The developer of premium slots and casino table games certified in several global markets has decided to celebrate the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day in March with the early launch of Rainbow Mania, an Irish-themed 5×3 slot packed with Expanding Wilds.

Rainbow Mania Metrics Overview

• Reels: 5
• Rows: 3
• Paylines: 20
• RTP: 94.14%
• Hit Freq: 23.64%
• Max Win: 2031x
• Volatility: High
• Min/Max Bet: 0.15-10
• Release date: February 28, 2023

Engaging Audio-Visual Elements and Immersive Game Mechanics

The new game features eye-catching cartoonish graphics with lively colors that capture the magic of Saint Patrick’s Day. The action is set against a fairytale-like background with beautiful trees, a running river crossing the enchanted forest, a bag of gold, and a small wooden cottage with a round door where leprechauns live.

The grid is placed in the middle and it is packed with gorgeous, vividly-colored animated icons and immersive mechanics. Golden and silver bells, green leprechaun hats filled with golden coins, four-leaved clovers, and other good luck charms are all part of the action.

Whenever the Pot of Gold symbol is seen dropping on the first or fifth reel, players see the Expanding Wild symbol pop up on the mid-reel. Provided the same symbol is noticed on both of these reels, the Expanding Wild will show on all three reels in the middle, triggering wins-both-ways pay lines for a chance to scoop up even greater wins.

The Game Offers Engaging Features

The game also features a Scatter symbol that multiplies players’ wins by the total bet and pays anywhere when popping up during the base game.

Players receive 13 free games when three scatters appear anywhere on the grid. For four scatters, players are awarded 33 free games, while 133 free games can be won by making five scatters show anywhere on the reels.

The free games are played at the bet and the lines of the triggering game. The Free Games feature cannot be retriggered.

“Always Happy to Revisit Ireland”

Habanero’s head of corporate communications Toni Karapetrov spoke about the new release, explaining the provider was “always happy to revisit Ireland” while providing fans with a new mesmerizing game focusing on the universe of leprechauns, rainbows, and mouth-watering treasures waiting to be found.

Karapetrov also spoke about the captivating gaming experience meant to enhance players’ St. Patrick’s day celebrations with the help of embedded state-of-the-art mathematics and enhanced audio-visual elements.

Bomb Runner and Golden Unicorn Deluxe are other fascinating titles launched by Habanero in 2022.

The gambling regulator in New York, the New York State Gaming Commission, greenlighted new rules affecting sports betting marketing, promotions and advertising in the state. The announcement came Monday following a meeting of the regulator where the new rules received unanimous approval by the Commission. Now, the rules would go through a 60-day period for public comment. During that time, changes to the rules may be made and at the end of the period, the regulator would have the final word.

A major part of the changes revolves around restricting options for marketing and advertising to underage individuals. Ultimately, the new rules seek to restrict sports betting ads from being appealing in any way to people under the legal age for wagering, including children.

The announcement comes after one year and two months have passed since the launch of statewide mobile sports betting activities. Under the new rules, sports betting companies will be prohibited from advertising or promoting their services via university-owned or college-owned news outlets or assets. This means that university radios, newspapers or other communications channels owned by colleges or universities cannot be used for advertising by sports wagering operators.

Betting Ads Cannot Target Kids

Another part of the rules changes the design of the sports betting ads. This means that under the new rules, those ads cannot be designed in a way that appeals to anyone under the legal age for wagering in New York. Depicting entertaining music or cartoon characters that may seem appealing to the younger demographic is also prohibited under the new rules.

Not unexpectedly, the rules prohibit the use of brand names, trademarks and logos or messages for kids’ toys, games, clothes, or equipment that is being used by children. “To the extent that promotional products carry sports wagering messages or brand information, a sports pool licensee and its employees shall use commercially reasonable efforts to distribute such products only to those who have reached the legal age for sports wagering,” state the new rules.

Similarly, the sports betting ad rules prohibit the depiction of underage persons, as well as endorsements from underage persons. This means that the betting operators won’t be able to collaborate with kids or include endorsements from kids in their advertising materials.

