Category: iGame

(AsiaGameHub) - Fortuna Entertainment Group (FEG) has made its entry into the Baltic market by purchasing a 70% share in Lithuania's premier iGaming operator, TOPsport. Financed by FEG's parent company, Penta Investments, this deal stands as one of the most significant foreign investments in Lithuania in recent times, underscoring the Czech-based group's goal to enhance its regional presence. It also constitutes a record investment for Penta. Established in 2002 and based in Kaunas, TOPsport leads the Lithuanian online sports betting and gaming market, commanding over 50% market share. The firm operates a sophisticated digital platform alongside a nationwide retail network of 54 outlets. The business achieved an EBITDA exceeding €65m (£56m) in 2025, sustaining a margin above 50% and realizing approximately 30% compound annual growth since 2020. With a workforce of more than 200, the company has established strong brand awareness via key sponsorships, such as collaborations with basketball club BC Žalgiris, the Lithuanian Football Federation, and the nation's premier football league. “Having grown from the ground up over more than twenty years, TOPsport is now an integral component of Lithuania's sports and entertainment scene and its top omnichannel operator,” stated Gintaras Staniulis, Co-Founder and Strategic Consultant of TOPsport. “We now begin a new era by becoming part of Fortuna Entertainment Group. FEG offers worldwide reach, technological prowess, and responsible gaming benchmarks that will propel the company forward, ensuring our customers enjoy the broadest entertainment options and superior platform security. “We stay faithful to our origins, but we now move ahead with the backing of a major European group.” FEG makes another major step FEG stated that the purchase offers a strategic gateway into the largest Baltic nation and that it will utilize TOPsport's local knowledge and digital strengths to speed up growth and diversify its product range. Dieter John, CEO of FEG, called the acquisition a "major step" within the company's strategic plan. He continued: “This action further solidifies our dedication to responsible gambling and regulatory superiority. “Collectively, we will maintain the utmost standards and advance the core principles that guide our group's operations. “I commend our teams for their efforts in facilitating this deal and look forward to our future accomplishments alongside our new Lithuanian colleagues.” This agreement occurs during a period of comprehensive regulatory shifts in Lithuania. The Seimas (Parliament) plans to implement a new gambling framework by 2028, featuring tighter advertising regulations and greater emphasis on player safety. The minimum legal gambling age was also increased from 18 to 21 in July 2025, excluding national lottery games. The gambling tax rate was raised from 20% to 22% in January 2025. FEG remains confident it will gain significant benefits from the TOPsport acquisition, despite the evolving regulatory environment. This strategic move strengthens its position in the Baltic region and broadens its portfolio, which already contains Romanian operator Casa Pariurilor, Croatia’s PSK, and Montenegro-based LOB. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - As the 2026 World Cup draws near, SBC Summit Malta will place sports betting strategy at the core, assisting the industry in preparing for one of the most pivotal moments on the global betting calendar. Running from 29 to 30 April, the event's two-day conference program will convene 6,000 industry experts to explore the future of sports betting from both theoretical and practical angles. The program is organized across two formats. Day one will focus on sportsbook strategy via a series of panel discussions. Day two will transition to hands-on workshops, enabling delegates to convert those discussions into actionable frameworks applicable to their own operations. Sessions will delve into topics such as the development of bet builders, the increasing trend of sportsbooks functioning as media platforms, and the marketing strategies and regions anticipated to influence the 2026 World Cup. “With millions of viewers tuning into the World Cup, reaching players won’t pose a challenge for sportsbooks. The hurdle lies in retaining them,” said Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC. “Competitive odds, game variety, and a strong user experience will be what sets the top performers apart.” The session“Sports Product & Innovation: Beyond the Bet Builder” will examine how bet builders are evolving and reshaping the modern sportsbook experience. Featuring Tamazi Gambashidze (Head of Sports Brand Experience Department, Adjarabet), Hristo Ruslanov Spasov (Director of Sports Betting, Codere), Ivan Gojić (Chief Sportsbook Officer, Entain), and Nika Gigashvili (Managing Director/ Partner, SMH), the session will also explore how bet builders are being integrated with live betting and utilized to enhance fan