Gaming Awards
Gaming Innovation Group Signs Sportsbook Contract With Hard Rock International
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. (GiG) has signed a contract with Hard Rock International (Hard Rock) for the provision of its omni-channel Sportsbook solution in the newly opened US market of New Jersey. Launch date is estimated for Q1 2019. This agreement follows a Letter of Intent signed between GiG and Hard Rock on 12 October 2018.
This is a milestone agreement for GiG who, after nearly two years of development of its recently launched sports betting platform, has won a highly sought-after tender in competition with world-leading Sportsbook providers.
Hard Rock has chosen the full suite of GiG’s sports betting services including GiG Sports Connect, GiG Trader and GiG Goal. The offering is supplied as a full omni-channel solution with Over the Counter (OTC) wagering and Self Service Betting Terminals (SSBT) available in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City as well as online via desktop and mobile. There is potential to expand the partnership further in the future in other US states.
The supreme court in the US recently revoked the federal ban on US sports betting opening up for state-by-state regulation. More than 20 states with a total addressable market of around half of the US population are expected to open up by the end of 2023. The total middle market range is estimated at $6bn split 50/50 offline and online, where online will be dominated by mobile (source H2GC).
The recent update of the National Football League’s policy on commercial gaming lifted the restriction on Hard Rock’s future sportsbook operation in Atlantic City. Operators of casinos and sport books can now be naming rights partners of NFL venues, subject to certain conditions. Hard Rock International became Miami Dolphins stadium naming partner in 2016 with an 18 year agreement.
Hard Rock is an existing partner of GiG. To date this year GiG has provided Hard Rock with its flexible, robust and scalable technical platform service and its best-in-class front end website service GiG Magic, supporting Hard Rock to go live with its casino offering in New Jersey, US on 3 July 2018.
Kresimir Spajic, SVP Online Gaming at Hard Rock International, says: “The forthcoming launch of the Hard Rock Sportsbook in New Jersey will mark another step towards becoming a significant player in the national and international Sports Betting and Online Gaming industry. In the past few months GiG has proven to be an innovative, capable, flexible and trustworthy partner. Such qualities together with vanguard Sportsbook technology and services enabled GiG to win our New Jersey Sportsbook RFP. We are positive that the extension of our partnership with GiG together with “skin” partnerships with leading international operators will enable Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City to reach its ultimate goal of becoming New Jersey’s Sports Betting and Online Gaming market leader.”
Robin Reed, CEO of GiG, says: “I am proud and delighted to have signed this agreement with our partner Hard Rock, our first inroad to sports betting in the exciting US market. It also headlines our continually strengthening partnership with Hard Rock across our iGaming ecosystem. It was a highly competitive pitch against the best Sportsbooks in the world, all vying to open up the US market. Hard Rock choosing GiG to power its Sportsbook, is a clear statement as to the quality of our cutting-edge sports betting services at this very early stage of their roll-out. Hard Rock is a strong brand with scale, wide reach and with the same high ambitions as us. We look forward, with excitement, to continuing to support Hard Rock’s expansion and geographical growth.
GiG is expecting the Sportsbook agreement to start contributing to revenues in Q1 2019 and to increase from Q2 2019 onwards.
About Gaming Innovation Group (GiG):
Gaming Innovation Group Inc. is a technology company providing products and services throughout the entire value chain in the iGaming industry. Founded in 2012, Gaming Innovation Group’s vision is ‘To open up iGaming and make it fair and fun for all’. Through the ecosystem of products and services, GiG is connecting operators, suppliers and users, to create the best iGaming experiences in the world. Gaming Innovation Group operates out of Malta and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GIG.
For more information about GiG and our services also see: www.gig.com
About Hard Rock International:
With venues in 74 countries, including 185 cafes, 27 hotels and 12 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s most valuable collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company’s two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, FL., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida, as well as other exciting locations including Atlantic City, Bali, Cancun, Daytona Beach, Ibiza, Orlando, Shenzhen and San Diego. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include, Maldives, Manila, Malaga, Georgetown, Fortaleza, Rosario and Chengdu. New Hard Rock Hotel, Casino or Hotel & Casino projects include Berlin, Budapest, Dublin, London, Los Cabos, Maldives, New York City, Ottawa, Sacramento, Dalian and Haikou in China. In 2018, Hard Rock International was recognized as a Forbes Magazine Top Employer for Women.