Ultimately, the new rules seek to protect the younger demographic and ensure an effective regulatory framework that prohibits the operators from targeting or engaging with children when offering services. Besides the new rules, the Commission confirmed that there is an increased interest in the three new casino licenses for downstate venues.

Gambling in the United Kingdom may finally be reformed this March as some experts believe that the time of the white paper has finally come. Some of the harsher measures are expected to make their way into the reforms, sparking concerns about the future of the industry.

For what has now been almost two years, British operators, industry experts and gamblers have awaited the release of the white paper. The paper is a part of the United Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to modernize its gambling laws.

Unfortunately, people do not unanimously agree on what the white paper should contain. Anti-gambling activists have demanded the introduction of certain measures, such as the ban of Premier League sponsorships and VIP offers and the introduction of a mandatory 1% levy for the research of problem gambling.

However, one of the most divisive and controversial measures so far has been the introduction of affordability checks. Affordability checks will basically introduce certain limits to gambling, preventing people from spending too much money. However, many argue that this would hurt average gamblers more than it would help problem players.

The BGC Argues That Bad Measures Can Tip the Delicate Balance

Michael Dugher, the CEO of the BGC, is one of the biggest opponents of blanket measures. He has spoken against unjustified restrictions on many occasions, noting that certain measures might negatively impact both the industry and the players. Dugher argues that unhappy gamblers might turn to the black market, which offers none of the safeguards the regulated industry does.

Dugher is also one of the biggest critics of the white paper delays.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, on the other hand, actively promoted certain measures. While he also scrutinized the delays, Smith believes that the industry’s priority should be to protect the players.

Britain has one of the lowest gambling harm rates, with the latest estimates putting the number at 0.2%. While this may seem like a very tame figure compared with problem gambling in other jurisdictions, the issue oftentimes affects poorer regions and has devastated the lives of many people.

Introducing Rules Is One Thing, Implementing Them Is Another

Regardless of what the white paper will contain, companies will be forced to adapt if they wish to continue offering their products to local customers. However, implementation of the new regulations will likely be a lengthy and costly process.

For example, introducing seamless affordability checks will demand resources and expertise to do right. In addition, affordability checks are very hard to properly implement in the United Kingdom where many laws protect players’ privacy.

Despite that, gambling companies are preparing for the worst, seeking to be ready if the controversial affordability checks do get introduced after all.

Flutter’s chairman for the UK and Ireland, Ian Proctor, believes that the white paper’s publication will not be the end of gambling in Britain but the beginning of a new phase.

The multinational gambling producer of slot machines and gambling technology has published its Q4 and full year results for 2022, announcing it has reached all of its financial goals for the year while managing to strengthen its “product leadership positions” across Global Gaming, PlayDigital, and Global Lottery operations.

Strategic Work Has Paid Off

According to chief executive officer Vince Sadusky, the good results were a direct consequence of the strategic work put in by International Game Technology (IGT) in the last few years which has led to “higher growth prospects, a better profit profile, and a solid path” toward their goals in the long run.

The same efforts also helped IGT trigger record capital returns of shareholders last year, helping the company access the new year from a solid position while enjoying “good momentum across business segments.”

The company’s chief financial officer Max Chiara called it “another year of significant financial accomplishments” mostly due to their improved earnings strength.

IGT managed to generate good cash flow while its funding helped grow its investments promoting future growth. Together with the proceeds obtained from the sale of its non-core businesses, IGT managed to significantly cut debt and leverage which led to the lowest figures ever to be recorded in the company’s history.

Thanks to its improved credit profile and important liquidity, IGT will continue to enjoy powerful support and more flexibility while executing its plans spreading across several years.

Q4 2022 Financial Performance Results

For the fourth quarter, IGT reported $1.1 billion in revenue, marking a 4% rise compared to the $1 billion in revenue for Q4 of the previous year. The growth was mostly triggered by the 21% rise in Global Gaming revenue to $389 million.

The company obtained robust growth across its revenue streams from service and product sales. PlayDigital operations also brought a massive contribution to the Q4 revenue number, with a massive 239% increase to $17 million based on the solid rise in revenue and smaller jackpot expenses. This was possible in spite of the higher investments costs in research development, and talent, along with iSoftBet’s integration costs

The company also announced a 24% growth of its operating income that reached the $230 million mark. Its operating income margin sat at 21%, signaling an increase of 340 basis points compared to the previous year in profits recorded by Global Gaming and PlayDigital.

The Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 reached $419 million, marking an 8% rise as reported and a 13% increase at constant currency. The increase reflected the steady profit growth in PlayDigital and Global Gaming as well as the important contribution of IGT’s Global Lottery operations.

Full Year 2022 Results for IGT

The company reported $4.2 billion in revenue, marking a 3% YoY rise as reported or an 8% increase at constant currency. The growth was generated by the powerful rise in Global Gaming and PlayDigital operations.

IGT also announced a record operating income of $922 million and a 22% operating income margin that included an important improvement in its Global Gaming operations. With a free cash flow of $582 million and $899 million in cash from operations, IGT also announced a record $276 million to shareholders and a debt that went down by $771 million.

IGT projected a full year revenue for 2023 between $4.1-$4.3 billion with an operating margin ranging between 21% and 23%. For Q1 2023, IGT is expected to generate around $1.0 billion in revenue and an operating margin between 22% and 24%.

Earlier in the week, IGT announced it scored in the top 88% of companies in the casino and gaming industry of the 2022 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.

Scout Gaming has published its financial report for 2022, highlighting a noticeable decrease in annual losses. The B2B fantasy sports and betting provider attributed the improved metrics to its cost-effective strategy.

As reported, Scout Gaming recorded losses of $5.76 million (converted from Swedish Krona) representing a 27% year-on-year decrease from the $7.87 million in losses recorded in 2021.

Despite still dealing with losses demonstrates, Scout Gaming managed to get things under control thanks to its strategy. Hellbent on cutting losses, the company also cut its workforce in half and drastically reduced its operating expenses.

Scout Gaming is bullish on growing its presence and becoming a business with robust revenues. According to CEO Niklas Jönsson, his team will continue to work hard to turn Scout Gaming into a profitable company. He added that a lot of work still remains and there is a lot more that can be done.

Jönsson noted that he will continue the battle and is determined to succeed. He said that he will help Scout Gaming evolve even if more transformative work is needed.

2022 Presented Scout Gaming with Quite a Few Challenges

Taking a look at how Scout Gaming performed in 2022, we see that the company’s total revenues sit at $2.46 million, representing an unfortunate decrease of 20%.

Revenues from the company’s business-to-customer operations, meanwhile, declined by 47% to $1.12 million. The business-to-business segment, on the contrary, experienced an increase of 46% to $1.34 million.

Scout Gaming also recorded EBITDA losses of $6.51 million. Earnings per share amounted to only $0.026 and the board proposed that no dividend will be paid for the year.

While the company is still struggling to record positive revenues, it managed to skillfully take care of its B2B sector. The company cut all of its non-effective partnerships and now has 13 remaining clients. It should be noted that only eight of Scout Gaming’s current partnerships are active, with the remaining five still under integration.

Scout Gaming’s 2022 was suboptimal and undermined by various headwinds. The company described some of the quarters as “intensive periods” that prevented it from achieving the desired results.

Despite the setbacks, 2022 was favorable in terms of partnerships, as Scout Gaming formed agreements with quite a few companies. In October, Scout entered Australia with Apple iSports. Then, two months later, it agreed to provide Cartola with its suite of daily fantasy products.

The leading online gaming operator offering services in Latin America and Spain, Codere Online, released its fourth quarter and 2022 results, showing strong growth in revenue and an increased number of active monthly players. The company said Tuesday that its net gaming revenue in Q4, 2022, hit €37.7 million ($40 million). This result, when compared to the corresponding period in 2021 marked a significant increase of 70%.

A breakdown of this total showed growth across Codere’s different operating segments. The biggest increase was observed for the company’s Mexico-facing operations with reported net gaming revenue of €16.3 million ($17.3 million), representing an increase of 106%, when compared to the €7.9 million ($8.4 million) result from Q4 in 2021.

