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Veikkaus’ digital gaming market share increased by 3 percentage points
2023 was a successful year for Veikkaus’ digital channel initiatives, and the company’s overall result was in line with its target. 180,000 new people registered as Veikkaus customers, and Veikkaus’ customer base now totals over 2.5 million registered customers.
Digital gaming grew by 4.5 percentage points and totalled nearly 55% of Veikkaus’ gross gaming revenue. Veikkaus channelled its development investments particularly into its digital channel, where the games created by Veikkaus’ own gaming studio also accounted for a large share of the gross gaming revenue generated by the company’s online casino, eArpa service, and other offerings. In addition, preparations were made during the year to ensure that Veikkaus would be ready for the customer registration requirement that will apply to all of its games from the beginning of 2024. Veikkaus is also the first gaming company in the world to require its customers to register when purchasing or redeeming physical scratch cards and lottery tickets, to ensure a safer gambling environment for all.
Veikkaus in 2023:
- The Veikkaus Group’s actual sales revenue in 2023 totalled EUR 1,033.1 million (-3.5% compared to 2022). The actual sales revenue includes the gross gaming revenue from gambling activities and turnover from other business activities.
- Veikkaus Group’s profit for the fiscal year was EUR 578.5 million (-13.7 %) while operating profit was EUR 573.6 million (-14.5 %). The decline in the result was due to an increase in the lottery tax, one time cost entries made as a result of the cooperation negotiations in the autumn, and significant investments in the Group’s future.
- The financial profit of parent company Veikkaus Oy for 2023 was EUR 585.0 million (-14.0%), and the operating profit was EUR 580.2 million (-14.7%). Veikkaus’ gross gaming revenue totalled EUR 1,032.0 million (-3.6 %). The decline was partly the result of Veikkaus’ responsibility measure, i.e. the identification requirement for physical ticket-based game players that came into force in May 2023.
- The lottery tax paid to the central government on gross gaming revenue increased by 1.6 percentage points from the previous year’s figure of 3.4%, amounting to 5% for the fiscal year. In 2023, Veikkaus Oy paid EUR 51.7 million in lottery tax, which is EUR 15.4 million more than the previous year.
- In 2023, authenticated gambling accounted for 90.6% (+11.1 percentage points) of Veikkaus’ domestic gambling activities. From 1 January 2024, all Veikkaus games can only be played by registered customers, who must identify themselves every time they play.
- At the end of 2023, Veikkaus had approximately 2,520,000 registered customers. The number of registered customers increased by approximately 180,000 (+8.0 %) during the year.
The long-running trend of gambling shifting to the digital channel continued in 2023, and 54.8% of gross gaming revenue from Veikkaus’ consumer-oriented gambling activities was derived from the digital channel (+4.5 percentage points). According to the estimate of H2 Gambling Capital, Veikkaus accounted for around 54% (+3 percentage points) of the Finnish digital gambling market for the year.
– Veikkaus’ profits and performance in 2023 were as expected, and we can be satisfied with these as a whole. The year was particularly successful for our online games, and Veikkaus will continue to deepen its development investments in its digital channel, says Veikkaus CFO Regina Sippel.
In terms of gross gaming revenue, the most successful of Veikkaus’ game groups was its online casino (digital automated games and digital table games), whose gross gaming revenue totalled EUR 184.0 million (+6.1%). This growth was particularly boosted by the company’s successful game releases.
Veikkaus’ most-played games were Eurojackpot and Lotto. The gross gaming revenue for Eurojackpot, which is drawn twice a week, was EUR 151.1 million (+0.0%). During the year under review, Lotto’s gross gaming revenue amounted to EUR 136.5 million (-8.9%).
2023 was the last year when Veikkaus Oy’s profit was settled to any beneficiary ministries. Beginning from 2024, Veikkaus Oy’s revenues will be directed to the state budget without any pre-defined beneficiaries.
All games to be covered by the identification requirement
Veikkaus began mandating the registration of players as Veikkaus customers for ticket-based games in mid-May. The impacts of the identification requirement on gaming have been as expected. Veikkaus also made preparations for the identification requirement for scratch card games, which entered into force on 1 January 2024 and meant that all Veikkaus games now require identification.
– Today, all of our games, including all physical scratch cards, are subject to the identification requirement. This means that we have become a worldwide pioneer in ensuring the responsibility of our gambling operations, says Susanna Saikkonen, Vice President for Sustainability at Veikkaus.
