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Caesars Entertainment in line to get Japanese IR license
Japanese lawmakers have made the first step in allowing casinos in the country. They passed the Basic Bill on Gambling Addiction Counter Measures and the Integrated Resort Implementation Bill (IRIB). This could pave the way to the opening of casino resorts in three locations, most likely Osaka, Hokkaido, Wakayama and Nagasaki.
The primary beneficiary of the developments is likely to be Caesars Entertainment, who have already had participated in negotiations with lawmakers and community leaders in the country. In fact, the US company has been chasing this for over fifteen years.
Jan Jones, EVP for public policy and corporate responsibility at Caesars Entertainment, has welcomed the gathering pace of the new legislative framework being established in Japan. “Assuming the legislation passes the upper house, we think the first licenses might be awarded late in 2020, with first resorts opening in 2025,” Jones explained in an interview at the end of June 2018.
It is certainly been a long road leading up to the first key legislature changes that came in December 2016, which officially made gambling legal in Japan, although when it comes to bricks and mortar casinos, the country’s parliament was still a long way from implementing the legal framework to regulate the industry. Meanwhile, the doors opened for citizens to legally explore their gambling options via the internet for the first time, as operators such as William Hill online casino in Japan offered localised language support to meet the demands of a growing client base.
However, with much still in the air and with many grey areas still to account for with land-based casinos, the importance of establishing the appropriate legal infrastructure has been of paramount importance to the Japanese Parliament. This finally came when the Basic Bill on Gambling Addiction Counter Measures was introduced in June 2018, which lays the foundations on which the remaining legislature can be built upon and which also passed comfortably in parliament, with 183 voting in favour and just 46 against.
The IR Bill is therefore fully expected to pass through parliament with very little opposition, before the final session on July 22 at the National Diet Building in Tokyo. Given the huge success of integrated resorts and casino complexes in other popular Asian destinations, such as Macau, Singapore and the Philippines, there has been a growing appreciation that such resort destinations could bring not only significant overseas investment to the country, but also provide a massive boost to the tourist industry.
Gambling was actually made illegal in 1907 by Japan’s criminal code. However, there have been exclusions in place for state lotteries and scratch cards, along with soccer totes, horse racing, powerboat racing and motorsports. Pachinko parlours were also considered a “game” rather than “gambling” as such, given that the mechanical slots-like game does not pay out cash prizes. Instead, tokens are awarded that can be redeemed for goods or items at stores, which are nominally separate to the parlours. Nevertheless, this new legislature will also potentially change the face of pachinko in Japan and how the parlours can operate in the future.
Source: micetimes.asia
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Arena Racing Company awarded United Arab Emirates Gaming-Related Vendor License
Arena Racing Company (ARC) has been granted a Gaming-Related Vendor license from the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Authority (GCGRA), an independent entity of the UAE Federal Government with exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities.
The license, operational with immediate effect, affords ARC the opportunity to provide its products and services to licensed operators in the region. Notably, the Racing1 Markets service, an all-in-one horse and greyhound racing solution delivered in conjunction with Racing1 alliance media rights partners at 1/ST CONTENT, Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and Tabcorp, alongside technical partner Pythia Sports. ARC has been added to the list of licensed vendors as per the GCGRA website.
Jack Whitaker, Commercial Manager at ARC, said: “Obtaining this license is a great achievement for ARC and its Racing1 partners. The emerging regulated UAE market is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to showcasing our innovative products and services in the region.”
The post Arena Racing Company awarded United Arab Emirates Gaming-Related Vendor License appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK
Swedish gaming giant’s industry signals commitment to the UK regulated market by launching it leading portfolio of games with Ivy Casino
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced that its industry leading portfolio of games is now live with Ivy Casino in the UK.
Ivy Casino’s players in the United Kingdom can now access global smash hits from Play’n GO, including Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead, and Rise of Olympus 100 among many others.
Ivy Casino is a UK-facing online casino brand that launched in 2024 with a focus on delivering a premium, player-centric experience tailored specifically for the UK market.
The brand operates alongside two sister sites, Rose Casino and O’Reels, which also serve UK audiences and share the same commitment to high-quality entertainment, strong user experience and robust responsible gaming standards.
Play’n GO has been one of the leading game suppliers in the UK for many years and is steadfast in its commitment to regulated markets globally.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer of Play’n GO, said:
“We are delighted to launch with Ivy Casino in the UK who, like us, are focused on all the key elements of operating within a regulated market framework. I’m sure this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.”
Mark Good, representing Ivy Casino, said:
“This partnership with Play’n GO forms part of Ivy Casino’s ongoing strategy to enhance its content offering for UK players by collaborating with leading studios known for creative, engaging gameplay.”
Play’n GO is a proud sponsor of the Moneygram Haas Formula 1 team, and recently launched a fashion brand, Play’n GO Shop, to sit alongside its existing Play’n GO Music brand to give fans more ways to connect with Play’n GO.
In October, Play’n GO set a world record by launching everyone’s favourite slot character, Garga, into space reaching a height of over 35,500m as part of the launch campaign for Reactoonz 100 which instantly became one of the biggest game launches of the year for the company.
The post Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals
Esportes da Sorte, one of Brazil’s leading online betting platforms, will be the official sponsor of New Year’s Eve celebrations in four Brazilian capitals: Salvador, Recife, Natal and Maceió. The initiative reinforces the brand’s growing presence in the national cultural calendar and its strategy to connect with large-scale public celebrations beyond the digital environment.
New Year’s Eve is one of Brazil’s most significant annual moments, marked by intense domestic travel, international tourism and mass public participation. By supporting celebrations in four key destinations, Esportes da Sorte aligns its brand with tradition, culture and shared experiences that resonate deeply with local communities.
“Sponsoring New Year’s Eve celebrations in four capitals reflects our commitment to being present in moments that bring people together,” said Marcela Campos, Vice President of the Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, owner of the Esportes da Sorte brand. “Supporting these cities means valuing their cultural identity, strengthening local ecosystems and celebrating the people who keep these traditions alive year after year.”
Across all four capitals, the brand will activate its presence through immersive experiences, public-facing activations and the distribution of branded giveaways — a hallmark of Esportes da Sorte’s engagement strategy at major events. The activations are designed to enhance the festive atmosphere while reinforcing the brand’s connection with culture, entertainment and responsible enjoyment.
The New Year’s Eve sponsorships build on Esportes da Sorte’s broader cultural engagement strategy, which includes long-standing support for large-scale events such as Carnatal, in Rio Grande do Norte — a key fixture in the state’s tourism and cultural calendar. Together, these initiatives reflect the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in cultural sponsorships nationwide.
Esportes da Sorte’s participation also mirrors a wider trend within Brazil’s regulated betting market, as operators increasingly diversify their sponsorship portfolios beyond football. Music, festivals and cultural celebrations have become strategic platforms for brands seeking broader visibility, deeper community ties and more sustainable engagement with the public.
The post Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
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