In this edition, we spoke to Victoria Lowther, HR Office Manager at Altenar, who shared her experience of seeing Pearl Jam in Paris and why her love of Dave Grohl is undeniable.  

What was your first-ever gig, and what was it like? 

My first real gig away from the Isle of Man was Pearl Jam in Paris. It was absolutely phenomenal; the music, the atmosphere, the city. Just wow. It was just an amazing experience and one I won’t ever forget.

What’s the best performance you have ever seen live, and why was it so good? 

This is a very difficult question as I have been to so many live performances featuring some of the world’s most iconic bands, past and present. Coldplay were amazing, Green Day were superb, but I would have to choose Aerosmith in Las Vegas. Steve Tyler is a true showman and his voice was better live than on any recordings.

Is there an artist who, in your eyes, can do no wrong?

Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, what a man he is! He is the epitome of picking yourself up and never giving up. A born entertainer. He keeps the Foo Fighters well and truly in the limelight and you can recite so many of their best songs over the years. Just an incredible band.

What is your most cherished album, and what makes it so special to you? 

Lightning Bolt by Pearl Jam. Not only have I seen them perform in Paris at my first-ever gig, but I saw them after that in Milan. Just a beautiful city with such history and they performed so many songs from Lightning Bolt that evening. A truly one-off occasion with so many happy memories.

What song always makes it to your gym playlist? What activities do you usually do in the gym while listening to it? 

As much as I like my rock and heavy metal, you need to tone it down a little bit when doing a workout at the gym so I always make sure I have Titanium by David Guetta featuring Sia on my playlist while on the treadmill. It is an unforgettable track so it gives me real inspiration when the finishing line is in sight.

Which artist or song helps take your mind off work? Why have you chosen this artist and genre? 

There are so many to choose from when I need to relax and take my mind off daily tasks at work. I listen to Hozier, Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and Post Malone mainly but there are too many to choose from. The music they produce is very chilled, very calming and I just love the vibes that these artists can inhibit.

If you could go on a night out with any musician, who would it be, and where would you take them? 

I have mentioned them above a few times but Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam would undoubtedly be my number one choice. However, if he is busy then the aforementioned Dave Grohl wouldn’t be a bad back-up. I would show them around the Isle of Man and take them for the local delicacy of chips, cheese and gravy. I’m sure either would love it.

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In the culminating part of a CasinoBeats special, and ahead of SBC Summit Tbilisi on June 25-26, we task a range of prominent industry suppliers with giving us the lowdown on their most recent activity.

Thunderkick’s Chief Commercial Officer Svante Sahlström, Viktoriia Vashukevich, Head of Account Management at 3 Oaks Gaming and Altenar’s Sales Manager Vagelis Bairlis continue to offer their insights.

CasinoBeats: What are the player trends you have noticed in these areas? Are they similar across borders or do each have their idiosyncrasies? How do your products cater to that?

Svante Sahlström: We wouldn’t want to be giving the game away too much here but suffice to say we are aware that certain games are more popular in certain markets. We do our research beforehand and make sure we are aware of local preferences.

That’s where good account management comes in. You can have the best games in the world, but studios like us need to have knowledgeable account managers who know what their clients want. Through data driven analysis, we can provide the best fit for individual markets. That way our partners get the most out of the products we provide.

Viktoriia Vashukevich: The philosophy of ‘keeping it easy’ has been embraced by many individuals worldwide for more than a decade, and this is influencing the expectations from the key focal point of slots – the gameplay.

It is very important not to overcomplicate the process, including the math, and instead keep it clear and transparent for the player. Also, we can clearly see that visuals are much more important to players than they were three of four years ago.

They are receiving an endless stream of visual content across different forms of entertainment including social media, and makes game creation even more demanding. However, it is extremely rewarding when we see a greater volume of players immerse themselves in our content following the hard work we put in behind the scenes.

To ensure each game is of a high quality, the narrative must be considered as a critical element. Every game should tell the player an interesting and exciting story, showcasing impressive and robust visuals, accompanied by a captivating soundtrack. This is pretty much the set of rules we are trying to follow when designing new titles.

Vagelis Bairlis: The player trends per country/territory are usually determined by the sports of preference for the players of the area, therefore we can easily conclude that everything in Eastern Europe is following the European logic and is mainly moving around football.

