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  • Delasport to provide JNS Gaming’s Lynxbet with its sportsbook, casino, PAM and managed services solutions | Yogonet International

    Delasport to provide JNS Gaming’s Lynxbet with its sportsbook, casino, PAM and managed services solutions | Yogonet International

    iGaming solutions supplier Delasport announced a new strategic partnership with IOM-licensed JNS Gaming to supply the Lynxbet brand with its Sportsbook, Casino, PAM, and managed services solution.

    “This new partnership will build on both companies’ goals to provide the best player experience and a rich offering, with Delasport delivering a robust, fully-featured, turnkey iGaming platform solution,” the company stated.

    Alongside a selection of Casino games, Live Casino, and a full-stack Sportsbook, Delasport’s offering also provides “modern and sophisticated” cross-product player engagement tools like tournaments, mission, badges, spin-to-win and the ‘My Era’ suite of features like My Sportsbook, My Event Builder and If Bet, which Delasport claims take personalization “to the next level.”

    LynxBet is a new online casino and sportsbook brand inspired by the metaverse, whose mascot, the Lucky Lynx, “takes players on a journey across multiple gaming verticals through his imaginative world, the Land of LynxBet.”

    “Alongside a sportsbook and immersive casino games, players will find responsible gaming measures, bonuses, and fast and innovative payment methods, with various cryptocurrency options available,” a press release describes LynxBet.

    Oren Cohen Shwartz

    Oren Cohen Schwartz, CEO at Delasport, said: “We are very pleased with our latest partnership with JNS gaming and look forward to growing their brand with premium Sportsbook and Casino products boosted by our unique set of tools and technologies.”

    “Lynxbet players will soon be able to enjoy powerful personalization and gamification features. Delasport’s cross-product engagement tools, like tournaments and missions, will allow Lynxbet to spice up the betting experience of their players with extra awards,” he added.

    For his part, Jeremy Taylor, CEO at JNS, commented: “We are very excited to be partnering with Delasport for the next phase in our journey. We took our time to ensure we found the right partner that could deliver on both our ambitious product and growth aspirations and customer experience. They have fantastic products, a strong innovation roadmap, and a great reputation.”

    “We want to build a player experience and brand that stands apart from the hundreds of white label operations and Delasport shares in this philosophy. Strategic alignment, trust, and a genuine partnership approach are vital to us, and we have full confidence that they will take us to the next level and beyond. Exciting times are ahead for LynxBet,” he concluded.

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  • SOFTSWISS launches new Tournament Tool for its Game Aggregator clients | Yogonet International

    SOFTSWISS launches new Tournament Tool for its Game Aggregator clients | Yogonet International

    iGaming solutions provider SOFTSWISS announced Wednesday its Game Aggregator has launched a new exclusive solution, the Tournament Tool. The product allows creating and managing tournaments on the basis of games and game providers that are available for all Game Aggregator clients, regardless of a casino platform provider.

    The Tournament Tool allows operators to run campaigns with flexible and easy setup configurations and the possibility to include any casino game in a tournament. To start a campaign, the operator does not need to seek approval from the game provider. 

    The extensive functionality allows running various reach rounds, including local tournaments for one or several projects within the same casino, network tournaments, and SOFTSWISS network tournaments for SOFTSWISS clients only. 

    The tool offers five winner selection strategies: the highest multiplier, the total win amount, the sum of all multipliers, the total spin number, and the total bet amount. “The tool’s functionality will continue to expand progressively, offering more benefits to clients,” said the company.

    The main advantage of the tool is the in-game communication between the operator and the player, notes SOFTSWISS. The in-game tournament interface provides players with the latest information on the rules, current leaderboard, list of active and completed tournaments.

    “Launching a new campaign via the Tournament Tool takes just 30 minutes, which saves time and effort of users,” a press release explains. “The number of simultaneous tournaments is unlimited.”

    Tatyana Kaminskaya, Head of SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, commented: “Players always seek new gaming experiences. The Tournament Tool allows operators to launch bright and engaging campaigns and give players unique adversarial experiences, motivate them to play. In addition, in 2023 we will expand and supplement the Tournament Tool’s functionality and analytical capabilities.”

    The SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator is a content hub that unites 13,000+ games and 270+ international clients on the iGaming market. The product was named the Aggregator Platform of the Year at EGR B2B Awards 2022 and Game Aggregator of the Year at Starlet Awards (5 Star).

    Just days away from the first major event of the year, ICE London 2023, Yogonet held an exclusive interview with Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS, on the online casino and sports betting software provider’s plans for the major event.

    At stand N8-231, the business will be showcasing the ‘ecosystem’ of its top-performing iGaming products, with company representatives at hand to discuss the advantages of the SOFTSWISS cross-product integration and the company’s product and service offerings.

    “We have high expectations for this expo, probably the same as other major iGaming players. Last time we showcased at ICE London was before the pandemic, and this year we are coming back loud – with a large team, impressive stand, updated solutions, and being an exclusive partner to the industry’s most iconic Fire & Ice party,” he said. 

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  • “An eloquent testimony to the importance EGT places on ICE is that this year we will be present with our largest stand to date” | Yogonet International

    “An eloquent testimony to the importance EGT places on ICE is that this year we will be present with our largest stand to date” | Yogonet International

    As the gambling industry navigates its post-Covid era, with a promising rebound in place in many jurisdictions all over the world, prospects look good for EGT. The global gaming products supplier closed a successful 2022, in which it expanded its presence in several jurisdictions worldwide, attended a large number of exhibitions and summits, and furthered its commitment to iGaming.

    With 2023 in full force and one month already in the rearview mirror, EGT now prepares for a showcase at the latest edition of ICE London, to take place February 7 – 9, at ExCel London. As the event returns to its traditional dates and major land-based sector companies confirm their presence, the major event promises to deliver its biggest edition on record yet, reuniting gaming’s main stakeholders under one roof.

    Ahead of the exhibition, Yogonet caught up with Nadia Popova, Chief Revenue Officer and VP of Sales & Marketing at EGT, on what to expect from the company’s participation, what opportunities ICE brings to the business, and much more.

    What products will the business focus on at the event, and what will attendees approaching EGT’s booth find?

    As always we have prepared an impressive selection of products for our guests at ICE London. Alongside EGT’s top performers on display will be many new highly-potential slot propositions. Our casino management system Spider will show its latest modules and many new developments elaborated specifically for different markets will make their debut as well. We will also demonstrate our latest AWP solutions for Belgium.

    This year our subsidiary EGT Digital, offering a full range of iGaming solutions, will be participating in ICE London for the very first time. The main highlights in its product display will be the in-house developed all-in-one betting platform X-Nave with its new modules, as well as the rich variety of captivating gaming titles. This is one of our newest business verticals on which we will put a strong focus in the coming years.

    Given ICE London’s status as one of the major global events in the industry, what are your expectations and objectives for the expo?

    ICE London is among the most significant events for us and an eloquent testimony to the importance we place on it is the fact that this year EGT will be present with its largest stand to date – nearly 2,000 sq m.

    I expect this year’s edition to be very strong and well attended, I think that it might even exceed the results from our previous participation in 2020, which has been very successful.

    How would you describe the current demands from the industry and your clients at the time? What markets will you focus on at the expo?

    I think that the gaming industry is currently developing at a fast pace and I believe that this trend will continue in 2023. We are pleased to announce that EGT has now not only reached, but even surpassed its achievements from 2019.

