Press Releases

IGT Introduces Cashless Gaming in Sweden with IGTPay™ Technology

Published

6 years ago

May 22, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

International Game Technology PLC announced that its cashless gaming technology is propelling the new era of gaming at Svenska Spel venues throughout Sweden. Through IGT’s INTELLIGEN technology, Svenska Spel players now have the option to easily and securely fund their play at Video Lottery Terminals (“VLTs”) from their mobile devices.

Svenska Spel’s recent launch of IGT’s INTELLIGEN VLT system and Quasar® VLTs enables players to use their mobile device to register for and log into VLTs by integrating with their individual, nationally available Digital BankID, paving the way for cashless gaming with the addition of IGTPay.

Now, with the deployment of IGTPay, players who are logged onto a Svenska Spel VLT are presented with the option to draw funds directly from their bank account through Swish, a widely used mobile payment service in Sweden that is owned by the banks. Players simply approve the transfer via their mobile device and start playing their favorite VLT games. This end-to-end process takes just seconds. Following completion of gameplay, Svenska Spel can return any available funds directly back to the player’s bank account automatically and instantaneously for a very progressive retail experience.

“Launching IGT’s cashless product provides our players with a reliable, cutting-edge cashless solution that connects directly with the Swish mobile app, helping us drive efficiencies while responsibly advancing the player experience,” said Magnus Lannersund, Director of VLT Operations, Svenska Spel AB. “IGT has been instrumental in our enterprise-wide modernization with solutions such as the Quasar VLT, the INTELLIGEN central system, our responsible gaming functions and now through their next-generation IGTPay cashless technology. This retail project was among the first of its kind in Sweden, enabling a retail business owner to return funds to a consumer’s bank account via a consumer’s mobile app. Svenska Spel is proud to be at the forefront of retail innovation especially when the need for cashless options for the post-COVID-19 era is more crucial than ever.”

“Svenska Spel is at the forefront of innovation with IGT’s cashless gaming solution. This groundbreaking technology introduces a contemporary consumer experience to land-based gaming in one of the most progressive societies in the world,” said Declan Harkin, IGT Senior Vice President and COO, International. “The combination of IGT’s INTELLIGEN and IGTPay products builds upon our payment expertise in the digital gaming and lottery segments to create a solution that enables players to enjoy the convenience and security of cashless gaming in retail.”

“As the relevance of cashless and contactless gaming innovations continues to grow, technologies such as IGT INTELLIGEN with IGTPay become critical components of the player experience, and solutions that can bring tremendous value to our global customers,” said Ryan Reddy, IGT Vice President, Systems and Payments Products. “We have established a dedicated Payments Team to ensure that customers such as Svenska Spel are equipped with IGT solutions and services that deliver modern payment options that align with consumer expectations and future business opportunities.”

IGT has been a Svenska Spel supplier of VLT technology since 2006. The Swedish state-owned gaming operator currently operates 4,750 IGT VLTs in gaming venues throughout the country, leverages the INTELLIGEN central system, and utilizes a vast range of IGT game content.

About IGT:

IGT (NYSE:IGT) is the global leader in gaming. We deliver entertaining and responsible gaming experiences for players across all channels and regulated segments, from Gaming Machines and Lotteries to Sports Betting and Digital. Leveraging a wealth of compelling content, substantial investment in innovation, player insights, operational expertise, and leading-edge technology, our solutions deliver unrivaled gaming experiences that engage players and drive growth. We have a well-established local presence and relationships with governments and regulators in more than 100 countries around the world, and create value by adhering to the highest standards of service, integrity, and responsibility. IGT has approximately 12,000 employees. For more information, please visit www.igt.com.

SOURCE International Game Technology PLC

Arizona Department of Gaming

Arizona Sports Betting Hits New Record: $967 Million Wagered in October 2025

Published

2 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

arizona-sports-betting-hits-new-record:-$967-million-wagered-in-october-2025

The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has released its sports betting report for October 2025, revealing a record-breaking month for the Grand Canyon State. Total wagers reached approximately $967.1 million, marking a significant 22.2% increase year-over-year and a 13.6% jump from September 2025.

This performance solidified Arizona’s position as a top-tier U.S. betting market, ranking 6th nationally in total handle for the month, just behind Pennsylvania.

October 2025 Performance Breakdown

The surge in betting activity was driven almost entirely by mobile operators, which accounted for 99.4% of the total handle.

Total Handle: $967,141,269 (New State Record)
Mobile Wagers: $961.4 Million
Retail Wagers: $5.7 Million
Gross Revenue: $82.0 Million (Before promotional deductions)
Privilege Fees (Taxes): $5.2 Million collected by the state.

Top Operators by Market Share

The “Big Three” continue to dominate the Arizona landscape, with FanDuel and DraftKings locked in a tight battle for the top spot.

Operator	October Handle	Mobile Handle	Adjusted Revenue
FanDuel	$317.1 Million	$317.1 Million	$13.4 Million
DraftKings	$297.8 Million	$293.7 Million	$22.7 Million
BetMGM	$102.9 Million	$102.0 Million	$5.0 Million
Fanatics	$88.2 Million	$88.2 Million	$4.8 Million
bet365	$55.0 Million	$55.0 Million	—

Note: While FanDuel led in total amount wagered (handle), DraftKings reported the highest adjusted revenue for the month at $22.7 million.

