Latest News

Summary of bacta’s Spring Budget submission

Published

2 years ago

February 3, 2023

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Bacta is the voice of the amusement machine industry and its supply chain. The sector is a key driver of economic activity in our communities, our high streets and towns, employing approaching 40,000 people and contributing £2bn to the national economy.

The amusement machine industry has been particularly badly hit by the dual shocks of the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis and the cost of doing business. This has been driven by high levels of inflation and soaring energy bills. This has been acutely felt by our members who are particularly energy intensive by their very nature, and unable to pass on costs to customers to offset these additional expenses.

In addition, those costs associated with the provision of games of chance are unable to reclaim VAT, adding 20% to already sky-high costs. That our members are forced to pay these extra costs, alongside the increase in energy bills, with no room for recompense, is fundamentally wrong and must be addressed if the sector is to thrive.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Despite these challenges, the sector remains a key vehicle for unlocking growth and driving the economic recovery, particularly at the coast and in our hard-pressed High Streets. We help to keep pubs and clubs afloat. Our policy proposals are cost-effective solutions, which set out how some small adjustments to existing regulations could unlock considerable capital which could be reinvested back into the business.

For example, enabling businesses that pay Machine Games Duty (MGD) to reclaim VAT would unlock an additional £150 – £200 million which could be reinvested in their business. Moreover, a simple tweak to the existing MGD thresholds, increasing the base rate to include machines costing 25p to play would unlock £5 to £10 million which again could be reinvested back into the wider economy and stimulate a small part of the manufacturing sector.

Finally, the Super Deduction has been a considerable success in achieving its goal of unlocking additional business investment at a time in which it was most needed. With this investment still key to unlocking long term growth, we would like to see the scheme extended, or replaced with a similar scheme, and with the eligibility criteria extended to include leased assets such as pool tables, juke boxes, and fruit machines hired to pubs and clubs.

Latest News

DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus

Published

4 hours ago

April 4, 2025

Zoltan Tundik

dreamplay-consolidates-its-status-as-a-global-player-in-the-igaming-industry-and-opens-an-office-and-campus-in-cyprus

Reading Time: 2 minutes

DreamPlay’s ambitions go far beyond simple game development. With a new office in Limassol, the international iGaming solutions provider is expanding its presence in Europe and laying the foundations for a new philosophy of the iGaming business.

The location in Limassol was not chosen by chance – Cyprus has long become the European center of iGaming. It is here that key market players, large operators and financial structures supporting the industry are concentrated. And the high concentration of technology and talented developers allows DreamPlay to form its own ecosystem of talent.

If in the 2010s Cyprus became a hub for classic iGaming operators, today it is a point of attraction for technology companies that are betting on metaverses and the integration of games into a wider digital ecosystem. DreamPlay is one of those shaping this trend.

Google-style campus for game development talents

The DreamPlay office and campus in Limassol are part of the company’s international network of corporate campuses. Similar hubs already operate in Thailand, Bali, Peru, the UAE and Poland. They offer employees comfortable working conditions and the ability to move between locations, accommodation, meals, legal support for stays in different countries. And all this is at the expense of the company. -And the flexible work format and 4-day work week in the company helps DreamPlay talents maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s all about well-established business processes and taking care of the team.

It’s nice to know that you can come to the country, and there is a Dream Campus where friends, like-minded people and someone who can simply take care of you are waiting for you. They will meet you at the airport, give you a tour, accompany you on medical or legal issues. It’s all part of the team.

“iGaming is an industry of emotions. Therefore, the people who create it should work where they feel best. Therefore, in our campuses we create an environment where the team can feel maximum freedom for creativity, focus on creating new breakthrough products. And not be distracted by everyday issues. And we are sure that this gives us a strategic advantage, because we are sure that our employees have received better conditions than their colleagues in other companies. Comfort, flexibility and freedom are part of our global philosophy of DreamPlay,” shares DreamPlay CEO Alex Tkach.

What does this mean for the market?

Opening a DreamPlay office in Cyprus is a wise decision, as the company is preparing to enter new markets and partner with the largest iGaming players. It is also a signal to the entire market that the company is moving into the league of global players who dictate trends, rather than following them.