    We expect to have many meetings with current and potential customers mainly from Europe, but we believe that as always our products will be of interest to operators and industry experts from other parts of the world too.

    That same week, EGT will compete in the Casino Supplier of the year category in the 6th edition of the Global Gaming Awards London (GGA). What does this recognition mean for the company?

    In EGT we are constantly striving to give the best products and services to our customers and partners. The nomination for Casino Supplier of the year in the prestigious competition Global Gaming Awards London is a great honor for us. It is a recognition of our tireless efforts that we appreciate a lot.

    What other industry events does the company plan to attend this year?

    After ICE London EGT will take part in a number of other gaming exhibitions, the first of which is FIJMA in Madrid.

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  • ELLE’s Complete Guide to the 22 Best Thrift Stores in New York City

    ELLE’s Complete Guide to the 22 Best Thrift Stores in New York City

    You thought I was going to begin a story about New York City’s best thrift stores with a Macklemore lyric? Please.

    I’m going to start with a Little Mermaid lyric: “Look at this trove, treasures untold/How many wonders can one cavern hold…I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty/I’ve got whozits and whatzits galore…But who cares? No big deal,/I want more.”

    I don’t think there were any Plato’s Closets under the sea, but the mermaid’s words certainly resonate with thrifters. Once you’ve caught the secondhand bug, it becomes a full-fledged hobby. And with a metropolis as robust as New York City, you better believe the thrifting market is full of one-of-a-kind finds.

    “There is something about New York,” says Kathleen Sorbara, owner of Chickee’s Vintage in Williamsburg. “People don’t have a lot of space, so there’s always going to be that supply-and-demand in thrift stores simply because people are always getting rid of things because they don’t have enough space in New York City.” (I never thought I’d be grateful for Manhattan’s tiny closets, that is, until the day I stumbled upon a vintage Fendi top. God bless.)

    But where to start? There are a lot of shops purveying everything from secondhand handbags to Hypebeast sneakers. Janelle Best, the owner of Williamsburg’s Shop 86, admits it can feel impossible to thrift in New York City. Whether you’re a born-and-bred New Yorker or just visiting for a weekend getaway, you’ve got to be a strategic shopper.

    So I dug deep, polling fashion editors and industry insiders to find out which of the city’s thrift stores and vintage shops are actually worth a subway ride. Ahead, find all you need to know about the best thrift stores in NYC.

    (Editor’s Note: Each store has been sorted into the following categories. $ signifies a shop with most items under $100; $ signifies one with a wide range, mostly between $50-200; and $$ indicates a shop with few to no items under $100 and many upwards of $200+)

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  • “Our primary objective at ICE London is to present our Merkur World, in all its sectors, to visitors from across the globe” | Yogonet International

    “Our primary objective at ICE London is to present our Merkur World, in all its sectors, to visitors from across the globe” | Yogonet International

    The upcoming edition of ICE London is now only one week away from launch, and expectations are as high as they could be. The global industry is set to reunite once again at ExCel London for what promise to be three stacked days of networking, education and gaming novelties at one of the major events for the sector, now occupying a record 51,466 sqm of net space and 41 halls.

    Among companies returning to London for ICE’s first truly grand-scale edition since the pandemic is Merkur Gaming. There, the gaming brand, part of the German-based Gauselmann Group, will showcase its latest products at a massive booth display, where the business will be joined by its sister companies and representatives from a variety of the countries in which it has a market presence.

    Ahead of the event, Yogonet caught up with David Orrick, director of Industry Relations with Merkur Gaming, on what the brand’s showcase will be like, the importance of ICE London’s return to its pre-pandemic glory days, and how the company was able to keep innovation at the forefront during the pandemic.

    The company will be participating in the upcoming edition of ICE London with what it called “the biggest and brightest booth display in London’s ExCeL north halls.” What will attendees approaching the stand find?

    Walk through the well-signed N4 door at ExCel and you will be very welcome at Merkur World. Take a quick look around or walk first to the well-staffed Info Booth then prepare to be excited and motivated by the range of products on display. You will find a wide range of Linked Jackpot Progressive systems: Link Zone, Solar Link, China Charms, the Legend of Fulu Chen and Red Pocket, plus the Merkur Mystery display.

    Add to that a new Jackpot making its international show debut, the simply named ‘Five’, a brand new and unique cabinet innovation ‘Zonic’, a range of new games destined to become strong sensations in their multigame application and not forgetting an impressive theatre style presentation of the Merkur Roulette and it is very clear there is much to see and perhaps play for yourself.

    Given ICE London’s status as one of the major global events in the industry, what are your expectations and objectives for the expo?

    After almost three years of wait, ICE is back on its traditional dates and venue. It is a hugely welcome return to a show that Merkur regards as its ‘home event’. As the whole world has changed since 2020 so too has the entire dynamic of the gaming industry itself.

    Gaming, both land-based and online, has expanded into a landscape where content is King, entertainment in gaming is more critical than ever and so too is the important social responsibility element of the entire industry. Merkur is an established omni-channel solutions provider and our primary objective at ICE is to present our Merkur World, in all its sectors, to visitors from across the globe.

    We expect a great show: one that will still have challenges to meet but one that hopefully can return ICE to its place of world dominance in the gaming B2B exhibitions sphere.


    Merkur's booth at G2E 2022, in November

    Merkur Gaming will be supported by other members of the gaming family at the expo, including regional subsidiaries, Merkur eSolutions, and online gaming specialist edict eGaming. What can you tell us about this multi-area approach to gaming?

    The Merkur presentation represents, as already stated, our global omni-channel solutions status. That is why we have strong reputation from our many national subsidiaries such as Merkur Dosniha from Spain, Merkur Gaming Netherlands, Blueprint from the UK (with its separate presentations for both online and land based gaming); representation from our Latin American companies in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Peru; and national representations from Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia who, together with colleagues, bring our strong presence across Europe, and beyond, to the fore.

    The event comes as we enter a new year for gambling. What is your assessment of the company’s performance in 2022, and what should we expect from it in 2023?

    As could be expected, the post-pandemic year 2022 saw the gaming industry’s gradual, and successful, recovery worldwide. But even through the darkest days of the pandemic, its enforced shutdowns and its subsequent financial downturns, Merkur kept on working: particularly in the areas of research and development and product planning. Many of the innovations to be seen from Merkur at ICE 2023 are the direct result of that outstanding commitment to keep working, no matter what the challenges.

    What other industry events does the company plan to attend in 2023?

    While the Merkur 2023 show calendar is still being fine-tuned, it can be expected that our success in and our commitment to Latin America will see us return in strength to Lima for the Peru Gaming Show, our growth across eastern Europe, the Balkans and beyond will dictate our presence in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria and, of course, we will have our traditional major presence at G2E in Las Vegas in the autumn. Our clients expect our presence at these, and other events and, as always, our commitment to our customers remains as strong as ever.

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  • “Alfastreet is very positive about ICE London, and we expect a huge turn-out of our customers and partners” | Yogonet International

    “Alfastreet is very positive about ICE London, and we expect a huge turn-out of our customers and partners” | Yogonet International

    ICE London 2023 is just around the corner. The showcase, which will kickstart the year for many of the major players in the gaming sector, will see companies from all over the world exhibit their latest products and solutions at ExCeL London, providing a glimpse into the future of the industry. Alfastreet is no stranger to this yearly event. 

