Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN), an international developer, licensor, and operator of online gaming and e-commerce platforms, 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 agreement marks Expanse Studios' first operator agreement in Slovenia and will make its titles available on Casino.si, Slovenia's first licensed online casino platform.
The agreement follows the certification of Expanse Studios' titles for the Slovenian market, completed by Gaming Laboratories International, LLC, a firm providing testing, certification, and other professional services for the global gaming market. This certification is a mandatory step under Slovenia's tightly regulated online gaming framework, which is one of Europe's most stringent.
Slovenia's regulatory environment is uniquely restrictive. The government grants online concessions only to Slovenian-registered companies that already hold a land-based concession, and the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia supervises the market. This structure keeps the number of licensed operators small and makes per-title certification mandatory for every supplier. These conditions raise the cost of entry for content providers but also make each operator relationship more durable once established.
Casino Portoroz d.d. operates Grand Casino Portoroz, Grand Casino Lipica, and Grand Casino Mons Ljubljana, as well as the Casino.si online platform. The company 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 Studios a strong foothold in a market with a limited number of licensed operators.
Slovenia becomes another EU-regulated market in which Expanse Studios holds certified content, following certification approvals in Malta, Portugal, Sweden, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, and Latvia. The studio's model pairs jurisdiction-level certification with direct operator integrations, with player acquisition cost sitting with the operator rather than the supplier. Expanding certified distribution across regulated European markets supports Meridian Holdings' strategy of growing 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, Chief Executive Officer 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 announcement is significant because it demonstrates Expanse Studios' ability to navigate and succeed in highly regulated markets, which can be a barrier to entry for many competitors. By securing a partnership with a key operator like Casino Portoroz, Expanse Studios is positioning itself for long-term growth in Slovenia and potentially other similarly regulated markets. For Meridian Holdings, this move aligns with its broader strategy to expand its B2B operations and diversify revenue streams, reducing reliance on B2C activities.
The implications for the online gaming industry are notable. As more jurisdictions adopt strict regulatory frameworks, content providers that can achieve certification and secure partnerships with leading operators will have a competitive advantage. Expanse Studios' entry into Slovenia not only expands its own footprint but also signals that even the most challenging markets are accessible to committed and certified providers.
