iGaming This Week: 2025 Week 18 - Wednesday

Hey there iGaming Superstars!

Welcome to iGaming This Week - Wednesday Edition!

The gaming world is buzzing with activity these days, and a lot of it revolves around progress in responsible gaming, tech innovations, and expanding markets.

First off, PAGCOR—the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation—has once again proven its commitment to top-tier standards by successfully keeping its ISO 9001:2015 certification. This wasn’t a simple feat; it came after a thorough series of audits from December 16 to 20, 2024, covering eight of their sites and then extending the scope to include ten more.

The certification, awarded by DQS Certification Philippines, highlights PAGCOR’s dedication to excellence in governance and service. PAGCOR’s CEO and Chairman, Alejandro H. Tengco, summed it up well, saying that this achievement is all about teamwork, discipline, and a shared drive for quality service that benefits both the government and the Filipino people. If you want to dig deeper into this milestone, you can check out the full story at PAGCOR Official website.

On the responsible gaming front, BetBlocker, a nonprofit dedicated to helping communities self-exclude from gambling anonymously and for free, has just launched its latest version in Japanese. This is a huge step, considering Japan has around 123 million Japanese speakers, and roughly 4.4 million people there are affected by gambling issues. Thanks in part to the efforts of Kenta Shintani, a private individual who helped localize the software, BetBlocker is now more accessible than ever.

This move fits perfectly with their goal of making responsible gambling tools available in as many languages as possible. They've also recently expanded into the US and partnered with academic institutions to further their mission. For more details, check out Sharpgambler.com.

Meanwhile, the UAE is really stepping up its responsible gaming game. Their lottery operator, Momentum, is not just monitoring player activity but also providing mental health support when needed. James Boyles, their Group Director for Responsible Gaming, explained that they’re using keywords to flag potentially problematic players and intervene before things escalate. Plus, they’re educating players about responsible gaming and available support services.

It’s a smart approach, especially given that the UAE’s gaming market is still pretty new, and establishing healthy habits early on is key. You can read more about their responsible gaming practices at Khaleejtimes website.

The UAE isn’t stopping there—they’re also actively building a more regulated and secure industry. EQL Games, a Kentucky-based company, recently got a vendor license to operate in the UAE as of April 10. Alongside this, The Game LLC, the national lottery operator, teamed up with Xpoint to implement geolocation tech that ensures players are only accessing lottery services within approved areas.

This combo of licensing and tech partnership shows how serious the UAE is about creating a safe, compliant gaming environment. More info on their expanding market can be found at IGWire.

On the international scene, big players like NOVOMATIC are making moves to boost their global presence. They’ve partnered with Harvest Gaming to strengthen their distribution in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, which makes perfect sense given the rising demand for tailored, high-quality gaming solutions in Southeast Asia. Plus, NOVOMATIC is also planning to acquire Ainsworth Game Technology through a scheme expected to close in the second half of 2025. These moves show they’re focused on growth and capturing new markets, and you can get all the details at Novomatic - here and here.

Back on the corporate front, Betsson’s Q1 2025 results are looking solid. They reported an 18.3% increase in revenue compared to last year, driven mainly by their Latin America operations, which saw a staggering 70% jump. The company is really betting on the booming Brazilian market and its strategy of diversification paying off. Overall, they hit EUR 293.7 million in revenue, with strong performances from both casino and sports betting segments. For those interested, the full report is at GamesBras.

Another exciting move comes from Stakelogic, which announced a partnership with SEGA SAMMY CREATION INC. This collaboration combines Stakelogic’s game development expertise with SEGA SAMMY’s distribution network, aiming to expand into new regulated markets and deliver top-tier online slots and live casino games.

Both CEOs expressed enthusiasm about the potential, emphasizing that this partnership will help create new value and elevate entertainment experiences. Check out the details at iGaming Future..

Lastly, Entain’s Q1 2025 report paints a positive picture. They grew their net gaming revenue by 9% year-on-year, with an 11% increase on a constant currency basis, thanks to strong momentum in online markets like the US and the UK. The company also announced that Stella David is now officially their permanent CEO, a move that should help them focus on future growth. All the details are at iGaming Future.

And on the tech side, Neosurf is making waves in Latin America with its launch in Mexico. Their cash-to-digital wallet solutions aim to give Mexican players a secure, reliable, and compliant way to fund their accounts. Already working with local partners like Fun88, Neosurf’s solutions are designed to fill key gaps in payments and compliance, positioning them as a major player in the region’s growing market. Find out more at Gaming Americas.

And not to forget the social gaming scene—TaDa Gaming has launched Freeslotmatch in the US, bringing fun, risk-free slots and multiplayer tournaments to American players. Having already been a hit in Brazil, this platform offers titles like Fortune Gems and TriLuck, with a straightforward interface and exciting competitions. It’s a great way to enjoy slots without risking real money, and they plan to roll out further in other markets soon. More info is at Focusgn.

Finally, Kambi’s Q1 2025 report shows steady performance. They posted revenue of €41.5 million, a slight dip compared to last year, but excluding transition fees, revenues actually grew by 7%. The company remains focused on building a strong foundation for long-term success, emphasizing their sports betting solutions and technological edge. Details are available at their website.

All in all, it’s clear that the industry is moving forward with a mix of responsible practices, innovative tech, and smart expansion—setting the stage for a pretty exciting future.

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