Often armed with a congregation of dedicated fans, the door has opened for everyday people to build their name  by broadcasting themselves chatting, playing video games or placing wagers on an online casino. 

As online casino operators and suppliers have recognised the impact that streamers can have on exposure and acquisition, we spoke to Shane Roberts, a Kick streamer otherwise known as SH4NE_R, at SBC Summit to discuss how live streamed content has changed the marketing game.

Roberts explained how COVID had a seismic impact on streaming viewership, stating that “since the COVID era finished, we see a lot of people going online, watching a lot of short-form videos, YouTube, and a lot of the younger generation enjoy watching streamers rather than sitting down and watching soap operas or films. 

“During COVID,” he continued, “We had a huge spike with our stats, with our viewers, with our followers, because unfortunately everyone was stuck at home. People were gaming, people started watching Fortnite or Call or Duty streams or went to casinos to watch us rather than spend their own money.

“I think for streaming as a platform at the moment, we’re doing incredibly well. I think the industry is pushing towards streamers, especially in marketing with streamers because we are the face of a lot of casinos, rather than these advertisements that you’d get on TV with not many people watching. 

“We’re going up and up, I think there’s no stopping us now.” 

Describing the impact that Twitch regulation changes in 2022 had on himself and the rest of the casino streaming industry, Roberts said: “It was very difficult at the very start. I was originally streaming on Twitch and once we were told we were no longer allowed to stream on there, Kick was a new streaming platform that not many people knew about. 

“I think with Kick, the trust was built quite quickly because of the names and top streamers that all went over. It expanded dramatically and quickly and then got known for being where the streamers are for casinos.”

As many companies within the online casino industry have begun to form partnerships with slot streamers to produce content or represent certain brands, Roberts suggested that this form of branded content is “definitely something the viewers like”. 

“The viewers are our life and soul so expanding into producing a game, say a SH4NE_R game, with features that I like and my viewers like is very good, and probably very profitable to begin with. 

“The only issue we have seen with things like this in the past is that games like this, just like other games, get old. 

“Maybe if you were to continue releasing new games, or your own brand of slots where your face is on the slot and you’re releasing games weekly, or every other month, then I think it’s something that is definitely doable.” 

To hear Roberts discuss how the casino streaming industry aims to promote responsible gambling, and how the growth of slot streaming can continue, click here to watch the video above.

The post ‘There’s no stopping us now’ – the rise of slot streaming with SH4NE_R appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Online casino brands with access to Evolution’s product can now add the live streaming service to their platforms as a result of the integration, building on Evolution’s acquisition of the streaming brand completed in February. 

Michael Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Livespins, commented: “This is one of the biggest upsides we have been able to take advantage of following our acquisition by Evolution earlier in the year. One Stop Shop is a cutting-edge solution that allows operators to easily access Evolution’s market-leading content offering, now including Livespins.”

This will encourage social experiences within their casino lobbies as players become able to watch Livespins’ streamers play slots from suppliers partnered with Livespins, including Evolution-owned brands NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming and Nolimit City. 

Pedersen added: “We are thrilled to be lining up alongside the likes of NetEnt, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, and Nolimit City with Livespins set to become a household name among players as they become more familiar with the socially charged experiences our product provides.” 

Players can then bet along with the streamers’ gameplay, creating a shared player  experience where each user can communicate with one another using text, reactions, emojis and gifs as they join in on the action. 

Todd Haushalter, Chief Product Officer at Evolution, added: “We are delighted to have added Livespins to our One Stop Shop platform. 

“Operators know that players are seeking social experiences, and Livespins offers this in a unique way with players able to get directly involved by betting with the streamer. Those connected to our One Stop Shop platform can now easily integrate Livespins into their offering.”

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In June 2023, Twitch updated its content classification guidelines after the platform witnessed an increasing amount of content targeted to mature audiences, including gambling streams. 

