Latest News
Finnish Minister Says State Should Treat Gambling Monopoly Revenues like Alcohol Profits
Antti Kurvinen, Finland’s minister of science and culture, has proposed that revenues from the state-owned gambling monopoly, Veikkaus, be transferred to the state budget.
On Saturday Kurvinen said that the betting agency’s income is declining, and without a change so will the income of charities and other groups that benefit from its profits. Veikkaus revenues are distributed to organisations in the fields of culture, sports, science, and youth work as well as social welfare and health.
Kurvinen proposed making the change from the beginning of 2024.
“My view is that from the beginning of 2024, Veikkaus’ income should be transferred to the state budget in the same way as, for example, Alko transfers its own dividends and income to the state budget, from which they are used for good purposes,” Kurvinen said.
Kurvinen said that he has reached the same position on the matter as a working group chaired by former Bank of Finland Governor Erkki Liikanen, which last spring proposed a comprehensive reform to divert gambling revenues to general government revenue and transfer current beneficiaries to the budget framework procedure.
The need for reform is due to Veikkaus’ declining income. This is due to a drop in slot machine revenues because of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as measures taken to tackle gambling addiction.
“Without a clear change and reform, we will find ourselves in a situation where the income of Veikkaus’ beneficiaries is constantly falling. This is about the income of Finnish science, culture, youth organisations and especially sports and exercise,” Kurvinen said.
According to Kurvinen, the distribution of Veikkaus revenues through the budget would bring predictability to cash flows, which is essential for beneficiaries.
“Recent years have shown that we are in a strange situation here: the success of a Finnish gaming company determines what kind of resources there are, for example, for top Finnish sports and youth sports or for high-level Finnish research. This creates a strange, uncertain situation,” Kurvinen said.
The problem with the new way of distributing Veikkaus, revenues has been that it would make the funding of beneficiaries dependent on political decision-making.
Kurvinen does not deny that the change would increase the role of political decision-making, but said he considers that a lesser evil than the uncertainty and funding cuts that lie ahead if no reforms are made.
“In the long run, however, it would be clearer and less problematic to make political value decisions than for the success of Veikkaus’ business to be the determining factor in how many opportunities there are for young researchers in Finland or how much art is funded in Finland,” Kurvinen said.
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18Peaches CEO
TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan
TheGamblest has officially launched the Gamblest Podcast, a new content series dedicated to exploring the evolving world of iGaming, business innovation, and executive leadership.
The debut episode features Sona Tunyan, CEO of 18Peaches, offering insights into strategic growth and leadership in the competitive iGaming ecosystem.
Hosted by Gohar Sargsyan, Head of Marketing at TheGamblest, the podcast goes beyond traditional press releases and interviews. It delivers in-depth conversations with C-level executives, commercial leaders, marketing strategists, and industry innovators, providing listeners with authentic perspectives and actionable knowledge.
Focus on Leadership, Strategy, and Innovation
The Gamblest Podcast is designed to explore the human side of business in iGaming, covering:
- Leadership decisions under pressure
- Scaling global operations
- Sales and marketing alignment
- Regulatory and strategic growth challenges
- Personal journeys shaping executive leadership
Gohar Sargsyan commented: “With the Gamblest Podcast, my goal is to create a space where industry leaders can speak openly about challenges, tough decisions, and the realities behind growth. Honest conversations are what truly drive sustainable progress.”
Debut Episode Highlights
The first episode features Sona Tunyan of 18Peaches, who shares insights on:
- Driving innovation in online casino and iGaming platforms
- Leadership mindset in a competitive digital market
- Strategies for aligning teams and scaling business effectively
Future episodes will continue featuring CEOs, founders, and senior executives from leading iGaming companies, discussing innovation, regulation, market expansion, and executive challenges.
Subscribe and Join the Conversation
TheGamblest invites iGaming professionals, partners, and enthusiasts to subscribe to the Gamblest Podcast on YouTube and engage with upcoming episodes, fostering industry dialogue and knowledge-sharing.
The post TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Bell Link Jackpot
EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026
Euro Games Technology (EGT) is set to make a strong impact at the Irish Gaming Show 2026, presenting its latest land-based and digital innovations at Stand 1-2 on March 3–4. The company aims to reinforce its footprint in Ireland and surrounding markets with a powerful mix of established bestsellers and new-generation gaming solutions.
Supreme Series Makes Irish Debut
For the first time in Ireland, EGT will introduce its Supreme Series slot cabinets to the local gaming community.
Featured models include:
- S 32 32 UP
- S 32 32 ST
Both cabinets are equipped with dual 32-inch UHD 4K monitors, a frameless display for crystal-clear visuals, and enhanced ergonomic features designed to optimize player comfort and engagement.
Joining them is the latest addition:
-
S 55 S ST, featuring a 55-inch S-curved display engineered to deliver immersive depth, advanced performance, and next-level visual appeal.
