Latest News
Primorsky Krai The New Gambling Hub
Primorsky Krai, which is located on the border of Russia with China, is calmly waiting for its chance to possibly become a gambling hub to rival Macau’s status. It is already a hub for both developers and gamblers. Several casinos have been built or are nearing completion, and the region is hoping to attract gamblers from Russia, China, Japan, and Korea.
Due to it’s good location, Primorsky Krai offers a much convenient trip than Macau does, which is at least eight hours away for those in northern China or Russia. Gamblers traveling to Primorsky Krai can expect a two- to three-hour trip from the minute they board an airline until dedicated limos whisk them to the casino. Primorsky Krai is bein located in the Primorye Integrated Entertainment Resort Zone, this being one out of five region’s where gambling is legal in Russia.
Tigre de Cristal
The first casino in the zone is Tigre de Cristal. Opened in late 2015 with Phase One of its operations completed, Phase Two is scheduled to open in 2022. The resort currently features a hotel, casino, and spa.
However, by the end of 2018, Tigre de Cristal will have two hotels — one four-star and one five-star luxury hotel for high rollers. In addition, the casino will have 1,300 slot machines, 110 gaming tables, and more than 125 VIP gaming tables for high rollers. A shopping mall, restaurants, additional nightclubs, and more spa space will be added. The total cost is estimated at $1 billion.
While Tigre de Cristal is the first casino in Primorsky Krai, it will be joined by as many as seven. The second casino in the area is currently in the planning and early building stages.
CJSC Shambala
CJSC Shambala was recently given the green light by the Russian government to begin construction of its nearly $150 million investment in the Primorsky Krai region. The new resort is expected to contain nearly 200,000 square feet of gaming and entertainment space.
Plans are to build a 270-room five-star hotel for high rollers, as well as a high-end gaming floor, with 500 slot machines and 50 gaming tables geared toward wealthy gamblers. Interestingly, the Shambala company owned a resort and casino in the Crimean Peninsula until it was closed after the Russian government took over the area in 2014.
At that time, each casino operating in the area was given $100 million for their losses, and the Russian government promised to consider awarding them a casino license in a new area if one became available. It is possible the granting of the license in Primorsky Krai is the fulfillment of that promise.
Naga
NagaCorp has become a major player in the region and has plans to build a casino of its own. First, the company has signed on to create a high-speed railway between Primorye and the northern Chinese city of Mudanjiang, which will allow gamblers to have quick access to the region’s casinos.
The railway is expected to cost the company $12 billion to build. In addition, the company is planning to build a casino in the area. Although plans at this time are still in the beginning stages, the company has projected to build a casino, again geared toward high rollers, that will rival the other casinos in the area either in the operating or planning phases. The company is also building a casino in Phnom Phen, Cambodia, as well. Its goal is to gain a large foothold in Asia.
With many casinos in the area in the planning stages, it is clear that Primorsky Krai is set to aggressively market itself as a gambling hub to rival the high-roller attractions of Macau.
Source: USAOnlineCasino

Latest News
The Impact of Technology on Poker Store Monetisation: From Blockchain to NFT
Over the years, poker has moved from once dim backrooms of dull backstreets to high‑stakes online arenas, and every step of the way, it was propelled by innovation. Today, it comes in the shape of blockchain technology with decentralised ledgers, unique NFT assets, and crypto wallets that allow for frictionless and borderless payments. These are more than fashion or flashy new tech, these novelties reshape the whole iGaming industry and fundamentally change how platforms monetise, how players engage, and how trust is built in online poker.
At EvenBet Gaming, we keep our ear to the ground and add blockchain‑ready features to our platform. In the following sections, we’ll explore traditional monetisation, introduce EvenBet’s enhanced toolkit, unpack the tech behind blockchain and NFTs, and examine the security, benefits and challenges operators face in this new era.
Traditional Poker Monetisation Models
We have already delved into the traditional poker monetisation streams in some of our previous articles, but let us recap. Online poker platforms have historically relied on a handful of core revenue streams:
- Rake: a small percentage (typically 2–5 %) taken from each pot, it forms the main share of operator income.
- Entry fees: tournament buy‑ins charged to participants, part of the fee is allocated to prizes and part to the house.
- Freemium models: the core gameplay is free with additional paid chips, cosmetic items, or power‑ups.
- In‑game purchases: sale of virtual goods — avatars, card backs, table themes — via traditional payment gateways.
- Ads and sponsorships: brand partnerships and in‑client advertising generate additional income.
While reliable, these methods depend on centralised control, fee structures, and limited player ownership. EvenBet’s research shows that poker clubs where players purchase in‑app chips via a virtual store have grown rapidly in markets where real‑money poker is restricted (in Asia, for example). In club models, app owners set purchase prices and incentives, while club and union owners manage tournaments and liquidity — this illustrates the power of microtransactions in generating revenue.
EvenBet’s Enhanced Monetization Offering
EvenBet Gaming offers more than traditional monetisation models, but fresh integrated features designed to boost ARPU and engagement across both real‑money and social poker formats.
