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Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

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EL urges Council of the EU to exclude explicit mention of online gambling and betting services from Digital Services Act

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EL urges the EU Member States’ representatives to exclude the explicit mention of online gambling and betting services in the context of freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services within the EU:

“[]…The applicable national laws should be in compliance with Union law, in particular including the Charter and the Treaty provisions on the freedom of establishment and to provide services within the Union in particular with regard to online gambling and betting services. … []

The specific reference to “in particular with regard to online gambling and betting services” wrongly implies that national regulations on illegal content in the gambling sector are often not in compliance with the EU law. Whereas there are definitely restrictions on the freedom to provide online gambling services in most Member States, these national laws aim to combat crime and fraud and to protect consumers in a manner that meets the requirements as set out in the caselaw of the Court of Justice of the EU.

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”The explicit mention of online gambling and betting services in this particular context is misplaced and should therefore be deleted. It fails to take into account all the relevant case-law of the Court of Justice of the EU and the very nuanced approach to the gambling sector due to its peculiar nature. The Court clearly confirmed on several occasions that restrictions in the gambling sector are justified for reasons of public order, public security, public health, as well as for the overriding reasons in the public interest, such as consumer protection, combating fraud, crime or squandering of money. Failing to recognise this means risking increased activities of illegal gambling operators, damaging individuals and society as a whole. EL therefore urges to exclude the explicit mention of online gambling and betting services from the Digital Services Act in the context of freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services.” – Arjan van ‘t Veer, EL Secretary General

In its original proposal, the European Commission underlined that the DSA would be without prejudice to the e-Commerce Directive (2000/31/EC) and that it builds on the provisions laid down therein. This implies that the clear exclusion of the gambling activities as stipulated in the e-Commerce Directive would continue to apply under the DSA, too. It is therefore very unclear why “online gambling and betting services” would have an explicit mention in recital 29 of the final text of the DSA concerning the application of the free movement principles, especially when no other sector is mentioned.

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Grover Gaming announces $1.05 billion sale of charitable gaming assets to Light & Wonder, Inc.

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Grover Gaming, Inc. and G2 Gaming, Inc. (together, “Grover Gaming”) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its charitable gaming assets (“Grover Charitable Gaming”) for a total consideration of up to $1.05 billion to Light & Wonder, Inc. (“Light & Wonder,” or “L&W”)

The total consideration of the sale consists of the following:

  • $850 million cash, payable upon closing of the transaction and subject to customary purchase price adjustments
  • Contingent cash consideration of up to $200 million, subject to the achievement of certain financial targets through 2028

Privately owned by Garrett Blackwelder, Grover Charitable Gaming was founded in 2013 and currently has an installed base of over 10,000 leased electronic pull-tab units across five U.S. States (ND, OH, VA, KY, NH) operating under a recurring revenue model.

Grover Charitable Gaming has developed long-standing and persistent relationships with charitable customers in the states that it operates, underpinned by a dedicated local team of service technicians and relationship managers.

Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Blackwelder will collaborate with Light & Wonder to help drive the continued success of the business over the next four years.

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The Company expects the transaction to close during the second quarter of 2025, subject to required regulatory and other approvals and customary closing conditions.

Post acquisition, Light & Wonder will operate the business with a combination of Grover Gaming and Light & Wonder employees.

“Grover Gaming is a leading player in charitable gaming, a category that has experienced significant growth in recent years,” said Matt Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Light & Wonder. “This transaction complements our position as the leading cross-platform global games company by adding another compelling regulated adjacency to our profile.”

“Importantly, there are exciting incremental revenue opportunities to be realized by leveraging Light & Wonder’s proven land-based gaming content to a new and loyal customer base. We look forward to continuing to partner with Grover Gaming’s customers, building on its strong dedication to customer service,” Mr. Wilson concluded.

“I am very thankful for all of our Grover Gaming teammates and how hard they work every day,” said Garrett Blackwelder, CEO and Founder of Grover Gaming. “I’m also grateful for our customers’ loyalty over the past two decades. We realize without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Light & Wonder is an ideal partner for us, given our similar company cultures and dedication to innovation and customer service.”

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“The real winners are the charities and fraternals in these markets, because of the exciting game content L&W brings to the table,” said Kevin Morse, Chief Development Officer of Grover Gaming. “We are excited to see Charitable Gaming taken to a new level.”

