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Fintechs in Kazakhstan Raises Concerns Over Proposed Gambling Regulation

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Fintech companies in Kazakhstan are urging greater scrutiny of a proposed law intended to regulate betting transactions in the country.

The submitted legislation, currently in its final reading, would form a monopoly entity, the Unified Accounting System (UAS), the firms said in a joint press release. The UAS would be used to determine market participants, process payments, maintain a single “electronic wallet” and make settlements with clients. A critical concern is that it could charge up to 1.5% in commissions on all market transactions, within a market where regulated transactions exceed KZT1.2tn ($2.6bn) annually.

Irina Davidenko, a spokesperson for Kazakhstan’s payments industry, commented: “The proposed legislation would be a step backwards for Kazakhstan, harming competition in the country’s vital payments sector and signaling to the outside world that necessary business reform is being driven by shadowy interests, rather than what’s right for industries and consumers.”

The proposal, partly billed as a public health move against problem gambling, resembles a previous initiative, the Betting Accounting Centre (BAC). It was shelved in 2021 after a scandal involving a deputy minister who was dismissed for accepting bribes from BAC lobbyists, according to the press release.

The lack of transparency on the UAS structure and ownership as outlined in the legislation is another aspect of the change that is seen by critics as troubling.

The reintroduction of a UAS model occurred as late as the second reading of the legislation. If passed by parliament, it will become law without the comprehensive impact analysis and scrutiny typical for such significant regulatory change.

Observers argue the new regulation duplicates existing regulatory functions already managed by Kazakh state bodies and was proposed without the cooperation of the National Bank of Kazakhstan. The central bank has previously developed its own reform proposal that avoids introducing a monopolistic entity.

Opponents further contend that the regulation could cause “significant economic damage”. National Bank of Kazakhstan representatives and the payments industry have sounded alarm bells, but the issues have not been adequately addressed, the press release added.

The concerned fintech and payment companies want the legislation to be reconsidered. They are advocating for it to be sent back to the lower house of the legislature for a full regulatory impact analysis and thorough examination to ensure that it does not adversely affect industry or the economy.

Ilya Efimenko, commercial director of the payment organisation PayDala, said: “I appeal to the Senators, who need to know the true purpose of why the UAS has made a comeback in the bill.

“This is a re-emergence of the ‘Betting Accounting Center’ (BAC), a strikingly similar entity that was withdrawn before, and behind which, as the deputy from the Amanat party Elnur Beisenbayev said, are the powerful forces of ‘Old Kazakhstan.’

“Before our eyes, a monopolist, a private operator, is being created. The emergence of monopolies such as the UAS threatens the principles of a Fair Kazakhstan. Now everything is being done to break the financial system of Kazakhstan, recognized by experts as one of the best in Central Asia.”

The post Fintechs in Kazakhstan Raises Concerns Over Proposed Gambling Regulation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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NOVOMATIC Announces New Strategic Distribution Partnership with Harvest Gaming

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NOVOMATIC has announced a new strategic distribution partnership with Harvest Gaming, a renowned company based in Singapore. This new venture marks an important step in NOVOMATIC’s strategy of expanding its presence across Asia and reinforces the Group’s long-term commitment to international growth through strong regional collaborations.

Under the new agreement, Harvest Gaming will represent NOVOMATIC’s leading portfolio of land-based gaming solutions in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. With its in-depth market knowledge, excellent industry relations, and a customer-focused approach, Harvest Gaming is ideally positioned to support NOVOMATIC’s growth and deliver tailored solutions to local operators.

“We are delighted to partner with Harvest Gaming in order to strengthen our footprint in Southeast Asia. Their deep understanding of the regional markets and dedication to supporting our customers make them excellent representatives of the NOVOMATIC brand. This partnership will allow us to serve operators in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam better with our tailored, high-performance gaming solutions,” Michael Barsin of NOVOMATIC Sales said.

“We are proud to be appointed as NOVOMATIC’s distributor for this important region. NOVOMATIC is globally recognized for its innovation, quality, and reliability – values that perfectly reflect our own business philosophy. We look forward to working closely with the NOVOMATIC team to support our customers and drive mutual growth in Southeast Asia,” Alfred Hwee, General Manager at Harvest Gaming, said.

This new partnership further expands NOVOMATIC’s global distribution network and enhances the Group’s ability to meet the specific needs of customers in one of the most dynamic regions of the international gaming industry.

