Compliance Updates
Gaming CEOs Optimistic on Industry Outlook, Report Evolving Industry Challenges
Amidst an evolving economic landscape, gaming executives report a positive outlook on future industry business conditions while remaining satisfied with the current business environment, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Gaming Industry Outlook.
Nearly all gaming executives surveyed characterized the current business environment as good (44%) or satisfactory (50%), mirroring similar sentiment from Q3 2023. Meanwhile, executives are more optimistic about future conditions, with 32 percent of CEOs expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months, up from 20 percent in Q3 2023.
“Gaming’s record-setting growth over the last three years has set a new standard for industry success,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “However, as we enter a period of market normalization, continued investment and innovation in offering world-class, responsible entertainment experiences will be required to maintain industry momentum.”
Gaming Executive Panel
Gaming executives have become more positive in their views that overall balance sheet health will improve over the next 6 months (42% net positive), but they expect the pace of revenue growth (13% net negative) and new hiring (22% net negative) to slow. These expectations for decelerating growth have influenced expectations for increases in capital investment and gaming units in operation, with smaller net positive sentiments than before.
- In contrast to past Outlooks, gaming equipment suppliers are slightly pessimistic about the sale of gaming units for replacement use and new or expansion use (both 13% net negative). However, they remain optimistic about the pace of capital investment (38% net positive).
- Half of operator CEOs expect capital investments in hotels over the next year to be higher than normal, and compared to last fall, more also expect higher than normal levels of capital investment in meetings and conventions and table games (28%). Meanwhile, 44 percent of CEOs expect increases in food and beverage investment, down from 67 percent in Q3 2023.
These expectations are also informed by evolving macroeconomic challenges. Executives report that inflationary or interest rate concerns continue to be a major factor limiting operations (28%), but these have been overtaken by geo-political risk (34%) and uncertainty of the economic environment (34%) as the biggest limiting factors in the most recent Gaming Executive Panel.
Current Conditions Index
The Current Conditions Index of 102.8 for Q1 indicates solid annualized real economic growth in the industry of 2.8%. This includes gaming revenue, employment and employee wages and salaries. Notably, the Current Conditions Index shows gaming expanding faster than the overall U.S. economy which last week reported 1.6 percent GDP growth in Q1 2024.
Future Conditions Index
The Future Conditions Index stands at 102.2, indicating annualized industry economic activity, after controlling for underlying inflation, is expected to moderately increase over the next six months. This outlook reflects Oxford Economics’ forecast that the U.S. economy will slow during 2024 but avoid recession. Despite a projected economic slowdown, consumer survey results continue to indicate that more than one-third of adults expect to visit a casino during the next 12 months, consistent with prior quarter results.
About the Outlook
The AGA Gaming Industry Outlook is prepared biannually by Oxford Economics. It provides a timely measure of recent industry growth and future expectations. The Q1 2024 survey was conducted between March 28 – April 10, 2024. A total of 32 executives responded, including executives at the major international and domestic gaming companies, tribal gaming operators, single-unit casino operators, major gaming equipment suppliers, and major iGaming and/or sports betting operators.
Brais Pena Chief Strategy Officer at Easygo
Stake Goes Live in Denmark Following Five-Year Licence Approval
Stake, the largest online casino and sportsbook globally, today proclaims its official entry into Denmark after obtaining a five-year online casino and sports betting license. The shift reinforces Stake’s enduring dedication to enhancing its global growth strategy.
Denmark is often seen as a regulatory success within the European online gambling scene, and Stake has now introduced its flagship, internationally recognized product to the Danish market. Players will unlock access to Stake’s top-tier casino and sportsbook, showcasing exceptional games, cutting-edge technology, and an exceptional user experience, all provided with a strong local emphasis.
Starting 1 March 2026, Stake Denmark will set up its new headquarters at Parken Stadium, the national football stadium of Denmark and the home ground for FC Copenhagen.
Peter Eugen Clausen, Managing Director at Stake Denmark, said: “Denmark has one of the most well-regulated and competitive gaming markets in Europe, and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting. With Stake’s arrival, Danish players can expect a fresh, world-class experience backed by global scale and strong local focus. We’re raising the bar in terms of product, transparency, and entertainment, and I believe increased competition from brands like Stake will only drive the market forward in a positive way.”
Brais Pena, Chief Strategy Officer at Easygo, the technology company behind Stake, said: “Denmark marks our entry into the Nordics and represents a clear win in one of Europe’s most mature and high-value markets. With each new market, our momentum continues to build as we deliver on our global expansion strategy.”
