Latest News
Veikkaus to Lay Off Between 125 and 190 Staff
Finnish gambling monopoly Veikkaus is set to lay off between 125 and 195 staff, following the conclusion of restructuring negotiations.
As part of the downsizing, the operator will close about 15 of its gaming arcades, at venues where it determined sustainability measures such as mandatory ID play and loss limits have made it too difficult to turn a profit. Veikkaus also made “material changes” to the contracts of around 60-110 employees, as well as 50 contractors. The changes will come into effect in January 2022.
The decision comes after Veikkaus opened negotiations with 830 staff in an effort to cut costs following a decline in business partially caused by the effects of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. At the time, the business said it expected to lay off up to 200 staff.
The exact number of staff to be made redundant has still not been determined, as some staff have the option to take on new roles if they accept.
Jari Heino, senior vice president for channels and sales, said: “The reforms have been designed in such a way that those leaving the company will be offered support during the change. Basically, most members of Veikkaus’ personnel that the negotiations concerned will be offered new positions within the company. For example, Casino Tampere, which will be opened in December, still needs dozens of gaming industry and customer service professionals.
“The sustainable casino of a new era of gaming will offer great facilities and jobs for many people. It is essential that we look ahead and work to make sure that Veikkaus retains its dynamicity today and tomorrow.”
The monopoly is also facing fierce competition from online operators. The hugely popular pay n play option has even further increased the share of online only operators licensed in the EU.
Latest News
Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024 Crowns its Victors!
- After an intense battle, champions have emerged victorious at Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024, held at the majestic Castillo de Almodóvar del Río in Spain!
- Claiming victory over the weekend, Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher, Alexis “MarineLorD” Eusebio, Themistoklis “TheMista” Bonidis and Nguyễn “Chim Sẻ Đi Nắng” Đức Bình were crowned
- The tournament featured some of the best global talent, with Riley Knight and Salome “Soe” Gschwind-Repp taking up the mantle as tournament hosts
- As the official partners of 2024, AGON by AOC, AMD and Backforce delivered the ultimate gaming experience for players
After a tournament of breathtaking battles and fierce strategy, champions have emerged victorious at Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024, claiming titles across four legendary Age of Empires games in front of a roaring crowd at the iconic Castillo de Almodóvar del Río. In one of the most epic Age of Empires showdowns in recent history, these skilled strategists conquered a star-studded field of global competitors to etch their names into the annals of Wololo history.
The champions of Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024 are:
- Age of Empires I: Nguyễn “Chim Sẻ Đi Nắng” Đức Bình
- Age of Empires II: Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher
- Age of Empires IV: Alexis “MarineLorD” Eusebio
- Age of Mythology: Retold: Themistoklis “TheMista” Bonidis
Following edge-of-your-seat matches, these four players reigned supreme across AoE I, AoE II, AoE IV, and Age of Mythology: Retold. Their triumphant journeys through the castle’s medieval courtyard, a setting befitting the Age of Empires saga, culminated in stunning grand finales that captivated fans both live and online.
The seventh edition of Red Bull Wololo saw Age of Empire II champion, Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher, battle against a fiercely competitive roster to claim a well-deserved victory. Facing down 2021 champion Ørjan “TheViper” Larsen in a thrilling grand final, the pair’s display of brilliant strategic play, showmanship and impressive skill saw that the fight for the crown remained intense until the final moment.
Age of Mythology: Retold also made its competitive debut at Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado 2024, adding a mythical twist to the tournament. Themistoklis “TheMista” Bonidis claimed the title of inaugural champion, demonstrating exceptional skill and bringing glory to their chosen god. In Age of Empires I, Nguyễn “Chim Sẻ Đi Nắng” Đức Bình emerged victorious after a fearsome showdown against Đỗ “Xuân Thứ” Thứ, while the Age of Empires IV grand final saw Alexis “MarineLorD” Eusebio crowned.
The tournament, hosted from October 3rd-6th, welcomed a blend of seasoned professionals and rising stars, all seeking to prove their dominance across the Age of Empires universe. As the newest champions of the esteemed Red Bull Wololo series, these players lay claim not only to prestigious titles but also global recognition among Age of Empires dedicated community.
