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US firm taking over Australian casino company

Published

7 years ago

May 10, 2019

US firm taking over Australian casino company Reading Time: 4 minutes

The seemingly permanently advancing nature of the Australian gambling world has recently seen trouble. If you have been keeping an eye out for the news, you know that the recent Beijing crackdowns on the gambling within the Chinese borders have caused many, spenders and investors, to turn away from the industry. This has resulted, in turn, in the decrease in revenues that the Australian gambling firms have been seeing over the years. While real money casinos in Australia are seeing a rise in users the physical casinos have seen a lot of damage done to them. While not catastrophic, the crackdown has had its effect. The large scale divesting by shareholders has resulted in a loss of value for many shares of large companies. Crown, the large casino company from Australia, has also seen itself face trouble as a result. So it came like a fresh breath of air when an American resort company got in touch with Crown with an offer to but them out lock, stock, and barrel, in the past few months.

Wynn resorts makes an offer
Wynn Resorts is a huge American company. It owns and operates resorts and, more importantly, casinos, in some of the biggest gambling hotspots around the world. The company owns and operates large casinos in Las Vegas and Macau, and have been interested in expanding its operations further into the world. The time could not be better, as with the Australian physical casino market looking a little bleak has caused the price of acquiring them to become so much lower.
Despite this, the offer to the owners of Crown is still quite a staggering number. Wynn resorts are offering seven billion US dollars to Crown for the entirety of their operation. The offer seems to be more than generous, and it has been reflected in the share value of Crown. The only recently, the value of shares was only around $14, while after the news was released, the value of the shares jumped up to $24, as people scrambled to get their share of the pie and drove the prices of the shares sky high. And while the markets are going wild over Crown shares, the heads and shareholders of the company sit in their offices deliberating if the deal is good enough for them. Whatever they decide, this deal is a much welcome infusion into the industry, as the markets once more get excited about the casino-related news

A slow year for gambling
The past year has been slow for the gambling industry within Australia, a direct result of some of the more significant changes in the gambling regulations over the past years. The reforms in advertising and requirements have been causing a slow loss of customer base for physical casinos. These users are heading to a more comfortable online experience, but the result is the physical casino industry. The biggest slots machine manufacturer in the country, Ainsworth Game Technology, has already been seeing losses in revenue and is expecting the trend to continue in the near future.
But the regulations do not seem to be abating. Some are expecting even more regulation to hit sometime in 2019 or beginning of 2020, which might again cause some problems for the gambling industry in AU. With the regulation already diverting most of the casino revenue to offshore companies, because of the requirement for online casinos to be from foreign countries. Some companies have already been showing signs that the coming years might be a bit of a struggle.
But the potential of the industry is not getting any smaller. All that is being done is that the energy of the people is directed elsewhere – to non-Australian shores. The issue with regulation is thus quite apparent and obvious, but there isn’t much being done to change it, only the add more regulation. The government has an issue with the citizens gambling but is not taking constructive steps to limit or change the nature of the problem, instead of moving the responsibility for regulation to other countries, which is already damaging to the economy.

A new hope
Despite the issues with regulation, there is no doubt that the current deal that is taking place between Wynn Resorts and Crown is a good sign for the industry. With a large offer such as this being made to the Australian casinos, it must mean that the potential of the market has become of interest to the world’s largest players. And if the largest players are trying to get into Australia, it might be a chance for the industry to be able to revitalize itself. Or maybe the large scale companies such as Wynn Resorts have the necessary funds and economic advantages to be able to compete with international online casinos and offer services that online casinos cannot compete with.
Whatever it is, the current face of the casino industry will need to see some change and revitalization. As Australian casinos lose their users to online casinos from offshore companies, it is important for them to get a chance at operation again with the infusion of new blood and new funds into the industry. It is hard to compete with what online casinos are offering to their users: experience a casino from home. But if the physical casinos manage to figure out a way to offer something attractive enough to the people who play, they might be able to compete with them. Whether this is the experience of the tangibility of the markets, the real world experience of playing at a casino, or something else that a physical casino is able to provide that an online casino won’t be able to, is up for the industry to figure out on itself. But at this rate, the casinos are competing against themselves. After all, who needs to go to Vegas, when you can bring Vegas to you, through your screen?

Other entrants?
Is it possible that there might be other big, international companies interested in the Australian casinos? While there is no way to confirm this at the time, there are suspicions that are international companies are interested in Australia. After all, when 80% of the country is likely to be gambling and some point in the year, it becomes an attractive market for companies that deal in the industry. So it is not surprising the Wynn resorts is interested in entering the already established market, but Crown is not the only company dealing in casinos within Australia, and each one of them has the potential to be a solid way to enter the market.

Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: US firm taking over Australian casino company

Related Topics:gambling industry in Europe

George Miller

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: Belatra has been a steady hand in the slots world for a long time, but 2025 marked a distinct shift in strategy. By entering the Crash vertical with Goose Boom Bang and winning big at SiGMA Africa, the studio is clearly pivoting to capture the high-growth, high-frequency players in emerging markets. They are no longer just a “classic slots” developer; they are diversifying the portfolio to ensure relevance in regions like LatAm and Africa.

The Full Story

Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has issued a strategic review of its 2025 operations, celebrating a 12-month period defined by entry into new game verticals, significant franchise expansion, and high-profile industry recognition.

The year was characterized by a dual strategy: deepening engagement in established markets while aggressively expanding its content portfolio to suit local preferences in emerging territories.

Portfolio Evolution: Crash and Battles 2025 saw Belatra move beyond its traditional slot roots. The company made its debut in the high-demand Crash game vertical with the launch of Goose Boom Bang, a title designed to tap into the fast-paced gameplay preference of younger demographics.

