For so many, the term “blockchain” is synonymous with cryptocurrency, a byword for bitcoin – a sector and product many continue to view with scepticism and an unwavering degree of uncertainty. So we put it to the 100 Club.

THE QUESTION

As the blockchain sector itself, largely outside of gaming, continues to gain momentum, we asked the 100 Club if the current impasse in relation to blockchain technology was holding back the online gaming industry. Specifically, we asked: “Is the delay in adopting blockchain technology harming the online gaming sector?”

The answer options were:

• Yes, blockchain is the foundation on which fair and lucrative online gaming operations must be founded in the future
• Maybe, but not enough people in the sector understand the technology – more education and awareness is needed
• No, the online gaming sector will be just fine without blockchain

THE RESPONSE

The CasinoBeats 100 Club delivered a decisive response.

Not a single respondent felt confident that the online casino industry is being harmed by resisting blockchain.

The remainder polled were split more or less straight down the middle – 51 per cent opting for Maybe and 49 per cent nailing their colours to the mast by asserting that “the online gaming sector will be just fine without blockchain”.

Mark Robson, CEO of the Isle of Man-based King Gaming, was one of those who felt awareness of the true nature of the blockchain opportunity remains a problem. “I believe blockchain still equals ‘crypto’ in many people’s minds, so more education for all levels involved (software provider, gaming operator and player) is required.

“Until then – and unless it becomes a regulatory requirement – adoption will remain a relatively slow process.”

“blockchain still equals ‘crypto’ in many people’s minds, so more education is required” – MARK ROBSON

Regulators – most prominently in Malta and the Isle of Man – have taken steps to facilitate the growth of the blockchain sector. Tony Ure, head of e-gaming at the Isle of Man Digital Executive Agency, believes that once the focus shifts from being purely on cryptocurrency, the opportunity will fully emerge and only then gain wider attention.

“I think there are significant opportunities for the industry with blockchain technology to improve transaction rates, player verification, fair gaming results, etc. It is not necessarily harming the industry but it could be holding back significant growth, and opportunities to reduce resource and transaction time in certain operational areas. This is without looking at the uptake of tokens within gaming operations,” said Ure.

“Player ID and verification will be one of the key factors that will enable players to utilise blockchain applications to pass KYC on many platforms, including online gaming.”

Liam Mulvaney, CEO and co-founder at Plank Gaming, added: “Blockchain is still suffering from the cryptocurrency stigma and there needs to be more education as to how the blockchain technology can be used for other services outside of crypto.

“It has the potential to become a game changer but like everything that brings on such a big change it also brings on a lot of challenges and fear.”

Mark Knighton, chief operations officer at operator Multilotto, concurred with the consensus that there is need for clarity if the opportunity is to develop fully. “Not fully understanding this type of technology has resulted in scepticism in regards to its vulnerabilities and potential advantages,” he said. “More education is founding factor to see if this will be adopted more within the industry.”

It is a question, then, of perception and – to some extent – misconception, with one anonymous member sharing a common view that blockchain is seen as a threat: “Any risk to the integrity of the sector must be paramount.”

SBC managing director Andy McCarron feels that the opportunity is there, so long as it can be converted: “I do believe that as the wider society becomes aware of the transparency of blockchain technology, those who adopt it successfully may have a reputational competitive advantage. That won’t be for many years though.”

“I see a  need for blockchain to be implemented to manage smart contracts and remuneration more efficiently” – LEE-ANN johnstone

Rhi Burns, chief commercial officer at payment specialist Zimpler, feels that awareness and education is key to blockchain making headway. “Blockchain is not a well enough proven technology and something many people are still wary of, or don’t fully understand (myself included).

“It’s definitely something that should be tried and tested, but it’s not a ‘make or break’ product, or anywhere near. In general, I think there is far too little testing and innovation in igaming but blockchain specifically (or the lack of it) won’t harm the industry.”

Lee-Ann Johnstone, CEO at AffiliateINSIDER, offers some optimism but urges patience. “Blockchain will take years to infiltrate to be a required part of the existing igaming platform infrastructure. It also needs to be lead by the consumer or customer who benefits from it to be prioritised.

“For affiliates, I can see a big need for blockchain to be implemented to manage smart contracts and remuneration more efficiently. In addition, while early adoption provides business owners in this space with immediate learning, it doesn’t necessarily mean that because you are first, you will become the best (or only).

“So I’d recommend hanging back and waiting to see how blockchain is adopted across the industry as a whole, how it plays into all areas from front-end, to platform management and supporting services (affiliates) and how players want to engage with it directly first.”

David Flynn, CEO of Swintt, feels that a number of false starts have harmed the image of blockchain. “I feel a contributing factor blockchain technologies have not rocketed to the forefront, is the number of failed ICOs and recent market uncertainty,” said Flynn, “meaning less investment available for such ventures.”

“blockchain must solve a problem that alternative tech can’t fix before it sees mass adoption” – Sarah Blackburn

Phil Parry, CEO of Isle-of-Man based platform provider Iforium, agrees that there are still a few key hurdles in the way. “Blockchain has the potential to enhance the sector but only when the technology can be correctly implemented and it uses and impact are fully understood by operators, suppliers and regulators alike,” he said.

In the “Maybe” camp is Sarah Blackburn, director of GameOn Marketing, who challenges the blockchain sector to focus its marketing in a way the igaming sector cannot ignore. “How many times do we see solutions presented for problems that don’t actually exist? The same with blockchain – it must solve a problem that alternative tech can’t fix before it sees mass adoption. Currently, the industry is thriving without it.”

Magdalena Podhorska, head of sales at Authentic Gaming, stressed the importance not just of compliance but also the understanding of blockchain from a regulatory perspective. “Not only is more education needed on the technology, but more importantly the legalities around blockchain technologies have to be clear and we are not quite there yet.

“Most regulated markets do not have blockchain on the agenda for now, which makes it hard for it to become relevant for operators. There are few regulators that have made the first steps to regulating these technologies such as the MGA and IOM, which is a step in the right direction.

Sam Hobcraft, founder of operator Omnia Casino, perhaps summarised the status quo most neatly when he observed: “It is the future but I think many don’t understand it enough and so are a little scared of it.”

Blockchain will be discussed in a panel at next week’s CasinoBeats Malta, featuring among others the Malta Gaming Authority and CasinoCoin.

If you would like to be considered for the CasinoBeats 100 Club, please email us at 100Club@CasinoBeats.com

The post The CasinoBeats 100 Club: <br>Crypto ‘stigma’ holding blockchain back appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Asked if the online casino sector should be subject to these kinds of regulatory restrictions, 79 per cent responded “yes” or “maybe”, with 21 per cent of respondents against such measures.

