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.”
iQOO S8UL
iQOO S8UL crowned champions of Rai Star x Gyan Gaming Cup, one of India’s largest MOBA Legends 5v5 tournaments
iQOO S8UL, the MOBA Legends 5v5 team of S8UL Esports, emerged victorious at the Rai Star x Gyan Gaming Cup, one of India’s largest MOBA tournaments, with a nail-biting 4-3 win in the grand final held in Kolkata on February 18. The championship secured the team INR 12.5 lakh in prize money and reinforced S8UL Esports’ dominance in the Indian competitive MOBA scene.
The month-long tournament featured 1,024 teams in open qualifiers, culminating in a top-16 main event. Led by in-game leader Mohammad Saad (Apex), alongside Abhijeet Katkar (Abhi), Mehta Jay (J), Chirag Singh (Radium), Debasish Sana (Anti), and Joseph Nehhunjang (Kakarot), iQOO S8UL displayed remarkable composure and strategic execution throughout.
The team’s path to victory included:
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Quarterfinals: 2-0 win over Megatron Esports (Bo3)
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Semifinals: 3-1 victory over PEAK (Bo5)
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Group A Finals: 4-0 sweep of Elusivity Esports (Bo7)
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Grand Final: 4-3 triumph against Godlike Esports (Bo7)
Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder of S8UL Esports, commented: “This win is a testament to our long-term vision and structured support system for elite players. The Indian MOBA ecosystem is growing rapidly, and victories like this validate our investment in building top-tier lineups and nurturing talent.”
IGL Mohammad Saad (Apex) added: “The grand final was one of the most intense series we’ve played. This title belongs to everyone who believed in us.”
The victory strengthens S8UL Esports’ reputation as a leading Indian esports organization, highlighting its commitment to developing elite talent and elevating India’s presence in both national and global esports arenas.
The post iQOO S8UL crowned champions of Rai Star x Gyan Gaming Cup, one of India’s largest MOBA Legends 5v5 tournaments appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
PG Soft returns with dual sponsorship for SiGMA Africa 2026
PG Soft, a leading mobile games developer, returns to SiGMA Africa 2026, taking place from March 3–5 at The Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town, South Africa, with two high-profile sponsorships.
Africa remains a rapidly growing and increasingly savvy iGaming market, forming a key part of PG Soft’s long-term expansion strategy.
The HD Screen at Entrance Sponsorship puts PG Soft’s logo on giant screens next to registration, accompanied by a looped promotional video showcasing its diverse game portfolio to every attendee.
Meanwhile, the Registration Counter Sponsorship gives the brand prominent exposure at the start of the SiGMA experience, featuring full branding and two dedicated screens for maximum visibility.
The dual sponsorship underscores PG Soft’s commitment to the African iGaming market and its ongoing strategic growth in the region.
A PG Soft spokesperson said: “Africa continues to be an exciting frontier for iGaming innovation and growth. By sponsoring SiGMA Africa once again, we’re reaffirming our dedication to this vibrant market and our belief in its potential. We look forward to connecting with industry leaders and partners at one of the continent’s premier gaming events.”
The post PG Soft returns with dual sponsorship for SiGMA Africa 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Belatra
Rods at the ready for Belatra’s Ice Bass slot
Belatra, the innovative online slots developer, is back with the highly anticipated sequel to its hit Blast the Bass, introducing Ice Bass.
The familiar fisherman returns, swapping summer gear for a heavy-duty parka and an ice drill, ready to fish beneath a frozen lake for a maximum win of 5,000x. Each spin is accompanied by an energetic soundtrack that intensifies as players progress through the game’s new levels.
Fish icons represent both standard payline elements and credit symbols, with multipliers ranging from 2x to 1000x. The Fisherman-Wild, appearing exclusively in Free Games, collects all visible values on the screen, with multiple Fishermen multiplying the haul.
Players can unlock boosters during the pre-game fishing phase—triggered by three or more Scatters in Free Games—that add Fishermen, extra spins, or guaranteed Fish symbols. The round continues until the dreaded Old Boot is hooked, with the Booster panel stacking rewards and multipliers as the feature progresses.
Hot Mode, activated by five Scatters in the base game, immediately awards active multipliers and additional games. Players can increase Scatter frequency with the Bet +25% option or jump straight into Free Games or Hot Mode using the Buy Bonus feature.
Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented: “Get your winter gear ready for our slick new Ice Bass, a worthy follow-up to the much-loved Blast the Bass. We wanted to create a game that packs the same punch as the original but in a thrilling winter setting—and the team has delivered a game that’s scorching hot even below zero!”
The post Rods at the ready for Belatra’s Ice Bass slot appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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