Online Gambling

Your Weekly Best New Slots | Week 3 / January 18 – 24, 2021

February 22, 2024 William Mcmaster

New Slots To Be Released On Week 3 of 2021

Are you on the look-out for a new set of slots to play this week 3 of 2021? Then search no more as we’ve already done that for you. This week, we once again pick the most interesting new slots among the latest releases.

If you fancy a mythology-themed slot with incredible graphics and an amazing soundtrack, then War of Gods is a must-try. It offers three bonus games to increase big win potentials. Three bonus games aren’t enough for you? Check out Frost Queen Jackpots then because it has five kinds of jackpots up for grabs.

The remaining three slots in our list all offer amazing features too. Bull in A China Shop is a hilarious slot with 3 variations of wilds and 3 kinds of free spins. Hyper Strike boasts of win multipliers and free spin rounds that you can retrigger. Lastly, the generous Emerald Isle King is back in Emerald King Rainbow Road to bestow you some Irish luck.

5 New Slots To Check Out

This week, Gameburger Studios partnered with Microgaming, and Pragmatic Play partnered with Reel Kingdom to offer us new slots. Likewise, Red Tiger, Play’n GO, and Yggdrasil all have interesting new slots to offer this week 3 of 2021. Let’s take a closer look at what these great developers have in store for us.

War of Gods

A clash is inevitable when you bring two powerful deities together, and Red Tiger is well aware of that. As such, the studio capitalized on the strong rivalry to create its newest slot, War of Gods. So, you’ll spin the default 5×4 grid with rivaling brothers, Zeus and Hades, as the symphonic soundtrack fills the air.

To score a win, you need to form at least three matching symbols in this 30-payline game. Ample symbols are gracing the paytable, but you won’t find any wild symbol in it. You also won’t find in this game the usual free spin feature in slot games. However, don’t get discouraged as the studio made up for the loss with three bonus games. So, you have Hades Hellfire, Wrath of Zeus, and Warring Gods to look forward to.

Hades Hellfire and Wrath of Zeus pretty much have the same to offer. Expect only high-paying Hades or Zeus symbols when they land. They will be sticky and may transform into large symbols 1×4 in size. Hades Hellfire gives expanding symbols while Wrath of Zeus has the upgrade symbols, expanding tiles and Zeus’s value, respectively.

Both Hades and Zeus landing in the base game trigger the Warring Gods bonus. This bonus game is almost similar to the first two, except here, both Zeus and Hades symbols become sticky. Likewise, the upgrade and expanding symbols are both available, enhancing your chances of hitting big wins.

Number of Paylines: 60	RTP: 95.66%
Min Bet: 0.10	Max Bet: 20
Max Payout: 2,518x	Software Provider: Red Tiger

Bull In A China Shop

Play’n GO once again added a new game to its now-massive library of slots this week 3 of 2021. It’s obvious from the title what theme the ever-restless developer used in its new slot, Bull In A China Shop. The pagoda-designed China shop houses the game’s Shoji-screen-inspired 5×3 reels with 20 paylines.

Pay symbols all carry an Eastern touch to them. The low-paying spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs sport a Ming design pattern. Premiums consist of porcelains and an old Chinese-looking lady. The bull acts as the wild symbol, which substitutes for other symbols to help you form winning combinations. Aside from that, when wild bull appears, he also triggers one of these three effects:

Happy bull randomly puts 2 to 6 wilds on the reels.
Proud bull converts up to 5 reels into wilds.
Angry bull awards two to six x2 multiplier wilds.

Three golden bull statue scatters in view on reels 1, 3, or 5 trigger the free spin feature. You’ll begin the round with 10 free spins. You also must choose between the following three free spin options:

Happy Free Spins. Get non-sticky wilds in increasing numbers (up to 14) every time the wild symbol lands.
Proud Free Spins. Get up to 5 stacked wild every time the wild symbol lands.
Angry Free Spins. Get multiplier wilds from 2 to 14 with values of x2, x3, x5, or x10 every time the wild symbol lands.

Number of Paylines: 20	RTP: 96.2% (Default)
Min Bet: 0.10	Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 5,000x	Software Provider: Play’n GO

Frost Queen Jackpots

Experience some winter magic as Yggdrasil Gaming transports you to a mystical land in Frost Queen Jackpots. One look at this 5-reel game with 20 paylines and the kiddie movie Frozen will come to mind. Nevertheless, the view is spectacular, and the fantastic soundtrack completes the magical atmosphere.

Four J to A royals make up the paytable’s low side. The Frost Queen is the highest-paying symbol in the game. Accompanying her as premium symbols are crowns, jewels, and a jeweled man holding a lamp. The game does not have a wild, but other features can increase big-win possibilities.