THE QUESTION

This first question for the 100 Club related to recent calls from Tom Watson MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, for the UK to tighten restrictions on online gambling, including potential stake, prize and speed restrictions.

Speaking at a policy seminar last month, Watson said: “The lack of controls on online gambling is leading to vulnerable consumers suffering huge losses. Online gambling companies have a responsibility to protect their customers from placing bets that they cannot afford. But too often, these operators have either neglected the care of their customers or have been too slow in their due diligence.

“We need to see a culture of limits introduced to internet gambling: a system of thresholds placed on the spend, stake and speed of online gambling that will give safeguards to consumers. Labour’s new policies will provide a framework for both industry and the regulator to achieve that.”

With a largely C-level membership dominated by representatives from operators and leading suppliers, alongside regulators, leading affiliates, marketing agencies and global media brands, the CasinoBeats 100 Club was asked: “Should the online casino sector be subject to these kinds of regulatory restrictions?”

THE RESPONSE

The responses were well spread, with more than half (54 per cent) opting for the middle ground: “Maybe, but we should be cautious about introducing additional controls”.

A quarter (25 per cent) welcomed the proposals (“Yes, the sector can always do more to protect vulnerable players”) while just over fifth (21 per cent) were against such restrictions.

Jesper Kärrbrink, the outgoing CEO of Mr Green, is one of those against Watson’s proposals. He commented: “On a global scale, the share of the population having problems with gambling has been the same for the last 30 years.

“Still, the gambling landscape is totally different today compared with then. Then [we had] sportsbook, few casinos, lotteries, etc. Today we have that plus more than 2,500 fast, casino games available 24/7 – thousands of betting opportunities around the clock and all advertised heavily with lucrative bonuses.

“…preventive actions should be focused on individuals, not the game types” – Kärrbrink

“Still, the percentage of problematic gamblers is the same (or actually shrinking slowly). This tells us that the preventive actions should be focused on individuals and not the game types. Players with a tendency to gamble too much will always find ways to gamble. If the UK game operators can’t offer exciting enough games players will go elsewhere, with no security or responsible gambling measures whatsoever.”

However, backing the move is Phil Parry, CEO of Isle of Man-based platform Iforium. Parry said: “Yes but it’s a balance between several factors – the individual’s choice or government/regulatory intervention across the board.

“Regardless, the sector must better understand and adopt the necessary controls and responsible gambling options that fit the profile of that specific, individual player.”

Ian Sims, founder of compliance specialist Rightlander, was one of those who opted for “maybe”. He said: “Anything that allows a player to moderate their gambling is good but when regulation becomes preventative, there needs to be a balance between genuine helpfulness and restricting freedom of choice.”

Lee-Ann Johnstone, CEO of AffiliateINSIDER concurred: “We need to not be so restrictive that the industry is limited so severely that it doesn’t permit companies to grow, offer jobs and contribute to the economy alongside. Finding the balance is going to be key and it will be hard, so we may need to trial a few small measures first.”

“There needs to be a balance between genuine helpfulness and restricting freedom of choice” – Sims

Another cautiously welcoming the proposals is Tobias Svensen, managing director of leading streaming outfit CasinoGrounds. Svensen feels that there is a potential middle ground, introducing a lower maximum stake until the operator has a fuller picture of a player’s finances. “It could be an alternative to have a lower max stake until verified through [KYC] measures, to ensure gameplay at a level that the customer can be comfortable with losing.

“To protect at-risk players I believe the key is to look outside the operators and improve education about gambling addiction, and tighten access to loans without security and other ways that allows customers to play above their means.”

Gavin Hamilton, CEO of Red Tiger, is another potentially backing the move. “Clearly as an industry we have an obligation to protect the most vulnerable players and we should always strive to find ways to improve how we do this.

“Labour are approaching the issue with a sledgehammer – WHEN A scalpel would be more appropriate” – Hamilton

“The growth of online offers both an opportunity and threat in this regard: in one respect, we have more information than ever on our players and are much better placed to intervene when we believe a player has lost control of their gambling; however, it is also very easy to drive players to unregulated operators if controls are too stringent that makes it impossible for regulated operators to offer an attractive product in a regulated environment,” continued Hamilton.

“It feels like Labour are approaching the issue with a sledgehammer when a scalpel would be more appropriate. The consolidation of operators in the UK should mean it will be easier to get industry consensus on how to tackle problem gambling in a more systematic way, without the need for such regulatory zeal and it is obvious there are big strides being made by the large operators to address this issue.”

“What should be continually assessed is a player’s ability to afford a certain spend per month” – Flynn

David Flynn, the former CEO of Operations at Jackpotjoy, is against the plans: “Bet size, prize and speed should not be assessed at all. These are all player preferences. What should be continually assessed is a player’s ability to afford a certain spend per month.

“If a player wishes to risk £100 per month on this activity, the industry should be allowed to make a simple credit check (just like if the user wanted to pay for a car loan, so much a month).”

Benedict McDonagh, managing director of Green Jade Games, joined those urging caution: “Yes, the online casino sector should be subject to regulatory restrictions and as the Remote Gambling Association states, we as a collective have the data and evidence to affect stronger control and care in this space.

“Innovation is key here, with opportunities to use technology better for the intervention in real time when data indicates self-harm is highly likely.”

Kelly Kehn, co-founder of the All-in Diversity Project, is open to restrictions but again emphasised the importance in getting the process right. “There is a definite line between recreational and addictive behaviour when it comes to gambling,” she said. “That line is relative and personal to a customer based on a number of factors such as income, risk adversity, personal situation, etc.

“Implementing restrictions and controls across the board only incentivises companies to look for loopholes. Rather, the government should be encouraging responsibility and rewarding innovation in this area.”

Also welcoming the debate is Michael Pedersen, CEO of operator Letsbet.com. “The past year, there have been more restrictions released than new game titles – that’s how it feels to us operators, anyway.

“The industry is heading towards ‘cigarette’ regulations” – Pedersen

“All in all, I think the industry is heading towards ‘cigarette’ regulations and soon we might have to use 40 per cent of our website real-estate for health warnings. Is this a good direction or not? In my view, operators should do our best to identify and protect vulnerable players. The question is more: what is the most effective way to do that? I can understand that regulators’ ‘weapon of choice’ has so far been to issue more generic rules that everyone must follow i.e. deposit or stake limits, however I believe there is a smarter way than ‘one-size-fits-all’ regulations,” said Pedersen.

