Russian Hotels to Accept Bitcoin For World Cup

This summer's central event, sporting or otherwise, is without a doubt – the FIFA World Cup in Russia, taking place from June 14th to July 15th. The biggest event in the world of football is played every four years and it brings together 32 of the planet's best national teams and their avid supporters in a colorful display of different nationalities, cultures and spectacular football. The stage is all set for all host cities to start accommodating the visitors – both players and fans – and to enhance the service, there will be one major benefit that will also break some new ground and be the first.

First what? Well, the hotels in eleven Russian cities that will host the World Cup matches are adopting Bitcoin and making it possible for their staying guests to pay for their stay in this cryptocurrency.

The first city to make this move, with more of them coming along soon, is Kaliningrad, Russia's western-most city that is physically divided from the rest of the country and is nestled between Poland and Lithuania (it used to be the part of the old Prussian empire and was the place of birth of the famous philosopher, Immanuel Kant). In this city, national teams of Spain, England, Belgium, Serbia, Croatia, Switzerland, Morocco and Nigeria will be playing their matches so the city is welcoming a large number of fans from these countries.

A hotel chain in this city has already made all the arrangements with a payment processor, Free-Kassa, which will be making this happen. Anna Subotina, a manager of one of the Hotels, Apartments Malina, says: “We are seeing increasing interest in cryptocurrencies. They will gradually come into use as a means of payment. We have decided that fans should be able to pay for our services with the help of this innovative technology.”

Free-Kassa's Development Manager, Vitaliy Lavrov, says: “This is an interesting experience for us – we haven’t worked with hotels so far. The hospitality industry is quite sensitive towards new trends.”

Kaliningrad will be hosting four games during the World Cup and only months before the Cup begins, the accommodation prices in this city have started to soar – making this city even more expensive than it already is. Booking a room on a day when England plays Belgium (which will be one of the biggest matches of the first round) will cost over $300.

Last year, some of Russia's officials slammed Bitcoin, but have also announced that the country may develop its own cryptocurrency – the crypto ruble.

Source:

“Russian Hotels to Surprise World Cup Fans With Bitcoin Payments”, Tassev Lubomir, Bitcoin.com, March 29, 2018.

Killing The Goose

If the old Las Vegas gamblers and casino owners could see what was happening in the new Las Vegas, they would probably turn over in their graves.

When Las Vegas was just a gleam in the eyes of the early gambling promoters like Bugsy Siegel, the concept was simple; provide a DisneyLand for adults where they could enjoy free or low-cost entertainment, cheap food and drinks, and have it all paid for by the gambling.

For years that worked. People were lured to Sin City by the world's top celebrities, along with hotel rooms that went for $19.95 or less, steak and lobster dinners for $3.99, and free lounge shows featuring some of America's best known entertainers.

That was when the mob, nicknamed organized crime by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was in charge.

While Bennie Binion never featured big name acts at his Horseshoe Casino on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas, he did promise his customers good food, cheap whiskey and a great gambling experience, all of which he delivered until his death.

I recently visited Las Vegas and picked up a copy of a free magazine of the same name in my hotel room. Believe me when I saw the magazine was the only free item in the resort.

Here are a few things visitors to Las Vegas are offered these days. P.S. As you read this, keep your credit card handy.

TERRY FATOR, hyped as one of the 'best entertainers in the world,' is appearing at The Mirage on the famed Las Vegas Strip: a ticket to the show is priced at $60.

MYSTERE, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, is offered at the Treasure Island for $50 per ticket. The casino does offer free parking.

MAT FRANCO, a young magician and illusionist at the Linq Hotel. Price per ticket: $42 to $109.90.

BLUE MAN GROUP, appearing at the Luxor, $59 to $115 per ticket. You can go VIP (whatever that means) for $175 per person.

PENN AND TELLER, humorists and magicians, appear at the Rio where the price to their show ranges from $75 to $97.

BEATLEMANIA is being featured at The Mirage, where actors portray the Beatles on stage. Tickets range from $79 to $180, plus tax and fee.

Now I have watched some great performers in Las Vegas, but I did it in the early days when the prices were right. For example, I viewed the Four Freshmen in a free lounge show at a casino on Las Vegas Boulevard. It was a very intimate show and brought back memories of m college years.

I also saw Tony Bennett. I can't remember the cover charge but it must have been reasonable or I wouldn't have paid it.

The mob was smart. They were selling gambling and the entertainers simply brought the customers to the tables. They took some of their gambling profits and used the money to cover the cost of entertainment. There is an old Latin phrase that goes 'something for something,' and that is what the mob gave to the public.

The same went with food. I still remember those high in the sky flashing neon signs promising you steak, prime rib, hot dogs, shrimp, champagne at super-low prices. True, these specials were served after midnight in many but not all cases. But they were real values and they brought people to Las Vegas by the droves.

Today's casino corporate heads -- and I hate to say this -- are greedy. They take as much as they think they can gouge from the public. It isn't the style of the old Las Vegas and you have to wonder how long this continues before the casino industry kills the goose that laid the golden egg.

Biggest EPT Sochi Winners

The first European Poker Tour festival since PokerStars brought back its popular live poker brand was held at Sochi Casino & Resort in the Russian city of Sochi. The EPT Sochi proved to be a great success, particularly its Main Event, which drew a massive field of more than 860 entries.

Bearing the above-mentioned in mind, it can be said that PokerStars has clearly made the right decision to dust off and revive its EPT brand, which had previously built a solid base of fans across Europe and the rest of the world. In addition to this, it should be pointed out that Sochi has great potential to become a new popular live tournament poker destination with its casino.

The EPT Sochi attracted thousands of players, both professionals and recreational ones. And millions were distributed in prize money to the ones who made it deep enough into the festival’s events. Here are some of the biggest winners during the EPT Sochi, the first of what we all hope will be a series of successful EPT festivals.

EPT Sochi ₽192,000 Main Event

Arseniy Karmatskiy bested a field of 861 entries to win the tournament on Thursday. The player’s share of the ₽150-plus-million prize pool totaled ₽27.3 million (approximately $478,451). Karmatskiy dominated the event’s final table, winning key pots and busting fellow competitors to build his stack and pull ahead of the other players left. In the end, he busted fellow countryman Viktor Shegai in second place to claim his first-ever EPT Main Event title.

