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GiG’s X-Suite Expansion in Argentina and Spain
By Ramona Depares
A new era is on the cards for the top online casinos in Spain and Argentina, as Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has just signed an expansion agreement with two new partners in these jurisdictions. The gaming giant made the official statement on its website, detailing that both the GiG iGaming platform CoreX and its sportsbook SportX will be available via the brand’s revolutionary new X-Suite solutions to operators in regulated markets in Europe and Latin America.
GiG’s first partnership has been revealed to be with Juegging, a highly-respected, Spanish, land-based online casino and sports betting operator that will now be migrating to GiG’s comprehensive turnkey solution, the X-Suite. This marks a significant announcement for the Spanish gambling market, which is expected to yield around €2 Billion in gross gaming revenue year on year within the next three years. The figures were released by the Spanish gambling regulator, the Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ).
Meanwhile, Argentina’s online casinos will also be able to benefit from GiG’s revolutionary turnkey solutions, with the first partnership announced within the country’s regulated market. This agreement was signed with a land-based casino and slot hall operator, SIGAR S.A., which is planning to join the realms of best online casino sites by leveraging GiG’s experience to take its land-based product online.
The LatAm area is one of the fastest-growing markets for online gambling, with Statista reporting that it offers strong opportunities for operator expansion within regulated markets like Argentina. iGaming revenues are expected to exceed $3.7 billion by 2025, according to the data released by Statista.
Partnerships like the one announced between GiG and SIGAR S.A. help accelerate the growth rate of the market, paving the way for other, similar agreements with other Argentinian gambling operators.
GiG has already carried out this migration from land-based to online casinos successfully with a number of new online casinos across Europe and Latin America, and SIGAR S.A. is expected to benefit from this expertise to hit the ground running with Argentinian players.
Andrew Cochrane, Chief Business Officer at GiG said; “These signings underscore the demand for our CoreX platform and SportX sportsbook, to drive innovation and expansion for our partners in regulated markets. The full X-Suite solutions, we believe, sit at the apex of technological advancement within our industry, empowering operators like Juegging and SIGAR to thrive in competitive landscapes across Europe and Latin America.”
What does GiG’s X-Suite bring?
GiG’s X-Suite is a powerful turnkey solution that has helped cement the brand’s position as a pioneer in cutting-edge iGaming platform and sportsbook solutions. It was released earlier in 2024 in time for launch at the coveted ICE gaming convention, where it was hailed as representing a milestone moment for the award-winning company.
X-Suite combines two powerful solutions for online casino games and sports betting, CoreX and SportX respectively. As regulated markets increase their demands for high-tech solutions, X-Suite is expected to create more opportunities for GiG to continue building on its market expansion strategy, reconfirming it as a leading solutions-provider for top online casinos globally.
SportX offers operators an A to Z integrated sports betting experience, packed full of flexible, customizable features that can be localized for any market. It’s a complete and integrated solution that requires minimal maintenance by operators as it’s been built using a revolutionary back-end. Moreover, the solution comes with the 24/7 support of a trading team and the capacity to tailor margins in real time, making it one of the most advanced and feature-rich offerings currently available on the market.
What makes it especially attractive is the fact that it’s been designed specifically to cope with complex regulatory environments, removing much of the admin and resources typically needed when launching a sportsbook platform from scratch.
CoreX is its counterpart for online casinos and it has already made a global impact, its launch in Latin America, Europe and North America being received enthusiastically by players and operators alike. CoreX is described by GiG as a “powerful, secure, and agile iGaming platform designed to adapt to ever-changing legislative and user demands, across the world”, all elements that render it highly competitive and likely to be preferred by the best online casinos.
GiG’s partnerships with Juegging and SIGAR S.A
GiG’s partnerships with Juegging and SIGAR S.A. are likely to herald a new era of smooth online gaming for the two operators thanks to the rapid integration properties of X-Suite. The platform is highly scalable and offers the potential for an unlimited inventory of preferred third parties, together with powerful localization options.
These features can potentially revolutionize Juegging’s and SIGAR S.A.’s sports and casino offerings. Juegging will be undergoing a full migration to X-Suite, with the integration of sports and casino leading to an increase in the number of software providers and payment options offered to players, thus enabling more online banking options, fast withdrawals and a better equipped content lobby.
The new partnership with SIGAR S.A. represents a milestone moment for GiG, as it’s the first time that the CoreX platform is going live in Argentina. However, the brand already has a strong presence in the country, powering brands in seven regulated provinces.
Background of GiG
GiG is certainly no new name on the online casinos landscape. It was founded in 2012 by Robin Reed and Frode Fagerli, although today ownership is divided among a number of shareholders that include SkyCity Entertainment Group and Betplay Capital.
The brand was launched with the specific aim of targeting the top-rated online casinos with a full portfolio of technological solutions. Upon launch, the founders went on record stating that they intended for GiG to become “the industry-leading platform and media provider delivering world-class solutions to iGaming partners and their customers”.
