Czech lottery giant Allwyn Entertainment confirmed that it is in talks with Camelot for the acquisition of the latter’s UK business. Allwyn, which was selected as the next National Lottery operator, is bullish on consolidating power in the British market.

Allwyn Wants to Speed Things Up

Earlier this year, the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission named Allwyn as the next National Lottery operator. Camelot, which feared for its future, filed a lawsuit, claiming that the UKGC shouldn’t have picked Allwyn as the next operator. This led to delays in Allwyn’s official licensing as the holder of the fourth National Lottery license. Despite the fierce resistance on the incumbent operator’s side, the Czech company eventually prevailed and is now preparing to take over the Brits’ favorite lottery game.

Amid Allwyn’s expansion in the United Kingdom, rumors suggested that the Czech giant is now seeking to acquire its competitor’s business. Sources claimed that Allwyn has put forward around $116 million to buy out Camelot UK.

If Allwyn proceeds with this deal, it would be able to immediately take over the National Lottery, instead of waiting until February 2024, when Camelot’s term is set to expire.  

The Czech Operator Confirmed the Rumors

Soon after the rumors began, Allwyn released an official statement to confirm its intentions. The company said that it is indeed eyeing an acquisition deal with Camelot UK. However, the lottery company added that even if it comes to an agreement with Camelot, the deal would be subject to regulatory approvals.

Allwyn explained that it shares a vision with Camelot as both seek to best serve the interest of the National Lottery’s stakeholders. The Czech company noted that one of these interests is the good causes fund and the well-being of the Camelot employees.

Camelot, intended to launch a claim for compensation, following the crowning of Allwyn as the next National Lottery operator. However, the former party will in all likelihood withdraw its claim if the Czech company proceeds with the takeover. Rumors also claim that an acquisition deal will guarantee future cooperation between the seasoned lottery operator and Allwyn.

In other news, Allwyn recently reinforced its UK team with new members that would support the National Lottery transition. The company named the experienced Sharon Doherty and Victoria McKenzie-Gould as non-executive directors, hoping to continue its forward momentum in the United Kingdom.

A month ago, Allwyn announced that its deal with the special acquisition company Cohn Robbins is off because of the current market conditions.

Play’n GO, a leading supplier of online slots, has struck a strategic deal with the gambling juggernaut BetMGM. Per the agreement, Play’n GO will power the operator’s offering in New Jersey with its acclaimed suite of exciting slot games.

BetMGM to Offer Play’n GO Content to NJ Players

Play’n GO agreed to provide BetMGM with a premium selection of the best slots it has to offer. As a result, the operator will be able to engage clients in New Jersey with supreme titles, including both classics and fresh releases. This means that players in the Garden State will get to enjoy many engaging games such as Ankh of Anubis, Cat Wilde and the Lost Chapter, Cash Pump and Blinged, among others.

Both parties are excited about the agreement. Because of that, the two companies have planned to launch Play’n GO’s titles in other states as well. BetMGM hopes to roll out its new partner’s titles in Michigan next.

The deal will help BetMGM engage its customers with many exciting experiences, provided by Play’n GO. The studio, on the other hand, will expand its US reach as it seeks to reinforce its footprint in North America.

The Studio Is Excited about Its NA Expansion

Play’n GO’s chief commercial officer, Magnus Olsson, commented on the launch in New Jersey. He noted that the company has been in the United States for just a few weeks but is already enjoying a lot of attention from local players.

Olsson said that the foray into the US is a “hugely exciting time” for the company’s journey to North America. Play’n GO recently appeared at G2E for the first time and is already breaking ground in New Jersey and Ontario. Olsson concluded that his company aims to become the casino entertainment supplier of choice of many regulated jurisdictions in the region.

Speaking about the agreement with BetMGM in particular, Olsson lauded BetMGM as “one of the most trusted names in US gaming” and a company that “needs no introduction.” The CCO added that he is optimistic about the company’s future in the state.

This partnership gives a large New Jersey audience access to some of the most popular online slots in the world, including Book of Dead.

Magnus Olsson, CCO, Play’n GO

Play’n GO is already one of the biggest suppliers of slots in Europe and Latin America. The company is currently looking to replicate this success in the highly-lucrative US market as well. To that end, Play’n GO keeps on releasing hit titles and signing deals with major operators.

In September, Play’n GO launched ImmorTails of Egypt, a cat-themed slot with an Egyptian vibe.

