Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN) announced today that its subsidiary Expanse Studios has signed a content distribution agreement with Casino Portoroz d.d., one of Slovenia's leading gaming operators. This marks Expanse's first operator agreement in Slovenia, a market known for its stringent regulatory environment. Under the deal, Expanse's certified titles will be available on Casino.si, the operator's online gaming platform.
The agreement follows the certification of Expanse's games for the Slovenian market by Gaming Laboratories International, LLC, a firm specializing in testing and certification for the global gaming industry. Slovenia's online gaming framework is among Europe's most tightly regulated: the government grants online concessions only to Slovenian-registered companies that already hold land-based concessions, and the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia oversees the market. This structure keeps the number of licensed operators small and requires mandatory per-title certification for every supplier, raising entry costs for content providers but making established operator relationships more durable.
Casino Portoroz d.d. operates Grand Casino Portoroz, Grand Casino Lipica, and Grand Casino Mons Ljubljana, as well as the Casino.si online platform. It was the first holder of a Slovenian online casino concession, and Grand Casino Portoroz, established in 1913, is the oldest casino in Slovenia. This partnership gives Expanse a foothold in a market with high barriers to entry and a limited pool of licensed operators.
Slovenia becomes the ninth EU-regulated market where Expanse holds certified content, joining Malta, Portugal, Sweden, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, and Latvia. The studio's model pairs jurisdiction-level certification with direct operator integrations, with player acquisition costs borne by the operator rather than the supplier. This strategy aligns with Meridian Holdings' broader goal of expanding its B2B revenue alongside its B2C operations.
“Slovenia is a closed market with a demanding certification process, which is exactly why we deemed it worth entering,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios. “Casino Portoroz has been in this business for more than a century and holds one of the hardest positions to obtain in European online gaming. Starting there sets the standard for how we build in this market.”
Ksenija Bezek, Head of Online Operations at Casino Portoroz d.d., added, “We are delighted to welcome Expanse Studios to Casino.si as they enter the Slovenian market. Their commitment to certification and regulated operations aligns closely with our focus on providing Slovenian players with a safe, reliable and high-quality gaming experience. With a diverse portfolio spanning slots, strategy titles and roulette games, Expanse brings valuable new content to our platform. We look forward to building a successful, long-term partnership together.”
This deal is significant for Meridian Holdings as it continues to execute its strategy of expanding into regulated European markets. By securing a partnership with a century-old operator holding a rare online concession, Expanse Studios strengthens its position in a market where competition is limited and regulatory compliance is paramount. The agreement also highlights the growing importance of B2B content distribution as a revenue stream for gaming companies, particularly in regions with strict licensing requirements.
For more information about Expanse Studios, visit expanse.studio. For more on Meridian Holdings, see www.meridian-holdings.com.