If the plethora of awards and the continuous market expansion the company has seen in the past 12 years is anything to go by, GiG has undoubtedly succeeded in this mission. In 2022 the company won Best Casino Affiliate at the IGB Awards; in 2020 it scooped up Multi-Channel Supplier of the Year at the SBC Awards; in 2021 it bagged the title of Full Service Platform Of The Year at the annual EGR Global B2B Awards.
The list goes on, not to mention all the nominations and shortlisting it has also achieved. Its platforms are also ISO 20000 certified, meaning that operators are guaranteed optimal service and support.
The company prides itself on focusing on the global regulated market and “soon to be regulated” markets, only taking up partnerships with top-rated online casinos that operate up to the brand’s standards. As part of its brand ethos, GiG ensures “that our operators and their players are treated fairly and stay protected by our responsible gaming features, which for example reduce self-exclusion rates by up to 17%”.
The company is licensed to operate in Malta, Romania, the UK and New Jersey. It is also certified and compliant in Latvia, Sweden, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Croatia and the state of Iowa.
In 2018 GiG opened its flagship headquarters on the island of Malta, a six-floor building that places the brand at the heart of the Mediterranean capital of iGaming and houses more than 600 employees. The company is dual-listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and On Nasdaq Stockholm.
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Get betting on the Panam Games at GGBet Casino
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NBA boots off Toronto player for life for gambling
BY Ramona Depares
Sports gambling history has been made, and not in a good way, as the NBA slapped its very first-lifetime ban in 70 years. The subject of the ban? Well-loved Toronto Raptors professional basketball player who committed what NBA Commissioner Adam Silver referred to as a “cardinal sin” – sharing confidential information and limiting his play time to fulfil certain bets.
AP News was one of the first news outlets to report the ban, which was quickly picked up by all major media, describing how the American player received the lifetime ban following a short investigation by the NBA related to “unusual gambling patterns surrounding Porter’s performance”.
However, the initial probe was first revealed by ESPN as early as March 25 with a story that cited multiple, undisclosed sources and detailed how Porter was being investigated for betting irregularities from games on January 26 and March 20. The NBA confirmed the story immediately, without comment.
Born in Missouri, the US, Porter signed on to the Toronto Raptors in 2023. He is considered a major figure in sports betting in Canada, with many placing wagers on his games through Canadian online casinos, although this latest scandal is likely to put major brakes on his career in sports.
What wagers did he place?
The alarm was sounded discreetly by licensed sports betting operators and by an organization that monitors legal betting markets. The latter claimed to have detected suspicious patterns in relation to Porter’s performance during two games – one against the LA Clippers and another against Sacramento.
The January 26 game against the LA Clippers saw an increase in betting interest on the under-for-Porter props. These were set at around 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists, together with an over/under of 0.5 for 3-pointers.
But Porter only played about four minutes of the game before dropping out due to an alleged “aggravation of an eye injury” that he had suffered in a previous game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This meant that Porter failed to score against the Clippers, garnering three rebounds and one assist and not even attempting the 3-pointer. This led to the under-hitting of all the props.
DraftKings Sportsbook the next day revealed that the under on Porter’s 3-pointers was the biggest money maker for bettors on any NBA player props from all games on the night.
The second game to spur a full-scale investigation took place on March 20 against Sacramento. NBA investigators uncovered an $80,000 bet that Porter would fail to hit the numbers predicted during parlays through an online sportsbook. The bet, which was placed by an unnamed, but regular, NBA bettor, could have potentially won the latter $1.1 million. The inquiry also determined that the star player gave better information about his own health before the game started.
Sure enough, Porter retreated from the game after less than three minutes with claims of illness. As a result, none of his stats met the totals that had been set in the parlay. Once again, the next day DraftKings Sportsbook released a press statement listing Porter’s prop bets as the biggest money makers from the night. However, the online sportsbook operator wised up fast, and an $80,000 bet was frozen and payment refused, with an investigation immediately initiated by the NBA shortly after.
Another unnamed US sportsbook also confirmed “unusual betting interest” on the Porter props during the same games, with ESPN revealing that more than one betting account had attempted to wager amounts north of $10,000 and even $20,000 on Porter under against the Clippers. With average betting limits typically ranging between $1,000 and $2,000, such bets provoked attention and scrutiny.
The investigation also revealed that Porter had placed at least 13 bets on NBA games through a third-party betting account. The bets started out as small as $15 but went up to the grand figure of $22,000, with a wagering total of $54,094. Through this third-party account, Porter generated payouts totalling $76,059, with net winnings of almost $22,000.
These wagers were not related to any of the games in which Porter played, but three of them were multi-game parlays and included a wager that the Raptors would lose. All three bets lost.
Although Porter’s brother – Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr – defended the star player, telling ESPN that Jontay “would never do anything to jeopardize his budding NBA career”, Porter himself has failed to give comments to any media outlet. Meanwhile, he has been listed out of all remaining games for the season. The official NBA statement cites “personal reasons”, adding that the investigation into Porter is ongoing and “may result in further findings” that would be shared with federal prosecutors.
What the NBA rules say
Commenting on the Porter inquiry during a Q&A session with journalists, NBA Commissioner Adam Stein stated: “There is nothing more serious, I think, around this league when it comes to gambling and betting on our games and that is a direct player involvement. So the investigation is ongoing, but the consequences could be very severe”.