Karmatskiy had some previous triumphs on the live tournament circuit. Last August, the player won the €2,200 German Poker Championship as part of the partypoker German Poker Championships at King’s Casino Rozvadov for a first-place prize of €185,000. During last year’s PokerStars Championship Sochi, Karmatskiy topped the field of a ₽19,800 event.

As mentioned above, Viktor Shegai finished runner-up to Karmatskiy in the EPT Sochi Main Event. The player collected ₽16.56 million ($290,225) for his efforts. Ernest Shakarian, Vahe Martirosyan, and Mikhail Kovalyuk were the other three players to cash big from the tournament, collecting payouts of ₽11.688 million ($204,840), ₽8.766 million ($153,630), and ₽6.923 million ($121,335) for finishing third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

EPT National ₽66,000 No-Limit Hold’em

The EPT National was the first event on the schedule of the EPT Sochi festival. The tournament featured a buy-in fee of ₽66,000 and was played over March 20-23 at the host venue. As many as 439 entries bought into the event, including 266 re-entries. They contributed to the creation of a ₽41.031 million ($710,727) prize pool. The money was distributed to the top 103 finishers.

Czech player Matous Houzvicek was crowned the event’s victor. The player collected the amount of ₽7.77 million ($134,590) for besting the whole field of the tournament. This was Houzvicek’s largest cash from a live tournament. Including his EPT National first-place prize, the Czech’s live tournament earnings now amount to $241,500. Houzvicek cashed in one more tournament during the EPT Sochi. He finished 18th in the ₽132,000 No-Limit Hold’em Single Re-Entry for ₽228,000 ($3,978).

Other Players

Other players who cashed big from the EPT Sochi, included Sergei Kerzhakov and Viktor Ustimov. Kerzhakov finished sixth in the Main Event to collect ₽5.19 million ($90,958) for his deep run into the major tournament. This was the player’s third ever cash from a live poker tournament.

As for Ustimov, he cashed in two tournaments within the EPT Sochi. He first finished runner-up to Houzvicek in the EPT National, good for ₽4.745 million ($82,191) in prize money. He then took 42nd place in the Main Event for a payout of ₽498,000 ($8,728). The player currently has more than $620,000 in live tournament earnings.

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NetEnt Signs Supply Deal With Caliente

Casino game developer giant and digital casino solutions provider, NetEnt, is continuing their expansion on the markets of Central and Latin America. This time, they've signed a partnership agreement with the Mexican operator, Caliente, which is the company’s latest step towards expanding their presence on regulated markets worldwide. This is the brand’s second deal of this kind in the country.

Caliente, which is the leading online gambling operator in Mexico, will thus be providing the developer’s suite of award-winning, cutting-edge gaming titles to their punters in this Central American country. Caliente Casino is the most popular in Mexico as well, so their numerous players will be delighted to be able to enjoy slot titles from such an esteemed developer.

Emilio Hank, Caliente Interactive's CEO, comments: “We are very excited to integrate NetEnt’s world class gaming portfolio. We are confident the games will expand our growth and solidify our leadership in the regulated Mexican market.”

Bjorn Krantz, NetEnt Americas LLC Managing Director, says: “I am very pleased that Caliente has selected us as a business partner for online casino. They are a true frontrunner in Mexico, and a major player within the regulated online gaming space. I am convinced that we can support them to drive online casino growth and to provide the best-in-class entertainment experience to their player community.”

NetEnt has also recently dismissed their long-standing CEO Per Eriksson because the Board of Directors found that the company did not meet the financial expectations during 2017.

Source:

“NetEnt continues LatAm expansion with Caliente deal for Mexico”, netent.com, March 29, 2018.

Gov. Cuomo Refuses Bailout to Cash-Strapped del Lago Resort & Casino

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that he is not supportive of a state commercial casino’s bid for a bailout. The top lawmaker was among the proponents of the legalization of commercial casino gambling in the state a few years ago.

Gov. Cuomo’s comments from earlier this week came shortly after del Lago Resort & Casino officials revealed that they were seeking assistance from the state after the gambling venue missed its first-year revenue projections by $100 million. While they did not provide details on the nature of help they were seeking from lawmakers, it is believed that they might have asked for a tax break.

Del Lago currently pays an annual tax of 37% on its slot machine revenue and a 10% one on table game revenue. The casino resort had its ribbon cut in February 2017. According to original forecasts, its casino floor was expected to generate revenue of $260 million during its first full year of operation. However, the gaming facility’s revenue eventually totaled $146 million at the end of that first year.

In a letter to Gov. Cuomo and New York State budget director Robert Mujica, Sen. Joe Griffo said that del Lago was seeking a tax break of around $14 million. The Senator further wrote that he did not support a bailout of this proportion, as the state had more pressing needs.

’Private Concerns’

Gov. Cuomo told local media earlier this week that the Upstate New York casinos were private concerns and that he did not want to “get into the business of bailing out private concerns.”

Del Lago officials have blamed the Seneca Nation for their casino’s failure to reach its gaming revenue goal. The tribe operates three casinos in the western part of the state. It used to share a portion of its gaming revenue with the state under a 2002 compact. However, it stopped making payments in 2016, arguing that the compact had expired.

Steve Greenberg, a spokesman for del Lago, said that the tribe has been using the portion of revenue it should have been sharing with the state to lure patrons with different offers and promotions. According to Mr. Greenberg, tribal casinos have thus been cannibalizing revenue from the state’s commercial casinos, hence del Lago’s call for assistance.

Casino officials have told lawmakers that the property generates enough revenue to pay the bills, but that it would likely face serious problems in the long-term if it is not treated to a bailout.

Rivers Casino, which opened doors in Upstate New York shortly after del Lago, is understood to have, too, turned to state lawmakers to seek a tax break. Rivers generated $151.8 million in gaming revenue during its first year of operation, falling well short of its target of between $180 million and $220 million.

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New game from iSoftBet: Stacks O’ Gold slot

iSoftBet, casino content provider is pleased to announce the availability of its new game: Stacks O’ Gold slot.  The latest entry in a portfolio of popular video slots, Stacks O’ Gold was released to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world. Stacks O’ Gold slot will stand out among other seasonal slots with its dynamic gameplay mechanics and ...

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The Star Entertainment inks ‘expanded strategic partnership’ with Asian firms

Australian casino operator The Star Entertainment Group has sold a 10% stake of itself to two Asian firms with which it’s partnered on a Queensland integrated resort project.