Two scatters in view trigger the Pick & Click Chest game, where you can pick one of 5 chests. You’ll either get 10 free spins, 1x to 4x your bet, or a random key. Three scatters in view trigger the Magic Mirror feature. Get an additional prize of 50x or 500x your bet when 4 or 5 scatters land, respectively.

You either get the Treasure Chest Bonus game or free spins in the Magic Mirror feature. You can also win 10 free spins and a jackpot gem if you collected at least 5 matching keys during the base game. In the Treasure Chest Bonus game, you have a chance to win 5x to 500x your bet.

You have to collect at least 5 gems of the same colors during free spins to win the blue, green, purple, red, or orange jackpot. The minimum prize for each colored gem is £/€40, £/€200, £/€600, £/€1,500, or £/€15,000, respectively.

Number of Paylines: 20	RTP: 96%
Min Bet: 0.20	Max Bet: 40
Max Payout: 1,265x	Software Provider: Yggdrasil Gaming

Hyper Strike

Adding to the new slots to be released on week 3 of 2021 is Gameburger’s Hyper Strike. A Microgaming-powered slot, this combines the land-based casino elements from that of the online ones. This is a 5×3 grid fruit-themed slot with 20 paylines and a hyper-energetic background complemented by an upbeat soundtrack.

The classic symbols of fruit-themed slots grace the paytable, and a luminous gold star represents the wild. Not only does the wild substitute for other symbols, but it also pays 125x your bet for five of a kind.

Aside from the wild, you should also watch out for the equally-flashy Hyper Strike logo and the Free Spins symbol. They are this slot’s scatter symbols. The Hyper Strike scatters pay if 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 land in view. The prizes up for grabs are 1x, 5x, 15x, 40x, 100x, 500x, or 2000x the stake, respectively.

Three Free Spins scatter symbols on reels 2, 3, and 4 give you a chance to spin the bonus wheel. The wheel has 10 sections carrying up to 3x multipliers and up to 30 free spins. Land 3 more scatters, and you’ll retrigger the ongoing bonus round.

Number of Paylines: 20	RTP: 96.24%
Min Bet: 0.20	Max Bet: 60
Max Payout: 2,000x	Software Provider: Gameburger Studios / Microgaming

Emerald King Rainbow Road

Pragmatic Play and Reel Kingdom take you back to Emerald Isle to meet the friendly leprechaun king once again. This time, you’ll make a magical quest to reach the end of the rainbow in Emerald King Rainbow Road.

This 5×3 grid with 20 paylines has the colorful 10 to A royals gracing the lower side of the paytable. In-theme symbols make up the premiums, with the Emerald King Rainbow Road logo paying the highest. As this has an Irish theme, you can expect the four-leaf clover making an appearance. In this slot, you’ll see it decorating the gold coin wild symbol that can land anywhere.

The original version doesn’t have a scatter, so this one makes up for it with two of them. The Eliminator scatter triggers the Pick Bonus feature if 3, 4, or 5 lands on any reels. The triggering scatters reveal cash prizes as you pick them one by one. However, you’ll only get to win the value of the last scatter you pick during this round.

The Emerald King himself represents the second scatter, and landing 3, 4, or 5 triggers the bonus round. You’ll then see roads filled with cash prizes and miniature slot machines with 3 reels. Advance on the road for a chance to win big prizes up to 20,000x your bet. Another feature from the original making a comeback is the Mini Slots Bonus. You can win either 1x, 5x, 10x, or 15x your bet in this bonus round.

Number of Paylines: 20	RTP: 96.7%
Min Bet: 0.20	Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 20,000x	Software Provider: Reel Kingdom / Pragmatic Play

Conclusion

That wraps up our selection of the best new slots this week. We hope you find one that will keep you entertained until we give you another list next week.

For a safer, fairer, and more enjoyable gaming experience, just remember to only play at a trustworthy casino. If you haven’t chosen one yet, you can check out our casino toplist page. You’ll find some of the most trustworthy casinos there to play whichever slot you fancy.

The Future of Online Gambling in the USA

February 22, 2024 William Mcmaster

USA Online Gambling is something that has only just started to explode. In previous years it was something that was carried out by Blackmarket sites that had no regulation in place.

It still had a strong level of support from underground players and with the popularity of brick and mortar casinos, it was no surprise that states started to move towards legalizing gambling.

There were two main reasons behind this move. Firstly, to take online gambling away from shady influences. Secondly, to increase the amount of tax revenue that was available to each state. It’s led to the market becoming one of the fastest-growing in the country.

Go to our USA Compare Casino Page for the Best Legals US Casino or our US Online Sportsbook Page to get started playing stateside right now!

