The gambling industry remains one of the most dynamic and controversial areas, with economic interests, technology and regulatory issues intertwined in a complex knot. From multi-million dollar deals and new brands entering the market, to tighter controls and the growing influence of illegal gambling, events are taking place in different parts of the world.

This digest brings together the most up-to-date news on global changes in the gambling industry. We will look at the financial crises of major operators, the introduction of innovative solutions from the best online Australian casino, the impact of regulation on the industry and even new trends among players. These topics provide insight into where the gambling market is heading and the challenges it faces today.

Susie Nilan Appointed CEO of VGCCc: What Changes are in Store for Victoria’s Gaming Industry?

The Victorian Gaming and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) is the key regulatory body responsible for overseeing the gambling industry in the region. It enforces laws, regulates casinos, bookmakers and slot machines, and combats the problems of tinkering and illegal gambling.

The VGCCC plays an important role in Victoria’s economy as gambling is a significant source of revenue for the region. However, in recent years the community has increasingly expressed concerns about aggressive marketing by gambling companies, the growing number of problem gamblers and the need for greater oversight. It is in this context that the change in leadership of the commission is taking place, which could lead to new reforms and changes in the approach to regulating the market.

Susie Nilan is the New CEO of the VGCCC

The Victorian Gaming and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has officially announced the appointment of Susie Neelan as the new CEO. She will take office on 1 April 2025, succeeding the current management team.

Nilan’s appointment could be an important milestone in reforming Victoria’s gambling industry. As someone with extensive experience in regulating and managing government organizations, she intends to focus on transparency of gambling operators, strengthening player protection and modernizing existing controls.

How Will the Work of the VGCCC Change Under the New Leadership?

So far, there have been no specific announcements about the upcoming reforms, but the main directions of the Nilan-led commission are already clear:

• Tighter controls on gambling advertising. Recently, there has been increasing pressure on gambling companies in Australia, especially with regard to their marketing activities. It is likely that the VGCCC will tighten the requirements for advertising, especially on social media and television;
• Strengthening protection for gamblers. Additional measures to protect people prone to gambling addiction in Victoria have been hotly debated in recent years. Possible steps include expanding self-exclusion programmes, increasing fines for operators who commit violations, and new age verification requirements;
• Modernization of regulatory mechanisms. Technological advances offer new opportunities to monitor and control the gambling industry. It is likely that the VGCCC under Nilan’s leadership will focus on digital tools to track violations and respond quickly to player complaints.

What are the VGCCC and Neelan Herself Saying?

The new leadership is already emphasizing transparency and industry responsibility. In her first comment as CEO, Susie Nilan said she is committed to creating a fair, safe and regulated gambling market.

“I am excited to be able to contribute to the success of the VGCCC and look forward to working with the commission’s talented professionals to make a difference in the lives of Victorians.”

These statements remain at the level of general intentions for now, but experts expect the new CEO to present concrete steps to reform the gambling industry in the region in the coming months.

What to Expect Next?

The appointment of Susie Neelan as head of the VGCCC is not just a personnel change, but a signal that important changes may be coming to Victoria’s gambling industry. Her experience in government suggests that the focus will be on regulation, compliance and consumer protection.

Whether the commission’s policy will remain rigid or more balanced, time will tell. However, one thing is clear – changes are waiting for Victoria, and they may affect both players and casino and betting operators.

Booming Games has Introduced a New Dynamite Trio Slot

Booming Games has announced the release of a new Dynamite Trio slot, which will be available on all Australian casino sites very soon. The game has already appeared in several online casinos and offers players a Hold & Win format with special modifiers.

What is Known about Dynamite Trio?

The slot is built on a familiar 5×3 layout with 20 fixed paylines, but the main feature is three types of bonus symbols that can significantly affect the final winnings. The developers claim that these mechanics make each spin more unpredictable and the gameplay more intense.

Dynamite Trio is made in a mining theme: gold nuggets, pickaxes and explosives appear on the screen, and the main action unfolds in a mine full of dynamite and mysterious tunnels.

How are the Bonus Mechanics Arranged?

The key feature of the game is the three dynamite scatters, each of which fulfils a different function:

• Increases the current win multiplier and applies it to all active prizes;
• Expands the game grid by adding more cells and increasing the possible combinations;
• Collects all available cash values on the reels and adds them to the total winnings.

Under certain conditions, scatters can be combined to create more powerful bonus effects. For example, if Boost and Collect are rolled at the same time, the multiplier is applied to the prize values already collected.

What are the Chances of Big Wins?

So far, the developers have not disclosed exact data on RTP (theoretical return to player), but according to preliminary data it is about 96%, and volatility is at a medium-high level. This means that wins can be irregular but potentially large, which makes the game interesting for those who prefer risky gameplay.

One of the main intrigues is how popular the new mechanics will be among players. The Hold & Win system has long been familiar to slots fans, but the addition of three types of dynamite symbols could make the process more exciting.

What are the Developers Saying?

Booming Games is confident that Dynamite Trio will take the top spots in the best Aussie casino and offer users a new level of interactivity, while maintaining the convenient mechanics to which players are already accustomed. The company expects that the slot will become one of the flagship games of the season, but the final word rests with the users.

How Dynamite Trio performs will become clear in the coming months, when the slot will appear at most major online casinos.

Pragmatic Play Has Introduced a New Free Chips Feature to Live Roulette: How Will This Change the Gaming Experience?

Pragmatic Play, one of the largest online casino content developers, has announced the launch of a new Free Chips feature that will enhance operators’ ability to attract and retain players. The feature is already part of the Enhance toolkit, which allows online casinos to introduce personalized bonuses and increase user engagement in live games.

Free Chips has initially been integrated into a few versions of roulette, but the company has already confirmed that the feature will receive further expansion and will be included in other Pragmatic Play products.

How Does Free Chips Work and Which Games Support It?

The Free Chips mechanics are designed to automatically dispense bonus funds to players during the game. Operators do not need to manually manage bonuses – the system independently distributes chips depending on pre-defined conditions. This allows for personalized promotions and adapting bonus programmes to the needs of the audience without complex technical solutions.

The principle of Free Chips is very simple: if a player meets the conditions of the bonus program, the system awards him special chips that can be used during the game. These chips can be spent in the same way as regular bets, but they do not require additional deposits.

Pragmatic Play developers say that Free Chips will allow online casino operators to flexibly manage bonus offers and integrate them into marketing campaigns, encouraging player engagement.

Why Free Chips Can Be an Important Tool for Online Casinos?

The main advantage of the new feature is that it doesn’t require complex technical settings and can be easily adapted to different markets. Pragmatic Play claims that Free Chips supports all major languages and currencies, which means it can be integrated into casinos in almost any country.

In addition, the tool can be used both as part of temporary promotions and on an ongoing basis. This means that operators will be able to:

• Customize bonuses for certain groups of players;
• Run ad campaigns without complex programming;
• Flexibly manage the size of bonus payouts depending on the casino strategy.

Given the growing competition among online iGaming operators, Free Chips could be a useful tool for customer retention. Instead of standard deposit bonuses, players will receive direct bonus chips that can be used without additional conditions, making the offer more attractive.

Pragmatic Play’s Future Plans

So far, the Free Chips feature has only been implemented in roulette, but Pragmatic Play has already confirmed that it will appear in other live games in the near future. It is likely that the next stage will be integration into blackjack, baccarat and other card games, where bonus chips can be used in the same way as real bets.

Pragmatic Play continues to expand its portfolio of live casino solutions, offering operators new ways to attract players. How Free Chips will perform in real life will be clear after the first feedback from operators and audience, but for now the tool looks like a flexible and convenient solution that can set new standards in online casino bonus system.

Soft2Bet Enters the US Market: The New iGaming Brand Will Appear in New Jersey

Soft2Bet, one of the leading providers of online casino and betting solutions, has officially announced plans to enter the US iGaming market. The new brand, which has not yet been officially named, will be launched in the state of New Jersey in the summer of 2025, after receiving all necessary regulatory approvals.

The move was made possible by Soft2Bet’s agreement with Caesars Entertainment, giving the company access to the regulated US market. This is a significant expansion for Soft2Bet, which has previously strengthened its presence in Europe by obtaining licenses in Greece and Spain.

Why New Jersey?

The choice of New Jersey as Soft2Bet’s first point of entry into the US market is not accidental. The state is one of the largest iGaming centers in the US, and its regulated environment and successful experience of major operators create ideal conditions for new brands.

According to official data, online gambling revenue in New Jersey will exceed $1.8 billion in 2024, and the state remains the leader in terms of the number of active players. The presence of major operators such as BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel makes the market competitive, but Soft2Bet expects to differentiate itself through innovative solutions.

Partnership with Caesars Entertainment: A Gateway to the US Market

To ensure a successful launch, Soft2Bet has entered into an agreement with Caesars Entertainment, one of the largest gambling companies in the United States. This gives Soft2Bet the legal right to operate in New Jersey and use Caesars’ proven infrastructure to serve its customers.

Previously, such brands as 888 Holdings, Rush Street Interactive and Kindred Group used a similar scheme to develop the US market, entering into partnerships with local operators to facilitate market entry.

According to Soft2Bet representatives, co-operation with Caesars will not only speed up the licensing process, but also ensure players’ trust in the new brand.

Soft2Bet is Actively Expanding in Europe

Entering the US market was a logical continuation of Soft2Bet’s aggressive expansion in other regions. In 2024-2025, the company obtained licenses and successfully launched ElaBet.gr in Greece and new platforms in Spain.

In the Greek market, Soft2Bet offered exclusive localized games, including live casinos with Greek dealers and slots with mythological themes. This helped to increase the brand’s share in the country and attract new audiences.

With the launch of the brand in the US, the company will continue with its strategy of customized solutions by adapting its products to suit local player preferences.

What is Known about the New Brand in New Jersey?