The big differences can be found when we move from Europe to America or Asia, and I wouldn’t say there is a huge distinction between people in Eastern European countries.

What differs usually from country to country is the preference of secondary sports (Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Ice Hockey, Handball etc) but also the style of betting (smaller tendency to big accumulators, heavy bonus utilisation, big activity on live betting).

CB: Explain the importance of regional events like SBC Summit Tbilisi in gaining traction in new markets.

VV: Nothing can be discovered remotely. There is no better way to get to know the market than to talk to delegates, exhibit what you have, and ask what they require. None of the analytical resources will give you more insight than a personal meeting with people who operate in the market.

Understanding the culture of the country in which you plan to conduct business is paramount. Culture permeates every aspect of interaction, encompassing communication preferences, information sharing norms, and societal nuances.

Navigating cultural gaps is vital, and thorough preparation is key. Engaging in local events such as the SBC Summit Tbilisi can provide invaluable insights and facilitate progress in bridging these gaps effectively.

VB: Regional events like SBC Summit Tbilisi are vital for entering new markets and then remaining significant in those regions. They offer networking opportunities with local stakeholders, insights into market trends and regulations, and a platform to showcase brands.

These events help build credibility, identify potential partners, and stay updated on market dynamics. Additionally, educational sessions provide valuable knowledge for adapting strategies to the specific region. Overall, participation in such events is essential for gaining traction and maintaining success in new markets.

SS: Tbilisi sits in the centre of a geographical area that is important to Thunderkick. We’ve just done a partnership deal with Relum, who are based in nearby Armenia, and we know that the area holds multiple opportunities for us. Regional shows like SBC Tbilisi are an opportunity to check in with existing partners like them, but also to speak to operators who might benefit form some of the games in our portfolio.

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Ahead of SBC Summit Tbilisi on June 25-26, across a two-part CasinoBeats special, we task a range of prominent industry suppliers with giving us the lowdown on their most recent activity.

Viktoriia Vashukevich, Head of Account Management at 3 Oaks Gaming, Altenar’s Sales Manager Vagelis Bairlis and Thunderkick’s Svante Sahlström Chief Commercial Officer all offer their insights.

CasinoBeats: Which markets have preoccupied you in the last 12 months?

Viktoriia Vashukevich: We are currently licenced and regulated by the Gambling Supervision Commission in the Isle of Man, the Gambling Commission in the United Kingdom and the National Gaming Office (ONJN) in Romania.

Our games are certified in Bulgaria, Colombia, Georgia, Isle of Man, Italy, Portugal, and South Africa and are undergoing certification for the UK and Romania followed by the Netherlands amongst others.

Our growth plans include acquiring licences in Malta, Greece and Sweden in the near future, whilst Georgia is a very interesting region for us from a competition perspective. We offer high-quality content alongside a cutting-edge portfolio of promotional tools to these markets.

Even though the Italian market is saturated, we strongly believe our games will be warmly received by Italian players, and look forward to seeing how our slots do in all these jurisdictions as 2024 progresses.

Vagelis Bairlis: Our interest in Eastern Europe has always been great, due to the passion of people there for sports in general, but also sports betting. Specifically, we have already been present in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria. Our most recent achievement is getting into the Hungarian and Czech markets as well. 

Svante Sahlström: As well as growing our presence in existing markets, we have been very active in Italy. It is an important country for betting and gaming and has a very vibrant player community who enjoy our games.

Portugal is a very similar market in southern Europe that is working well for us too. We have also been active in Asia as there is great demand for the sort of games which we produce. Of course, our home market of Sweden, as well as our neighbour Finland, are equally dear to us and we can still grow there too.

CB: Which markets do you plan to focus on in the near future?

VB: Obviously, we are focusing heavily on all markets where we have established business (aforementioned in the previous question).

However, this doesn’t mean that we don’t target to enter markets that we are not active yet and can create growth opportunities for our business, such as Slovakia, Poland, Balkans in general and Greece in particular. 

SS: As we discussed with clients at ICE, we are set to go live in Ontario which will be a major focus for us in 2024. There are several big-name operators who will go live with some of our most popular games shortly.