A Growing Market

2020 was the year that online gambling was born in the USA. However, it is safe to say that 2021 will be the future of online gambling in the USA. The market has a lot of potential for growth due to it being in its infancy. This means two main things.

Firstly, US players could see a lot more coming to the market over the next year. Both in terms of companies entering the market and new games being allowed. Players could expect to see a lot more US gambling sites.

Secondly, more states could pass bills which allow online gambling to take place. This will enhance the growth of the industry and allow many more citizens the opportunity to place online wagers.

Changes in Regulation: State to State

Currently there are 19 states, and Washington D.C, that have passed bills to legalize online gambling. This is a number that is changing all of the time though.

On top of the 19 states that have already passed bills, there are another 28 that have brought bills or have recently had bills passed. So this means that 47 states in total, plus Washington D.C, either already has online gambling regulation in place or will have it in place in the near future.

As 2020 was when most sports betting bills were pushed forward, it’s no surprise that 2021 is likely to be the year where the majority of states will have some form of online gambling available to players. In fact, expect to see legal US gambling sites in those 47 states during the course of 2021.

Of the 3 remaining states, both Idaho and Wisconsin have not made any mention of either being for or against iGaming in the USA. The only state where it is unlikely to be available is Utah, which has a strong history of being against USA gambling.

Legitimized

Because New Jersey fought for the right to offer online gambling in the USA in the Supreme Court, it has become extremely legitimized in the eyes of the general public. It means that players no longer have to play at unregulated sites that were likely run by criminals, but they can now play at legit online gambling sites in the USA.

It has ensured that not only can players avoid shadier sites, but the introduction of regulations means that USA online gambling sites now have to have certain levels of safety and security in place. It’s no longer a pastime that causes players to worry about the safety of their bank details and personal data.

It means that the market now has an influx of safe online gambling sites in the USA. It’s something that players have been looking forward to for quite a while. The fact that many players used black market sites shows that there was an interest for the market. The rise of legitimate sites can only be good for both the industry and players.

Innovations Expected to Aid Growth

One area that iGaming is well known for is driving innovation. It’s long been behind a number of different technological advancements or has been the first to adopt tech that is now mainstream. This is unlikely to end in 2021 and here are just some of the advancements that players can expect to see.

Cryptocurrency

Crypto is already used as a payment method at a large number of online casinos and sportsbooks. However, one area that is only just having the surface scratched is blockchain games. There are already games that use blockchain technology to prove that they are fair, but this is just scratching the surface.

Blockchain technology could potentially open up a whole new genre of casino games and betting platforms. It’s actually theoretically possible that an entire online casino could be housed within cryptocurrency with the coin owned renting out the virtual land to casino operators. What the blockchain offers in the future is almost endless and 2021 could see it making a big splash in how US players play online.

VR and AR Gaming

This is another area that already has a small amount of market penetration but could grow significantly over the next year. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality games could help to create the casino of the future for players.

Offering the ability to actually see and experience a full online casino as if you are actually there is getting close to being a possibility. If this launches during 2021, which is especially likely after the pandemic issues that 2020 brought, then US players could get to visit Vegas without leaving their homes.

Higher Levels of Optimization

One area that US players haven’t got the best of yet is optimized apps. A lot of apps have been created quickly in order to provide players with something to use for the new sites. It’s likely that these apps will be improved and optimized over the course of the next year. So US players can expect to get much better performance from their games in 2021.

A Bright Future for USA Online Gambling

Online gambling in the USA is just getting started. Players have a lot to look forward to in 2021 and beyond. The improvement of games, services, and features from online gambling sites added to more states offering regulated gambling means that it is likely to become the largest market on the planet by the end of the year. It has almost limitless potential.

Up and Coming Game Providers in 2022

March 13, 2024 William Mcmaster

Game providers are responsible for developing the games played at online casinos around the world. These companies are often well known for delivering specific types of games such as modern slots, table games, or classic slots. Some of the best-known game providers include big names such as NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, and Pragmatic Play.

Over the past few years, as the size of the online casino industry has grown, the number of software providers has too. Today, there are hundreds of different companies all producing different casino games for players to enjoy.

New and upcoming companies are constantly innovating and introducing new features to stand out against the established providers. 2020 was a great year for the online gambling industry as more players than ever signed up to play. 2022 is shaping up to be another great year for the industry, and there are loads of excellent game providers that are ready to shine.

We’ve made a list of some of the most exciting up and coming casino game providers for 2022. Each of the companies on this list is fast-growing and focused on innovation and growth in the upcoming years.

Booming Games

Fresh from winning the Rising Star of the Year award at the 2020 International Gaming Awards, Booming Games are set to have another great year. The Malta-based company was founded in 2014 but has recently made a big impact on the industry after releasing several top-rated games.