“I would welcome [the measures] if integrating a data-driven tool that looks at individual players’ activity data was a compulsory part of receiving a licence. Using predictive AI technology and known problematic player patterns, the tool would be able to predict potential problem gambling behaviour quickly and flag these players for manual review by RG teams, who could then ask for proof of wealth and other documents and either block or allow player to gamble. 

“In other words, I think regulators should focus more on finding ways of implementing personalised, data-driven and smart solutions that immediately become visible for problem gamblers and which are never seen by the majority of our players.”

Helen Walton, founder and CCO at Gamevy/Glück, said: “Most blunt measures tend to have unintended consequences – the RTP controls for the MGA which work against skill and choice games (which by definition are more engaging and longer play) are a good example.

“an unacceptable loss for one is an entirely acceptable price of entertainment for another” – Walton

“Do we want people to spend a longer time for the same amount of lost money? In which case it’s not as simple as ‘length of spin’ since there is a connection between RTP, spin timing and absolute amount wagered. There’s also of course a much simpler question about affordability and what is an unacceptable loss for one person is an entirely acceptable price of entertainment for another.

“When politicians meddle in measures such as prize control, I think they can inadvertently drive more players into non regulated products – where the dangers are far greater.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, one anonymous submission went further than most in calling on the sector to defend itself: “What categorised the debate and subsequent legislation around FOBTs was a lack of empirical evidence. As Fred Done has also pointed out, nobody appears to care about the human consequences of knee-jerk, moralistic regulation. Sadly, we are now seen by some as an anachronistic, dirty secret that needs to be be treated with the antiseptic of stringent legislation.”

“We should be wary of what is coming next in online and get ahead of the game by showing exactly what we are doing to prevent addiction and problem gambling… we run the risk of legislation being thrust upon us again that restricts the enjoyment of millions of perfectly safe and happy online customers.”

If you would like to be considered for the CasinoBeats 100 Club, please email us at 100Club@CasinoBeats.com

The post The CasinoBeats 100 Club: <br>Industry open to online stakes and speed restrictions appeared first on CasinoBeats.

However, as industry focus transitions to that of lower stakes, to a certain degree, is bingo poised to take its place at the top of the shop or find itself at heaven’s gate?

To delve into key issues such as differentiation, core demographics and popular and emerging markets are Kaarel Kluge, Head of Bingo at Relax Gaming, and Sebastian Perrier, Managing Director of Neko Games.

CasinoBeats: Bingo has been available from the early days of online casinos in the 1990s, since then it’s seen very little in the way of differentiation. What have you done to make your bingo titles stand out?

Sebastian Perrier: I’m glad you asked that question! Differentiation is at the heart of our company and is essentially why Neko Games was formed. We noticed that despite bingo’s popularity, no one was doing it justice online. 

Even though it’s one of the oldest games – older than roulette, blackjack, and slots – it had fallen way behind in terms of innovation. So, we decided to step in and fill that gap. We took inspiration from slots, combining the classic mechanics of traditional bingo with the exciting themes, fast-paced action, and potentially lucrative features that make slots so appealing.

It’s a balanced combination of these elements that make our games stand out, and we always do our research to ensure our games have the best chance of resonating with the target audience. 

Don Bingote, for example, is based on the famous adventures of Don Quixote, and it’s proved to be very successful in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Spain. Combine a popular story with a big jackpot prize, some interactive bonus rounds, fantastic visuals and exciting gameplay mechanics like wild balls and extra balls, and it makes for an entirely new and immersive online bingo experience. 

Kaarel Kluge: When it comes to bingo, players enjoy the simple and classic experience the vertical provides. Ultimately they’re seeking entertainment and that unbeatable feeling of anticipation and excitement when one of their tickets is close to winning. 

We’ve always paid very close attention to how players are using and engaging with our products, and I believe our product’s differentiation lies in the way we adjust and improve our products based on player feedback. It’s imperative that our bingo titles offer a combination of quality core gameplay, engaging features and a flawless UX boasting a modern feel. 

A recent innovation that takes this differentiation one step further is our dynamic ball speed feature. This allows us to speed up the game at times when it might begin to feel stagnant, as nobody is close to winning. We can also slow down the game to build the level of anticipation when a player is getting close to winning. 

This fluctuation in speed takes players on a journey which succeeds in keeping them engaged throughout. Ultimately, however, the look and feel of the game will always require improvements and upgrades but the core mechanics we believe will remain what makes it a great game.

CB: Have you seen a shift in the core demographic of bingo players over the years? Or have you always had a strong following of users that fit a very specific profile?

SP: There has been a noticeable shift in the core demographic of our bingo players over the years. Initially, when we launched our games, we had a target audience in mind—what we call ‘early-life’ players. 

These were individuals eager to dip their toes into the world of online gaming for the first time but were maybe a bit hesitant or unsure where to begin due to the sheer volume of options available. We wanted to provide them with a comfortable entry point, so they could begin their online gaming journey with a familiar game, enhanced by a few unexpected twists.

However, as our games have gained traction and popularity, we’ve witnessed a significant broadening of our player base. The demographic has expanded beyond our initial expectations, encompassing a diverse range of players. 

We’ve seen individuals from various demographics and backgrounds who find our unique blend of traditional bingo mechanics with modern, engaging features to be highly appealing.

One of our missions is to challenge people’s perceptions of bingo; That means producing games for those that crave dynamic and entertaining experiences, regardless of their previous gaming preferences or expectations.

KK: Truthfully, I don’t think the core online bingo demographic has changed that much over the years, however, there’s a noticeable difference with land-based players now. Unlike slots, land-based bingo and online bingo are somewhat different, therefore the player base is also different.

CB: In which markets are your bingo products most popular? And are there any emerging markets that are primed for bingo’s long-term success?

KK: For Relax, bingo has always proven to be more popular in our core markets across the Nordic countries and the Netherlands. Many markets are high on our target list as we believe there to be a lot of heritage related to the vertical in so many areas around the globe. 

SP: Our products have gained immense popularity in LatAm, where bingo holds cultural significance due to its rich history and close ties to Jogo do Bicho, along with other widespread lottery-type games. 

These games are deeply ingrained in various communities across the country, so we’re thrilled to be part of the online gaming landscape in its early stages of development.

Our strategic roadmap positions us to maximise the opportunities presented by this market, with some localised titles coming up which we hope will contribute to bingo’s long-term success in the region.

