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Survey: Supporters of Centre Party, Finns Party and National Coalition Party are against the Government’s decision concerning Veikkaus Ltd

Published

6 years ago

July 15, 2020

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Finnish Government’s decision to make budget appropriations in order to fully compensate Veikkaus Ltd.’s beneficiaries for the decline in Veikkaus’s revenue from gambling divides the Finnish people into two, almost equal-sized opposing camps, as indicated by the survey commissioned from Bilendi Oy.

Finns are split almost exactly in half over whether or not the Finnish Government reached the right solution in deciding to make budget appropriations to fully compensate Veikkaus Ltd.’s beneficiaries for the decline in Veikkaus’s revenue from gambling in 2020.

In March this year, Veikkaus Ltd, the government-owned betting agency that holds a monopoly in Finland, shut down its gambling machines in grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants and petrol stations due to the coronavirus crisis. Additionally, sports betting has faced an exceptional situation, as many popular sports have temporarily ceased.

41% of Finns are in favour of the Government’s decision to fully compensate the beneficiaries for the decline in revenue, while 38% of them are against it. The rest cannot say how they feel about it.

These are some of the findings of a survey conducted by the market research company Bilendi Oy as part of its M3 Panel, a nationwide consumer panel, between 10 and 13 July 2020, on commission by Kasino Curt, the gambling information website (https://kasinocurt.com/). The margin of error in the survey is ±3.1 percentage points. A total of 1,000 Finnish adults responded to the survey, and the sample was weighted by age, gender and place of residence to represent the Finnish population on a national scale.

Out of all parties’ supporters, the decision by the Government headed by Prime Minister Sanna Marin arouses the most opposition among Finns Party voters, of whom just 31 percent relate favourably to it. Out of the Cabinet parties’ supporters, Centre Party voters are against the Government’s decision; merely 37 percent of them are in favour of it. Likewise, supporters of the National Coalition Party and the minor parties are against the Government’s decision.

“On the whole, the difference between the support and opposition is so small that it falls within the margin of error. However, different age groups relate very differently to the matter. The 18-24-year-olds feel most negatively about the decision, whereas among the 45-54-year-olds, as many as 47 percent consider the decision a good one,” says Janne Juntunen, Senior Client Service Manager for Bilendi Oy.

Gambling machines in grocery stores: a sign of the post-COVID-19 era?

In June, Veikkaus publicly announced it will restart the gambling machines on 15 July. Veikkaus also announced it will do so with attention to the health risks caused by COVID-19, which seems to have convinced the Finnish people.

According to Kasino Curt’s survey, 46% of Finns approve of Veikkaus’s decision to turn the gambling machines back on while 30% of them disapprove of it. The rest cannot say how they feel about it.

“The coronavirus epidemic was not mentioned in conjunction with the survey for impartiality reasons, but the respondents may have thought that the restart of Veikkaus’s gambling machines is a sign of the post-COVID-19 era,” Juntunen mentions.

Last year, Kasino Curt commissioned two similar surveys from Bilendi. The findings of these surveys indicated that more Finns support than oppose the idea of abolishing Finland’s gambling monopoly and adopting a gambling licence system and that Finns are suspicious of the Finnish MPs’ motives in gambling matters.

The results of all the three surveys are still available online at https://kasinocurt.com.

Listed below are the statements of the most recent survey and those responses that indicated agreement or disagreement with them (that is to say, the responses “Cannot say” are not included in the listing):

In March this year, Veikkaus Ltd shut down its gambling machines in grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants and petrol stations. On 15 July, Veikkaus will turn the gambling machines back on. In my opinion, the decision to restart the gambling machines is the right one. Agree 46%, disagree 30%.

The Finnish Government has decided to make budget appropriations in order to fully compensate Veikkaus Ltd.’s beneficiaries for the decline in Veikkaus’s revenue from gambling in 2020. In my opinion, this is right. (The beneficiaries are represented by a number of organisations.) Agree 41%, disagree 38%.

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Spinomenal Welcomes Majestic Joker into Its Classics Series

Published

31 minutes ago

February 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Spinomenal, a top iGaming content provider, has introduced Majestic Joker within its renowned Spinomenal Classics series.

Majestic Joker draws influence from the elegance of a traditional casino setting, infused with a fun, contemporary twist. Against a vibrant, dramatic setting of red and gold, Spinomenal’s newest launch features traditional fruit symbols like grapes, lemons, cherries, and watermelons.

An upbeat, dynamic soundtrack enhances the experience, elevating the gameplay and making players sense that each spin is crucial to the performance. The impressive Joker emblem signifies the Wild and can substitute for any symbol except for Double symbols, Free Spins, and Bonus symbols. Five Wilds appearing on a winning line reward players with x200.

Players who hit three Free Spins icons will activate the Free Spins feature. Prior to accessing the feature, players need to spin the Wheel of Fortune to find out the number of free spins they receive – between 10 and 40 – and the symbol that will double during the round.

A golden Star emblem signifies the Bonus feature, where three Stars activate the Bonus game. Players start with three spins, aiming to fill the meter by gathering dispersed winning symbols. For every five collected symbols, one cell in the metre is filled. Obtaining a +1 symbol grants an additional spin, and after the spins conclude, the ultimate payout is based on the highest filled meter cell.

Majestic Joker includes the Stacked Wilds feature, allowing Wild symbols to show up on the reels while spinning to boost winning opportunities. Throughout the base game, only Double Symbols can be triggered, converting all visible symbols into their double versions.

