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55% of Swedish slot players think ‘Bonus Buy’ games should be banned

Published

11 months ago

February 28, 2024

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Exclusive Swedish polling conducted by Play’n GO today also reveals overwhelming general public support for the prohibition of Bonus Buy slot games

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today revealed exclusive polling conducted in Sweden that shows overwhelming support for the prohibition of the controversial slot mechanic featured in ‘Bonus Buy’ games.

The results of a nationally representative survey in Sweden are stark:

Seven out of ten members of the general Swedish public (69%) support changing the regulation to ban ‘Bonus Buy’ games
Incredibly, more than half of Swedish slot players (55%) want the game type prohibited too

Among the respondents who want to see the controversial slot game banned, two-thirds of the public (66%), and more than half of slot players in Sweden (52%), believe ‘Bonus Buy’ games exploit vulnerable gamblers.

Further, nearly two-thirds of slot players themselves (63%) think that ‘Bonus Buy’ games result in higher losses for players.

So called ‘Bonus Buy’ games allow players to buy directly into the bonus or free spins round of a slot game, in many cases for hundreds of times more than their initial stake for a single spin.

The controversial game type is banned by some of the world’s leading regulators including KSA of the Netherlands and the UK Gambling Commission, who reiterated their stance in a reminder to all online casino operators back in January 2020 that stated ‘Gambling products must not actively encourage customers to increase their stake or increase the amount they have decided to gamble.’

The findings by Play’n GO also reveal today that Swedish slot players overwhelming think that:

changing the regulation to align with the UK and the Netherlands regarding ‘Bonus Buy’ games is the ‘responsible thing to do’ (61%)
a change in the regulation shows that ‘the Swedish government are taking gambling issues seriously (63%)
they would be proud if the gambling regulator prohibited ‘Bonus Buy’ games (53%)

In December, the Swedish gambling regulator Spelinspektionen reported that Spelpaus, the centralised national self-exclusion system, surpassed 100,000 registered users for the first time.

Commenting on the overwhelming support in Sweden for the prohibition of ‘Bonus Buy’ slot games, Johan Törnqvist, CEO and Co-founder of Play’n GO, said: “Play’n GO has been a consistent and vocal advocate for a sustainable, regulated, and thriving gaming industry that is based around an ‘entertainment-first’ mindset for many years.

“I pledged as far back as 2021 that Play’n GO would never make a Bonus Buy game3 – a decision that has cost us hundreds of millions of Swedish Krona – but I stand by that decision. Bonus buy games are harmful to players, and to the long-term health and sustainability of the entire industry, and they should be excluded from the regulated Swedish market.”

Over half of the Swedish public (51%) described game suppliers who have decided not to make ‘Bonus Buy’ games as ‘responsible’, with more than a quarter choosing ‘ethical’ or ‘brave’.

The exclusive research was conducted among people in Sweden who reported that they played slots at least once per month.

Latest News

IGT Modernizes Central Lottery System for LOTTO Thüringen in Germany via Seven-Year Contract Extension

Published

4 hours ago

January 23, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Services Limited, has signed a seven-year contract with the Thuringian State Lottery (“LOTTO Thüringen”) in Germany to deploy its retail central system technology, Aurora™, and related software upgrades. The contract term will begin upon go-live of the new platform, planned for March 2026.

An integral part of OMNIA™, IGT’s player-centric, omnichannel solution for lotteries, Aurora helps drive lottery innovation and profitability. The platform will provide intuitive, user-friendly applications, tools and reporting capabilities which will handle all of LOTTO Thüringen’s transaction processing, game management and back-office operations.

“LOTTO Thüringen has relied on IGT’s versatile and strong-performing central system technology throughout the course of our decades-long relationship,” said Jochen Staschewski, LOTTO Thüringen Chief Executive Officer. “Upgrading our central retail system to IGT’s advanced platform and back-end software will enable us to streamline our business processes and continue operating with the highest levels of efficiency.”

“IGT’s retail central system incorporates a suite of flexible solutions designed to help manage, transform and further grow LOTTO Thüringen’s business,” said Jay Gendron, IGT Chief Operating Officer, Global Lottery. “With this long-term contract extension, LOTTO Thüringen is well-positioned to continue benefiting from IGT’s secure, responsible and modernized technology and software. Leveraging these best-in-class solutions will aid in the Lottery’s goals of supporting good causes throughout the state.”

