Aristocrat Leisure Limited, early on Friday morning, announced the successful completion of its acquisition of NeoGames S.A., a gaming platform provider based in Luxembourg. This was made possible after all closing conditions and requirements were met.

The acquisition, which was “overwhelmingly supported” by NeoGames shareholders during a meeting, has allowed Aristocrat to broaden its Real Money Gaming (RMG) offerings.materially advances Aristocrat’s ‘build and buy’ strategy,” enabling the group to compete in attractive online RMG verticals globally.

Furthermore, the acquisition will allow , customer relationships, and expanding capabilities across an even broader range of channels and geographies. This will add to the group’s resilience and accelerate future growth.

Aristocrat also announced that it would merge its existing Anaxi segment with NeoGames to form a new integrated global business, which will operate under the name Aristocrat Interactive.

Moti Malul, the CEO of NeoGames, has been appointed as the CEO of Aristocrat Interactive and will join Aristocrat’s executive leadership team, reporting to Aristocrat CEO Trevor Croker.

Croker expressed his excitement about welcoming NeoGames to Aristocrat, stating, “The acquisition of NeoGames and its leading global online RMG platform adds to our increasing organic capabilities and will ensure that we deliver on our strategy by providing a portfolio of end-to-end solutions for iGaming, iLottery, and OSB operators globally.”

He further added, “With our ambition to be the leading gaming platform for the regulated online RMG industry, the addition of NeoGames to our team advances our strategy to build global scale and capability.”

Aristocrat Leisure Limited’s acquisition of NeoGames marks a significant shift in the gaming industry. This strategic move expands Aristocrat’s online Real Money Gaming (RMG) reach, diversifies its revenue streams away from traditional land-based operations, and offers enhanced gaming experiences. The addition of NeoGames bolsters Aristocrat’s global scale and capability in the regulated online RMG industry. The integration of Anaxi and NeoGames under the new Aristocrat Interactive banner signifies a unified global business, ready to make waves in the industry.

Both Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Johor state Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi have categorically denied reports suggesting the establishment of a casino in Forest City, refuting the claims made by a Bloomberg report.  

In a recent statement, Ibrahim rejected the idea, emphasizing that there are no plans for a casino licence in the area. 

Responding to inquiries regarding Malaysia's alleged consideration of a second casino licence for the Forest City development, Anwar stated that discussions with prominent figures such as Vincent Tan and Lim Kok Thay did not involve the topic of a casino licence. 

Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz declared that no casinos will be permitted to open or operate within the state. Onn Hafiz emphasized that the Johor government has never entertained discussions or proposals regarding the establishment of casinos. 

Speculation has arisen regarding the potential economic impact of introducing a casino to the $100 billion (€93.1 billion) Forest City project. While some believe it could inject new life into the development, others highlight Malaysia's strict regulatory framework concerning gambling as a significant hurdle. 

Amidst 's predominantly Muslim population and cultural aversion to gambling, the prospect of concrete agreements regarding a casino licence remains uncertain. Furthermore, the renewal of casino licences every three months, overseen by the finance minister—a position currently held by Anwar—adds another layer of complexity to the situation. 

Since its establishment in 1969, Genting has monopolized Malaysia's casino industry, operating the only casino in Genting Highlands. With ventures extending to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, the company holds significant influence in the global gambling market. 

The Forest City development, overseen by developer Country Garden, involves a joint venture in which Malaysia's King holds over 20 percent stake. This royal involvement adds a unique dimension to discussions surrounding the potential introduction of a casino to the project. 

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 3 – 5 June. Find all the details .

Adam Cole, the co-founder of the now-defunct Football Index, is back in the spotlight with a new venture, KiX, a footballer trading platform bearing striking resemblances to its predecessor. The collapse of Football Index in 2021 led to users losing an estimated £90 million in virtual averaging losses of about £3,000 per customer, with many losing significantly more.