Source: Gaming Innovation Group
Central Europe
HIPTHER Announces Online Voting Session for GamingTECH Awards 2024, Leading to the Grand Event at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit
HIPTHER, leading event organizer specializing in the Gaming and Technology sectors, is excited to announce the Online Voting Session for the prestigious GamingTECH Awards 2024. This year, the Awards honouring excellence in GameTech in Central and Eastern Europe, will take place at the highly anticipated Prague Gaming & TECH Summit on 26 March.
The GamingTECH Awards is a celebration of industry excellence in the CEE region. Embracing the latest advancements and trends, the awards highlight exceptional achievements across various categories, from companies of a global calibur.
Following the Online Nomination Period that took place between 16 October – 31 December, 2023, the time has come for all the Nominees to be revealed and offered for the Online Voting Session which will determine the Shortlists for each Category.
The Online Voting Process
The Online voting session will run between 12-29 February, 2024, and the Online Voting System is open and ready to receive your votes here. The platform allows one vote per IP address every 24 hours, so get your devices ready, and start voting for your company or favourite nominees!
The Shortlists Announcement is scheduled for 4 March, 2024.
GamingTECH Awards Categories
HIPTHER has introduced four strategic Category Sections covering all critical aspects of Gaming operations and technology: two Operator Categories, six B2B Sports Betting & Casino Categories, four Auxiliary Service Provider Categories focusing on Affiliate Marketing, Payments and Testing Laboratories, and one special Category for the Top Supporter of Responsible Gambling.
All GamingTECH Awards 2024 Categories:
- Best Support for Responsible Gambling
- Best Testing Laboratory
- Best Payments Service Provider
- Best Affiliate
- Best Affiliate Program
- Best Sports Betting Provider
- Rising Star – Sports Betting Technology
- Best Esports Service Provider
- Best Online Casino Platform
- Rising Star – Online Casino Technology
- Online Casino Innovator
- Best Online Casino
- Best Sports Betting Operator
Final Vote & Ceremony – The “Endorphina Club & GamingTECH CEE Awards 2024 Ceremony”
The Final Vote will be cast during the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit by its participants on 26 March 2024. The Winners will be announced and awarded the same day in an exclusive evening gathering – the Endorphina Club networking party – that promises to be a highlight of the year for the gaming and technology industry in Central and Eastern Europe. Introduced in 2023, this event is back by popular demand, thanks to the overwhelming response it received.
Hosted and sponsored by Endorphina, a leading name in the iGaming industry, this gathering is a perfect opportunity for professionals, enthusiasts, and experts to meet for an unforgettable night celebrating the industry’s Winners and coming together.
Make sure to cast your votes in the Online Voting Session and Stay Tuned for the Shortlists Announcements!
Join us at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit for the GamingTECH Awards 2024, to promote your company, network and learn from the brightest minds and professionals of Gaming and Technology!
Gaming Awards
Rootz Limited Scoops Mobile Operator of the Year Award
Industry leaders from across the globe gathered at The Savoy, London, for the International Gaming Awards 2024, held on February 5. Rootz Limited was there, having been shortlisted in an impressive six award categories. The evening was a glitzy celebration of industry achievements, made all the more memorable as Rootz Limited secured the title of Mobile Operator of the Year 2024.
Driven by excellence
This accolade secures the company’s reputation in a fiercely competitive arena, once again demonstrating to industry peers and players alike that Rootz Limited’s products are created for the best, by the best.
The Mobile Operator of the Year award recognises distinction in presenting exceptional products and customer experiences in mobile format. While Rootz Limited platforms including Wildz, Wheelz, Spinz, Caxino and Chipz have an exceptional presentation in desktop format, Rootz Limited recognises the need to reach mobile-first audiences according to their preferences.
In 2023, Rootz Limited took home the global award for Slots Operator of the Year at the International Gaming Awards (IGA), showcasing the versatility of the company in offering slick gameplay, exceptional payment processes and player-driven experiences.
