

Latest News
SOFTSWISS Invests in Largest European Social Casino
SOFTSWISS, a global tech expert with over 15 years of experience in iGaming, acquired a significant stake in Ously Games GmbH, the driving force behind the fastest-growing European social casino SpinArena.net.
As a result of these investments, SOFTSWISS partnered with the German enterprise Ously Games GmbH to develop a new comprehensive software solution for social casinos, aligning with recent iGaming industry trends.
Social casinos, a fast-developing trend in online entertainment, offer a unique fusion of popular casino games and social networking features. Unlike traditional casinos, they operate without real-money betting, utilising virtual currency for gameplay. Social сasinos revenue primarily stems from virtual goods sales, enriching gameplay without monetary risks.
The business model of launching a social casino has no licence requirements or advertising restrictions and grows globally year by year. As per modest estimates of Business Research Insights, the global social casino games market is projected to reach 10 billion euro by 2030. About 85 million people around the globe daily play at social casinos according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
The largest by the number of slot games European social casino, SpinArena.net, provided by Ously Games GmbH, has seen its player base triple since the beginning of 2023, surpassing 700 thousand players. With a collection of over 3,000 games from almost 40 providers, the casino reached a one million euro annual turnover.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, comments on the agreement: “Anticipating the development of social casinos within the iGaming industry, SOFTSWISS made strategic investments to diversify its portfolio. Together, we aim to create a comprehensive platform for social casinos, enriching the robust ecosystem of iGaming products provided by our company.”
Ously Games GmbH founder Jochen Martinez shares his expectations: “We are delighted to forge a strategic partnership with the global technology provider SOFTSWISS. This alliance brings invaluable insights, innovations, and profound expertise to both parties. The deal demonstrates our commitment to driving growth and mutual development. Collaborating with SOFTSWISS opens new horizons and ensures access to top-notch resources and support essential for thriving in the competitive iGaming landscape.”
Social casinos are not just a modern trend. They are revolutionising the future of online gambling. The phenomenon sets new industry standards and offers players an unparalleled, safer gaming experience by providing a unique blend of gaming, social engagement, and innovation. Players can engage in various activities, such as connecting with friends, sending gifts, and participating in tournaments, all while playing games like poker, slots, and roulette, with an emphasis on social interaction.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 20,000 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
About Ously Games
Ously Games is a German enterprise, the provider of SpinArena.net, Europe’s largest social casino by number of slots. It boasts an extensive collection of over 3000 games from 40 renowned providers. With an annual turnover exceeding a million euros, Ously Games is driven by a team of 20 professionals.
The post SOFTSWISS Invests in Largest European Social Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Apollo
Apollo Funds Complete Acquisitions of International Game Technology’s Gaming & Digital Business and Everi; Combined Enterprise to Operate as IGT

Apollo announced the completion of the previously announced acquisitions of International Game Technology PLC’s (doing business as Brightstar Lottery) Gaming & Digital Business and Everi Holdings Inc. (Everi) by a holding company owned by funds managed by Apollo affiliates (the Apollo Funds). The all-cash transaction, valued at approximately $6.3 billion, brings together complementary businesses to form a privately held global leader in gaming, digital and financial technology solutions.
The two companies will be integrated into a combined enterprise in the coming months. Headquartered in Las Vegas, the combined enterprise will operate under the IGT name, while retaining the Everi brand in select markets and product lines. IGT will be organized into three business units: Gaming, Digital, and FinTech, creating a customer-first enterprise supported by a people-first culture that values talent, collaboration, and innovation.
“This is a defining moment for our industry. By uniting two leading organizations, we are building an enterprise with the scale, talent and technology to lead the future of gaming. With Apollo’s support, we are very well-positioned to deliver exceptional content across land-based and digital experiences, along with integrated financial solutions and casino management that enhance the player journey and drive value for our customers. I’m honored to be part of this exciting chapter and to help shape the future of IGT,” said Nick Khin, Interim CEO of IGT.
As previously announced, Hector Fernandez is expected to assume the role of CEO of IGT in the fourth quarter of 2025, following the expiration of a customary non-compete period. Until then, Mr. Khin will lead the organization and transition into the role of CEO of IGT’s Gaming business unit upon Mr. Fernandez’s arrival.
“Bringing together highly complementary businesses creates a more competitive, agile and well-capitalized platform built for long-term growth. We are confident that IGT is well positioned to deliver differentiated content and capabilities that better serve customers across the globe. We look forward to working closely with Hector, Nick and the rest of the talented IGT team to lead the industry forward,” said Daniel Cohen, Partner at Apollo.
The post Apollo Funds Complete Acquisitions of International Game Technology’s Gaming & Digital Business and Everi; Combined Enterprise to Operate as IGT appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Latest News
BHA Initiates Campaign Against Tax Hike