Mexico also has a lot of potential as an emerging market and we’re seeing a growing interest in our games. Catrina caters to the Mexican market, but of course the Day of the Dead is such a globally recognised event that it has strong appeal in other important established markets, such as the UK.

CB: Finally, what does the future of bingo look like to you?

KK: Bingo has a clear attraction factor, and it’s important to have a product that is built on all of the traditional facets that make the game so appealing. I don’t think we’ll see changes to the mechanic of the vertical, however, I know we’ll see bingo evolve as player needs evolve. 

SP: In the coming years, I expect more competition in the bingo scene as studios look to capitalise on its growing popularity in newly regulated markets. With an expanding bingo audience, acquisition and retention strategies will become more prominent, featuring perks like free rounds and bonuses.

I think we’ll see more tie-ins with other gaming brands too, bringing instant bingo adaptations of existing popular titles – just as we’ve done with Immortal Romance Video Bingo and Thunderstruck II Video Bingo. Branded bingo games, crafted for specific operators, could also be a way for operators to differentiate their offering in markets where bingo is a major player.  

In terms of tech, bingo has already made great strides in narrowing the gap on popular games like slots and live dealer games. The playing field is levelling, and bingo is gearing up for a more serious role in the gaming industry. Exciting developments lie ahead, and we’re thrilled to be a part of that journey!

The post The current state of online bingo: CB100 special appeared first on CasinoBeats.

However, among the multitude of strategies and expert tutorials on how best to achieve such a goal, is the question of: how much do you know about your network? With this in mind, CasinoBeats is aiming to take a look under the hood, if you will, and has tasked the 100 Club to help out.

The latest to take the CB100 Pathways hotseat was Robin Hutchison, Director at Square in the Air, who detailed how he quite literally “dodged a bullet” from his childhood ambitions to be in the Royal Marines while explaining that gambling businesses should be “a bit bolder, louder and prouder”. 

To kick off the conversation, host Craig Davies, Senior Media Manager at SBC, wondered what aspirations Hutchison had at school, to which he told of his ambitions to join the Royal Marines which were quickly reversed once he went to University. 

Hutchison said: “My burning ambition as a child was to be in the army, specifically in the Royal Marines. I did history at University in Liverpool and went along to a Recruitment Sergeant for the Royal Marines in Liverpool, and he put me off to be honest.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent certain that I wanted to be committed to it, and as it happened I went into journalism instead. I long thought it had been a missed opportunity, but the likelihood is I’d have gone to Iraq and Afghanistan, so my slightly mythologised view of the army might’ve been quite quickly knocked aside. I think I dodged a bullet quite literally.” 

Explaining how his job within red-top tabloid journalism led him to the world of gambling, Hutchison reminisced about his first job in the industry, finding a place in Ladbrokes PR team. 

Hutchison remarked: “Because of the type of audience we had, the readers we had, betting stories were ten-a-penny, and I used to do lots of really good stories with William Hill, Ladbrokes and Coral and all those guys, on the whackier end of betting stories, big bets and big wins.

“Ladbrokes then asked me to go and work for their PR team, which was back in the regional media which is where I started. This was when novelty betting really took off, with Big Brother, I’m a Celebrity: Get me Out of Here and stuff like that. I did football and tennis and all the other sports as well, it was a great entry into it coming from the news side to the PR side.” 

Moving onto his current role at Square in the Air, Hutchison was asked how the company aims to make a big impact across the industry. 

Hutchison responded: “It’s something we’re trying to evolve at the moment. When I joined SITA 11 years ago now, we were all about written media, press releases, thought leadership and press interviews, and we still are.

“We’re trying to make sure that people can still use the industry media, and still have a great route to market via them, but also do their own stuff as well. Whether that’s by social media, their own websites or their own production of content. 

“The US is a big part of what we do now, we’ve got a five-strong team there. Ultimately, we’re moving as the industry is moving and trying new geographies. We’re really excited about SBC Summit Rio next March and seeing what we can do down there in Latin America.

“As we evolve, or as the industry evolves, we need to evolve with it. I think we need to make sure that the clients we have and the prospective clients that we want to talk to will be provided with PR and marketing services that suit them, their readers and viewers. The trick is to stay ahead of the game and make sure that you’re moving with the times.”

Before rounding off, Davies took the typical Pathways approach by asking Hutchison if there’s one particular industry topic that he would like to touch on or address. 

Instilling a sense of pride for the industry he works in, Hutchison responded: “What I don’t think we do well as an industry is champion ourselves. We don’t celebrate what we do, we’re not proud of what we do.

“There are people out there in all walks of life that hate gambling, the abolitionists I’ll call them, and we don’t stand up for what we do enough. We’ve got an awful lot of stuff to be proud of. 

“We’re fantastic contributors, whether it’s tax or employment, we’re an adult industry but we’re responsible whether that’s on the supplier side or the operator side. We should be proud of what we do and I think we should stand up to the people who want to ban gambling and want us to be forced underground.

“We need to speak as a unified voice as an industry, and as someone that’s passionate about PR and marketing I’d like us to be a bit bolder, a bit prouder and a bit louder about what we do.”

The post CB100 pathways through gaming and beyond, with Robin Hutchison appeared first on CasinoBeats.

A significant uptick in the number of these offerings has undoubtedly been witnessed in recent times, with certain quarters thinking aggregation is treading dangerously close to venturing down a path well trodden by slots-based debates.

This primarily concerns the age-old quantity versus quality conversations that have become commonplace (stagnant?) within the online gaming realm, although that is an issue for another day. 

This latest delve into the world of the aggregator does indeed concern a close look at studios, but most importantly if they can survive without such alliances.

Jaana Repo, Senior Account Manager at Realistic Games, was the first to step up to the plate, noting that a “discernible shift toward aggregation” is particularly beneficial for studios. 

This, she said, is due to the ability to cost effectively tap into pre-existing distribution networks and customer bases, which, in turn, enables a focus to be placed on primary operations. 

“In the constantly evolving landscape of online gaming, aggregators have assumed a pivotal role, transforming the industry by seamlessly amalgamating game content from diverse partners into a unified and integrated module,” she continued.

“The concept of aggregation isn’t exclusive to igaming; it echoes across various industries. Just as aggregation facilitates suppliers in accessing multiple markets and hundreds of operators through a single integration, it mirrors the convenience sought by consumers in entertainment and e-commerce services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon. 

“…studios can benefit from simplified regulatory compliance, expansive network resources and greater market penetration”

Daniel Heywood, CEO of NuxGame

“Consumers crave rapid access to content, and this entails having it all at their fingertips in one place.”