The company focuses on delivering high-quality online slots that feature lots of bonuses, features and plenty of exciting wins. Some of Booming Games recent releases include Hooked, Gold Vein and Booming Deluxe. The graphics of these games are fairly simple, but they have lots of colour, great animations and great sounds and music.

In 2022, Booming Games are expected to build on their success over the last few years and continue to release quality games that are fun to play and include plenty of exciting features. All of the releases from Booming Games are developed using HTML5, allowing them to be played on mobile devices and offering greater accessibility to all players.

Yggdrasil Gaming

Yggdrasil may already be a fairly well-established name in the iGaming industry, but the company has always been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to developing games. Yggdrasil Gaming was founded in 2013, and in that time has quickly risen to become one of the top casino game developers. Having recently won the award for Innovator of the Year at the 2020 International Gaming Awards, Yggdrasil looks set to have another massive year in 2022.

Yggdrasil games are featured at some of the biggest and most popular online casinos, and the games company continues to be featured at top sites all over the world. Some of Yggdrasil’s best games include the Vikings series, Atlantis Megaways, Syncronite Splitz, Elemental Princess and Hades. Yggdrasil is well known for introducing innovative features such as Splitz, MultiMax and Gigablox features among others.

While the majority of games Yggdrasil produces are slots, the company has also released plenty of table games including versions of Blackjack and Roulette alongside progressive jackpot games. As well as developing games, the company has recently launched its Beyond Aggregation platform, which aims to accelerate the growth of online casinos and introduce new sources of revenue. If the company keeps growing and innovating at the rate it has been, 2022 will no doubt be a great year for Yggdrasil Gaming.

Dice Lab

Dice Lab are relatively new on the scene having been founded in 2018. The company has a focus on developing dice games, both 3D and 2D alongside slots. Recently, Dice Lab was bought by Relax Gaming, a big developer and publisher in the industry. This partnership will no doubt lead to Dice Lab becoming a much bigger name in the industry over the next few years as they continue to produce quality dice games.

Dice Lab’s library only consists of a few titles so far, but each one offers something new and exciting to casino players. The company’s first release, SlotsDice, was a unique blend of dice and slots, offering innovative gameplay and providing something different for players to experience. Since then, Dice Lab has released a handful of other games that aim to bring a similar gaming experience to online casinos.

Thanks to the studio being purchased by Relax Gaming, we’re expecting big things from Dice Lab in 2022 and beyond. Relax Gaming is one of the world’s largest online casino software providers. Relax Gaming’s library features hundreds of games, and its games are featured at some of the most popular online casinos. With this partnership, it’s expected that Dice Lab will produce loads more exciting games and will soon be available at some big online casinos.

Hacksaw Gaming

Another developer that first emerged in the iGaming industry back in 2018, Hacksaw Gaming may be new, but they’ve already had a big impact on the world of casino games. This developer has already achieved multiple partnerships with big sites such as VideoSlots, iSoftbet, and Wildz Casino. Hacksaw Gaming has produced more than fifty games across ten regulated markets and shows no signs of slowing down.

With a strong focus on slots and online scratchcards, Hacksaw Gaming has over thirty scratchcards released and is currently working on more. On top of that, the company has released plenty of online slots that combine modern designs with exciting bonus features and big winning potential. Some of Hacksaw Gaming’s most popular games include Cubes, Mystery Motel and Scratch ‘Em.

Having already established several strong partnerships in the last few years, we expect to see a lot more of Hacksaw Gaming in the Future. The company has managed to produce loads of quality games already. 2022 will no doubt see more of the same as they continue to innovate and create new and interesting games.

B Gaming

B Gaming is a game developer formed from the SoftSwiss brand, an established casino provider. B Gaming was founded in 2018, and using the experience and connections of its parent company SoftSwiss, the developer has made great progress. Based in Belarus, B Gaming has already developed and released forty games, including classic table games, poker, and online slots.

All of B Gaming’s releases have been optimised for mobile play, adding intuitive touchscreen controls and allowing players to access their top games from a variety of devices. Some of the top B Gaming titles include Deep Sea, Fire Lightning and Avalon the Lost Kingdom.

As well as developing quality games, B Gaming has also taken steps to bring new ideas to the industry, including the provably fair system. Using cryptography, the provable fairness feature allows players to easily verify that games are fair and events are random. In 2022, B Gaming is projected to continue its success and launch some exciting new titles.

Final Thoughts

2020 was a great year for the iGaming industry as more players than ever signed up and joined in the fun at online casinos across the world. With the industry growing and more players joining casinos, game providers have their work cut out for them in keeping up with the demand. Thankfully, there are loads of great developers out there who are continually innovating and creating new games and features that will entertain players.