    In conversation with Yogonet, CEO Tjasa Luin Peric spoke about this upcoming edition, and explained that the pre-ICE month is always the busiest one for the business. “This year we will have to make some additional efforts,” she pointed out, as some of the products are currently being built. However, most of the new developments were finalized in the past months. 

    Peric further tells Yogonet that Alfastreet will be showing a new key single terminal named Verso. “This product will be unique in its class, offering absolutely competitive solutions to satisfy even the most demanding operators,” the CEO noted.

    The development process began with Verso’s design, combined with different materials and solutions to guarantee long-time successful operation, according to the executive. Alfastreet also updated its R5 product and will showcase it along with new wall displays, signages and software solutions.

    Alfastret's stand at ICE 2022.

    “New cabinets, new software solutions, new graphics and new video content are in the second phase of development, preparing to be unveiled at the ICE gaming exhibition. Alfastreet is very positive about the upcoming event, and we expect a huge turn-out of our customers and partners,” Peric commented. 

    The company is also preparing a special, extended lounge area in its stand, adding to the environment that they usually provide. “After almost three years of reduced travels and face-to-face meetings, the Alfastreet sales staff can’t wait to meet everybody in the upcoming gaming shows,” she added. 

    When it comes to the current demands from the industry and its clients, Peric explained that the company has diversified according to each market. “Alfastreet needs to adapt its solutions to a vast range of requirements to keep its competitiveness and offer unique solutions to its customers,” the CEO noted. 

    “Due to the increasingly stringent regulations worldwide it is not always possible to satisfy every wish from the customers, but they still manage to come very, very close,” the executive assured. “The highly capable and knowledgeable staff in dedicated departments has the wealth of 30-year experience and the drive to implement future solutions and technologies into products that keep setting the standard in the industry.”

    However, Peric deems these times as difficult: “Managing is challenging since we are coping with huge delays in the material supply.” The company expects this situation to improve in the coming months to allow it to complete all the orders and deliveries to its customers. 

    “For this ICE show, we expect our customers from different parts of the world, surprisingly this year we will also have more operators from LATAM and Asian markets,” she stated. 

    Peric added that the company’s ambitions for 2023 are higher compared to last year’s as it is expecting at least a 30% improvement in sales results. “2023 will be very intensive and challenging because of all the ongoing development and novelties planned for January 2024,” the Chief Executive tells Yogonet.

    Alfastreet has achieved a strong position in the global gaming market as it always prioritizes new developments, a practice that will remain unchanged, according to the company’s CEO. Therefore, Peric assures there is a “massive investment” of resources and time into new projects, some of which will be already prepared “for the beginning of next season.”

    The company is planning several private presentations and exhibitions in the coming months, but the final marketing plan will be confirmed by the end of January. The company will also be exhibiting at major regional gaming shows, and it will attend this year’s Singapore showcase in May. 

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  • Digitain announces official launch of Relum casino engine to take place at ICE London | Yogonet International

    Digitain announces official launch of Relum casino engine to take place at ICE London | Yogonet International

    Digitain is set to officially launch its Relum casino engine at the upcoming edition of ICE London 2023. The product is described as “a casino engine with a rich game portfolio and promotional tools” such as Jackpot, Tournament, and Free Game, powered by “cutting-edge technology.”

    Emil Hakobian, Relum’s CEO, said: “2023 is meant to become the defining year for our company. Honestly, it still amazes me to realize how much we have already achieved. With such an ambitious start in 2022, our further steps are to secure the success we have already achieved in software solutions development.”


    Vardges Vardanyan

    For his part, Vardges Vardanyan, Founder of Relum and Digitain Group, commented:  “We are thrilled to bring Relum to the market. We have worked tirelessly to develop the Casino Engine with Game Aggregator. We are confident that Relum will quickly become a leading company in the industry.”

    In terms of results, Relum, which was launched in early 2022 “by a team with many years of international iGaming experience,” provides instant access to over 13.000 games from more than 160 content providers, according to the company. In a press release, Relum said its focus for 2023 will be to expand and develop the existing tools to support its partners’ business growth.

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  • Circa Sports announces Circa Square bets in celebration of Super Bowl | Yogonet International

    Circa Sports announces Circa Square bets in celebration of Super Bowl | Yogonet International

    Las Vegas-based sports betting brand Circa Sports has announced Circa Square bets. In a statement, the company highlighted no Super Bowl is complete without a game of football squares, reason why it is launching its own spin on the tradition, taking place during the Big Game on February 12.

    Available at all Circa Sports venues and mobile app markets, the bets are based around a board that has the two team names on each axis and the numbers 0-9 running down both sides. Circa Squares are booked with fixed odds, meaning the odds on a betting ticket do not change and will be paid out if won. 

    Although based on the same concept as traditional football squares – with the combination of the last digits of each team’s score at the end of each quarter determining which bettors win – the company notes its Circa Squares offering is set apart by the following rules:

    • Bettors get to choose whichever squares they want

    • Bettors can bet as many squares as they would like

    • Bettors can choose different squares for different quarters

    • Squares are available for the first, second and third quarters, as well as the final score

    • Each square within each quarter has its own odds, and combinations that are less likely to happen pay out more than those that are more likely to occur

    Each squares bet must be a minimum of $1, notes Circa. Once bettors choose their squares, a winning square will be determined at the end of the first, second and third quarters, in addition to the end of the game. The winner is determined by looking at the last number in each team’s score, and then matching those numbers on the grid and seeing which square intersects those two numbers.

    Bettors will be able to participate in Circa Squares wagering at all six Circa Sports locations throughout the State of Nevada, as well as on the Circa Sports mobile apps in Nevada, Colorado, and Iowa. More information on the rules and the Circa Squares can be found here.

    Additionally, the company will also celebrate Super Bowl at its downtown Las Vegas properties with the return of the Big Game Bash. Taking place throughout Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, visitors will be able to cheer on the competing teams during six events. The festivities will range from parties in the world’s largest sportsbook at Circa; private Man Caves with plush couches and unlimited food & beverage; and outdoor watch zones with views of pyrotechnics and visual effects.

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  • Aristocrat Gaming appoints Marie Hubaud as Senior Market Manager for France | Yogonet International

    Aristocrat Gaming appoints Marie Hubaud as Senior Market Manager for France | Yogonet International

    Aristocrat Gaming announced Friday that it has appointed experienced slot games specialist Marie Hubaud to the newly created role of Senior Market Manager for France. She will report to Erik van den Berg, General Manager of EMEA.

    Chris Rowe, Managing Director of LATAM & EMEA, Aristocrat Gaming, said: “France is a key market for Aristocrat Gaming. Over the last decade, we’ve established a significant footprint across French gaming floors and a loyal following among players.”

    “Marie has extensive market knowledge and will serve as a conduit of support for our longstanding SFM distributor, Société Française de Commercialisation d’Appareils Automatiques (SFC2A). We look forward to strengthening our partnership with them and the many French operators with whom we have shared much success in recent years,” Rowe added.


    Chris Rowe, Managing Director of LATAM & EMEA.

    A graduate of SKEMA Business School, Lille, and an Executive Master of Business Administration in Digital Strategies, Hubaud was most recently Sales & Marketing Director at LUDI SFM for six years and has also served in senior commercial, marketing, and management roles for a diverse range of blue chip brands in the FMCG and pharmaceutical sector.