This year’s edition, Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado, took place in the breathtaking surroundings of the Castillo de Almodóvar del Río in Cordoba, Spain, an immersive location that added an extra layer of grandeur to the competition. The incredible event saw players face off in LAN battles within the castle walls, with a live audience of fans witnessing thrilling culminations of in-game ranked ladder champions, online qualifiers, and invited elite players. The final stage of the competition saw intense matchups that had the audience on the edge of their seats.
The Red Bull Wololo series has long been the gold standard for Age of Empires esports. Now, with its seventh edition complete, the tournament continues to elevate the competitive scene. Supported by industry-leading partners, including AGON by AOC, AMD and Backforce delivering the ultimate gaming experience for players, Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado was an unforgettable spectacle.
Latest News
Golden Matrix Group Showcases Expanded Portfolio and Proprietary Technology at G2E Las Vegas 2024
Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI) is participating in the 2024 Global Gaming Expo (G2E), held at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 7 to October 10, at booth #5130.
This will be GMGI’s inaugural participation at G2E as a combined entity with Meridianbet. At the event, GMGI will present an updated B2B network, emphasizing its state-of-the-art proprietary software, including the unveiling of the brand-new Atlas System, a fifth-generation core system solution that supports both sports betting and iGaming.
The new technology helps position GMGI among the top 5% of global industry players with wholly owned proprietary software.
Meridianbet, a renowned global sportsbook and iGaming operator, and Expanse Studios, GMGI’s wholly owned iGaming content developer, will both be showcased at the booth under the unified GMGI banner. Together, the entities will demonstrate the strength of their collaboration following their acquisitions by GMGI, leveraging their complementary strengths to build global brand awareness and delivering cutting-edge solutions to both operators and players.
Visitors to the booth will experience the newest innovations firsthand, including:
- Meridianbet’s B2B Offerings: A comprehensive and updated portfolio of B2B solutions featuring Meridianbet’s proprietary Atlas core system and state-of-the-art AI player recommenders, which deliver next-generation iGaming and sports betting capabilities; and
- Expanse Studios’ Latest Games: A preview of Expanse Studios’ new crash games and social casino content, aimed at driving engagement and expanding its presence in both regulated and social gaming markets.
In addition to product showcases, GMGI is set to hold a series of high-level meetings with key industry stakeholders, potential business partners and market analysts. These discussions are aimed at identifying strategic opportunities and further enhancing GMGI’s growth trajectory in key regulated markets while strengthening the Company’s position in the global gaming industry.
As part of its ongoing global expansion, Meridianbet has been shortlisted for a highly anticipated sports betting and iGaming license in Brazil, further expanding GMGI’s footprint in this critical growth market in South America, in addition to the firm’s robust presence in Africa and Europe.
Eastern Europe
Endorphina Announces Partnership with Ukrainian Online Casino Casino.ua
The leading online slot provider, Endorphina, has recently partnered with Casino.ua, a licensed Ukrainian online casino. This collaboration brings Endorphina’s innovative slots to Casino.ua’s platform, expanding its game portfolio and offering more variety for players.
This partnership signifies Endorphina’s continued focus on expanding its reach in regulated markets and making its games accessible to a broader audience. With a strong track record of partnerships in 2024, Endorphina is confident this collaboration will further their goals.
“This partnership with Casino.ua is a great opportunity for Endorphina to expand as a slot game provider in Ukraine and grow in a highly competitive market. We’re very excited about this collaboration and grateful for this wonderful opportunity to partner with such a prominent Ukrainian online casino,” said Maryna Iliukhina, PR Manager at Endorphina.
Casino.ua is a licensed Ukrainian online casino offering over 7,000 online entertainment options, including instant games, slots, table games, live games, tournaments, and promotions. The platform values the safety and comfort of its users, striving to create a high-quality gaming experience.
“We are thrilled to partner with Endorphina, a top software developer in the gaming industry. Their games blend innovation, quality, and immersive gameplay, seamlessly aligning with our vision. Together, we’re committed to delivering outstanding experiences and exciting opportunities for Casino.ua players,” said Casino UA’s team.
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