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MGM Studios to provide keynote for industry-first hospitality conference at ICE VOX 2020

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In response to the industry’s increased investment in hospitality, Robert Marick, EVP of Global Consumer Products & Experiences at MGM Studios, is set to open the first ever Hospitality Technology conference at ICE VOX 2020 (3-4 February, ExCeL London – the precursor to the ICE London exhibition on 4-6 February in the same location). Taking place as part of this year’s comprehensive ICE VOX agenda, which is set to explore the biggest issues in global gaming, Marick’s keynote address will focus on how storytelling and experiential entertainment can reinvent gambling’s relationship with next-gen consumers.

“I’m thrilled to join ICE London’s first ever hospitality conference and look forward to exploring the immense potential that exists for the gaming, hospitality and entertainment industries to collaborate in today’s dynamic marketplace,” Marick explained. “Revenue diversification in Vegas has long been shifting towards non-gaming and hospitality, seeing casino revenue drop as low at 27% in some properties in recent years in favour of other offerings. With this has come a surge of innovation in hospitality, entertainment and a consensus that return-on-experience is what now drives customer retention in Integrated Resorts, with the rest of the US and other jurisdictions following suit.”

In his role at MGM, Marick is responsible for overseeing the expansion of the studio’s licensed merchandise, interactive games, licensed media and advertising and location-based entertainment business for the studio’s current and legacy franchises, which includes The Addams Family, James Bond, Stargate, Vikings and Pink Panther, among many others.

Marick’s ICE VOX presentation, titled ‘Gaming Reinvented: Next Generation Guide to an Entertaining Gaming Experience’, will bring together the drivers for consumers to spend more on their experiences and understand how they now connect with brands through entertainment. Driving the wide-ranging focus of the first Hospitality Technology conference, he will also explore how, when IRs transition from being gambling-centric to entertainment-centric, new audiences and connections will fuel greater customer engagement through utilising brand licenses into new destinations, single attractions, live events, retail, dining and hospitality.

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Robert Marick will present the opening Keynote Address on the second day of ICE VOX (3-4 February, 2020).

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Raketech Announces Divestment of Casumba Assets

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Raketech Group Holding Plc announced an agreement to sell the Casumba assets due to regulatory developments affecting its markets.

The transaction, valued at a fixed consideration of EUR 12 million, will be paid in monthly instalments through December 2029, with no upfront cash payment. Under IFRS 9 accounting standards, the deferred consideration has been measured at the fair value of approximately EUR 7 million at closing. The EUR 5 million difference between the fixed consideration and the fair value reflects an element of ongoing credit risk and the extended payment schedule. Any further adjustments will be recognised through the profit and loss account over the payment period, in accordance with IFRS 9 requirements.

The consideration carries an 8% interest rate and will be paid in variable monthly instalments through December 2029.

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The sale supports Raketech’s platform-first strategy, focusing on core markets and sustainable growth in iGaming affiliation. The decision to divest Casumba stems from recent regulatory shifts in its markets. This move aims to remove regulatory risks, and redirect capital to Raketech’s leading iGaming affiliation platform, AffiliationCloud.

The Casumba assets generated annualised revenues of approximately EUR 4.0 million with an EBITDA of EUR 2.9 million, based on the Q2 2025 run rate.

Raketech will record a non-cash loss on disposal of approximately EUR 10 million in Q3 2025. This loss primarily arises from the difference between the book value of the Casumba assets and the IFRS 9 fair value of the consideration. The loss on disposal is a one-off, non-recurring loss and will not impact Raketech’s cash flow or operational performance.

The transaction has been signed and closed on 24 September 2025.

Johan Svensson, CEO of Raketech, said: “This sale marks another step in refining our portfolio and concentrating on our core goal of creating the top commercial platform for iGaming affiliation. By divesting Casumba, we eliminate regulatory exposure and unlock resources for growth opportunities. This transaction reflects our dedication to sustainable shareholder value and financial discipline.”

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The post Raketech Announces Divestment of Casumba Assets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SlotsUp 2.0 Launch: Transformed into a User-Centric Product

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Ten years after its quiet debut as a casino listing site, SlotsUp has reintroduced itself with a complete rebuild. What started in 2015 as a basic catalogue of online casinos has evolved into a structured, data-driven product designed around user needs and practical tools that actually help make smarter choices.