The platform applied new rules to the ways in which content is labelled, requiring streamers to apply content classification labels to indicate that the streaming content they are broadcasting contains certain mature themes. 

Streamers were given six mature labels to apply to their streams: mature-rated games; sexual themes; drugs, intoxication or excessive tobacco use; violent and graphic depictions; significant profanity or vulgarity; and gambling. 

As the UK’s regulator for video-sharing platforms and online safety, Ofcom published an evaluation of Twitch’s rule changes earlier this month. 

The 66-page report concluded that content labelling has improved “significantly” since the introduction of CCLs, while finding that viewing behaviour and the type of content being streamed on Twitch hasn’t been “materially altered”. 

The report stated: “Following the CCL change, we saw an increase in creators labelling mature content as mature. We also saw a decrease in mis-labelling of streams as mature. 

“Separately, our analysis established a causal link between the CCL change and an increase in creators accurately labelling mature content as mature.”

Gambling streams

Evaluating gambling streams specifically, Ofcom found that prior to the CCL change, around 65% of gambling streams were being accurately labelled as mature.

While the evaluation didn’t state the percentage of gambling streams being accurately labelled as mature following the changes, it did suggest there had been “a sharp jump” in accuracy after studying streams within 30-days of the CCL change. 

Twitch has continued to reduce the accessibility of mature content, particularly gambling streams, to under-18 audiences with updated rules and regulations. 

In 2022, the streaming platform banned streamers from broadcasting footage from a number of unlicensed gambling websites, including Stake.com, Rollbit.com, Duelbits.com and Roobet.com. 

More recently, Twitch introduced a new feature to allow viewers to block specific CCL categories when navigating through streams, acting as a default filter for underage viewers. 

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Implementing Livespins’ streaming content into its crypto casino platform, Bad Hombre Gaming’s partners will be able to offer the chance to watch streamers as they play a selection of slot titles, with players able to interact with both the streamer and other viewers. 

Michael Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Livespins, stated: “Bad Hombre Gaming has innovation in its DNA, and this makes it the perfect partner for Livespins. We too sit at the cutting-edge of this industry and have changed the game for operators, suppliers and indeed players. 

“The demand for casino and slot streaming experiences is high, and with Livespins, this goes to a whole other level with the ability to bet behind the action taking place throughout the stream. 

“We are thrilled to have joined forces with Bad Hombre Gaming and look forward to seeing its operator partners offer socially-charged experiences to their players for the first time.” 

Stream viewers using Bad Hombre partners’ platforms will also be able to get involved in the action, using a group bet system to make similar bets on the same game. Using group bets, players can set their own bet limit and number of spins. 

Emil Brankov, Head of Casino Management at Bad Hombre Gaming, added: “From day one we have been committed to revolutionising the crypto casino and sports betting space and in Livespins we have a partner that has taken the same approach to slot streaming. 

“It’s bet behind system delivers unprecedented thrills and entertainment and our operator partners will absolutely want to offer this experience to their players.” 

Thanks to the social casino provider continuing to form alliances with suppliers across the industry, Livespins’ offering consists of proprietary slots from studios such as Nolimit City, 1X2 Network and Onlyplay. 

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They revealed the commencing of their streaming journey and how it has evolved over the years, reminiscing over when they ventured to fruit machines in pubs in order to capture them when they were ‘ready to payout’. 

Despite the legislation remaining very similar, the group analysed how the situation has changed dramatically, with casual play declining and cash usage falling at a rapid rate. 

William Barnes emphasised that the whole culture around fruit machines has changed, whereas previously players would play casually, they are now playing until they get a return. 

They then recounted how they went into the world of slots streaming and how the market for streamers has since become increasingly competitive, as they shone a light on the steps they took in order to ensure they standout.

William Barnes underlined that coming together and forming Dream Spin was key to their growth, as he revealed a shared aspiration they held for creating their own slots. 

James Rosen stated that issues with developers led to him being tentative over entering the world of slots creation. 