Echoing these earlier sentiments was Daniel Heywood, CEO of NuxGame, who suggested that survival for developers could be challenging without content aggregation. This is due to an ability to gain wider exposure and quicker distribution in arguably a much smoother manner.

“There are significantly higher costs associated with direct partnerships with operators as studios require greater investment into their commercial team to forge new agreements,” Heywood noted. 

“In addition, comprehensive regulatory knowledge is needed to ensure its games meet legal requirements for new markets.

“By partnering with an aggregator, studios can benefit from simplified regulatory compliance, expansive network resources and greater market penetration. 

“Aggregators often streamline processes and deliver efficient integration processes, accelerating market entry and setting the stage for growth.” 

However, Repo voiced a slight disagreement with the above; taking a slightly different focus to confidently suggest that there are still merits to direct distribution, specifically in cost efficiency.

“By distributing content directly, suppliers can sidestep platform fees or revenue-sharing arrangements associated with aggregators, potentially leading to higher profit margins,” she stated.

“Direct distribution also empowers suppliers with complete control over the integration process. They can introduce upgrades or new features to their distribution platforms without the integration constraints occasionally imposed by aggregators. This flexibility allows suppliers to tailor their distribution channels according to their unique needs and preferences.”

“…we gain access to an expansive network of operators, opening doors to fresh opportunities and broadening our reach

Jaana Repo, Senior Account Manager at Realistic Games

Uniting our latest CB100 special back under the overarching topic at hand, Heywood points to a belief that a studio’s survival could simply hinge on strategy and long-term vision.

Borrowing another key phrase closely associated with the slots ecosystem,  it is pointed out that “it is not a one-size-fits-all scenario” and that options must be carefully considered.

“While some may prefer to retain the creative freedom offered by the lone path, ultimately, aggregators give studios access to a broad reach and convenience, allowing them to scale up quickly and more efficiently,” he concluded.

Taking a different approach, Repo looked to within Realistic Games’ own operations to note that favourable positions have been gained from going direct, while acknowledging that aggregation could well be key to achieving wider worldwide expansion targets.

“By collaborating with aggregators, we gain access to an expansive network of operators, opening doors to fresh opportunities and broadening our reach,” she ended. 

“This then frees up our integration teams to redirect their focus to platform enhancements and more game innovation. For some, I’m sure it’s a subjective matter but for Realistic Games, our future is in aggregation.”

The post CB100 special: can studios survive without aggregation? appeared first on CasinoBeats.

With this in mind, we turned to the CasinoBeats 100Club to find out just what challenges are presented by multiplayer slots, asking: 

Why haven’t multiplayer slots made larger inroads into the online casino space? What challenges do they face and what growth opportunities do they create? 

Suzanne Jiggens-Johnson, Marketing Director at Slots Temple: We’re constantly baffled at the number of businesses that haven’t made more inroads into multiplayer games. At Slots Temple we offer Slots Tournaments where players compete against each other to climb the leaderboards and win cash prizes. 

Player feedback tells us our players love the social nature of our tournaments and often we see friends competing against each other within a tournament. Bringing a social element into our products provides players both access to their favourite games alongside some playful competition within their social groups.

Anthony Gaud, CEO at GaudHammer Gaming Group: The development of sophisticated and reliable software that facilitates seamless, real-time interaction between players is a considerable challenge. It is essential that the underlying infrastructure is capable of supporting a high volume of simultaneous players, while ensuring smooth gameplay that is free of lags or errors.

There are a variety of regulatory frameworks concerning online gambling in each state and country, which will pose challenges to the mass implementation of multiplayer slots. From my experience, it may be difficult for new innovations like multiplayer slots to gain traction in some jurisdictions due to regulation regarding online gambling.

Players who are used to conventional slot machines may prefer their solitary, straightforward experience. Adapting to multiplayer slots, which can involve collaborative or competitive play and additional rules, might not appeal to existing slot players who are used to playing alone. Having said that, I have tested prototypes of these concepts with millennial players and video game enthusiasts, and they have proven extremely successful which bodes well for future audience expansion.

Slot machines with multiplayer features often require more strategic thinking and player engagement. The creation of short- and long-term, goal-oriented rewards and gameplay may prove challenging for developers without previous experience developing multiplayer video games.

Until there is clear evidence of demand for multiplayer slots, casinos will be hesitant to invest in developing or adopting this technology. Casinos are likely to wait and see what works, which creates a chicken-and-the-egg scenario for development, which has further delayed the rollout of multiplayer slots. I believe that in the short term, online casinos and websites in the EU will be the best place to experiment with multiplayer slots.

There will be a lack of awareness of multiplayer slots among most players, leading to a slow adoption rate and insufficient demand. It will be necessary for casinos and manufacturers to engage in a promotional/educational campaign to explain the advantages of multiplayer gaming. The additional expense will prevent brick and mortar casinos from adopting multiplayer slots quickly.

Multiplayer slots enable the exploration of new gaming dynamics, including collaborative and competitive play, bringing the world of slots closer to those of video games. Casinos will be able to offer a wider range of gaming experiences as a result of this innovation, potentially making them more appealing to both new and existing players.

Helen Walton, CCO at G.Games: It’s a really hard problem – technically hard, liquidity and marketing hard, user and product design hard. Multiplayer slots is – in some ways – a new genre, and that takes time, and sometimes a couple of false starts, to develop. There’s also only just starting to be true commercial pressure to do something different. 

Many of the original concepts in multiplayer are borrowed too heavily from social, for example. People don’t have the same feelings about sharing slot wins, and spend, as they do with social or skill games. 

So, what’s interesting is to look at what we can learn from successful real-money multiplayer games such as bingo, lottery and poker, to see how we can tap into what might be related motivations in slots. I would argue that no multiplayer real money slot game yet exists – we are working on that.

Alex Lorimer, COO at Gaming Corps: I look at companies like HungryBear Gaming and they seem to be moving things in this direction; their games with multiplayer battle tools seem to be getting a decent level of traction. 

The slot space has been very robust across a long period of time, but when it comes to significantly changing things and offering products to a player demographic that is used to familiarity, it takes a lot of gumption and insight to really shake things up.

You have to do this without a fear of failure, but the issue comes when people then expect consistency and continued innovation, which puts a lot of pressure on development teams. 

Any developer that can manage to do this though will certainly carve out a niche position in the market, even if it could take some time to really reap the benefits of doing so.

The post CB100 Club: making manoeuvres for multiplayer slots appeared first on CasinoBeats.