Cole, (pictured above), who served as the former CEO of Football Index, co-founded the company with Mike Bohan. Despite his silence on social media since a May 2021 statement expressing his devastation over the company’s downfall, Cole has resurfaced as an investor and advisor to KiX. This has been met with disappointment from the victims of Football Index, with campaigner David Hammel describing it as a “real kick in the teeth.”

KiX, like Football Index, allows users to trade in footballers, earning rewards based on their performance. However, KiX operates on a different model and structure, trading footballers in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and using cryptocurrency. While some see this as an exciting and innovative use of technology, others view it as a risky vehicle for financial speculation.

The KiX platform acknowledges the similarities with Football Index but insists it is a completely new platform. Despite Cole’s involvement, a KiX spokesman confirmed that he does not have executive input at the operational or board level. The spokesman also clarified that Cole is not an employee or a shareholder and draws no salary from KiX.

The story of Football Index and KiX serves as a cautionary tale in the world of virtual trading platforms. As the saga continues to unfold, the victims of Football Index are left to grapple with the consequences of their lost investments, while the world watches to see if KiX will follow in its predecessor’s footsteps or chart a new path in the world of football trading.

The downfall of Football Index, a once-promising virtual trading platform, was a complex event triggered by a series of missteps and oversights. BetIndex, the company behind Football Index, misrepresented the nature of their product in their , and failed to report necessary changes to their product. This lack of transparency was compounded by the Gambling Commission’s own lack of regulatory oversight, which failed to scrutinize BetIndex’s product and language thoroughly.

Financial mismanagement played a significant role in the platform’s collapse. Just days before its downfall, Football Index was found to be “minting” and selling new “shares”, a move that raised serious questions about the company’s financial practices. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), too, came under fire for its handling of the case. Criticized for its slow response to requests from the Gambling Commission and inconsistency in messaging on regulatory responsibilities, the FCA’s failure further contributed to the platform’s demise.

At its core, Football Index was a high-risk trading platform, allowing users to trade in derivatives that led to significant financial losses. The platform’s collapse in 2021 resulted in users losing an estimated £90 million in virtual footballer shares. The aftermath of this catastrophic event continues to reverberate, with many former users still feeling the trauma of their lost investments and the impact it has left on their lives.

Galaxy for luxury accommodations, is set to launch a new 5-star hotel, the Capella Hotel, in mid-2025. It is being described as 'a serene oasis in the centre of a bustling city". This addition will further solidify Galaxy, already housing eight renowned hotels, including the Banyan Tree and the Ritz-Carlton.

The upcoming Capella Hotel, officially named Capella at Galaxy Macau, will be a 17-floor architectural marvel showcasing Galaxy’s signature gold exterior. The hotel is designed by the renowned French company Moinard Bētaille, known for their innovative and luxurious designs. The design draws inspiration from tropical greenery and water, aiming to create a serene atmosphere that offers a tranquil retreat from the bustling city.

The hotel will feature 36 “sky villas” and 57 suites, each promising ultimate comfort and relaxation. The sky villas will each feature an outdoor lounge, infinity pool, karaoke room, personal cocktail bar, and pantry. The suites, on the other hand, will provide opulence with private pools and balconies offering breathtaking city views.

Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, expressed his excitement about the collaboration with Capella Hotel and Resorts. He aims to deliver unparalleled luxury in 21st-century hospitality, setting a new standard for luxury accommodations.

The hotel will also feature a high-end restaurant by renowned Michelin-starred chef Vicky Cheng. Cheng is known for his innovative French-meets-Chinese cuisine, and his debut at the Capella Hotel is highly anticipated.

In addition to the restaurant, guests can enjoy a whiskey bar by Moinard Bētaille and an exclusive members-only lounge named Pony & Plume, designed by Hong Kong’s Albert Kwan. These amenities further enhance the luxurious experience offered by the Capella Hotel.

The launch of the Capella Hotel marks a significant milestone for Galaxy Macau. It not only expands their portfolio of luxury accommodations but also redefines the standards of luxury and comfort in the hospitality industry. With its serene atmosphere, luxurious amenities, and world-class dining, the Capella Hotel is set to become a premier destination for discerning travellers.