Nevada gaming regulators Thursday greenlighted slot developer Bluberi Gaming to distribute its games in the state. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved manufacturer and distributor licensing as a for the Canadian-founded and Las Vegas-based company with 275 employees.
“The business has had many stages of growth,” Bluberi CEO Andrew Burke said of the company that filed for bankruptcy in 2016 and was acquired by private-equity firm Catalyst Capital Group of Toronto in 2019. “In 2022 and beyond, we’ve been in the growth stage by adding jurisdictions, products, and people. Our ambitions are much higher and licensing in Nevada is a huge step in the process for us moving forward.”
The company had 66 licenses in 2019, but held off on Nevada until this year.
“I’ve worked for Nevada licensees and know standard and customer expectations for this market and we weren’t ready,” Burke said. “Today, we’re in 194 jurisdictions, with 10 more pending approval and another 12 we’re working through. We’ve grown our footprint from 1,000 units to 12,000 units and our number of employees has grown pretty significantly.”
Bluberi revenue has grown four times over the last three years, with 70% direct sales and 30% recurring revenue.
Burke said Bluberi does business with MGM Resorts International, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Boyd, Caesars Entertainment, and Penn Entertainments, all companies and a tribe that operate in Nevada.
In 2024, Bluberi entered 29 new jurisdictions, including obtaining state licenses in Indiana, Louisiana Commercial, Oregon, Ontario, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia. It entered 2025 looking to expand not only in Nevada, but Ohio, Iowa, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico (racinos), Mississippi, Illinois, and British Columbia.
The Las Vegas office of 80,000 square feet houses its manufacturing and corporate team. Bluberi also has offices in Reno, Austin, and New Brunswick and Quebec in Canada. Burke called the combined cultures of French Canadian and American their “superpower.”
“Nevada is home for me and an important home for many of our employees,” Burke said. “Being licensed in Nevada for our employees is a big deal, a source of pride. They’ve have worked in the state for a while. To tell their families that their games will be right down the street from where they live is critical.”
Burke said they provide different products and they’ve had a lot of preliminary discussions with Nevada licensees who are excited about their products coming to the market. “Our first few years here should be pretty robust for us and hopefully our customers.”
With funding from Catalyst, Burke said the company is well capitalized. Bluberi recently raised $55 million from Citizens Bank, with some from Nevada State Bank and Western Alliance.
“They’ve been amazing partners and have indicated that if we need more capital for growth, they’ll provide that,” Burke said.
Commissioner Brian Krolicki said Bluberi is a “great addition” to Nevada and the gaming industry. “You’ve found a space to wiggle into. You’ve assembled a lot of folks you’ve known over the years and a mighty force. It will be fun to watch.”
Commissioner George Markantonis and other commissioners welcomed the jobs the company has brought to Nevada.
“With all of the stories of doom and gloom these days, it’s a real pleasure to have a company standing in front of us that has neither of those words in its philosophy,” Markantonis said.
Bluberi launched two new product lines in 2024, the Beacon Elite and Beacon+. Beacon Elite is Bluberi’s first premium product line, which was released with Devil’s Lock All In, a follow-up game to Devil’s Lock, and Honey Bomb. More than 400 hours of research and development went into crafting the Beacon Elite and its subsequent product line. Beacon Elite creates a big impact on the casino floor with its impressive sign package and premium game content, Burke said. The company putting out 14 titles this year after putting out seven in 2024.