Josh Green went on to state that the whole mindset from the industry towards streamers and influencers has evolved, with the industry now viewing them ‘as a good bridge between community and players’. 

He added that they have become a strong metric for feedback when it comes to volatility as their understanding over the key elements of what makes a successful game gradually elevated. 

They gave credit to streamers that have worked in conjunction with developers in order to produce slots, however, they took a different approach and opted to take a punt on games – fuelled by a desire to own their product and games. 

To watch the full episode, click here.

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Now part of the Livespins experience, its streamers can unbox Onlyplay’s latest titles while showcasing its portfolio of slots to players that can also get directly involved in the action by betting behind the streamer.

Michael Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Livespins, said: “Onlyplay’s slots deliver the next-generation experiences that Livespins players love. We’re talking fast, thrilling gameplay that our streamers can get excited about, and our players bet behind.

“For Onlyplay, this deal provides a chance to get their games live with more operators than ever before, but outside of the traditional integration into the slots lobby. This new format of slot provision is what saw Livespins pick up its prestigious EGR B2B Award.

“We really are thrilled to see Onlyplay’s games added to the Livespins lobby and look forward to seeing the studio benefit from being on our platform.”

The integration includes Onlyplay’s complete catalogue of slot content, with games like Hot & Spicy Megaways and Happy Cookie set to become available to Livespins’ roster of slot streamers. 

While viewers are now able to enjoy their preferred Livespins streamers playing Onlyplay titles, they can also socialise with other viewers and the streamers themselves using gifs, text, emojis and reactions. 

Anna Serheieva, Head of Partnerships at Onlyplay, added: “Games produced by Onlyplay offer a fresh player experience. When developing games, we invent, improve and innovate in order to extend the range of emotions and fun they experience, adding features taken from social gaming, researching the interests and preferences of players, plus creating new games from scratch. 

“The excellence of the art and animations of Onlyplay games is definitely something to enjoy when watching Livespins’ streams.”
Through the deal, Onlyplay has become the latest supplier to add content to Livespins’ social offering, following similar deals with the likes of Evoplay, Jelly and SlotMatrix. 

Onlyplay’s slot content has been praised as offering “the next-generation experiences that Livespins players love” as the former agreed to add titles to Livespins’ streaming service. 

Now part of the Livespins experience, its streamers can unbox Onlyplay’s latest titles while showcasing its portfolio of slots to players that can also get directly involved in the action by betting behind the streamer.

Michael Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Livespins, said: “Onlyplay’s slots deliver the next-generation experiences that Livespins players love. We’re talking fast, thrilling gameplay that our streamers can get excited about, and our players bet behind.

“For Onlyplay, this deal provides a chance to get their games live with more operators than ever before, but outside of the traditional integration into the slots lobby. This new format of slot provision is what saw Livespins pick up its prestigious EGR B2B Award.

“We really are thrilled to see Onlyplay’s games added to the Livespins lobby and look forward to seeing the studio benefit from being on our platform.”

The integration includes Onlyplay’s complete catalogue of slot content, with games like Hot & Spicy Megaways and Happy Cookie set to become available to Livespins’ roster of slot streamers. 

While viewers are now able to enjoy their preferred Livespins streamers playing Onlyplay titles, they can also socialise with other viewers and the streamers themselves using gifs, text, emojis and reactions. 

Anna Serheieva, Head of Partnerships at Onlyplay, added: “Games produced by Onlyplay offer a fresh player experience. When developing games, we invent, improve and innovate in order to extend the range of emotions and fun they experience, adding features taken from social gaming, researching the interests and preferences of players, plus creating new games from scratch. 

“The excellence of the art and animations of Onlyplay games is definitely something to enjoy when watching Livespins’ streams.”

Through the deal, Onlyplay has become the latest supplier to add content to Livespins’ social offering, following similar deals with the likes of Evoplay, Jelly and SlotMatrix. 

