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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%.

ELA Games

ELA Games releases Flames Fruits Frenzy Hold and Win slot

Published

1 hour ago

July 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

ela-games-releases-flames-fruits-frenzy-hold-and-win-slot

New title adds a Hold & Win bonus to the studio’s retro fruit-themed “Flames Fruits Frenzy” line.

ELA Games has released a new slot title, Flames Fruits Frenzy Hold and Win, expanding its Flames Fruits Frenzy series with a Hold & Win bonus feature.

The game uses classic fruit-machine iconography, including cherries, lemons, oranges, grapes, and watermelons, presented with updated high-definition visual effects, according to the company.

ELA Games positioned the release as a seasonal summer-themed update and said it is aimed at players who prefer traditional fruit-slot formats paired with modern mechanics.

The company did not disclose target markets, operator rollout partners, RTP, volatility, maximum win, or a specific release date beyond announcing the launch in the statement.

The post ELA Games releases Flames Fruits Frenzy Hold and Win slot appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

Games Global and Posh Monkey Studios debut brand-new reel expansion feature in Fishin’ Madness™ QUADGROWS™

Published

1 hour ago

July 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

Games Global has cast its line into the popular fishing genre with the launch of Fishin’ Madness QUADGROWS, developed by exclusive partner Posh Monkey Studios, introducing an all-new evolving reel mechanic that continuously unlocks new ways to win.

Leveraging the enduring appeal of the classic genre, Fishin’ Madness QUADGROWS features the innovative QUADGROWS feature, where every spin contributes toward greater potential.

Beginning on a 5×3 reel-set, the game gradually expands to seven rows, where each progression level unlocks additional paylines, larger Fish Instant Prizes and enhanced Collect Multipliers, rewarding players as they venture deeper beneath the waves.

The Fisherman Collect mechanic remains at the heart of the experience, awarding all visible Fish Instant Prizes when the Fisherman lands on reel five. As QUADGROWS unlocks additional rows, new Collect Multipliers become active, increasing the value of every successful catch.

Three or more Scatters trigger eight Free Spins, where larger multipliers create even bigger payout opportunities, while five Scatters award the game’s maximum 10,000x prize.

Completing the feature set is Posh Monkey Studios’ proprietary Posh Spins, an optional boost that increases the chance of triggering the bonus round.

Combining one of the most popular game themes with an evolving reel mechanic, Fishin’ Madness QUADGROWS adds a new layer of progression to the classic collect-style experience.

Connor Blinman, Co-Founder of Posh Monkey Studios, said: “Fishing games continue to resonate with players, but standing out in such an established genre means delivering something genuinely different.

“The QUADGROWS mechanic creates a real sense of progression throughout the player journey, with every milestone unlocking bigger opportunities and adding another layer of excitement to the experience.”

Dave Reynolds, Director of Games Strategy and Partner Management at Games Global, added: “Posh Monkey Studios has taken a proven formula and introduced an engaging progression system that gives players a reason to keep coming back.

“Fishin’ Madness QUADGROWS is another example of how Games Global and its exclusive studios continue to evolve popular mechanics through creative gameplay innovation. We’re excited about the roadmap ahead for Posh Monkey Studios’ and the fresh ideas they’ll be bringing to the table.”

The post Games Global and Posh Monkey Studios debut brand-new reel expansion feature in Fishin’ Madness™ QUADGROWS™ appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

ZEAL acquires SevenCanyon and enters the highly attractive UK prize draw market

Published

1 hour ago

July 9, 2026

Wladimir P.

zeal-acquires-sevencanyon-and-enters-the-highly-attractive-uk-prize-draw-market

ZEAL Network SE has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire the remaining 96.5 percent of the shares in SevenCanyon Limited, in which ZEAL already holds a 3.5 percent stake. With this acquisition, the market leader for online lotteries in Germany is entering the UK market, gaining immediate access to Europe’s largest market for digital prize draw offerings.

“SevenCanyon is one of the most successful prize draw operators in the UK – we have known them for years. With the acquisition, we hit the ground running in a highly attractive and growing market. We also accelerate the implementation of our strategy to selectively diversify our business model through new products and new markets”, says Dr. Stefan Tweraser, CEO of ZEAL Network SE.

SevenCanyon operates several established UK prize draw platforms, including 7days Performance, Redline Competitions and UK Carp Competitions. This market segment comprises digital prize draws and offerings with non-cash prizes such as houses, cars, and lifestyle products. In the most recent financial year 2026 (04/25–03/26), SevenCanyon generated an operating profit (EBITDA) of more than GBP 10 million.

The transaction opens potential for further scaling of the UK business through ZEAL’s capabilities in acquisition marketing, monetisation, customer retention, data analytics, regulatory professionalism, and platform operations. Furthermore, ZEAL expects the UK prize draw market to continue to move towards more formalised rules, which will favour operators like ZEAL with strong compliance capabilities and regulated market experience.

“SevenCanyon is a highly profitable company with a proven business model. The purchase price will mainly be financed through a new loan agreement. This preserves our financial flexibility to continue our growth-oriented and shareholder-friendly capital allocation in the future”, says Andrea Behrendt, CFO of ZEAL Network SE.

Purchase price and financial impact for 2026

The transaction comprises a cash purchase price for the remaining 96.5 percent of the shares of approximately GBP 33.8 million (subject to post-completion adjustments, including an adjustment for vehicle inventory in the single-digit millions of GBP range), as well as an earn-out payment of up to GBP 4.8 million, to be paid over a period of six months after completion.

The acquisition financing is supported by a EUR 40 million term loan with a duration of seven years, arranged by Deutsche Bank.

The Management Board expects SevenCanyon to make a meaningful contribution to ZEAL’s revenue and EBITDA following consolidation. ZEAL will assess the necessary adjustments to its revenue guidance after the IFRS presentation of SevenCanyon’s revenue streams has been finalised.

On EBITDA, ZEAL confirms the range of EUR 70–75 million under the assumption of a normal jackpot environment in Germany. The updated forecast reflects anticipated non-recurring expenses in the mid-single-digit millions of euros in connection with the transaction.

For the first full financial year following completion of the transaction, ZEAL expects it to have a positive impact on EBITDA in the high-single-digit millions of euros.

The post ZEAL acquires SevenCanyon and enters the highly attractive UK prize draw market appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.