The end of the dollar is nigh, protect yourselves now

Bitcoin on banknotes of one hundred dollars

It’s happening. The monetary insanity that the world’s central banks have sunk us all into is turning into a wholesale monster. Corporations are actually considering replacing some of the dollars on their balance sheets with a useless digital token called BTC, as a “value preservation” tool.

Uhh…sure. Replacing fiat dollars with BTC for “value preservation” is like speedballing heroin and cocaine as a valuable tool for maintaining emotional balance. Yeah, you’ll be balanced, on average I guess, except you won’t feel that way ever when you’re swinging between wild extremes and your pulse varies from 40 – 200bpm every other minute and you end up in cardiac arrest. But hey, I know, the world has gone completely and utterly mad, so what else is new?

Just the rumors of this had spurred BTC past $58,000 a token, but then whoops, it crashed again by about $10,000 in a matter of minutes. This is what corporate America wants to put on its balance sheets? A pseudo-asset that they won’t even know the value of any given minute? Speedballing by comparison seems quite the mild, conservative habit to engage in. But the BTC crowd certainly has one thing absolutely right. Having extra fiat money on your balance sheet, especially U.S. dollars, at this point in monetary history, is extremely dangerous, even suicidal. Corporations are going to have to get rid of them real soon, because the U.S. dollar is about to completely implode. And with the U.S. dollar, will go every single other fiat currency in the world in real purchasing power terms.

Once it becomes obvious, it will be too late to do anything about it. It doesn’t matter how great a company you have. If you are interested in preserving your company, there is only one thing you can do. Replace any extra fiat currency stuck on your balance sheet with real money, with gold, now, or you will sink together with all the inflated paper nothing units on your balance sheets.

I concede, CEOs know much more about business than I do. That’s why they are business leaders and I am not, nor will I ever be. So who the hell am I then? I will say confidently, I absolutely know my place in this world. It is as clear to me as the sun. I may not understand much about doing business, but I know what money is, and I know what money is not. I know what happens to unbacked paper currency when governments shut down the world and blast currency from monetary firehoses all over the world until we are all drowning in it. It dies.

Are you listening, Oh you gaming industry execs? If you’re a CEO reading this, or a CFO, and you’re struggling with shut down casinos and mounting debt, I’m talking to you. You have only a few months at most to protect your companies from a hyperinflationary nuclear bomb that is about to go off and destroy everything in its path. The fuse is being lit as I write this. I will now describe the fuse.

About 18 months ago I wrote this weird, esoteric, wacky article. I made the case that once U.S. dollar interest rates went negative, all commodities would warp into backwardation. Meaning, the spot prices for all commodities would become more expensive than their futures price. This is now happening. Almost all commodities are now in persistent backwardation. All grains, sugar, lumber, and cotton; energy including natural gas and both Brent and WTI crude oil; base metals including copper, tin, and iron ore. They are all in backwardation now, and some have been that way for months now. The CRB commodities index is now climbing at its fastest pace ever, doubling since March.

And this is with various forms of lockdowns persisting in Europe and the U.S., which should mute industrial demand for commodities. Paper currencies are dying. That’s what’s happening, pure and simple. And they are about to get their death blow.

What death blow exactly? Short term nominal U.S. dollar interest rates will be negative within precisely 4 weeks.This is because Janet Yellen, now Secretary of the Debt, has now begun the process of dumping $929 billion directly into the U.S. banking system by the end of March. This is in addition to the $1.9 trillion “stimulus” bill and $1,400 checks to every American about to get through in a matter of weeks.

This process of dumping nearly $1 trillion into the U.S. banking system has already begun. How is it going to work? There is currently a $1.5 trillion short term bill hamster wheel that the U.S. Treasury has been running on like a crazed mouse since April. They issue about $1.5 trillion in short term paper every month and pay it back with about the same in new short term issuance. They have about $1.6 trillion stuck in their bank account at the Federal Reserve, and that money is now coming out to pay down that hamster wheel. The issuance of new short term paper is slowing down. All this new money is going to stuff banks so full of short term cash that they will be forced to slam it into the existing supply of short term paper to such an extent that the rates are going to go negative, nominally. Nobody knows how deeply, but it’s definitely coming, probably in the next few days.

Below is the graph of 1-month rates from CNBC. They are about to cross the zero boundary.

When that happens, commodities prices are going to get completely unhinged. The cash on corporate balance sheets is going to start losing purchasing power very fast. And that will only encourage more dumping of it, and increase the positive feedback loop now already in place.