The post Livespins lauds Onlyplay’s ‘thrilling gameplay’ in latest supplier deal appeared first on CasinoBeats.

As the operator aims to “strengthen what it can offer the market”, GiG-powered brands will be able to integrate Livespins’ streaming platform into their casino lobbies. 

Within Livespins’ content offering, GiG operators will benefit from a streaming platform that allows casino players to view a selection of streamers as they play games from slot suppliers partnered with the streaming service such as Yggdrasil, Relax Gaming and iSoftBet. 

Michael Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Livespins, commented: “GiG is one of the leading platform providers and powers a huge number of tier-one online casino brands in markets around the world.

“These operators and brands can now access a truly electrifying online casino product, allowing the players to enjoy a new and thrilling way to play.

“This not only includes being able to bet behind streamers and chat with other players, but they can also take part in our Lightning Tournaments and trigger our Lightning Jackpots for unrivalled fun and big-win potential.

“This is a really important deal for Livespins, and helps to further our mission to socially charge online casino play for all.”

While being able to watch a series of slot livestreams, players can also use Livespins’ group bet functions to bet behind the streamer, making similar plays on the same games to join in on the action. 

Helping to drive a social experience for players, Livespins’ also allows for viewers to talk amongst themselves and with the streamer via a dedicated chatroom, using reactions, emojis and gifs to respond to the gameplay. 

Marcel Elfersy, Chief Commercial Officer at GiG, added: “As a platform provider, we have always positioned ourselves as a leading provider of innovation in the online space, and the new relationship with Livespins and social gaming is very much a continuation of that, allowing our partners access to streaming service that add new opportunities and strengthen what we can offer the market.”

Livespins’ latest collaboration comes shortly after it formed a recent supplier partnership with Jelly, gaining access to the slot providers’ catalogue of online casino content.

The post GiG strengthens operator offering in ‘important’ Livespins partnership appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Before his appearance at SBC Summit Barcelona, Anthony Gaud, CEO at Gaudhammer Gaming Group (G3), spoke with CasinoBeats about the unlocked potential that esports offers to the igaming industry. 

In the second part of the interview, Gaud, who also acts as Chair of the Regulated Esports and Videogames Committee, detailed the efforts needed across industry regulation to see esports’ marriage with casino gaming thrive, while expressing a very personal love of Barcelona.

CasinoBeats: What potential do you think esports can bring to multiplayer slots and to the growing social aspect of modern casino games?

Anthony Gaud: The marriage of esports and video games with online casino gaming, especially multiplayer slots, has huge potential. Competitive gaming has shown that it can attract huge audiences and generate massive revenue, which should also prove to be the case for multiplayer slots. Players competing against one another in real-time will give online gambling a whole new dimension.

The social aspect of modern casino games could also be greatly enhanced by the inclusion of video games which often foster strong communities of players and fans who engage with one another through live-streaming events, social media, and online platforms.

The integration of social media, esports and casino gaming will attract a younger, tech-savvy audience familiar with competitive gaming. This will drive the next phase of expansion in the online casino industry and ensure its continued growth in the digital age.

However, it’s critical to note that this requires the development of modernised, regulated platforms to host these games, ensuring fair play, responsible gambling and strict adherence to gambling laws. This is something our company is uniquely positioned to do.

While the potential is significant, the powerful fusion of video games and casino gaming should be approached with caution to ensure responsible gaming practices are maintained and that any potential negative impacts, such as increased problem gambling, are mitigated.

CB: Slot streaming has taken the industry by storm in recent years. In what way do you think esports can mirror the popularity of streaming, and is there the possibility of slot streaming and Esports working hand in hand?

AG: There’s a lot to consider here. Esports and video game wagering and streaming have the potential to intersect beneficially, so yes, they will definitely work hand-in-hand.

It’s easy to see that there’s a huge audience interested in gaming content based on the popularity of streaming platforms like Twitch, which has had 7.4 billion streams so far in 2023, with video game and esports-related content contributing to the majority of this figure. 