To better understand why multiplayer slot products have never quite hit it off, we asked the CasinoBeats 100Club: 

Why haven’t multiplayer slots made larger inroads into the online casino space? What challenges do they face and what growth opportunities do they create? 

Tom Finlayson, Co-Founder at Jooba Tech: The idea of social, multiplayer or community gambling has been around as long as gambling itself has. The concept of sharing that gambling experience in a physical casino – the highs of a big win, the lows of an unlucky loss – is part of the attraction, just as much as the chance of winning. However, when applied online, something changes.

In a physical casino, you know you are surrounded by like-minded individuals. You’ve all travelled to the casino for the same reason, often away from judgement. They understand and can empathise with your wins and losses, as you can with theirs. However, for online, this is not the case. Online play is you and you alone. You play on your device and  on your own time.

Attempts in the past have been made to help punters advertise their bets, their wins, their tips or favourite games, however, gambling still has a stigma associated with it. A punter is unlikely to reveal to their friends and family that they gamble, as opposed to strangers at a casino.

Therefore punters are more reluctant to notify their online circle – often consisting of family and friends – of their gambling habits. Naturally, there are exceptions to the rule; both ways. A VIP player may book an entire blackjack table to themselves in a casino, and an online player may be more than happy to share their play, hello streamers. 

But on the whole, online punters want to separate their online gambling from the rest of their online presence. Much like the casino punter needs to physically travel away and be with like-minded punters at the venue.

For multiplayer slots to become successful, gambling itself needs to become less stigmatised, which I believe will eventually happen. Until then, the idea of others in your online circle being more aware of your gambling will struggle to take off.

Justin Chamberlain, CEO and Founder at HungryBear Gaming: I think multiplayer slots haven’t made the inroads into the space simply because there isn’t enough choice yet for operators, and that is because a lot of providers, I don’t think, see or understand the opportunity in the multiplayer genre.

Multiplayer has dominated the social, console and casual space for many years now, and I think operators aren’t looking far enough ahead to realise the potential, or that younger players coming into the gambling sector will look for, and maybe even demand, a multiplayer experience.

As for the challenges facing anyone looking to bring multiplayer to market – immense! The difference between delivering a single-player experience, one game client talking only to one server, and rendering one set of results, seems like a walk in the park compared to a multiplayer experience.

We have been live now with Slot Masters for a little over 12 months, and we have been continually improving and fine-tuning all aspects of this genre of game, from the client side, to server, to database queries, rendering results in real-time to three players at a time, and handling millions of transactions and database queries every single day! It’s not for the faint-hearted.

Connor Blinman, Head of Games at Gaming Corps: The challenges surrounding multiplayer slot content can only really be found out via trial and error, analysing the data, and making improvements for the next product; the key thing to remember though is this can be costly. 

As for now, slot players continue to show they are players of habit who know what they know and like what they like. Incremental innovation rather than overnight change has always been key to finding success in this industry.

Aside from slots, players who are fans of multiplayer content can get their fix from the numerous types of table games out there, as well as the live casino products that the likes of Evolution are putting out.

We have recently achieved a lot of success with our Crash products, which feature a multiplayer element to their core game loop. Players join the game, place their bets and can see when others are cashing out. All these elements give the game a sense of community and show multiplayer games hold true, and I think this is where the growth opportunity is. Whether or not we will see them dominate the slot space in the future is still up in the air.

The post CB100 Club: tackling the ‘immense’ challenge of multiplayer slots appeared first on CasinoBeats.

However, among the multitude of strategies and expert tutorials on how best to achieve such a goal, is the question of: how much do you know about your network? With this in mind, CasinoBeats is aiming to take a look under the hood, if you will, and has tasked the 100 Club to help out.

Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Chief Commercial Officer of Spribe, becomes the latest participant, detailing a history of entrepreneurship, how a love of poker nudged open the door for professional opportunities and if non-traditional content can ultimately be a replacement for slots.

CasinoBeats: Could you begin by talking us through any past experiences that have been gained outside of the gambling industry? Could your career have taken any different paths?

Giorgi Tsutskiridze: As a graduate of the Harvard Business School, I have strong skills when it comes to management and entrepreneurship – skills that I have been able to lean on throughout my career and when establishing and running international businesses. I have been a lifelong entrepreneur, and this has seen me establish businesses both inside and outside of the online gambling industry.

I’ve founded HawX, an igaming solutions provider company that operates in more than 40 countries with more than 120 employees with offices in 2 countries. Another business I’ve been involved in is an online learning and teaching platform and have several other start-ups in the works at the moment.

Taking these businesses from concept to launch and then managing the day-to-day running of them has allowed me to build a varied set of skills and vast experience, both in terms of the specific industries they have served but more broadly when it comes to things like team management, funding, development, technology and more. 

This has been incredibly useful for the positions that I’ve held within the online gambling sector, which includes senior roles at big-name companies such as Adjarabet, BetConstruct and of course, Spribe. My career has taken me away from the gambling industry at times, but the excitement and opportunity it provides always draws me back in. 

CB: What was it that eventually led you into this industry?

GT: There were a couple of factors. I have always had a passion for poker and played professionally for many years, taking part in major tournaments in Georgia and across Europe. This ultimately opened the door at Adjarabet, where I was Head of Poker and Games. I’m also a maths guy so the fact that numbers would be a major part of my role at Adjarabet made the opportunity very appealing to me.

Of course, I’ve been able to combine my passions for poker and maths in the roles I have held since. I also like the challenges the industry presents and the thrill of overcoming them in a way that has a significant impact on the company I am working for and ultimately the player. 

CB: How would you assess your progress through the industry to date?

GT: When I look at where I am now in the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Spribe, I can say that I have come a long way. Spribe is the developer behind Aviator, the world’s number one crash game, and it’s a huge privilege to hold such a senior role at the organisation.

My role is varied – I’m responsible for working closely with key departments across the business for budgeting, sales processes and marketing strategies. I’ve also been tasked with leading and scaling the business development and customer success teams. I have only been able to take on such a role because of the experience I have gained over the years, both at the online gambling companies where I have worked and also at the businesses that I have established and run. 

The great thing about working at Spribe is that the company has an entrepreneurial culture and does not sit still. This makes it a perfect fit for me, and I feel like I have found a company where I can have a meaningful impact. To have achieved that a little over seven years after first entering the sector is pretty good going. 

CB: Are there any interesting anecdotes that would interest our readers, or any stand-out experiences that may not have been possible without the current or a past role?

