Expanse Studio

History and Background

Expanse Studios was founded in 2017 by a group of industry veterans in Ta’ Xbiex, Malta, with the mission to create a unique gaming experience by combining sophisticated design, original music, and high-quality animations. Unlike many new entrants that focus solely on slots, Expanse immediately branched into multiple verticals, releasing 1–2 titles per month and building a portfolio of about 42 games by 2022. Early hits like Titan Roulette Deluxe, Wild Icy Fruits, and Diamond Blackjack helped establish the brand’s identity.

Acquisition and Corporate Structure

Expanse Studios operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Meridian Holdings Inc. (formerly Golden Matrix Group, NASDAQ: GMGI, now MRDN), a Las Vegas-based gaming technology company. This structure provides Expanse with access to Meridian’s B2B distribution infrastructure, regulatory licenses (including MGA certification), and a broad network of operators and aggregators. The parent company also runs B2C brands under Meridianbet and other divisions, but Expanse remains dedicated to B2B content development.

Game Portfolio and Technology

Expanse’s portfolio spans crash games (flagship title Super Heli with 97% RTP and multi-bet mechanics), slots (Wild Icy Fruits, VASO Psycho – a celebrity-branded slot with MMA fighter Vaso Bakočević, 96.74% RTP, and 10,000x max multiplier), table games (Titan Roulette, Diamond Blackjack), video poker (Diamond Joker Poker, Multihand Titan Poker), and turn-based casual games. All titles are built with HTML5 technology, supporting over 20 languages, multiple fiat currencies, and cryptocurrencies. Games are designed with medium volatility and high RTP (often above 97%) to appeal to a broad player base.

Licensing and Regulatory Footprint

Expanse Studios holds a Malta Gaming Authority B2B license (MGA/B2B/650/2018) and is officially licensed for the Swedish market. Through aggregator partnerships (e.g., ESA Gaming), its games are certified in Italy, Portugal, Greece, Colombia, Brazil, and other regulated markets across Canada, Europe, and Latin America. This multi-jurisdictional approach enables the studio to maintain a strong compliance posture while expanding globally.

Distribution and Partnerships

Expanse distributes its content via major B2B aggregators and direct operator integrations. Key partnerships include a content deployment deal with Stake (via Hub88) in March 2026, a multi-market European partnership with ESA Gaming in February 2026, a strategic distribution partnership with BetConstruct in April 2025, and integration with BlueOcean Gaming’s platform. The studio also works with SOFTSWISS, Mozzart, Casino Professor, and other operators. These partnerships have helped Expanse power over 1,300 B2B operator brands as of early 2026.

Current Status and Strategic Direction

As of early 2026, Expanse Studios reports a portfolio of over 70 proprietary titles and continues to expand into regulated markets, with particular focus on Europe and Latin America. The company is actively developing new games and strengthening its presence in social casino and sweepstakes segments, leveraging its parent company’s US footprint. Industry award nominations and positive feedback for gamification tools (Free Spins, Progressive Jackpots, tournaments) underscore its commitment to innovation and player engagement.