if three more scatters land.

The game showcases Blueprint Gaming’s ability to provide additional features to a beloved series while maintaining the core characteristics found within its previous critically acclaimed titles. It also is the latest example of its capacity to develop first-class content based on a multi-genre IP that crosses cinema and multimedia platforms.

Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing & Relationships at Blueprint Gaming, said: “The latest addition to The Goonies series adds Megaways™ to player’s pursuit of One-Eyed Willy’s treasure, and this shows we are committed to evolving the licenced games in our portfolio. We’ve retained the familiar feel the wildly popular branding brings while still ensuring the features and gameplay offer the engagement players demand.

“The game’s artwork stays true to the cult film, following its beloved design and symbols, and we’re sure players will enjoy the immersive experience provided by the soundtrack, as well as the special new bonus round.”

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HBA Media Partners with Genius Sports

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HBA Media Partners with Genius Sports
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HBA Media announced a new partnership with Genius Sports to launch “Crown Jewels Racing Fantasy” (CJRFantasy) – the first international horse racing fantasy game.

As the established leader in the international distribution of horse racing media rights, HBA Media works with broadcasters worldwide representing renowned races including Royal Ascot, the Saudi Cup, the Breeders’ Cup, Hong Kong Jockey Club, as well as premium UK horse racing through HBA’s partnership with Racecourse Media Group.

CJRFantasy has been launched to help unify the global horse racing calendar, providing broadcasters and their fans around the world with a new platform to enhance their knowledge, compete with family and friends, and engage with the world’s most prestigious races.

For each race, players must select three horses, designating who will finish first, second and third. Double points will be assigned to one horse chosen as captain, while players must also answer a tie-breaker question on the winning distances. Each horse is assigned an XP where the lower their score, the more likely the horse is to win the upcoming race. Horses with higher XP who win will deliver more points, encouraging players to select from the full field.

HBA Media will promote the new CJRFantasy game through the international broadcast feed across the calendar year, connecting their gamification strategy with millions of horse racing fans worldwide. On-air graphics will encourage and engage viewers in the joys of the CJRFantasy game, which offers unique raceday experiences and VIP merchandise as prizes. In addition, on-screen talent and ambassadors that include horse racing’s finest Nick Luck, Michelle Yu, Tom Stanley and Frankie Foster will also host their own competitive leagues, enabling viewers to take on the professionals.

CJRFantasy is powered by Genius Sports – a global leader in building highly interactive and engaging fantasy, trivia and predictor tools for the NFL, FIFA, World Rugby, European Tour and MLB.

Frank Sale, Managing Director for HBA Media, said: “We are continually looking for innovative and exciting ways to promote, engage and connect with new and existing audiences. Working in partnership with Genius Sports has enabled us to provide our clients (racecourses, federations and broadcasters) with a powerful and entertaining interactive tool. We are delighted to be able to launch CJRFantasy for the prestigious Dubai World Cup this Saturday.”

Judd Goldstein, Global Commercial Lead, Fan Engagement at Genius Sports, said: “HBA Media plays a central role at the heart of the global horse racing ecosystem, and we’re thrilled to be helping them directly connect with fans around the world. CJRFantasy will bring the world’s showcase horse races into one connected free-to-play gaming destination, allowing horse racing fans to engage with the sport like never before.”

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Playson diversifies portfolio with Wild West theme in Arizona Heist: Hold and Win

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Playson diversifies portfolio with Wild West theme in Arizona Heist: Hold and Win
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Daring masterminds launch train robbery to take home big prizes

Playson, the fast-growing digital entertainment supplier, is taking players on the wildest adventure of their life in its debut Western-themed title Arizona Heist: Hold and Win.

A weathered team of criminals feature as symbols in this unpredictable slot. A revolver, backpack, and boozy supplies are all packed ready for this adrenaline-fuelled heist.

The high-energy mission is reflected in three Bonus Game boosters. The Plus booster reveals a random value of up to x10 and adds it to each symbol below it. The Multiplier randomly multiplies up to x10 and adds to all icons on the grid. The Gold booster transforms one Bonus symbol into a Bonus Gold symbol on the reel below. Additionally, the Collect feature collects all values from Bonus and Bonus Gold symbols during the Bonus Game.

In-game jackpots return in the form of a golden safe. Collecting two, three, four or five Bonus Gold symbols during the Bonus Game offers one of four corresponding jackpots. Two Bonus Gold symbols triggers a mini jackpot of x20, three symbols award a x50 minor jackpot, the major jackpot of x100 lands if four symbols are achieved. The grand jackpot of x5,000 is given if five Bonus Gold symbols appear.

The Double feature results from filling all 20 positions in the Bonus Game and doubles all symbol values.

Reflecting the scene of the crime, three or more train Scatters symbols trigger 10 free spins. A further three trains during free spins issues a further five free spins.  During the free spins round, Wild symbols multiply all combinations they are part of, with the Wilds’ multiplier amounts depending on how many Scatters appear. For three Scatters, the Wild offers x2, for four it is x3 and for five it is x5.

The Extra Bonus feature grants a chance of adding Bonus symbols in quantity enough or more to activate the Bonus Game during the Main Game or Free Spins.

Tamas Kusztos, CCO at Playson, said: “The Wild West is known for its unpredictability and adventure, which is what we evoke in Arizona Heist: Hold and Win. We are delighted to introduce this lively new theme into our portfolio, with an exciting array of enhancing features to inject even more excitement.

“The graphics and atmospheric music convey a sense of the unknown, as our players seek to run away with great riches from the train’s bursting safe.”

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