On Thursday, The Star informed investors that it had entered into an “expanded strategic partnership” with Hong Kong conglomerate Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) and property developer Far East Consortium International Ltd (FEC). The trio are already joint venture partners on the A$3b Queen’s Wharf casino project in Brisbane, which is expected to open to the public sometime in 2022.

The trio have inked a Strategic Alliance Agreement that will see them pursue several development projects, including up to five joint venture towers on Australia’s Gold Coast for hotel, residential, entertainment, tourism and retail use.

The trio will also collaborate on further expansion of The Star’s flagship Sydney property, as well as form a marketing alliance to leverage CTFE and FEC’s customer bases and loyalty programs to drum up new VIP and premium mass gambling business for The Star’s casino properties.

The Star also announced that the Hong Kong firms would each be taking a 4.99% stake in the company at a cost of A$245m apiece. While the HK firms are, in aggregate, currently prohibited from boosting their stakes above 19.9%, the companies have indicated they will apply to Aussie regulators to boost their aggregate shareholding to “over 10%.”

This isn’t the first time The Star has sold a piece of itself to Asian firms. Back when the company was still known as Echo Entertainment, Malaysian gaming giant Genting took a 9.7% stake in the firm. Genting expressed a desire to boost that stake up to 25% but kept hitting regulatory roadblocks and ultimately sold off its remaining 5.62% stake in The Star last summer.

Both of The Star’s new/old partners have been making moves to expand their gaming industry presence. CTFE already controls the $4.2b Baha Mar integrated resort in the Bahamas and is collaborating on a Vietnam casino joint venture with leading casino junket operator Suncity Group. FEC recently announced a tie-up with Trans World Corp, which operates casinos in the Czech Republic.

The post The Star Entertainment inks ‘expanded strategic partnership’ with Asian firms appeared first on CalvinAyre.com.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Becomes Bethard's Ambassador

A world-famous football phenomenon (that's soccer, for our US-based friends), the Swedish superstar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has recently signed two massive deals that will take his amazing career to further heights. Having completed his stint with Manchester United, Zlatan has signed a contract for the MLS club LA Galaxy where he will be playing starting next season. Also, he has become an ambassador for the Swedish betting operator, Bethard!

Ibrahimovic – whose stellar career had him playing for all the major European teams: Ajax, Juventus, Milan, Inter, Barcelona, Paris St Germain and United – will be also taking on duties concerning the development of the company's offering. Zlatan himself said he is very pleased to be working with Bethard, having already rejected several other betting companies: “I have obviously been intensively courted by betting companies throughout my career, but up until now I have not been presented to anything that has triggered me. With Bethard, there was something different. It’s a company with Swedish roots, the founders are from my home town and they are true challengers who really wants to do things differently.”

The Swedish betting operator’s co-founder and chief executive, Erik Skarp comments: “We have taken a bold decision to start building a next generation sports betting brand and we are of course super excited to welcome Zlatan onboard. This move marks the starting signal for us. Through the agreement we will not only have an outstanding brand ambassador, but also a very engaged co-owner who I know will push us relentlessly forward.”

Ibrahimovic is already making their appearance on Bethard Casino as the recurring theme of “winning in the world of high odds.”

Check out the highly-amusing promotional video:

Source:

“Zlatan Ibrahimovic teams up with Bethard.com”, bethardgroup.com, March 27, 2018.

Get to Know Foxium in LCB’s Exclusive Interview

A new slots studio emerged in the iGaming space in 2015. LCB’ers may recognize the modest collection of video slot games, which includes FruitZ, The Odd Forest and Lucky Bakery to name a few. Based in Estonia, the company’s story was rather vague and information limited. Intrigued by the games and the name, we approached Foxium and got lucky enough to snag an interview with their CEO, Åke André, and Creative Director, Daniil Sanders - Thanks, guys! They’ve got a productive 2018 planned in terms of game releases and more. Without further ado, the interview.

Q: We’d like to offer you the floor to elaborate on the company’s history and the concept behind the name, Foxium.

Daniil Sanders: When we first decided to create this company, Foxium, we thought about being different and standing out from the crowd. The principal values that we all agree upon are, quality, creativity and excellent player experience. The years of individual experience we enjoyed in our respective specialized fields, came together collectively, and enabled us to reach our goals. It was merely a case of the right people, at the right time, and everything is working smoothly now. The founders of Foxium, and the creative team are: Maria Dementieva – Artist designer, Daniil Sanders – Creative Director, Igor Vesselov – CTO and Åke André – CEO.

Q: We understand that gamification and mobile technology are important aspects of game development. Tell us more about this approach and the products you offer?

Daniil Sanders: We always try to keep up with the times. Mobile technology does not stand still, improvements and enhancements appear fast in our daily lives. Mobile gaming has become the players’ number one choice of accessing an online casino to play a game. We at Foxium create our games with this in mind. If we take one of our upcoming games as an example, we are now using real-time 3D rendering processes for game characters along with our new game engine. 3D real-time rendering gives us much livelier and realistic characters in our games. Furthermore, this also opens up new possibilities for player interaction. We are now also using adaptive soundtracks. They take our games even further, and to a higher level. After all, the player experience is crucial when it comes to games, whether casino slots or console games. All the above factors combine to create eye candy, atmospheric music, and entertaining, well-crafted mathematics make our games unique. To wrap up, let’s not forget that games run on HTML5, so finding the perfect balance between performance and a great looking graphics, is a real challenge. It can be a tricky process, yet a satisfying one, when all the work put into a game comes to fruition.

Q: Are your products licensed and which markets are they currently geared towards?

Daniil Sanders: Yes, of course. All our games are licensed and we will continue to focus on the European market but our next step will be penetrating the Asian market.

Q: Your current portfolio is quite modest, yet the games lack nothing in terms of quality. Can we expect more regular releases this year?

Åke André: We have quite an exciting roadmap for 2018. We have already produced some online titles, such as The Odd Forest, The Lost Riches of Amazon, Fruitz, Lucky Bakery and Big Time Journey. These games have rich features and engaging storylines. Last year we released our first, branded slot game; Vampire: The Masquerade. It is a game based on collaborative license between Foxium and White Wolf Entertainment. Foxium is now live with the second game we developed, called Adelia: The Fortune Wielder, released through Microgaming. We plan to release another four to five games in 2018, so we are very busy in that respect. The next major project we have in the pipeline is a new game called; Astro Legends. It will have some original, new features we are convinced our fans will adore. We are here to break boundaries and challenge the industry with innovation, agility, and extensive expertise. Foxium is a company that has managed to grow steadily and is already creating some of the best video game products to be found on the market. Our motto has always been, that every game we release, must feel that it is the best we have created to date. We would much instead concentrate on quality, rather than quantity.

