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Veikkaus’ digital gaming market share increased by 3 percentage points

Published

2 years ago

March 11, 2024

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Reading Time: 4 minutes

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.

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Booming Games

Booming Games targets South American dominance with major investment, flagship partnerships and exclusive Ronaldinho content

Published

38 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

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Booming Games, the award-winning game development studio known for its entertainment-first approach and deep market reach, has announced a major strategic push into South America, targeting one of the world’s fastest-growing online gaming markets.

With the Latin American online gambling market projected to exceed $10 billion annually by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.9%, and Brazil’s fully regulated gambling launch in 2025, Booming Games is executing a multi-pronged strategy to establish market leadership across the continent.

Max Niehusen, Founder of Booming Games, said:
“Brazil is the market that will separate the leaders from the rest. Players demand relevance, entertainment, and connection — that’s where we excel. Our goal is to challenge the status quo, partner with top operators, and create experiences that truly resonate. Getting Brazil right sets the stage for global success.”

A Market-Defining Opportunity

South America represents a generational growth opportunity, with 440 million people, 84% internet penetration, and an estimated 100 million online casino players in Brazil alone. Booming Games is investing in high-value operator partnerships, specialist talent, and a fully localised content roadmap to dominate the region.

Strategic Operator Partnerships

Booming Games has secured collaborations with Betano, Betnacional, 7K Bet, Cassino Bet, Brazino, H2 Bet, Esportes da Sorte, Bet365, SportingBet, and SuperBet, ensuring broad market access while delivering tailored player experiences.

Its flagship Brazilian portfolio includes: Fortune Surge Series, Inferno Fortune Instastrike, Fortune Paw, 7 Fruits of Riches, and Monkey Charm, all designed for maximum accessibility, commercial impact, and customisable white-labelling. A growing range of instant games is scheduled for Q2.

Craig Asling, Director of Games, said:
“Brazil is more than a market — it’s a culture. Our games are built to connect deeply with players through localised storytelling, data-driven insights, and real player preferences.”

Exclusive Ronaldinho Content

A cornerstone of Booming Games’ South America strategy is an exclusive content partnership with football legend Ronaldinho, one of Brazil’s most iconic figures with 150 million global social media followers.

Building on prior successes like Ronaldinho Spins and Ronaldinho Scores: Shoot To Win, Booming Games is launching two major new titles:

Ronaldinho’s Streetball Bonanza – a 6×5 scatter-pay slot inspired by Brazilian street football, featuring the Street Skill Meter and continuous high-energy gameplay.
Bruxo da Sorte – a fast-paced 3×3 slot casting Ronaldinho as “The Wizard,” offering x10 multipliers and high-frequency wins.

Dan Paleu, COO of Booming Games, said:
“Ronaldinho bridges global appeal and local relevance. He’s instantly recognisable worldwide, yet deeply rooted in Brazilian culture, allowing us to create games that feel personal to players and commercially scalable.”

Platinum VIP Lounge at SiGMA BiS South America

At SiGMA BiS South America (6–9 April 2026, São Paulo), Booming Games will host the Platinum VIP Lounge, an immersive, custom-built space inspired by Ronaldinho’s Streetball Bonanza. The Lounge offers senior industry networking, premium hospitality, exclusive merchandise, and direct access to Booming Games’ leadership, highlighting bespoke partnership opportunities and next-generation content.

The post Booming Games targets South American dominance with major investment, flagship partnerships and exclusive Ronaldinho content appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Betfred

Betfred Enters into Partnership with BR-DGE

Published

38 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

betfred-enters-into-partnership-with-br-dge

BR-DGE, the independent payment orchestration provider, has partnered with Betfred, one of the UK and Ireland’s fastest-scaling betting operators, to support high-performance payments.

Betfred is using BR-DGE as its payment orchestration layer to manage both pay-ins and pay-outs through a single integration. Now live in the UK, with additional markets to follow later, the partnership is already delivering strong conversion rates, improved speed and resilience, as well as an enhanced player experience at the checkout. At the recent Cheltenham Gold Cup – Betfred’s most successful to date – BR-DGE processed over one million transactions as part of Betfred’s book, over the 4-day event.

As well as gaining simpler connectivity to multiple PSPs and payment methods (including cards, bank-to-bank payments and digital wallets) Betfred will also benefit from layered pre-and post-authorisation real-time fraud and identity decisioning, with a specialist partner integration via BR-DGE. This will support Betfred’s fraud prevention teams in keeping fraud levels in check, while maintaining smooth checkout process for genuine customers.

During major sporting events, when transaction volumes can spike dramatically, Betfred’s payments infrastructure can now scale effortlessly to meet demand — ensuring players experience no slowdowns or payment restrictions at the moments that matter most.