The IGA 2024 evening saw operators enjoying the best in hospitality that London has to offer as they eagerly anticipated the award announcements. The entertainment was outstanding, befitting of the opulent environment offered by The Savoy.
Rootz Limited was nominated and shortlisted in these categories for the IGA 2024 event: Slots Operator of the Year; Safer Gambling Award; Online Gaming Operator of the Year; Mobile Operator of the Year; Innovator of the Year and Great Place To Work (Operator).
Rootz Limited has secured multiple awards since its first online casino opened in 2019 in categories including Best CEO, Best Product, Best Newcomer and more, illustrating that customers are enjoying a leisure experience that’s tried and trusted.
Team players making a difference
“Our teams at Rootz Limited are constantly on the lookout for ways that we can stay ahead of the game and provide cutting-edge experiences for our players,” the Chief Executive Officer for Rootz Limited, Sam Brown (pictured), said. “A prestigious award such as this is a fantastic reminder that hard work pays off and we’re looking forward to building on this success. Everyone at Rootz Limited can claim a part of this accolade, an achievement that belongs to all of us, from our best-in-business developers to our support teams, all of whom put our players first.”
Gaming Awards
SOFTSWISS Becomes Platform Provider 2024
SOFTSWISS, a technology software provider with 15+ years of experience in the iGaming business, celebrates achieving the Platform Provider of the Year accolade at the Global Gaming Awards EMEA.
Opening a fruitful week of the ICE London event, the Global Gaming Awards stand as the epitome of prestige and acknowledgement within the online gaming dynamic landscape. With a firm focus on the EMEA region, over 50 industry-leading executives cast their votes to choose the best in particular categories.
The Platform Provider of the Year Award rewards the supplier whose platform is constantly upgrading to meet more operator needs. The Award recognises the gaming industry’s strongest performers over the past 12 months. This year, SOFTSWISS was selected as the triumphant winner in the Platform Provider of the Year category, showcasing its excellence among the strongest players in the domain.
For over 15 years, SOFTSWISS has been leveraging its vast experience to impact the gaming landscape positively through technology and innovations. This commitment has earned high appreciation from industry leaders and clients, resulting in the company receiving over 15 awards in the previous year alone. According to the latest Kantar survey, 80% of SOFTSWISS’ clients express satisfaction with the company’s products and services.
Symbolically, the Casino Platform, the flagship product, made its debut at ICE London in 2013. Today, it unites more than 6 million players from different regions of the world. Being a reliable and proven product, the Casino Platform receives regular updates to ensure the best player experience and boundless growth for operators.
In 2024, SOFTSWISS has already unveiled a series of product updates. The Casino Platform has introduced the Tournament Service, an upgraded version of its Tournaments. Additionally, it has incorporated AI into Event Streaming and updated its Bonus API. These enhancements empower operators with more efficient, data-driven tools for player engagement and business optimisation.
Max Trafimovich, CCO at SOFTSWISS, summarises: “It is truly gratifying to witness the collective efforts of our talented team reshaping the iGaming business, fostering an environment that is more appealing, transparent and responsible. We are glad that our endeavours are recognised by industry leaders and proud to stand at the forefront of excellence.”
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.
-
Conferences in Europe6 days ago
Spanish Advertising Restrictions Struck Down: Learn More at the 2024 Gaming in Spain Conference
-
Asia7 days ago
Asia-Pacific Sports Betting Market Report 2024-2030, Featuring Dafabet, SBOBET, 1xBet, TAB, CrownBet, UBET, Sports Toto Malaysia, Mansion88, 12BET and W88
-
Asia7 days ago
Profiles of Animesh Agarwal, Naman Mathur, Payal Dhare and Tirth Mehta
-
Latest News7 days ago
SOFTSWISS & BitStarz Celebrate Ten Years of Partnership
-
Balkans6 days ago
Making a Bang in Bulgaria! Hacksaw Gaming goes live with Alphawin
-
eSports6 days ago
Copenhagen Major 2024 – Betting Overview
-
Compliance Updates6 days ago
IOC and UEFA host joint betting integrity workshop
-
Latest News6 days ago
Inspired steps into Spring with its latest line up of slots: Space Invaders Win And Spin, Big Big Fishing Fortune and Piggy Bandits