Press Releases

Melco awarded at the 8th Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards in recognition of its commitment to Cyprus

Published

5 days ago

July 12, 2019

Zoltan Tundik

Photo source: goldnews.com.cy

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Melco Group – the organization building Europe’s largest integrated casino complex in Cyprus – has been honored by Invest Cyprus, in recognition of its significant investment in Cyprus. Melco is developing Cyprus’ first licensed Integrated Casino Resort, the City of Dreams Mediterranean, due to open its doors to international and local guests in late 2021.

Thanking Cyprus for trusting Melco with the ambitious project, its Group Chairman and CEO, Mr. Lawrence Ho, said: “It’s a great honor to receive this award on behalf of the entire team at Melco. Cyprus has tremendous economic potential and is now firmly on the radar of international investors. The country’s beauty, ideal geographical location, and the Government’s progressive approach towards regulation and governance mean that it’s perfectly placed to attract significant inbound investment of the highest caliber.”

The award was presented by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Harris Georgiades at the 8^th Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards (ICIIA) organized by Invest Cyprus.

Mr. Ho added: “Today marks the first anniversary of us opening our Cyprus C2 Casinos, and we have already seen a huge surge of interest in the island as a premium tourism destination. The opening of City of Dreams Mediterranean will have a huge positive impact on the nation’s economy, attracting tens of thousands of luxury tourists, creating hundreds of new jobs, and tackling the tough issue of seasonality head on”.

Cyprus Casino’s launch of C2 Limassol along with C2 Nicosia and C2 Larnaca has provided jobs for more than 800 people and recorded more than 880,000 visits from various countries. Another two satellite casinos are expected to open soon, one in Ayia Napa later in July and one in Paphos by the end of the year.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Invest Cyprus, Michalis P. Michael said: “Melco’s commitment to Cyprus is particularly valued and recognized, both by the government, and the island’s community. The decision by Melco to build Europe’s largest Integrated Casino Resort here sends a strong message around the world about the long term potential for this nation. This premium development will significantly boost Cyprus’ overall economy, whilst at the same time enhancing our tourist product in the most sustainable, long-term manner. Melco are pioneers in their industry, and this is evident in their support for the communities into which they invest. Melco is partnering with our Department of Antiquities to support national Archaeological Heritage Management, as they see the preservation and promotion of Cyprus’ cultural heritage as a key element to their investment in tourism here.

Melco Group is a world leader in the international luxury leisure and entertainment sector with operations in Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Melco is part of the consortium “Integrated Casino Resort Cyprus Ltd” (ICR Cyprus) along with “The Cyprus Phassouri (Zakaki) Limited”, a member of the CNS Group. The Consortium is responsible for the construction and operation of the integrated casino-resort in Cyprus as well as four satellite casinos across the island.

The prestigious Awards, organized by Invest Cyprus and Gold magazine, reward foreign investment in Cyprus, by honoring international investors and businesses in recognition of their substantial contribution to the Cyprus economy. This year, the 8^th Invest Cyprus International Investment Awards, which were held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, took place at the Presidential Palace on 3 July 2019.

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Zoltan Tundik

After starting out as an affiliate in 2009 and developing some recognized review portals, I have moved deeper into journalism and media. My experience has lead me to move into the B2B sector and write about compliance updates and report around the happenings of the online and land based gaming sector.

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Compliance Updates

TOM HORN GAMING Content Available In Portugal

Published

14 hours ago

July 17, 2019

Zoltan Tundik

Reading Time: 1 minute

The award-winning, Malta-based outfit is set to expand its business reach into the regulated Portuguese market after the supplier has secured a certification to supply its content to operators in this jurisdiction.

The supplier’s Portuguese offering includes its highly popular titles such as 243 Crystal Fruits, Frozen Queen, or one of the latest additions Sherlock. A Scandal in Bohemia among many others. Tom Horn Gaming will now be able to work with both its existing and new customers who are licensed in Portugal.

Ondrej Lapides, CEO at Tom Horn Gaming commented on yet another milestone in the company’s growth strategy: ‘We have been massively pushing into new regulated markets worldwide and the Portuguese certification ticks yet another box to set our foot firmly in a market with huge business potential. We want as many people as possible to enjoy our games and we look forward to exploring more new ground in Portugal going forward.’

Currently, Tom Horn is compliant to supply its gaming products to operators in the UK, Lithuania, Alderney, Serbia, Belgium, Gibraltar, Latvia, Estonia, Malta, with a multiple new jurisdictions to follow suit.

Gambling in the USA

Betfred USA and Elite Casino Resorts Sign Agreement for Iowa Sports Betting Operations

Published

15 hours ago

July 17, 2019

George Miller

Betfred USA and Elite Casino Resorts Sign Agreement for Iowa Sports Betting Operations

Photo Source: prolificnorth.co.uk

Reading Time: 2 minutes

World’s largest privately-owned retail bookmaker moves into US market in partnership with Elite Casino Resorts in Iowa.

Betfred, the world’s largest privately-owned retail book maker, and premier gaming and resort destination operator, Elite Casino Resorts have executed a technology and operations agreement for Sports Wagering for their Iowa customers.

Subject to regulatory approval Betfred will be offering Elite Casino Resort customers on premise, online and mobile wagering with a full suite of managed products which includes BI/Analytics, Anti-Fraud, Trading, Compliance/GDPR, Customer Support, Payments and Marketing, as well as managed trading operations support. On July 11, 2019, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved Betfred Sports Iowa, LLC as an Out of State Vendor for Grand Falls Casino Resort, LLC.

