specific gaming session and appears in the form of a text or QR code that can be texted , scanned or entered into a mobile website . This instantly creates a new account , with the player ’ s phone number or email address serving as their unique loyalty program account ID .
Enrolling new members today is a challenge for the land-based casino industry , which uses decades-old loyalty technology from CMS that requires a player to physically walk to a loyalty club desk and stand in line to receive employee assistance to enroll . Acres ’ recent study showed that the industry burdens its players by making them wait in line for over 1.1 billion minutes annually while trying to enroll in the loyalty club , time that they could be playing at the slot machine .
NEOGAMES SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE ARISTOCRAT TAKEOVER
Shareholders of online lottery supplier
NeoGames voted to approve that company ’ s takeover by Australian slot supplier Aristocrat Leisure Limited . The business combination agreement was signed in May , giving Aristocrat its first entry into the global iGaming market .
The transaction price represents a premium of approximately 104 percent over the volume weighted average price of NeoGames ’ shares for the three months ending on May 12 , 2023 , the last trading day prior to announcement of the agreement .
“ The NeoGames team has built a great company with a strong platform and differentiated assets , and we are pleased that Aristocrat recognizes the value we ’ ve created as a leader across iLottery , iGaming and online sports betting ,” said NeoGames Chairman John E . Taylor , Jr . after the May announcement . “ After careful consideration , the board determined that Aristocrat ’ s proposal provides shareholders with compelling value , further validating the strength of the business that NeoGames has built .”
According to Reuters , news that Aristocrat was acquiring the Israel-based online gaming solutions provider for approximately $ 1 billion caused stocks of both companies to increase .
The transaction is expected to close in 2024 .
BALLY ’ S , STAKELOGIC SIGN RI DEAL
Bally ’ s Corporation announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Stakelogic , a leading live casino supplier . The partnership follows the passage of the Rhode Island iGaming bill on June 22 , which affirmed Bally ’ s role as the sole active casino operator in the state to now include iGaming .
As part of the partnership , Bally ’ s will leverage Stakelogic ’ s innovative software and studio technology , as well as their operational excellence , to launch Bally ’ s live casino in North America .
PLAYTECH TO EXPAND LIVE GAMING IN U . S .; LAUNCHES JUMANJI GAME
Playtech announced it is extending its live game show format to the U . S ., and that it will open a new dedicated studio for the product in New
Jersey . Meanwhile , the supplier will debut its “ Adventures Beyond Wonderland ” game show , launched in 2021 , in the U . S .
In the live game show , studio dealers dress as
characters from the Alice in Wonderland books and present the main game and bonus games , which mix augmented reality with real-time elements , allowing interaction with both the game and hosts .
Also at Playtech , the company has announced the launch of Jumanji : The Bonus Level , a new game that brings together the iconic Hollywood movie Jumanji and the live gaming experience .
Following an extensive three-year development process , Jumanji : The Bonus Level aims to redefine live gaming as the first-ever live game inspired by a Hollywood blockbuster , marking a key milestone in the gaming industry .
Drawing on the film ’ s narrative , the game play will see players embark on a journey through the heart of the jungle , encountering challenges and surprises along the way , such as facing stampedes of wild animals or unlocking the secrets of the enchanted board game .
This game is housed in one of the largest and most complex studios ever built , designed to immerse players in the mythical world of Jumanji . The studio ’ s attention to detail ensures that the game replicates the authenticity of the original movie , hoping to deliver a 24 / 7 theme park-like experience .
SEPTEMBER 2023 www . ggbmagazine . com 55