Closer to home, we are exploring options to expand our reach in Portugal further, as well as in the Czech Republic and Romania. Lastly, we have our eyes on Croatia, Slovakia and Hungary. There are exciting times ahead.

VV: Games certification is just the tip of the iceberg and we have a lot to do now. We are live with leading Georgian operators, and now we have the challenging task of finding the key to the audience and what resonates with them.

Our sales team is working hard to cover Italy, Portugal, and Colombia and we are excited about new opportunities that are coming with Romania and the UK. 

The post Roundtable: interest in Eastern Europe has always been great appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Through the partnership, Optimove will help Altenar’s operating partners to elevate player digital experiences by delivering personalised product recommendations via widgets in Opti-X, an AI-driven recommendation and search engine. 

Opti-X offers tailored content and product recommendations across all digital touchpoints, even for anonymous visitors, based on past interactions, similar players and trending items. 

“This announcement marks a significant milestone for Opti-X and its value for igaming operators,” commented Dan de Souza, Global Director of Partnerships at Optimove.

“Much like Altenar, we continue to expand in LatAm, so this partnership is a no-brainer. Combining our technology with Altenar’s unparalleled industry expertise enables us to deliver innovative solutions that drive igaming operators’ business growth. 

“As players’ attention spans continue to shrink, operators must gain the ability to start marketing with the player and provide relevant and personalised recommendations, services, and products to keep them around for longer and coming back for more.”

Using Opti-X widgets, Altenar’s operators can personalise content across numerous channels and assist customers with discovering products via a search engine powered by AI.

Charlie Williams, Commercial Director at Altenar, added: “This partnership is a game-changer for our operator portfolio. Opti-X’s AI-led content and product recommendations solution will empower operators to serve each player with the right digital recommendations at the right time, enhancing retention and elevating player experience. 

“That is a surefire step toward better player loyalty and trust, enhanced retention, and a better bottom line.”

Earlier this month, Optimove announced that it would be providing its CRM marketing solution to La Tinka to bolster the Peruvian igaming operator’s player engagement and retention.

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But what will it mean for the established European market? What changes are we likely to see? CasinoBeats spoke to Marina Zacharopoulou, Technical Compliance Manager of Altenar, and Mike Collins, Product Owner at Thunderkick, to find out their take on developments.

CasinoBeats: These new requirements are designed to increasingly disrupt the illegal gaming sector – how effective do you think they will be?  

Marina Zacharopoulou: The efficacy of newly implemented regulations in disrupting illicit activities within the gaming sector relies on several factors, including the specific measures employed.

The Swedish Gambling Authority boasts a commendable tradition and a reputation as one of the most stringent regulatory bodies in Europe. We seek to ensure the efficacy of measures implemented by regulatory bodies with regard to safeguarding the interests of players and individuals involved in the igaming industry.

Mike Collins: We are hopeful that these new requirements will be very effective in disrupting the illegal gaming sector. With the implementation of stricter regulations, suppliers are likely to be more hesitant to supply both regulated and unregulated operators.

This in turn should lead to a decrease in the availability of unregulated gaming content. That will then increase consumer awareness and participation in legal, regulated gaming. Of course, that is the theory. We will see how it plays out in reality – but we are confident that the principles are sound.

CB: Do you think that the new regulations will impact play/spending patterns?

MC: While there may be an initial impact on play/spending patterns, we believe that, in the long term, the unregulated market will decrease. This will should lead to an increase in canalisation towards the regulated market.

This shift towards a more regulated market will provide players with greater protection, ensuring a safer, more secure gaming environment. That is the most important thing here, and what we should all be striving towards.

MZ: The introduction of new regulations has the potential to impact both the behaviours of players and their expenditure within the gaming sector. Depending on the nature of the regulations, they may enforce more stringent player safeguards, such as limitations on deposits or playing time, or impose additional verification procedures.

These changes can significantly influence player behaviours and subsequently impact the overall patterns of play and expenditure.

CB: What is your take on Swedish player/bettor demographics? Do they differ particularly to other regions of Europe?  

MZ: It should be noted that the demographics of Swedish players may differ from those of other European regions. However, a comprehensive assessment necessitates a more specific analysis of data.