engagement. Attention will then turn to the tournament itself in the panel ‘World Cup 2026: Betting Predictions and Market Movers’. Here, C-level executives Txema Hermoso (COO, Doctor SEO), Dr Damir Boehm (CEO, TipWin) and Russell Yershon (Director, Connecting Brands ) will share data-driven forecasts on which markets and products are poised to drive the most betting activity during the tournament. They will also analyze the marketing strategies likely to stand out amid the competition and the impact of the tournament’s expansion on betting behavior. Day two shifts focus from discussion to implementation, with expert-led workshops designed to help attendees develop practical sportsbook strategies. “Building a World Cup Tournament Model: From Ratings to Outrights” will guide sportsbooks on creating credible outright markets that can withstand heightened trading pressure. Led by Jonathan Smith (Founder of Sportsbook Training Services), the workshop will have attendees build a tournament simulation from scratch and learn to translate performance data into realistic tournament pricing. As the boundaries between sports betting, entertainment, and broadcasting continue to blur, the greatest opportunity lies with those who control the fan experience. “The Second-Screen Revolution: Betting Meets Broadcasting” will explore how sportsbooks are evolving into media hubs, using second-screen apps, live streaming, real-time data overlays, and content partnerships to capture attention beyond the match itself. Alongside its focus on sports betting, SBC Summit Malta’s agenda will include dedicated tracks on marketing, regulation, and product, as well as two workshop rooms. Outside the conference, attendees can discover the industry’s latest technology and products on the exhibition floor and connect with peers through various evening and daytime networking opportunities. Get Your Tickets to SBC Summit Malta Secure your spot at SBC Summit Malta with our exclusive VIP Event Pass. Priced at €600, you’ll gain access to all that SBC Summit Malta offers, including three days of networking, conference sessions, and exhibitions. Want an Expo+ Pass? It’s available for €150.If you are an operator or affiliate, you can apply for a free pass! Operators can apply for a complimentary pass here. Affiliates can apply for complimentary passes here. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Sports betting solutions provider GR8 Tech is gearing up for an anticipated surge in betting activity during the upcoming World Cup. The company, which delivers sportsbook and iGaming solutions to operators worldwide, has implemented comprehensive platform upgrades in anticipation of the tournament. These enhancements span its sportsbook platform, engagement and retention tools, and its cryptocurrency offerings, as the company foresees significant increases in traffic, competition, and betting volume throughout the month-long event. Customer acquisition is expected to be particularly competitive this year, with licensed operators vying for market share against each other and the unregulated sector, a topic recently discussed on an SBC Webinar. “World Cup traffic alone does not guarantee improved outcomes. The key is how effectively operators can convert this attention into customer acquisition, conversion, retention, and sustained player value,” stated Denys Parkhomenko, Chief Product Officer at GR8 Tech. “This is our current priority. We are enhancing the sportsbook experience, expanding our engagement and loyalty tools, and advancing our crypto capabilities to empower our partners to maximize the year's most significant opportunity.” In terms of its sportsbook, GR8 Tech is refining navigation, campaign visibility, bet builder functionalities, player-specific markets, and its odds boost feature. On the engagement and retention front, the company is broadening its loyalty, bonus, and segmentation capabilities, incorporating a VIP-focused program and automated bonus mechanisms, among other initiatives. Furthermore, GR8 Tech is introducing earlier player segmentation within its crypto functionalities, based on wallet transaction history, along with more adaptable VIP and risk management procedures prior to deposits. “The company is implementing a wide array of improvements across the platform to help operators derive greater value from the year’s premier event,” the firm’s statement indicated. “More detailed information will be shared in subsequent releases, each offering an in-depth look at specific products and the developments shaping GR8 Tech’s World Cup-ready platform.