ReportWire

Blog

  • New Jersey: Online gaming platforms to access, study player data to tackle problem gambling | Yogonet International

    New Jersey: Online gaming platforms to access, study player data to tackle problem gambling | Yogonet International

    Under a new initiative by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, online gaming platforms will be using data in an attempt to tackle potential cases of problem gambling. The new methods provide users with targeted outreach to help them choose options to address possible gambling addictions.

    The Responsible Gaming Initiative launched in January, having been in development since March 2022, and is said to be the first program of its kind in the U.S. Online gambling platforms are now required to study player data to identify potential problem gambling.

    To do so, the division will work with wagering companies in using associated technology, reports The Press of Atlantic City. Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a statement: “It is no coincidence that our announcement comes just a week ahead of one of the biggest days in sports wagering, serving as a reminder of how devastating a gambling addiction can be.”

    “This new initiative will allow the Division of Gaming Enforcement to work with the gaming industry to identify problematic patterns in player wagering behavior and intervene before they can escalate,” Platkin added.

    Players already consent to online gaming platforms collecting data on their gameplay, recording and scanning it to prevent fraud, theft and cheating. Operators also train employees to interact with players to monitor possible behaviors that suggest a gambling disorder. The new procedures go a step further, ensuring those appearing to suffer from a gambling problem can be in touch with responsible gaming personnel. 

    The division sets forth a set of guidelines operators should use, including whether they noticed a player increasing wage frequencies each week and if they place bets until they are left with less than $1 in their accounts. 

    Division Director David Rebuck commented: “We are using data to identify at-risk players, alert them to their suspected disordered gambling, and inform them about available responsible gambling features in online platforms and corrective actions they can take.”

    “This new approach will enable dedicated responsible gaming experts employed by the platforms and us to see the early warning signs and reach at-risk patrons before they find themselves in a financial catastrophe,” he added, as per Press of Atlantic City.

    In addition to tracking down signs of high numbers of bets, the new initiative also directs platforms to check account activity for signs of gambling addiction. Those include thousands of dollars in deposits being made in a short timeframe and several requests within 24 hours to increase limits on deposits or losses, the Attorney General’s Office said. 

    Platforms also are required to block self-excluded people and must exhibit before launching their websites that they have instituted precautions in preventing self-excluded people from gambling. 

    Source link

  • Cordish Cos. celebrates Live! Casino Philadelphia’s second anniversary with $750K donation | Yogonet International

    Cordish Cos. celebrates Live! Casino Philadelphia’s second anniversary with $750K donation | Yogonet International

    The Cordish Companies celebrated the second anniversary of Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia with a donation of $750,000 to Rebuild Philadelphia, aimed towards the major renovation of the Murphy Recreation Center, located in South Philadelphia. The contribution will allow Rebuild to finish the $4.5 million project, scheduled to be completed in the fall.

    The Cordish Companies and Live! Philadelphia officials were joined by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, a number of Philadelphia City Councilmembers, and representatives for Rebuild at a ceremony to announce details of the transformative investment towards a project that is expected “to benefit the families and young people of Philadelphia for generations to come.”

    Proposed site improvements at Murphy Recreation Center include a brand-new turf field for football, baseball, softball, and soccer and brand-new basketball courts. New sidewalks, fencing, and landscaping round out the planned renovations.

    Joe Billhimer

    Joe Billhimer, Chief Operating & Development Officer at Cordish Gaming Group, said: “Live! Philadelphia is proud to partner with Rebuild Philadelphia to help bring such a worthwhile project to fruition. Murphy Recreation Center has served as a hub for community gathering for decades in South Philly.”

    “As a family-owned business, we can appreciate how important it is for families to have a safe place to come together. They deserve the best, and we look forward to going on this transformational journey with them,” he added.

    Live! Casino & Hotel opened to the public on February 11, 2021, in the heart of the South Philadelphia Stadium District. Since then, Live! Philadelphia has established partnerships with “dozens of regional tourism, business, and non-profit organizations,” points out Cordish. With the Rebuild donation, total contributions to date top more than $2.3 million in cash and in-kind support.