Spinomenal CO-CEO, Omer Henya commented: “Majestic Joker encapsulates everything that players love about classic slots experiences, reimagined with a modern touch and proven mechanics. Our newest addition to our Classics series is a modern tribute to classic slot entertainment.”

The post Spinomenal Welcomes Majestic Joker into Its Classics Series appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Thunderkick Unveils Pan’s Arcadia, a Utopian Wilderness

Published

31 minutes ago

February 2, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Independent slots developer Thunderkick has infused the age-old concept of harmony into Pan’s Arcadia, where the deity of nature combines a serene environment with a Sticky Respins feature and a complex progressive bonus game.

Pan is surrounded by elemental nymphs on the 6×3 grid, set against a picturesque background filled with wildlife. The core game is enhanced by the Sticky Respin feature, which can be triggered on any winning spin, fixing symbols in position and re-spinning the other icons to prolong the gameplay.

Landing three magical scatters activates the bonus round, in which three dice are cast to grant up to 18 free spins. During the feature, more scatters are gathered, and every third one provides three extra spins. These sets propel advancement through the bonus stages, as finished groups of three dice have their values multiplied and summed to the Cube collection meter.

The initial four levels, activated by gathering 36 to 179 Cube points, turn the different nymphs into wilds for the rest of the round. Level five, achieved with 180 points, eliminates all mid-value symbols and brings in the valuable Dark Pandora symbol. At this point, the Sticky Respin feature stays active, and one wild is added to the grid prior to each spin.

The conclusion is unveiled with 216 points, changing Dark Pandora into the mighty Pandora of Light, which features solely Pan symbols and wilds. Every spin features a 2×2 wild positioned on reels three and four, with each filled spot applying a 2x multiplier to wins that intersect. In this feature, Sticky Respins keep symbols fixed in position regardless of winning, allowing for a maximum win potential of 4,320x.

Pan’s Arcadia reflects Thunderkick’s ongoing commitment to crafting immersive game worlds, combining premium production with thoughtfully layered feature sets designed to maximise replay value and deliver operators sustained commercial impact.

Viktor Johansson, Slot Game Creator at Thunderkick, said: “Patience and progression sit at the heart of Pan’s Arcadia. It is a journey designed to evolve over time, where each step forward feels meaningful and persistence levels up potential.

“Arcadia represents a utopic vision, a balance between nature and spirit, and it was essential for that tone to carry through the entire game. The art team has created a serene world, which, when paired with the depth of the bonus game, delivers a cohesive and engaging experience.”

The post Thunderkick Unveils Pan’s Arcadia, a Utopian Wilderness appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Meridianbet Completes Fairbet Acquisition, Expanding Malta Retail Gaming Network Under Golden Matrix Group

Published

2 days ago

January 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Meridianbet, a leading global sports betting and gaming operator and a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has completed the acquisition of Fairbet Ltd., a licensed retail gaming operator in Malta.

The transaction significantly expands Meridianbet’s physical retail footprint in one of Europe’s most tightly regulated gaming jurisdictions.

Fairbet operates under Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license B2C/195/2011, and the acquisition grants Meridianbet 100% ownership of Fairbet’s retail operations across Malta and Gozo, the archipelago’s second-largest island. The deal expands Meridianbet’s presence beyond its existing locations and further consolidates its position within the Maltese retail gaming market.

As part of the transaction, nine additional retail locations will be integrated into the Meridianbet network, increasing the company’s total number of storefronts in Malta to 20. The enlarged retail estate is expected to operate more than 60 sports betting terminals and over 120 slot machines, significantly boosting Meridianbet’s land-based gaming capacity.

The companies’ previous technology partnership will now transition into full operational integration, with Meridianbet assuming complete operational control of Fairbet’s retail network. All locations will be rebranded under the Meridianbet name, ensuring unified technology, compliance, and customer experience across the portfolio.

Malta’s retail gaming sector is governed by one of the most restrictive regulatory frameworks in Europe, with only three licensed operators permitted to operate retail betting locations: Meridianbet, Izibet (the National Lottery operator), and Fairbet. With Fairbet now wholly owned by Meridianbet, the company effectively controls two of the three retail gaming licenses in the jurisdiction.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) enforces strict licensing criteria, substantial capital requirements, and rigorous compliance standards that create significant barriers to market entry. These conditions limit competition and create long-term scarcity value for licensed operators that meet the regulatory threshold.

“Completing the acquisition of Fairbet strengthens our position in a market where regulatory barriers create inherent scarcity value,” said Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet. “This transaction allows us to expand our retail infrastructure in Malta, while our technology now supports the majority of licensed retail gaming in the country. It reflects our disciplined M&A strategy, targeting high-barrier markets where limited licensing creates durable competitive advantages.”

The Fairbet acquisition aligns with Meridianbet’s broader growth strategy, which combines organic expansion with selective mergers and acquisitions in jurisdictions where regulation encourages consolidation. Malta has been a core operational hub for Meridianbet since 2008, with the company ranking among the country’s originally licensed gaming operators during the early development of the MGA framework.

Malta’s gaming industry benefits from a regulatory regime widely regarded as one of Europe’s most credible. The MGA’s oversight framework emphasizes investor protection, technical compliance, and financial stability, positioning Malta-licensed operators for trust and recognition across international markets.

Meridianbet’s expanded retail footprint across Malta and Gozo enhances its ability to serve both local customers and the island nation’s strong tourism sector. According to Malta’s National Statistics Office, tourist arrivals exceeded three million visitors in 2024, reinforcing the strategic value of a broad, well-positioned retail gaming network

The post Meridianbet Completes Fairbet Acquisition, Expanding Malta Retail Gaming Network Under Golden Matrix Group appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.