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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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iGX and Optimove Announce Report on the Transformative Impact of Gamification and AI in the iGaming Industry
iGX, a leading voice in the iGaming industry, and Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing platform for iGaming and sports betting operators, announce the release of a report exploring the transformative role of gamification and Generative AI (Gen AI) in the iGaming industry. This comprehensive study highlights the trends, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of iGaming, providing valuable insights for operators navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.
Methodology:
iGX Insights surveyed 100 Heads of Marketing, CMOs, Brand Directors, and similar executives from iGaming organizations across Europe to find out how the industry is continuing its gamification efforts and the impact AI is having on iGaming.
Key Findings Previewed
The forthcoming report reveals critical insights into how gamification and AI are revolutionizing player engagement, retention, and overall gaming experiences:
- Gamification’s Universal Adoption: The report highlights that 100% of surveyed iGaming operators have implemented gamification strategies, underscoring its universal adoption. Popular elements such as achievements, tournaments, and personalized challenges have proven effective in driving player activity and loyalty.
- Generative AI’s Growing Role: With 61% of operators already deploying Gen AI solutions and 39% planning to do so, AI is reshaping iGaming. Applications such as personalized promotions, automated content creation, and predictive analytics are driving hyper-personalization and streamlining operations.
- Data-Driven Personalization: The study emphasizes the increasing importance of player data in tailoring experiences. Organizations that leverage data insights effectively can deliver highly targeted content, predict player behavior, and optimize engagement strategies.
Industry Implications
The report positions gamification and AI as pivotal to the future of iGaming, enabling operators to deliver immersive, personalized experiences. By integrating these technologies, organizations can foster deeper player loyalty, enhance lifetime value, and remain competitive in a dynamic market. However, the study also addresses the challenges of data analytics and ethical use, which will be critical for sustained success.
As noted by Pini Yakuel, CEO of Optimove, “Gamification and Generative AI are no longer optional strategies—they are essential for operators looking to thrive in today’s competitive iGaming landscape. This report provides a roadmap for leveraging these tools to enhance player engagement and deliver meaningful, data-driven experiences.”
Added Gabriela Martins da Silva, Content Director iGX, “It’s important to note that implementing Generative AI solutions successfully also requires a strong data foundation. Any gaps in data can lead to inaccurate results, introducing potential risks when deploying these technologies. That said, it’s clear that AI is poised to become a cornerstone of the gaming industry, and the number of companies leveraging Generative AI will only increase in the coming years.”
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Reign of Titans Launches in India, Bringing New Opportunities for Esports Players
Reign of Titans has officially arrived in the Google Play Store and IOS’s App Store. The strategy card-based online PvP battle game, is removing barriers for upcoming esports stars with a free-to-play model, low technical requirements, and global competitions.
“Reign of Titans is here to make an impact in India,” said Adi Abili, Head of Reign of Titans. “We’ve spent considerable time and effort to deliver the best version of our game, one that’s fun for everyone and offers a new opportunity for players looking to make a name for themselves in esports.”
The Reign of Titans game transports players to the World of Ereo – a mystical and fascinating place bound together by the forces of Chaos and Order. Players, or “Kyoks” as they’re referred to in the game, begin by choosing a Titan from one of eight unique elements, building their deck of scrolls, and then heading into the Arena.
In these real-time 1v1 matches, players need to effectively manage their Titan’s energy, or “Mana” and HP while inflicting damage through the strategic selection of scrolls. Victory can be achieved in two ways – depleting the opponent’s HP completely or making them run out of scrolls.
Reign of Titans is not new to India. The team behind the game brought beta versions to colleges, gaming cafes, and top esports athletes in 2024, in the hopes of understanding how to best appeal to gamers in the region. The game’s low system requirements make it easy for anyone to climb the global leaderboards and have a shot at becoming an esports player.
Players can head over to the Google Play Store or App Store to download the Reign of Titans app, get their first Titan, and refine their skills. New sign-ups will get an exciting “Welcome Loot Box”, giving players a head-start in crafting their Titan’s strategy.
Players in India can visit the official Instagram to see upcoming events where they can experience Reign of Titans live. The game will continue its activations across different colleges and cities of the country.
The post Reign of Titans Launches in India, Bringing New Opportunities for Esports Players appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights
The ICE Esports Arena at ICE Barcelona 2025 plays a key role in educating people about esports and how to access, integrate and regulate this growing vertical, says Clarion Gaming’s leader in Emerging Technology and Esports.
“Part of the role of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference is explaining exactly what esports is,” said Will Harding. “There is still work to be done in helping regulators to better understand esports. That’s why showcasing esports here at ICE is so important – we’re empowering people who are at the forefront of shaping regulatory policy.”
The ICE Esports Arena continues to grow year-on-year, with four world-ranked professional Counter-Strike 2 teams competing live at ICE 2025 for a US$25,000 prize pool. This year’s winners were 500 (Bulgaria: World ranking: 47).
“In terms of attendees, we have a whole spectrum of people here, from those that are still shocked that computer games have anything to do with sports betting to those that have built incredible businesses around esports,” Harding continued.
“There are also a number of visitors who realise that esports is significant for their business in terms of revenue but don’t necessarily know how to access this vertical, and we’re here to guide them toward unlocking its full potential.
“But the one thing which is absolutely certain is that esports betting is here to stay and it’s going to continue to grow”
He also praised headline partners, esports betting experts Oddin.gg, for their contribution in helping explain why esports is such a commercially important vertical for operators.
“Oddin.gg has been an excellent partner in realising the Esports Arena. Holding a professional esports tournament is a big endeavour. As our headline sponsor, Oddin.gg has played a key role in showcasing how the data and the odds work. They have helped complete the education journey,” he affirmed.
Commenting on ICE’s move to Barcelona, Harding highlighted that both the city and the show’s new venue Fira Barcelona Gran Via have extensive experience with esports, providing a perfect location for the ICE Esports Arena’s continuing expansion.
“It’s very established here. You can walk around Barcelona and see large-scale internet cafes catering for esports fans,” he added. “This represents an ideal foundation for the continued growth of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference in the years ahead.”
The post Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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