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. Under the deal, Expanse titles certified for the Slovenian market will be available on Casino.si, Casino Portoroz’s online platform, following certification by Gaming Laboratories International, LLC.
Slovenia’s online gaming market is one of 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 supervises the market. This structure limits the number of licensed operators and mandates per-title certification for every supplier. These conditions raise entry costs for content providers but make 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. It 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. Expanse’s model combines 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.
“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 strategic move solidifies Expanse Studios’ presence in another regulated European jurisdiction, enhancing its competitive edge and reinforcing Meridian Holdings’ B2B growth trajectory.
