Casino game developer Wazdan has been given the green light to launch its products in New Jersey. 

The company says it has received a transactional waiver from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE), allowing it to launch a selection of its online and mobile casino games in the US state.

The supplier is now able to take its best performing hits live across the state, including 9 Lions, Larry the Leprechaun, and Sizzling 777 Deluxe, as well as other popular titles, such as Power of Gods™: The Pantheon, Magic Stars 3, and Magic Fruits Deluxe.

Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “New Jersey needs no introduction as a market and we’re thrilled to be able to offer some of our most popular games to operators in the state. With more to come from us in this territory, it’s the first step on a very exciting journey.”

iGaming technology supplier EveryMatrix has invested in Swedish gaming studio Lady Luck Games, which is set to list on NASDAQ First North Growth Market in June. 

Founded in 2019, LL Lucky Games AB (Lady Luck Games) develops casino games with a focus on gameplay experience and high-quality sticky designs. 

Along with the investment, the studio is also partnering with RGS Matrix, EveryMatrix’s remote gaming server. This will provide the means to develop and distribute games, and will manage compliance efforts, allowing fast entry into new regulated markets. 

Lady Luck Games is RGS Matrix’s 6th client, joining Spearhead Studios, Wild Boars, FunFair, FlipLuck, and JVL. 

Ebbe Groes, Group CEO of EveryMatrix, commented: “In Lady Luck Games, we see the next generation casino games being launched today. The studio has all the prerequisites of becoming a leading player in the casino space. Their highly experienced team paired with our RGS Matrix stellar technology is a lucky combination that I am sure will prove to be highly successful and lead a rapid expansion.

“The boost of games coming from porting the entire Lady Luck Games portfolio to our RGS Matrix is extra welcomed as we get it certified for the growing US market where we already see a great interest from operators in novel content.”

Mads Jørgensen, CEO and Co-Founder of Lady Luck Games, added: “EveryMatrix is the perfect partner for us to grow our development and distribution. We are happy to receive their endorsement and support while we prepare to list on NASDAQ First North Growth Market. I’m positive that this collaboration will bring many wins for all involved parties and extra pleased to welcome Ebbe Groes to our board of directors.”

iGaming developer Spearhead Studios has announced the launch of its new medieval-themed casino slot Knights of Fortune. The title is a 5×3 ways game with cascading re-spins, featuring a unique collection mechanic that will transport players back to the Middle Ages.

Knights of Fortune inspires players to step into a medieval atmosphere, where they can trigger free spins with a guaranteed number of wilds, a win multiplier, and the potential to win close to 16,000x.  Bringing fame and fortune to brave warriors, Knights of Fortune motivates players to earn their seat at the conqueror’s table by collecting wilds, winning and special gold symbols.

Kevin Corti, Game Development Director at Spearhead Studios, says: “Knights of Fortune has a very cool collection mechanic that builds tension up to the point that you reach the bonus feature. Get there quickly and you may not have many wilds and a lower win multiplier but take a little longer and the pay-off can be so much greater.

“It is a quite unique feeling watching the meters fill up, wondering what will happen and asking, ‘How good can it be?’ We worked very hard on ‘Knights’ to bring something novel to the slots-playing community, and I’m confident players will enjoy it.”

Built on the studios’ proprietary technology, Knights of Fortune is responsive across devices and offers a world-class experience to players. The game has a Return to Player (RTP) of 96.2%.

Earlier this year, Spearhead Studios has inked a handful of high-profile agreements with leading industry names such as Playtech, Betsson Group, Bethard and Videoslots. The studio’s titles are certified in 13+ markets, including in Spain, Romania, Sweden, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Colombia, Germany, Belarus, and Croatia, with U.S. and other markets coming up soon.

Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Asia has been postponed, again, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. 

Previously scheduled for 17-19 August 2021, the gaming and entertainment industry trade show has now been postponed until 9-11 November 2021. 

G2E has now been postponed several times due to the pandemic, with the May 2020 date rescheduled for July 2020, before being pushed back to December 2020, then May 2021, then August 2021, and now November 2021. 

The G2E Asia Online Expo & Conference virtual event will still go ahead on 25 May 2021. 

In a statement, organisers said: “Traditionally held in May, the November convening will allow exhibitors and attendees more time to plan for their participation in light of continued Covid-19-related commercial and travel restrictions.G2E Asia 2021 will be a smaller and more personal experience for attendees to focus on networking and exploring new products in core gaming and integrated resorts.”

COO of Reed Exhibitions China, Josephine Lee, commented: “Through ongoing consultation with our exhibitors and the Macau Government, Reed Exhibitions and the American Gaming Association determined that a November event provides the best opportunity to create a valuable marketplace, educational content and networking opportunities for the global gaming industry. We look forward to bringing the gaming community together at G2E Asia, as the industry continues to recover from the devastating impacts of Covid-19.”

AYO.NEWS says:

Since the very start of the pandemic in early 2020, the trade show industry (along with politicians and much of the public) seems to have suffered from a mix of willful ignorance and deluded denial about the nature of the crisis, fundamentally failing to grasp the sheer complexity and magnitude of what is unfolding. 

The truth is that, right now, in May 2021, we are in a far more ominous position than we were in early 2020. Certainly, in some countries and regions, rushed mass vaccination campaigns have given the impression that they have subdued infection rates, but increasing numbers of experts are breaking ranks to warn that the vaccination campaigns, when looked at globally, may well actually be fuelling the pandemic, pushing the evolution of the virus into multitudes of variants, with those that are more resistant to vaccines naturally becoming dominant. 