Demographics can diverge based on factors such as age, gender, socio-economic status, and preferences for particular game genres. Understanding these demographics is imperative in assisting the Swedish gambling industry, which ranks among the most profitable in Europe, to make informed decisions and tailor its offerings accordingly. Recent reports estimate the country’s total gambling revenue in 2022 to have reached approximately SEK 27bn.

MC: A 2022 study showed that the average casino player in Sweden is in their early forties, working full-time with a monthly income averaging between €2,700 and €3,600. Men constitute 69 per cent of Swedish players, with 44 per cent of people in general engaging in gaming on a monthly basis.

Based on our observations, Swedish demographics are very similar to other European markets. While they may be some regional differences to consider, overall we see a similar profile of players in terms of age, gender and gaming preferences.

The post Sweden: the illegal market, player demographics & spending habits appeared first on CasinoBeats.

But what will it mean for the established European market? What changes are we likely to see? Mike Collins, Product Owner at Thunderkick, and Marina Zacharopoulou, Technical Compliance Manager of Altenar, continue the conversation.

CasinoBeats: Players are undoubtedly more protected in a well-regulated environment. How do you look to develop products that can fit enhanced regulatory regimes?

Mike Collins: As a supplier, Thunderkick is committed to developing products that meet the strictest regulatory requirements. We have always dedicated ourselves to providing a safe and secure gaming environment for our players. As a result, we’ve therefore already developed a suite of products that meet the strictest requirements.

With the implementation of enhanced regulatory regimes, we will continue to ensure that our products comply with all regulatory standards and provide players with the highest level of protection.

Marina Zacharopoulou: To develop products that align with enhanced regulatory frameworks, it is imperative for us to prioritise the incorporation of features along with our operators that promote responsible gambling, player protection, and regulatory compliance.

This may entail implementing tools for self-exclusion, age verification, responsible gambling limits, and secure payment options. Adapting to regulatory changes is of utmost importance in guaranteeing a secure and compliant gaming environment for players. Additionally, it is crucial to maintain a user-friendly atmosphere for the end-users.

CB: There are always regulatory changes afoot in most markets generally, but do you believe that these moves in Sweden will see others follow suit? 

MZ: Sweden has implemented several measures to safeguard its citizens from the perils of gambling addiction. The government has enforced various restrictions on the advertising and promotion of gambling.

These measures have demonstrated positive effects, as only four per cent of the population between the ages of 18 and 84 exhibit patterns of risky gambling. Among them, three per cent display signs of a gambling addiction, while 0.5 per cent suffer from a diagnosed gambling addiction.  

Regulatory alterations within one country often inspires others to follow suit, particularly when these changes are perceived as effective in addressing concerns related to illegal gambling, player protection, or public health.

However, it is important to recognise that each country’s regulatory landscape is distinct, and the decision to implement similar measures will depend on various factors, including local priorities, political dynamics, and industry advocacy.

MC: In short, yes – we believe that these regulatory changes in Sweden will over time set a precedent for other markets to follow. We welcome this development and believe it will ultimately decrease the amount of administration required for suppliers and operators alike.

Getting games approved just once in the market before making them available to all operators directly will greatly benefit all actors in each market, creating a much more efficient and effective gaming environment.

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Under the terms of the deal, Altenar will supply its online casino software and services for Winpot across its online and retail segments.

The Mexican operator will also have its sportsbook offering boosted with a wide selection of virtual sports, lottery and quinielas (the Hispanic equivalent of pool coupons for football).

Altenar is also supplying its retail technology which offers a fully customisable player experience with a front-end to suit Winpot’s bespoke requirements. 

“We are delighted to begin our journey with Winpot, who is undoubtedly one of Mexico’s biggest igaming companies,” commented Angelos Stravelas, Account Manager at Altenar.

“To extend our footprint within Mexico is a real coup for us and with Winpot having over 15 years’ experience in the region, they will be able to showcase our sportsbook to maximum effect.”

Winpot has been active in Mexico since 2006 and utilises the Wiztech platform that offers over 12,000 games from more than 70 suppliers.

The Mexican operator has 19 locations across the country with plans to grow now it has reached a deal to utilise Altenar’s in-house retail terminal system.  

Yoni Sidi, CEO at Winpot, stated: “We are thrilled to announce our latest collaboration with Altenar. By integrating their cutting-edge sportsbook technology with our established casino platform, we are elevating our offerings to provide an exceptional and comprehensive gaming experience for our customers. 