    Rebuild Philadelphia is Mayor Kenney’s initiative to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Philadelphia neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries. Rebuild seeks to improve 70-plus public spaces through these investments.


    Jim Kenney

    Jim Kenney, Philadelphia Mayor, commented: “The energy in our city is electric right now, and today’s celebration fuels even more excitement, especially in South Philadelphia. The soon-to-be improved recreation center is a dynamic, accessible hub for children, families, and residents to play and gather.”

    “The upgrades make room for new opportunities and connections, and it may even be the home field of the next NFL star. My administration and I are looking forward to seeing the memories that will be made in this space,” he stated.

    Kira Strong

    For her part, Kira Strong, Executive Director of Rebuild, noted: “Rebuild is proud to invest in the improvements at Murphy Recreation Center, and it would not be possible without the generous contribution from Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.” 

    “Through the combination of City and Rebuild funding and incredible community partnerships like Live!, we are able to deliver on the Rebuild promise to engage with the community to understand their vision and invest intentionally to deliver a quality resource in their neighborhood,” she concluded.

    Source link

  • Unibet becomes an NHL Official Partner in Sweden through newly signed multi-year agreement | Yogonet International

    Unibet becomes an NHL Official Partner in Sweden through newly signed multi-year agreement | Yogonet International

    Kindred Group announced its flagship online gaming and sports betting brand Unibet has become an Official Partner of NHL (National Hockey League) in Sweden by entering a new multiyear agreement.

    “Unibet will, as the first betting company in Sweden, leverage its Official Partner of the NHL designation to conduct dynamic marketing campaigns across the company’s digital betting offerings,” said the group.

    Unibet already has a strong ice hockey offering that now will be enhanced through its partnership with the NHL, the brand noted in a statement, giving its customers “a more authentic experience.”

    Philip Lagström, Country Manager Unibet Sweden at Kindred Group, commented: “I am very proud and happy that Unibet is the first betting company in Sweden to become an official sponsor of NHL. Through the partnership, we hope to increase interest in ice hockey and the North American league. It will be very exciting to follow NHL in the upcoming years.”

    John Lewicki, NHL Vice President, Business Development and Partnerships, added: “We are excited to have Unibet as an Official Partner of the NHL. Kindred Group and its brands are well known for their dedication to responsible gambling. We welcome this opportunity to work with Unibet to continue to engage our robust and expanding hockey fanbase in Sweden.”

    “Ice hockey and NHL are very important for Unibet, and we have for a long time wanted to get more involved to cement the position as the customers’ first choice when they want to bet on ice hockey by offering the absolute best, safest and most secure gaming experience,” concluded Lagström.

    This partnership will be supported by sports technology company Sportradar, the Official Betting Data Rights Partner of the NHL. The NHL is utilizing ad:s, Sportradar’s data-driven marketing solution, providing the League with digital marketing services to develop sports betting partnerships outside of North America.

    It’s been a busy week for Kindred, which has also recently announced that the share of revenue from harmful gambling for the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased to 3.3%, compared to 3,8% in the third quarter. During this period, an increased focus on collaboration was seen, with the launch of a new initiative on disclosing data and the Journey Towards Zero Panel.

    In February 2021, Kindred Group committed to its Journey towards Zero, making 0% of revenue generated from harmful gambling an integrated part of its group strategy. The past two years have been focused on internal alignment and accelerating the work underlying the process of getting there, the company said.

    Source link

  • The changing face of US online gambling | Yogonet International

    The changing face of US online gambling | Yogonet International

    For many years, the US online gambling sector has been plagued by issues such as complexity, change, and legal uncertainty. This has led to some operators being unsure of venturing into the market, as their investments could be at risk due to political changes. In his latest column for Yogonet, iGaming industry consultant Ron Mendelson shares a brief analysis of how the US iGaming market has grown and the industry’s future.