Put simply, because of the sheer scale of infection and the vast number of mutations, and opportunities for more mutations, the virus will always have a vast reservoir of available, infectible hosts somewhere (many with sub-optimal immune responses thanks to vaccination acquired antibodies that aren’t the ideal match for a specific variant, or aren’t fully developed due to ongoing priming, coupled with a sidelined innate immune response) – and the distribution of that reservoir will be constantly changing – thus it will be impossible to create any kind of effective fire break needed to effectively break the cycle and enable the virus to be eradicated (unless all international and regional travel is completely halted for a long, long time – which is clearly not going to happen). 

In reality, we may well be looking at a ‘Pandora’s Box’ type situation, where we’ve started a chain reaction that spirals out of control, leading to wave after wave, of ever more potent variants. Naturally, after painting themselves into corners, politicians and the advisors who have guided them up to now, will never admit this, and instead simply ramp up vaccinations, with booster shot after booster shot, no doubt blaming so-called ‘anti-vaxxers’ for all the bad news. 

So, we should expect to see wave after wave affecting different regions at different times, with lulls in between that cause politicians to declare victory, advisors to pat themselves on the back, the public to think it’s all over, and yes, trade show organisers to busy themselves with their next event. 

Expect more postponements. 

Online casino software aggregator Slotegrator has announced a partnership with Greece-based slot game developer ZeusPlay. 

The agreement will see ZeusPlay offer its complete slot portfolio through Slotegrator’s APIgrator solution. 

In addition to focusing on colourful game art and engaging mathematics, ZeusPlay ensures its products are optimised for fast loading speeds, to make them attractive to players in developing markets. 

Regarding the news, CEO of ZeusPlay, Antonios Zlatanos, said: “It is always an honor and a pleasure to partner up with companies like Slotegrator. We take pride in our products and it feels rewarding that Slotegrator has trusted our slots to help them offer a new kind of experience to their players all around the world. Zeusplay’s innovative content and Slotegrator’s accomplished platform are sure to hit a great successful partnership.”

iSoftBet’s flagship feature-packed 2021 slot Moriarty Megaways™ is available on general release following an exclusive with William Hill and an unforgettable virtual Moriarty themed murder-mystery event for customers, prospective clients and the media.

Moriarty Megaways™ is the latest in the leading slots supplier and aggregation platform provider’s Twisted Tales series of smash hit slots, which sees iconic stories given the iSoftBet ‘Serious Fun’ treatment, with the villain becoming the focal point to deliver amazing gaming experiences that put players first.

Many around the world will recognise detective extraordinaire, Sherlock Holmes, and his trusty sidekick Watson, however, Moriarty Megaways™ focuses on Sherlock’s arch nemesis and criminal mastermind, Professor James Moriarty.

In the game, players are immersed in a gloomy London street where the world’s most famous super sleuths search the reels for riches, while also triggering their own special features, such as Mystery Symbols or Max Megaways™.

During the free spins mode, players can have up to 352,947 ways to win, with the opportunity to win a staggering 37,500x their stake as two of fiction’s most colourful characters engage in a battle of wits in this detailed slot.

iSoftBet’s latest Twisted Tales slot adds a new and exciting dimension to the provider’s growing Megaways™ offering with its innovative Free Spins mechanic featuring two unlockable mini reels with Sherlock and Watson always in view, featuring the proven increasing multiplier mechanic throughout the duration of Free Spins.

Unlock Watson for a guaranteed mystery symbol for a chance to win big and unlock the mighty Sherlock Holmes for a guaranteed 117,649 Max Megaways™ outcome for incredible win potential.

Voice actors have also been used to add an extra layer of excitement to the game, with players becoming willing participants in one of the most engaging crime stories ever written, while also staying true to the thrilling Twisted Tales narrative.

Global gaming powerhouse William Hill went live with Moriarty Megaways™ during a 10-day exclusivity period in the first week of May.

In line with its mantra of ‘Serious Fun’ and values of curiosity, passion and respect which are crucial to delivering amazing experiences, iSoftBet hosted a Moriarty themed virtual murder-mystery event for customers, prospective clients and the media yesterday. ‘Team Holmes’, composed of senior industry professionals from operators Betsson, LeoVegas and PokerStars and industry media CasinoBeats and SlotBeats, won a mystery box each filled with exciting prizes.

Hosted by the dastardly Professor himself, iSoftBet gathered a selection of tier one guests to examine the game in detail and engage in a rapid-fire slot tournament. This was followed by a murder mystery event with guests split into teams to crack one of Holmes’ famous cases, with each person enjoying a game-themed hamper finished off with a ‘Dark & Secret’ cocktail in line with one of iSoftBet’s core values of curiosity.

iSoftBet has released nine Megaways™ titles in just 12 months, from the African adventure hit Majestic Megaways™ through to Aztec Gold Extra Gold Megaways™, a sequel to its debut Megaways™ title, Aztec Gold Megaways™.

Mark Claxton, Head of Games, iSoftBet, said: “We’ve been waiting for this moment all year and I’m delighted with the results. Moriarty combines more excitement and more features than we’ve ever included in a game, and thrill seeking, big win potential players will love what we’ve done by combining unique iSoftBet features with the hugely popular Megaways™ mechanic.

“Our Twisted Tales games have proved a massive hit and this game takes in game excitement to new levels with so many ways to win big, plus our launch is perfectly timed with Arthur Conan Doyle’s birthday, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.”