In‑Store Feature
Our In‑Store offers bundles (Play Money chips, Time Bank top‑ups, VIP Card upgrades) that generate an ongoing microtransaction revenue stream alongside the traditional rake. The store, rolled out for free‑to‑play environments, also unlocks casual boosters to monetise play‑money sessions and encourage demo‑to‑real‑money conversion.
Soft Gaming Options
Soft gaming titles like slots, lotteries, or bingo keep players engaged between hands. These casual games monetise through timed bonuses, in‑game purchases, and promotional bundles, thus extending session length and spend in non‑real‑money modes.
Cross‑Vertical Upsells
Operators can diversify revenues by cross‑selling casino games and sports betting to poker users within the same client. Such a cross‑vertical strategy increases wallet share and overall ARPU because it allows for capturing spend across several iGaming verticals.
Clubs Feature
Earn via chip‑commission models (~30 %) and upsells like custom emoji packs or stats bundles. Platform owners set the prices for in-app chip bundles, VIP cards, and optional features (e.g., Rabbit Hunting, advanced statistics). All revenue from these sales flows directly to the platform, allowing operators to optimize pricing and promotions for their community.
Dealer Tips
Our Dealer Tips feature replicates real‑casino etiquette, and players can now tip the virtual dealer. This microtransaction heightens immersion (particularly in tipping cultures) and also unlocks another revenue stream.
Blockchain, NFTs, and Crypto Wallets in iGaming
Blockchain is a decentralised ledger that records transactions across distributed nodes. This guarantees that the data is immutable and transparent. Key benefits for poker operators include provably fair gaming (because players can audit RNG and shuffle algorithms to verify fairness), immutable records (tamper‑proof logs of bets and game actions allow for better dispute resolution), and secure funds (because irreversible transactions reduce the likelihood of fraud).
Non‑Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are unique on‑chain assets representing, and in poker, they can represent anything from avatars to tournament tickets. EvenBet’s platform supports NFT avatars, table‑income sharing, and tournament segmentation via NFT ownership. This, in turn, opens the way for:
- Secondary markets: players trade NFTs outside the poker platform, creating ongoing royalty streams for operators.
- True ownership: verifiable asset provenance and scarcity, which is in the very nature of an NFT, increase perceived value.
- Cross‑platform utility: an NFT can be used across multiple games and platforms.
Integrating crypto wallets into a poker platform gives players self‑custody of funds and assets. Crypto, which is becoming increasingly popular among players, allows for near‑instantaneous peer‑to‑peer deposits or withdrawals, more privacy thanks to its anonymity, and a seamless user experience thanks to removing reliance on third‑party payment processors. Making the most of this tech, EvenBet’s Crypto Poker integrates 140+ cryptocurrencies and multiple processors, enabling instant, low‑fee deposits and withdrawals. This attracts privacy‑focused and crypto‑native audiences, opening fresh monetisation channels.
New Monetisation Models Emerging from Blockchain Technology
Blockchain technology has unlocked several new ways of monetising an online poker platform, while offering transparency and security for players and operators who benefit from distributed ledgers and decentralised payments.
Play-to-earn dynamics: players can now earn cryptocurrency or NFTs simply by participating in games or tournaments. This turns traditional gameplay into a game of achievements with real-world value. The rewards often come in the form of token incentives or collectible assets, which can be traded on open marketplaces for profit.
NFT-driven marketplaces: non-fungible tokens are unique in-game items such as custom card designs, avatars, or VIP passes that players can buy, sell, or even auction both on the poker platform and outside. Limited-edition NFT collectibles introduce the idea of scarcity, which drives more demand, as well as brings more profit for the operator (both as an initial sale and in the form of royalties when resold).
DeFi and token staking: decentralised finance (DeFi) mechanisms allow poker platforms to incorporate staking models, where players lock tokens into smart contracts in exchange for passive returns or exclusive tournament entries. This provides operators with profits from protocol fees and also promotes long-term engagement because stakers earn rewards proportional to their commitment.
Decentralised poker ecosystems: smart-contract-driven poker platforms remove intermediaries and allow for peer-to-peer wagering and trustless game enforcement. Transaction fees collected on each hand and staking become key monetisation drivers in this new setting.
Security and transaction efficiency: crypto wallets integrated into poker clients make room for near-instant deposits and withdrawals with minimal fees. This leaves traditional payment methods far behind, as crypto reduces operational costs for both operators and players. Moreover, immutable blockchain records ensure provably fair shuffles and transparent gameplay, which is always good for trust.
Enhanced loyalty and ownership: blockchain tokens and NFTs can become the new backbone of poker loyalty programmes. They grant holders governance rights (voting on tournament formats or prize structures) and exclusive access to VIP events. This on-chain loyalty deepens community engagement, as players feel a tangible stake in the platform’s success.