    The size and potential of the US iGaming market have left others curious and keen to find a way in. This way has become apparent in the last couple of years as several states have moved to legalize online gambling. 

    In 2018, a Supreme Court ruling decriminalized online gambling at the federal level, paving the way for states to decide whether to legalize online gambling and how to go about it. In 2022, a number of states have legalized it and welcome license applications, while some others are more hesitant. Others have legalized sports betting while refusing to consider casinos. Some more conservative states have said it will never be legal, despite its benefits for the economy.

    States with favorable environments for online gambling in the US include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, West Virginia, and Nevada. Those in the process of creating legislation include New York, Indiana, and Illinois, and those who are entirely against it are Utah and Hawaii.

    Those in favor of legislating the iGaming industry recognize the great potential of additional tax income that can provide a big boost to the economy. These funds can then be reinvested into essential services. In addition, they believe that regulation will help stamp out black market operations, thus providing support to those who might struggle with a lack of protection. Last but not least, states believe that developing the sector will bring investment and more jobs to their local economies.

    By the end of 2020, the US iGaming market was worth $2.1 billion, with an estimated CAGR of over 17% in the next five years. Within this growth rate, sports betting will be the primary driver, followed by poker and lotto. Casino games, including tables and slots, still have a lot of catching up to do, but the potential is there.

    So which EU companies have made the leap across the Atlantic?

    Flutter Entertainment

    Irish mega-brand Flutter Entertainment and its brand FanDuel are doing well in the US, with revenue of $1.9 billion and more than 1.5 million monthly users. In fact, the US is now its second biggest market, and the company has launched a number of new products and features focused on sports betting. Flutter has big plans for the future and is ready to expand into new states as it becomes possible.

    Bet365

    This brand is synonymous with online gambling, and after being found in the UK in 2020, it has recently expanded to the US- in particular, New Jersey, Colorado, Ohio, and New York. It does not enjoy the same slice of the market as Flutter or US brands like BetMGM but is most definitely laying the foundations for future operations in more states.

    Entain

    Entain, which owns Coral and Ladbrokes in the US, entered a partnership with MGM to create BetMGM. As one of the largest iGaming companies in the world, the company also operates in Canada, where it handles more than 70 million monthly transactions. Using MGM’s user base and its EU experience, it entered the market in a pole position and has made significant progress in market share.

    What about the future?

    The US online gambling sector is set to continue growing, and more states are likely to legislate in favor of the industry. General growth worldwide and more interest in eSports, fantasy sports, liver dealers, AI, and crypto gambling will also help the market move forward. Most US stakeholders are optimistic that there will be no legislative roadblocks in the future, but many have eyes on the legal status of card games and slots.

    As for Fast Offshore, while we do not offer services to companies operating in the US, we work with many others to set up online gambling companies. Our team has assisted startups and established brands in gaining licenses, incorporating companies, structuring, payment, and compliance. We also assist in all ongoing corporate maintenance matters, offering a full A-Z service. Whether you are looking for a turnkey solution or one that is tailored precisely to you, contact a member of our team today for further information!

    Source link

  • EGT Georgia named “Permanent Leader” at awards ceremony hosted by two rating associations | Yogonet International

    EGT Georgia named “Permanent Leader” at awards ceremony hosted by two rating associations | Yogonet International

    EGT’s office in Georgia was recognized as “Permanent Leader” for the second consecutive year at the 14th Awards Ceremony organized by the Swiss Rating Association and the Union of National Business Ratings (UNBR). The event was held in “Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace” on December 25.

    The participants were shortlisted according to several indices, considering their financial and economic performance, number of employees, social responsibility activities, and human resources policies. Awards were given to 50 Georgian and international companies at last year’s ceremony.

    The “Permanent Leader” accolade is the highest award granted. “It is given only to one company in each category and distinguishes the enterprises that have taken leading positions in the ratings of UNBR for 5 years,” noted EGT in a press statement.

    EGT Georgia got recognition in the category of companies operating in the gaming industry. This is the fourth participation of the Bulgarian manufacturer’s local office in this competition. In the previous two editions, it took the “Leader of the Year” award. 