    Earlier this month, the company confirmed its attendance at the upcoming ICE London showcase. The company will be exhibiting its For Sale Link products at stand S6-250, including Mo Mummy, Ji Cai Hao Yun, and Tian Ci Jin Lu, along with Mighty Cash Ultra and 5 Dragons Ultra. The business will also debut links on Aristocrat’s MarsX Dual cabinets.

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  • An overview of the Latin American online gambling market and opportunities | Yogonet International

    An overview of the Latin American online gambling market and opportunities | Yogonet International

    Latin America is a diverse region, and this is demonstrated well in its approach to the online gambling sector. In his latest column for Yogonet, iGaming industry consultant Ron Mendelson shares a brief analysis of the key jurisdictions in Latin America, including Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.

    Simply put, each country takes a completely different approach, including outright bans, partial regulation, full regulation, and no regulation. This fragmented legal framework can be challenging for operators who want to work in the region, but the vast potential for growth and development means it is worth navigating. 

    The betting market across all of Latin America is set to triple between 2020 and 2025, surpassing $3 billion by the start of 2026. This unprecedented and impressive growth will be predominantly fuelled by three countries; Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.

    Brazil

    Brazil is the most populous country in Latin America, with over 200 million inhabitants- more than half of which have mobile phones. Currently, online gambling is not allowed, but that doesn’t mean Brazilians are not gambling online.

    In 2022, more than half of Brazilians said they gamble online at least one to three times a week. As for favourite casino game, roulette tops the bill along with soccer betting. Around 80% of Brazilian adults say they bet or have bet on soccer at least once. 

    As of 2018, the Brazilian government announced it would license some online gambling sites at a hefty fee of $4.4 million for a five-year license. But by December, ex-president Jair Bolsanaro had failed to sign off on the regulations before the two-year deadline, plus an extension of two years expired, meaning the entire process must go back to square one. Currently, operators regulated elsewhere are tolerated, but there are high hopes that new regulations will be proposed to regulate the local market better.

    Furthermore, there are potential plans afoot to end certain lottery monopolies and open up the sector to other stakeholders.

    Mexico

    The online gambling sector in Mexico has been growing due to a change in Mexican lifestyles and an increase in disposable income. This, combined with more smartphones, quicker internet, and more accessibility, means the demand for online gambling and betting in the country has been rising steadily. In fact, almost 40% said they bet on sports online, while a quarter plays online lottery draws. Between now and 2026, the sector’s value is set to grow at a rate of 22.9%, far more than many of its neighbors. 

    As for preferences, Mexican players prefer casino games and sports betting, particularly soccer. As for regulation, this began back in 2016, and the country is currently served by locally regulated operators as well as those based outside of the country. The Mexican market is ripe for the picking, whether you want to get regulated locally or offshore and provide your betting and gambling services to Mexican players.

    Colombia

    As for Colombia, the regulatory system is complicated, but the great potential remains. In 2016, the government legalized some forms of online gambling but promptly brought everything under the control of the state. Private companies can only operate with special government permission, and proceeds should be used for social purposes. 

    But again, this does not mean that offshore-licensed online gambling companies cannot provide their services to those in Columbia. As of the end of 2022, there were over seven million registered iGaming accounts bringing in a revenue of $5.3 billion a year. There are many more opportunities left to unlock as the total population is over 51.5 million, with smartphone ownership rates of 72%.

    Fast Offshore

    If you want to find out more about expanding into Latin America, Fast Offshore can help. We have been working in Latin American jurisdictions for the last 26 years and have extensive experience and knowledge of local regulations, preferences, processes, and more. Not only that, but we can also help you get set up in offshore jurisdictions that allow you to offer your services throughout the region. Our team can assist with company incorporation, licensing, structuring, payments and ongoing compliance- all you have to do is ask. To find out more about online gambling in Latin America or to get set up as an operator, contact Fast Offshore today.

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  • What are the Hottest iGaming Trends for 2023? SOFTSWISS shares expert industry report | Yogonet International

    What are the Hottest iGaming Trends for 2023? SOFTSWISS shares expert industry report | Yogonet International

    Local regulation, metaverse gaming and data privacy as a priority – these are some crucial industry trends for the current year, according to the latest column by iGaming tech provider SOFTSWISS. The company, which has10+ years of expertise in the field, has analyzed the results and market changes in 2022 to share a data-driven report on the Hottest iGaming Trends for 2023.

    The report covers the trends related to payments and licensing, player behaviour, operations, gamification, and security. The insights are based on the data from 600+ SOFTSWISS clients, expertise of the key company specialists, and industry experts survey results.  

    PAYMENTS AND LICENSING 

    60% of the third-party experts surveyed by SOFTSWISS named Payments and Licensing as the most crucial category influencing the iGaming industry. 

    In 2023, more markets worldwide are expected to become locally regulated. This trend is strengthening as certain countries, including Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands, are withdrawing from their registrations with international gaming authorities.

    In terms of payments, operators need to ensure:

    • Abundance of well-established payment options

    • Localisation of financial modules 

    The integration of Apple Pay and Google Play could serve as a sound springboard to boost an online gambling business on the go.

    As for digital coins, even non-pro crypto adopters are expected to continue to offer them as a payment option to tap into new audiences and attract crypto-oriented gamblers. On the whole, cryptocurrencies see wider recognition, as many countries are beginning to recognise and integrate them into their financial systems. The latest example is Ukraine launching e-hryvnia issued by the NBU. 

    Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS, comments on the future of crypto:

    “The SOFTSWISS Crypto Casino Solution statistics demonstrate that Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin remain the most demanded among crypto players. We also expect USDT to be an upcoming trend in the next few years. Despite the fact that the crypto market is going through turbulent times, operators recognise the importance of crypto payments and their influence on the project attractiveness for the audience and the final casino choice. That explains why in 2023 operators will seek to integrate alternative currencies and reinforce their portfolio with new digital coins.”

    PLAYER BEHAVIOUR

    When it comes to player behaviour trends, operators are predicted to shift their focus from product-centric to user-centric business models. The commitment and effort to solve players’ issues will pay off through improved player retention metrics and increased loyalty.

    Another sage move is launching mobile and smartwatch versions of casino and sports betting projects to win over new audiences seeking easy and quick access to online gaming functionality. 

    One more player trend outlined based on the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform clients’ data is the increasing popularity of live dealer games with crypto users. The market will give preference to this type of games, considering it a more valuable proposition.

    As for sports betting projects, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook statistics demonstrate that 66% of bets are placed during live events against 34% of those placed in advance. This adds weight to the technical sustainability of platforms and drives the need for high-quality live broadcasts.

    OPERATIONS

    The data-driven decision-making approach will make operators seek ready-made software products offering real-time access to clear and transparent data on their projects.

    In 2023, operators will redirect their attention from such exclusively financial KPIs as the first deposit, GGR, and NGR towards the game session length and bet count metrics. Prudent operators will invest to diversify their game portfolio, integrate new bonuses and use free-to-play games to improve loyalty, increase conversions, and establish long-term relationships with players.