A Guide to Casino Game Streaming

February 22, 2024 William Mcmaster

Over the past few years, online gambling has become so popular that many people even enjoy watching others play as well as playing themselves. Streaming services such as Twitch.tv and others offer a platform where people live stream their gameplay, and thousands of viewers tune in to watch the action.

Online streams are a rapidly growing form of entertainment. Streaming is quickly becoming more popular thanks to the variety of streams, accessibility, and social elements compared to traditional forms of entertainment. Streaming sites permit users to stream gambling content provided it’s legal in the jurisdiction it’s being streamed from.

If you’d like to know more about casino games streaming, we’ve created this guide for you. In this guide, we’ll be explaining what casino streaming is and how it works. We’ll also look at why people enjoy watching casino streams and the different types of streams available.

If you want to see a casino stream in action, check out our Twitch channel where we stream some of the newest and most exciting games.

What is Casino Streaming

Casino streaming is, as the name suggests a form of online streaming that features casino games. This may be focusing on one particular type of game such as slots or on table games like Roulette or Blackjack. Sites like Twitch.tv offer a platform that users can sign up to, watch others play, and host their own live streams.

Streaming is fast growing as a form of entertainment thanks to sites like Twitch.tv that make it far more accessible as well as offering rewards to popular streamers. Sites provide hundreds of different streams and users can search by category, game, or streamer to find exactly what they’re looking for. If you enjoy a specific streamer’s content, you can also follow their channel to receive notifications whenever they go live.

Streamers can earn money through the platform when users either subscribe or donate to their channel. Users can pay a small fee to subscribe to the channel each month or pay a one-time fee for a donation. Streamers often interact with their viewers as they play, with a chat feature allowing the viewers to join in the fun and chat with the streamer.

How To Watch a Casino Stream

If you want to watch casino games being played live, you can head to streaming sites such as Twitch or CasinoGrounds. These sites provide hundreds of different streams across lots of categories including slots, table games, and more. You don’t need to sign up to watch a stream, but if you want to interact with the stream and join in the fun, you’ll want to create an account first.

Once you’ve made an account, head to the casino section and search through the different streams to find something you like. Remember that not every streamer is online all the time so just because you don’t find a stream you like it doesn’t mean you won’t find a great stream next time.

If you enjoyed watching a stream, you can follow the channel and turn on notifications, so you’ll know when they next go live. Most streamers will also post their streaming schedule so you can always catch your favorite streamers when they’re online. If you want to, you can also join in the fun of the chatroom. Just be aware that most chatrooms have rules and you may be banned for spamming or being rude.

Why Do People Enjoy Watching Casino Streams

There are lots of different reasons why someone might enjoy watching a casino stream. As a form of entertainment, streams are unique and completely unlike any form of traditional entertainment media such as films or tv. There are loads of other reasons why casino streams are so popular, however. We’ve made a quick list of some of the top reasons viewers have given us why they love watching casino streams.

All the thrills of the casino without risking money – Playing at the casino is a lot of fun, but it can be nerve-wracking to risk your own money. When you watch a casino streak, you get all of the excitement from the casino without having to actually risk your own cash. Better yet, there are lots of high stakes players out there that place some seriously big wagers to create an even more exciting viewing experience.
Introduces them to new games or casinos – Watching casino streams can be a great way to find out more about a new game or casino. Streamers will often play the latest games and are sometimes invited to play at new online casinos before they launch. Better yet, they also offer exclusive promotions and bonuses to their viewers.
Interacting with the streamer and chat is a lot of fun – Unlike watching a video, the casino streams are live, and you can interact with the streamer as they play. The chat allows you to type messages to the streamer and any other viewers and lots of streamers regularly respond to their chat.
Learn more about online casinos before getting started – If you’re brand new to the world of online casinos, it can be a little daunting when you first get started. Watching a streamer play is a great way to get to know how everything works and learn a little more about online casinos and casino games before you play for real. If you ask in chat, you may also be able to have some questions answered and get some recommendations from the viewers or streamers.

Types of Casino Streams

Just as with any other type of live stream, there are lots of different subcategories of casino streaming that offer different viewing experiences. We’ve made a list of some of the most common types of casino streams you’re likely to come across online:

Slots

The most common type of casino stream, there are thousands of different online slots and hundreds of streamers who regularly play these games live. You can watch as the streamer spins the reels and enjoy the action as they win or lose. The fast-paced nature of slots make them ideal for streaming and with high winning potential, these streams can be incredibly exciting.

Poker

Poker is a game of strategy and skill, and watching a live game is often highly engrossing. Lots of streamers broadcast their Poker games live, either playing online Poker or playing against other streamers in tournaments.