This audience also intersects with the demographic that enjoys online wagering, making the integration of esports and slot streaming a promising venture. GaudHammer is well aware of this potential and has been actively exploring ways to use streaming for our upcoming gaming platform. In fact, we’ve partnered with several leading companies in the field to integrate streamers and content creators into our platform. We’re highly excited about the prospects and look forward to sharing more details soon.

It’s important to note that while we believe in the potential of this integration, we’re equally committed to ensuring it’s done right. There’s a troubling trend of underage audiences getting access to gaming and wagering content, which we strongly condemn.

It’s our firm belief that regulations need to be put in place to prevent this, and we are dedicated to doing our part to ensure our platforms are safe, responsible, and age-appropriate. We’re committed to leading the charge in this area, ensuring that our innovations in esports and slot streaming are as ethical as they are exciting.

CB: It won’t be too long until G3 is celebrating half a decade of operations. How would you say the company’s evolution has coincided with the growth of esports within the gambling world?

AG: Jim Hammerstedt and I started G3 as a follow-up to a private-public partnership with Atlantic City to attract younger visitors through esports. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we organised three events that were successful in bringing audiences 25-and-under to the resort. We got approached by a regulatory body about setting up a gambling video game platform after the pandemic hit. As a result, the company’s trajectory and focus completely changed. 

Our expertise in video game and platform development helped us create an innovative and disruptive product, but one that posed significant challenges as a first-mover. To accomplish this, we assembled a team of highly skilled developers from leading AAA video game platforms, including those who closely contributed to the development of Microsoft’s Xbox One platform.

While we considered ourselves experts in game development, we recognised the need for collaboration to understand the regulated wagering industry. For example, companies such as ‘Odds on Compliance’ helped us navigate multi-state online compliance effectively.

Our partnership with LexisNexis enabled us to integrate state-of-the-art biometric KYC and user authentication, ensuring maximum security and player safety. With the help of ‘Comtrade’, we also integrated top-notch player account management.

We undertook this considerable challenge because we firmly believe that video game and esports gambling are huge opportunities. We’re committed to staying at the forefront of innovation to lead the way. Lastly, we partnered with The Arena Group to create Esports Illustrated, the first mass media publication devoted to esports and competitive video games. 

Despite the fact that we just launched the portal in mid-April, we have already had over two million visitors to the site and have the backing of almost the entirety of esports game publishers, demonstrating the popularity of esports and the enthusiasm of the ecosystem to what we’re doing.

CB: As the Founder and Chair of the Regulated Esports and Video Games Committee, what standards do you think need to be prioritised to ensure player safety across these sectors?

AG: When we established the Regulated Esports and Video Games Committee, our primary objective was to educate regulators, legislators, and compliance organisations about the workings of regulated video games. We have achieved remarkable success in fulfilling that mission, and we are now preparing to expand into an independent organisation that will directly contribute to the development and certification of industry standards. 

While I am excited to share some significant announcements in the near future, I am not at liberty to disclose them at this time. I hope to make our initial announcement during the SBC Barcelona event, which would serve as an ideal platform for such an occasion.

CB: Finally, with a trip to SBC Summit Barcelona around the corner, what are you looking forward to most about the event?

AG: There are a lot of things I’m looking forward to at the upcoming SBC Summit. Barcelona holds a special place in my heart because, besides being a city that my family and I adore, my wife and I renewed our wedding vows here in 2012 after visiting several times. Spanish is my family’s heritage, and we are planning to retire here, so this city is extra special. 

I’m most excited about the SBC Summit because I’ll be able to talk about my greatest passion – video games. The fact that SBC takes esports and video gaming seriously is a testament to their forward-thinking approach.

This is a rare opportunity to broaden both the video gaming and igaming industries, to introduce innovative and exhilarating products, and to introduce a new vertical that I believe will be the most impactful yet. I’m thrilled that GaudHammer will play a part of this history in the making.