    Max Trafimovich, Chief Commercial Officer at SOFTSWISS, comments: “To run a profitable iGaming business operators need to know what their target audience is concerned about: be it integration of top-performing titles and new game mechanics to diversify their content portfolio, or availability and seamless performance of different payment methods including crypto, or technical sustainability of web and mobile project versions. At SOFTSWISS, we develop technologies allowing our clients to stay one step ahead and keep track of their project progress 24/7 in great detail. To achieve these goals, in 2022 we launched three Business Intelligence tools housed by the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform – BM3, Event Streaming and iGAP.”

    GAMIFICATION 

    In 2023, gamification, being one of the main player engagement growth directions, will continue to proliferate in the industry, bringing in a number of related trends.

    Cryptocurrency and NFT are expected to underpin the financial systems in meta-casinos to simplify withdrawing and depositing from different countries. At the same time, the market will be limited to crypto users.

    This year, operators are expected to rely more on jackpot campaigns to attract, reactivate and motivate players to engage in the desired type of gameplay. According to the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator’s clients,  49.6% of jackpot players increased their average bet sum in response to a global jackpot campaign, boosting the operator revenue.

    Besides being a player engagement booster, in 2023 bonuses will also find their use in regulating at-risk gambling activities and protecting overspending players. To achieve these, operators will opt for new innovative bonuses with flexible mechanics meeting various player needs. Overall, casino and sports betting projects will have to leverage different engagement tools to deliver outstanding results.

    Max Trafimovich, Chief Commercial Officer at SOFTSWISS, adds: “However, it is not the innovative technologies only that are capable of engaging the audience.  The inclusion of retention and reactivation practices in project operations also affects the growth of key casino metrics. By treating each player as a VIP bettor, we not only maximise the player LTV, but also increase the overall audience loyalty. For example, in 2022 the SOFTSWISS Reactivation team discovered that their outgoing interactions reduced player churn rate by 50%. ”

    SECURITY

    Following the iGaming industry growth, players want to understand what data operators are collecting about them, and how it will be used.

    In the context of GDPR and data security, the main Data Privacy as a priority trend will develop in several sub-trends further detailed in the report. 

    In 2023, the emphasis will also be laid on Responsible Gambling practices. Preventing affective behaviour, dealing with already problematic players, and managing marketing activities will allow having a healthy gaming experience free of economic and social risks or traumas. 

    In addition to the player care security trends, 2023 will see improved fraud prevention with advanced ML-powered tools. The SOFTSWISS Anti-Fraud department, which saved 15+ bln EUR for the company clients in 2022, shares that the most widespread types of fraud look like:

    • Bonus abuse – 69.9%

    • Money laundering – 9.9%

    • Payment system fraud – 5.9%

    In 2023 operators will be protecting their reputation and income by strengthening the verification quality with the help of additional analytical tools and services for checking documents and identifying destructive patterns.

    Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS summarises the report trends: “The fast-growing iGaming market generates plenty of trends stemming from various business areas. And it’s rather a challenge to monitor and follow each of them. To be a leading casino or sports betting operator, we suggest leveraging all existing business opportunities. In 2023, that starts with the integration of innovative solutions for deep project analytics, and player engagement tools. Another thing is to choose a reliable software provider who offers deep data-driven market expertise, flexible products, top-level service, and is capable of ensuring security.”

    SOFTSWISS will be showcasing at ICE London 2023 on 7–9 February. Visitors are encouraged to meet with the company experts and Business Development Managers at stand N8-231, where they will be presenting SOFTSWISS technology solutions and product updates.

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  • Peru Gaming Show announces PGS Forum 2023 to explore the potential of the new regulated market | Yogonet International

    Peru Gaming Show announces PGS Forum 2023 to explore the potential of the new regulated market | Yogonet International

    The authorities of Peru Gaming Show (PGS) will kick off the year by opening a new space for debate, analysis, and exchange of ideas and knowledge, with the purpose of professionalizing the local sector in a Great Forum on March 8-9.

    The topic to be discussed on this occasion is sports betting and online gaming, whose dynamics have recently invaded most of the global markets and have seen great development, particularly in Latin America.

    In this context, Law 31.577 -approved in August 2022 by the Peruvian government, which regulates remote gaming and remote sports betting- gives the Peruvian market great potential, opening a wide range of possibilities for new investments and for those who are looking for safe and regulated markets. “Peru, after this law, will have gaming totally regulated in all its sectors, betting shops, land-based and remote gaming,” the organizers said in a press release.

    In view of this development, March 8-9 are key dates to listen to the voice of the major representatives of the sector, which in two presentations will “try to clarify the content of the regulations, and the decisions that are making it possible to regulate the markets, and to have safe and responsibly managed markets,” the organizers concluded.

    For more information, PGS invited people to contact the company by e-mail at [email protected], or by phone at +51 981 262 041.

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  • Entain and ARC’s Premier Greyhound Racing signs rights deal with major UK retail betting operators | Yogonet International

    Entain and ARC’s Premier Greyhound Racing signs rights deal with major UK retail betting operators | Yogonet International

    Media rights company Premier Greyhound Racing has announced a slate of rights deals with a number of major retail betting operators in the UK. The business, a joint venture between Entain and Arena Racing Company, will supply “the very best” of greyhound racing to Entain’s Ladbrokes and Coral, William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfred from 2024 onwards.

    The landmark commercial deals encompass the UK’s four biggest retail betting operators. The new partnerships will see Premier Greyhound Racing supply the respective land-based operations of each brand, with the greyhound racing rights holder providing pictures from its British tracks to the operators’ shops from the start of 2024.

    Mark Kingston, Director of Premier Greyhound Racing, said: “As important as greyhound racing is to the betting industry as a whole, greyhounds have always been a fundamental part of the betting shop service. Signing up all major retail bookmakers to take the Premier Greyhound Racing service is therefore the biggest endorsement we could have for the content we will be providing from January 2024.”

    “This commitment from retail bookmakers also underpins the viability of the service as we look to drive a competitive betting product allied to the very highest welfare standards for the greyhounds racing at our tracks,” Kingston further commented on the partnerships.

    According to Premier Greyhound Racing, its vision is “to unite stakeholders and become the global home of greyhound racing entertainment,” providing a seven-day-a-week schedule of greyhound racing on-screen. It also pledges to deliver “the market-leading greyhound racing product,” with increased welfare standards and investment to best serve racegoers, owners and trainers, with the ultimate goal of “revitalizing the sport in the process.” 

    Premier Greyhound Racing is a joint venture between Arena Racing Company (ARC), which owns horse racing courses; and major sports betting and gaming group Entain. Between them, the two companies own nine of the 20 licensed British greyhound tracks – Crayford, Hove, Monmore, Romford, Central Park, Perry Barr, Newcastle, Sunderland and Nottingham – and the media rights for five independent tracks (Kinsley, Pelaw Grange, Sheffield, Swindon and Yarmouth). 

    The new venture was launched in December 2021, “and is already in action.” Its parent companies have committed to invest in Open Racing prize money, across their nine stadia, exceeding a combined £2.5 million ($3 million). This includes sponsorship of a series of current £20,000-to-the-winner Open Races, including the Premier Greyhound Racing Regency, St Leger, Oaks and Eclipse competitions.

    In addition to boosting prize money, Premier Greyhound Racing says it remains committed to delivering “industry-leading standards” for welfare. It has committed to contribute £100,000 ($123,173) towards research identified in the sport’s governing body, The Greyhound Board of Great Britain’s Welfare Strategy: A Good Life for Every Greyhound. 