They can dump it for BTC, sure. But that’s not going to help at all. Why not? Because the value of BTC depends entirely on the U.S. dollar still being usable in a basic sense as a currency. If the dollar falls, so does BTC, because BTC is not fundamentally useful other than as a way of transferring dollars or other fiat currencies. If there is no value to transfer, there is no value to the transfer tool. Corporates are going to have to dump extra paper currency for gold, quickly, yesterday, or they are going to lose everything. Same for individuals. Time is almost out now, I’m sorry to say. Good luck out there, and if you want a guide during these crazy times of monetary chaos, follow me on SeekingAlpha, and sign up for a free trial at The End Game Investor

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Lidl Removes Veikkaus-Owned Slot Machines from Its Finnish Stores

German supermarket chain Lidl is set to remove all slot machines from its stores in Finland, becoming the first retail chain operating in the country to do so.

Under Finnish gambling law, state-run agency Veikkaus is the only entity allowed to provide gambling services in the nation. As the local gambling monopoly, the company owns and operates slot machines at retail outlets around Finland, including ones owned by Lidl.

The retail chain giant said that it plans to remove the gambling devices from all its Finnish stores over the course of this coming summer. Lidl’s stores are home to about 250 Veikkaus slot machines.

The German-owned international chain said that its decision to remove the gambling devices was prompted by its desire to show a positive example as a company driven by responsible choices.

Commenting on the announcement, Lidl Finland CEO Nicholas Pennanen said that for them “responsibility means deeds, not just speech or slogans” and that “there are problems with gaming” and “slot machines in the shops have a role to play here.” The executive went on to explain that it is up to each retailer to choose for themselves whether they want to host gaming devices or not and assess their chances of giving these up, and that “as a large company we can set an example and lead the way.”

Lidl Finland Set to Lose Millions from Nixing Slots

Lidl further noted that its decision to remove the hundreds of slot machines its shops around the nation feature will result in the annual loss of millions of euros in revenue from commissions paid by Veikkaus.

However, Mr. Pennanen said that they have had to train staff to monitor the slot machines and prevent issues with these, and that he believes the time and money spent on this as well as on cleaning and maintaining the devices can be used to focus on initiatives that would enhance customer experience.

Following massive public outcry over Veikkaus’ responsible gambling practices, the company last year adopted a series of strengthened responsible gambling policies. As part of these measures, the company significantly reduced the number of slot machines it operates around Finland. At the start of 2020, the company owned approximately 18,500 devices, but rang into 2021 with just 10,500 of them.

It also rolled out compulsory identification verification controls across its slot machine network two years ahead of schedule. Under Finland’s amended Lotteries Act, mandatory ID verification for slot machine players was supposed to be introduced from 2023.

Veikkaus first implemented ID verification across slot machines located at third-party sites including restaurants, shops, and petrol stations on January 12. It expects to complete the rollout of the mandatory verification across its own slot arcades by this summer.

Source: Lidl to remove slot machines from all stores in Finland, Yle, April 15, 2021

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888casino Enhances Lobby with Hacksaw Gaming Content

Online casino and sports betting operator 888 Holdings has bolstered its casino offering with the recent addition of games by Malta-based iGaming studio Hacksaw Gaming.

The partnership will see 888 integrate a selection of the content maker’s portfolio onto 888casino, the operator’s leading iGaming brand.

The integration will happen through Pariplay’s Fusion content aggregation platform. 888casino and its players from around the world will thus gain access to hit Hacksaw Gaming titles Chaos Crew, Mystery Motel, Scratch Bronze, and Scratch Platinum, among others.

Based in Malta, Hacksaw Gaming was formed with the mission to rethink classic casino products that are currently available on the market. The studio pursues a mobile-first approach, meaning that all its titles are designed to adapt to even the smallest screen and to work on any mobile or desktop device.

Hacksaw Gaming originally built a reputation for reimagining scratchcards, but it has recently expanded its portfolio to now include online slots and high fixed prize games. This new focus came as part of the company’s effort to achieve innovation with every product that it rolls out.

The studio is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, which means that its content is available in some of the biggest regulated markets.

Latest Content Partner

Commenting on their partnership with Hacksaw Gaming, 888 VP B2C Casino Talya Benyamini said that they are excited to be strengthening their offering with content from the provider and that its “exciting titles will add to our existing diverse portfolio of casino games, helping us continue our commitment in delivering an entertaining and varied gaming experience for our players within a safe and secure environment.”

Hacksaw Gaming COO Marcus Cordes added that they are thrilled to be offered the opportunity to work with a leading online gambling operator and that this new deal will enable them to expand their reach by showcasing their library of titles to 888’s players. Mr. Cordes further noted that this alliance will grow over the next year and that they all look forward to a successful launch of their games with 888casino within the next few weeks.

Hacksaw Gaming is the latest content supplier 888 has tapped to enlarge its online casino offering in recent months.

Last month, the company announced that its online casino has gained access to content from BF Games. It was in March again when 888 unveiled a games supply deal with Swedish content maker ELK Studios. That deal saw 888casino’s Italian site gain access to the studio’s entire portfolio of products. In February, the online casino signed a Live Casino and RNG deal with leading industry provider Playtech.