Betfred also benefits from flexible, independent control over deposit and withdrawal flows, with the ability to apply tailored routing logic. This gives them stronger performance, better cost management and greater reliability across every stage of the payment journey — without the operational complexity.

PCI-DSS scope has also been significantly reduced for Betfred. By using BR-DGE Vault, sensitive card data is captured and stored entirely outside of its own environment. This simplifies compliance obligations and unlocks the freedom to route network tokens across multiple providers — complete with built-in failover protection — delivering higher approval rates and a seamless cashier experience for players.

Jacob Spencer, Chief Revenue Officer at BR-DGE, said: “Betfred operates at real scale, particularly during major sporting events, when transaction volumes increase rapidly and payment performance is put under pressure. This partnership gives Betfred the ability to handle those spikes without slowing or restricting transactions, while providing the flexibility and confidence to support future growth and new payment requirements.”

Nick Cockerill, Group Chief Product Officer at Betfred, said: “From the Grand National to a Saturday afternoon football fixture, our customers expect betting to feel easy and trusted. That includes being able to pay and get paid their winnings without delay. Working with BR-DGE helps us support that experience during our busiest periods, so payments don’t get in the way of the bet. Our business can continue to expand at speed, with the confidence that our payments infrastructure is in safe hands.”

This partnership adds to BR-DGE’s growing presence within the gaming and gambling sector, where operators are increasingly adopting independent orchestration layers to support scale, enhance payment performance and deliver excellent customer experiences.

The post Betfred Enters into Partnership with BR-DGE appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BMM Innovation Group

BMM INNOVATION GROUP HIGHLIGHTS LEADERSHIP IN PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION AT THE ITALIAN GAMING EXPO & CONFERENCE, APRIL 14–15 IN ROME

Published

38 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Wladimir P.

bmm-innovation-group-highlights-leadership-in-product-testing-and-certification-at-the-italian-gaming-expo-&-conference,-april-14–15-in-rome

BMM Innovation Group (“BMM,” “The BIG Group,” “BIG,” or “the Company”), a global provider of compliance testing, cybersecurity, and training solutions for the regulated gaming industry, has announced its participation as both an exhibitor and sponsor at the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference, taking place April 14–15 at the Salone delle Fontane, Stand No. 3. This presence underscores BMM’s ongoing commitment to supporting Italy’s regulated gaming market.

The Company is also shortlisted for two prestigious Italian Gaming Awards: the “Do the Right Thing” Award and “Best Executive Leadership” for Marzia Turrini, BMM’s Global President of iGaming & Cybersecurity. These nominations reflect BMM’s continued leadership in integrity, compliance, and innovation across regulated gaming markets worldwide.

At the Expo, BMM will showcase its comprehensive suite of services through:

BMM Testlabs – trusted testing and certification for suppliers, operators, and regulators.
BIG Cyber – advanced cybersecurity protection.
RG24seven Virtual Training – compliance-grade, BMM-certified employee education.

Marzia Turrini will also take part as a featured panelist on April 15:

Women Empowerment in Gaming: Leadership, Skills and the Future of the Industry (11:05–11:50)
Exploring the growing role of women in leadership and how new skills and perspectives drive a more innovative and inclusive gaming industry.
Digital Transformation in Gaming: From Compliance to Growth (12:00–12:45)
Examining how technology, compliance strategy, and modern operating models help gaming companies enhance performance and accelerate growth in regulated markets.

Turrini commented:
“We’re thrilled to support the Italian Gaming Expo and one of Europe’s most important regulated markets. With our office and test lab in Bologna, BMM helps safeguard and grow the industry through trusted testing and certification that enables faster time to market while maintaining the highest compliance and security standards. Our cybersecurity and training solutions empower organizations to innovate confidently in Italy.”

BMM Testlabs provides certification across Italy’s gaming ecosystem, including:

Land-based AWP and VLT machines and systems
Retail sports betting and horse racing platforms
Lotteries and instant gaming
Online casino, sports betting, and wagering technologies
Skill games with prizes

Combined with BIG Cyber’s cybersecurity services and RG24seven Virtual Training’s expert-led programs, BMM delivers a complete compliance and security solution, helping organizations meet regulatory requirements, enhance readiness, and build knowledgeable teams across Italy’s regulated gaming sector.

Expo attendees are invited to visit Stand No. 3 to learn how BMM continues to support Italy’s gaming industry with global expertise, local insight, and trusted compliance leadership.

The post BMM INNOVATION GROUP HIGHLIGHTS LEADERSHIP IN PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION AT THE ITALIAN GAMING EXPO & CONFERENCE, APRIL 14–15 IN ROME appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.