Another strong growth was observed for Codere’s Colombia-facing operations with net gaming revenue increasing 56% to €2.3 million ($2.4 million) for the fourth quarter of 2022. Similarly, the company’s Spanish operations also reported an increase in Q4 with net gaming revenue hitting €17.8 million ($18.9 million), up by 42% when compared to the same period the prior year.

The Company Is Happy with Its Performance for 2022

The new trading update released details regarding Codere’s performance for 2022, with the company reporting a 48% net revenue increase to €122.9 million ($130.3 million) when compared to 2021. Similarly to the Q4 results, the company’s Mexico and Colombia operations in 2022 reported strong growth with net revenue increasing by 83% and 72% respectively.

“We are reporting better than expected Q4 and full year 2022 performance, with net gaming revenue growing by 70% in the quarter and reaching €123 million for the full year.“

Moshe Edree, CEO of Codere Online

Moshe Edree, Codere Online’s CEO, outlined that the company enjoys a better performance than expected for the fourth quarter and 2022 as well. He acknowledged that the company’s net revenue last year increased by a solid 70%, which, according to him reaffirms the dedication of Codere’s team members.

Edree spoke about the unique gaming experiences delivered to the company’s customers and pointed out that the World Cup undoubtedly helped boost the fourth quarter results. Additionally, he outlined that the global soccer event helped engage new customers and retain existing ones. Finally, Edree said that Codere saw strong results from Spain and Mexico and said that those “achievements underscore the effectiveness of our growth strategy and our ability to successfully deploy marketing spend.”

The growth of Codere’s customer base played an important role in the results in Q4 and 2022. Overall, the number of average monthly active players for the year ended December 31, 2022, hit 113,100, marking an increase of 35% when compared to the prior year. On the other hand, strong growth was observed in terms of the monthly average players in Q4 which increased by 54.8% to 141,800.

The iGaming developer’s substantial focus on North America is bearing fruit as operators in Connecticut will soon be able to take advantage of the company’s award-winning portfolio. The Play’n GO management team has adjusted its strategy to reflect the current challenges and provide partners with engaging quality content focused on bolstering retention.

The Company Is Taking the USA by Storm

Play’n GO’s most recent US success is a significant milestone in its regional ambitions. With its newly obtained Connecticut license, the developer successfully consolidated its footprint, laying the groundwork for future growth. December’s launch in West Virginia successfully bolstered Play’n GO’s presence on both sides of the border after the earlier expansion in Ontario.

Thanks to its most recent expansion, the supplier has access to five regulated markets across North America. Play’n GO chief commercial officer Magnus Olsson was excited about the newest launch, expressing hope that operators in the Constitution State would soon benefit from the developer’s engaging content.

Gaining further market access to US iGaming States has been an important goal of the company, so it’s fantastic to be able to add Connecticut to our US push.

Magnus Olsson, Play’n GO chief commercial officer

The new Connecticut license means that Play’n GO products are available in over 25 regulated jurisdictions. Despite the company’s North American focus, it has not ignored its core European markets. In January, the supplier made another cornerstone achievement after an agreement with Kindred-owned brand 32Red, strengthening its position in the critical UK market.

Partners Can Enjoy a Dynamic and Engaging Portfolio

As one of the leading iGaming developers, Play’n GO maintains a healthy release schedule of new titles. In 2023, the company plans to release over 50 new products, bolstering its already impressive portfolio. Their latest slot game, Colt Lightning, launched only two weeks ago, featuring electric and innovative features and pleasant aesthetics.

Play’n GO’s busy release schedule feeds directly into its strategy to adapt to the unique challenges faced by the iGaming industry in the region. According to Olsson, acquisition costs in the USA were very costly, leading operators to focus on retention strategies. He added that Play’n GO’s proven track record of success would help attract many new partners.

Being able to bring Play’n GO games to Connecticut – the best content in the industry for retention – will be music to the ears of operators and their players.

Magnus Olsson, Play’n GO chief commercial officer

The Sweden-based developer’s self-proclaimed mission is to be “the best in every regulated market in the world.” While such a goal seems ambitious, Play’n GO certainly appears to be giving it its all. Despite its busy release schedule, the supplier maintains its reputation for quality and continues to capitalize on every expansion opportunity.