Final Thoughts
The poker store of tomorrow isn’t just a menu of chips or avatars — it’s a tokenised marketplace, a community‑driven ecosystem, and a player‑owned economy. The new technology, such as blockchain, NFTs, and crypto wallets, is already shaping the new online poker reality. They are not a flashy new feature to attract the more tech-savvy players, but the new benchmark of the industry. These technologies bring about more transparency and security, alongside low‑fee payments and real asset ownership, all opening more revenue streams for poker platform operators. EvenBet Gaming’s modernised monetisation features, including the In‑Store Feature, Clubs, cross‑vertical upsells, Dealer Tips, and Crypto Poker — equip operators to capitalise on these trends.
The post The Impact of Technology on Poker Store Monetisation: From Blockchain to NFT appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Digitain’s Paydrom Receives PCI DSS Certification
Digitain is proud to announce that its payment platform, Paydrom, has successfully achieved PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) certification. This certification marks a key step in Paydrom’s mission to provide a trusted and secure payment environment for its partners.
The PCI DSS certification is a globally recognized standard designed to ensure that companies processing, storing, or transmitting credit card information maintain a secure environment. By obtaining this certification, Paydrom demonstrates its dedication to safeguarding sensitive customer data and preventing fraud across its payment services.
Arin Andriazian, Chief of Paydrom Product, commented: “Receiving PCI DSS certification is a significant validation of the secure infrastructure we’ve built at Paydrom. In an industry where trust and reliability are non-negotiable, this achievement sends a clear message to the industry: the customers’ sensitive data are protected by world-class security standards.
As we continue to expand globally, maintaining the highest levels of data protection will remain central to our promise to every partner who relies on Paydrom.”
Arshak Muradyan, Group Chief Compliance Officer at Digitain, added: “The PCI DSS certification reflects our long-term vision to deliver a payment platform, along with the entire products portfolio of the Digitain Group in the gambling sphere, that is as efficient as it is innovative. From a compliance perspective, this certification is a critical milestone that strengthens the foundation built on transparency, consistency, and security. It ensures that our partners can rely on Paydrom and the Digitain Group’s solutions with full confidence, knowing that every transaction and product interaction upholds the highest standards of data integrity and protection. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to maintaining rigorous compliance standards essential for safeguarding sensitive payment data and sustaining trust across all our offerings”.
With this certification, Paydrom continues to offer businesses a safe and efficient way to manage their payments. The certification also assures partners and clients that Paydrom follows strict protocols to protect sensitive payment information.
The post Digitain’s Paydrom Receives PCI DSS Certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Max Level Wins PR Mandate for Riot Games in India and South Asia
Max Level will work closely with Riot’s India and South Asia teams to amplify brand campaigns, regional esports initiatives, product updates, and community-first storytelling in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other South Asian markets. The collaboration aims to build authentic, culturally resonant narratives that reflect Riot’s mission as a player-focused organisation.
The win follows a competitive multi-agency pitch process that saw Max Level selected from among several top PR agencies. The decision was based on Max Level’s deep understanding of the gaming and esports audience, its creative-first approach, and its proven ability to drive conversation and cultural relevance.
Siddharth Nayyar, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Max Level, said, “Winning the PR mandate for Riot Games is a defining moment for us. Riot has not only shaped the modern multiplayer era but also built global communities around player-first values. We’re thrilled to help expand that legacy in India and South Asia, a region that’s growing and evolving at a breakneck pace.”
Max Level’s mandate includes ongoing campaign support for key products and IPs, regional amplification of Riot’s global esports events, as well as strategic counsel on community engagement and creator collaborations. The agency’s track record with brands like NODWIN Gaming, SuperGaming, CyberPowerPC India, KRAFTON, ESL FACEIT Group among others makes it uniquely positioned to drive culturally relevant PR in gaming and esports.
According to the Lumikai State of India Gaming Report 2024, India’s gaming market reached $3.1 billion in FY23, with projections to hit $7.5 billion by FY28, fueled by a base of over 568 million gamers, nearly half of whom are paying users. The report also highlights how India is now the largest consumer of mobile games globally, creating an immense opportunity for publishers like Riot to scale their reach and community.
The post Max Level Wins PR Mandate for Riot Games in India and South Asia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
Latest News2 months ago
SARA TENDULKAR JOINS JETSYNTHESYS’ GLOBAL E-CRICKET PREMIER LEAGUE AS MUMBAI FRANCHISE OWNER FOR SEASON 2
-
Latest News2 months ago
Exclusive Q&A With Bar Konson, Chief Business Development Officer at NuxGame
-
Latest News1 month ago
Week 17/2025 slot games releases
-
Latest News1 month ago
Fortuna Partners with 2025 UEFA Under-21 EURO
-
Latest News2 months ago
Esports World Cup Foundation Confirms Full Game Lineup, Schedule, and Club Championship Rules for EWC 2025
-
Latest News4 weeks ago
ELA Games Receives Key Nomination at EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards
-
Latest News2 months ago
DreamPlay consolidates its status as a global player in the iGaming industry and opens an office and campus in Cyprus
-
Latest News2 months ago
ACR POKER’S NEXT HIGH STAKES ADVENTURE TAKES PLAYERS TO MONTENEGRO FOR PRESTIGIOUS SUPER HIGH ROLLER SERIES
You must be logged in to post a comment Login