Source: 888 expands casino offering with Hacksaw Gaming, Hacksaw Gaming Newsroom, April 14, 2021

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Swintt Online Slots to Go Live with Ellmount Gaming Brands

Online casino games developer Swintt has announced a new content delivery deal that is in line with its strategy to grow its regulated presence in key markets.

The studio this week revealed that it has teamed up with online casino operator Ellmount Gaming to add another big industry name to its roster of clients. Under the terms of this recent agreement, Swintt will provide its new partner with access to its entire suite of games.

The deal will soon see Ellmount Gaming roll out Swintt’s land-based slots content that is adapted to the online environment as well as proprietary slots across its brands. The deal includes hit Swintt titles as well as upcoming new releases Lone Rider, Five Princesses, and Vikings of Valhalla.

Swintt was launched in 2018 as the game development arm of Europe- and Asia-focused online gambling group Glitnor Group. The studio quickly built excellent reputation for designing and crafting online casino content that is localized for growth markets and meets varying player requirements in each of these.

It recently ventured into the live casino segment with its SwinttLive product. It was launched late last year and is powered by Playgon. Swintt said that the solution was designed as a mobile-first product and as such, it was optimized for one-handed play in portrait mode. It offers fast-paced action and a wide array of functionalities.

Another Milestone Deal

Of their partnership with Ellmount Gaming, Swintt Chief Commercial Officer David Mann said that it marks “another milestone deal” for the studio and that it aligns with their “ambitious growth plans as we look to partner more operators in more markets and especially in Sweden where we expect to make our debut shortly.”

Ellmount Gaming operates the popular Casino Room and HighRoller online casino brands. The operator holds licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority and the Swedish Gambling Authority, Spelinspektionen.

As for Swintt, it is currently licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and awaits certification in Sweden later this year.

Commenting on launching Swintt products across their brands, Ellmount Gaming Chief Product Officer Stefania Mincu said that their online casinos have “earned a reputation for providing players with quality online casino content from the best developers in the industry, so adding Swintt to our portfolio was a natural move.

She went on to say that the provider’s land-based slots titles have proved to be a huge hit with players and that they are confident they will prove just as popular with their own gambling customers. Ms. Mincu added that they also look forward to integrating the studio’s proprietary online casino games as they “promise fun and thrills in equal measures – just what our players look for.”

Source: Swintt unites with Ellmount Gaming, European Gaming , April 12, 2021

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Relax Welcomes Online Casino Games Maker Print Studios to Silver Bullet Program

Online casino games supplier and content aggregator Relax Gaming has welcomed young iGaming studio Print Studios to its Silver Bullet program for third-party partners.

Under the terms of this recent agreement, Print Studios’ highly anticipated online casino titles will be integrated onto Relax’s aggregation platform. The provider will also handle distribution deals on behalf of the games developer.

Based in Malta, Print Studios is a nascent creator of online casino content. It was established by a team of industry veterans who have joined forces to blend their creativity, insight, and boundary-pushing expertise to market.”

As part of Relax’s Silver Bullet program, the studio will benefit from the provider’s extensive network of operator partners that keeps growing constantly. Print Studios has joined the likes of Kalamba Games, Fantasma Games, and 4ThePlayer, among others, as a Silver Bullet member.

Unlike Relax’s other program for third-party content providers, Powered By, studios that are part of Silver Bullet benefit from the aggregator’s commercial representation as well as from continued compliance and legal support.

And aligning itself with Print Studios, Silver Bullet will benefit from some of the industry’s most talented developers who are well-versed in producing high-quality content for the online casino universe.

Pleased to Support Studio’s First Steps

Commenting on their latest Silver Bullet partnership, Relax Gaming CPO Simon Hammon said that the program “is all about providing a platform for innovative start-ups to get noticed in a crowded marketplace and help us drive differentiation to our operators.”

He went on to say that there are pleased to be supporting the first steps of Print Studios and its team of experience talent, “who have big plans for the market.”

Print Studios CEO Carl Wiggman added that they are all about the challenge of “making gambling more fun” and that they focus on “impactful game design that delivers exhilarating and dynamic experiences. He went on that with that focus their sights were naturally set on Relax Gaming and its Silver Bullet program when the time came for the young studio to find an aggregator partner.

Of the Silver Bullet program, Mr. Wiggman said that it is the exact kind of leg-up that will help them reach out and establish themselves as up-and-coming casino content developer in the Internet gambling industry.

Print Studios might be Relax’s latest Silver Bullet partner, but the company has also been busy finding new partners for its Powered By program. Under a recent platform-to-platform agreement, online gaming content maker OneTouch has joined namely that other program.

The deal will see the studio integrate its suite of games onto Relax’s aggregator and these will soon become available across the provider’s network of leading online gambling operators.

Source: Relax Gaming welcomes Print Studios as latest Silver Bullet partner, Relax Gaming Newsroom, April 12, 2021

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