GT: Playing Aviator for the first time was a standout experience for me. I remember thinking to myself that Spribe had developed something truly special and that it was really ahead of the game. Aviator is the number one crash game – many studios have tried to copy it since, but none have come close to delivering the same fast-paced action that more than 10 million players enjoy every month.

Aviator has not only been transformational for Spribe and the operators that offer it but for the entire industry. This can be seen in the surge in non-traditional content landing in operator game lobbies that are ultimately engaging new audiences in ways that standard games simply can’t compete with. 

CB: What would you say have been the major changes during your time working in the industry? Both for the better and worse.

GT: The speed of change in this industry is unrivalled and this can make it incredibly tough for operators and suppliers to stay relevant and deliver the experiences that consumers are seeking. If you rest, you rust, and this is absolutely the case for businesses in this sector. Spribe understood this from the get-go and came out of the box with a game that set the standard for others to follow.

This is absolutely a good thing – change is crucial to progress and at Spribe we are constantly working to push boundaries and bring new and exciting entertainment experiences to the market. 

CB: If you could ask the 100 Club any questions or task them with tackling any issue, what would that be?

GT: I’d ask them to what extent they think non-traditional content such as crash games like Aviator will dominate casino game lobbies over time. Will they ultimately replace traditional slot and table game content, or will they always exist side by side? At Spribe, we think there is room for both, but I’d like to hear what the rest of the 100 Club has to say about it. 

If you would like to tell your story, or be considered for the CasinoBeats 100 Club, please email us at craig@sbcgaming.com.

Launched to give a voice to the industry on a range of key issues, the 100 Club tackles the tricky questions and shares members’ views across the CasinoBeats network. Have your say by joining the 100 Club.

The post CB100 pathways through gaming and beyond, with Giorgi Tsutskiridze appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Looking into machine learning shortcuts, generative AI and VR improvements, our latest CasinoBeats 100 Club special asked the club what technological advancements they believe will sweep the casino industry. 

In this follow-up feature, David Brace, Innovation Director at Continent 8 Technologies, and Nick McDonald, Account Director at Fujitsu, give their answers to the initial question, while also providing a deeper dive into the impact of machine learning and quantum computing, including insights from AI itself. 

CasinoBeats: What is the next technological step that could sweep across the online casino industry? And why?

Nick McDonald: It has to be AI-related. AI can change the game in terms of analysing player behaviour, age verification and fraud detection. However, there needs to be a lot of focus on the ethical standards around this. 

AI is a huge talking point within the igaming industry and the wider tech world, and companies are going to need to work out ethical and sustainable ways of utilising it. How we collect, analyse, and store data will be essential, and we need to turn to technology to help us work on how to do this in a sustainable and ethical way. 

Technological advancements will help online casinos create their own AI platforms, which, in turn, will mean that they do not need to use as much outside technology. Operators being able to use AI tools on their own technology stacks will be excellent for sustainability and really help drive ESG initiatives, which is something that will be at the forefront of the industry for the next decade.

David Brace: The most obvious answer is artificial intelligence, which is already being integrated into a number of functions within the industry. However, I feel that AI/machine learning is here and already influencing the industry, and if we are looking at new technologies that will create a true step change for igaming, we should be looking towards quantum computing. 

This technology is in its infancy right now but already shows signs that it could transform the way the industry operates. If we look at random number generators, for example, a switch to quantum-based technologies delivers a more secure RNG which cannot currently be predicted by anyone, including the operator. 

Quantum computing is ideally suited to analysing large datasets in true real-time, which could lead to massive improvements in the understanding of the patterns of play, delivering advances in responsible gaming, fraud detection and player personalisation. There are many more examples of implementation, which we will only begin to understand as the technology begins to be deployed within the industry. 

“opportunities provided by AI integration will more than makeup for the investment required to get it right. “

David Brace, Innovation Director at Continent 8 Technologies

CB: Keeping up with the rapidly evolving technology that surrounds the industry requires substantial levels of funding, do you think that high costs could outweigh the potential when it comes to AI and other advancements gaining mass adoption? 

NM: High costs are inevitable in AI adoption; the real measure will be how these costs are returned to the business. If the right level of ROI can be demonstrated and put back into the company, the initial funding becomes irrelevant. This is why partnering with the correct technology providers is essential. 

Companies must ensure they work with the most effective partners to help them build their AI developments correctly and efficiently from the beginning by using tried and tested modelling and frameworks. This is how companies will get ahead of their competitors.

DB: I believe that, unlike most new/emerging technologies, the opposite may initially be true with AI/ML integrations for companies. The cost of taking that first step into AI is very small with several companies offering consumption-based models on their AI/ML products. This will accelerate the initial adoption of the technology in many organisations. 

However, the extensive reliance on ‘as a service’ models, the majority of which are still branded as experimental or beta, means there is a risk of investment being made into technologies that may be cancelled or dramatically altered with very little notice. To balance this, I would say that the opportunities provided by targeted AI integration will more than makeup for the investment required to get it right. 

“if your competitors are going to embrace new technologies, then you don’t want to be left behind”

Nick McDonald, Account Director at Fujitsu

While providing his own answers to the AI-focused questions, Brace also inputted the questions into the AI chatbot Google Bard. 

Google Bard: It is true that the high costs of developing and deploying AI and other advanced technologies could outweigh their potential benefits in some cases. For example, small businesses may not be able to afford the upfront costs of implementing AI solutions, and even large businesses may find it difficult to justify the cost of AI projects that do not have a clear ROI. Additionally, the complexity of AI systems can make them difficult to maintain and update, which can add to the overall cost of ownership. 

However, I believe that the potential benefits of AI and other advanced technologies outweigh the costs in the long run. AI has the potential to revolutionise many industries, from healthcare to manufacturing to customer service. By automating tasks and making better decisions, AI can help businesses to save money, improve efficiency, and provide better products and services to their customers.

CB: As a lot of companies within the gambling space will be using the same models, tools and services provided by AI, is there a risk that this could cause some saturation in the products that are being delivered? 

NM: This is always a risk when a new technology emerges. Ultimately, if your competitors are going to embrace new technologies, then you don’t want to be left behind. However, gambling is a diverse industry, and everyone will adapt differently. We will see many bespoke adaptations by companies to fit their needs, stimulating innovation and growth.

Another upside is that if more companies embrace AI technology in the igaming space, it becomes more readily available and drives the prices down for the entire industry.

DB: There is a risk of convergence, especially on ancillary services such as AML/KYC/player protection leading to saturation and/or consolidation, which can lead to a lack of innovation in products. On the product front, we all operate in a heavily regulated industry with strict controls on many factors affecting gameplay and design, but that hasn’t impacted the variety or quality of the product in the market.