Additionally, the studio introduced a fresh game concept with the launch of Battles, a new format unveiled for the first time in 2025, with further development planned for 2026.

The ‘Mummyverse’ Expands For fans of classic slots, the highlight of the year was the aggressive expansion of the Mummyverse. Belatra nearly doubled the size of this franchise over the year, making it the most extensive game universe in their entire catalog.

The developer also focused on B2B localization, releasing a number of exclusive bespoke games created specifically for selected operator partners to meet specific local market tastes.

Awards and Recognition The company’s strategic shifts were validated by industry accolades. Belatra secured over 30 nominations throughout the year, with standout wins including:

Best Slot Provider (awarded by BitStarz).
Most Played Game of 2025 for Make It Gold at the SiGMA Africa Awards.
Player’s Pick Award.

Management Commentary Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, commented on the studio’s momentum:

“This year has truly defined who we are as a studio – ambitious, creative and focused on building long-term partnerships. We’ve expanded our universes, launched new ones and entered exciting new markets that will all help us carry this momentum into the New Year.”

The post From ‘Mummyverse’ to Crash Games: Belatra Reviews a Landmark 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: The “Instant Game” vertical (Crash, Plinko, Mines) is becoming crowded, but Ebaka Games is cutting through the noise with a distinct brand personality. By securing BMM Testlabs certification so quickly after launch, they are signaling to Tier 1 operators that despite their “chaotic” marketing vibe, the math underneath is solid and compliant. The backing of industry veteran Dmitry Belianin also adds immediate commercial credibility to the startup.

The Full Story

Ebaka Games, the fledgling studio that promises to bring “chaos and soul” to the iGaming sector, has outlined an aggressive growth strategy for 2026 following a landmark launch period in late 2025.

The studio, which officially debuted in November, reports that its initial rollout reached more than five million people worldwide. The launch saw its portfolio go live with the operator Menace, serving as the initial testbed for its mechanics and “Ebaka modes.”

The Product: Instant Games with Personality Ebaka is bypassing traditional slots to focus on the high-growth vertical of fast-paced, instant-win games. Their initial lineup includes:

Plinko
Mines
Tower
Limbo
Crash

Differentiation is achieved through unique mascots and signature gameplay tweaks designed to offer high win potential and distinct visual identities, moving away from the generic interfaces often found in this genre.

Regulatory Milestone Crucially for its 2026 roadmap, Ebaka Games has confirmed it has secured certification from BMM Testlabs. This accreditation validates the fairness and integrity of its RNG (Random Number Generator) and game engines, removing a major barrier to entry for regulated markets. With this certification in hand, the studio plans to launch with a number of “major brands” in the coming year.

Management Commentary Vitalii Zalievskyi, CEO of Ebaka Games, commented on the studio’s unorthodox approach:

“It’s only been a few weeks since we first introduced Ebaka Games to the world. The feedback has been breathtaking, and it vindicates the decision for us to take a different path to the rest of the industry. You don’t need huge marketing budgets to grab people’s attention if you are building something truly innovative.”

Industry Backing The studio describes itself as being “created by players for players” but boasts significant industry firepower in its corner. The team includes Dmitry Belianin, a well-known figure in the sector who is the co-founder of Blask and Menace, as well as Managing Partner at Already Media.

The post ‘Chaos and Soul’: Ebaka Games Plots Global Expansion After Viral Launch appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Latest News

Racing Meets Nightlife: SBK Backs ARC’s New ‘Friday Night Live’ Series

Published

4 days ago

December 23, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: British racing has a well-documented demographic problem; its core audience is aging. “Friday Night Live” is a direct attempt to fix this by blending high-stakes racing with the “experience economy” (DJs, nightlife vibes) that appeals to Gen Z and Millennials. Bringing SBK on board—a mobile-first, app-only sportsbook—is a perfect demographic fit, while the Racing Post adds the necessary credibility to ensure the actual racing product remains the focus.

The Full Story

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has unveiled the strategic commercial lineup for its upcoming Friday Night Live series, confirming SBK as the Exclusive Betting Partner and The Racing Post as the Official Media Partner.

Set to launch in January 2026, Friday Night Live is a new initiative created in collaboration with youth-focused events company INVADES. The series is designed to overhaul the traditional race day experience, featuring fast-paced fixtures under floodlights, DJ sets, and significant entertainment elements sandwiched between races.

The Commercial Deal

SBK: As the exclusive betting partner, the Smarkets-owned sportsbook will take naming rights and on-course branding for all 35 races. Crucially, these races will be broadcast live on mainstream television via ITV Racing as well as Sky Sports Research.
The Racing Post: As the Official Media Partner, the publication will provide content, coverage, and promotion across its digital platforms, aiming to bridge the gap between established racing purists and the new audience ARC hopes to attract.

A High-Stakes Experiment The series is not just a marketing exercise; it carries serious sporting weight. Each of the five scheduled nights will feature over £200,000 in prize money. The fixtures will rotate across three of ARC’s all-weather tracks: Wolverhampton, Newcastle, and Southwell.

Management Commentary David Leyden Dunbar, Group Director of Commercial Strategy at ARC, was clear about the target audience:

“We have been very clear that one of the aims of Friday Night Live is to engage the next generation of racing fans… Both [partners] have shown real enthusiasm to work with us… as well as using the platform that these fixtures will offer them to also engage with more established racing and sports fans.”

Adam Baylis, Marketing Director at SBK, added:

“Friday Night Live [is] a fresh and engaging concept that brings a new energy to British racing. SBK has always been built around sport… our focus is on enhancing the live race day experience in a fun, social and responsible way.”

The 2026 Schedule The series kicks off immediately in the new year: