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.”
Latest News
The leading digital marketing and customer acquisition group Media Troopers has announced it will expand its reach into the LatAm-regulated market ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The US, Canada, and Mexico will see a strong surge in soccer engagement ahead of the World Cup from 11 July to 19 July. Media Troopers, which already has a strong foothold in the US and Canada, is moving ahead of the curve and investing in the LatAm region ahead of the big event.
As part of expanding its operations in the region, Media Troopers will create new soccer-focused marketing channels, enhance its expansive portfolio with new and existing publishers and affiliates, and add localized features to its proprietary marketing technology platform, Media Cruiser, to support targeted campaigns across key LatAm markets.
As part of those new features, Media Troopers has introduced enhanced geo-targeting tools, Spanish and Portuguese localization, and more thorough integration with regional traffic sources to help operators drive targeted campaigns.
Operators can also engage fully with audiences in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile through Media Trooper’s onboarding of sports media sources and affiliates specializing in soccer content.
“Soccer dominates the sports landscape across Latin America, and the World Cup presents a major opportunity for operators to engage fans through localized and data-driven marketing,” said Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers.
“By expanding our regional publisher network and enhancing the capabilities of our Media Cruiser platform, we’re enabling our partners to launch more targeted campaigns and reach audiences across LATAM at scale.”
The post The leading digital marketing and customer acquisition group Media Troopers has announced it will expand its reach into the LatAm-regulated market ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Evoplay
Evoplay expands into Peru through new partnership with LaFija.com
Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has strengthened its presence in Peru by partnering with leading regional operator LaFija.com, marking another step in the company’s ongoing expansion across regulated Latin American markets.
The collaboration introduces Evoplay’s portfolio to LaFija’s Peruvian customer base, bringing popular and high-performing titles such as Cat’s Blessing, Penalty Shoot-Out: Street, and Hot Volcano to local players.
LaFija.com, operated by Virtual Padlocks, is a popular casino brand focused on delivering localised, high-quality content across Latin America.
Evoplay continues to build momentum across the region through strategic partnerships with leading brands, and the launch with LaFija.com further reinforces its commitment in ensuring its content aligns with LatAm preferences and regulatory standards.
Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay, said: “Peru is a key market for us. Partnering with LaFija.com allows us to bring our portfolio of popular, performance-led titles to a new audience, strengthening our presence in the region and supporting our ambition to deliver market-aligned content across LatAm.
“Our goal is to continue to provide operators with experiences that engage players while building upon our own long-term growth.”
Debora Camacho Alvarez, Head of Marketing at Virtual Padlocks, added: “We are pleased to collaborate with Evoplay and bring their visual and engaging content to players via the LaFija.com brand in Peru.
“Their innovative titles complement the platform perfectly, enhancing the experience LaFija.com offers while supporting its drive for localised, high-quality gaming.”
The post Evoplay expands into Peru through new partnership with LaFija.com appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
B2B gaming providers
Expanse Studios Partners with Stake to Expand Global iGaming Distribution
Expanse Studios, a B2B iGaming content provider and subsidiary of Meridian Holdings Inc., has announced a strategic partnership with Stake to deploy its proprietary gaming content across Stake’s global gaming platforms.
The collaboration marks another step in Expanse Studios’ global expansion strategy and strengthens its presence in the rapidly growing online gaming ecosystem.
Through the agreement, Expanse Studios will distribute its portfolio of titles via Hub88’s aggregation infrastructure, enabling Stake to integrate the studio’s games seamlessly across its international platforms. The partnership is designed to extend Expanse’s global reach while offering Stake players access to a range of engaging and high-performing games.
Strategic Partnership to Expand Market Reach
The collaboration between Expanse Studios and Stake reflects the increasing importance of partnerships in the global iGaming industry. Content developers are increasingly relying on aggregator platforms to expand their distribution networks, reach new audiences, and scale their offerings efficiently.
According to Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, Stake represents one of the most influential brands in the global gaming sector. By integrating through Hub88’s technology, Expanse Studios can deliver its content directly to Stake’s extensive international player base.