Indeed, the rules related to NBA players and sports betting are clearly laid out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which states that NBA players and league employees are prohibited from betting on any NBA events. The ban includes prop bets, and anyone found in violation is subject to fines, suspensions and possible termination of contracts amongst other consequences.
The NBA has a team of dedicated personnel that monitors such activities and that includes a team of data scientists that focus on sports wagering anomalies and other integrity issues by collaborating with external monitors. Moreover, there are some 15 people in the NBA offices, as well as a handful of lawyers involved in efforts to educate players about its gambling policies, and to monitor and enforce those policies. Players are in fact obliged to attend at least one info session to ensure that these rules are understood by everyone.
Although the NBA itself has several ongoing partnerships with gaming companies, the rules for players and employees are applied very strictly according to the wording of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which states: “Any Player who, directly or indirectly, wagers money or anything of value on any game or event in the Association or in the NBA G League shall, on being charged with such wagering, be given an opportunity to answer such charges after due notice and the decision of the Commissioner shall be final, binding, and conclusive and unappealable.”
In the past, there have been some cases of player suspension related to prohibited wagers by players, but none were on the grand scale manifested by Porter.
The rise of sports betting in Canada
Legalized sports betting has been on the rise in the US ever since the Supreme Court overturned a 1992 ban. Regulator operators went live in 2018, funnelling the $150 billion in illegal wagers that were previously spent on sporting events every year towards the regulated market.
The NBA itself has profited from this popularity, striking partnerships with DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM among others. And, last February, Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James became an official ambassador for DraftKings.
According to MSN, a record-breaking number of 68 million Americans made a wager during this year’s NCAA March Madness, spending $2,72 billion. This rise in popularity has spread to the US’s neighbour to the North, with many top Canadian online casinos also starting to offer a sportsbook section to satisfy demand.
Figures from Statista show that revenue from online sports betting is projected to reach $0.99 billion this year. The stats for online casinos in Canada are even stronger, with the same site projecting $4.19 billion for this period.
Satellite Tournaments Launched for World Series of Poker in Toronto
By Thadeus Geodfrey
The first-ever satellite tournaments have been launched for the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit event in Canada in March.
The WSOP has occurred in dozens of renowned cities since 2005, but none has ever happened in Toronto. This is expected to change toward the end March 2024 when the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, one of the newest and largest casino resorts, hosts the first-ever WSOP event in the city. The resort announced that it will be collaborating with the largest poker room and best online casino in Canada, GGPoker, for the first time.
In a statement, the resort’s General Manager Robert Katsavelos said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with GGPoker to bring the World Series of Poker to Toronto for the first time. This is a fitting milestone that will create further momentum for our recently opened 30-table poker room … We are excited to welcome tournament participants from across the North American community… and [we] are certain that this event is going to be a huge success.”
How the Event will Be Structured
The WSOP schedule features 8 circuit ring events, with a total of $3.9 million in estimated prize pools. This will include a $2000 main event with a total prize pool of $2.1 million and a $3500 high roller event with up to $ 850,000 up for grabs.
The 8 circuit rings are shown below:
| Date | Time | Event |
| Friday 22nd Mar | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #1: $250 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo |
| Saturday 23rd Mar | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #2: $1000 No-Limit Hold’em |
| Sunday 24th Mar | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #3: $600 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Max |
| Monday 25th Mar | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #4: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack |
| Tuesday 26th Mar | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #5: 250 No-Limit Hold’em |
| Wednesday 27th Mar | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #6: $600 No-Limit Hold’em |
| Thursday 28th Mar | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #7: $2000 Main Event Flight A |
| Friday 29th Mar | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #7: $2000 Main Event Flight B |
| Saturday 30th Mar | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #7: $2000 Main Event Flight C |
| Mon 1st April | 11:00 AM | WSOPC Event #8: $3500 High Roller |
As a renowned Ontario online casino, GGPoker is expected to play one of the biggest roles in operating the online qualifying tournaments, just like they did at the 2023 event that saw 774 players sent by GGPoker through online satellites. And as you would expect, GG Poker will run a plethora of online satellite tournaments across Ontario and Canada. These low deposit tournaments will give players of all bankrolls an opportunity to take part in the coveted WSOP Circuit Ring without digging deeper into their pockets. As low deposit casinos Canada, the buy-ins will only start at $0.1.
GGPoker has also launched online satellite tournaments for the upcoming WSOP UK Circuit $1100 Main Event. The event, which will take place from 15 March to 24 March 2024 at Dusk Till Dawn Poker Club, and has a prize pool of £500 000. The winner of this tournament will walk home with a significant portion of the prize pool along with a WSOP – C Gold Ring. The tournament is also structured into four parts, with the buy-ins for the first part (Centroll) starting from £0.01. Other parts include Phase 1, with buy-ins starting from £1.10, Phase 2 (£11), and the Final Phase (£110).