    Madlen Matevosian, Regional Manager at EGT Georgia, said: “EGT Georgia has been present in the local market for 15 years already, and it’s a great honor for us to receive the “Permanent Leader” prize again. We are proud that despite all the difficulties worldwide during recent years, our company has managed to maintain the status of the fastest-growing and most competitive company in the domestic gaming industry.” 

    “This award is proof that we succeeded in achieving our goals of providing our customers and partners with improved and modernized products and high-quality technical services, as well as contributing to the development of our employees, who are our greatest asset,” she added.

    This week, the company will attend the ICE London tradeshow at ExCel London (February 7 – 9). At booths S5-150, S5-130, and S5-110, the company will showcase its latest products and solutions. 

    Source link

  • DRGT: “We listened to operators, and at ICE we will proudly showcase our new-look reporting | Yogonet International

    DRGT: “We listened to operators, and at ICE we will proudly showcase our new-look reporting | Yogonet International

    Anticipating this year’s ICE London event, which will be held on February 7-9 at ExCel London, Yogonet spoke to the DRGT team about what the global supplier of gaming solutions has prepared for the major industry expo.

    In this exclusive interview, Jurgen De Munck, DRGT CEO; Allwin Language, MD Africa; Andreas Duller, MD Austria; and Jean-Michel De Busscher, MD DRGT Online, discuss returning to ExCel, post-pandemic recovery, current operator demands, cashless gaming, and more.

    DRGT will be participating in the upcoming edition of ICE London. What does this represent for the company?

    Jurgen De Munck: Yes, we will. Our first trip back to ExCel since 2020; I can’t believe that 3 years have passed so quickly. Understandably the past 36 months have been challenging for every business sector, and the land-based casino sector and I guess hospitality too, perhaps more so than many.

    That said, we remained resilient and were able to weather the proverbial storm, using that time to consolidate, review our position, re-assess our objectives and then action what we believe was required to meet those objectives.

    Jean-Michel De Busscher: Jurgen is so right. What I’d like to add to that is the fact that it also gave us time to engage with our operator-partners and undertake a very similar journey with them, in so doing providing us with a full 360° view of the status quo, and what gaps and opportunities there were for us and our partners.


    DRGT's stand in G2E 2022, in October

    Attendees to ICE are mainly operators. What should they expect to see when they visit Booth N2-240?

    Allwin Language: Our system remains our core product, and the key outcome from any system is the insights and reporting it provides operators in respect of efficiencies and player engagement.

    Now granted our reporting has always been a unique selling point, and something we have built much of our success on; however, as referred to by Jean-Michel, many operators during engagements with them were after a cleaner and more contemporary user experience and interface. We listened, and at ICE we will proudly showcase our new-look reporting.

    Andreas Duller: …and then, of course, off of the gameplay data garnered by our system we are able to tailor jackpots and offer an amazing array of extremely stable ‘system-driven’ jackpots; tailored offerings to individual players, groups of players or an entire casino floor or estate (wide-area jackpot) each individually configured based on the insights from our reports.

    It’s powerful stuff, and something operators of late have begun to adopt even more vigorously. The ‘one-size-fits-all’ jackpot model is simply no longer good enough. It has its place, of that there is no doubt, but players also want tailored offerings and if you can’t deliver those you’re already ‘on the back foot’.  

    You’ve noted your updated reports (and jackpots) as one of the ‘current demands’ from operators. Surely cashless is right up there?

    De Munck: It is without a doubt, and always has been, I just believe that the adoption thereof has really now started to speed up. The momentum that is currently building is doing so at a rate never seen before and I am of the view that it is both technology and again player demands and expectations that are forcing operators to adapt and adopt. Those that don’t run the risk of literally becoming dinosaurs. 

    Duller: At G2E in October last year we launched an addition to our cashless offering that allows players to top-up their account/wallet without having to leave their EGM. This was very well received by our American customers, my Mexican colleague Alfredo Moreno can attest to that. 