The identification of players enables a safer gambling environment where customers can be offered various services, such as loss and money transfer limits, and the possibility of self-exclusion of all games. The data obtained through identified gaming activities can also be used to prevent and reduce the harms of gambling.
– Using the data, we can analyse our players’ gambling habits and identify the signs of high-risk gambling. In 2023, our gambling harm prediction system helped us make over 3,700 calls to at-risk players, and we also introduced an automation-based care and communication model for high-risk level customers. In particular, we found that advance messages about calls, attempted calls, and the discussions that took place had a clear impact on the number of customers who decided to set a self-exclusion for themselves, Saikkonen explains.
From the perspective of preventing gambling problems, it will be vital to have other gambling companies operating in Finland follow Veikkaus’ example in complying with the same responsibility rules. The Government Programme states that Finland intends to introduce a partial multi-licence system at the beginning of 2026. It will be important to keep to the schedule that has been set. The new system will allow for the necessary tools and measures for preventing gambling problems. Every extra day in an environment without common rules is a day too late.
Veikkaus subsidiary Fennica Gaming expanded rapidly
During the year, the objective of Veikkaus subsidiary Fennica Gaming, which focuses on Veikkaus’ international business-to-business operations, was to expand the eArpa service to new markets, which it performed successfully. In 2023, the company delivered games to three continents and eight state-owned gaming companies. By the end of the year, Finnish online lotteries were available in the Nordic countries, the Baltic States, Central Europe, and America.
– Fennica Gaming’s corporate customers have been very satisfied with the quality of our games as well as Fennica Gaming’s service level, expertise, and the reliability of our deliveries. With these new markets, we have learned a lot about how we can best add value to our corporate customers’ business activities. We believe that our rapid expansion will also continue in 2024, says Timo Kiiskinen, CEO of Fennica Gaming.
Booming Games
Booming Games launches Henhouse Hustle: Hold and Win
New farm-themed slot adds Free Spins, Hold and Win, and optional bonus buys priced at 75x and 150x the bet.
Booming Games has launched Henhouse Hustle: Hold and Win, a new farmyard-themed slot featuring a Free Spins mechanic and a Hold and Win bonus. The supplier said the game runs on a 5×3 grid with 20 paylines and offers a maximum win potential of 6,000x.
In the base game, Golden Eggs are stored in a Collection Pot. Free Spins trigger when three Golden Eggs land on the middle reels, with their cash value moved above the reels at the start of the round. Booming Games said that cash value is awarded each time a Golden Egg lands during the feature.
During Free Spins, Boost symbols can increase Egg prizes to the next prize level from one to five times, while an Extra Spins symbol can award between one and five additional spins. The company said Boost symbols can increase to Prize Pot values of 10x-1000x, awarding Mini, Minor, Major and Grand prizes.
The Hold and Win round triggers with five or more Eggs and starts with three respins, with Egg symbols held in place and the respin counter resetting when additional Eggs land. The Grand Prize is awarded when all positions on the grid are filled with Eggs. The release also states that triggering with five or more eggs including three golden eggs activates a Combo Bonus, awarding both Hold and Win and Free Spins in a Super Bonus Round.
Booming Games said players can purchase either the Bonus or the Combo Bonus for 75x and 150x the bet amount respectively, which is guaranteed to trigger the Hold and Win feature. A Boost+ option can also be activated in the base game, increasing the bet amount by 1.25x and increasing the chance of triggering bonus features.
Craig Asling, Director of Games at Booming Games, said: “Packed with a host of innovative new features which offer fast-paced, high stakes gameplay, Henhouse Hustle: Hold and Win is the latest example of Booming Games’ market-leading capabilities. The Fox acts as the antagonist, stealing Golden Eggs and adding a real sense of theatre to the game, which we’re confident will be a hit among players.”
The post Booming Games launches Henhouse Hustle: Hold and Win appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Amusnet
Amusnet Releases its Latest Cascading Slot, Crime King 1000
Amusnet has released its latest cascading slot Crime King 1000, which transports players into the heart of a gripping underworld inspired by classic mafia stories, hidden fortunes and high-stakes ambition. In this city of secrets, only the boldest are destined to build an empire.
Played across 6 cascading reels, the game features an engaging Match 8+ mechanic, where the matching symbols disappear after every successful combination, making room for new symbols to fall into place. This dynamic gameplay creates opportunities for consecutive cascades, keeping the action flowing and the anticipation high throughout every round.
