Under the terms of the deal, Livespins streamers will gain access to Platipus’ studio titles for their broadcasts and enable them to stream titles such as Wild Spin, Joker Chase and 7 Hot Fruits. 

“We are thrilled to have joined forces with Livespins and for its streamers to be able to play our games and broadcast the action to their audiences,” noted Vladyslav Garanko, CMO at Platipus Gaming. 

“Streaming is absolutely the future of online casino and this partnership enables us to leverage its huge potential.”

Livespins, which is already live with operator CasinoFriday.com, allows players to watch the slot stream and also get directly involved by betting behind the action in real-time. This creates a group bet and a shared experience but with each player choosing their bet value and number of spins.

Michael Pedersen, CCO at Livespins, added: “Platipus Gaming has earned a reputation for developing slots that stand out in game lobbies thanks to their striking design and big sound. Gameplay is also next level, with its slots packed full of features and bonuses.

“It is these qualities that make its slots perfect for streamers looking to excite and entertain their audiences with each spin. That we enable players to bet behind the action takes this a step further, and I look forward to our streamers and players enjoying this unique combination.”

This agreement is the second of its kind in the space of two days as it follows on from Livespins’ recent link-up with Booming Games.

The post Platipus hails streaming as ‘the future of casino’ following Livespins deal appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Under the terms of the collaboration, the partnership will see Booming Games integrate its entire suite of slots into the Livespins platform, allowing the provider’s streamer to play titles such as Cash Pig, Buffalo Hold and Win and Mighty Gorilla. 

“Livespins really is changing the way players experience online casino and we absolutely wanted to be a part of its revolution,” noted Frederik Niehusen, CCO at Booming Games. “We can’t wait to see the first of its streamers broadcast our games to players and for us to reach a wider audience than ever before.”

Livespins is already live on casinofriday.com, with players able to watch the slot stream and also get directly involved by betting behind the action in real-time. This creates a group bet and a shared experience but with each player choosing their bet value and number of spins.

Michael Pedersen, CCO at Livespins, added: “Booming Games is renowned for developing slots that pack a punch and they will undoubtedly prove to be a big hit with our streamers and of course the players they broadcast to.

“To deliver the action and excitement that players are seeking it is important for our streamers to be able to access slots that offer high levels of anticipation and entertainment with each spin, and Booming Games’ suite of titles do just that.

“This is yet another great studio partnership for us and we look forward to working with Booming Games and helping them fully leverage the power of live streaming.”

The post Booming Games ‘wanted to be part of its revolution’ via Livespins link appeared first on CasinoBeats.

This will see Livespins’ expanding group of streamers begin using the studio’s content for their streams with viewers able to bet behind them. The games set to become available include titles such as Gold Digger, Majestic Megaways and Crabbin’ Crazy Hold&Win.

Michael Pedersen, CCO at Livespins, noted: “We want to provide our streamers with access to the best online slots in the market and the addition of iSoftBet to our portfolio of developer partners allows us to do just that.

“We believe we have created an entirely new way for players to experience online casino but this is an experience that requires games that not only keep our streamers entertained but viewers and players also and iSoftBet certainly delivers in that regard.

“We are thrilled to be working with iSoftBet and look forward to adding even more providers to our list of partners over the coming weeks and months.”

As an additional incentive, the partnership will see the creation of a group bet and a shared experience on the same spin, with the player able to choose the bet amount and number of spins they prefer. 

With players able to join in by betting behind the streamer using Livespins’ platform, viewer engagement and interaction is said to be taken “to the next level”. 

Additionally, players can also communicate with the streamer and with each other throughout the stream, whilst reactions can also be added. 

“We believe this partnership will grow the iSoftbet brand strength and widen the opportunities to reach multiple players in specific markets and onto specific operators,” added Federica Faggiano, CCO at iSoftBet.

“It would be the first project of this kind for us, so we’re happy to have chosen a strong partner as Livespins to start this new journey together.”

The post Livespins and iSoftBet partner for streaming content appeared first on CasinoBeats.

With the event scheduled to take place on April 12-14, following the cancellation of the event in 2021 due to the pandemic. In the first of two articles, we checked in with our 100 Club members to unveil what their expectations are for the igaming conference. 

We asked: What are you expecting from ICE this year? 

Martin Hodges, Director of Marketing, Vivo Gaming

I’m expecting to see a lot of familiar faces that I haven’t seen in far too long. I’m also excited to meet people I haven’t seen in real life yet but have only interacted with through email or on video calls. It’s going to be interesting to find out how tall everyone actually is! 
 
Of course, reconnecting with our partners and clients will be a huge priority for us throughout the week.

Sarah Blackburn, Founder at GameOn

I’m expecting there to be a huge buzz and for it to be filled with people excited to have meetings and presenting new products and services. 