    De Busscher: The process is very simple and follows what I guess is pretty much a retail point-of-sale model, where once a player selects ‘Top-Up’ on their drScreen player tracking unit, a unique QR code is generated which the player then scans with their smart phone. That QR Code then re-directs the player to a selected secure pay gate (e.g. HiPay) where the ‘Top-Up’ payment is affected, and then verified by the player through their personal banking App. It’s really that ‘player friendly’ and doesn’t take more than a minute to do, if that.  


    DRGT CEO Jurgen De Munck 

    Nifty, and what about an app? It seems the logical evolution. One only has to see where banking and the online gaming sector have gone to see that land-based has to go there too, surely? 

    Language: You’re so right, and yes we now have a DRGT™ App. It will make its debut at ICE 2023. Jean-Michel noted our operator-partner engagements earlier, and as was to be expected an App was something that came up in almost every conversation. What was noted though, and often too, was that the App needed to offer the same functionality as our drScreen player tracking units, anything less than that would really just be paying ‘lip service’.

    Duller: So what our CTO, Michiel van Dam, and his development team have done is exactly that: develop an App that affords players the full functionality of our touchscreen drScreen player tracking unit in their back pocket. It similarly affords operators the operational and communications functionality they’re used to along with push notifications for anything from new promotions and tailored bonuses to birthdays and event advertising.

    Language: Players can obviously also checkpoint and cash balances 24/7, as well as update their contact details or any other info without having to queue at a reception or cash desk. It really is quite cool.

    De Munck: Let me jump in with a last word, and because I am still really a developer at heart. Our App ‘sits on top of’ some new properietary, and highly secure, middelware called drMobile. Michiel (again) has spent considerable time and effort, and correctly so, to ensure all relevant Personal Identifiable Information (‘PII’), General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’) and a number of other compliance and regulatory standards are strictly adhered to within the software. 

    And then, notwithstanding the security it offers, it also affords operators amazing flexibility in that the DRGT™ App can be themed and skinned as required, and furthermore, due to our open standards it can be made available to 3rd party App developers to design bespoke UI and UX ‘front-ends’. I really am proud of this latest development in our cashless offering and can’t wait to showcase it at ICE. 

    Source link

  • EGT to take its latest products to ICE London at its biggest stand to date | Yogonet International

    EGT to take its latest products to ICE London at its biggest stand to date | Yogonet International

    Gaming solutions provider EGT announced it will mark this year’s edition of ICE London with its biggest stand to date, which will cover an area of almost 2,000 square meters and will “impress the visitors with a fascinating contemporary design.”

    The company’s participation in 2023 will go under the slogan “Passion for excellence”, and it will showcase a selection of “innovations and bestsellers”.

    On EGT’s upcoming participation at the event, Nadia Popova, VP of Sales & Marketing, shared: “We have prepared an exciting journey into the gaming world of EGT that is definitely not to be missed.”

    Along with the slot cabinets and multigames from the General Series, at display will be the newest mix Bonus Prize General HD, powered by the latest Exciter IV platform and consisting of 14 titles, all with some of the bonus prize features Shiny Cash, Cash Heat, Dazzle Cash, Epic Cash and Fury Cash. The gaming variety on the stand will be complemented by Winner Selection 1 and 2 multigames, each consisting of 20 of the most popular games from EGT’s portfolio.

    Nadia Popova, VP Sales & Marketing, EGT 

    The multi-level Gods & Kings Link, which will appeal to fans of adventures in magical worlds, as well as 9 Crystal Bonanza, whose ultimate goal is getting diamonds, will “stand out among the jackpot propositions” which will be available at the stand.

    Both jackpots offer a vast variety of bonus games and numerous options for winning. The supplier says these “certainly will not go unnoticed” by players who will have the opportunity to see also the top performers Bell Link, Cai Fu Tian Jiang, 2 Happy Hits, High Cash, Sands Princess, and Premium Link.