    “Premier Greyhound Racing supports the GBGB’s welfare strategies to ensure the long-term care of greyhounds both during, and after, their racing careers and has recently appointed leading animal welfare campaigner Clarissa Baldwin CBE to its Board,” the business noted.

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  • Liechtenstein to vote on a referendum to ban casinos on January 29 | Yogonet International

    Liechtenstein to vote on a referendum to ban casinos on January 29 | Yogonet International

    Liechtenstein, deemed by punters as the “Las Vegas of the Alps,” currently has six active operators dotted across a microstate a tenth the size of London and with a population of just 40,000. However, a casino ban is being put to a referendum on January 29, and if it passes, the casinos will have to close within five years.  

    The referendum, and the signatures needed to activate it, were brought about by the pressure group IG VolksMeinung, formed to fight the “casino flood.” They argue that the gaming industry risks damaging a reputation that the country, on an international blacklist of tax havens until it began easing bank secrecy laws more than a decade ago, has worked hard to regain.

    “We don’t want to establish ourselves as a casino and poker hotspot in the middle of Europe,” one of its members, Guido Meier, said at a discussion on the upcoming vote, as reported by Reuters. “It’s a big reputation problem.”

    However, this push is against the interests of the local gambling industry, including Gryphon Invest AG, which indirectly owns majority stakes in half of Liechtenstein’s gambling houses.

    “We hope that the voters will follow the advice of the two major parties, as well as the economic chamber and further institutions, and recognize that a well-regulated market is better than an outright ban,” Gryphon told Reuters in a statement.

    All six operators have opened since 2017, when a change in the law made gambling legal, welcoming crowds from Germany and neighboring Switzerland and Austria. 

    Reinhard Fischer, president of Liechtenstein’s casino association and director of the country’s Grand Casino, believes that irrespective of the referendum’s outcome, natural attrition within a limited market will reduce the number nationally anyway, to a maximum of four.

    He does not accept the argument that the industry represents a reputational threat. “What we do is in accordance with the law and in some cases even above the level required by law,” he said.

    It should be noted that last year, taxes brought by the trips made by mainly foreign visitors to Liechtenstein’s casinos generated 50 million Swiss francs ($54.51 million). “This is certainly revenue that is also relevant for our budget,” Deputy Prime Minister Sabine Monauni said.

    The government has been encouraging the population to vote against the proposed ban, which Monauni describes as “too radical, too excessive” and as not solving the problem of gambling addiction.

    “We want to continue to allow gambling in Liechtenstein and that’s why we now have to find a balance between measures that reduce activity but at the same time don’t totally destroy the market,” she concluded.

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  • Macau: Hotel occupancy rate expected to reach 90%, casino revenue to rise during Lunar New Year | Yogonet International

    Macau: Hotel occupancy rate expected to reach 90%, casino revenue to rise during Lunar New Year | Yogonet International

    While Macau posted its worst year for gambling in 2022, there are now high expectations that things might just turn around for the gaming hub during this coming year – and that rebound might start this month. Cheung Kin Chung, President of the Macau Hoteliers & Innkeepers Association, said he expects most of the city’s hotels to be fully occupied during Lunar New Year, to be celebrated on January 22.

    Cheung, an appointed lawmaker, said in a conversation with public broadcaster Radio Macau he expects that, during the holiday period, local hotels will be at 90% capacity, which is the same level as the pre-Covid Lunar New Year holidays.

    Cheung Kin Chung, President of the Macau Hoteliers & Innkeepers Association.

    As reported by the Macau Daily Times, Cheung expects the peak of booking activities would occur five to seven days before Lunar New Year. The executive said that the peak of hotel occupancy and casino revenue will occur between January 23 and 26. Most incoming tourists will be individual or family travelers, and there might be some small groups as well, although group tours from mainland China have not yet resumed.

    For his part, Wilfred Wong, President and Executive Director of Sands China, told Hong Kong media he expected the hotel occupancy rate will reach 90% during the holiday period, echoing Cheung’s forecast.

    This Lunar New Year holiday period is the first major holiday season in mainland China after the cessation of Covid-19 travel restrictions. Wong said casino revenue will also rise during this coming holiday season because, traditionally, Chinese people are eager to try their luck during Lunar New Year. 

    Wilfred Wong, President, and Executive Director of Sands China

    As reported last week, tourists are flocking to Macau after the gambling hub moved to lift its Covid-19 restrictions earlier this month. Visitation to the Chinese city and its gaming revenue for the first 10 days of January are the best they have been in two years, according to reports by government officials, while JP Morgan Securities points out GGR reached 40% of the Q4 level in just 15 days.

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  • PointsBet approved for Responsible Gambling Council accreditation in Canada and USA | Yogonet International

    PointsBet approved for Responsible Gambling Council accreditation in Canada and USA | Yogonet International

    PointsBet USA and PointsBet Canada announced they have been approved for accreditation under the RG Check program, provided by the Responsible Gambling Council. Accreditation is granted for three years after a review by responsible gaming specialists and an independent Accreditation Panel.

    Based in Toronto, the Council is an international authority that operates independently from the gaming industry, offering insights and services for land-based and online gaming providers.

    RG Check, developed by RGC’s Centre of the Advancement of Best Practices, is the “most comprehensive and rigorous responsible gambling accreditation program in the world,” according to PointsBet.

    It is designed to meet or exceed “all existing responsible gambling regulatory requirements” while also providing “a concrete roadmap for implementing broadly stated industry-responsible gambling codes of practice.”

    Teresa Fiore, Responsible Gambling & CSR Manager at PointsBet USA, commented: “At PointsBet, we strive to deliver a product that enhances the sports viewing experience which seamlessly integrates responsible gambling best practice.”

    “Since our entry into the North American market, we’ve focused our efforts on understanding the complexities of responsible gambling safeguards and implementing a responsible gambling strategy that educates, protects, and supports players,” she added.

    Chantal Cipriano, Vice President of Legal, Compliance & Government Relations at PointsBet Canada, said: “It is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition and validation of our commitment to player protection from the Responsible Gambling Council.”

    “Our promise is to continue prioritizing best responsible gambling practices while always striving to provide an unrivalled experience to sports bettors and gaming enthusiasts,” Cipriano added.

    As part of the accreditation process, program staff thoroughly reviewed PointsBet.com and PointsBet.ca based on the nine RG Check standards and undertook a comprehensive review of documentation and training, employee interviews, employee surveys, and testing of the websites.

    Shelley White, Responsible Gambling Council CEO, added: “Congratulations to PointsBet on successfully completing and achieving Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Check iGaming Accreditation for its sites, PointsBet.ca and PointsBet.com. This achievement is a strong demonstration of PointsBet’s commitment to prioritizing player protection, education and harm minimization throughout its operations.”

    “RG Check is an invaluable tool for managing risk and monitoring the overall effectiveness of RG programming, and provides a roadmap for continuous improvement,” White added. “RGC is proud to provide PointsBet with ongoing support in its responsible gambling journey.”

    The accreditation comes as PointsBet expands its presence in the North American market. This week, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted unanimously to approve temporary licensure for the operator, among other companies.

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  • Endorphina inks 10 new partnership deals within two months | Yogonet International

    Endorphina inks 10 new partnership deals within two months | Yogonet International

    B2B online slots provider Endorphina has announced the closure of 10 new partnerships within the past two months. The company sealed 7 agreements in December alone and kicked off 2023 with three new deals in January.

