Latest News
BRIAN RAST OFFICIALLY NAMED 2023 POKER HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
The World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) today announced Brian Rast as the 2023 Poker Hall of Fame inductee. The six-time WSOP gold bracelet winner was honored with an induction ceremony surrounded by friends, family, and fans inside the Paris Ballroom at Paris Las Vegas before cards were in the air for the annual $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold’em.
One of poker’s biggest names, Rast is credited as the only player to have ever cashed more than $1 million in tournaments for seven years in a row and is currently ranked 29th on poker’s all-time money list with a total of $25,258,945 in live earnings. So far, in his 2023 WSOP run, Rast has made history twice, becoming the 19th person in WSOP history to win a sixth bracelet and the only player to have won the $50,000 Poker Players Championship event three times.
“With a nearly 20-year-long career riddled with record-breaking wins and historic runs, Brian Rast is one of the best poker players we’ve ever seen,” said WSOP Vice President Jack Effel. “With the 2023 WSOP breaking records left and right, it only makes sense to put a record-setter himself amongst some of the greatest of all time. We are honored to induct Brian Rast into the Poker Hall of Fame and look forward to his successes to come.”
Following the induction ceremony, the WSOP unveiled Rast’s photo at the new exhibit inside Horseshoe Las Vegas. The new poker room features a first-of-its-kind Poker Hall of Fame exhibit acknowledging poker’s most legendary players with a Gallery of Champions, WSOP bracelets and rings.
“Poker is at the very heart of the Horseshoe brand,” said Jason Gregorec, SVP and General Manager of Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. “We’re thrilled to have the Hall of Fame Poker Room open as a year-round attraction for players and fans alike. The action won’t stop when the 2023 WSOP ends. Congratulations to Brian Rast for taking his rightful place here alongside the other legends of the game.”
Located adjacent to the resort’s front entrance near the Lobby Bar, the 4,900-square-foot poker room features 18 custom poker tables with upscale furniture and equipment to offer players an elevated gaming experience. LED TVs surround the room giving players access to sports viewing,current game lists, and tournament clocks.
The Hall of Fame Poker Room was one of many projects associated with the rebranding and transformation of Horseshoe Las Vegas. Guests can now enjoy a variety of new offerings, including Jack Binion’s Steak, M.Y. Asia by Chef Martin Yan, Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Sports Kitchen, and the ARCADE. The resort also features a refreshed exterior, casino floor, and public areas. Beginning Thursday, Oct. 5, international Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese, will star in the “DITA LAS VEGAS: A Jubilant Revue” residency in the Jubilee Theater.
For more information on the Poker Hall of Fame, visit http://www .wsop .com/pokerhalloffame/.
Gambling in the USA
Expanse Studios (GMGI) Enters the U.S. Sweepstakes Market
North American Expansion Kicks Off Through Strategic Partnership with Moozi
Golden Matrix Group’s game development division, Expanse Studios, has officially entered the U.S. sweepstakes market, marking a significant milestone in its North American growth strategy. This move is powered by a strategic content partnership with Moozi, one of the most dynamic sweepstakes social casino platforms in the region.
With Moozi now featuring over 50 of Expanse Studios’ top-performing games—including immersive slots, crash games, and table games—this partnership positions GMGI to capture a share of the $5.6 billion U.S. sweepstakes market, projected to more than double to $11 billion by 2025 (Eilers).
Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented:
“This partnership signifies our formal entry into the U.S. market, showcasing the innovation and player-first experiences that define Expanse Studios. Collaborating with Moozi enables us to deliver advanced gaming content to a growing audience in North America, a key region for our global growth.”
James Anderson, Moozi’s CCO, added:
“Expanse Studios has set a high bar for engaging and innovative gaming experiences. Their addition to our platform elevates Moozi’s offerings and strengthens our mission to lead the U.S. sweepstakes social casino space.”
This launch underscores Expanse Studios’ commitment to innovation and its long-term growth trajectory in regulated markets. By entering the North American sweepstakes market, Expanse Studios takes a bold step in expanding its footprint while delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences.