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is serving as legal advisor to Grover Gaming in connection with the transaction.

View original content: prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases

The post Grover Gaming announces $1.05 billion sale of charitable gaming assets to Light & Wonder, Inc. appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Wyzia Renews Canadian Partnership With Betty

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Wyzia, the pioneering Canadian online payment solutions provider for regulated markets, is celebrating the renewal of its highly successful ongoing partnership with Betty, Ontario’s premier online slots casino.

This partnership, which began in 2023, is key to Wyzia’s expansion across North America. It supports players of Betty, an online casino catering to female players whose business is supported by Wyzia’s innovative, secure, and robust payment management solutions.

Wyzia is at the forefront of Canada’s fintech landscape, pioneering seamless online payment solutions for regulated markets. Its innovative platform connects merchants directly to all Canadian financial institutions, simplifying transactions and empowering businesses with reliable, efficient financial tools.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate a year of working with Betty with the renewal of our agreement,” said Guy Fietz, Group CEO at Wyzia. “Our collaboration has not only expanded our reach but enhanced the payment experience for Betty’s growing community of players.

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“We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration and driving further innovation in the online gaming industry.”

Betty is the only platform created specifically for Ontario slot players. In 2024, Betty has enjoyed unprecedented growth, with a tenfold increase in net revenue since January and over 1000% growth in active players across Ontario.

By fostering a fun, safe, and supportive environment, Betty has harnessed the power of the female gaming audience to create a unique online casino experience. Betty focuses on transparency, community-based play, and gamification of the traditional slot experience.

This player-focused model has allowed Betty to stand out from other services, resulting in phenomenal growth and the ability to retain female players at a rate three times higher than their male counterparts.

Additionally, Betty automatically processes 99% of withdrawals, so players quickly receive their funds, a crucial benefit for online slot players.

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“Our partnership with Wyzia has been instrumental in providing our players with a seamless, fast, and secure payment experience,” said Chavdar Dimitrov, Founder and CEO at Betty. “We are excited about the growth we’ve achieved together and are committed to delivering even better services to our community in the future.”

The post Wyzia Renews Canadian Partnership With Betty appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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PopOK Announces Two Ground-Breaking Releases – Eye on the Money & Avi

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PopOK Gaming is making waves in the gaming world with the launch of two thrilling new titles in a single day: Eye on the Money—a collaboration with world-renowned street artist Alec Monopoly, and Avi—a high-flying crash game designed for adrenaline-fueled action. These dynamic releases showcase PopOK Gaming’s commitment to innovation, excitement, and engaging gameplay.

Eye on the Money: A Fusion of Art and High-Stakes Wins

PopOK Gaming is pleased to introduce Eye on the Money, a high-energy 3×5 slot with 25 paylines, featuring Alec Monopoly’s iconic graffiti-inspired style. This one-of-a-kind game blends luxury, art, and big wins, delivering a bold and vibrant slot experience.

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Key Features That Keep You Spinning

– Wilds – Substitutes for regular symbols, helping players land bigger wins.
– Money & Jackpot Symbols – The Collect symbol gathers all Money and Jackpot symbols, boosting winnings.
-Free Spins – Unlock thrilling Free Spins with special reels packed with surprises.
– Super Game & Four Epic Jackpots – Enter the Super Game and pick from four jackpots for a chance at massive rewards!

With its bold artistic flair, engaging mechanics, and thrilling win potential, Eye on the Money is a must-play for slot enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

Avi: Get Ready to Fly PopOK Gaming’s Latest Crash Sensation!

Taking crash games to new heights, Avi offers an electrifying experience where timing is everything. Players place their bets, watch the multiplier rise, and must cash out before the crash to claim their winnings. With a 98% RTP and a 10,000x max multiplier, Avi delivers high-speed action and massive winning potential.

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A Seamless and Immersive Experience

Sleek, modern interface for a smooth user experience.
Lightning-fast gameplay to keep players engaged.
Mobile-optimized design for seamless play on all devices.
Easy integration for operators, with full support from PopOK Gaming.

As crash games continue to dominate the market, Avi is set to become a player favorite, offering a thrilling mix of strategy, excitement, and high-stakes fun.

The post PopOK Announces Two Ground-Breaking Releases – Eye on the Money & Avi appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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