Table Games

Table games such as Blackjack and Roulette are always popular at the casino, and they’re a lot of fun to watch through an online stream too. Watch high stakes action and interact with the streamer as they place their bets. Some streamers take suggestions from their chatroom, creating a fun and competitive viewing experience.

Giveaways

To attract viewers and create a fun atmosphere, lots of casino streamers often set up giveaways in the form of a prize draw or raffle. To enter, you’ll need to interact with the chat or follow the channel and prizes can range from exclusive casino bonuses to cash prizes.

Final Thoughts

As streaming platforms grow in popularity, more casino streams than ever are going live and offering gambling enthusiasts a new form of entertainment. While some platforms such as YouTube have stopped hosting gambling streams, Twitch.tv and other services still provide a place for hundreds of streamers to share their wins with a live audience.

Your Weekly Best New Slots | Week 1 / January 4 – 10, 2021

February 22, 2024 William Mcmaster

New Slots To Be Released On Week 1 of 2021

Software developers greet the new year by presenting players with new interesting slots for week 1 of 2021. As such, our team here at CompareCasino had been busy once again looking for the most interesting slots to feature.

So, if you’re looking for your next favorite slot, check out our list this week. Whether it’s 117,649 win ways or the old-school 1 payline you’re looking for, you’ll find it in our selection. Most are also packed with features that will keep you hooked. So, sit back as we give you a rundown of the 5 new slots you should check out this week.

5 New Slots To Check Out

Software developers ELK Studios, Microgaming partner All41 Studios, Play’n GO, Red Tiger, and Pragmatic Play all have new slots for release this week 1 of 2021. Let’s find out which one you’ll like best.

Knockout Diamonds

ELK Studios’ new addition to its portfolio of slots this week 1 of 2021 is boxing-themed Knockout Diamonds. Get ready to rumble as you spin the studio’s 8th installment to its Classic Series. An old-style slot clad in modern design, its game area with 3 reels only has 1 payline.

Classic slot icons make a comeback to grace the paytable. Form a line of the lucky 7s symbol, and you’ll get 75x your bet. The wild as always substitutes for other symbols to help form a win. However, a winning line consisting of 3 wilds is a much better deal as it pays 100x your stake.

Though Knockout Diamonds has a singular payline, it has several features to enhance your winning potential. When the same symbols land on reels 1 and 2 for example, the Ringside Rumble activates. The two symbols lock and only the 3rd reel spins thrice, giving you more chances of hitting a win.

Another feature is the Multiplier Wilds which land at random, multiplying the win line value by x2 or x3. Last is the Knockout Spins which activates when 3 bonus symbols land on the payline.

Bonus symbols landing during free spins are collected and tallied at the end of the round. You’ll receive 5x, 10x, 25x, 50x, 100x, 250x, 500x, or 2,500x your stake for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 bonus symbols collected, respectively. Land 3 scatters in one spin and you’ll win the 2,500x the stake.

Number of Paylines: 1	RTP: 96%
Min Bet: 0.25	Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 2,500x	Software Provider: ELK Studios

Shamrock Holmes Megaways

When Microgaming acquired BTG’s Megaways license, its partner All41 Studios got the privilege to use the engine too. Thus, All41’s new addition to its library of slots this week 1 of 2021 sports the Megaways mechanism. Shamrock Holmes Megaways is the first slot using the famous BTG engine that you’ll see on Microgaming’s platform.

The 6-reel grid and extra horizontal one on top will greet you when you fire the game up. To win, you need at least 3 adjacent matching symbols from the leftmost reel onwards. The Shamrock Holmes is an exception to this, as he’ll pay for only two of a kind. Helping to form winning combinations is the wild represented by a rainbow W, which appears only on the topmost reel.

All41 armed this slot with a respin feature which activates to reward respins and a particular number of win ways. To trigger the Magic Forest Respins, you need a combination of 3 scatters and a particular symbol on the topmost reel.

The pixie plus three scatters – 10,000 Megaways
Shamrock Holmes plus three scatters – 32,400 Megaways
The pixie and Shamrock Holmes plus three scatters – 117,649 Megaways

This slot also boasts of the Rolling Reels feature that remains active whatever phase of the game you’re at. This is a trademarked Microgaming feature that works like the cascade mechanism.

Four scatters landing anywhere awards 10 free spins and extra 2 spins for every additional bonus symbol. The free spin feature has an unlimited win multiplier starting at x2. The value of the multiplier increases by 1 every time a winning combination forms.

Number of Paylines: 117,649	RTP: 96.44%
Min Bet: 0.20	Max Bet: 20
Max Payout: 28,000x	Software Provider: All41 Studios

Coils of Cash

Play’n GO takes inspiration from steampunk design to create its newest slot offering. The 19th century isn’t the only one you’ll remember though when you first look at Coils of Cash’s game area. With 6 vertical reels and a horizontal one on top, you might think it’s a Megaways slot. However, it only has fixed 3 rows with win ways up to 2,304.