The final phase satellite guarantees players at least 5 entry tickets into the WSOP UK Circuit $1100 Main Event. Moreover, winners of the WSOP $1100 Main Event will automatically gain entry into the OnLive Day 1 event, which will be hosted by GGPoker on 19 March 2024. All poker winners from Day 1 will proceed to Day 2, which is scheduled for 24 March 2024. This will see poker players moving from online to live poker.
One exciting thing about the upcoming WSOP Circuit Toronto is that players will be interacting with some of the renowned GGPoker ambassadors, including Daniel Negreanu. The one-time WSOP ring and six-time WSOP bracelet winner grew up in Toronto and is so excited to compete in his hometown. In a statement, Negreanu said, “I have been playing WSOP events around the world for over 25 years. There is something special about being able to finally compete in one in my hometown.”
More About GGPoker
GGPoker is a leading online poker room founded in 2017 and operated by NSUS Limited, a company licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. This low deposit casino in Canada was originally launched in 2014 by Good Game Network and only focused on the Asian online poker market before venturing into the European market. Since its inception, GGPoker has won a couple of prestigious awards, including the Online Poker Operator of the Year Award at the SIGMAS Americas Gaming Awards in 2022. The poker site has also hosted several record-breaking poker tournaments, such as the WSOP 2020 Main Event.
As a new poker player, GGPoker online casino Canada will treat you to exciting welcome bonuses so that you can kick off your poker adventure on the right foot. The moment you open an account, you will receive a whopping $100 in free tickets. This is a no deposit bonus, meaning you don’t need to deposit funds to trigger it. Moreover, the bonus is divided into two – a $50 Ontario Millions Ticket and a $50 ticket package. The $50 Ontario Millions Ticket will allow you to enter the weekly Ontario Millions tournament for a chance to win a share of the $100,000 prize pool. On the other hand, a $50 ticket package will give you a chance to play AOF Hold’em for a chance to win cash prizes.
Besides the no deposit bonus, the poker site has a 100% match deposit bonus of up to $777 for new players. Once you make the qualifying deposit of $10, you will need to play poker games to unlock the bonus cash. For every $5 paid in tournament fees or net rake, $1 will be released. Furthermore, the deposit bonus is only valid for 90 days from the date of activation. So, if you don’t unlock the bonus cash within this period, the unreleased bonus will expire.
GGPoker Canada has also done a great job when it comes to deposits and withdrawals. When making deposits, you first need to download the GGPoker.ca app and install it on your device. After that, log in to your account using your username and password and choose the cashier option. The cashier will then open a new window where you can select the deposit method from the list. You can choose from reliable casino deposit methods such as Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, and MuchBetter. GGPoker is Canadian low deposit casino, allowing you to deposit at least $10 using most payment options. All deposits are instant but some may take a few minutes to appear in your account.
When withdrawing funds, you will first need to verify your account. After that, you can head to the cashier and choose your preferred withdrawal methods. The withdrawal methods you can use include Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz. While there are many withdrawal methods available, the casino recommends you cashout using the same payment system used to make the deposit. The minimum withdrawal amount is capped at $10, while the maximum withdrawal per transaction is $10,000. One important thing you need to keep in mind is that a transaction fee of $1 is applied to every withdrawal made.
GGPoker withdrawal time varies from one payment method to another. If you withdraw using cards such as Visa and Mastercard, the funds may take up to 72 hours. On the other hand, e-wallet withdrawals are processed within minutes but may take up to 24 hours to reach your account.
2024 Wrap – Our 3 Best online casino performers in NZ
With so many rising stars, finding the best online casino NZ for 2024 is no easy task, but Minimum Deposit Casinos has got your back.
Our casino experts have done a real deep dive to understand which one of our top online casinos NZ deserves the title of highest performer this year. Of course, to do this we had to test all our favourite sites, and we’d be totally lying if we didn’t say that it was a real blast.
Now the official verdict is in, we’re all set to close 2024 in style with these three superstars. But first, we want to assure you that before taking our decision we delved into multiple aspects of every online casino real money NZ we tested. From the size of the welcome offer to the most important terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements, terms of expiry, eligible games and bet sizes, we’ve considered everything.
Without further ado: Jackpot City takes the Christmas crown for its Mega Moolah free spins offer, Ruby Fortune lands the mistletoe for its luscious welcome bonus, while 7Bit casino is sleighing it as the top Bitcoin casino with instant payouts.
Keep on reading to discover what’s in it for you when you make a deposit at one of the top paying online casino NZ on this list.
Best performer 1 – Jackpot City for its trending 215 Megamoolah Free Spins for $5
Known for its multi-million dollar progressive jackpots, the Mega Moolah series remains a fan favourite at any NZ best online casino. Neon Valley Studios’ Atlantean Treasures fulfills everything that is expected from these pokies, with the prize pool regularly exceeding $2 million.
This pokie is very rarely eligible for bonus spins, not even at new online casinos NZ. When it is, the minimum deposit required tends to average $10 to $20. Not so at Jackpot City, where you’ll be given a massive total of 215 free spins spread over three batches (50, 75 and 90). The cherry on the cake? You only need to make a minimum deposit of $5 each time.
