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55% of Swedish slot players think ‘Bonus Buy’ games should be banned

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Exclusive Swedish polling conducted by Play’n GO today also reveals overwhelming general public support for the prohibition of Bonus Buy slot games

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today revealed exclusive polling conducted in Sweden that shows overwhelming support for the prohibition of the controversial slot mechanic featured in ‘Bonus Buy’ games.

The results of a nationally representative survey in Sweden are stark:

  • Seven out of ten members of the general Swedish public (69%) support changing the regulation to ban ‘Bonus Buy’ games
  • Incredibly, more than half of Swedish slot players (55%) want the game type prohibited too

Among the respondents who want to see the controversial slot game banned, two-thirds of the public (66%), and more than half of slot players in Sweden (52%), believe ‘Bonus Buy’ games exploit vulnerable gamblers.

Further, nearly two-thirds of slot players themselves (63%) think that ‘Bonus Buy’ games result in higher losses for players.

So called ‘Bonus Buy’ games allow players to buy directly into the bonus or free spins round of a slot game, in many cases for hundreds of times more than their initial stake for a single spin.

The controversial game type is banned by some of the world’s leading regulators including KSA of the Netherlands and the UK Gambling Commission, who reiterated their stance in a reminder to all online casino operators back in January 2020 that stated ‘Gambling products must not actively encourage customers to increase their stake or increase the amount they have decided to gamble.’

The findings by Play’n GO also reveal today that Swedish slot players overwhelming think that:

  • changing the regulation to align with the UK and the Netherlands regarding ‘Bonus Buy’ games is the ‘responsible thing to do’ (61%)
  • a change in the regulation shows that ‘the Swedish government are taking gambling issues seriously (63%)
  • they would be proud if the gambling regulator prohibited ‘Bonus Buy’ games (53%)

In December, the Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen reported that Spelpaus, the centralised national self-exclusion system, surpassed 100,000 registered users for the first time.

Commenting on the overwhelming support in Sweden for the prohibition of ‘Bonus Buy’ slot games, Johan Törnqvist, CEO and Co-founder of Play’n GO, said: “Play’n GO has been a consistent and vocal advocate for a sustainable, regulated, and thriving gaming industry that is based around an ‘entertainment-first’ mindset for many years.

“I pledged as far back as 2021 that Play’n GO would never make a Bonus Buy game3 – a decision that has cost us hundreds of millions of Swedish Krona – but I stand by that decision. Bonus buy games are harmful to players, and to the long-term health and sustainability of the entire industry, and they should be excluded from the regulated Swedish market.”

Over half of the Swedish public (51%) described game suppliers who have decided not to make ‘Bonus Buy’ games as ‘responsible’, with more than a quarter choosing ‘ethical’ or ‘brave’.

The exclusive research was conducted among people in Sweden who reported that they played slots at least once per month.

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PokerStars Casino adds Skullapalooza as fifth 2026 Slotlist pick

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Psiclone Games and Playtech-built title features three Free Spins modifiers, including expanding reels, sliding wilds and jackpots up to 500x bet.

PokerStars Casino has released Skullapalooza as the fifth game in its 2026 The Slotlist series, making the title the featured slot on the operator’s Casino tab for the month.

Skullapalooza is developed by Psiclone Games and Playtech. The game’s core hook is a Free Spins system built around three “Skull” features that can be triggered individually or in combination: expanding reels, jackpot accumulators and stacked sliding wilds.

According to the company, players can land different coloured gems to randomly trigger one or more Free Spins variants. Pink gems may trigger Free Games with Expanding Reels, blue gems may add Sliding Wilds, and purple gems may activate pots with a grand prize of up to 500x total bet. The company said all three variants can be active at once.

“The Slotlist is designed to spotlight games that deliver a well-rounded player experience, combining innovative features, striking visuals, and immersive gameplay”, said Ed Fogarty, Associate Director of PokerStars Casino Commercial. “Skullapalooza embodies all these qualities, and we’re thrilled to feature it prominently in The Slotlist this month.”