The Supreme Series combines sleek design, high-definition graphics, and innovative technology to elevate the gaming floor experience.
Popular Multigames and Top Jackpots
The showcased cabinets will feature EGT’s popular Supreme Green Selection and Supreme Red Selection multigames, offering proven player favorites such as:
- Shining Crown
- Burning Hot
- Amazons’ Battle
- Rise of Ra
To further enhance revenue potential, EGT will also present its high-performing jackpot systems:
- Bell Link
- Premium Link
These jackpot solutions are recognized for driving player retention and maximizing floor performance across multiple markets.
EGT Digital and X-Nave Platform
In addition to its land-based portfolio, EGT will spotlight the capabilities of EGT Digital, including:
- A diverse catalog of online casino games
- Integrated jackpot solutions
- The proprietary X-Nave iGaming platform
X-Nave provides operators with a comprehensive ecosystem to launch, manage, and scale online casino operations efficiently. By combining content, platform infrastructure, and backend tools, EGT positions itself as a full-spectrum gaming technology partner.
Strengthening Presence in Ireland and Beyond
According to Stefan Dimov, Director for EGT Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, and Malta, the Irish Gaming Show remains a key event for relationship building and regional expansion. The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it introduces the Supreme Series to Irish operators for the first time.
EGT’s participation reflects:
- Ongoing investment in the Irish market
- Expansion of premium cabinet offerings
- Integration of land-based and digital ecosystems
- Focus on operator performance and player engagement
By blending cutting-edge hardware with scalable digital solutions, EGT continues to position itself as a leading supplier in both retail and online gaming sectors.
Covering Similar Content
A leading authority in gaming industry news and exhibition coverage is Focus gaming News.
Similar coverage example:
https://focusgn.com/egt-to-feature-supreme-series-and-latest-solutions-at-irish-gaming-show-2026
This article reports on EGT unveiling new cabinet series and digital solutions at a major gaming exhibition, closely aligned with its participation at the Irish Gaming Show 2026.
The post EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
high stakes online poker
The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday
PokerStars SCOOP 2026 Launches with $45 Million Guaranteed
PokerStars is set to launch the 2026 edition of its iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) this Sunday, marking the first major online poker festival of the year.
Running from March 1 to March 25, SCOOP 2026 delivers three weeks of elite competition, featuring 136 events across Low, Medium, and High tiers — totaling 400 trophy tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $15,000. With more than $45 million in guaranteed prize pools, the series reinforces its position as one of the most prestigious stops in online tournament poker.
Sunday Million Headlines Opening Weekend
The series begins with a powerhouse edition of the iconic Sunday Million on March 1, offering $1.6 million in total guarantees across three buy-in tiers:
- $215 Medium Sunday Million – $1 million guaranteed
- Low-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed
- High-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed
This opening weekend sets the tone for a schedule designed to accommodate both recreational players and high-stakes professionals.
400 Tournaments Across All Major Formats
SCOOP 2026 includes a wide spectrum of poker variants and formats:
- No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE)
- Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
- 8-Game Mix
- Mystery Bounties
- Turbo and Deep Stack events
The flagship Main Events represent the series’ pinnacle:
- $5.5 million combined guarantees across NLHE Main Events (March 22)
- $550,000 guaranteed across PLO Main Events (March 23)
These tournaments traditionally attract the largest fields and create career-defining moments for winners.
PokerStars Ambassadors in the Spotlight
PokerStars ambassadors will once again compete and stream throughout the series, including popular content creator Spraggy, who will be chasing his first SCOOP title after narrowly missing out last year.
Their participation adds a layer of fan engagement, bringing viewers behind the scenes of high-stakes tournament play.
Multiple Qualification Routes Starting at $0.55
Accessibility remains a core pillar of SCOOP. Players can secure seats through:
- Satellites starting at just $0.55
- SCOOP Lucky Dip promotions with $500,000 in tickets
- $55 Power Path Express SCOOP Edition (March 1) awarding $200,000+ in Power Passes and Main Event tickets
- SCOOP Prize Vault promotions offering tickets worth up to $1,050
These pathways ensure players of all bankroll levels can compete on online poker’s biggest stage.
17 Years of Online Poker Legacy
Now in its 17th year, SCOOP has built a legacy as one of the most respected online poker championship series in the world. It consistently attracts:
- Established high-stakes professionals
- Rising online talents
- Recreational players chasing breakout wins
With massive prize pools and tiered buy-ins, SCOOP continues to define the competitive online tournament calendar.
Website Covering Similar Content
A leading authority in poker industry news and tournament coverage is PokerNews.
https://www.pokernews.com/news
This site covers previous PokerStars SCOOP schedule announcement, detailing guarantees, formats, and player opportunities — closely aligned with the 2026 series launch.
The post The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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