Q: The Astro Legends video slot is coming soon. What can you tell us about the game and its features?

Daniil Sanders: Our upcoming video slot is something new, and unique which we have not been able to present to the market before now. This new slot will surely be able to hold its ground in the very competitive iGaming market. Astro Legends is a video slot which has a cluster pays feature, Multiplier Wilds, ReSpins and a Bonus Game as well. The game is played with clusters of symbols on a field of 22 crystal cells and is built around storytelling. We can guarantee players an adventurous atmosphere, and an action-packed, stunning gaming experience that is shrouded in vibrant colors, with lifelike graphics, and thrilling soundtracks. The storyline revolves around two characters who interact with one another, and each has extensive bios. The female character is Lyra. She is named after one of the most famous instruments in Greek mythology. The lyre that Orpheus used to secure safe passage for Jason and the Argonauts, past the sirens. The music it created was said to be so powerful that even inanimate objects such as rocks, trees, and streams could be charmed. Lyra is at the very heart of Astro Legends: the game, and the band of the same name. Astro Legends is one of the first games we have built on our brand new engine, with the real-time 3D rendering process, and along with the adaptive soundtrack. I think this game has all the attributes to be successful. We are all looking forward to this upcoming release, but let’s wait till we put on the finishing touches!

Q: Last year, you signed a deal with Microgaming’s Quickfire platform. Are there other contracts in the works?

Daniil Sanders: Yes, you are correct, and to be honest we are proud of that, as it rewarded our hard work. The exclusive deal with Microgaming’s Quickfire platform provides Foxium with the chance to produce better games, and we can reach more operators and ultimately more fans. With the extensive distribution network available through Quickfire, we believe we are in the best position to capitalize on the growing online casino market. At the moment there are no other contracts in the works.

Q: October 2017 also saw investment from Velo Partners. What did this mean for Foxium?

Åke André: I am delighted that we have inked this deal with Velo Partners and the RNG Foundry. Foxium has in the past been approached by several investors, but for one reason or another, it never felt right, until now. With Velo Partners, we felt for the first time, that we had an investor with the same values, culture, and vision as we do at Foxium. Through Velo Partners and the RNG Foundry, we are now in a position to strengthen our company in some critical areas. Specifically, the speed of access to markets, and distribution of our games. I have great respect for the team at Velo Partners and RNG Foundry. It will be a pleasure having them on board as we take Foxium on to the next level.

Q: Your current portfolio includes several interesting themes. Which is your personal favorite and why?

Daniil Sanders: I don’t think there is one particular, favorite theme. We love them all. They all very different from each other, and each game has its own unique feature set. They were all produced with passion, and lots of work has gone into developing them to such a high standard. Nevertheless, I would say that it depends on my mood at that moment, or what kind of experience I want to have. These days, my preferred slot tends to be Amazon: the Lost Riches. Tomorrow it might be the Lucky Bakery slot. Just because it looks so yummy!

Imperial Pacific writes off half a billion dollars in bad VIP debts

Saipan casino operator Imperial Pacific International Holdings (IPI) saw its profits fall more than one-third in 2017 despite revenue more than doubling year-on-year.

On Thursday, IPI informed the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that its net revenue hit HK$8.15b (US$1.04b) in calendar 2017, just over twice the sum generated in 2016. Gross profit more than doubled to just under HK$7b but profit fell 32% to HK$637m.

IPI’s profits were undone by the company’s rising bad debt provisions, reflecting IPI’s risky strategy of avoiding junket operators and offering credit directly to VIP gamblers. Total trade receivables – outstanding VIP gambling debts – stood at HK$8.5b at the end of 2017, up from HK$5.3b in 2016. Of this sum, 8% was owed by IPI’s single biggest gambling whale.

Despite IPI’s insistence that the company “seeks to maintain strict control” over its receivables, the company booked impairment losses of HK$4.75b on its VIP markers last year, a nearly nine-fold increase on the HK$547m the company booked in 2016.

IPI operates Saipan’s only casino, the still unfinished Imperial Pacific Resort (pictured), and its overwhelming reliance on VIP gamblers is reflected in its revenue breakdown. Of the HK$13.15b in gross revenue generated in 2017, VIP gaming accounted for HK$12.7b, with mass market tables adding a mere HK$302m, slots and electronic table games anteing up HK$67m and food & beverages contributing just HK$57.2m.

IPI stopped reporting its notoriously high VIP turnover numbers midway through 2017, possibly because the astronomical figures were attracting unwanted attention from U.S. financial watchdogs. But IPI says its total VIP turnover hit $49.5b last year, a year-on-year improvement of 53.6%. VIP win rate hit 3.3%, up from 2.84% in 2016.

Meanwhile, IPI confirmed that it is seeking an extension of the August 31 deadline for completing work on the Imperial Pacific Resort’s “initial gaming facility,” a designation that requires the operator to offer a minimum number of hotel rooms along with retail, dining and other non-gaming amenities.

Saipan media quoted local officials saying this week that they had yet to receive a formal request from IPI regarding a deadline extension, but that such a request would be considered if/when it arrives. IPI has repeatedly failed to meet previously stipulated deadlines regarding its permanent gaming venue’s construction, in part due to ongoing controversies over the use of illegal immigrant labor.

IPI also said it was having talks with “certain potential investors with a view to secure long-term financing,” most of which would be allocated to completing the unfinished resort. IPI promised to update the market if/when this financing was secured.

The post Imperial Pacific writes off half a billion dollars in bad VIP debts appeared first on CalvinAyre.com.

Popular Social Casino Constitutes Illegal Online Gambling in Washington

A US Court of Appeals judge ruled on Wednesday that Big Fish Casino constituted illegal online gambling under the Washington state gambling law. The recent court ruling could open Pandora’s box for the growing social casino sector, particularly in the US where online gambling is prohibited in most states.

Developed by Seattle-based casual gaming company Big Fish Games, Big Fish Casino offers free-to-play versions of popular casino games, including slots, roulette, and blackjack. Players can play these via virtual chips that have no actual monetary value. However, if users run out of chips, they can either wait until they are offered more free chips to play the games, or can purchase chips for real money.