Although the timing of the event isn’t ideal, I think it will make people more selective as to the meetings they have and taking a more focused approach to their own business development strategy.

Abby Kimber, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Digital IOM

After what feels like a very long time, I’m expecting an exultant atmosphere at ICE this year. Although things are slowly getting back to normal, I think we all recognise that international travel might still be a little tricky depending on where you are located so I’m expecting a little less traffic but that means that we’ll get the chance for some more meaningful, in-depth conversations.

Joe Hall, Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer at Gift & Go

We’re expecting to show both the online and offline gaming sectors how integrating Gift & Go technology into their player reward programmes and user journeys can increase the key metrics for operators acquisition and retention teams.

Michael Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Livespins

I look at ICE 2022 very positively, finally the show is back in action, the wait is over. Will it be a different show this year? “Clearly, however, the fact that some exhibitors have pulled out or morphed into hospitality instead only equals opportunity for the brave and bold and we believe Livespins fits perfectly into that category of companies.

James King, Chief Executive Officer from Flows

For Flows we expect two things, the first is the opportunity to really push brand and product awareness to the largest face to face audience of the year and demonstrate to as many as possible the power of Flows. 

Secondly it’s to meet with current partners as well as those we’re already in talks with in person both on stand as well as at our hosted dinners.

Kevin McGinnigle, Founder of Positively Distinctive Media

I have no expectations for two reasons; 1) I’ve never exhibited at ICE before and have only ever been part of the crowd and 2) having moved the dates, I’ve no idea what to expect in terms of attendance. 

Of those who do attend, I would imagine they’ll be excited to get out of their houses and or/offices and put in some facetime. We’ve all been locked up far too long and it’s nice to be able to get back to some sort of normality. I know I am.

Suzanne Jiggens-Johnson, Marketing Director at Slots Temple 

We’re hopeful ICE will be just as exciting as previous years. It’s an important opportunity for us to reconnect with our partners, as well as discover new technologies and services. 

Being able to fully immerse ourselves in all the exciting developments happening in the industry at the moment is really important for us to be able to stay at the forefront of where the gambling industry is heading.

Oliver Niner, Head of Sales at PandaScore

We’re expecting great things from ICE after it’s long hiatus, particularly how much growth and success esports has experienced since the last conference, including PandaScore’s contribution to this.

Contributing to the ESIC conference running in tandem is a great opportunity to continue building greater integrity in esports and how the gambling sector engages with these competitions.

And seeing the global iGaming community together again and striving for further exciting product innovation is always fantastic.

Victor Pronk, Chief Commercial Officer of Incentive Games

With the event running up to the start of the Easter Holiday period, the ongoing uncertainty with regards to the pandemic, the situation in the Ukraine and the additional and continuously changing travel requirements we have already seen several big exhibitors that have withdrawn. 

Therefore we expect a smaller exhibition, that is more online focused and with a dominant UK/European visitor attendance. This is an opportunity for smaller innovative suppliers to step into the spotlight.

Tom Wood, Chief Executive Officer at RAW iGaming

ICE is an amazing opportunity for RAW iGaming to showcase for the first time our new, patent pending game engine, SuperSlice to a larger audience.  

We will also be revealing our up-and-coming SuperSlice games and new, secretive, patent pending innovations for selected operators. 

Lahcene Merzoug, Chief Executive Officer at PressEnter

There are some great conferences happening throughout the year like the SBC and CasinoBeats Summits and iGaming NEXT to name just a few but ICE is traditionally the biggest event of the year for igaming and where all the latest features and innovations are showcased. 

Although there will be less attendee’s than usual given that it is being held over the Easter holidays, we do anticipate more of the same, as many providers reveal new products for the first time and use ICE as the launchpad for their new offerings. 

We expect it to be a very busy event and our team is really looking forward to attending.

Nadiya Attard, CCO at Relax Gaming

I’m expecting to truly appreciate the value of face-to-face meetings once again. Technology has played a fantastic role in keeping business going over the last couple of years, but a Zoom meeting doesn’t hold a candle to the productivity of a group of like-minded people in a room together.

That being said, the gaming sector thrived in the adversity of the pandemic – innovating its way to success all the way through. This period of necessarily thinking outside the box will lead to some exciting new ideas, which always come to the fore at ICE. I wouldn’t miss this year’s show for the world!

Jeremy Coleman at Commercial Director at PearFiction Studio

A much smaller show with most of the big industry names missing. This is a shame but we cannot be surprised because the Easter/Passover week will be difficult for many attendees.

Lisa Karran, COO at Eminence

I expect it to be a very different event this year with more of a focus on getting together over huge exhibits on the expo floor. 

If people are not required to be manning large stands all day they will have more opportunity to attend educational sessions and networking. I’ve no doubt there will still be good attendance.