If today Cyprus is another platform for international expansion, then tomorrow DreamPlay may turn into one of the first technology companies in iGaming, operating on the principle of large IT holdings.

And this is where the main intrigue lies: will DreamPlay become the one who fundamentally rethinks the very nature of the industry?

The post DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

International Game Technology PLC

IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker Makes Global Debut at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas

Published

8 hours ago

April 4, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

igt-wheel-of-fortune-video-poker-makes-global-debut-at-downtown-grand-hotel-&-casino-in-las-vegas

International Game Technology PLC announced that it recently introduced its much-anticipated Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game in the world’s most prolific video poker market: Las Vegas, Nev. Guests of Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino (Downtown Grand) in Downtown Las Vegas became the first players in the world to enjoy legendary IGT multi-hand video poker paired with the puzzle-solving, wheel-spinning fun of Wheel of Fortune via IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game.

“Becoming the first casino in the world to offer IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker was an exciting moment for Downtown Grand and one that generated palpable buzz and significant play on our gaming floor. For decades, our players have enjoyed IGT video poker and Wheel of Fortune slots, so combining the DNA of those two products to create something new is an exciting proposition for our players,” said Rick Coltor, Slots Manager at the Downtown Grand Las Vegas.

“Launching IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker in Las Vegas, the world’s largest video poker market, marked another important milestone in the rollout of our expanded Wheel of Fortune games portfolio. Our Wheel of Fortune Video Poker game delivers an ideal blend of proven multi-hand poker, jackpot excitement and the signature elements of Wheel of Fortune games that have propelled the theme’s success for more than 25 years,” said Nick Khin, IGT President, Global Gaming.

IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Video Poker is currently available on the CrystalCurve cabinet. Wheel of Fortune Video Poker incorporates the franchise’s famous puzzle-solving features and the iconic “Wheel Bonus” that has had players chanting “WHEEL-OF-FORTUNE!” for decades. The multi-hand poker game is available in triple-play, five-play and ten-play configurations and can award players 30,000, 50,000 or 100,000 credits, respectively, for a dealt royal flush.

The post IGT Wheel of Fortune Video Poker Makes Global Debut at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Frank Arthofer

MLB Players Sign Licensing Agreement with PENN Entertainment

Published

8 hours ago

April 4, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

mlb-players-sign-licensing-agreement-with-penn-entertainment

MLB Players Inc., a commercial affiliate of the Major League Baseball Players Association, and OneTeam Partners announced they’ve reached a licensing agreement with PENN Entertainment.

The agreement designates PENN’s sports betting platforms – ESPN BET in the U.S. and theScore BET in Canada – as Officially Licensed Sportsbooks of MLBPI.

PENN now has the rights to use MLB player names, images and likenesses on its sports betting platforms, marketing assets and promotional campaigns.

The deal also includes PENN’s retail sportsbook operations (32 retail sportsbooks at its casino properties, including 19 under the ESPN BET brand).

Last fall, FanDuel and MLBPI reached a similar licensing agreement after the MLB players’ union sued FanDuel and Underdog Fantasy in New York Supreme Court, accusing them of using the names and likeness of ballplayers on their players without permission.

”As baseball season gets underway, we’re excited to offer fans an enhanced betting experience that includes player likenesses, expanded wagering options and a more dynamic product. Partnering with MLB Players Inc. strengthens our connection to the league and its star players and creates additional opportunities to engage fans throughout the season,” said Jason Birney, Vice President of Operations at PENN Interactive.

OneTeam Partners specializes in commercializing group licensing rights for professional athlates, and is a joint venture between the NFL Players Association, MLB Players Association, Women’s National Basketball Players Association, MLS Players Association, and U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association.

“By integrating MLB player rights into PENN Entertainment’s platforms, this partnership brings fans closer to the game while unlocking new business opportunities in sports betting. It highlights the growing influence of players in shaping premium, fan-focused betting experiences while enhancing player NIL rights and widening distribution,” said Frank Arthofer, President of OneTeam Partners.

The post MLB Players Sign Licensing Agreement with PENN Entertainment appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.