Judge Milan D. Smith of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said on Wednesday that the virtual chips were a “thing of value” and their purchase actually represented illegal online gambling under state law.

The lawsuit was filed against Churchill Downs back in 2015 when the Kentucky-based casino operator was the owner of Big Fish Games. Churchill Downs bought the casual games studio a year earlier for $885 million. It announced last year that it would sell Big Fish Games to Australian gaming company Aristocrat Technologies for nearly $1 billion. The deal was closed earlier this year, as confirmed by the casino company.

The ruling could have a negative impact on the growing social casino market which was worth over $3 billion last year, as virtual currencies are widely popular in social casino games. The outcomes of previous lawsuits against representatives of the social casino sector had generally been favorable. However, Judge Smith’s ruling from Wednesday could complicate future lawsuits related to the nature of social casino games and whether these constitute online gambling.

Big Fish Casino’s Lawsuit in Greater Detail

In 2015, Cheryl Kater, a regular Big Fish Casino player, filed a lawsuit against the social casino’s parent company Churchill Downs, claiming that she had spent over $1,000 on virtual chips to be able to play. Her legal team also argued that virtual chips represented “a thing of value” under a provision in Washington’s gambling law.

[A]ny money or property, any token, object or article exchangeable for money or property, or any form of credit or promise, directly or indirectly, contemplating transfer of money or property or of any interest therein, or involving extension of a service, entertainment or a privilege of playing at a game or scheme without charge.

Ms. Kater further pointed out in her legal complaint that the virtual chips could be cashed out by being sold for real money on secondary markets or being transferred to other users. However, that argument was rejected by the Court of Appeals as Big Fish Casino’s terms and conditions explicitly prohibited practices of this kind.

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Internet Giants Face Charges For Banning Crypto Ads

Leading Internet corporations have recently prohibited crypto ads due to an increased number of scams and misleading content regarding virtual assets, especially Bitcoin. Sudden and sequent change of policies in Facebook, Google, Twitter and Yandex has caught the eye of blockchain associations from South Korea, China and Russia which have decided to file lawsuits for cartel collusion and abuse of power. Newly formed Eurasian Blockchain Association (EBA) will press charges in May but more importantly in a US jurisdiction.

An on-going BlockchainRF-2018 congress in Moscow has helped the Russian Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Association (RACIB), Korea Venture Business Association (KOVA) and Chinese Association of Cryptocurrency Investors (LBTC) to establish an exclusive cryptofund which is to finance the legal action. According to the Russian media, it is not a coincidence that global search engine, leading social media network and microblogging platform all at once called the shots to ban crypto ads, which are now supported by Russia’s biggest Internet service provider, Yandex.

RACIB’s president, Yuri Pripachkin, is convinced that sequential refusals to advertise ICOs and blockchain fundings is an attempt of cartel collusion. According to Pripachkin, four of the most influential companies in the world are using monopoly power to manipulate the market, as bans have already severely decreased revenues at crypto-based enterprises.

Legal representatives of the newly formed association are considering in which state to file the lawsuit, since each state has different views on cryptocurrencies. Moreover, companies’ managers and shareholders could also be sued, if EBA proves that they have been using e-wallet services during the ban.

In the meantime, it has also been reported that Snapchat imposed restrictions on Bitcoin ads and other multimedia companies might soon take similar actions.

Source:

“Eurasian Association Of Blockchain To Sue Social Media Giants For Banning Crypto Ads”, Zuckerman Molly Jane, cointelegraph.com, March 28, 2018.

Japanese gamblers face restrictions on casino visits

The Japanese have a saying, “If you do not enter the tiger’s cave, you will not catch its cub.” Simply put, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Japan is preparing to venture into the gambling world, with a lot to possibly gain. In making the necessary arrangements, regulators have taken a pragmatic approach to establishing gaming legislation, but one decision perhaps falls just outside that realm.

Regulators voted on Tuesday to limit the amount of times gamblers can enter casinos weekly and monthly. The plan for Japanese residents, as set forth by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and agreed to by the Komeito Party (KP), would limit weekly visits to three and monthly visits to 10.

Although they agree on the number of visits, the two parties still disagree on the number of casinos to be allowed, as well as the price of admission. Until all points in the legislation are cleared up, the chances of gambling opportunities in the reserved country are slim. The LDP and the KP will have to reach an agreement prior to June 20, the date their current session ends. Only after finalizing the terms of the bill can they send it to the Diet, Japan’s legislature that consists of a House of Councilors and a House of Representatives.

The LDP wants to see a casino entrance fee of JPY5,000 ($48) per person for Japanese residents. This is in contrast to the JPY8,000 ($75) the KP recommends and puts Japanese casino entrance fees on par with those of Singapore.  Some government officials have proposed a much lower fee, at around JPY2,000 ($19), with free admission for foreigners. The fee debate continues.

Another point of contention centered on the number of casinos that would be authorized in the country. The KP wants to see, at most, three casinos, but the LDP is pushing for as many as five. Their proposal is based solely on the number of local governments that have shown interest in wanting a casino built in their territory. However, who wouldn’t want part of a multi-billion dollar industry to brighten their back yard?

Analysts predict that only three casinos would bring in almost $10 billion in annual net profit to the country. Several international companies have lined up to compete for one of the few licenses that will be issued, with the first casinos expected to be ready by around 2022.

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Nolimit City and iGaming Platform sign a deal

Nolimit City and iGaming Platform sign a deal under which iGaming Platform will add Nolimit City games portfolio to their offer. In line with their latest expansion with recent client partner deals and their increasing presence at several must attend industry events, iGaming Platform (iGP), known for their cutting-edge turnkey, whitelabel and aggregator platforms have reached a deal to integrate ...

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Poker pro Indicted in $6.2M Super Bowl & World Cup Ticket Scam

Federal prosecutors stated that a poker player from California faces charges that he duped investors out of more than $6 million in a Super Bowl and World Cup ticket-flipping scam. On March 15, Thursday, Seyed Reza Ali Fazeli, age 49, a poker player resident of Orange County, California, had been indicted at the U.S. Attorney's Office on two felony counts of wire fraud, which can potentially send him to jail for up to 40 years. From May 2016-May 2017, Fazeli managed to raise a total of $6.2 [...]

Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Germany – April 4

Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Germany will feature representatives of IBM, Ocean Protocol, and Baker & McKenzie. On April 4, a large-scale conference dedicated to blockchain technologies, cryptocurrencies, and ICOs, Blockchain & Bitcoin Conference Germany will kick off in Berlin. Conference speakers will include representatives of major transnational corporations, and the exhibition area will house well-known brands of the crypto industry ...

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New USA Friendly Goodies Land in the LCB Shop

What do you think about expanding the Shop with more exciting chips? The deal is always on! These days, we've been working hard to secure an item or two and improve our unique offering. You'll be glad to know we succeeded admirably and now two brand new items are available for grabs! The features casinos are good venues familiar to many gamers, and one of the best features of these additions is that they welcome US players!

Cherry Jackpot & Casino Max Chips

We try to get as many different brands as possible to join our exclusive rewards program and store, and sincerely hope this latest double arrangement will make many of you happy. It is not every day that we see US-friendly casinos joining in. Cherry Jackpot and Casino Max are Curacao-licensed venues, accepting Bitcoin and offering a range of RTG-powered slots, table games, video poker and progressive jackpots. Maintaining a rock solid reputation, they have received a generally good rating from LCBers, who praised the software, great customer support agents and the overall quality of service. Only good and honest brands make the cut to the shop!

New and existing players can claim a $15 bonus at Cherry Jackpot, or go over to the sister site for 20 extra spins if that's what they prefer! Newcomers can enjoy these offers for free, without any deposit needed to redeem the chip and explore the many games of the two popular brands. Those who are already faithful customers need to have one bonus-free deposit to be able to experience the joys of this unique deal. The items will be up once per month, with a wager of 35 times and a maximum cash-out of $200.

Restricted countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan , Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina , Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Estonia, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia , Lithuania, Mauritius, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Philippines, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

How do you like these new items and casinos? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Borgata Motion for Summary Judgment Denied in Latest Installment of Phil Ivey Edge-Sorting Saga

A US district judge denied Monday a request for summary judgment filed by Atlantic City’s Borgata Casino as the gambling venue seeks to sue card manufacturer Gemaco for knowingly supplying it with defective cards, Law360 reports.

The playing cards were used by famed poker pro Phil Ivey back in 2012 when the player won more than $9.6 million by playing baccarat at the Borgata with its fellow player Cheung Yin Sun. The Borgata has also been suing Ivey seeking to collect the aforementioned amount plus damages from him and his companion player.

Last summer, the popular Atlantic City Boardwalk casino filed a motion for summary judgment in its case against Gemaco. The gambling venue claimed that Gemaco had provided it with defective cards and that it had thus enabled Ivey and Sun to exploit the defects and generate large profits from the casino.

On Monday, US District Judge Noel L. Hillman denied the Borgata’s motion and partly granted Gemaco’s cross-motion for summary judgment, ruling that Ivey and Sun were the ones to blame for exploring and exploiting differences on the backs of the cards while playing baccarat at the casino. Judge Hillman went on to say that Gemaco was thus not “liable for any tort claims” by the Borgata.

The judge granted Gemaco cross-motion for summary judgment for the casino’s common law breach of contract claim, of implied warrant claim, and of common law negligence. The card manufacturer filed a request for cross-motion summary judgment last October, claiming that the Borgata had no actual proof that the cards were defective as it destroyed them.

The Atlantic City seeks to recoup the $9.6 million it lost to Ivey and Sun from both the two players and Gemaco.

Where Does the Legal Dispute Stem from?

Ivey and Sun visited the Borgata back in 2012 to play baccarat. The two players requested a private pit, a Mandarin-speaking dealer, and decks of purple Gemaco cards, among other things. They amassed winnings of more than $9.6 million over four casino visits.

The Borgata paid out the money but it later on came to its knowledge that the two players had used the controversial edge-sorting technique to win at the baccarat table. Generally speaking, Sun and Ivey opted for the purple Gemaco cards because they knew that these had tiny discrepancies on their backs that could be exploited by players to gain edge over the casino. That was exactly what Ivey and Sun, who is notorious for her edge-sorting skills, did at the casino.

Judge Hillman ruled in October 2016 that the technique itself did not equal to criminal deception or fraud. However, the judge concluded that the two players violated the New Jersey Casino Control Act by deploying edge-sorting at the Borgata. Ivey and Sun are seeking a final judgment in the case, that was originally opened in 2014, in order to be able to appeal the October 2016 ruling to the US Court of Appeals.

Late last year, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled against Ivey in his lawsuit against Crockfords. The player sued the Mayfair casino for withholding the amount of £7.8 million he won in 2012 by playing punto banco. Once again accompanied by Sun, Ivey amassed the winnings by deploying edge-sorting. The casino eventually refused to pay out the money and found itself embroiled in a three-year legal fight that eventually concluded in December.

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Jaime Staples and Younger Bro Win $150K Weight Loss Prop Bet from Bill Perkins

It has finally been a year since poker player and hedge fund manager Bill Perkins challenged Jaime Staples and his brother Matt to a lucrative prop bet - that both brothers need to get within 1 pound bodyweight of each other in one year in order to win $150,000. If they lose, they only have to shell out $3,000. Their initial weigh in was made 6 days after the bet, in which Jaime's weight was at 310 lbs (140 kg) whereas Matt was only 135 lbs (60 kg). Fast forward to February 2018, Jaime was abl[...]

Galaxy’s Wynn investment is good news, but doesn’t make either a buy

The timing of Galaxy Entertainment’s surprise move to acquire a 4.9% stake in Wynn Resorts suggests that Galaxy has been waiting in the wings for an opportunity to make this kind of move for a while. The two casinos are similar in their structure, style, balance, stock price movements, and are both particularly dependent on the VIP market. They are both pretty glitzy places as Macau casinos go, known for attention to detail and customer service. The only glaring difference is that one is Chinese and the other is American.

When Steve Wynn was at the helm, it would have been quite difficult for Galaxy to make a move to acquire any appreciable stake in the company. Wynn would have probably personally objected, not wanting to make it look like he was allowing “the Chinese” to “invade” another sacred space of “American capital”. Wynn was a big Trump supporter during the campaign, and Trump being the American exceptionalist Sinophobe that he is, he would not have been happy with Wynn allowing such a thing. Though Wynn is not as flamboyant as Trump in blasting a funeral dirge every time a Chinese firm acquires something American, he would have probably also been rather uncomfortable with it and would not have wanted that kind of publicity.

