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BGC Warns Permanent Industry Damage Following Delay in Casino Reopening

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The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that the UK Government’s last-minute reversal of plans to allow casinos to reopen on August 1 has dealt a wrecking ball to the industry, from which it may never recover.

The casino sector employs more than 14,000 people across the UK in 125 casinos and a further 4000 in the supply chain. Casinos also paid over £300 million each year in tax before the lockdown.

With casinos across England forced to remain shuttered, the BGC warns that up to 6000 jobs may be permanently lost.

In a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP on July 31, BGC described the decision to keep casinos closed as “highly illogical, inconsistent and deeply damaging to those businesses and the thousands of staff they employ.”

BGC has also rejected the Prime Minister’s categorisation of casinos as “higher risk” during his Downing Street briefing. Casinos have spent weeks and invested millions of pounds to ensure their premises are covid-secure, with measures such as perspex screens, sanitisation equipment and sophisticated track and trace systems, as well as introducing strict social distancing measures and hygiene protocols.

BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “The Government are swinging a wrecking ball right through the middle of our industry and large scale job losses, which ought to be unnecessary and avoidable, now look inevitable unless ministers act fast.”

“Casinos are a small but fundamental part of our leisure, hospitality, entertainment and tourism industry. They employ over 14,000 people across the UK and indirectly support another 4,000 jobs in the supply sector, and last year casinos paid over £5.7 million in tax per week.

“The ongoing cost of remaining in a holding pattern to reopen is clearly not sustainable, with more jobs and livelihoods being put at risk with every last minute change and delay to reopening.

“The Job Retention Scheme has helped but our members will now be forced to pay National Insurance and pension contributions on top of salaries in August while they remain closed. As furlough payments are phased out, there will be no flexibility for casinos to adapt to the new working and leisure environment and I now fear that many thousands of jobs could be lost.

“We made the all necessary preparations for safe reopening and we were given the green light by Public Health England on the basis of the significant investment made by operators, and having been told by the Government themselves that casinos posed a ‘negligible’ risk compared with the tens of thousands of other places that they have been reopened.”

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OnlyPlay Releases Pub Fruits

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OnlyPlay has released Pub Fruits, a bright and lively 5×3 video slot with a classic fruit theme and a fun pub atmosphere. The reels are filled with juicy fruits, lucky sevens, shiny coins and warm golden colours. The retro design feels familiar, but the animations make it fresh and modern. Every spin looks colourful and smooth, and the game is easy to understand from the first second. It feels like stepping into a friendly pub where the lights are warm and the mood is always upbeat.

The real excitement starts with the Hold and Win feature. Players can chase four jackpot levels – Mini (x25), Minor (x50), Major (x100) and Grand (x500). Each coin you collect increases your chances and builds tension on the screen. The feeling of risk grows with every spin, and the moment before the result lands is full of anticipation. It is simple to play, but the adrenaline and excitement make it hard to stop.

Free Spins bring even more action to the game. Land 3, 4 or 5 Scatters to unlock up to 15 Free Spins, and retrigger them to keep the fun going. Wild symbols help create more winning combinations, while Jackpot symbols can appear in both the base game and Free Spins.

With 96.93% RTP, a 21.38% HIT rate and medium volatility, the gameplay feels balanced – steady wins with the chance for something much bigger. It is a mix of comfort and thrill that keeps every session interesting. Pub Fruits combines classic style, modern features and real excitement.

The post OnlyPlay Releases Pub Fruits appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Andrew Cardno

QCI Launches its Data Community Platform in Australia

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Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has launched its Data Community platform in Australia, bringing unified consumer intelligence to the rapidly expanding $13 trillion global Fun Economy. By connecting venues, retailers and destination districts into a single interoperable ecosystem, the platform enables real-time insights, personalised engagement and seamless digital-to-physical experiences.

The Data Community platform enables smarter staffing, stronger tenant collaboration and more personalised engagement, helping operators manage increasingly complex, high-traffic environments. The global “Fun Economy” — spanning leisure, hospitality, retail and entertainment — is valued at over $13 trillion, according to joint research from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Zero Labs.

Tony Toohey, Director of TT Management welcomed the platform’s availability in Australia: “The Australian market is increasingly focused on connected, experience-led destinations,” said Toohey.

“Operators here understand the importance of breaking down data silos and collaborating across venues and partners. QCI’s Data Community platform arrives at the right time, enabling a more coordinated and commercially intelligent approach to managing entertainment and hospitality environments.”

Andrew Cardno, Co-Founder and CTO of QCI, said: “Australia represents a sophisticated and forward-looking market for experience-driven destinations,” said Cardno.

“By bringing Data Community to the region, we are equipping operators with the tools to unify their data, understand guest journeys more deeply and curate experiences — not just transactions.”

QCI’s technology is deployed in more than 1000 sites globally, including over 300 casino resorts across North America, Australia and Europe. The company’s platform supports leading brands across gaming, hospitality and mixed-use entertainment districts, helping operators align marketing, operations and guest engagement within a single intelligence framework.

With the launch of Data Community in Australia, QCI continues to expand its role as the intelligence layer powering connected destinations across the evolving Fun Economy.

The post QCI Launches its Data Community Platform in Australia appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Alina Mihaela Popa Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21

ICONIC21 Expands into Romania, Securing Launch Agreements with Fortuna and Casa Pariurilor

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The provider increased its presence in Romania by launching with two of the market’s leading operators, Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna.

Popular iGaming content provider ICONIC21 launches with Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna. The integrations represent a further strategic move in the provider’s swift expansion within regulated markets.

Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna rank among the most well-known brands in Romania, possessing a robust retail and online presence, relied upon by a large player community. Collaborating with both operators strengthens ICONIC21’s dedication to providing top-notch, tailored content for prominent brands in competitive markets.

A broad range of ICONIC21’s live casino games is now accessible to its players, featuring prominent titles from the Gravity Series like Gravity Roulette and Gravity Blackjack. The Gravity Series incorporates multiplier mechanics into traditional casino formats, enhancing engagement while maintaining a sense of familiarity. The collection additionally features various roulette versions and well-liked Asian games like Sic Bo and Baccarat, guaranteeing wide player attraction.

The growth emphasizes ICONIC21’s rapidly advancing roadmap, covering live casino, slots, virtual and instant games, dedicated studios, and proprietary promotional tools. Every vertical is created to enable flexible integration, customized environments, and expandable growth for operators.

Alina Mihaela Popa, Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21, commented: “Romania is a key regulated market for us, and going live with Casa Pariurilor and Fortuna confirms the strong demand for our portfolio. We are growing quickly across regulated jurisdictions, and Romania is a clear example of how our products resonate with established operators who prioritise quality, performance, and flexibility.”

Michael Foster, Group Head of Commercial Gaming Operations, added: “Integrating ICONIC21’s portfolio allows us to enhance our live casino offering with strong, performance driven titles. The Gravity Series in particular brings an extra engagement layer to classic games, which aligns well with our strategy of delivering differentiated experiences to our players.”

The post ICONIC21 Expands into Romania, Securing Launch Agreements with Fortuna and Casa Pariurilor appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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