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55% of Swedish slot players think ‘Bonus Buy’ games should be banned
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.
Latest News
Play’n GO Releases its Latest Online Slot Wrappin’ Gold
Play’n GO has released its latest online slot, Wrappin’ Gold, where a newly roused mummy pursues stolen treasures from the tomb to the heavens.
Rudely awakened from centuries of silence, the long-lost mummy of the greedy Pharaoh Khufu discovers his precious gems have been taken by Queen Cleo and her pillaging minions. With patience gone and pride wounded, Khufu sets off in relentless pursuit, ready to chase even Ra across the sky to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his.
Wrappin’ Gold leans into the playful side of ancient Egypt, blending regal swagger with mischievous grave-robber chaos. Khufu is no serene monarch in repose, but a determined figure dragged back into the world by theft and taunting. Against him stands Queen Cleo, framed as a bold instigator whose raids turn temples and tombs into the stage for a high-speed rivalry. The result is a character-led tale of possession, ego, and payback, wrapped in sun-baked mystique and divine-scale theatrics.
This 5-reel video slot centres its storytelling on pursuit and confrontation: a treasure-owner who refuses to be laughed at, a raiding queen who never stops pushing her luck and a sun god who becomes the ultimate line in the sand.
Magnus Wallentin, Games Ambassador at Play’n GO, said: “With Wrappin’ Gold, we wanted to spotlight a bold clash of personalities – Khufu’s stubborn determination against Queen Cleo’s audacious mischief – and frame it as a fast, cinematic chase that keeps the story front and centre.”
Wrappin’ Gold is a sharp, character-driven Egyptian caper where pride sparks the pursuit and the sky itself becomes the finish line.
The post Play’n GO Releases its Latest Online Slot Wrappin’ Gold appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Latest News
PRAGMATIC PLAY SETS UP SHOP WITH MR NULL’S WICKED WARES
Pragmatic Play, a leading content supplier to the iGaming industry, has opened the doors to the sorcerer’s showroom in Mr Null’s Wicked Wares, where a catalogue of mystery symbols and multipliers conjure up 5,000x win potential.
The magical Mr Null watches over the grid in this 3-4-4-4-3 slot, where mystery symbols on reels 2-4 transform into random paying symbols, carrying 2x-10x multipliers. If two or more mystery symbols contribute to the same winning combination, their multiplier values combine.
Landing three scatters triggers the bonus game with seven free spins, with each scatter that hits during the feature awarding one extra spin.
Starting at 2x, win multipliers above reels 2-4 are progressive throughout the bonus game. Each subsequent winning mystery symbol increases the respective reel multiplier by +1x, applying to future mystery symbols that land on the same reel.
In select markets, players can activate a range of special bets, guaranteeing mystery symbols on each spin and increasing the minimum multiplier, or they can jump straight into Free Spins or Super Free Spins, which sees the starting multiplier increased to 5x.
Mr Null’s Wicked Wares is the latest addition to Pragmatic Play’s award-winning slots portfolio, following the release of Jelly Express and Sweet Bonanza 2500.
Sharon McHugh, Director of Public Relations at Pragmatic Play, said: “Mr Null’s Wicked Wares combines mystery symbols and multipliers with an eye-catching and atmospheric theme, while the growing multiplier meters keep the momentum building during the feature. It’s a distinctive addition to our portfolio, and one we’re confident players will enjoy.”
The post PRAGMATIC PLAY SETS UP SHOP WITH MR NULL’S WICKED WARES appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BettingRanker
CasinoRank’s BettingRanker: Live Betting Becomes Core of Global Sports Wagering
Live betting has become the dominant force in global sports wagering, according to a report from CasinoRank’s BettingRanker. New data shows that 47% of global online wagers were placed in-play in 2024, generating around $27.1 billion in gross win, with the share continuing to grow into 2025–2026.
BettingRanker’s analysis highlights a clear shift towards real-time wagering, with forecasts suggesting in-play betting will exceed 50% of global activity by 2028. In mature markets, this transition is already complete.
Key findings:
• In-play betting reached 47% of global wagers in 2024
• Europe (54%) and North America (53%) already exceed majority share
• Football drives 56% of total betting activity, generating $53B globally
• Mobile accounts for 58% of European gambling revenue, rising to 66% by 2028
• Operators report up to 65% of turnover coming from live betting
• Markets with strong in-play products see higher regulated participation
The growth is driven by better product design and infrastructure. Operators now offer micro-markets (next play, point or action), integrate live streaming, and deliver real-time odds updates at scale. Mobile usage plays a central role, as betting increasingly happens during live events, on the go, or alongside second-screen viewing.
At the same time, regulation is becoming stricter. Some U.S. states are moving to limit or ban in-play betting, especially micro-betting. Industry data suggests that restricting these products may push users toward offshore platforms rather than reducing demand.
Ethan Moore, Sports Analytics Specialist at BettingRanker, notes that live betting has evolved faster than regulation, raising questions about whether growth will remain within regulated markets.
The post CasinoRank’s BettingRanker: Live Betting Becomes Core of Global Sports Wagering appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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