Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN), an international gaming and e-commerce platform developer, announced that its B2B game development division, Expanse Studios, has signed a content distribution agreement with Casino Portoroz d.d., one of Slovenia's leading gaming operators. The agreement marks Expanse Studios' first operator deal in Slovenia, allowing its certified titles to be available on Casino.si, the operator's online gaming platform. This move follows the certification of Expanse Studios' games for the Slovenian market by Gaming Laboratories International, LLC, a firm that provides testing and certification services for the global gaming industry.
Slovenia's online gaming market is one of Europe's most tightly regulated. The government grants online concessions exclusively to Slovenian-registered companies that already hold land-based concessions, and the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia supervises the market. This structure keeps the number of licensed operators small and requires per-title certification for every supplier. These conditions raise the entry cost for content providers, making each operator relationship more durable once established. By entering this market, Expanse Studios is positioning itself within a stable, high-barrier environment.
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 access to a well-established operator with a long history and a strong market presence.
Slovenia becomes the latest EU-regulated market where Expanse Studios holds certified content, joining Malta, Portugal, Sweden, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, and Latvia. The studio's business model pairs jurisdiction-level certification with direct operator integrations, with player acquisition costs covered by the operator rather than the supplier. This strategy supports Meridian Holdings' broader goal of growing its B2B revenue alongside its B2C operations.
Damjan Stamenkovic, Chief Executive Officer 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."
This agreement is significant for the industry as it demonstrates the value of regulatory compliance and strategic partnerships in expanding into closed markets. For Meridian Holdings, it reinforces its position as a global player with certified content across multiple European jurisdictions, potentially attracting more operators seeking quality, regulated content. For the broader iGaming sector, it highlights the importance of navigating strict regulatory frameworks to achieve sustainable growth. As Expanse Studios continues to expand its certified distribution, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for safe and reliable online gaming experiences in Europe and beyond.