Helen Walton, CCO at G.Games

Reconnecting with some operators we haven’t been able to meet in person. We’re hearing a lot of negativity from some people about the event, but I think it will prove very effective still for the online gaming industry.

Paul Crisp, CMO at Symplify

A great event and a chance to get going. Meet face to face. Hear and understand challenges, present our vision in terms of creating solutions.

Gaming for us has always represented one of the most dynamic and fast moving industries, the more we get to speak to the people behind the curtains of the industry, the better.

Alberto Alfieri, Jada Gaming CEO and Co-Founder  

In a very hectic environment, due to the COVID emergency and more recently the international political turmoils, we expect ICE to represent a return to some sort of normality where meeting and getting together with colleagues and peers will be the most welcome novelty.

The post ICE 2022: What do CB100 members expect this year? appeared first on CasinoBeats.

One of the challenges which has faced online has been the replication of the land-based social experience. 

On the matter, Livespins – which launched in 2021 and bills itself as a provider of “socially-charged casino games” – believes it “cracks the code” when it comes to mixing gambling and social experiences. 

Speaking to CasinoBeats, Livespins’ chief commercial officer, Michael Pedersen, explained the premise of the company. He stated: “Livespins is on a mission to build incremental value for all stakeholders in our industry, as we are essentially creating a brand-new category of shared game experiences and appealing to a new segment of players. 

“We do this by taking a well-known bet format – bet behind – and merging it with the immersive world of casino live streaming, creating a never-seen-before social experience for players. 

“Essentially, players can watch their favourite streamer and bet behind their play, creating a group bet and shared experience on the same spin. Each player is also free to choose the bet amount and the number of spins they prefer. 

“I genuinely believe that Livespins cracks the code when it comes to mixing gambling and social experiences. To me, it brings together the old and the new, the simple and the complex, and the result is magic.”

Evaluating the current landscape for the streamer community, Pedersen noted that consumer interest in casino streaming “continues to grow at lightning speed” highlighting the slots category on the streaming platform Twitch which, according to the CCO, “delivered 280 million hours watch in the past year, which represents 91 per cent growth when compared to the previous year”.

“This in turn is attracting more streamers, who delivered 1.3 million hours broadcast over the past 12 months, an increase of 37 per cent,” explained Livespins CCO. “Looking at these headline numbers, it is fair to say that demand is accelerating at ever increasing pace and there is no doubt this entertainment format will continue to gain popularity in the months and years to come. 

“The shift towards casual gambling and more entertainment-focused, shared experiences will ramp up in the coming months.” 

Addressing how this sector can take the next step forward and push innovation further, Pedersen insisted: “The world is heading fast towards Web3.0 with fully collaborative and social virtual environments in the Metaverse. 

“If you look outside the gambling industry, this is already happening. For example, on Disney+ you can now group watch a streamed movie together while being in separate homes. The gambling sector is undoubtedly behind the curve right now, but it will quickly catch up as operators and suppliers continue to drive innovation around gambling, entertainment, social experiences and streaming. 

“What’s more, a wave of social commerce is happening in Asia, with more than one third of online shopping now done through a live streamed presenter, a trend that is quickly moving towards the West. 

“This is why I believe that live streaming and social commerce will reach significant mass in 2022 and Livespins is perfectly positioned to serve that market.”

On the community, Pedersen believes creating a feeling of community and connection to like minded players and streamers is the “cornerstone of this completely new category of game experiences”. 

Besides the different needs and wants of the player, who will follow their favourite streamers, Pedersen expressed that “it’s a much more engaging, interactive and fun way to play casino games and this will no doubt appeal to all types of players”.

On the back of the aforementioned, Pedersen was pressed on the importance of Livespins itself fostering a deeper social interaction with the community when the company launched. 

“This is exactly what the “bet behind” format does so beautifully,” its CCO exclaimed. “It is creating social interaction not only with a streamer but also with the other players who are joining in as a group, on the same thrilling ride of a spin’s outcome. 

“This is a very important element of the Livespins experience and it just makes the whole gameplay so much more entertaining. Players can socialise, but on their own terms.”

Looking towards the next 12 months, Livespins aims to establish “great partnerships” once out of its beta stage. 

He concluded: “Right now, the Livespins product is in beta stage and we are seeing some very encouraging results that both providers and operators will be excited about. 

“In 2022 we look forward to growing this new category of gambling by establishing great partnerships with the most innovative game providers and operators out there, and to truly drive incremental value to our partners. 

“Finally, products like Livespins align with the wider push on responsible gambling as the focus is primarily on fun and entertainment rather than unsustainable bet values and only seeking out big wins. 

“Regulators and investors are encouraging operators to shift to more casual play, and I expect this to intensify in 2022.”