Skullapalooza joins earlier 2026 Slotlist picks including Baozang Empire of Plenty, Magnificent Power Leprechaun, and 12 Burning Baseballs.

The post PokerStars Casino adds Skullapalooza as fifth 2026 Slotlist pick appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Arizona extends Gaming Department for six years; problem gambling budget rises 20%

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Governor Hobbs signs SB 1671; new budget sets $4M spend authority plus $500K a year from event wagering funds.

The Arizona Department of Gaming has secured a six-year continuation after Governor Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1671, following the 2026 legislative session that adjourned June 12, 2026. The continuation also covers the Arizona State Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Commission and the Arizona Racing Commission.

The Department said SB 1671 affirms its authority to regulate tribal gaming, event wagering and fantasy sports, horse racing and simulcast wagering, and boxing and mixed martial arts.

In parallel, the Department said Senate Bill 1847 and the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget expand expenditure authority for its Division of Problem Gambling. The budget authorizes $4,000,000 in total spending for the Division, which the agency said is a 20% increase from FY26.

The Department also said the legislature granted an annual $500,000 expenditure authority to use Event Wagering funds to support problem gambling, and that the Division will have grant oversight authority for the first time.

Arizona first established the Department of Gaming in 1995 – and more than thirty years later, we remain excited about world-class regulation benefiting the entire state,” said Jackie Johnson, Department Director. “I’m grateful to Governor Hobbs and leaders in the state legislature, particularly continuation bill sponsor State Senator Shawnna Bolick, who thoroughly reviewed our agency with a deep commitment to public service, and I am pleased that the Department secured its continuation, which will allow us to strengthen our focus points in robust consumer protection and integrity.”

“The new state budget will strengthen longstanding investments in problem gambling assistance made possible through partnerships with Arizona’s Tribal Nations and the Arizona Lottery,” said Elise Mikkelsen. “We continue to see strong demand from individuals and families seeking information, resources, and treatment for gambling-related harm. This increased funding will help us expand the continuum of care and ensure more Arizonans have access to effective, inclusive, and timely support.”

The post Arizona extends Gaming Department for six years; problem gambling budget rises 20% appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Ed Fogarty Associate Director of PokerStars Casino Commercial

Time to Fiesta with PokerStars Casino’s Latest The Slotlist Pick ‘Skullapalooza’ from Psiclone Games and Playtech

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PokerStars Casino has unveiled the fifth game release in its 2026 The Slotlist series, Skullapalooza, a vibrant, high-energy slot game which brings a Mexican fiesta to life, combining bold visuals with layered mechanics.

Developed by Psiclone Games and Playtech, Skullapalooza offers classic slot action combined with a dynamic Free Spins system built around three distinct Skull features, allowing players to trigger and combine expanding reels, Jackpot accumulators, and stacked sliding wilds for enhanced gameplay depth and variety.

Players land different coloured gems on reels to randomly trigger one or more of the Free Spins Skulls. Pink gems might trigger Free Games with Expanding Reels; Blue gems might come with Sliding Wilds; and Purple gems might activate pots with a grand prize of up to 500x total bet. All three variants can be active at once for the ultimate Free Games experience.

The Slotlist curates a single headline slot game on the PokerStars Casino tab each month, hand-picked for its creativity, visual appeal, and engaging gameplay. PokerStars Casino continues to offer the broadest and most exciting selection of new slot releases every month.

“The Slotlist is designed to spotlight games that deliver a well-rounded player experience, combining innovative features, striking visuals, and immersive gameplay”, said Ed Fogarty, Associate Director of PokerStars Casino Commercial. “Skullapalooza embodies all these qualities, and we’re thrilled to feature it prominently in The Slotlist this month.”

Skullapalooza is now available to play on PokerStars Casino, joining titles such as Baozang Empire of Plenty, Magnificent Power Leprechaun, and 12 Burning Baseballs as part of The Slotlist’s standout picks for 2026.

For more information about PokerStars Casino The Slotlist visit the website.

The post Time to Fiesta with PokerStars Casino’s Latest The Slotlist Pick ‘Skullapalooza’ from Psiclone Games and Playtech appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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