Three to six matching combinations score a win. The wild symbol helps to form winning combinations, landing only on the extra reel on top. Scoring a win triggers the cascade mechanism, removing the winning symbols from the reel to make way for new ones.

The four-tiled horizontal reel on top named the Power Coil also plays a key role here. Symbols landing on the Power Coil may carry a multiplier that increases by 1 and can reach up to x5. If wins occur involving the symbol carrying the multiplier, the multiplier value will then be applied to the win value. If multiple symbols carrying the multiplier are involved in a winning combination, their multiplier values will be multiplied together. This can reach up to x625 your stake.

Also helping you hit big wins is the free spins features. To trigger this, you need at least 3 scatters to land in view. You’ll receive 10, 15, 20, or 25 free spins for 3, 4, 5, or 6 scatters, respectively. The Power Coil also comes into play during the free spins.

Number of Paylines: 2,304	RTP: 96.20%
Min Bet: 0.10	Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 30,000x	Software Provider: Play’n GO

Lord of the Wilds

Red Tiger takes you to the African jungle to meet Tarzan and Jane in its latest slot release this week. Thick foliage covered by mist serves as a backdrop of Lord of the Wilds’ 5×4 game area with 30 paylines.

To score a win, you need to form at least 3 matching symbols from the leftmost reel onwards. As expected, Jane and Tarzan serve as the premiums. The highest-paying symbol, however, is the Tarzan wild awarding 10x your bet for five of a kind. It can also replace other symbols except for the scatters to help you form a winning combination.

Feature-wise, you’ll have Tarzan’s Treasure, Jane Wild’s Kiss, and the free spins. With Tarzan’s Treasure, Tarzan may suddenly swing on a vine dropping regular Tarzan symbols or free spins on the reels.

On the other hand, Jane’s Wild Kiss happens when Jane blows a kiss at random. This will turn all Tarzan symbols on the reel wild and locks them in place. Jane landing beside a regular Tarzan symbol also turns that symbol into the wild, locking it in place.

At least 3 scatters landing awards 10 free spins activating the said feature. Any extra scatters in view award additional free spins from 5 to 20. During the free spins, any wilds landing on the reel locks in place until the round ends.

Number of Paylines: 30	RTP: 95.66%
Min Bet: 0.10	Max Bet: 40
Max Payout: 2,100x	Software Provider: Red Tiger

Voodoo Magic

Pragmatic Play serves a spooky slot this week taking you inside the hut of a voodoo priestess. A sexy tune combined with night sounds and rich visuals creates a perfect sultry, spooky vibe for Voodoo Magic.

To score a win, you need at least 3 matching symbols in the 40-payline, 5×4 grid. Five of a kind of premiums will pay up to 10x your bet. The wild symbol, on the other hand, will award 12.5x your bet for a combination of five. It also substitutes for other symbols except for the scatters.

Two scatters landing on reels 2 and 3 trigger the Random features. Here, you need to choose between 2 potion bottles containing modifiers.

Mystery Curses add a random number of wilds to the reels.
Fortune Hex takes out symbols from the reel leaving only the high-paying ones.

Three scatters landing on the middle three reels trigger the free spins feature. Before the round begins, you need to determine the kind of free spins you’ll play. To do that, you have to pick one from three cards that will be presented to you.

The chosen card will reveal any of these three variants:

Voodoo Free Spins – at least 10x the stake win guarantee.
Super Voodoo Free Spins – at least 25x the stake win guarantee.
Mega Voodoo Free Spins – at least 50x the stake win guarantee.

If you want to go straight to the free spins feature, you can buy your way in for 80x the stake.

Number of Paylines: 40	RTP: 96.50% (default)
Min Bet: 0.20	Max Bet: 100
Max Payout: 1,000x	Software Provider: Pragmatic Play

Conclusion

That wraps up our selection of outstanding new slots this week 1 of 2021. Only time will tell if one of those we feature this week will turn into a favorite of slot enthusiasts like you. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for yet, no worries. We always feature some of the best new slots every week. Your next favorite slot might just be a week away. So, make sure you look out for our next list. Until then, happy spinning!

Why Do So Many iGaming Companies Operate From Malta?

February 22, 2024 William Mcmaster

Over the years, the iGaming industry in Malta has grown exponentially. More and more i-Gaming companies like online casinos choose Malta as their center of operations. They either set up or move their gambling businesses in Malta to have a sought-after Malta license.

What makes them choose Malta, though, when there are several licensing bodies around? There are Alderney, Gibraltar, Curacao, the Isle of Man, and others to choose from. What sets Malta apart?