This partnership allows the studio to strengthen its B2B distribution strategy while gaining access to one of the most widely recognized gaming platforms in the industry.
Deployment Through Hub88 Aggregation
The technical integration is made possible through Hub88, a well-known aggregation platform that connects game developers with online casino operators. Aggregators play a crucial role in modern iGaming infrastructure by simplifying content distribution and enabling developers to deploy games across multiple operators simultaneously.
By leveraging Hub88’s infrastructure, Expanse Studios can efficiently roll out its games to Stake’s ecosystem without requiring complex individual integrations. This approach accelerates deployment timelines and supports scalable distribution across multiple markets.
Such partnerships demonstrate how aggregation technology continues to shape the future of the online casino industry, making it easier for studios to deliver content globally.
Featured Titles in the Stake Integration
As part of the partnership, Stake will gain access to several of Expanse Studios’ most popular titles. These games highlight the studio’s diverse portfolio and demonstrate its ability to cater to different player preferences.
Super Helib
One of the flagship games included in the integration is Super Heli, a crash-style game that has become one of the studio’s standout titles. The game offers a 97% return-to-player (RTP) rate and combines fast-paced gameplay with a dynamic multiplier system, creating a highly engaging experience for players.
Crash games have become increasingly popular in the iGaming sector due to their simplicity, fast rounds, and high excitement levels.
Wild Icy Fruits
Another featured title is Wild Icy Fruits, a high-speed slot game that delivers a classic slot experience with modern mechanics. The game emphasizes quick gameplay cycles and vibrant visuals, appealing to players who enjoy traditional fruit-themed slots with a contemporary twist.
VASO Psycho
The integration also includes VASO Psycho, a celebrity-branded slot that introduces high volatility and a massive 10,000x multiplier potential. This title showcases Expanse Studios’ ability to incorporate branded entertainment into its gaming portfolio while maintaining strong gameplay mechanics.
Together, these titles provide Stake’s players with a varied selection of experiences, ranging from fast-paced crash games to high-volatility slot gameplay.
Addressing Diverse Gaming Markets
The partnership between Expanse Studios and Stake highlights the company’s strategy of addressing multiple segments within the online gaming industry.
Expanse Studios has increasingly focused on combining social casino mechanics with traditional iGaming distribution models. This approach allows the company to appeal to a wide range of players while adapting to different regulatory and market environments.
By deploying its games through Stake’s global platform, Expanse Studios gains access to both traditional online casino audiences and newer gaming communities that favor fast, skill-influenced formats such as crash games.
A Growing Portfolio and Global Network
Expanse Studios has steadily expanded its presence in the global iGaming sector. The studio currently maintains partnerships with more than 1,300 B2B operators worldwide and offers a portfolio of over 70 proprietary gaming titles.
This growing network reflects the company’s focus on scalable growth through strategic collaborations, aggregator partnerships, and content innovation.
As the iGaming industry continues to evolve, developers like Expanse Studios are prioritizing flexible distribution models that allow them to enter new markets efficiently while maintaining consistent game quality.
The Future of iGaming Distribution
The partnership with Stake illustrates a broader trend within the iGaming industry. As competition intensifies, content developers are increasingly leveraging aggregation platforms and strategic alliances to accelerate global expansion.
By integrating with large-scale operators and leveraging advanced distribution infrastructure, studios can reach wider audiences while maintaining streamlined technical operations.
For Expanse Studios, the collaboration with Stake represents another milestone in its ongoing effort to strengthen its international footprint and deliver engaging gaming content to players worldwide.
As the company continues to expand its portfolio and operator network, partnerships like this are likely to play a crucial role in shaping its future growth.
A similar article about iGaming partnerships and content distribution can be found on Gambling Insider, a leading authority in the iGaming industry: https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news
Example topic coverage: iGaming platform partnerships, content integrations, and developer distribution agreements.
The post Expanse Studios Partners with Stake to Expand Global iGaming Distribution appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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