The post Pedersen: Livespins ‘cracks the code’ for gambling and social experiences appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The proprietary platform allows multiple players to view their favourite streamer and bet behind their play, effectively creating a group bet and a shared betting experience on the same spin. Each player can choose the bet amount and number of spins they prefer.

Furthermore, an added degree of user engagement is gained by the ability to chat with the group and add reactions as the streamer spins the reels.

Robin Reed, co-founder at Livespins, commented: LiveSpins was founded with a vision to socially charge the igaming space. As we are moving to web 3.0 –  we need the industry to follow suit if we are to stay relevant and increase the appeal of our product. 

“Since delivering his master thesis on social media a decade ago, Michael has worked both on the supplier and operator side and has both the passion, experience and network needed to make LiveSpins valuable to users, game studios, streamers and operators alike. We are extremely pleased to see Michael join us”

Pedersen will manage all aspects of Livespins’ commercial strategy, including sales, account management and marketing. He will also be a key figurehead for the brand at conferences, media events and forums as it looks to expand its operations going into 2022.

“Livespins is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and innovative brands in the online gambling industry, and I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to add my commercial leadership experience to what is already a highly-skilled team,” Pedersen explained.

“I’ve been an early believer in creating social casino experiences, and the Livespins product has really cracked the code and is creating a completely new category in the casino space. 

“The simplicity of the bet-behind mechanic mixed with the unparalleled engagement only live streaming can offer will drive significant value for all stakeholders, and we look forward to establishing partnerships with the most innovative operators and game providers of our industry in the near future.”

The post Michael Pedersen joins socially-charged Livespins as CCO appeared first on CasinoBeats.

NEW online casinos are being launched every week, it seems. For many, it is an investment opportunity that will offer ‘x’ return over ‘y’ period.

The big numbers, however, are reserved for those that understand the market implicitly and who dare to be different. Letsbet.com went live earlier this summer with a vision to “stand out” and, within its first quarter of operation, paid out a €6m-plus win to a player.

Letsbet has been established with a vision to stand out – so what’s different about the Letsbet offer?

“It’s been essential for us to bring a new concept to market and to dare trying something new and not play it safe. That’s just who we are. Our mission is ‘To remove the feeling of isolation from the online casino experience’.

“We believe human beings are inherently social creatures and like being around other people, as long as they can control the level of interaction. For us, it’s about creating a social atmosphere online in a casino environment. We do that primarily through our in-house and top-notch live streaming studio, where our hosts entertain players with a range of casino content i.e. game reviews as well as daily news, gossip and quizzes where players can win extra goodies. We call it a ‘casino late-night talkshow’.

“We are live every evening. We are the first online casino in the world to offer a casino talkshow to players. In addition, players can communicate with our live hosts and other players through our proprietary ‘social messenger’, which is a central feature.”

Letsbet recently paid out a multi-million-euro jackpot on NetEnt’s Mega Fortune – how important are these wins in establishing credibility?

“We are very excited to have celebrated our first multi-millionaire after just three months of operation, especially an epic €6.7m – the biggest Mega Fortune win since 2016.

“These large jackpot wins are, in my opinion, the best marketing/PR tool in the industry as it immediately puts a stamp of trust on the brand and LetsBet immediately stands out from the crowd.

“In an industry with some 20 new casinos being launched monthly, establishing trust is probably the most essential success criteria for a new brand.”

How are your affiliate relationships developing, after all they love gaming brands
that ‘sell themselves’?

“LetsBet is enjoying a lot of attention from affiliates and it’s clear our unique product – with focus on live streaming and social features – has played an important role in establishing affiliate relationships. It’s clear our product is delivering on the promise of increasing retention rates and extending session times, which results in better value for all stakeholders including affiliate partners.

“Apart from the product, we pride ourselves in building great relationships with affiliates. We respect and see them as long-term business partners. We believe in being transparent and honest with each other and proactively seek feedback from them, which seems to be appreciated.

“I am strong believer in integrity, honesty and treating each other with respect… We must keep promises, honour agreements and not try to find loopholes”

“It’s however clear that many affiliates have been burnt – there are still cowboy operators around and affiliates have learned their lesson.

“At events, one can almost sense the initial mistrust and shallow conversations, only taking place as we need one another to generate profit. It’s an unfortunate situation.

“Since the beginning of time, establishing trust is the first step in any commercial transaction and I believe we have a lot of work to do still between operators and affiliates.

“I am strong believer in integrity, honesty and treating each other with respect. Being kind, being transparent. We must keep promises and honour agreements and not try to find loopholes and take advantage in the name of profit. I might be old-fashioned, but what happened to these values; to doing the right thing? Treating others as we want to be treated? Putting people before profits or at least at the same level?

“Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of great people with great values in this industry, but we can surely do better and – as Michael Jackson sang – it starts with the man in the mirror.”

The post New rules with an old-school approach – Letsbet’s Michael Pedersen appeared first on CasinoBeats.