Factors That Make iGaming Companies Choose Malta

Much of a Malta gambling license’s appeal comes from the well-regulated laws of the land. We’ll talk about that later. First, let’s look into other factors that make iGaming industries plant their roots in Malta.

Taxes and Incentives

Malta has a reasonable personal and corporate tax rate — the lowest in the entire European Union. The 35% corporate tax rate reduces to as low as 5% after the distribution of dividends amongst shareholders. Employees of gaming businesses, on the other hand, can enjoy reduced income tax rates and other attractive incentives.

The Malta government also has enticing tax programs for nonresidents of the country who choose to relocate to Malta. The High Net Worth Individuals Scheme and the Global Residence Programme are only two of those. Furthermore, there are several incentives to help iGaming businesses in setting up and establishing operations in Malta.

Industry-Knowledgeable Workforce at an Affordable Price

The Maltese acknowledged the importance of the iGaming industry in its economy. Because of that, the government and several institutions work hand-in-hand to educate its people about the iGaming industry. Thus, there is a steady pool of manpower already equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to work in the industry. Moreover, the cost of employment in Malta is lower compared to other gaming hubs in Europe.

Strategic Location and European Union Membership

Its location in the Mediterranean Sea and the direct flights to major European cities make traveling convenient. Moreover, since its membership to the European Union, it became a part of the Schengen area. For Malta-licensed operators, this means that they can offer services at no additional cost to other countries that are EU members.

Technology Readiness

Among 144 countries, the Global Competitive index from 2014 to 2015 ranked Malta as the 21st most technology-ready country in the world. In 2019, Malta also ranked first place when it comes to e-government and IT services.

Moreover, the country has a 100% score in terms of online sophistication and availability. There are multi-fiber links in Malta connecting the country at Gigabit capacities to several carriers around the globe. A technology-ready country with quality connections worldwide is of the utmost importance when running iGaming businesses.

An iGaming License from Malta Has Its Pros and Cons

For players, online casinos with a license from Malta guarantees their safety, security, and protection. While it seems all sunshine for online gamblers, such is not the case for the stakeholders. An iGaming license from Malta has its benefits and drawbacks.

The Pros

Below are some of the advantages of having an iGaming license from Malta.

Exemplary Regulatory System

The Maltese government welcomes the gambling industry with open yet firm hands. It has strict gambling laws and even established a control board to regulate all forms of gambling in the land — The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). The MGA’s formation makes Malta the first European Union country to regulate gambling laws. They set the standards high not only in the European gambling industry but also worldwide.

Awards Multiple Licenses

If you’re an operator who manages a land-based gambling establishment and an online casino, Malta will be a good choice for you. Malta accepts multiple licensing applications from a single operator and awards the license as long as all requirements are met.

Authorized By The European Union

There are significant variations in the gambling laws and regulations of each member country of the European Union. However, the EU has a set of high-class standards when it comes to online gambling licenses. As part of the EU, Malta follows such excellent licensing standards.

Free From Money Laundering

Malta complies with the European Union’s Anti-Money Laundering Directives. As such, the country has unparalleled stringent anti-money laundering law, preventing any form of illegal money transaction through gambling.

Safeguard For Players and Operators Alike

The MGA only awards licenses to gambling operators that pass the thorough licensing process. The control board also monitors the gambling operations from the time it awards the license, protecting gamblers from unfair play.

The Cons

If you’re planning on obtaining an iGaming license from Malta, consider if these drawbacks will be a deal-breaker for you.

Licensing Fees

As of 2020, the MGA has a fixed annual license fee of €25,000 for B2C (business to customer) companies. On the other hand, B2B (business to business) companies pay a fee of €10,000. Aside from that, there is also a processing fee that needs to be paid. This is higher when compared to other gambling jurisdictions such as Curacao. If you’re a startup with a tight budget, the Malta gaming industry might not be a good fit.

Lengthy Application Procedure

Because Malta’s licensing body scrutinizes all areas of an iGaming business, the process can be painstaking for operators. This is not a bad thing in its entirety. However, there are business owners who won’t choose a lengthy process when there is a shorter alternative elsewhere.

Final Thoughts

Malta’s continuous effort in iGaming innovations allows the country to remain at the forefront of the gaming industry. It seems to be gaining an edge in the competition even with countries like Sweden where various iGaming companies originated.

More iGaming businesses such as online casinos favor Malta operations. On the other hand, Sweden is in hot waters because of recent changes in its gambling laws. The Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen, received criticism from Swedish gambling license holders like William Hill, Betsson, NetEnt, Kindred Group, and LeoVegas.

If more issues arise with other gambling jurisdictions, the industry might witness more iGaming businesses swimming towards Malta shore