The post NOVOMATIC Announces New Strategic Distribution Partnership with Harvest Gaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ZITRO TO SHOWCASE CONCEPT CABINET LINE AND NEW GAMES AT G2E ASIA 2025

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As excitement builds for G2E Asia 2025, Zitro is set to make a powerful statement with the debut of its all-new CONCEPT cabinet line alongside a portfolio of new, tailor-made game titles designed specifically for the Asian gaming market. This year’s lineup reflects Zitro’s continued evolution as a key player in gaming innovation, offering both cutting-edge hardware and captivating content.

Among the titles on display will be Legendary SwordTriple Charm JourneyFairyland QuestKing Fu FrogMerging Fu PotsLucky Vaulty, and Cash Totems—each developed with exciting features, enhanced with rich narratives, and high-quality multimedia to elevate player engagement across diverse markets.

Zitro’s rising influence in Asia is evident. The company’s recent expansion in the Philippines—where Zitro’s slot games are among the top performers in casinos within Entertainment City—underscores its rapid success in the region.

“We are proud to showcase our latest innovations at G2E Asia 2025,” said Sebastián Salat, President International of Zitro. “Our commitment to the Asian market remains steadfast, and we are confident that our player-centric products—crafted with deep understanding of the region’s vibrant gaming culture—will resonate with both operators and players. The introduction of our CONCEPT cabinet line and ambitious 2025 game release roadmap in place marks a new chapter for Zitro in this market, and we look forward to sharing it with the Asian gaming community.”

The post ZITRO TO SHOWCASE CONCEPT CABINET LINE AND NEW GAMES AT G2E ASIA 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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NOVOMATIC: Showcasing cutting-edge gaming innovations for the Asian market at G2E Asia 2025

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Visitors to the NOVOMATIC booth #A518B will experience a portfolio designed to meet diverse operator needs, featuring the latest cabinets, game mixes, and electronic table games that exemplify NOVOMATIC’s ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation.

New highlights and classic favorites await

This year, NOVOMATIC’s booth will spotlight a dynamic selection of state-of-the-art products, with a focus on enhancing the player experience and maximizing operator performance. The DIAMOND X™ series returns with significant upgrades to its sophisticated design and powerful performance, presenting: DIAMOND X™ 1.55J QUATTRO featuring XTENSION LINK™ Volume 3XTENSION LINK™ Volume 4, and the all-new XTENSION LINK™ Evolution. The multi-screen version DIAMOND X™ 2.32/3.32 equipped with GAMINATOR™ X5, will deliver a rich selection of entertaining game titles.

Additionally, the BLACK EDITION II series will make a remarkable appearance with BLACK EDITION II XL 2.32/3.32 showcasing the popular IMPERA LINK™ Series 2 and BLACK EDITION II 1.49J featuring both Impera PROLINK™ and the latest RISING TREASURES™. New releases will be complemented by proven classics such as MASTER SL™ 2.32/3.32 featuring the GAMINATOR™ X5.

Innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency

Among the highlights of NOVOMATIC’s presentation will be the NOVO UNITY™ PRO, a state-of-the-art electronic table game solution with unprecedented functionality and adaptability. This ETG solution seamlessly integrates electronic live games – including Sic BoBaccaratRoulettePokerBlack Jack, and even slot games – across numerous player stations. The key benefits include customization for unique gaming experiences, the advanced management console & NOVO UNITY™ DB server as well as Tournament Mode and Simultaneous Betting/Parallel Play – where players can take part in up to three live games simultaneously, enhancing interactivity and engagement. Extra game windows on the betting screen enable guests to switch between the available games and versions.

Also on display will be the NOVOVISION™ Casino Management System, with its comprehensive suite of modules that include powerful loyalty features, TITO, cashless or single wallet solutions, advanced biometric functionalities and much more. From player recognition to secure access solutions, NOVOVISION™ sets a new standard for an efficient and secure gaming management.

Engage, experience, and innovate at G2E Asia 2025

Kenan Bajram, Deputy Director Global Sales at NOVOMATIC AG, highlights the company’s enthusiasm for the event: “G2E Asia is a key platform for NOVOMATIC to demonstrate our latest innovations to the Asian market. This year, we are excited to present a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge solutions that cater to the specific needs of our customers. From the DIAMOND X™ series to the innovative NOVO UNITY™ PRO, our showcase is designed to inspire and impress. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our booth and sharing our latest advancements.”

Visit NOVOMATIC at Booth #A518B during G2E Asia 2025 to discover the future of gaming technology, tailored specifically for the Asian market.

The post NOVOMATIC: Showcasing cutting-edge gaming innovations for the Asian market at G2E Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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