This alone is enough to make Jackpot City one of the highest performing $5 deposit casino NZ. But over and above that, the terms are favourable as you have seven days from when you register to pick up this bonus and the maximum bet you can make is $0.50 per line, which is higher than the $0.10 average allowed for such NZ online bonuses.
Don’t forget that for this Mega Moolah pokie, the progressive jackpot is randomly triggered, and is not tied to a max bet. Yup, it’s perfectly possible to strike it big on a 1 dollar deposit casino NZ bonus spin. Added to that, the casino regularly rolls out other loyalty offers for returning players, so your $5 deposits will go far.
If you’re still looking for reasons to try your luck, Jackpot City casino operates under an Alderney Gambling Control Commission license. This is one of the most highly-respected gambling regulations across the world, and its licensees are among the safest online casinos accessible to Kiwi players. Finally, the casino has been in operation since 1998 and it has built an excellent track record for putting players first.
Best performer 2 – Ruby Fortune for its awesome Welcome Bonus – Deposit $1, get 40 Free Spins
Players looking for a $1 deposit casino New Zealand need look no further than the Ruby Fortune offer of 40 bonus spins. These can be used on Neon Valley Studios’ Queen of Alexandria pokie.
It really doesn’t get much better than a deposit $1, get 40 free spins offer, does it? Only, hang on, it does if you’re playing at Ruby Fortune. The welcome package includes a second offer of 100 bonus spins on Fortunium Mega Moolah for those who follow up with a $5 deposit. And for the grand finale, your next deposit will reward you with a 100% match up to $750 spread over three deposits of at least $5.
The terms attached to the bonus are super reasonable, with wagering requirements of 50x on both free spins and bonus cash. Given the low minimum deposits required, these are very reachable. In our books this makes it a top performing $5 deposit casino NZ 2024, as the casino continues to live up to its reputation of being very low-roller friendly.
You have two months to use your match deposit, while the bonus spins expire 30 days after your last deposit. Both of these terms are also considered above average as many NZ online casinos give shorter expiry terms.
Ruby Fortune operates under three of the strictest gambling licenses in the world – the Malta Gaming Authority, the Swedish Gambling Authority and the Ontario Lotteries and Gaming Corporation – so you know that your personal and financial data, as well as your funds, are in safe hands. It’s been in the business for more than two decades, and boasts one of the best VIP programmes for those looking at long-term rewards.
You can add some extra good cheer to your holidays by picking up the casino’s fantastic welcome. Check out our Ruby Fortune Casino review for more details.
Best performer 3 – 7Bit as the top Bitcoin casino with 100% Match Bonus and instant payouts
Calling all crypto-heads, 7Bit casino is out to dazzle with a welcome offer of 325% up to $7,000 (5BTC). You will also receive 250 free spins tacked on top.
All you need to do to claim the offer is register using the link on this page and make a minimum deposit of $20 every time you’re claiming a bonus. Alternatively, deposit the equivalent of $20 using your favourite crypto coin. The match deposit is staggered across four payments as follows:
- First Deposit: 100% bonus up to $400 or 1.5 BTC + 100 Free Spins. There is no bonus code required.
- Second Deposit: 75% bonus up to $600 or 1.25 BTC + 100 Free Spins. Here you’ll need to use the bonus code ‘2dep’.
- Third Deposit: 50% bonus up to $2500 or 1.25 BTC. Use bonus code ‘3dep’.
- Fourth Deposit: 100% bonus up to $3500 or 1 BTC + 50 Free Spins. Your final bonus code is ‘4dep’.
Now here’s where it gets really festive. The wagering requirements for the bonus cash are 40x, while for the free spins it’s a mere 35x. This is one of the best deals you’re guaranteed to find at the top online casinos NZ. It gets better as there’s no maximum cashout for the bonus cash, while for the spins you have a very generous maximum of $100. You will need to meet the wagering requirements within 14 days before the package expires, but given the fact they’re not high this is more than reasonable.
7Bit casino accepts a total of seven crypto coins, including the most popular BitCoin, Bitcoincash and Ethereum and Doge Coin. The casino is licensed by Curacao eGaming, so it is certified as safe and secure for Kiwis to play at.
You can add a spicy edge to your seasonal celebrations by picking up this welcome package using our exclusive link. Find out more by checking out our 7Bit Casino Review.
Fancy a batch of Free Spins on your first 3 Deposits, check out these bonuses in SA
In South Africa, there are not many online casinos that offer Free Spins on your first 3 deposits, so we decided to go hunting for the top rated South African online casinos that do offer this. Everyone fancies starting their casino journey with loads of free spins for a more memorable experience as well as a better chance of winning real money.
Minimum Deposit Casinos (MDC) are experts in strengthening player-casino relationships and identifying key elements to ensure continued support. Free spins have a special magnetism, especially if rewarded in batches released across multiple deposits. So, in our hunt we came across two of the best online casinos South Africa, that offer a licensed, secure, fair, and fun experience that starts with a welcome package featuring loads of free spins across the first three deposits – SupaBets and Sportingbet. Read on to find out more about these amazing Welcome bonuses.
