Press Releases

Swedish online casino shutter would cause instant ‘black-market boom’, says BonusFinder MD

Published

6 years ago

April 9, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

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

All Systems Go: Scientific Games Launches New, Advanced Technology for Arizona Lottery

Published

2 hours ago

July 10, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

all-systems-go:-scientific-games-launches-new,-advanced-technology-for-arizona-lottery

Scientific Games announces that a new suite of systems technology is now powering the Arizona Lottery‘s sales across the state, headlined by exciting new draw games for players. The technology advancement features Scientific Games’ Momentum ecosystem, including a central gaming system and retailer management system.

In addition to enhancing security and streamlining operations for the Arizona Lottery, the technology upgrade was designed to elevate the player experience, bring fresh energy to the Lottery’s classic draw game lineup, and provide even more opportunities for retail partners to succeed.

“Our teams have been working hard behind the scenes with the Scientific Games teams, and we are thrilled to see this project come to life. The changes to our draw games will give our players bigger value, more ways to play and even more chances to win,” said Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “Ultimately, the advanced technology ecosystem modernizes our operations and positions the Arizona Lottery for future growth.”

The expansion of the Arizona Lottery’s draw games portfolio includes:

Massive upgrade to The Pick with an automatic multiplier on every single play, better overall odds of winning and a brand-new instant win add-on called The Pick PLUS
Addition of a daily midday drawing for the Pick 3 game
Addition of an all-new Pick 4 game with midday and evening drawings
Addition of Powerball Double Play – an exciting add-on offering a second chance to win up to $10 million in a separate drawing immediately following the Powerball drawing

As part of the technology enhancements, Scientific Games upgraded gem | suite, the company’s comprehensive software suite, to accommodate the Arizona Lottery’s expanded draw game portfolio. gem | suite efficiently manages the Lottery’s network of 3,600 retailers’ licensing, communications and business intelligence that helps manage products in stores.

“As the Arizona Lottery’s systems technology partner since 2015, Scientific Games is focused on readying the Lottery for long-term sustainability through advanced systems and software, and exciting new products that engage players and drive proceeds to the good cause programs that benefit Arizonans,” said John Schulz, President, Americas & Global Instant Products.

Scientific Games has been a provider to the Arizona Lottery for 45 years, including Scratchers games and licensed brands. The company provides services and expertise to the Lottery from its Phoenix location.

Serving 150 lotteries in 50 countries, Scientific Games is the world’s largest lottery games company, the fastest-growing lottery systems provider, and a leading provider of digital lottery solutions. The company is one of the first lottery companies globally certified by the World Lottery Association as a Responsible Gaming Supplier.

Scratchers® is a registered service mark of the California Lottery.

The post All Systems Go: Scientific Games Launches New, Advanced Technology for Arizona Lottery appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Arizona Lottery

Scientific Games rolls out Momentum systems upgrade for Arizona Lottery

Published

4 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

scientific-games-rolls-out-momentum-systems-upgrade-for-arizona-lottery

New central gaming and retailer management systems support expanded draw game features across the Lottery’s 3,600 retail locations.

Scientific Games said a new suite of systems technology is now powering the Arizona Lottery’s statewide sales, including updates to its draw games portfolio. The rollout is based on Scientific Games’ Momentum ecosystem, incorporating a central gaming system and a retailer management system.

Arizona Lottery Executive Director Alec Thomson said the technology and game changes are intended to modernize operations and refresh the draw game lineup. “Our teams have been working hard behind the scenes with the Scientific Games teams, and we are thrilled to see this project come to life. The changes to our draw games will give our players bigger value, more ways to play and even more chances to win,” Thomson said. “Ultimately, the advanced technology ecosystem modernizes our operations and positions the Arizona Lottery for future growth.”

The Lottery’s draw game changes include an update to The Pick featuring an automatic multiplier on every play and an add-on called The Pick PLUS, the addition of a daily midday drawing for Pick 3, the launch of a new Pick 4 game with midday and evening drawings, and the addition of Powerball Double Play.

Scientific Games said it also upgraded its gem | suite software to support the expanded draw portfolio and to manage retailer licensing, communications and business intelligence across the Arizona Lottery’s network of 3,600 retailers. “As the Arizona Lottery’s systems technology partner since 2015, Scientific Games is focused on readying the Lottery for long-term sustainability through advanced systems and software, and exciting new products that engage players and drive proceeds to the good cause programs that benefit Arizonans,” said John Schulz, President, Americas & Global Instant Products.

Scientific Games has supplied products and services to the Arizona Lottery for 45 years, including Scratchers games and licensed brands, and supports the Lottery from a Phoenix location, according to the company.

The post Scientific Games rolls out Momentum systems upgrade for Arizona Lottery appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Jonathan Jossel

Silver Strike slot machines at the Plaza Hotel & Casino to offer new coins

Published

4 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Wladimir P.

silver-strike-slot-machines-at-the-plaza-hotel-&-casino-to-offer-new-coins

Committed to creating a vintage Vegas gaming experience, the Plaza Hotel & Casino has long been a home for Silver Strike slot machines that dispense specialty collector coins. Beginning this month, the Plaza’s Silver Strike machines will dispense new $20 silver-clad coins to winners betting $1.50.

As casino floors evolved over the years, Silver Strike slot machines became less prevalent as more high-tech machines were added. Now considered a historic game with a limited number of machines still in existence, Silver Strike has a growing and dedicated fan base, many of whom are loyal Plaza customers.

Due to their popularity, the Plaza refurbished two Silver Strike slot machines in 2020 and added two more in the years since. The machines resemble those of a bygone era, and now three of the machines will award winning players one of three newly designed $20 silver-clad collector coins. The fourth machine will continue to award the previous $10 Jonny Rockets and BINGO coins until it runs out and will then be filled with the new $20 coins.

The new coins feature one of three different motifs: a pack of Plaza playing cards encircled with the Plaza’s current tagline “The Place To Be Downtown;” a vintage Vegas scene with the Plaza logo and 1971 to celebrate the year the property opened; and the North Tower of the Plaza with a miner and the tagline “Where Vegas Began.”

Players can decide whether to keep the Plaza collector coin to win the complete set or cash it in, each with a value of $20.

“Offering a retro gaming experience and highly sought-after collector coins, Silver Strike has been immensely popular at the Plaza since we brought it back in 2020,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “The new silver coins beautifully pay homage to the Plaza and its history, and no doubt will keep players excited to win so they can collect the set.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Visit https://tinyurl.com/2tvkkep3 to download high resolution photos of a Silver Strike machine and the new coins.

The post Silver Strike slot machines at the Plaza Hotel & Casino to offer new coins appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.