Integration of AI-based automation into the underlying technology could have the opposite effect in allowing companies to innovate on the creative side of the game, knowing that the nuts and bolts of the product are automatically produced in a technically compliant manner.  

Here’s what Google Bard had to say on AI adoption and industry saturation.

Google Bard: Yes, there is a risk that AI saturation could lead to product homogeneity in the gambling industry. If all gambling companies are using the same AI models and tools, they will all be able to offer the same types of products and services. This could lead to a situation where there is little to differentiate between different gambling companies, and customers may have a hard time choosing which company to use.

However, there are also some factors that could mitigate the risk of AI saturation in the gambling industry. For example, different gambling companies may use different datasets to train their AI models. This could lead to different companies offering different products and services, even if they are using the same AI models.

Additionally, gambling companies may use AI to personalise their products and services to the individual needs of their customers. This could also help to differentiate different gambling companies and make it easier for customers to choose the company that is right for them.

The post CB100: exploring AI with Continent 8 & Fujitsu appeared first on CasinoBeats.

However, among the multitude of strategies and expert tutorials on how best to achieve such a goal, is the question of: how much do you know about your network? With this in mind, CasinoBeats is aiming to take a look under the hood, if you will, and has tasked the 100 Club to help out.

Alina Dandörfer, Co-Founder and Director of Apparat Gaming, steps into the hot seat to elaborate on turning down a proposal to leave the industry, comparisons to Greek mythology and a continued ramp-up of competition and regulation.

CasinoBeats: Could you begin by talking us through any past experiences that have been gained outside of the gambling industry? Could your career have taken any different paths?

Alina Dandörfer: I’ve always worked in the gambling industry and have only once been tempted to leave it. On finishing my studies in international relations, and after a bit of time spent travelling the world, I joined German land-based gambling and entertainment giant, SCHMIDT Gruppe. I hadn’t planned on working in this industry, but the opportunity presented itself and I took it.

Having the chance to gather experience as a project manager and working with software developers would form a great foundation for every step I took after that. A few years later I was offered a position at Bally Wulff and seized it with both hands. Over the following six years, I held several positions across organisational development, staffing, and project management.

“Being a co-founder of a game developer simply wouldn’t have been on my radar”

My appetite for learning saw me become involved in a range of projects within the organisation, especially from a management and financial perspective. And it was during those days, towards the end of my time at Bally Wulff, that I was asked by someone to support their efforts to start a business – a totally new challenge that came knocking on my door (this was the genesis of Apparat Gaming).

This side project stimulated my desire for a career change and so I almost escaped the industry – I was offered a leading position at a start-up in a different sector to build it up from scratch. I’d even got a start date and a contract in hand. At the same time, the idea to launch Apparat Gaming matured, so I decided to go all in and embarked on the adventure of running my own company. 

CB: What was it that eventually led you into this industry?

AD: As I started out in the industry, it’s probably more interesting to talk about what led to me turning down the position at the start-up in a different sector and going all in with Apparat Gaming.

A big driver behind my decision was that I knew my co-founders incredibly well and had worked with many of them over the past ten years or more. I also liked the fact that I would have a say over the direction that we took with Apparat Gaming, although with seven other co-founders, there’s still a lot of discussion and compromise. 

CB: How would you assess your progress through the industry to date? 

AD: The progress I have made is way beyond what I expected to achieve when I started out. Being a co-founder of a game developer simply wouldn’t have been on my radar. I’ve always wanted to learn more and have been keen to get involved with projects even if they were outside of the remit of the role I held at the time.

“Each time Sisyphus gets close to the top, the boulder rolls back down again. Running a studio can feel like this sometimes”

This has enabled me to grow my skill set and expand my knowledge. In roles where I have been responsible for staffing, I have come to understand the pain points of hiring the right people. While streamlining various companies’ product development processes I have learned to not be afraid to ask the tough questions and implement change where it is needed – even if that can be a painful process to go through.

All of these parts came together when I co-founded Apparat Gaming and since then I have continued to learn and evolve – I’d never worked on a funding round prior to Apparat and now I’ve successfully completed not one but two.

I also like to get involved with game production, even though that’s not my area of focus. I attend our weekly product meetings, and this has given me a great understanding of what the team is doing and essentially of the product – after all, it’s our games that we stand for. Again, it’s taking step-by-step progress to ensure that I am always moving forwards. 

CB: Are there any interesting anecdotes that would interest our readers, or any stand out experiences that may not have been possible without the current, or a past, role?

AD: It’s not an anecdote as such but my experience of co-founding a game studio has a lot in common with a story I once read from Greek mythology. It’s about a man named Sisyphus who is punished by underworld God, Zeus, who forces him to push a boulder up a hill for eternity.

Each time Sisyphus gets close to the top, the boulder rolls back down again. Running a studio can feel like this sometimes. Luckily, I’ve a great team to support each attempt and to cushion the roll backs. One day we will get to the top of the hill and stay there, but for now, there are plenty more boulders to push up the hill. 

CB: What would you say have been the major changes during your time working in the industry? Both for the better and worse.

AD: The level of competition and the roll-out of regulation have been the greatest changes, and I’d say both are for the better. There are hundreds of studios now developing thousands of slots each year, and it’s fascinating to watch these developers as they grow and produce exciting content.

“I’d love to hear their thoughts on how studios can and should approach offering their games to operators in pre-regulated markets”

Regulation has made innovation and the ability to survive and thrive in such a competitive space incredibly difficult, but we all want to see sensible, proportionate frameworks in place that ultimately protect consumers and facilitate a successful and sustainable market for operators and providers.

For Apparat, we are motivated by the opportunity in front of us which is to bring our slots with a German accent to operators and players in regulated markets globally – world domination, as we like to call it. 

CB: If you could ask the 100 Club any questions, or task them with tackling any issue, what would that be?

AD: I’d love to hear their thoughts on how studios can and should approach offering their games to operators in pre-regulated markets. Most studios say they are focused on regulated jurisdictions, but many still make a chunk of revenue from unregulated markets. Are they right to do this? Or is it a contradictory approach? 

If you would like to tell your story, or be considered for the CasinoBeats 100 Club, please email us at craig@sbcgaming.com.

Launched to give a voice to the industry on a range of key issues, the 100 Club tackles the tricky questions and shares members’ views across the CasinoBeats network. Have your say by joining the 100 Club.

The post CB100 pathways through gaming and beyond, with <br> Alina Dandörfer appeared first on CasinoBeats.