Well, now that we have all heard more about Steve Wynn’s alleged sorry sex life than any of us ever wanted, his opinion and Trump’s are no longer relevant. Galaxy waited for him to liquidate his stake, which he was pressured into, and then they made their move.

Wynn did not sell any of his shares to Galaxy, at least not directly. 8 million were sold to Capital Research and Management, and T. Rowe Price. Another 4.1 million were sold on the open market. The 5.3 million shares that Galaxy acquired were newly issued for a total $927 million. That’s a lot of money to use up for a casino that is actively expanding in Cotai. It’s about 40% of its cash holdings as of 2017. It may have been more if not for pesky reporting requirements above a 5% threshold. The Nevada Gaming Control Board is still examining the transaction anyway, but that’s just because they feel like it. They’re probably really bored over there.

Galaxy is probably interested in more than just a 4.9% stake. Otherwise it wouldn’t have used nearly half of its cash hoard on what could have been directed towards Cotai development. It’s probably the start of something bigger.

So what’s in it for Wynn, besides $927 million? I see speculation being thrown around on the news that the Wynn board might feel that having a Chinese insider at Wynn can help them navigate the capricious Chinese political minefield. With tensions between the United States and China worsening, having a Chinese company take a big stake in an American company might help insulate against some of the abrasiveness between governments.

That’s probably true but it’s not really the simplest explanation. Besides, from a pure equity standpoint Galaxy wasn’t able to insulate itself against Xi Xinping’s crusade against graft by crippling the VIP sector. Galaxy may be politically wired into the engine of the Ruling Communist Party of the People’s Republic, but that didn’t seem to do much for Galaxy on the way down. Galaxy stock suffered the most in the Macau bear of 2014-2016. Perhaps that has changed now but you’d have to be on the inside of Chinese palace intrigue to get any sense of that.

The simplest explanation is that in order to pad itself against Steve Wynn’s complete departure and sale of his entire stake, some good news was needed to mitigate what is widely perceived as a loss of stability. What better way than to have its sister company Galaxy, similar in so many ways, pick up a big stake and raise close to a billion dollars in the process? Wynn’s strengths are also Galaxy’s strengths so the two companies probably understand each other’s approaches pretty well.

Over the long term, Galaxy’s investment in Wynn is a good thing. The investment is stabilizing but only in the context of an otherwise calm economic environment. When turmoil returns though, it could make stock price movements for both companies that much more volatile, being tethered to one another slightly now. Not all that much more (4.9% is not a huge stake), but it certainly won’t even out the mountainous terrains of both companies’ long-term charts going forward.

Who knows how far this will go, and whether it will lead to joint ventures in the future or something more remains to be seen. Is it by itself a signal to buy either Galaxy or Wynn? Not really, at least not for the next few months. Dollar supply expansion is nearly dead in the water and China’s official inflation rate is at 2.9%, having jumped from an indolent 1.5% in January. It’s at the highest rate since 2013. Hong Kong’s has jumped to 3.1% from 1.7% in January, nearly doubling. Macau’s is up to 3.12%. It’s not that these numbers in and of themselves are alarming, but if Beijing decides to fight them if inflation jumps like this again above 5% say, it could slow down business in Macau.

So while the new fledgling partnership between Galaxy and Wynn is good news, it won’t help change the wider economic environment in the short term. Continue to stay away from Galaxy and Wynn for now.

The post Galaxy’s Wynn investment is good news, but doesn’t make either a buy appeared first on CalvinAyre.com.

AmSoGood Makes a Quick $117k from Viktor �Isildur1' Blom at PokerStars online PLO tables

On March 21, 2018 Wednesday, player AmSoGood made a quick but sweet $117,000 off of Viktor 'Isildur1' Blom after defeating him at a heads-up PLO match in the wee hours that day. The two sat down just after midnight struck at a $200/$400 PLO table, and they then had a second go at it a quarter of an hour after that. Their total session lasted for only 37 minutes, had 80 hands total on the first table and 41 on the second. AmSoGood won on both tables - $62,265 and then $55,387 - thus makin[...]

New Allegations Suggest Crown Fabricated Slot Machine Trial Story to Avoid Penalties

Pressure on Crown Resorts has grown as a new wave of evidence shows that the casino operator might have only stopped what it previously described as a “trial” of removing betting options on slot machines after complaints from patrons.

A whistle-blower has told local news outlet ABC News that the major company, which operates two casino resorts in Melbourne and Perth and is building a third one in Sydney, felt forced to restore the normal operations of slot machines at its Melbourne property after customers at the casino had spotted that their betting options had been reduced significantly and had filed complaints.

Last fall, the Australian casino operator found itself embroiled in a scandal that could cost it its license in the state of Victoria. Back in October, independent MP Andrew Wilkie tabled evidence from three whistle-blowers who claimed that Crown had tampered with 17 of all 2,628 slot machines (or pokies as they are known in Australia) at its Melbourne casino, significantly reducing patrons’ wagering options and chances to win.

The chief allegation against the operator was that it has instructed staff to remove certain buttons on 17 slot machines. The gaming devices had thus been modified in a manner that had maximized profits for the casino and had reduced players’ wagering options. Patrons had thus been forced to wager the highest bet line on the affected machines, whistle-blowers had explained.

Separate allegations by the unnamed individuals also suggested that Crown had knowingly allowed select casino customers to dodge anti-money laundering regulations.

Crown’s Response and the New Wave of Allegations

Crown rejected all allegations back in October, but eventually admitted to removing buttons on 17 gaming machines between March and April 2017. The operator said in a March 5 statement to the Australian Stock Exchange that the “blanking” of buttons was part of a trial it had conducted at its Melbourne casino.

However, a whistle-blower who is employed at the casino company told ABC that the trial claims were “farcical”. He further pointed out that Crown only came up with the trial story after regulatory pressure began bearing down on its profitability and general performance.

The unnamed Crown employee went on to say that no trial had been running on the casino floor and what the operator had basically tried to do had been to see how much it could “rip people off”.

Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation had opened investigation into the allegations even before those were tabled in the Parliament. Crown could have its license from the regulator revoked if the allegations prove true.

The Commission has been presented with the latest whistle-blower evidence. The regulatory body told ABC that it is aware of the new claims and that these are now part of the ongoing investigation.