The post IGT Modernizes Central Lottery System for LOTTO Thüringen in Germany via Seven-Year Contract Extension appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Prepare to be Amazed in Mythical Legends Carnival, a Mythic Video Slot!

Published

6 hours ago

January 23, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

The new title from leading Spanish e-Gaming provider MGA Games is an innovative game with a truly original theme: a journey through carnival festivities filled with legendary creatures. Its design combines the excitement of street parties with the richness of mythological creatures from around the world, providing a totally unique experience.

This new casino slot features 25 paylines, with winning combinations paid from left to right. By landing 3 or more Scatter symbols, players gain access to the Free Spins screen, which includes an innovative prize system. Players can enjoy an accumulator feature and a final Super Respin spin that awards the accumulated winnings. It also includes Money and Collect symbols, which when combined offer an additional bonus prize.

Global Audience
By showcasing mythologies from all over the world, the game is set to appeal to a global audience, enhancing its market potential and attracting players from various countries. Its visual and auditory elements, featuring vibrant graphics and immersive music, will captivate players and deliver a fully immersive experience in a fantastic world.

In this new release, every spin of the reels will surprise players with its themed symbols. As if that weren’t enough, the game features an optional Buy Free Spins button, speeding up the path to big rewards. Mythical Legends Carnival will be available in all of Spain’s best online casinos starting February 3rd and across .com markets from January 27th.

The post Prepare to be Amazed in Mythical Legends Carnival, a Mythic Video Slot! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

ZITRO’S EXCEPTIONAL BOOTH MAKES A STRONG IMPACT AT ICE BARCELONA 2025

Published

6 hours ago

January 23, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Zitro has announced the tremendous success of its participation in ICE Barcelona 2025. The booth itself was a showstopper —spectacular in every sense—drawing widespread admiration from attendees. Described by some as “sending a message,” the booth stood as proof of the company’s ability to deliver innovative products and an unparalleled showcase that reinforced its position as one of the leaders in the global gaming industry.

Visitors experienced firsthand the remarkable progress the company has made in expanding and diversifying its product range. At the forefront of the showcase was the all-new CONCEPT cabinet line featuring Concept Prime, Concept Prime-J, and Concept Deluxe. The event also marked the European debut of Zitro’s latest game lineup for both the CONCEPT and GLARE cabinet lines, which includes Legendary Sword, Fairyland Quest, Lucky Vault, Cash Totems, Triple Charm Journey, Merging Fu Pots, King Fu Frog. among others. Each title introduces different gameplay mechanics paired with high-quality graphics, animations, and sound.

Zitro’s Mega Lounge has demonstrated impressive performance in key markets such as Portugal, Italy, Argentina, Peru, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Greece, and, more recently, Guatemala. At ICE Barcelona, the company unveiled the Grand Mega Lounge that incorporates the CONCEPT cabinet line, featuring existing and new games with both Grand Mega and Mega jackpots.

Zitro also highlighted the success of its Wide Area Progressive (WAP) product line. Recent launches in Panama, Costa Rica, and Peru have generated great enthusiasm, while Argentina saw the debut of Zitro’s first WAP this past December with more than 45 slot cabinets across five gaming halls at the prestigious Hipódromo de Palermo.

Additionally, Zitro announced the expansion of its digital gaming portfolio into the newly regulated Brazilian iGaming market. The division continues to expand its portfolio with new titles and upcoming seasonal games for Valentine’s Dayck’s D and Saint Patriay. It has also introduced various promotional tools to support operators in commercializing its games.

Commenting on the success of ICE Barcelona 2025, Sebastian Salat, President – International at Zitro, stated: “Zitro’s participation at ICE focused on reinforcing its commitment to becoming a global leader, capable of meeting the needs of casino operators anywhere in the world. The event provided an excellent platform to showcase the breadth and diversity of our gaming portfolio and connect with clients. Zitro is deeply grateful for the support received and remains committed to delivering value to operators and players worldwide.”

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