Latest News
ZITRO CELEBRATES THE LAUNCH OF ITS FIRST WAP IN ARGENTINA AT THE HIPÓDROMO DE PALERMO
Zitro, a leading global gaming company, has announced the successful launch of its first Wide Area Progressive (WAP) in Argentina, with over 45 slot cabinets initially installed in five gaming halls located at the Hipódromo de Palermo. The product selected for this project is the successful game “Mighty Hammer Ultimate” on Zitro’s premium cabinet, “Altius Glare.”
This system represents the first WAP in South America. A shared jackpot called “Mega Pozo Mighty Hammer” starts at 50 million Pesos and grows progressively, making it the largest accumulated prize in the region. The official inauguration was held on December 19th during the exclusive “Noche de Palermo” event, including a live performance by the renowned Argentinian band Los Totora.
Company Directors commented: “We are very pleased to introduce Argentina’s first WAP at the Hipódromo de Palermo. This project – for which we partnered with Zitro – reiterates Casino Club’s commitment to innovation, always under the premise of offering our customers an entertainment experience that exceeds all their expectations.”
For her part, Alejandra Burato, Regional Director of Zitro for LatAm, commented: “The launch of our first WAP in Argentina is a very important milestone for Zitro, as it confirms our company as a supplier of machines for WAPs. Attending the inauguration event and seeing firsthand how our products connect with players has been a pleasure, providing a unique and different entertainment experience in the region. Additionally, I want to highlight the excellent marketing surrounding the launch, contributing to its success. Finally, I would like to thank Casino Club for their trust and collaboration, which has allowed us to present this innovative proposal in such a renowned and emblematic place as the Hipódromo de Palermo.”
Latest News
SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator: Largest Content Hub Certified in Brazil
The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, the largest content hub in the iGaming industry, has secured Brazilian certification, becoming one of the first in the market to achieve this milestone.
Regulatory rules for iGaming come into effect in Brazil on 1 January 2025. According to them, platforms, aggregators, sportsbooks, and providers must undergo certification. Companies aiming to provide their services in Brazil in 2025 and beyond have been preparing for this transition throughout the year.
The SOFTSWISS team announces that its Game Aggregator is the first to fully comply with regulations, completing all necessary preparations and receiving the certificate to ensure smooth and efficient operations for its clients.
SOFTSWISS has also obtained certification for integration with the world’s largest game providers – Pragmatic Play, Evolution, and Playtech. These providers offer a diverse range of games tailored to suit the preferences of Brazilian players, from immersive live dealer experiences to engaging slots and table games, ensuring entertainment for every type of player.
According to recent Kantar research conducted in November 2024, the overall satisfaction index for the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is 8.1 out of 10. Remarkably, half of the respondents rated the product a 10 or 9. Customer support service satisfaction scored even higher, at 8.4 out of 10.
The Game Aggregator also boasts a key advantage: consistent 99.999% uptime, which is crucial for the iGaming business.
Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, notes: “According to our information, the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is the first aggregator fully prepared, both technically and legally, to work in Brazil when the new regulations take effect. This is a significant achievement that the team has worked on diligently and systematically. Our work doesn’t stop here – we are actively adding new providers to help our clients expand their presence in this promising Brazilian market, which is no longer ‘the sleeping giant’. It has awakened, and SOFTSWISS is at the forefront of this exciting transformation.”
To support this high level of performance, earlier this year SOFTSWISS appointed Rubens Barrichello, the Brazilian Formula 1 legend, as a Non-Executive Director, demonstrating its strong commitment to the local market. To ensure efficient operations and promptly address ongoing matters, SOFTSWISS also has a dedicated team of local business development managers in Brazil.
SOFTSWISS team will be available to discuss partnership in Brazil and other markets at the first major iGaming event of 2025 – ICE Barcelona, taking place on 20–22 January, at stand 2G42.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
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