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Sports betting solutions provider GR8 Tech is gearing up for an anticipated surge in betting activity during the World Cup later this year. The company, which supplies sportsbook and iGaming solutions to operators globally, has implemented several platform-wide enhancements in anticipation of the World Cup. Updates have been applied across its sportsbook platform, engagement and retention tools, and its cryptocurrency offering, as the firm foresees significant traffic, intense competition, and increased betting volumes throughout the month-long event. Acquiring new customers is projected to be exceptionally competitive this year, with licensed operators vying against both their peers and the illicit market, a topic recently explored in an SBC Webinar. “Increased World Cup traffic alone doesn't ensure improved outcomes. The crucial factor is how effectively operators can convert that interest into customer acquisition, successful conversions, sustained retention, and enduring player value,” stated Denys Parkhomenko, Chief Product Officer at GR8 Tech. “Our current focus is precisely there. We are refining the sportsbook experience, broadening our engagement and loyalty instruments, and enhancing our crypto functionalities to assist partners in maximizing this year's most significant opportunity.” For its sportsbook, GR8 Tech is upgrading navigation, improving campaign visibility, enhancing bet builder features, introducing player-specific markets, and refining its odds boost function. The company is also broadening its loyalty, bonus, and segmentation features for engagement and retention, incorporating a VIP-centric program and automated bonus mechanisms, alongside other initiatives. Furthermore, the company is integrating earlier player segmentation into its crypto services, informed by wallet transaction history, and offering more adaptable VIP and risk management prior to deposits. “Throughout the platform, the company is implementing a wide array of enhancements designed to help operators extract greater value from the year's most significant opportunity,” according to the firm's statement. “Further detailed updates will be provided in subsequent releases, each offering a deeper insight into specific products and the advancements contributing to GR8 Tech's World Cup-prepared platform.” This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.

(AsiaGameHub) - Spelinspektionen, Sweden's Gambling Inspectorate, begins a new chapter in its leadership with Madelaine Tunudd taking on the role of Board Chair. Having served as Vice Chair since 2019, Tunudd takes over from Claes Norgren, who stepped down on 16 March, with her tenure as Chair commencing on 17 March. Tunudd, previously a judge at the Administrative Court of Uppsala, has acted as legal counsel to the authority since its creation in 2018 under the Swedish Gambling Act. The Inspectorate highlighted the importance of maintaining consistent supervision of Sweden's gambling industry during this pivotal moment, as the sector braces for major regulatory reforms scheduled for implementation from April 2026. Starting 1 April, Sweden will implement a comprehensive prohibition on gambling funded through credit, barring operators from accepting payments made with credit cards, loans, or other deferred payment methods. This initiative represents a significant step in player protection measures, addressing the connection between gambling and personal debt, and will necessitate tighter payment monitoring by operators across all licensed gambling categories. In addition to these financial protections, Sweden is set to considerably broaden the scope of its gambling legislation. By eliminating the "direction criterion," regulators will be empowered to take action against any foreign operator available to Swedish users, without needing to demonstrate direct targeting of the local market—effectively shutting down a persistent loophole used by unauthorized platforms. 2026: A Year of Transformation for the Inspectorate The current year signals a fundamental shift in the regulatory framework governing the Inspectorate's enforcement capabilities. The authority anticipates wielding expanded punitive powers, encompassing harsher monetary fines, licence suspensions, and improved capacity to curb or eliminate illegal operators. These changes indicate a move toward a more proactive, enforcement-driven approach, assigning increased accountability to the regulator for vigilantly monitoring market limits. The leadership change occurs alongside a continuing transition in the organization's senior management. Johan Röhr remains in his position as Acting Director General after Camilla Rosenberg exited the Inspectorate in late 2025, when she was appointed by the government to spearhead reforms in Swedish housing policy. Additionally, the Riksdag is still completing its assessment of regulatory modifications put forward in 2025 by Financial Markets Secretary Niklas Wykman and senior advisor Marcus Isgren. The suggested measures comprise tougher oversight of physical gambling establishments, improved safeguards for high-risk products like slot machines, and more unified management of self-exclusion programs and operator responsibility requirements. This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content. AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.