    “Endorphina saw the last remaining days of the year as an opportunity for partnerships, doing business, and moving steps closer to achieving their goals,” says the supplier. In December, the business partnered with FilsGames, StarCasino, SuperBet, Timeless Tech, Staryes, Bitville Gaming, and InBet.

    Meanwhile, in the first month of 2023, Endorphina has already partnered with FavBet, AdmiralBet, and Betn1. Following the news, Endorphina said it remains committed to further pushing forward “with the same energy this year.”

    All in all, 2022 was a highly positive year for the gaming provider, which gained licenses and certifications in more than 20 countries within the past 12 months. And looking toward 2023, the business plans to keep on bringing new content and entering new jurisdictions.

    Attendees of ICE London 2023, to be held February 7 – 9 at ExCel London, will have the chance to check out the latest Endorphina’s offerings at stand N7-230. There, the supplier will have team professionals at hand to meet and greet the public, providing insights on the business, game creation and more.

    “As one of the few events that really gets us excited, we’re eagerly looking to bring extraordinary endorphins to you all at the upcoming ICE London,” said the company in a statement. “Whether you’ve just started following us or have been with us since the beginning, you can bet that we have something special planned for you at our stand N7-230.”

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  • Slotegrator analysis: Market ratings by online gambling development in 2023 | Yogonet International

    Slotegrator analysis: Market ratings by online gambling development in 2023 | Yogonet International

    The online gambling market is continuing to grow: analysts predict that the global iGaming market will have an estimated value of $113.12 billion by 2025. The largest markets are the UK, the USA, Australia, Japan, and China, but experts see impressive potential and great prospects for expansion in emerging markets. Ayvar Gabidullin, Business Development Manager at Slotegrator, ranked the markets worth betting on in 2023 according to experts.

    This review presents the top five emerging markets:

    Latin America

    Latin American countries such as Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, and Chile have grabbed plenty of headlines throughout the iGaming sector in the past few years. Brazil in particular often referred to as the “sleeping giant” of Latin America, is one of the largest markets in the region. Brazil’s online gambling GGR is expected to grow significantly and will reach about $1.6 billion by 2026.

    Among the countries actively working towards regulatory reform are Bolivia, Mexico, and Brazil. In the latter two, legislation is pending. Meanwhile, Colombia is updating legal provisions to better adapt to the digital age.

    Latin Americans prefer online gambling because not everyone has access to land-based casinos. The most popular games are sports betting, slots, bingo, and poker.

    Asia

    Asia is a very diverse and promising region, densely populated, and with a rapidly growing economy. As for gambling control in Asian countries, this market is considered one of the most tightly regulated. However, there is a drive to liberalize the market: Thailand is discussing the details of market regulation, Vietnam is testing a pilot program to allow locals to play in casinos that previously only admitted tourists and some states in India are considering regulating online gambling. In Japan, the gambling market is very limited, but players spend an impressive amount of money on foreign sportsbooks — roughly $40 billion each year. For their part, Chinese gambling enthusiasts spend ¥1 trillion ($145.5 billion) annually on online gambling, much of it in cryptocurrency.

    Chinese players are known for their frequent visits to offshore casinos, chiefly live dealer games based in the Philippines. Within China itself, the special administrative regions of Macau and Hong Kong are famous for their gambling and betting sectors, but gambling is prohibited throughout the rest of the country (aside from the national lottery).

    The Indian market is full of potential, despite its complicated regulatory landscape (laws vary from state to state, though the country recently established a national regulator). In 2022, total revenue in the casino gaming segment was projected to reach $1 billion within a few years. With a population of 1.3 billion, increasing internet connectivity, and spreading mobile usage, India has plenty of potential for operators who successfully localize their offerings (including rummy, cricket betting, and other local favorites).

    As for the CIS, Georgia and Armenia are both promising regions. These countries are very attractive to tourists with their gambling sector, which is growing rapidly every year. In Georgia, operators can offer online casino games and sportsbooks only if they have a license for a land-based project. Neighboring Armenia has gambling participation rates roughly six times those of the UK, one of the strongest markets in the world.

    Africa

    Africa’s most attractive iGaming markets are Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa (the continent’s largest market, with a GGR, projected to reach $2.3 billion by 2023).

    Africans like a range of online casino games, and this trend is growing rapidly, but their main passion remains betting on sports. If we study the economic potential of countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana, namely their passion for sports betting, we can see the prospects of this continent.

    Slotegrator’s experts have a few reasons to believe that the gambling industry in Africa will continue to grow rapidly:

    • Increasing incomes are leading to a growing middle class.

    • The spread of internet access and the low price of computers and smartphones allow more people to go online.

    • There is a general improvement in gambling taxation and legislation.

    Europe

    Europe is a fertile market for the iGaming industry, offering investment opportunities of all kinds. Some of the key advantages of the market are growing economies, established leaders, and promising new markets

    The European Gaming and Betting Associate (EGBA) estimated that in 2022, total GGR in Europe grew by 23% to €108.5 billion. For their part, online gambling revenues grew by 8% compared to 2021, to €38.2 billion.

    Scandinavian countries have very strong economies, but each country has different regulations. Denmark and Sweden are regulated, growing, and prosperous countries, and both online casinos and sports betting are popular here.

    The UK and Ireland have a preference for sports betting, with horse racing remaining a perennial favorite. Online betting is regulated, as are online casinos, but sportsbooks are more popular among players. They are also popular in France, as is poker. Belgian players enjoy a variety of casino games, especially dice games. In Germany, gambling used to be allowed only in land-based casinos but recently approved regulation allows online casinos and betting.

    The Baltic countries have seen economic growth and good regulatory development — Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia offer licenses for both online casinos and sportsbooks. Players there prefer the online versions of traditional games like poker, blackjack, and baccarat. Bingo will always be welcome — in short, everything players are used to seeing in land-based casinos will be well-received on online platforms as well. As for sports, basketball, hockey, and ice cricket are very much in demand.

    Switzerland and Poland have huge potential and offer outstanding opportunities.  Switzerland is one of the world’s most developed countries in terms of nominal GDP per capita, though regulation for online gambling has been introduced relatively recently. Poland is the sixth largest economy in the European Union, and with a population comparable to its western neighbors, it is likely that its iGaming market will continue to strengthen in the coming years.

    “Each market has its own demand, and it is a combination of several factors: regulation, economy, culture, and habits,” says Ayvar Gabidullin, Business Development Manager at Slotegrator. “Our team studied the specifics of each market, and we are focused on these regions and confidently recommend them to our clients and partners. The market prospects are impressive — according to forecasts, the online gambling and betting market will reach about $150 billion by 2030. The game is definitely worth the candle.”

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  • Sportingtech: “In 2022, we had exponential growth, especially in LatAm and Africa” | Yogonet International

    Sportingtech: “In 2022, we had exponential growth, especially in LatAm and Africa” | Yogonet International

    As we leave behind a year marked by the return to in-person industry events, the rise of online gaming, and the rebound in land-based casinos, iGaming platform provider Sportingtech prepares for the year ahead. 

    Expansion across new markets has been the key to the provider’s successful year in 2022 and the company expects to continue in that line for the year that just started. Colin McDonagh, Chief Sales Officer at Sportingtech, shares his assessment of the work done throughout the year as well as his thoughts on the challenges to come.

