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's first operator agreement in Slovenia, and its certified titles will be 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. Slovenia's online gaming framework is one of Europe's most tightly regulated, with online concessions granted only to Slovenian-registered companies that already hold a land-based concession. The Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia supervises the market, keeping the number of licensed operators small and making per-title certification mandatory for every supplier. This raises the cost of entry for content providers but makes operator relationships 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.
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 studio's model pairs jurisdiction-level certification with direct operator integrations, with player acquisition costs borne by the operator. Expanding certified distribution across regulated European markets supports Meridian Holdings' strategy of growing B2B revenue alongside its B2C operations.
Damjan Stamenkovic, Chief Executive Officer of Expanse Studios, said, "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., stated, "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 strategic move underscores Expanse Studios' dedication to entering regulated markets with high barriers to entry, which can lead to more sustainable growth. The partnership with Casino Portoroz, a century-old operator with a prestigious reputation, positions Expanse to establish a strong foothold in Slovenia's online gaming sector. As the company continues to expand its certified presence across Europe, this deal enhances its B2B portfolio and reinforces Meridian Holdings' overall market strategy.