I echo Humphrey Bogart’s character Rick Blaine in Casablanca when talking about the merging fields of gaming and gambling, “This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”.

This month, the CasinoBeats 100 Club will be exploring the world of multiplayer slot titles and has tasked the industry with the following question: 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?

To join the 100 Club and offer your insights into this topic, sign-up here.

The post GaudHammer Gaming Group: multiplayer igaming and streaming slots appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Integrating Livespins streaming technology into in-house online casino brands such as YoYo Casino, CampoBet, Cadabrus, Betinia, and LightCasino, Soft2Bet’s players will be able to bet behind their preferred streamers within these brands’ platforms. 

Michael Pedersen, Chief Commercial Officer at Livespins, explained: “Soft2Bet is behind some of the most popular brands in the market and players at these sites can now enjoy an entirely new way of experiencing online casinos with Livespins.

“This really is the most exciting, engaging and interactive way to experience casino and slot play because, unlike other streaming products, players can get directly involved in the action taking place across the reels. 

“This is a great partnership for us, and it is a testament to the appetite among operators to tap into the popularity of live streaming responsibly.”

Looking to reach “the next level of user engagement”, Soft2Bet’s latest partnership will see its players watch streamers as they play titles from Livespins’ partnered suppliers – including Yggdrasil, Relax Gaming and iSoftBet – with the ability to place the same wagers as the influencers.

Interaction with the streamers is also made available, with viewers leaving comments, emojis and reactions on the stream to create “even greater social engagement” for Soft2Bet, its casino brands and their players. 

Gilad Naim, Chief Commercial Officer at Soft2Bet, added: “We are committed to providing the best online casino experience to players across our brands, and this partnership with Livespins allows us to bring a next-generation casino product straight into the game lobbies of sites such as Betinia, YoYo Casino, and Campo Bet.

“Slot streaming is the future of online casinos, and in Livespins, we have a platform provider that allows us to offer this to our players now.”

The post Soft2Bet to host slot streams as latest Livespins partner appeared first on CasinoBeats.

In October 2022, the streaming platform issued a ban on content from websites offering slots, roulette or dice games that aren’t licensed in the US or other jurisdictions that “provide sufficient consumer protection”, with an approximate 75 per cent drop in viewership reportedly felt in the immediate aftermath. 

Offering an update, Twitch has noted that these consumer protections include the likes of deposit limits, waiting periods, and age verification systems.

“After monitoring the update’s impact for the last year—as well as hearing directly from you—it became clear that some people were circumventing those rules, and that further steps were necessary,” a statement read.

Furthermore, a list of prohibited sites that was established almost ten months ago included the likes of Stake, Rollbit, Duelbits, and Roobet, with Blaze and Gamdom becoming the latest additions.

Noting that “we may identify other sites as we move forward,” the update continued: “As with all of our policies, your account may receive an enforcement if you stream these prohibited sites.  

“That said, we know this may be an adjustment for some, and will be levering warnings in addition to suspensions in applicable cases in order to be fairer to streamers who may not have understood the change yet.” 

In an update on X, Twitch added that “our goal now, as it was last fall, is to protect our community, address predatory behaviour, and make Twitch safer.”

Following these aforementioned rule changes being implemented, KICK, backed by Stake (Everton’s current front-of-shirt gambling sponsor) Co-Founders Ed Craven and Bijan Tehran, was founded in October 2022 and welcomed an array of slots streamers.

A number of headlines subsequently followed, including the migration of a number of top streamers, as well as exclusive co-title partnerships with the likes of Sauber Motorsport and Alfa Romeo esports teams, as well as becoming an official sleeve and streaming partner of Everton FC.

KICK currently offers creators a 95/5 split of subscription revenue generated on their channel, compared Twitch’s 50/50 and YouTube’s 70/30.

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