“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to innovation and growth, and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Anuar Haua, COO at Winpot, added: “A successful partnership requires strategic thinking, trust, and the right combination of elements. 

“We’re excited to announce our new partnership with Altenar that will bring together the best of both worlds – the expertise of our current casino platform and the dynamic sports betting experience of Altenar. With this collaboration, we’re confident that we’ll hit the jackpot and deliver an unparalleled gaming experience to our customers.”

At the end of last year, Altenar made its debut in Germany after reaching an agreement with ChillyBets.

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The Malta-based igaming solutions provider will support an ‘online upgrade’ for the German online gaming and betting operator, whilst also factoring on omnichannel considerations.

Altenar adds that it has the ‘speciality’ to drive forward any ambitions ChillyBets may have in the bricks-and-mortar sector, despite its new client being primarily online-focused.

Diego Salas, Altenar Sales Manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to partner with our first ever licensed sportsbook operator in Germany, and ChillyBets, with its wealth of experience within this industry, is the best start we could have hoped for.

“There is no doubt this partnership will be a huge achievement and we are very excited to be able to tap into the German market for the first time following recent successes across the region.”

The deal strengthens Altenar’s expansion strategy across Europe by securing a presence in Germany, with the firm pointing to ‘huge growth in Belgium over the past 12 months’.

Notable partners clinched by the firm this year include Casino 777 in Latvia and Casino Grand Madrid in Spain, whilst in October the supplier launched a redeveloped cash out product for Italian customers in response to regulatory reforms.

Altenar asserted that its partnership with ChillyBets will enable the operator to be ‘more competitive in a thriving market’.

Founded by 2018 by its parent company Chilling Cheetah, ChillyBets gained a German sportsbook licence last summer, around the same time as the re-regulation of the market.

“We are happy to start a new era for our business in the regulated territory of Germany together with Altenar,” remarked Tal Zamstein, ChillyBets CEO.

“We are sure that Altenar is the right partner in terms of the offer and the support to our efforts in this complicated regulatory environment.”

The post Altenar to power ‘online upgrade’ for ChillyBets appeared first on CasinoBeats.

This latest partnership, said Altenar, continues “an already productive year,” with this latest European enhancement set to bring a further new market entry for the company.

The supplier’s sportsbook software boasts a wide range of capabilities, with multiple specialisations across esports, data and retail as well as virtuals. 

Altenar continues to build on a variety of developments rolled-out over the course of the year, with the group having recently scaled its next-gen terminal solution for global markets following successes being recorded across Latin America, Belgium and Spain.

In addition to hailing the alliance as “testament to the continued growth of the company,” Altenar has reported a surge of 150 per cent for total bets and player count over 2021. 

An Altenar spokesperson said: “We are thrilled to enter into this latest collaboration with Casino 777. Our premium sportsbook software will give our new partners a more detailed focus on the Latvian market, as well as the opportunity to deepen their understanding of their customers.

“The strength of our platform is unmatched, and the continued growth we are demonstrating across Europe is clear evidence of this.”

This comes after Altenar last week detailed a solidification of its European position after agreeing to supply its sportsbook and platform to Casino Gran Madrid in Spain.

The post Altenar makes Latvian play via Casino 777 agreement appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The platform boasts a range of capabilities, with multiple specialisations across esports, data and retail, as well as virtuals, and will see the sportsbook and igaming software provider take its solution to a wider range of bettors across Spain.

In addition to hailing the alliance as “testament to the continued growth of the company,” Altenar has reported a surge of 150 per cent for total bets and player count over 2021. 

Alejandro Cazorla, Sales Manager at Altenar, said: “We are delighted to be fuelling growth at Casino Gran Madrid with our top tier sportsbook. We look forward to collaborating with our newfound partners to provide an even more satisfying betting experience to the Spanish customer base.

“This partnership is indicative of the continued progress we are seeing as a company, and the evidence is clear that our presence in Europe is as strong as ever.”

Altenar continues to build on a variety of developments rolled-out over the course of the year, with the group having recently scaled its next-gen terminal solution for global markets following successes being recorded across Latin America, Belgium and Spain.

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