Since its inception in 2017, Stake has positioned itself as the top betting and gaming brand globally by continually presenting advanced technology and novel gaming experiences for players around the globe. Upon entering Denmark, Stake maintains its dedication to player safety and responsible gaming, guaranteeing that gambling stays enjoyable, secure, and entertaining by providing extensive tools and resources that assist customers in comprehending and monitoring their gambling behavior.
The post Stake Goes Live in Denmark Following Five-Year Licence Approval appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Big Daddy Gaming
Big Daddy Gaming® Expands European Footprint After MGA Licence Approval
New achievement bolsters regulatory framework as studio speeds up European expansion.
Innovative slots studio Big Daddy Gaming® has obtained a B2B supplier license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), representing a significant advancement in the studio’s plan to establish a solid, regulation-focused presence in Europe’s leading markets.
This accreditation allows Big Daddy Gaming to provide its expanding range of slot titles to MGA-licensed operators, greatly increasing the studio’s potential market and aiding its continuous commercial rollout in regulated territories.
The endorsement comes after Big Daddy Gaming’s recent attainment of regulatory approval from the Swedish Gambling Authority. This occurs during a time of significant early progress for the newly established studio, with multiple partnerships already in place with well-known operators and aggregators, highlighting the provider’s dedication to fostering long-lasting relationships with top-tier brands.
As a vital element of Big Daddy Gaming’s strategy for market entry, the studio has made certain that its technology, games, and operational procedures comply with one of Europe’s most stringent regulators.
The license further aids the ongoing launch of Big Daddy Gaming’s initial games, which are centered on the studio’s fundamental creative principle of Reel Fun. Real Value., merging recognizable, player-friendly features with a comedic angle, aimed at achieving high engagement and evident commercial success for operators.
The MGA approval signifies a crucial point in Big Daddy Gaming’s early business path, solidifying its role as a new studio dedicated to regulation, dependability, and sustainable growth while it broadens its presence in Europe’s regulated markets.
Erland Hellström, CEO at Big Daddy Gaming®, said: “Securing our MGA licence is an important step for us as we continue to build Big Daddy Gaming® with regulation at the forefront. From day one, our focus has been on creating a studio that operators can trust, both creatively and operationally.
“Malta is one of the most respected regulatory environments in the industry, and achieving this approval reflects the work our team has put into building compliant, market-ready slots. Combined with our recent progress in Sweden, it gives us a strong platform to continue scaling our content with confidence.”
The post Big Daddy Gaming® Expands European Footprint After MGA Licence Approval appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Australia
NSW: Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28 and Regulatory Priorities 2026
Liquor & Gaming NSW has published the Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28, setting a clear path for reducing harm, supporting responsible industry growth and meeting evolving community expectations. The Strategy outlines Hospitality and Racing’s vision, regulatory posture and strategic objectives.
It outlines three strategic objectives which will guide the work to support communities, individuals and the industry. The first is targeted harm reduction, using better data, education and engagement to focus on the areas where we can make the biggest difference.
The second is outcome‑focused, responsive regulation, by making use of streamlined, place‑based and community‑informed approaches that deliver meaningful, real-world outcomes.
Third is promoting modern tools, skilled teams and smart decisions, investing in its capability, improving how it uses data and supporting consistent decision making across hospitality and racing.
Regulatory Priorities 2026
Alongside the new strategy, Liquor & Gaming NSW has also issued its Regulatory Priorities 2026. This sets out where the department will be focusing its regulatory attention over course of the year. It provides transparency on Liquor & Gaming’s forward regulatory agenda and gives the industry the opportunity to proactively engage about the issues they are concerned about.
The post NSW: Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28 and Regulatory Priorities 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Amusnet6 days agoWeek 7/2026 slot games releases
-
Aphrodite’s Kiss6 days agoLove on the Reels: Slotland Introduces “Aphrodite’s Kiss”
-
Brino Games6 days agoQTech Games integrates more creative content from Brino Games
-
Baltics7 days agoEstonia to Reinstate 5.5% Online Gambling Tax From March 1
-
Denmark7 days agoRoyalCasino Partners with ScatterKings for Company’s Danish Launch
-
Booming Games7 days agoTreasure Hunt Revival — Booming Games Launches Gold Gold Gold Hold and Win
-
Bet Rite7 days agoSpintec Expands into Canada with Bet Rite
-
ELA Games7 days agoELA Games Unveils Tea Party of Fortune — A Magical Multiplier Experience