Fiscal Year-to-Date (FY26) Summary

Through the first four months of the 2026 fiscal year (July–October), Arizona has generated substantial revenue for state funds:

Total Privilege Fees: $20.7 Million
Event Wagering Fees: $20.2 Million
Fantasy Sports Fees: $462,576

The ADG also noted its continued focus on player protection, recently launching the “Too Young to Bet AZ” initiative to combat underage gambling and revoking Underdog Fantasy’s license due to concerns over its prediction market offerings.

The post Arizona Sports Betting Hits New Record: $967 Million Wagered in October 2025 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Family Feud Lottery

Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game

Published

2 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game

Scientific Games, the global leader in lottery games, has officially launched GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE. Announced on January 6, 2026, this new omnichannel “Linked Game” leverages the massive brand equity of three iconic Fremantle television properties to offer players across the United States a chance to win up to $10 million in cash.

This launch follows the company’s proven strategy of combining retail tickets with digital second-chance opportunities to drive incremental sales for state lotteries.

The Brands: TV’s Powerhouse Lineup

The promotion features a “triple-threat” of game show nostalgia and modern popularity, specifically chosen after a 2025 consumer study confirmed their high purchase intent across all demographics:

THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Television’s longest-running game show, celebrated for over five decades of Emmy-winning entertainment.
FAMILY FEUD: Currently the #1 rated syndicated show for adults 25-54, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
PRESS YOUR LUCK: A high-stakes favorite known for the legendary “Whammy” and strategic gameplay.

The Prize: An Exclusive Hollywood Experience

Lucky winners from participating U.S. lotteries will be awarded a “Linked Game” experiential prize package that takes them to the heart of the entertainment world:

Host City: Los Angeles, California.
Date: Fall 2027.
The Trip: A five-day, four-night “white glove” experience in the entertainment capital.
The Highlight: Winners will attend a live taping of The Price is Right as special guests.
The Event: Following the taping, the lottery winners will take center stage on the iconic set for a private GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE event, where they will compete for a share of up to $10 million.

Omnichannel Strategy and Market Impact

Scientific Games pioneered the “Linked Game” concept in 2007. To date, these programs—including hits like Willy Wonka and Deal or No Deal—have generated more than US$6.6 billion in retail value.

Feature	Details
Game Formats	Instant Scratch, Fast Play, and Digital (iLottery)
Prize Cap	Up to $10 Million
Target Audience	Omnichannel (Retail & Digital players)
Producer	Scientific Games in partnership with Fremantle

“The incredibly broad appeal of these classic TV game show brands makes the GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE a perfect promotion for lottery, bringing to life the surprise, joy, and wins that players love,” said Tina Hoover, VP of Licensing for Scientific Games.

The post Scientific Games Unveils “GAME SHOW EXPERIENCE”: A Multi-Million Dollar Omnichannel Linked Game appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BetHero

BetHero Launch: Tackling Player Acquisition and Churn in 2026

Published

2 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Wladimir P.

bethero-launch:-tackling-player-acquisition-and-churn-in-2026

BetHero has officially announced the public launch of its mobile-first engagement layer, a strategic solution designed to address the iGaming industry’s most pressing twin challenges: skyrocketing acquisition costs and record-high player churn.

Already gaining massive momentum, BetHero has secured commercial agreements with several global operators and has been named a finalist for Mobile Sports Product of the Year at the 2026 International Gaming Awards.

Solving the “Leaky Bucket” Problem

In 2026, the iGaming market is more competitive than ever. Traditional sportsbooks and casinos are struggling with “leaky buckets”—spending heavily to acquire users only to lose them to complex interfaces or a lack of engagement.

BetHero’s platform is engineered to “plug the leaks” by introducing a simplified interaction model specifically for casual users. It integrates into existing tech stacks in just a few days, either as an add-on to a sportsbook or a turnkey entry point for casinos looking to offer sports betting without a full custom build.

“We didn’t want to tell the market that BetHero is different — we wanted to show it,” said Logan MacGillivray, CEO of BetHero. “Operators need immediate solutions… BetHero gives them a new solution to solve those challenges by helping them bring in more players and keeping them active longer.”

Core Features of the BetHero Platform

BetHero acts as a white-labeled engagement layer that matches an operator’s specific brand and regulatory compliance needs.

Mobile-Native UI: Designed for high speed and extreme ease of use, removing the friction typically found in “data-heavy” betting apps.
Social Mechanics: Features designed to drive sharing and community-led engagement, a key trend for the Gen-Z and Millennial demographics in 2026.
Free-to-Play (F2P) Entry: Low-barrier experiences that allow players to build confidence before naturally converting to real-money play.
Turnkey Flexibility: Can be deployed as a stand-alone layer for casinos or integrated into a complex sportsbook ecosystem.

The post BetHero Launch: Tackling Player Acquisition and Churn in 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.