    What assessment do you make of 2022?

    It’s been a hugely positive year for Sportingtech, which has seen a great deal of internal change, especially over the past few months, with a number of new additions creating a solid bedrock that has fuelled aggressive growth. Bobby Longhurst, our Managing Director, took the reins earlier in the year with the ambition to extend the company’s reach in emerging and regulated markets worldwide, as well as lotteries, with our comprehensive sports betting and casino product offering, and has done so to great effect.

    Which was the highlight of 2022 for Sportingtech?

    One of the mainstays of Sportingtech’s success this year has been its exponential growth, especially in LatAm and Africa. Notably, we have seen a number of high-profile operator deals in numerous markets across Africa, best evidenced in our partnerships with operators 888AFRICA and SunBet.

    It has been hugely rewarding to see that our vibrant, knowledgeable leadership team drives the business forward, accurately displaying the technological expertise that Sportingtech has to offer, and this has proved invaluable, especially this year when presented with the sporting behemoth that is the World Cup.


    Sportingtech at ICE 2019

    What are the most challenging aspects of compliance that the igaming sector faces today?

    The word ‘uncertainty’ sums up the industry’s compliance issues aptly. This is evident if we look at UK-facing operators that are sometimes reliant on an uncertain approach to updating regulation, largely because of an outcomes-based regulation model and a hostile press that heavily scrutinizes the industry’s every move.

    Further afield, it’s been suggested that Curaçao will introduce wide-ranging changes to its licensing regime at the end of 2022. Here, we see the same problem – operators being told about changes in regulation, but with little detail to help update processes and controls. Appropriate changes are welcome, but hopefully, Curaçao doesn’t follow a model that irreparably damages its economy and gaming sector.

    How have sportsbook features become increasingly important to attract and retain bettors? And what can Sportingtech offer?

    This year’s World Cup is the perfect example of how sportsbooks have had to step up and provide next-level solutions, and we have delivered on that front. Features like Bet Assist have tackled any challenges head-on, generating automated betting tips based on historical data, live-score, and AI analysis, covering both pre-match and in-play markets with complete bet slip integration, user engagement has increased, as well as retention and turnover rates.

    In addition, bet builders have given newcomers to sports betting an efficient and engaging way to get involved, while FastBet, the only feature of its kind on the market, has enabled users to wager across all sports at the touch of a button without creating a betslip.

    What’s next for your award-winning Quantum platform?

    Next year will herald an even greater focus on personalization for the industry, which Quantum will be on hand to address. Customers all over the world are coming to expect a more personalized betting experience, and we foresee a greater necessity for personalization in 2023. We’re long past the point where a cut-and-paste offering is enough.

    Now, end-users actively expect a product that feels specifically catered to them. An operation has to stand out from the crowd in its own right and feel fresh when compared to the competition. This is yet another way that our Quantum platform enables businesses to thrive, by being customisable to the point of meeting the individual needs of each operator we work with.

    The Latin American market is growing rapidly, what’s your business plan for Latin America?

    From our extensive presence in Latin America, we have seen a surge of sportsbooks and casinos embrace the online market following changes in regulation.

    Quantum’s customizable nature makes it the ideal platform for these markets allowing operators to tailor the product to their own specific needs – by offering such a versatile platform, operators looking to establish themselves in emerging markets and create a player-centric betting experience can do so. We’ll also continue to roll out the lite versions of our offering for jurisdictions that don’t yet have robust bandwidth.

    You have also announced partnerships in Africa, what can you tell us about the African market?

    Our recent partnerships are indicative of the iGaming industry’s thoroughly bright future on the continent of Africa – not only sports are a pillar of many countries there, with sports betting growing stronger every year, but online casino entertainment is gradually becoming more familiar to a variety of markets across the region.

    Regulation, payment options, and myriad other player preferences vary massively across Africa and, as a result, an increasing number of tier-one operators are realizing that flexible platform solutions like Quantum are necessary to cater to audiences across such regions. Through our modular offering that is backed by local people providing excellent customer support on the ground, we’ve successfully proved we can build a tailored product for each of these markets.

    In regard to your roadmap for future development, how is Sportingtech planning to capitalize on recent operator deals going forward?

    We’re deeply excited about the possibilities the new iFrame product has to offer. Our iFrame integration allows us to add a sportsbook to a partner’s website without any real change to their existing UI. This is perfect for operators who want to explore whether a sportsbook offering is right for their business, without investing a significant sum and overhauling their current front end in order to find out.

    We’ve already taken this live with several partners to great effect, so we think this new string to our bow will prove incredibly popular in 2023. As well as that, we have big plans for our continued growth in LatAm and African jurisdictions with the help of our ever-evolving Quantum platform.

    What surprises are you preparing for 2023?

    We’re very much looking forward to meeting delegates at ICE 2023, where we will be discussing all of our solutions for operators designed to give them the confidence to keep their players engaged and satisfied in the new year. With purse strings tightening due to international cost-of-living woes, it is more pertinent than ever for operators to offer a best-in-class entertainment experience, as gaming becomes more of a luxury for many customers.

    We’re also looking forward to doubling down on our continued expansion efforts – by the end of 2023, we expect to have rolled out in several other markets as more African countries begin to see the advantages of common-sense regulation. We can also expect to see our Quantum platform grow and add more strings to its bow as we encounter challenges and manipulate the platform to adjust and overcome them.

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  • Aruze opens its first European office to support EMEA expansion plans | Yogonet International

    Aruze opens its first European office to support EMEA expansion plans | Yogonet International

    Gambling solutions developer Aruze Gaming Europe announced Wednesday its first office in Europe, providing dedicated sales and service support to Aruze’s European, Middle Eastern and North African market bases. 

    David Meacher, Director of Business Operations at Aruze Gaming Europe, commented: “Aruze’s presence is expanding rapidly in European, Middle Eastern, and North African markets and the establishment of our independent office demonstrates our continued commitment to the players and operators of these regions.”

    “Our customers are invaluable to us, and bringing ourselves that much closer to them will strengthen our relationship and understanding of these specific markets, as well as provide more in-depth and personalized service and sales support,” he added.

    The office operates out of the Netherlands and will serve as Aruze’s European headquarters moving forward. The move comes as Aruze sees “noticeable growth” in sales and installations in Europe, as well as the Middle East and Northern Africa.

    “As new markets continue to arise in these regions, Aruze Gaming Europe will look to capitalize through a dedicated and focused regional approach,” the company said in a press statement.

    The expansion of Aruze’s offices to Europe furthers the company’s mission to be “a global provider of casino solutions.” Aruze provides “a gaming solution for everyone,” from classics such as Lucky Roulette and ETGs like BlackJack and more, all the way to iGaming.

    Aruze also provides casino-arcade hybrid games based on the company’s Activ-Play technology. These games are based on the same RNM technology of a slot, but have the engaging play-style of an arcade game.

    With the expansion, Aruze will also continue to bring its flagship luxury cabinets to Europe. These include Muso Curve 43 and 55, and Muso Triple 27 and 32, which provide “a comfortable and captivating gaming experience.”

    Four Aruze team members will kick off the European office, with the company planning to expand throughout 2023. The direct regional support office announced operations ahead of ICE 2023, where Aruze’s products will be on display at booth S9-330.

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