With over 50 years of market leading experience in the sports betting industry, as reflected in the over 1,600 retail stores in the United Kingdom, Betfred seeks to bring a best in class sports wagering experience to the customers of Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort in Larchwood, IA. Said Dan Kehl, CEO of Elite Casino Resorts, “We are excited to offer our guests another world-class product. With Betfred, Grand Falls Casino and Resort will be the best place in Iowa for sports betting at our casino and on a safe and secure platform.”

Fred Done, Chief Executive and co-founder of Betfred said, “I’m delighted to partner with Elite Casino Resorts in Iowaand we look forward to working with our new partners and sharing our joint expertise in what is a very exciting opportunity and market for Betfred.”

Betfred has partnered with SCCG Management in Las Vegas, led by its Principal Partner, Stephen Crystal, to represent the company in the US Native American and Non-Tribal gaming market development. SCCG is an internationally respected management consultancy focused on global sports betting, esports and the casino entertainment industries.

ABOUT ELITE CASINO RESORTS:
Elite Casino Resorts currently owns and operates three premier gaming and resort destinations in Iowa. The Kehl Family of Dubuque, IA, majority owners of Elite Casino Resorts, have been pioneers in Iowa gaming, awarded the first riverboat gaming operator’s license in Iowa on April 1, 1990 for the Dubuque Casino Belle, the first American-flagged vessel to offer gambling cruises in the United States.

ABOUT BETFRED:
The company was founded by brothers Fred and Peter Done who started with just one shop in Salford in 1967. Back then Betfred differentiated itself by offering excellent customer value and excellent service and those principles are still at the heart of the business now. Operating across multiple gaming channels including 1600 retail stores, Online & Mobile, positions the company as a leading gaming technology vendor. Built over years of experience providing industry leading in-person and digital betting services, Betfred is poised for an expansion into the American market through SCCG Management. Headquartered in Warrington in the United Kingdom. Betfred have an extensive sponsorship portfolio including the World Snooker Championship, in golf the British Masters, World Matchplay Darts, Rugby League’s Super League and Betfred is the Official Bookmaker of Royal Ascot.

ABOUT SCCG:
SCCG specializes in the investment in and development of worldwide brands, governmental and regulatory management support, intellectual property, and strategic business development within international land-based casinos, sports wagering, internet gambling, gaming, esports and entertainment markets.

Source: SCCG Management, LLC

Industry News

MuchBetter Pits Fans vs Streamers in Summer Series Tournament

Published

15 hours ago

July 17, 2019

George Miller

MuchBetter Pits Fans vs Streamers in Summer Series Tournament

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Online poker fans compete with biggest names in streaming, with grand final offering seat at the European Poker Tour

The payments company, MuchBetter, today announced its sponsorship of the first social online poker tournament of its kind. The tournament lets fans play against top poker pros for a chance to win a coveted seat at August’s 2019 European Poker Tour in Barcelona, as well as the new tournament series, Lex Live 2 in London. Using PokerStars’ Home Game platform, some of the biggest streamers in online poker, including Lex Veldhuis, have created their own private poker clubs, allowing them to compete directly with their community members across four game weeks this summer.

The Poker Clubs competing for the grand final are:

Beaker Army – club captain, Lex Veldhuis
Team OP– club captain, EVAisOP
Spraggy’s Un-named Team – club captain, Spraggy
The Shabanimals – club captain, Arlie
ATB Rovers – club captain, Fintan Hand
Grnd empire – club captain, Felix Schneiders

Games will be played across 4 game weeks in July and August in club mini-leagues to decide the 600 Grand Final participants, made up of 100 from each club (the top 25 from gameweek will progress)” – when all 6 clubs and their captains go head-to-head. The top 3 of each gameweek will also win Grand Final bonus chips, as well as unique community prizes for busting their own team captain in their respective mini-league – while the winner of the grand final will win a full EPT Main Event package (covering the €5k entry, accommodation, plus expenses). 2^nd, 3rd and -4th place finishes will also win Barcelona Main Event seats (with expenses) and 5^th, 6^th and 7^th will win a place at LexLive 2. To sign up to a team, players simply need to download the MuchBetter app and deposit $10 onto PokerStars using their chosen club captain’s unique deposit code.

“At its heart, poker is all about community,” said MuchBetter co-founder and CEO, Israel Rosenthal. “Poker sites have grown this community to such a degree that players can sit across the table with anyone anywhere on the planet, but we believe that the future of poker also involves going back to its home game roots through community tournaments like this. At MuchBetter, we’re committed to being part of the poker community in all its forms and enabling players to play the game however they like. We know that every poker fan wants a seat at EPT Barcelona, and this tournament is a golden opportunity to secure a place”

“Like the other club captains, I know I go into this tournament with a target on my back,” said Lex Veldhuis. “I’m sure my followers will love the idea of beating me in a private game, but don’t expect me to go easy on them. I want to win this tournament as much as anyone, and make sure I come out on top against the other streamers. More than anything though, it’s good to be taking part in something new. I started doing the Lex Live events because I know fans want to feel part of the poker community, and this tournament is the same. It’s poker stripped back to basics, replicating the kind of private home game that got me into poker in the first place.”

About MuchBetter:

MuchBetter, operated by MIR Limited UK Ltd, an FCA-licensed and regulated e-money issuer, is the new payments application for iGaming. Available on Android and iOS, MuchBetter make effortless online, offline and contactless payments throughout EMEA. Funds can be transferred and received in real-time and MuchBetter’s unique commercial model increases operator revenues while its anti-fraud features and use of best in class technology reduces risk.