The gambling market in Pennsylvania has expanded with new additions both in the retail casino, iGaming, sports wagering, and Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) sectors. This expansion resulted in rising revenues for the fiscal year 2021-2022 which ended on June 30, 2022.

Casino, iGaming, and Sports Betting Expansion Results in More Revenue

According to results reported by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, there was an expansion across almost all segments of the gambling market in Pennsylvania during the fiscal year starting on July 1, 2021, and ending on June 30, 2022. This reflected positively on gaming revenue from almost all of the various game types offered in the state.

In August and December 2021 two new so-called mini-casinos were opened in Pennsylvania bringing the total count to 16 in the state.

This helped the total revenue from retail casinos reach $3.3 billion, which was higher than the previous $3.2 billion record from the fiscal year 2018-2019.

iGaming in the state also expanded by three new websites reaching a total of 19, which are currently operated by ten license holders. The new additions were Betway operated by Live! Philadelphia Casino, PointsBet, which belongs to Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, and World Series of Poker, which is run by Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino.

The new additions, of course, positively affected revenues with an increase to $1.2 billion in FY2021/2022. This marked a boost of 37% in comparison to the $897 million reported in the previous fiscal year.

Sports betting was the gambling sector that saw the most growth in terms of new betting options. 18 new retail locations and 14 new online sports betting websites were added to the pool available to Pennsylvania residents.

The revenue in FY2021/2022 increased by 2% to $315 million when compared to FY2020/2021. The total sports wagering handle reached $7 billion for the whole fiscal year ending on June 30, 2022.

Video Gaming Terminals Locations Also on the Rise, Fantasy Sports Contests See Revenue Decline

Locations offering VGTs in Pennsylvania also increased to 65 adding 17 new venues when compared to the number of truck stops offering such game terminals at the end of the fiscal year 2020/2021. This marked an increase in the number of total VGTs in the state from 240 to 325.

The expansion with new VGT locations was reflected in the revenues reported for the last fiscal year. There was a 32% increase to $40 million in comparison to the previous fiscal year. The total tax revenue from these operations was $21 million. The VGT segment is under strict regulation from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and licensees have to fulfil certain requirements in order to offer VGTs to customers.

The only gambling sector in Pennsylvania that did not enjoy an increase in revenues was fantasy sports contests. The segment suffered a minor decline in revenue to $27.6 million in FY2021/2022 compared to $28.1 million in FY 2020/2021. 

Nexiux Solutions, a company focusing on providing dynamic technology solutions to the iGaming and online sports betting industry, has teamed up with Loqate, an address verification company, to bolster its integrity offering.

Loqate to Help Nexiux Solutions Onboard and Verify Player ID Quicker

As a result, any businesses that use Nexiux Solutions will be able to leverage Loqate’s state-of-the-art technology and improve player ID verification rates, which are important both to the commercial success of businesses but are also mandatory for ensuring that consumers are protected, and fraudulent entries are shut down as Loqate allows companies to process player address data accurately and correctly.

Loqate is already capable of verifying address data for 250 countries and territories in the world, making it a powerful ally to any company that is looking to strengthen its integrity and onboarding processes in the iGaming and online sports betting industry.

Nexiux Solutions is keen to leverage its own cutting-edge technology with additional third-party solutions that bolster the overall product offering and positioning and make it a more worthwhile product for partner businesses. Commenting on this partnership Nexiux Solutions head of products Rob Verdia commented:

We have built our powerful platform so that it is agile and modular, which allows us to easily integrate solutions from the best providers in the business and that is exactly what we have done with Loqate.

Nexiux Solutions head of products Rob Verdia

Verdia noted that player onboarding is an important part of the customer journey and that Nexiux wanted to make sure that it makes it frictionless. The addition of Loqate is an important step in this direction.

“It is partnerships such as this that ensure our product and service offering remains at the cutting edge, providing a superior foundation from which our operator partners can build their online sportsbook and casino brands,” he added.

Big Boost to Operators Seeking to Strengthen Their Offer

Nexiux Solutions’ offer is already robust, as it brings player management, payment and customer service products, CRM, compliance, and other products which, when used adequately, can provide a great competitive advantage to partner markets looking to expand into global markets or already operating in such.

Nexiux is already providing platform solutions for a number of established brands, including Stake, SBOTOP, Sportsbetio, FUN88, and others. Loqate head of partnerships John Bellis also welcomed the opportunity and reminded me how important it is to ensure that player address verification is carried out correctly.

