Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN) announced 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 Studios' first operator agreement in Slovenia, allowing its certified titles to be available on Casino.si, the operator's online gaming platform. The agreement follows the certification of Expanse Studios' titles for the Slovenian market, completed by Gaming Laboratories International, LLC.
Slovenia is known for its stringent online gaming regulations. The government only grants online concessions to Slovenian-registered companies that already hold land-based concessions, with oversight from the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia. This structure limits the number of licensed operators and makes per-title certification mandatory for every supplier. These high entry barriers make each operator relationship more durable once established, benefiting content providers like Expanse Studios.
Casino Portoroz d.d. operates Grand Casino Portoroz, Grand Casino Lipica, and Grand Casino Mons Ljubljana, along with the Casino.si 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 brings Expanse Studios into a market with a long-standing gaming tradition.
Slovenia becomes another EU-regulated market where Expanse Studios holds certified content, following approvals in Malta, Portugal, Sweden, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, and Latvia. The company's model combines jurisdiction-level certification with direct operator integrations, where the operator bears player acquisition costs. This expansion supports Meridian Holdings' strategy of growing B2B revenue alongside its B2C operations.
Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios, commented, "Slovenia is a closed market with a demanding certification process, which is exactly why we deemed it worth entering. 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."
The entry into Slovenia's regulated market is significant for both companies. For Expanse Studios, it represents a strategic move into a market with limited competition due to high entry barriers, potentially leading to sustainable growth. For Casino Portoroz, the addition of certified content from a reputable provider enhances its platform's offerings, aligning with its focus on safety and quality. This partnership could serve as a model for future expansions in similarly regulated European markets.