    EGT will demonstrate its multiplayer portfolio as well. The main highlights in it will be the G 32 T and G 27 T terminals and the roulettes G R6 C and G RSA. All of them include attractive design, multiple ergonomic features and great flexibility, allowing many possible configurations with other devices, notes EGT. They will be supplied with the multigame mixes of Power Series, the newest of which is Blue Power HD with over 50 slot and multiplayer games.

    The visitors of EGT’s stand will also become familiar with many new AWP and VLT products designed specifically for different markets, as well as the new modules of the casino management system Spider.

    EGT’s subsidiary EGT Digital will make its debut at ICE London 2023. The company will showcase its variety of iGaming solutions, including instant and online casino games, jackpots, the in-house developed all-in-one betting platform X-Nave, and an innovative development in the sports betting retail technology: the self-service betting terminal.

    “We will be awaiting our guests and friends with a variety of delights. We would like to invite them to come to our stand where they will be able to try out our selection of innovative high-tech products in a very modern high-tech environment,” Popova added.

    “I believe that EGT’s participation in ICE London 2023 will be very successful as we have everything necessary to arouse the attention of industry experts, strengthen our existing partnerships and launch new ones,” she concluded.

    Ahead of the event, Yogonet held an exclusive interview with Popova, in which she detailed the company’s plans for the expo and discussed post-pandemic recovery, among other topics. Revisit the interview here.

    Source link

  • SOFTSWISS to present new iGaming standalone payment gateway FinteqHub at ICE London | Yogonet International

    SOFTSWISS to present new iGaming standalone payment gateway FinteqHub at ICE London | Yogonet International

    A new name in the iGaming market, FinteqHub, will present its PCI DSS-certified payment gateway at the ICE London exhibition next week. The novelty, developed by the SOFTSWISS PSP Team, provides access to integrations with various payment systems via a single platform. The application allows businesses to manage financial transactions, set up processing rules, and generate cash flow analytics. 

    The product enables the connection of all in-demand payment methods, including card payments, open banking, e-wallets, and vouchers from Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, India, and various European countries. 

    Apart from that, FinteqHub equips operators with a flexible payment infrastructure accommodating a large number of sites and dependencies. “The customizable and highly intuitive application allows using FinteqHub as a full-fledged back office with real-time monitoring and 24/7 operational support,” the company explained.

    Vadim Drozd, Chief Executive Officer at FinteqHub, commented: “FinteqHub was created by the iGaming-savvy payments team of SOFTSWISS for similar groups of our future clients. Based on the real needs, we’ve created a fintech solution to solve actual payment-related issues of online casinos and sportsbook projects.”

    “In addition to basic payment gateway functions, we offer smart routing and a really flexible system for role and online project management. We hope our product will reinforce your payment infrastructure, making it as efficient as possible, Drozd added.


    Andrey Starovoitov

    Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS, said: “For the reason that iGaming is a high-risk industry, operators are constantly struggling to make their payment acceptance rate grow. The success depends firstly on choosing reliable and proven payment systems and secondly on the gateway’s ability to ensure fine-tuning payment methods.”

    “Few payment gateways would give much attention to this. However, FinteqHub offers our clients both these options, which makes the product a great choice to increase business profitability,” he concluded.

    The integration starts with choosing appropriate region-specific payment methods and settling necessary papers, with FinteqHub experts walking potential clients through the process. SOFTSWISS, a technology company providing expert solutions and services for 600+ iGaming brands, became the first FinteqHub partner.

    As announced last month, SOFTSWISS will showcase its solutions at ICE London 2023 on 7–9 February. Visitors can meet with the FinteqHub delegates and get a closer look at the new product at stand N8-231.

    Source link

  • 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.

    Source link

  • 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. 

    Source link

  • “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.

    Source link

  • 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+)

    Source link

  • “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.

    Source link

  • “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. 

    Source link

  • 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.

    Source link

  • 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.

    Source link

  • 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.

    Source link

  • 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.

    Source link

  • 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.

    Source link

  • 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.

    Source link