Bellis added that Loqate’s solutions have been tailored to support partner ID verification and deliver premium player experiences.

Live 5, a developer of great online casino gaming content, to wit Royal Tiger, The Game With No Name, and 3 Books of Khan, among many others, has signed a content partnership with 888casino, a leading iGaming operator under the 888 Holdings household name.

The company is happy to benefit from a range of additional titles that will be added to 888’s gaming shelves and offer a unique opportunity to engage with innovation-driven products that have a distinct art style, game mechanics, and overall signature style.

Live 5 Brings Innovative Features and Games

Among those are titles such as Cleopatra Queen of the Desert, Wild Gods of Egypt, Wolf 81, Fruit and Nut, Lucky Golden Clover, Roco Loco, Gems of the Nile, Three Books, and dozens of other titles. The partnership will also encompass upcoming releases by Live 5, giving the partnership added significance.

888casino is at the same time benefiting from some innovative and spot-on features such as Lightning Lines, 3 Books and ReelzUp. Live 5 recently innovated the experience with the addition of the Instapots feature. Commenting on this new tie-up, Live 5 CEO Lloyd Butler said that he was pleased to have this opportunity to work with one of the best online casino companies and biggest operators.

888casino is one of the world’s leading online casino brands, renowned for using its sophisticated AI technology to create fun, fair and safe gaming, and betting experiences for players. We are very excited that our games are now a part of 888casino’s platform, which marks a big moment for the entire Live 5 team.

Live 5 CEO Lloyd Butler

Butler insisted that Live 5 has focused on developing games whose design captivates players and evokes strong memories in them. That is possible through engaging gameplay, excellent innovative features, visuals, and audio.

888casino Is Excited about New Content Additions

The content partnership was welcomed with equal zest by 888 VP B2C casino Talya Benyamini who said that Live 5 provided dynamic and exciting slot games. Benyamini confirmed that the addition of innovative slot providers is a part of the company’s long-term strategy.

“We believe these games, known for their design and sound, will enhance our offer and support our mission to create unique experiences for our players,” she added. Moving forward, 888casino will follow closely how Live 5’s games perform and how players take to them.

A lawsuit against MGM Resorts in connection with charges for mismanagement of employees’ retirement fund has been authorized as a class action by a Nevada federal court.

Retirement Fund Mismanagement Lawsuit Against MGM Resorts Turns into a Class Action

Play USA reported that on October 19, Judge Jennifer Dorsey certified the lawsuit filed by Eboni Lucas and other plaintiffs as a class action.

The lawsuit has been going on for more than two years and may finally move toward a resolution after the judge’s decision to make it into a class action.

The case includes all MGM Resorts employees who have opted in for the company’s 401(k) Savings Plan since 2014. However, exempt from the class action are board of directors members, MGM Internal Compensation Committee members, Administrative Committee members, and any employees that decide to not take part in the class action.

The case was filed by Eboni Lucas and a few other plaintiffs back on December 4, 2020. They accuse MGM Resorts of breaching the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 by not properly managing the employees’ investments in the retirement fund offered by the company resulting in a loss of value.

More precisely the main charge included in the lawsuit is presented as follows: “Failing to objectively and adequately review the Plan’s investment portfolio with due care to ensure that each investment option was prudent, in terms of cost; and maintaining certain funds in the Plan despite the availability of identical or similar investment options with lower costs and/or better performance histories.”

The plaintiffs further highlight that due to MGM Resorts’ neglect of its duties, the employees who had opted for the retirement plan lost millions of dollars.

MGM Resorts disputed the claims by noting that bringing in smaller returns is not a legitimate reason to press charges for violation of fiduciary duty.

Another Class Action Lawsuit Against MGM Resorts Was Filed in Mississippi

MGM Resorts is the object of another class action lawsuit in Mississippi which was filed by plaintiff Leane Scherer.

She accuses the company of robbing its customers of small change on thousands of cash-out transactions, which results in major profits for the company.

When a player wants to cash out his winnings from a slot machine, MGM Resorts rounds the payout to the nearest dollar, which means that if the player has $100.50 to cash out the casino cage will only pay out $100, effectively depriving the customer of his change.

The charges against MGM Resorts include unfair enrichment and violation of contract and may result in serious financial liabilities.

