Latest News

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%.

Latest News

QTech Games lights up its live casino offering with Live Vegas

Published

21 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

qtech-games-lights-up-its-live-casino-offering-with-live-vegas

QTech Games, the leading game aggregator for emerging markets, has launched a partnership with leading live-casino provider Live Vegas, adding further depth to its product portfolio and giving platform clients access to a multifaceted live-dealer catalogue.

The global live-dealer sector continues to grow, and Live Vegas’s authentic and innovative digital table games provide a standout example. Its suite includes popular live casino titles such as Blackjack, Roulette, Texas Hold’em, and Baccarat, designed to deliver the thrill of Vegas to players worldwide.

As part of the studio’s mantra to “capture the thrill of Vegas,” Live Vegas is also elevating the VIP experience. Single players can now enjoy one-on-one live video sessions with dedicated dealers, offering a personalised, social, and engaging gaming experience. Players can seamlessly switch tables or dealers, ensuring smooth gameplay while keeping the focus on the action.

These games now form part of QTech Games’ diverse portfolio, which is localised for each region and supported by native mobile apps, powerful reporting and marketing tools, and 24/7 local-language assistance. The partnership also extends Live Vegas’s international reach, unlocking new opportunities in emerging regions, especially Africa and Latin America.

Philip Doftvik, CEO at QTech Games, said:
“Live Vegas is an eye-catching studio, renowned for delivering immersive entertainment experiences to players, who can now enjoy these engaging, real-time table games (from classics like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and Texas Hold’em to more regional favourites) via the flexible QTech Games platform which offers the fastest integration on the market.

“Over the past few years, they have developed an array of exciting live-casino products, designed to boost retention and deliver a memorable user experience that players return to, while attracting new players as well. They’re the first provider to really ramp up the VIP-room experience, too—creating a warm, engaging experience which doesn’t fall far short of Vegas’s real-world customer service! Our combined aim is to empower operators with reliable technology and innovative solutions, making it easy to channel the excitement of Vegas to every player.”

Tigran Zaqaryan, CCO at Live Vegas, added:
“We’re thrilled to put our key piece in place in the all-encompassing QTech Games jigsaw, and we look forward to their platform taking our games to new, untapped audiences across emerging markets. Live Vegas’s unrelenting commitment to delivering engaging live-player experiences affords customers the visceral thrill of playing in a real-world casino, while QTech’s know-how made them a perfect partner for us. They understand that there’s no chance of cracking emerging markets without delivering the best localised games that truly connect with varied cultural proclivities in iGaming.

“At Live Vegas, our commitment to innovation and delivering the highest-quality experiences informs everything we do. QTech’s emerging markets platform now offers the perfect new proving ground through which to showcase our content. We blend industry-leading expertise with advanced technology to deliver exceptional services. And our focus is on creating a uniquely tailored gaming experience, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for every player.”

The post QTech Games lights up its live casino offering with Live Vegas appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alex Manning

LCKY Group announce Alex Manning as Group CTO

Published

21 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

lcky-group-announce-alex-manning-as-group-cto

LCKY Group has announced the appointment of Alex Manning as Group Chief Technology Officer, marking the first major leadership hire since the company’s strategic rebrand earlier this year.

Previously known as Glitnor Group, the entrepreneurial-led organisation entered a new phase of its development in January when it adopted the name LCKY Group. The rebrand was designed to better reflect the strong portfolio of brands operating under the group while also positioning the business for future expansion.

Alex’s appointment as Group CTO represents a significant step in this next stage of growth. With more than 25 years of experience across the fintech and iGaming sectors, Alex brings deep expertise in scaling businesses and leading complex digital transformations.

Prior to joining LCKY Group, Alex served as CTO of iGaming at Light & Wonder, where he led a major engineering transformation. During his four-year tenure, he transitioned the team to a product-led, cross-functional delivery model, oversaw the development of several first-of-their-kind products, and supported the company’s expansion into new regulated markets.

Richard Brown, Group CEO at LCKY Group, said:
“Everyone at LCKY Group is delighted to welcome Alex at what is a defining moment in the company’s evolution. He brings extensive experience across regulated fintech and iGaming markets, and his proven ability to guide organisations through successful scale-ups and digital transformations makes him an ideal fit for the role of Group CTO.”

Alex Manning, Group CTO at LCKY Group, added:
“I’m excited to join LCKY Group at a time when the business is focused on strengthening its international presence and growing its influence across key regulated markets. My priority will be to build on the strong culture that already exists within the group, creating a high-performance environment where teams can thrive, innovation is encouraged, and each of our brands is given the platform it deserves.”

The post LCKY Group announce Alex Manning as Group CTO appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bonus Card

CasinoCanada.com Launches Revamped Bonus Cards

Published

21 minutes ago

March 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

casinocanada.com-launches-revamped-bonus-cards

CasinoCanada.com has revamped its bonus display, introducing a new Bonus Card system that makes it easier to understand, compare, and claim offers.

The recently launched Bonus Cards offer an organized and efficient method for discovering bonuses.

This update addresses ongoing problems with messy and uneven bonus information. In the past, diverse naming methods, extensive explanations, and concealed special offers complicated the process for users to find pertinent deals.

Neat, uniform cards

Every bonus now follows a distinct standardized format with straightforward names and essential information displayed prominently. The straightforward, easy-to-read design removes confusion and enables users to swiftly grasp every offer.

Exclusive bonuses highlighted prominently

CasinoCanada.com now showcases its exclusive offers – bonuses that can only be accessed through the site. A new Exclusive toggle enables users to quickly display these deals without going to a different page or completing extra tasks. With one tap, special deals rise to the top of the list.

Expandable information for enhanced understanding

Every card now features an expandable area containing essential terms, advantages and disadvantages, and qualification criteria. This assists visitors in swiftly locating the specific promotion they seek, minimizing search duration and enhancing overall navigation.

The revamped system simplifies the reading, comparing, and claiming of bonuses. This update increases CasinoCanada.com’s value to its audience by minimizing friction and showcasing exclusive offers.

CasinoCanada.com will persist in broadening and improving the product, with forthcoming visual upgrades and extra features already being developed.

The post CasinoCanada.com Launches Revamped Bonus Cards appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.