Industry News

MGM Resorts Plans to Expand its Online Operations Globally

Published

5 years ago

September 13, 2021

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

MGM Resorts has outlined plans to expand its online gaming channels globally.

Speaking at the Bank of America Securities 2021 Gaming and Lodging Conference last Friday, MGM’s Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Halkyard said the company was actively steering itself towards an asset-light model that would see it focus primarily on gaming operations rather than ownership, while continuing expansion of its online gaming business BetMGM.

However, it is likely that this expansion will eventually continue overseas given the absence of substantial new land-based resort opportunities and MGM’s reluctance, outside of Macau and Japan, to invest in such resources.

MGM Resorts holds a controlling stake in MGM China, operator of MGM Macau and MGM Cotai, and is leading a consortium looking to develop an IR in Osaka, Japan.

“When I think about what this company needs to be, definitely the best-known brand, most trusted brand in gaming,” Halkyard said.

“Casual, high-end and hopefully in as many distribution points with the highest availability in this country.

“Then to the extent that it is regulated, online offerings internationally.

“Realistically the opportunity for integrated resorts is not going to be in a wide number of jurisdictions and the capital cost can be pretty extreme but in our spots – Macau and Japan – we would expect to be a player there. So the best brands, [most] trusted brands available anywhere and premier in gaming.”

Halkyard paid particular attention during his appearance at the Bank of America conference to the long-term prospects of the company’s online gaming entity BetMGM, a joint venture partnership with Entain PLC.

MGM is looking to implement an omni-channel strategy for BetMGM by which online customers globally would become members of MGM’s M life Rewards programme and, therefore, receive points and rewards for their online play.

Halkyard said the company would continue to simplify its business model in the coming years.

“MGM has in the past flirted with non-gaming instances of its brand and we have over the past six months, Bill (Hornbuckle, CEO) and I and some of the management team, been unwinding and shutting some of those investments,” he said.

“They’re all small but they take financial resources and management resources, so we’re getting out of those.

“We’ve been through the CityCenter [sale], the MGP (MGM Growth Properties LLC) deal, so less financial engineering and more simplified and clear about what we are, which is an OpCo.”

Belatra

Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign

Published

3 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

belatra-marks-33-years-with-april-anniversary-campaign

The slots supplier says its portfolio now exceeds 150 games and highlights recent LatAm expansion from its Buenos Aires base.

Belatra is marking its 33rd birthday with an anniversary campaign running throughout April, the iGaming slots developer said.

The company said it was founded in 1993 and has since transitioned from building gaming machines for land-based casinos to producing digital content. Belatra added that its portfolio has grown to more than 150 games.

Belatra also pointed to its strategic Latin American headquarters in Buenos Aires as a key base for regional partnerships and growth.

Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, said: “We’re only just getting started, but birthdays provide the perfect chance to reflect on our successes and the path that’s brought us here. From launching our innovative ‘multi-universe’ content strategy to our rapid expansion in Latin America, the successful launch of our first Crash game, and multiple high-profile industry award wins — we are always developing, creating, and evolving. 33 years of innovation, dedication, and gaming excellence — and the best is yet to come.”

Belatra did not provide additional detail on upcoming releases or the timing of any new product announcements beyond saying updates will land during April.

The post Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

iGaming Real Talk

iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community passes 500 members

Published

4 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

igaming-real-talk-whatsapp-community-passes-500-members

Founder Surya Palli positions the group as a real-time extension of the brand’s long-form podcast conversations.

iGaming Real Talk said its WhatsApp community has crossed 500 members, marking what the company described as a growth milestone for the group.

The community is positioned as a space for candid discussion among iGaming professionals, including operators, studios, affiliates, and suppliers. The company attributed the group’s growth to its structure, stating it operates with minimal moderation and allows promotions.

Surya Palli, Founder of iGaming Real Talk, said: “Reaching 500 members is a proud moment, but what matters more is the quality of the conversations happening inside the group every day. This community is built on trust, openness, and a genuine desire to help each other grow.

Our long-form podcasts can only cover so much at a given time, but the WhatsApp community is an always-on, real-time extension of those conversations. We’re just getting started.”

iGaming Real Talk said it plans to expand the community through exclusive content, industry interviews, and collaborative discussions.

Those interested in joining the iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community can join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K2UoLJdluQdFJXvV1uDw6Z

The post iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community passes 500 members appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

GR8 Tech

GR8 Tech updates casino bonuses, tournaments and integrations ahead of World Cup traffic

Published

4 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Wladimir P.

gr8-tech-updates-casino-bonuses,-tournaments-and-integrations-ahead-of-world-cup-traffic

Supplier says new bonus targeting, parallel tournaments and faster content delivery aim to convert sportsbook spikes into casino revenue.

GR8 Tech says it has updated its casino product ahead of anticipated World Cup-driven traffic, focusing on bonus tools, tournament mechanics, content delivery and provider feature integrations.

“A World Cup can bring a lot of new traffic, but that traffic only matters if you give players a reason to stay,” said Lusine Khudaverdyan, Head of Casino at GR8 Tech. “For casino, that means more flexible bonuses, engaging tournaments, strong content coverage, and provider features that help operators convert interest into repeat play.”

On bonuses, the company said it has introduced product-level wagering that lets operators target promotions across slots, live casino and instant games, or combine categories. On tournaments, GR8 Tech said operators can now use the same game across multiple parallel tournaments and allow players to join more than one at the same time.

GR8 Tech said it works with more than 200 casino providers and is investing in infrastructure to speed up content delivery. The company said new provider-specific content delivery solutions can be implemented in about 1 to 2 weeks, and that it is adding roughly a dozen integrations per quarter. It also pointed to a roadmap aligned with demand trends including instant and mini-game formats, which it said are relevant for crypto-oriented brands and younger audiences.

Beyond game access, GR8 Tech said its roadmap is prioritizing integration of provider features it believes can impact engagement, retention and GGR, with the aim of reducing gaps between provider capabilities and what operators can activate on the platform.

The post GR8 Tech updates casino bonuses, tournaments and integrations ahead of World Cup traffic appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.