Industry News
Three Gambling Ways for NZ Government
Online gambling is one of the most common pass-time activities in New Zealand. There are numerous casino sites that accept punters to access different games and win real money.
Recently, the NZ government launched a public consultation to test public support for regulating modern ways of online gambling. This comes as a result of the rapid technological developments that have been witnessed in the past years. The only operators allowed to offer gambling products online in the country are Lotto NZ and TAB.
However, it’s been noted that most New Zealanders from 15 years are gambling in offshore casinos. This article covers the three gambling ways for the New Zealand government and more.
#1 Way: A Full Legalization
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) was established in 2007 to oversee all forms of gambling and betting activities. Also, they are mandated to ensure that gambling is carried out in a fair and transparent way. Similarly, Spelinspektionen plays the same role in regulating gambling activities in Sweden.
Pros:
- Anti-Money Laundering: They ensure that online casinos are not used for money laundering. All casino operators must conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) check before releasing any money.
- Transparent and Fair Gaming: All customers must be treated in a fair and transparent way. The bonuses and promotions offered must have terms and conditions to regulate their use.
- Responsible Gambling: All gambling sites including bookmakers and New Zealand online casinos must provide tools and advice to ensure that customers enjoy a safe gaming environment. Gamers with problem gambling can also self-exclude by registering at GamStop or Spelpaus.se.
Cons:
- Application Time: Both licensing authorities have lengthy legal procedures to be followed, meaning the license will take several weeks or months before its ready to use.
- License Cost: The cost of acquiring a license from both authorities is relatively high. They check to ensure that the operator has not been involved in any fraud cases, and the casino account has enough money to start operating.
#2 Way: Partly Legalization
Each is allowed to decide whether or not to legalize sports betting in the United States of America. The move legalizes sports betting has been supported by various state lawmakers as well as the Congress. Some of the states where betting on sports is allowed include but not limited to Nevada, Delaware, New Jersey, West Virginia, and others.
Pros:
- Increased Revenue: Legalizing sports betting leads to increased revenue income
- Employment: online sports betting sites have created employment for many people as well as sponsoring different community projects.
Cons:
- High License Fee: Some states charge a very high licensing fee of up to $45,000
- High Percentage Tax: States in the US set a high percentage tax on the revenue of up to 6.5%.
#3 Way: Gambling Monopoly
Several countries around the world like Finland and Canada have state-controlled forms of gambling: both offline and online. For instance, in Finland, there are three bodies responsible for a specific form of gaming; RAY, Veikkaus Oy, and Fintoto Oy. In Canada, the province of Ontario still works under a monopoly system, where the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is the official operator offering iGaming through PlayOGA.ca.
However, most states controlled sports betting sites are facing competition from foreign operators. That’s why the governments have decided to block oversee operators from providing services to their citizens.
Pros:
- Successful: State-controlled gambling states have been very successful, and it’s reflected in their annual revenue.
- Donations: Most state-run gambling monopoly platforms channel their profits to charity and other good causes.
Cons:
- High Rate of Problem Gambling: There have been increased cases of gambling addiction in most states with monopolized gambling.
- Competition: State-controlled monopoly gambling sites are facing stiff competition from foreign online casinos.
Conclusion
What’s the best way to choose? Now that we have seen what the position of each country regarding gambling organizations, it’s easy to suggest the best option to select. Of the three options, I think the method used in the United Kingdom and Sweden is way better than the other. Legalization is not just making money from taxes but also security and safety for players.
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Casino Content
ICONIC21 launches Football Cup-branded casino games and debut network tournament
ICONIC21 has rolled out three limited-edition Football Cup-branded casino games and launched its first network tournament, ICONIC Showdown Football Cup, running from 9th of July to 19th of July.
The new titles are Football Cup Roulette, Football Cup Blackjack 360, and Football Cup Gravity Blackjack. ICONIC21 said the releases showcase different customisation approaches, including green screen production for the roulette environment and an updated visual rebrand for its RNG blackjack table.
For Football Cup Gravity Blackjack, ICONIC21 said it used its latest LED technology and applied the Gravity Series multiplier mechanic, with a custom felt, a football gate, and bespoke 3D-printed decorations.