Hacksaw Gaming is now a content partner for Loto-Québec, the state-run corporation which is responsible for providing players with a variety of iGaming products in the province. Loto-Québec will use this content tie-up to further strengthen its vertical in an online casino, part of its already impressive portfolio and offer.

Loto-Québec Powers Up with Hacksaw Gaming

The announcement comes after the first game for Loto-Québec has already been launched. Rocket Reels was introduced last week, and it’s followed by a number of other excellent titles, including Hand of Anubis which is due to launch in the coming weeks.

This new partnership also reflects on Hacksaw Gaming’s ambition to further strengthen its proposition and offering in the North American market, with both the United States and Canada now proving lucrative opportunities to deploy world-class products and pursue further growth across both jurisdictions.

Hacksaw Gaming CCO Gabrielle Star welcomed the opportunity to be teaming up with Loto-Québec and said:

It’s been a pleasure for the whole team working with Loto-Québec who ensured a seamless launch via our partners Light & Wonder OGS platform. To be able to tick off another state lottery during 2022 is a huge achievement! We look forward to a fruitful and long-lasting cooperation from here forward.

Hacksaw Gaming CCO Gabrielle Star

Hacksaw Gaming is staking out its positions in various jurisdictions. While state-run and controlled iGaming and lottery operations are usually more limited in terms of potential reach and total revenue, having the opportunity to bring products to market is always good for suppliers.

Embracing the Competitiveness of the North American

Many developers of gaming products have realized that in order to make sure they remain competitive, they need to continue expanding their presence in the North American market, which is now turning to the regulation of iGaming following an almost-unchecked expansion in retail and mobile sports betting.

Hacksaw Gaming has not been sitting idly watching its opportunity pass by either. The company previously announced a collaboration with Playbook Engineering. However, the partnership focuses on the market in the United Kingdom but could be later scaled provided there are the right market and regulatory conditions.

The New South Wales Labor Party is not ready to adopt cashless gaming. In spite of pressures from other parties, Chris Minns, leader of the state’s opposition, remained adamant that the proposal still needs to be thoroughly discussed.

The Parties Are Unwilling to Make Hasty Decisions

The pressure for the introduction of cashless gaming came after NSW’s Crime Commission revealed that financial crime is commonplace at pubs and clubs. As proposed by Patricia Bergin, who investigated Crown Entertainment, NSW should introduce cashless gaming cards that players can use instead of money. She believes that this solution will at least mitigate some of the money laundering taking place in gambling venues. However, both of the biggest parties in the state are reluctant to introduce cashless gaming.

At first, premier Dominic Perrottet said that he would at least consider the proposition, saying that he will consult this with Minns and the industry. Still, he and many others are concerned about how much introducing gaming cards would cost. ClubsNSW, a union representing clubs and pubs in the state, for example, believes that such technology might cost billions of dollars.

Alex Greenwich, Sydney’s independent MP, also seeks to introduce facial recognition technology that would identify bad actors in entering clubs and pubs. Unfortunately, Minns said that he can’t back the current propositions.

Minns explained that he doesn’t inherently oppose the proposed ideas. He admitted that the sector needs reforms, as evidenced by the Crime Commission’s research but added that he believes the proposed approach will be costly and complex. Because of that, Minns prefers to first hear what other people have to put on the table before blindly backing the current proposal.

Greenwich Blasted the Clubs’ Lobbying Efforts

Greenwich was disgruntled by the proposal’s reception. He scrutinized ClubsNSW’s lobbying and accused the parties of pandering to the union’s demands.

The MP pointed out that the introduction of gambling cards is not a new proposal, and therefore the policymakers cannot pretend they are not familiar with the idea. Greenwich emphasized that the proposal has the backing of the NSW Crime Commission and added that he is deeply concerned that the parties are consulting with the bodies that benefit financially from not taking action. He slammed ClubsNSW for causing gambling harm and benefitting from the money laundering happening in its venues.

Greenwich concluded that listening to ClubsNSW’s opinion on the matter is like consulting drunk-driving with the alcohol industry.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board released its traditional monthly update on the state’s gambling industry. September retains the momentum inherited by previous months, reporting a year-on-year revenue increase of 8%. If the trend continues, the Silver State should easily surpass 2021’s record-setting profits.

Another Excellent Month for Operators

September is the 19th month in a row when Nevada’s gambling sector’s monthly revenue surpassed $ 1 billion. The state made $1.24billion in total, equating to an 8% increase compared to 2021. 

