

Latest News
OKTO signs with MERKUR Slots and MERKUR Bingo to extend growing cashless relationship with UK machine players
The OKTO brand continues to build its status and reputation as UK gaming’s premier cashless payments provider having secured agreements with both the MERKUR Slots and the MERKUR Bingo brands. The deals, which were completed and signed by Simon Dorsen, Chief Commercial Officer at OKTO and Sascha Blodau, General Manager, MERKUR UK at last week’s ACOS exhibition in London, will see the OKTO.WALLET available in 200 venues throughout the country stretching from Hereford to Harlow, Dundee to Dunstable and Cardiff to Coventry.
The first implementations, which will see OKTO integrated with the existing in-venue cashless infrastructure via the GeWeTe hub, will take place at the 2,200-seat capacity MERKUR Bingo Hall in Cricklewood North London – the biggest bingo club in Europe – and the state-of-the-art MERKUR Slots high street gaming centre in Shepherds Bush, west London.
Simon Dorsen, CCO at OKTO who is responsible for directing the roll-out of the OKTO.WALLET in the UK said: “This is another major agreement and one that we are incredibly pleased to confirm with MERKUR, one of the most respected and recognised names in world gaming.
We started our relationship with MERKUR UK less than six months ago in May 2021 when we signed an agreement with Regal Gaming and Leisure. Adding to the relationship in this way means that we are now active in the Pub, AGC and Bingo sectors which I believe reflects the appeal of the app with players, what it can deliver from a commercial perspective but also its’ role in delivering a safer gambling experience with tools including age verification, time-out periods, a profit and loss calculator, the ability to set spending limits and access to helplines for the small percentage of machine players who experience problems gambling. Through its 360 Program, I know how seriously MERKUR UK is about delivering a safe gambling experience and I am delighted that the OKTO.WALLET will be able to contribute to that commitment and philosophy.”
Sascha Blodau, General Manager, MERKUR UK added: “Our goal as a Group is to strive to be the very best in everything that we do. As well as the obvious criterion such as the best venues, people, and machines it also means providing our customers with the best experience and the best choice of options to play and to pay. Everything is led by our players – delivering choice will always be at the very top of the agenda and that includes a recognition that new demographics are seeking a smooth, seamless digitalised customer journey.”
OKTO, which has a pipeline of 250,000 contractually integrated gaming machines across Europe, has hit the ground running in the UK. The latest agreements with MERKUR Slots and MERKUR Bingo, join those secured with Regal Gaming and Leisure, Inspired Entertainment, and Bob Rudd.
Latest News
Playtech Announces New Partnership with Progress Play

Playtech has announced a new long-term partnership with Progress Play, selecting Playtech as their exclusive Bingo provider for their extensive network of brands.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Progress Play becomes the first white label network to launch Playtech’s brand new innovative Bingo platform, which went live in December 2024.
This strategic partnership strengthens the existing relationship between Progress Play and Playtech, further cementing Playtech’s Bingo position as the B2B market leader. By joining Playtech’s network, Progress Play will benefit from the largest B2B liquidity in the market, offering a wide variety of networked rooms that are well-known and loved by Bingo players.
As Progress Play embarks on its first-ever Bingo launch, they will work closely with Playtech’s Bingo experts to tailor the product to their specific needs. Playtech’s network management team will provide ongoing support and consultation to ensure the success of the Bingo offering.
The deal also includes a variety of side games featuring content from Playtech’s Eyecon studio, renowned for their industry-leading Bingo slots. Together, the Playtech and Progress Play teams will leverage the liquidity and these games with exciting campaigns already underway.
Marat Koss, VP of Interactive Gaming at Playtech, said: “We are delighted to welcome Progress Play to the Playtech Bingo network. We have enjoyed working together for many years, and we are excited to extend this partnership to Bingo vertical. By joining Playtech’s network, Progress Play will be able to offer a best-in-class bingo experience to their vast pool of players who will benefit from a wide choice of content, attractive prizes and large variety of games. We look forward to a continuing our long and successful partnership.”
Itai Loewenstein, CEO at Progress Play, said: “We are thrilled to extend our partnership and integrate Playtech’s innovative Bingo platform into our offerings. This collaboration allows us to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience and next level entertainment to our players. We look forward to the exciting campaigns we have planned together.”
The post Playtech Announces New Partnership with Progress Play appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
IGT Lottery Secures EL Responsible Gambling Certification for the Sixth Consecutive Time

International Game Technology PLC announced that its Italian subsidiary, IGT Lottery, obtained the European Lotteries (EL) Responsible Gaming (RG) Certification for the sixth consecutive time. Through an agreement between European Lotteries and the World Lottery Association (WLA), IGT Lottery has also obtained WLA Responsible Gaming Certification Level 4, the highest level available.
The EL RG Certification was developed to promote the adoption of RG best practices across EL membership organizations. The EL RG standards are also designed to be complementary to the WLA RG Principles and Framework, allowing companies that meet the implementation of the EL RG Standards to also achieve Level 4 certification of the WLA Framework.
“IGT Lottery achieving responsible gaming recertification by EL for the sixth consecutive time, paired with the highest level of WLA certification, showcases our status as a true global leader in sustainability. ‘Advancing Responsibility’ is vital to our success as a lottery company, and central to our sustainability strategy. We will continue to deliver innovation while operating with the highest level of integrity to protect our people, products and processes,” said Marco Tasso, IGT COO of Italian and International Sales and Operations.
IGT Lottery’s RG programme is guided by international best practices. Consistently updated to meet evolving standards, the programme operates on three macro guidelines: the promotion of a positive approach to gaming, the prevention of underage gambling and support for players who need it.
The EL RG certification was issued following an in-depth examination of IGT Lottery’s tools, activities and processes that comprise its RG programme in Italy. IGT Lottery was found to be fully in line with the international standards established by the EL, which require specific actions to protect players by the gaming operator, reaching a score of 100% for each of ten specified areas.
The post IGT Lottery Secures EL Responsible Gambling Certification for the Sixth Consecutive Time appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AGA
Americans to Legally Wager Estimated $3.1 Billion on March Madness

The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that Americans will legally wager $3.1 billion on the men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments this year, up from $2.7 billion in 2024. This growth underscores the expanding legal sports betting market and the growing trust in legal wagering options.
“March Madness is one of the most exciting times in American sports, with fans fired up for both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments,” said AGA SVP of Strategic Communications Joe Maloney. “As legal wagering expands across the U.S., more fans than ever have the opportunity to bet legally and responsibly.”
Throughout the month of March, Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly. campaign will serve important messages to fans, encouraging responsible sports betting. The campaign promotes five key principles:
- Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend and stick to it.
- Keep it Social: Betting should be a form of entertainment shared with others.
- Know the Odds: Understand the games and your chances of winning.
- Play Legally: Use regulated, legal betting platforms.
- Keep Your Cool: The result of a bet – win or lose – is not an invitation to criticize players, coaches, or officials online or in-person.
“‘Keep Your Cool,’ our newest ‘Have A Game Plan’ principle, is all about keeping betting fun and respecting the game – no matter how unpredictable March Madness becomes,” Maloney added.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn PASPA in 2018, legal sports betting has expanded to 38 states and Washington, D.C., offering consumers safe and regulated options to engage with their favorite sports. Americans’ support for legal sports betting continues to grow. According to the AGA’s 2024 American Attitudes Survey, 75% of Americans support legal sports wagering in their home state, and 90% view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment.
For more information on responsible sports betting, visit www.haveagameplan.org.
The post Americans to Legally Wager Estimated $3.1 Billion on March Madness appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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