(AsiaGameHub) -   HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will no longer impose a 10% tax on gross profits earned by land-based bingo venues across the UK. This policy change was rolled out as part of the Budget announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves back in November 2025, and the new rules officially take effect as of today (1 April 2026). HMRC has clarified that bingo operators will no longer be required to file tax returns for profits generated from land-based bingo play, and the department will update its official guidance in due course to reflect these new adjustments. A statement from the agency reads: “Bingo Duty operators currently registered with HMRC will retain the ability to submit any outstanding returns online until April 2030, and notify HMRC of any over-declarations or under-declarations from previous accounting periods.” The elimination of Bingo Duty will soften the financial blow for land-based bingo hall operators, coming into force the same day that HMRC enforces an increase to remote gaming duties (RGD) from 21% to 40% – a change that will impact all wagering on online bingo. HMRC reiterated: “Bingo Duty does not apply to no...

(AsiaGameHub) -   A recent study by Ygam indicates that social media is playing an increasingly significant role in how students engage with gambling. As unlicensed operators continue to infiltrate social media platforms, 34% of students who participate in gambling identified these platforms as a primary influence on their betting habits. Emily Tofield, Chief Executive Officer of Ygam, stated: “It is evident that the digital environment students inhabit is having a growing impact on gambling behaviors. We must proactively address these emerging risks to ensure students have the education and support necessary to protect themselves.” This follows warnings from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) regarding the promotion of unlicensed operators on social media, with the regulator highlighting the “very limited progress” made by these platforms. Earlier this year, Tim Miller, the UKGC’s Executive Director of Research and Policy, criticized Meta, noting: “I would be very surprised if Meta, as one of the world’s largest tech companies, is unable to proactively use its own keyword tools to block illegal gambling advertisements. It creates the i...

(AsiaGameHub) -   The Star Entertainment Group has successfully concluded an agreement with its joint venture partners concerning the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane and Gold Coast resorts. Nevertheless, the Australian casino operator might receive reduced compensation for managing the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane integrated resort after changes were made to the establishment's fixed monthly operator fee. Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (CTFE) and Far East Consortium International Limited (FEC) have signed binding long-term agreements with The Star, which is currently operating under new management after the completion of a A$300m strategic investment by Bally’s Corporation and Investment Holdings late last year. The first phase of the transaction permits The Star to divest its 50% equity stake in the Destination Brisbane Consortium (DBC), which encompasses the Queen’s Wharf resort. The second phase pertains to the Destination Gold Coast Consortium (DGCC) and additional Brisbane properties that are either fully or partially owned by the operator. The Star has acquired full ownership of The Star Gold Coast assets, whereas CTFE and FEC are set to assume control of the...

(AsiaGameHub) -   For an extended period, African markets have been characterized by sports betting and, to some extent, crash games. However, over the past 12 months, a new trend has emerged, with online casino gaming experiencing a surge across African markets. This trend is particularly evident in South Africa, where a rapidly expanding new market is developing, with online casino serving as a primary driver of growth. A review of Super Group’s most recent quarterly report indicates a 37% year-on-year increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for online casino. To delve deeper into this trend, iGaming Expert spoke with Matt Cowan, Commercial Director for EveryMatrix in Africa, to discuss the factors contributing to this shift and how operators can capitalize on evolving user behaviors. What is driving the change among South African players, who are transitioning from primarily sports bettors to increasingly engaging with casino games? The rapid expansion is fueled by both new players entering the market through casino offerings and existing sports bettors who are now also participating in casino games. The addressable market has effectively doubled; casino games tend to ...

(AsiaGameHub) -   Building on the significant success achieved at the SBC Summit Rio earlier this month, EGT is set to display its Brazil-focused portfolio once more, now at the prestigious BiS SiGMA South America event in Sao Paulo. “We invite you to experience our products and discuss potential collaboration at booth L146 between April 7th and 9th,” stated Celina Guedes, Regional Director Brazil at EGT. A key feature of the display will again be EGT’s Video Lottery Terminals Super Sorte. Operators can select either the slant top Super Sorte 27/27 ST, which boasts two 27-inch full-HD touch monitors with 4K UHD resolution, or the vertical Super Sorte 43V with its large-format 43-inch full-HD curved touch display, both engineered to deliver a superior gaming experience to customers. The new online betting terminals from EGT, Top Estrela and Bar Estrela, will also be featured to demonstrate their suitability for local venues. Top Estrela stands out with its stylish 24-inch portrait-oriented touch monitor, whereas Bar Estrela provides a space-saving option for counters and bars with high online gaming traffic. A suite of ergonomic features and a dedicated online...

(AsiaGameHub) -   RAW iGaming has introduced BONUS RUSH®, an innovative series of slot titles crafted to provide players with immediate access to their favorite part of the experience: the bonus features.With BONUS RUSH®, RAW has overhauled the standard slot model by centering the gameplay entirely on feature rounds. By shifting the total RTP away from the base game and exclusively into the bonus rounds, these games transform the base game into a direct pathway to the main action.This approach results in a more rapid and high-intensity experience, where bonus features occur more often and offer the game's complete reward potential.Less waiting, more of the best parts.Standard slots often demand lengthy play sessions before players trigger the defining bonus rounds. BONUS RUSH alters this by prioritizing quick access to these key moments.By focusing the game's value on the bonus rounds, BONUS RUSH provides a streamlined format centered on the excitement players crave.This new format is engineered for compatibility across various regulated markets, enabling operators to provide a feature-centric experience without needing to rely on bonus buy options or similar mechanics...

  (AsiaGameHub) -   Evoplay has introduced Evoplay Arena, a free-to-play platform aimed at fostering loyal player communities via social slot tournaments. This platform permits users to engage in online slot competitions run entirely in demo mode, with no requirement for deposits, payments, or real-money betting. Evoplay Arena schedules daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal events, during which participants accrue points and rankings based on their performance. Participation is simple to initiate. After signing up and selecting a tournament, players are automatically entered with their first spin. Each tournament outlines its duration, featured game, scoring method, and rules, while live leaderboards update in real-time during the event. Scoring criteria differ depending on the tournament format and may be determined by factors such as winning results and multipliers. Upon the conclusion of a tournament, final results are posted on the leaderboard, and rewards are allocated accordingly. Depending on the specific tournament, players have the opportunity to earn digital certificates or Arena Coins. Certificates are used to recognize top achievers, while Arena Coins act as an...