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has urged the sport to collectively lobby the Government to back British racing and axe the Treasury’s proposal to hike tax on horserace betting by bringing existing online betting duties into one single rate.
The call comes ahead of the launch of “Axe the Racing Tax”, a BHA-led public campaign against the proposal which will be rolled out over the summer.
A tax hike for bookmakers in the Autumn Budget would be the third leg of a triple whammy of financial threats caused by Government policies which jeopardise the future of the sport in Britain.
Economic analysis commissioned by the BHA shows that aligning the current 15% tax rate paid by bookmakers on racing with that of online games of chance – currently taxed at 21% – by harmonising all remote gambling duties, could hit racing’s finances to the tune of £66m in lost income via the Levy, media rights and sponsorship. This is because operators are likely to seek to mitigate significant tax rises through cutting bonuses, reducing advertising and marketing budgets and increasing prices.
Should the Treasury seek to raise the proposed single duty rate further to help balance the books, the impact on racing’s finances would be devastating, with a projected £97m loss at a tax rate of 25%, a £126m loss at 30% and a £160m loss at 40%.
Brant Dunshea, Acting Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, said: “It is vital that everyone working in racing, the media and bettors fully support and promote this campaign.
“The Government’s consultation on harmonising online betting duties, if followed through, poses one of the gravest risks to racing the sport has ever seen.
“It will punch a huge hole in racing’s finances, risk thousands of jobs across Britain and threaten the future of the country’s second most-popular sport and a cherished national institution.
“From now until the Budget we will be hammering home a very simple message to MPs, Peers and the Government on behalf of millions of racing fans. It’s time for the Government to back British racing and axe the racing tax.”
The post BHA Initiates Campaign Against Tax Hike appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Central Europe
Change of Chairmanship in the GGL Board of Directors as of 1 July 2025

On the occasion of the four-year anniversary of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) on 1 July 2025, Sandro Kirchner, State Secretary in the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior, for Sport and Integration, has taken over the chairmanship of the GGL Administrative Board, succeeding Reiner Moser, Head of Office in the Ministry of the Interior, for Digitalisation and Municipalities for Baden-Württemberg.
During Reiner Moser’s term as Chairman of the Board of Directors, the GGL further established itself as a reliable institution for the supervision and monitoring of the online gambling market.
“The online gambling market has developed rapidly in recent years. The GGL has met the resulting challenges with great commitment and can already demonstrate remarkable results both in combating illegal gambling and in regulating and supervising the legal market. The exchange between the states and the GGL is always trusting and results-oriented. I would like to sincerely thank the Board of Directors and all GGL employees for this constructive cooperation over the past year,” said Head of Department Moser.
State Secretary Kirchner takes over the chairmanship at a time when the GGL is pursuing ambitious goals, including stronger international networking, particularly to further curb the illegal gambling market.
“The consistent prosecution of illegal offerings and player protection are my highest priorities. The work of the GGL must continue to be significantly geared towards ensuring that the business model of illegal gambling is not profitable in Germany,” said Sandro Kirchner.
With regard to his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors, he added: “I look forward to continuing the successful work of everyone involved over the past four years. We will certainly continue to face many challenges. However, I believe the GGL is well positioned to achieve this.”
The Board of Directors is the supervisory and steering body of the GGL. It consists of the heads of departments or state secretaries of the ministries responsible for gaming supervision in the 16 member states. The chair of the Board of Directors rotates annually on July 1st in alphabetical order of the member states.
The post Change of Chairmanship in the GGL Board of Directors as of 1 July 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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