Alongside the three new games, ICONIC21 pointed to its previously launched slot Soccer World Championship, plus The Kickoff and Top Card, which it said received football-season branding and UI/UX updates.
The ICONIC Showdown Football Cup tournament covers 11 games in total and is positioned around the quarter finals, semi-finals and final period. ICONIC21 said 1,000 winners will share a €50,000 prize pool, and operators can enroll via their account manager or by contacting the company directly.
Edvardas Sadovskis, Chief Product Officer at ICONIC21, said:
“What I’m most proud of with this project is the turnaround. We built three fully branded, technically distinct games, enhanced existing ones with promotional branding, and launched our first-ever network tournament around them, all timed to coincide with peak player interest and traffic.
That kind of speed doesn’t happen by accident, it reflects how this team works. ICONIC Showdown is a meaningful first step for us as a provider, and launching it during the Football Cup, with this much energy around the game, feels like the right way to do it. We’re genuinely excited to see how the leaderboard shapes up and even more excited for the finals.”
The post ICONIC21 launches Football Cup-branded casino games and debut network tournament appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Brand Ambassador
Ronaldinho visits CreedRoomz Yerevan studio to front Marble Cup and Kickoff Roulette
CreedRoomz has brought footballer Ronaldinho to its headquarters in Yerevan, where the company filmed an “exclusive interview” with the former player in connection with two new live casino game shows, Marble Cup and Kickoff Roulette. CreedRoomz said Ronaldinho is the global ambassador for both titles.
In the interview, Ronaldinho said: “For me, it’s a great joy to be a part of this partnership. Since arriving here at the office, everyone has treated me with great affection. I already feel at home, very happy.” Asked to choose between the two games, he added: “Honestly, it’s difficult to choose one, both are wonderful, I loved them, so it’s very difficult to choose one, I think everyone will really like them, I think the whole world will really enjoy them.”
Ronaldinho also described his first impressions of the studio and gameplay: “I was surprised and very happy, everything is very beautiful, everything is very innovative, so I believe that’s why everyone will really like them, so I’m looking forward to everyone starting to enjoy them a lot.”
On why CreedRoomz expects the titles to gain traction, he said: “These are different games. I think that will attract attention, the fact that football is a global passion also helps, so I believe everyone will like it for those reasons.. and for the innovation of everything that is happening.”
CreedRoomz linked the interview to upcoming “World Cup and R10 Tournaments,” with Ronaldinho closing by telling fans: “A message of gratitude for the continued affection. I’m very happy and excited. for the next competitions for the next games, the games are all ready, I hope everyone enjoys them and everyone be very happy and have good times together.”
The post Ronaldinho visits CreedRoomz Yerevan studio to front Marble Cup and Kickoff Roulette appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Gamification
Soft2Bet launches MEGA Shoot World Cup gamification engine
Soft2Bet has launched MEGA Shoot, a football-themed gamification engine designed around the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aimed at helping sportsbook operators retain players during the tournament.
The product will be deployed across selected Soft2Bet brands including Betinia, Swiper, Campobet, ToonieBet and Elabet, with availability spanning markets including Denmark, Greece, Mexico, New Jersey, Ontario, Romania, and the rest of Canada, according to the company.
MEGA Shoot uses a player-versus-player best-of-five penalty shootout format. Players alternate between striker and goalkeeper, with the striker selecting where to shoot and the goalkeeper selecting where to defend. Each round resolves as a goal or a save before roles switch.
Soft2Bet said early internal results show 31.9% engagement among active players across selected brands, with 71.2% of MEGA Shoot players going on to play a second match. The company also claims a 13.5% player retention uplift.
Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer at Soft2Bet, said: “The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, so retention has to work across the full tournament calendar. MEGA Shoot gives operators a football game that players can understand quickly, with head-to-head competition tied to the sport they already follow. With almost 32% engagement among active players and about 71% converting into a second match, the early data shows how tournament-led gamification can strengthen sportsbook engagement during major football events.”
The post Soft2Bet launches MEGA Shoot World Cup gamification engine appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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