Casinos in The Strip contributed the most once again, bringing in $693 million and enjoying the most substantial monthly increase of 8.25% compared to other regions. It accounted for over 55% of the state’s gaming revenue. The strong showing can provide foresight on the upcoming quarterly reports of its largest operators like Caesars, MGM, and Wynn Resorts. 

Nevada Gaming Control Board senior analyst Michael Lawton was optimistic that the state would continue its streak. The coming months should receive a substantial boost from a stacked series of high-profile events like the return of the Global Gaming Expo, performances by Adelle and Elton John, and UFC 282.

We have three months left in the calendar year, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say this year is going to surpass last year.

Michael Lawton, Nevada Gaming Control Board senior analyst

This prediction also matches the growing number of visitors. 3.35 million people chose to come to Vegas in September. While the number still lags by 3.5% compared to the pre-pandemic levels, it represents a substantial 14% increase compared to 2021, signaling a healthy upwards trend.

Sportsbook Profits Almost Reached Record Highs

Slot machines continued to dominate the gambling sector, making $858.1 million, which marks a steady 10% year-on-year growth. Table, counter, and card games came in second at $390.8, while baccarat revenue dropped by 3.6% compared to last September, settling at $80.1 million.

Nevada’s sportsbooks were the biggest surprise this September, with revenues just short of November’s $72 million record. The $70.6 million collected is an impressive 30.2% increase compared to last year and can be attributed to the month’s stacked sporting calendar. Online wagers made up 64.6% of all sports betting activity, supporting the growing trend away from land-based establishments.

The Winning Streak Will Likely Continue

While September’s results certainly seem encouraging in the context of post-COVID recovery, experts believe that dark clouds may be on the Horizon. Brendan Bussmann, managing partner of gaming and hospitality-focused consulting firm B Global, told Forbes that $1 billion had now become the standard and warned of some concerning factors that could negatively impact Nevada’s bottom line.

We hit full recovery, plus some, but we have inflation at record levels, and costs are spiraling out of control, which will put pressure on the locals market.

Brendan Bussmann, B Global managing partner

Despite growing concerns, Bussmann was optimistic that Nevada would be able to sustain its billion-dollar streak at least until the end of the year. So far, 2022 is proving to be a breath of fresh air for Vegas. With projected profits rising for the foreseeable future, the Silver State should be in a stable-enough position to handle any upcoming downturn.

Grupo Televisa, a leading media company in the Spanish-speaking world operating out of Mexico, is planning to separate its core media and television businesses from its sports and gambling subsidiaries in a spinoff.

New Start for Sports and Gambling Businesses

Televisa distributes content in Mexico via several broadcast channels, and across more than 70 countries via 27 TV brands, television networks, cable operators and over-the-top services. The businesses that will be spun off as a separate entity listed on the Mexican stock exchange include professional soccer club Club America, the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City, gambling operations and the magazines publishing business.

According to the latest financial data from the group, those businesses contribute to around 7.4% of the group’s total revenue and about 3.4% of EBITDA.

The spinoff is seen as part of the group’s strategy to focus on its core operations, following the merger of its television and content units with Univision, a US Spanish-language network, Televisa’s co-chief executive Alfonso de Angoitia outlined.

“We want to simplify Grupo Televisa as a cable and telecom operator,” he said Friday during a conference call with analysts, noting that a spinoff would be a much quicker way for the group to separate its non-core businesses.

“The market doesn’t give, in my opinion, a lot of value to other businesses as part of Grupo Televisa,” he continued, outlining why the group believes that “more value can be generated as an independent company with those components.”

Spinoff Faster than Selling

In recent years, Televisa tried to sell its non-core businesses including the ones that will be part of the new business entity after the spinoff is complete but only managed to sell its radio assets and the minority stake in Ocesa Entertainment, a leading entertainment promoter in Latin America that was sold to Live Nation Entertainment in December 2021.

Televisa stated that the new business entity comprising its sports and gambling assets would be well positioned to capitalize on the growing sports and gambling industry in Latin America as it would have no debt and would bear limited capital expenditure, the most of which would be to prepare the Aztec Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup that will be hosted across the stadia in the US, Canada and Mexico.

According to Televisa’s plans, the spinoff should be completed in the first half of 2023, when the new business entity should begin trading on the Mexican stock exchange.