Free Spins on First 3 Deposits – SupaBets for R1 deposit
SupaBets is one of the top rated South African online casinos and exactly the place where spinning enthusiasts want to be, to claim up to R5,000 across their first three deposits. SupaBets is perfect for an exceptional online casino experience and it is regulated and licensed by the Mpumalanga Gaming Board. It uses financial institute-level security to ensure secure transactions and timeless payouts. Established in 2008, SupaBets offers an incredible casino, live casino, and sportsbook online experience. It also offers the best variety by premier software developers to entertain players. Its gaming library features over 1,300 latest and greatest game choices by Yggdrasil Gaming, Pragmatic Play, NetEnt and Evolution Gaming.
Claiming Your batch of Free Spins on your first 3 Deposits
To claim the SupaBets Casino welcome bonus worth up to R5,000 and ignite a real money-winning streak, you need to first sign up for your free SupaBets account. Here is how you can go about doing that.
- Use our link to instantly access the official SupaBets site and select “join now”.
- Fill in all fields, including username, phone number, ID number, email, first and last name, choose and confirm password.
- Confirm that you are 18 years of age or older, read and accept the privacy policy and terms and conditions, select “submit”.
- Verify email via link and use your login details to access your account and deposit.
- The R1 deposit casino ZA accepts South African Rand, and the wide selection of trustworthy payment methods including 1Voucher, Kazang, and Blu vouchers also qualify SupaBets as a top OTT voucher casino.
- Should you need a little advice or help the online FAQ is great and call centre support is available 24/7.
To learn more, our SupaBets Casino review offers all the facts you want to know about this perfect entertainment hub, and for now, we list only a few of the highlights.
Free Spins on First 3 Deposits – Sportingbet for R50 deposit
Sportingbet is one of the best online casinos South Africa and their welcome bonus consists of a R3,000 bonus plus 300 free spins across 3 deposits.
Sportingbet is fully licensed by the Western Cape Gambling & Racing Board to offer online casino and sports betting to South Africans. It became operational in 2008, and all player information is strongly encrypted utilizing a combination of security measures and advanced algorithms to ensure player privacy and safety.
Sportingbet membership includes instant access to premier slots, live casino games, live betting, and sports. The casino features a phenomenal catalogue of top titles by world-renowned software providers, including Playtech, Evolution Gaming, BetSoft, Microgaming, and Pragmatic Play.
Claiming R3,000 plus 300 Free Spins across your first 3 Deposits
The Sportingbet triple welcome bonus increases your first three deposits by up to R3,000 in bonus funds and include 300 free spins. The first deposit unlocks a 100% bonus up to a maximum of R1,000, the second deposit activates a 50% match up to R1,000 and the third deposit triggers a 75% bonus worth up to R1,000. Plus, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd deposit also gets you 100 free spins each. Start playing within a few minutes when you follow your quick-step registration guide below.
- Use our Sportingbet Casino link to access the official Sportingbet website and select “register”.
- Complete all the required fields, after you filled in your email address and selected continue and create a password. Fill in your title, name, surname, date of birth, ID number, address, and select your type of funds.
- Provide your mobile contact number, confirm you are over 18, read and accept the terms and conditions and opt in to receive promotional offers via phone, email, or SMS.
- Verify email via link and use your login details to access your account and deposit.
- The R50 deposit casino ZA completes transactions via the most popular ZAR payment methods including OZOW, 1ForYou Voucher, MasterCard, and EFT.
- Should you wish to check on a few things the FAQ section is great, or you can use live chat to clarify any uncertainties.
To learn more, you can read our Sportingbet Casino review, which is a comprehensive guide to all the benefits you will enjoy as a registered member including the promotions and great offers.
Comparison – Sportingbet vs SupaBets
The best way to decide between these two excellent bonus offers often comes down to a direct comparison, and our experts have already combined all the information for you.
| Sportingbet | SupaBets | |
| Minimum Deposit | R50 | R1 |
| Minimum Dep. to claim Bonus | R50 | R1 |
| Casino Welcome Bonus Offer | R3000 + 300 Free Spins | R5000 |
| Total Free Spins | 300 | 100 |
| Wagering Requirements | 14x free spin winnings | Not listed |
| Bonus Spins Games | Various | Various |
| Bonus Expiry | 60 days | 15 days |
| Withdrawal Times | Flash 1Voucher – instantly | 1ForYou Voucher – instantly |
Conclusion
It is no easy decision to make, both Sportingbet and SupaBets offer attractive welcome packages with generous bonuses across the first three deposits. The SupaBets welcome offer is perfect for South Africans who wish to deposit the minimum to enjoy huge winning opportunities. However, it is important to remember the match bonus is equal to the amount deposited, and to claim the maximum of R5,000 you will need to deposit an equal amount.
Sportingbet requires a higher deposit of R50, which means if you deposit the minimum amount, your first deposit bonus will also be worth R50, and your bankroll will be worth R100. The number of free spins is also higher in this bonus package, which could mean longer play on a larger number of free-spin valid slots. The withdrawal times vary according to the payment method selected, although in choosing the best offer, the bonus expiry date is vital, since it presents players with more time to ensure they get to claim the maximum winnings from their bonus.