At the centre of the experience is the Progressive Multiplier feature. As valuable multiplier symbols are collected, four distinct multiplier tiers – green, blue, purple and red – come into play, each offering increasingly powerful values. The highest tier can reach an impressive 1000x, adding a dramatic boost to both the base game and the Free Spins feature as multiple multipliers combine during cascading sequences.
The pressure intensifies when four Scatter symbols appear anywhere on the reels, unlocking 15 Free Spins and opening the door to even greater multiplier opportunities. The feature can also be retriggered, extending the action and allowing players to stay in the heart of the underworld even longer.
For those unwilling to wait, the Buy Bonus feature offers immediate access to the Free Spins experience, providing a fast track to the game’s most exciting moments.
With its cinematic crime-inspired atmosphere, cascading gameplay and powerful multiplier mechanics, Crime King 1000 delivers a bold adventure where every cascade strengthens the player’s influence and every decision brings the player one step closer to ruling the city. In this world, reputation is everything – and only the true king of crime will claim the throne.
Cascades & Match 8
The winning symbols disappear, allowing new symbols to drop into their place, potentially triggering additional wins from a single spin. A winning configuration consists of 8 or more identical symbols anywhere on the reels.
Free Spins
15 Free Spins are triggered by landing at least 4 Scatter Symbols at any position across the reels. The feature can be retriggered by landing another 3 Scatter symbols during Free Spins.
Progressive Multiplier
Available both in the Base game and Free Spins mode. There are four colours of multiplier gems, as follows:
Green Multiplier symbol – 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x
Blue Multiplier symbol – 10x, 12x, 15x, 20x
Purple Multiplier symbol – 25x, 50x
Red Multiplier symbol – 100x, 250x, 500x, 1000x
If several multipliers appear after the cascading sequence ends, their values are added together.
Buy Free Spins
Enables the player to purchase 15 Free Spins at the price of 100x the total bet.
The post Amusnet Releases its Latest Cascading Slot, Crime King 1000 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Betsson
Betsson and Sliema Wanderers FC Sign Landmark MOU for Long-term Partnership
Betsson and Sliema Wanderers FC have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their intention to establish a landmark long-term partnership, reinforcing Betsson’s long-standing contribution to Maltese sport and the local community.
Under the proposed partnership, Betsson is expected to become Sliema Wanderers’ front-of-shirt sponsor and will support the club’s continued investment in its sporting operations and facilities. The parties will now work towards finalising the full partnership agreement.
The partnership would see Sliema Wanderers join Betsson’s international football portfolio, alongside leading clubs including Inter, Club Brugge, Boca Juniors and Atlético Nacional.
The MOU reflects a shared commitment to the long-term development of Sliema Wanderers and the club’s ambition to strengthen its sporting infrastructure, enhance its competitive position and establish a more sustainable operating model for the future.
Sliema Wanderers is one of a limited number of Maltese football clubs that owns premises which can be developed and commercialised to generate recurring revenue. The club intends to continue investing in its facilities and creating additional revenue streams to support its long-term sporting ambitions.
Jesper Svensson, CEO at Betsson Group, said: “Betsson has been part of Malta for over 20 years, and we are proud to deepen our long-standing commitment to the local sporting community.
“This proposed partnership goes well beyond the traditional sponsorship model. We are supporting a club with a clear vision for its future, including stronger sporting facilities and a sustainable model that can support its continued development.
“Sliema Wanderers has demonstrated ambition and a genuine commitment to long-term progress. These are values that strongly resonate with Betsson, and we look forward to working with the club and bring its vision to life.”
The proposed partnership builds on the work undertaken by the club’s new committee, which has focused on strengthening the club’s financial foundations and investing in its sporting infrastructure.
Walter Arciola, President of Sliema Wanderers FC, said: “The signing of this MOU represents an important vote of confidence in the long-term vision we have established for Sliema Wanderers.
“Our objective is not simply to achieve success on the pitch. We want to build an institution that is financially sustainable, supported by high-quality facilities and positioned to compete successfully over the long term.
“Betsson has understood and embraced that vision from the outset. We are delighted to take this important first step towards a long-term partnership and look forward to working together to support the future development of Sliema Wanderers.”
The announcement comes as Sliema Wanderers continues to strengthen its sporting project ahead of the upcoming season. During the event, the club also presented Malta international Teddy Teuma as its latest signing, following the recent arrivals of fellow Malta internationals Alexander Satariano and Henry Bonello. The three signings further reflect the club’s ambition to combine immediate sporting progress with a sustainable long-term development strategy.
The post Betsson and Sliema Wanderers FC Sign Landmark MOU for Long-term Partnership appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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