Soft2Bet has not yet revealed the exact name and key features of the new brand. However, it is expected to retain the style and philosophy of the company’s European platforms, offering players a unique interface, a wide range of slots and live games, as well as generous bonus programmes.

Experts also speculate that Soft2Bet may focus on sports betting, as this segment is showing explosive growth in the US. However, there is no official confirmation of this information yet.

What’s Next?

Soft2Bet has already begun the process of obtaining a license in New Jersey, and the new brand is scheduled to launch in the summer of 2025. The company will reveal more details in the coming months, including the platform’s official name, key gaming products and marketing strategy.

Soft2Bet’s entry into the US is an important event for the whole iGaming industry, as it is another major European operator that is entering the American market. Will the company be able to gain a foothold in New Jersey and attract an audience? The answer to this question will become obvious in the coming months.

Bally’s Corporation Offers Star Entertainment $250m: Bailout or Takeover?

Star Entertainment, one of the largest casino operators in Australia, is on the verge of bankruptcy. The company, which operates gaming venues in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, is facing serious financial difficulties and its shares have been frozen on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) since the end of February.

In an attempt to stay afloat, Star was in talks with Hong Kong investors to sell a 50 per cent stake in the Brisbane Queen’s Wharf construction project for $50 million, but an unexpected offer came from US-based Bally’s Corporation, which offered $250 million in exchange for a controlling 50.1 per cent stake in Star.

Star’s board must now decide whether to accept the investment from Bally’s and hand over management to the American corporation or seek alternative bailouts.

How Did Star Entertainment End Up on the Brink of Bankruptcy?

Star Entertainment was considered a key competitor to Crown Resorts a few years ago, but a string of scandals began in 2021. An independent investigation revealed money laundering through VIP lounges, weak financial controls and questionable transactions linked to Chinese high rollers.

Thereafter, regulatory pressure fell on the company:

• Australian authorities have imposed heavy fines on Star.
• The casino in Sydney was stripped of its license and the management was forced to resign.
• Investors started to get rid of shares en masse, which led to a fall in capitalization.

The final blow came in February 2025 when Star failed to deliver its financial report on time, causing the ASX to suspend trading in its shares. From then on, the situation began to deteriorate rapidly and the company found itself looking for emergency funding.

What Does Bally’s Corporation Offer?

US gambling giant Bally’s Corporation, which owns 19 casinos across the US, saw the Star crisis as an opportunity to enter the Australian market.

Bally’s has offered $250m in exchange for a 50.1 per cent stake, which would give the company control of Star. In a published letter to the ASX, Bally’s chairman Soo Kim said their strategy is to invest in Star for the long term, retain its assets and platforms, and potentially expand the deal further.

Bally’s offer looks more favourable than an alternative plan to sell a 50% stake in Queen’s Wharf for $50m, but the deal carries risks as Star would effectively lose its independence and be under the management of the US giant.

What Does the Future Hold for Star Casino?

If Bally’s proposal is accepted, Star’s Australian casinos will remain under the same brand, but management will be taken over by the American company. Bally’s says it has no intention of closing the facilities and plans to develop their business.

However, analysts warn: Bally’s may change Star’s business model, which will lead to a new stage of the company’s transformation. Some experts believe that the American company may later buy out the remaining shares and fully integrate Star into its structure.

Star’s Board of Directors has not yet made a final decision. In the near future, the company is expected to announce its position and present possible alternative rescue scenarios.

Whether Star Entertainment will be absorbed by the US operator or find a way to remain independent will become clear in the coming weeks.

Australia is Reviewing Gambling Regulation

In late summer, the Gaming Regulation 2025 conference was held in New South Wales, with the picturesque backdrop of Darling Harbour and the Sydney Opera House. Michael Phelan, former CEO of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), gave a presentation that touched on the difficult issues of balancing effective regulation of gambling with preventing over-enforcement that could create loopholes for organized crime.

Current Challenges in Gambling Regulation

Australia ranks among the top gambling spenders in the world, with annual losses of around A$32 billion, of which approximately 50 per cent is attributable to online betting. The growth in sports betting is particularly notable, while casino revenues across the country have declined.

Organized crime damages the Australian economy to the tune of A$68 billion a year, with retail drug sales exceeding A$15 billion. Real estate and gambling are the industries where suspicious money laundering transactions are most frequently detected.

The Need for a Balanced Approach

Phelan stressed that over-regulation and high taxation can create conditions for organized crime to infiltrate the gambling industry. He drew a parallel with the tobacco market in Australia, where high taxes had led to the development of an illegal market controlled by criminal gangs.

To prevent such scenarios in the casino industry, it is necessary to keep it viable by ensuring transparency and effective regulation to prevent the creation of niches that can be occupied by criminal elements.

Phelan’s speech at the Gaming Regulation 2025 conference emphasized the importance of developing strategies to maintain a balance between effective regulation and avoiding the risks associated with excessive pressure on the gambling industry.

In any case, the gambling business in Australia is in for a change and all operators will be affected. Whether they will have a positive impact on players and companies is unknown, but everything goes towards improving safety and trying to avoid negative consequences of such entertainment.