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Superbet Poland representatives, Zdenek Lang and Kamil Popiołek to join “Focus on Poland”

There are just a few days left until the second edition of Prague Gaming Summit opens its doors and grants access to +12 hours of learning and networking for the registered delegates.  The latest announced experts are Zdenek Lang and Kamil Popiołek, the representatives of Superbet Poland and will join the “Focus on Poland” panel. The “Focus on Poland (panel ...

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Bitcoin Exchanges' Web Traffic Decline by Half

Bitcoin skepticism continues to be a thing and this has, unfortunately, struck the global cryptocurrency market as well. January and February were particularly poor months in terms of prices and performances, driven by the sharp decline in the cryptocurrency’s value (right now, 1 BTC trades for about $8400). Besides many blows to the regulatory market and operators, now the Bitcoin exchange websites are reporting a staggering nosedive in visits per month.

February was not a good month if you're operating a major bitcoin and/or cryptocurrency exchange – the web traffic of the most vital websites of this kind rose during December and part of January, only to plummet significantly in February. On average, the visits have fallen by half.

Here is the breakdown for some of the most visited cryptocurrency exchange websites: Coinbase, which had 169.5 million visits in December 2017, only had 63.1 million visits in February – a 49% decline from January's 123.5 million. Kraken has it even worse - it fell by 56%, from January's 31.7 million to just 13.8 million in February. Similarly, Binance dropped by 54%, from 191.5 to 87.3 million.

These numbers are a symptom of the ongoing distrust in cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin who was at the center of much turmoil since it's stellar 2017. Recently we've reported on another big decline, that of Bitcoin's plummet to a two-year low. Why are people, by the looks of it, losing interest in the cryptocurrency exchange? There are a couple of factors that could've led to this. Firstly, the very poor joint price performance of all cryptocurrencies during January and February (with possibly the only exception being Litecoin who is doing well). Secondly, the impossible rise in the value during the last months of 2017 prompted too huge a number of investors to start pouring money in the Bitcoin ecosystem, which set a bar that could hardly be repeated. Consequently, it may be that the aforementioned decline in Bitcoin transactions may have been caused by the smaller volume of adoption and usage. The only upside to this emptying of the market is that fees have been brought down.

Source:

“Monthly Web Traffic For Major Bitcoin Exchanges Falls by Half”, Mizrahi Avi, bitcoin.com, March 23, 2018.

Top Philippine Architect Says Boracay Is the “Wrong Place” for Casino Resort

The proposed construction of a $500-million integrated resort on Boracay could damage the quality of the sand on the island, a top urban planner told local media.

According to Felino Palafox, a leading Philippine architect and urban planner, developers should not be allowed to build on the island’s beaches as this would have a negative environmental impact. Mr. Palafox spoke with local news channel ANC on Saturday.

Last week, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. awarded a provisional license to Macau-based casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group and its Philippine partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp. to build and operate a $500-million casino resort on Boracay.

Construction on the complex is set to begin in 2019 and to be completed over the next three years. Leisure and Resorts has recently secured a 23-hectare site on Boracay where its property will be built.

While the resort is expected to bring wealthy high roller players from the Asia-Pacific region and to thus boost the island’s already booming tourism sector, the proposal was not received very well by a number of parties, including tourism stakeholders and environmental groups.

During his recent interview, Mr. Palafox said that Galaxy’s project might be involving the “wrong land use at the wrong place at the wrong time”.

The locally established Boracay Foundation has also joined the casino resort debate recently, arguing that the island is well-known among tourists for its white sand beaches, water attraction, and bright nightlife scene, and these are enough to support and grow its tourism industry. The environmental group has added that the island does not need to promote itself as a gambling destination and that a casino would only harm its social environment.

News about the approval of the casino resort plan emerged as Boracay became the subject of heavy criticism from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Imminent Closure of the Island

President Duterte has been firing at the way the major tourism hub’s environmental issues have been handled since last month. The Philippines’ top official called the island a “cesspool” due to its lack of a properly functioning sewerage system and threatened to blow up every structure built on the island without the necessary permission.

After probing the island’s environmental situation, a specially assembled unit has recently recommended its closure for a period of between six months and a year, during which an environmental cleanup would be carried out.

It was confirmed earlier this week that the island would be closed for tourism for six months. In a letter to President Duterte, three government agencies recommended that the island be shuttered starting April 26. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Tourism wrote in their joint letter that the proposed date would prevent Labor Day parties on the island on May 1. However, the island would still be able to welcome tourists that have long planned and made the necessary arrangements to spend the Holy Week break there.

The final decision is in the hands of President Duterte and it is yet to be seen whether he would approve the proposal of the three departments or would pick another date for the island’s imminent closure.

The post Top Philippine Architect Says Boracay Is the “Wrong Place” for Casino Resort appeared first on Casino News Daily.

Yggdrasil Unveils Easter Island Slot

The mighty Yggdrasil has summoned all of their mythological power and, just in time for Easter, took it to Pacific's vast waters to gift us yet another future classic – the ocean-bound Easter Island video slot.

In a remote spot of the world's biggest Ocean, far off the coast of Latin America, lie the mysterious Easter Islands – known for their enormous head sculptures whose origins are yet unknown. But it's not all about mystique; this is also one of the places on Earth where human foot trod the least, keeping the place intact and as exotic as it can be. It's this rare setting where the latest reel spinning magic will unfold.

This 5-reel video slot contains expanding symbols, sticky Wilds, a host of Easter Island-related symbols such as head statues, seagulls, Maori artifacts and more. The game's central attraction is, by all means, the Symbol Swap Respin feature. In it, each win will trigger a respin and the winning symbol will replace all high value or low value symbols on the reels.

Jonas Strandman, Yggdrasil Gaming's Head of Slots, comments: “Easter Island is the perfect pep up for those with an adventurous spirit. Players will be treated to exciting winning combinations as they trigger the novel ‘symbol swap respin’ and take advantage of the expanding reels. With the big wins on offer, those who make the trip won’t be in a hurry to return to the mainland anytime soon.”

The title is developed entirely on the company's cutting-edge responsive technology making the game run smoothly on desktop devices as well as on tablets and smartphones. It will also contain the usual batch of Yggdrasil's promotion tools, BOOST.

Take a look at the official game trailer:

Source:

“Yggdrasil takes players to Pacific paradise in new slot Easter Island”, yggdrasilgaming.com, March 22, 2018