Norway and Finland Are Working to Institute Gambling License System
By Daniela Rose
Scandinavia has one of the world’s biggest online gambling markets. It draws players from countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland, who regularly deposit money to play their favourite games. However, local regulations in Scandinavia impose strict limitations on domestic operators, prohibiting them from offering services to regional players. As a result, many international, top online casinos have adapted by providing their websites in Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish languages and facilitating local currency deposits and withdrawals for Scandinavian players.
However, through the establishment of proper licensing systems, Norway and Finland are both adopting measures to promote gambling legislation that is both safer and more effective. When it comes to gambling activities, Norway is now operating under a monopoly system. Still, Finland is currently in the process of deconstructing its own monopoly system in favour of issuing licenses.
This development reflects a rising understanding within the gambling sector across Scandinavia and wider Europe of the need for increased control, player protection, and integrity of the best online casinos.
Finnish Authorities Want Greater Control of the Gambling Market
The government of Finland has taken a decision to open up the gambling industry to licensing after years of maintaining a rigid monopoly. It is anticipated that by the year 2026, it will have a fully operational licensing system that will encourage sizeable international online casino sites to operate in Finland. This will, in turn, contribute a significant amount of tax money to the budget, and it will also provide consumers with the luxury of choosing from a variety of operators.
Veikkaus, Finland’s Slot Machine Association, and Fintoto, three state-owned companies, were forced to merge in 2017, which resulted in establishing a strict monopoly on gambling in Finland. Users were left with no options to pick from, and there was no healthy competition that could have fostered the growth of the market because no other brands were permitted to operate in the country.
The government of Finland believed that by establishing a monopoly on gambling, it would be able to keep the money consumers spend on wagers within the country while offering easy access to gambling institutions, allowing for easier oversight.
Finland’s choice to transition away from its long-standing gaming monopoly system and towards a licensing model highlights the need for increased management and control. Maarten Haijer, Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), emphasized the significance of this move by saying, “This is a welcome step towards meaningful and overdue gambling reform in Finland.”
Haijer noted the possible benefits, including giving consumers a wider variety of options and safeguards, promoting equal competition among operators, and allowing Finnish authorities to exercise more comprehensive regulatory capabilities.
Implementing a licensing system that permits firms to buy their way into a particular market has proven to be a successful model in a number of different countries. When there are standards that official companies are required to follow to remain in the market, the regulation process becomes more manageable. This contrasts the situation in which authorities chase online casinos and bookmakers and attempt to limit access to pages that keep appearing.
Norway Signs Agreement to Promote Safer Gambling
The Norwegian Industry Association for Online Gaming (NBO) and the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) have formed a strategic partnership with the primary goal of developing safer gambling practices in Norway. This partnership was formed in response to Finland’s progressive mindset on the issue.
Both organizations have reached an agreement to lobby for the implementation of a licensing system in order to enhance the protection of consumers and the integrity of the industry. This agreement was reached through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
As reported by the Gambling Insider, the General Secretary of the Norwegian Gaming Organisation, Carl Frederik Stenstrom, emphasized the significance of this collaboration by noting, “Increasingly strong signals indicate that the Norwegian monopoly is not the most effective solution for consumer protection or industry integrity.” Stenstrom emphasized the importance of taking a holistic approach to the gambling product and regulating it according to that perspective to develop the most effective framework possible.
IBIA CEO Khalid Ali recently issued a statement in which he restated the organization’s position and expressed satisfaction with the Memorandum of Understanding that was recently created with the NBO. Ali emphasized the significance of obtaining licenses for responsible and regulated betting operators in Norway. He pointed out that the absence of such permits makes it more challenging to monitor the market, safeguard consumers, and implement stringent integrity measures for online casinos and sports betting.
From Monopoly to Licensing
Several criticisms and challenges have been levelled against Finland’s monopoly on gambling in recent years. Switching from Veikkaus Oy’s monopoly structure to a licensing system is one of the potential solutions presented. Among the countries known globally as standard role models in the gambling industry, Norway has not adopted a licensing model. Yet, it has been able to build its own monopolistic system successfully.
Since 2019, the number of gambling problems in Norway has decreased by 50%, and the number of people in Norway who indulge in gambling games that are not part of the monopoly system has been reduced. A decrease has also been seen in high-risk gambling. This information is uncovered by a recent study of the Norwegian population that the University of Bergen carried out.
Norway has, among other things, implemented additional mechanisms to prevent financial transactions to prohibit gambling outside of the monopoly system. The country has outlawed the marketing of gambling games by both the monopoly operator Norsk Tipping and unlawful operators. As a consequence of these restrictions, there is a visible reduction in the amount of advertising for gambling across all channels.
The partnership between the National Board of Gambling and the International Business Institute (IBIA) represents a concentrated effort to address responsible behaviours and promote plans that attempt to minimize the impact of the harm caused by gambling.
Norway and Finland are making progress toward establishing gaming licensing systems; nonetheless, promoting safer gambling practices and the integrity of the sector continues to be of the utmost importance in these countries.
