Press Releases
Swedish online casino shutter would cause instant ‘black-market boom’, says BonusFinder MD
Government considers ‘extreme measures’ as activity rises amid COVID-19 restrictions but closures would drive more players to unlicensed sites instead of protecting them
9th April, 2020 – The Swedish government’s threat to temporarily shut down licensed online casinos would have a disastrous effect on the industry and drive thousands more players to the black market, BonusFinder.com has warned.
The minister in charge of gambling policy, Ardalan Shekarabi, this week warned that “extraordinary measures” would be implemented if operators do not take action to slow the increase in igaming activity seen in the last two weeks, as people are told to stay at home because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to new data from Sweden’s gambling regulator, Spelinspektionen, there has been a 33% increase in registrations and logins to play online casino games with 17 of the 60 licensed operators in the country in the last 14 days.
Last month, Swedish market research carried out by BonusFinder.com found that almost a third of Swedish online casino players are searching for ‘unlicensed casinos’, with growing numbers turning to black-market brands due to the market’s restrictive gaming regulations, introduced in January 2019.
Instead of protecting players, a shutdown of online casino brands, however, is likely to lead to thousands more players searching for and depositing funds on unlicensed sites, as well as causing further financial damage to licensed operators, according to BonusFinder.com.
Fintan Costello, Managing Director, Bonusfinder.com, said: “The Swedish government will make a colossal mistake if it chooses to temporarily close down online casino sites in an attempt to protect players. As our research has shown, almost a third of online casino players are already looking to the black market for a more attractive offering since restrictive rules were imposed in January 2019. These latest plans would create an immediate black-market boom.
“Swedish legislation requires operators to have strict responsible gambling procedures in place, therefore the right measures are already there. The focus should instead be on ensuring these are adhered to rather than taking a knee jerk reaction to close down all legitimate brands and forcing even more players to unprotected sites.”
Cool Bus Shelter
The UAE Lottery backs Cool Bus Shelter initiative for outdoor workers
The UAE Lottery has partnered with SmartLife Foundation to support outdoor workers during the UAE summer, backing the Cool Bus Shelter initiative in Abu Dhabi on July 20, 2026.
The programme aligns with the UAE’s Midday Break rules, which require outdoor work to stop between 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM during peak heat. As part of the initiative, air-conditioned buses were stationed near labour sites to provide workers a place to rest before returning outdoors.
Volunteers from The UAE Lottery and SmartLife Foundation provided cold towels, cold water and drinks, according to the organisations. Workers also received portable rechargeable neck fans intended to provide additional cooling after the break.
Suzan Kazzi, Associate Director – Corporate Social Responsibility at Momentum- The UAE Lottery, said: “Outdoor workers are the backbone of our cities’ urban development, and initiatives like the Cool Bus Shelter ensure they receive the care and recognition they deserve during the most challenging months of the year. This is our small way of saying thank you and reminding them that their wellbeing truly matters”.
Abhijeet Oak, Vice President at SmartLife Foundation, added: “At SmartLife Foundation, we believe that protecting the wellbeing of outdoor workforce is a shared responsibility. Through the Cool Bus Shelter initiative, we are proud to collaborate with organizations such as The UAE Lottery and other community partners to create moments of comfort, appreciation and human connection that leave a lasting impact”.
The post The UAE Lottery backs Cool Bus Shelter initiative for outdoor workers appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Africa
Playson partners with Hollywoodbets for South Africa slots rollout
Playson has partnered with South African operator Hollywoodbets to roll out a selection of its slot titles to players in South Africa’s regulated market, the company said on 20th July 2026.
Under the deal, Hollywoodbets will integrate Playson content via Light & Wonder’s aggregation platform. The operator said the addition will broaden its “live games” portfolio.
The initial rollout includes Coin Strike: Hold and Win, Thunder Coins: Hold and Win, Thunder Coins XXL: Hold and Win, Diamonds Power: Hold and Win, Energy Coins: Hold and Win and 3 Carts of Gold: Hold and Win, with more releases planned.
Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “Partnering with Hollywoodbets represents another important milestone in our African growth strategy. As one of South Africa’s household names, Hollywoodbets offers an outstanding platform through which we can introduce our high-performing portfolio to an even wider audience.
“We are confident our games will resonate strongly with players, and we look forward to building a successful long-term partnership together.”
Wayde Dorkin, Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, said: “Playson’s portfolio has earned an excellent reputation for delivering engaging gameplay and consistent results across regulated markets, making it a valuable addition to our product offering.
“We are always looking to enhance the entertainment experience available to our players, and we are delighted to welcome a selection of Playson’s top-performing titles to the Hollywoodbets platform.”
The post Playson partners with Hollywoodbets for South Africa slots rollout appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alberta
Greentube goes live in Alberta as province opens regulated iGaming
Supplier secures AGLC registration and extends its Canadian footprint beyond Ontario, where it has been live since 2022.
Greentube has gone live in Alberta on the day the province opened as a newly regulated iGaming market, marking the supplier’s first launch in the jurisdiction.
The NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division said it completed regulatory and technical due diligence and secured registration with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) commission to operate in the province. Alberta becomes only the second Canadian province to regulate iGaming after Ontario, with the new framework replacing the monopoly previously held by Play Alberta.
The Alberta launch builds on Greentube’s existing Canadian footprint. The company has been live in Ontario since 2022 and described the Alberta debut as part of its wider North American expansion strategy.
Greentube said Alberta players will initially have access to a curated set of titles including Piggy Prizes
Wand of Riches 2
, Rumble Riches
Haulin’ Gold
and Firecracker Frenzy
Money Toad
, as well as Silver Lux Big Win Spinner, Starlight Jackpots
Captain’s Catch
and Charming Lady’s Boom
.
David Bolas, Commercial Director at Greentube, said: “Going live in Alberta on the day the market opens is an important step for Greentube and reflects the strong momentum we are seeing in Canada.
“We welcome the opportunity a new jurisdiction offers and look forward to working with locally licensed operators to introduce our established offering to players in Alberta. With a balanced line-up of new releases and proven performers, we are well placed to offer a compelling experience in the province and support our long-term ambitions in the region.”
The post Greentube goes live in Alberta as province opens regulated iGaming appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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