For years, SlotsUp relied on the industry-standard model. That formula worked, until it didn’t. So in 2025, the team behind SlotsUp tore it all down.

“We spent years chasing SEO. At some point, it became clear that the balance was off — too much energy went into ranking, and not enough into what players truly needed. That had to change. We shifted toward building a product where clarity, trust, and the user’s perspective always come first,” said a team lead at SlotsUp.

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Not Just a Redesign — A New Product

SlotsUp 2.0 introduces a new brand identity, an updated interface and a new core principle: act like a correspondent, not a catalogue. That shift is reflected in a complete rethink of how casinos are added, rated and shown to users. Entry is no longer automatic — each listing must pass through a rigorous system of over 100 internal rules governing data quality, compliance, layout and trustworthiness.

The platform now filters and presents only what matters. Each casino is reviewed through 12 custom-built metrics, including:

Safety Index: Built on 4 criteria, from licensing transparency to user complaint volume.

SlotsUp Rating: A detailed breakdown of license, bonuses, payments, support and responsible gambling tools

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Casino Match: A personalised alignment tool based on the user’s region, currency and language.

Radar: A visual chart comparing a game’s win potential against industry averages.

And now there’s Multi Game Mode — a new way to test and compare slots side by side. Players can launch up to four games in demo mode simultaneously, making it easy to spot differences in features, pace and style. It’s a faster, smarter way to find the game that truly fits your preferences.

The result is a real product, not just a database — with tools that respond to where the player is, what they value, and how they play.

From a List to a Real Product

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The company’s team of 28+ experts includes writers, developers, designers and gambling professionals. Every review is written or reviewed by individuals who are well-versed in the industry.

Now, every rating is based on a clear system. Information is sorted by what matters to players: safety, fairness, relevance and quality.

SlotsUp 2.0 is built to guide users, not push them. It focuses on clarity, responsibility and smarter choices — one player at a time.

The post SlotsUp 2.0 Launch: Transformed into a User-Centric Product appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Vyking Appoints João Soares as CTO

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Vyking, the next-generation iGaming platform provider, has announced the appointment of João Soares as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

João, a Portuguese native, is a highly accomplished engineering leader with more than a decade of senior experience in the iGaming sector, having held leadership roles at William Hill, BetVictor and White Hat Gaming. In a previous role, João served as Head of Engineering at White Hat Gaming, where he managed 120+ people and spearheaded the transformation of the company’s engineering function. He introduced scalable team structures, mentored managers and technical leads, and embedded Agile methodologies across the business. His leadership was pivotal in turning a flat engineering setup into a high-performing, resilient and delivery-focused organisation.

Prior to that, João spent over five years at BetVictor, where he held senior engineering roles and led the launch of eight native mobile apps across iOS and Android, supporting 60% of the company’s business in the UK, Germany and Asia. He also worked as Development Manager at William Hill, contributing to product and platform initiatives across multiple teams.

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Beyond iGaming, João also gained senior leadership exposure in other technology sectors, including roles as Head of Engineering at Vision-Box and as Director of Engineering at Easyship, where he focused on digital transformation, QA implementation and leadership coaching.

João Soares, incoming CTO of Vyking, said: “I am thrilled to be joining Vyking at such an exciting time. The company’s platform vision, which combines flexibility, scalability and true product ownership for operators, is exactly the type of challenge I’m passionate about. My goal is to help accelerate innovation, build high-performing teams and ensure Vyking continues to set new standards for iGaming technology.”

Franz Gerhart, CEO of Vyking, said: “João brings the perfect blend of technical expertise, leadership capability, and proven industry experience. His track record of scaling engineering teams and driving transformation at leading operators will be invaluable as Vyking enters its next phase of growth. I also want to acknowledge Helmut Kleinhans, who has excelled in leading our technology function and is now stepping into a new senior role as Chief Software Architect. This transition reflects his passion for deep technology and innovation, enabling him to focus on advanced engineering across the wider business. Helmut’s impact has been pivotal in positioning Vyking for success, and we are thrilled he will continue to shape our technology future.”

The post Vyking Appoints João Soares as CTO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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