Joint Efforts Towards Responsible Gambling
Online casinos and sportsbooks that have been granted licenses are based on a foundation of safer gambling. Organizations that are concerned with the protection of customers and the implementation of responsible gambling practices are included in this foundation.
Gambling responsibly is essential in order to have a secure and fun experience when playing at an online casino. Players can explore the top-rated online casinos in a responsible manner if they establish limits for themselves, identify warning signs, and seek support when they feel they need it.
Being licensed by regulatory bodies that place a priority on responsible gambling practices is essential to ensuring that the excitement of gaming continues to be a positive and controlled pursuit. This is especially important in Norway and Finland, where the online casino industry continues to expand internationally.
England launches new gambling service to treat problem gambling
By Ginevra Alessandrello
A new service for gambling addiction has been established in South Cumbria, England, and satellite clinics will soon be available in Manchester, Preston, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Blackpool, and Sheffield.
This new service – led by Dr Matt Gaskell of the North West Gambling Service (NWGS) – is set to address the consequences of gambling at UK online casinos. Gambling addiction is becoming a new public health crisis in the UK, with more gamblers suffering mental health problems.
Gambling addiction can cause the breakdown of relationships, severe debt, loss of employment, crime, and, tragically, sometimes, suicide, causing the NHS to be concerned. Figures also show that in England alone, there is an average of 496 gambling-related suicide cases every year.
Mr Gaskell’s profession is that of a psychologist. Recently, he was quoted as telling The Westmorland Gazette that gambling addiction did not discriminate. He said it was something that affected everyone from women who buy into the advertising campaigns for slots to football fans, which has contributed to the rising number of addiction cases.
This new Responsible Gambling service will include therapists, mental health nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists who are trained to treat gambling addiction. The great part about this service is that compulsive gamblers can attend group sessions in person, over the Internet, or on the telephone. Treatments offered include therapy sessions with a trained psychologist, addiction treatment programmes, and family therapy. Gambling addicts can bring their families and carers.
How can gambling addiction affect your life? It can cause a breakdown of relationships, severe debt, loss of employment, crime, and, tragically, sometimes even suicide. Research shows that in England alone, there is an average of 496 gambling-related suicide cases every year. This is why the NHS is concerned about it.
Which areas does the new gambling service cover
This service will cover various areas including Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland, Newcastle and Northumberland. So, if you reside in any of these areas and need help, you can attend a session either by referring yourself directly or through a medical professional. You can visit Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust online to get more in-depth information.
What you need to know is that the NHS Northern Gambling Service works closely with local charities, substance misuse services, general practitioners, debt agencies, councils, homeless agencies, the criminal justice system and substance misuse services. Their core principle is: “Any door is the right door”. This essentially means that it doesn’t matter how you got there, as long as you do get there.
The NHS Northern Gambling Services can be reached at:
- Website – Find them online by searching NHS Northern Gambling Service
- Telephone – 0300 300 1490
- Email – [email protected]
Gambling research in the UK
It’s worrying that 15 million people gamble at land-based casinos and online in Great Britain, a fifth of the population, almost as many people that visited a museum or art gallery at least once last year.
Gambling is made up of gambling games at UK online casinos and sportsbooks and is an activity that encourages people to socialise online. Players log into a UK online casino and can start playing to win big.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions, there has been a surging number of players that have joined the best UK online casinos. This has in turn seen a spike in gambling addiction. The pandemic also caused another strange phenomenon, such as increased numbers of women gamblers who prefer lotteries, scratchcards, slot games in arcades, and buying National Lottery instant-win scratchcards. The UK has also had a rise in online poker and virtual sports betting. As many real-life sports events were cancelled, eSports became a favourite way to bet online. After COVID restrictions were lifted, figures for adults who gamble remain 28% lower than pre-COVID-19.
The future of safer gambling in the UK
With the rise of new online casino players and online sports punters, responsible gambling has become a pressing concern in the UK. Education programmes on how to prevent gambling addiction have now become critical for the future of safer gambling in the UK.
A paper published online in 2021 by the UK Gambling Commission found that whilst the pandemic spurred reflection on life and finances, most people haven’t changed their online gambling behaviours since then, and only a few decreased how much they gamble.
There has been a rise in overall spending, although this does not necessarily indicate that punters placed higher stakes. Many participants report feeling disappointed at their gambling habits since the pandemic, and research also showed that younger participants increased their overall time and money spent on gambling.
The Gambling Commission’s findings could have severe consequences for the nation. Younger players are most at risk of spending time and money on gambling, and any gambling communication, such as England launching a new gambling service to treat problem gambling, will also target this group of casino players and punters with a compulsive gambling problem.
Compared to older people, younger players are generally less worried about gambling addiction. Research also shows that while the pandemic made people reflect on their finances, this did not cause a change in the behaviour of most gamblers. Instead, participants found it easy to justify more time and money spent gambling as there is nothing quite like it in terms of entertainment.
Great Britain has one of the most accessible online gambling markets in the world, and concerns regarding gambling-related harm have been increasing in the UK in recent years. Gambling is now seen as a public health issue, which is what has prompted this new initiative to inform the public about the many hidden dangers of gambling addiction.










