But as technology develops even further, and more players opt for hand-held devices rather than the more ‘traditional’ desktop counterpart, Vlad Horianskyi – chief marketing officer at TVBET – has advised both bookmakers and casinos to pay considerably more attention to the development of mobile products.

The use of mobile devices for gaming can allow bettors to play casino games on the go – and with the development of mobile technologies, players need not worry about the lack of the internet and access to the network.

Surveys in 2017 showed that only 10 per cent of users regularly use mobiles to play gambling games. By contrast, a joint digital report from the European Gaming and Betting Association and H2 Gambling Capital showed that in 2020, 45.6 per cent of digital gambling profits were generated through mobile devices. 

At the same time, experts believe that by 2022, this figure will reach 50.8 per cent, exceeding the share of traffic from PCs for the first time. This trend will continue, and by 2025 the share of online gambling revenues generated through smartphones and tablets will grow to 58.2 per cent.

In addition to the growth in the number of gamblers using mobile gadgets to access gambling establishments, the amount of time they spend on smartphones will also increase. 

Thus, mobile technologies are not only becoming more affordable but also characterised by better performance and usability; even slots with 3D graphics or live games can run without interruptions or loss of quality.

TVBET believes that bookmakers and online casinos need to create and integrate such products and services that will run well from mobile devices. In this regard, the provider of live games takes care of the mobile adaptation of its solutions. 

Today, TVBET products with betting mechanics are presented on more than 400 websites all around the globe, and mobile versions of our games have commercial success as well.

To ensure that our games are tailored towards those players which bet via desktops and mobile devices, we use our iFrame. This ensures that players can play our complete portfolio of 12 live games.

The success of this is shown in the number of punters placing bets on our games from smartphones, indicating that our mobile-adapted games are commercially successful. The TVBET technical platform also allows for the correct running of all our games without a glitch.

We attribute our successes to American broadcasting technology and workstations, strong knowledge of high-end 3D animation, green screen keying technology which leads to realistic 3D scenery and detailed animation, broadcasts in full HD as well as a high-speed internet connection of two stand-alone channels, with a backup channel each.

All the functions for betting on live games are saved in the mobile TVBET iFrame as well. The interface is easy to understand and intuitive. 

So punters will have no troubles while making bets on TVBET games from mobile devices. All is done with the aim to keep up with the times and stay in tune with the interests of the players. 

The post TVBET: The mobile share of online gambling revenues to touch 60% by 2025 appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Under the terms of the partnership, the entire igaming portfolio possessed by the online platform provider will be integrated for QTech Games’ client network to access.

The games distributor has heaped praise on the alliance itself, with the group noting that this adds “another cutting edge” to its platform as it seeks an global uplift of its own.

“We’re excited to be teaming up with SA Gaming, whose team has managed to build a strong fan-base in Asia and are moving on to conquer previously untapped markets in Europe and LatAm,” explained Daniel Long, CCO at QTech Games.

“Wherever you set your scene in this ever-changing landscape, our platform champions a mobile-first mantra, packed with all the best localised games that cater to varied cultural tastes. 

“By way of simple example, if you don’t offer the fish game in China, there’s no chance of becoming successful. And it’s a similar story with the Andar Bahar in India or Pok Deng in Southeast Asia. SA Gaming understand the demand for regional specificity throughout Asia and beyond.”

SA Gaming offers a range of online titles, from classics such as baccarat to Indian favourite Andar Bahar or Southeast Asia’s Pok Deng.

These games now all form part of a portfolio made available to QTech Games and its partners, with SA Gaming sitting alongside studios such as Evolution and Ezugi.

Osman Walker, Chief Strategy Officer at SA Gaming, commented: “This deal significantly broadens SA Gaming’s international influence, opening up ‘margin’ markets from Eastern Europe and Latin America for diversified growth. 

“We’re progressively working to extend our already considerable reach, which will also involve establishing ourselves in Europe and CIS-facing territories. QTech’s broad spread of emerging-markets access means we can achieve this with dexterity while also bolstering our existing Asia-facing audience.

“We have assembled some of the best professionals in the industry, created many popular products, and provided outstanding services, as evidenced by these above accolades. 

“The global transition towards mobile gaming is only strengthening as the main source of players and revenue streams. So, to keep up with this fast-growing market, we’ve fine-tuned our development process. In short, our UIs have been re-engineered to make sure mobile users can enjoy the best gaming experience available on mobile devices. 

“Together, we can continue to raise the bar and shape a localised experience for global players amid varied cultures. We can’t wait to witness how these games perform across a range of untapped markets which, in some instances, break new ground for SA Gaming.”

The post SA Gaming provides latest boost to QTech’s online suite appeared first on CasinoBeats.

With proliferation a key theme across the 45 minute session, talk eventually shifts to the “really really hard” nature of having the confidence in a single game as well as the necessity to adapt or risk becoming irrelevant.

“The quality of course, you can, especially starting off to get the quality up you need to get your name remembered … with so many competitors out there that, as a player they have too many choices,” begins David Stoveld, COO of Armadillo Studios, when quizzed on the quality versus quantity debate.

“They’ll maybe give a five minute spin on a game and if they don’t like it they’ll try another one, but I think after three or four they’re going to recognise the brand and quality is going to suffer for the company as well as the actual games. The quality is super important and operators can be extremely picky at this point.”

However, for Benedict McDonagh, CEO of Green Jade Games, there’s a much wider change that needs to occur as opposed to simply trying to make a singular title stand out from the crowd – a way of thinking that has driven the firm from day one.

“Our solution was to not try and make a slot game stand out through marketing or alternative features and functionality, it was to change the game,” it is noted.

Adding: “There’s a significant increase in the number of games coming to market, at a faster rate than there are players coming to casinos. The inverse should actually be true.”

Furthermore, a belief is also shared that that operators, affiliates, and new businesses, rather than a games developer, “have far more of a positive impact, or the ability to impact” what games can ultimately become successful, or not.

Moving on, the maiden session of the Soft2Bet sponsored ‘Its All Casino’ track also hears how “a game developer can create content with all the best intentions and expectations with how it will perform in the market, but there’s so many external factors that can influence the potential performance”

McDonagh also cites the “significant growth metrics” of wider complementary markets, such as social mobile gaming, emphasising that approaches taken elsewhere are “exactly relevant” to gambling as well. 

These techniques, stated the GJG CEO, includes the integration of “soft factors” that affect the experience, including the ability to change an avatar, that the industry must “do a better job of bringing into regulated gaming”.

“The players are telling us what they want with their decisions anyway,” McDonagh continued. “If you look at Swedish regulatory data I think there were seven per cent of adults playing casino in 2015, and when you look at the 2021 data it’s four per cent of adults.

“Now, there will be other factors affecting those numbers in terms of the grey market etc, but we’ve seen that customers who would naturally have signed up to play at casino sites looking for that excitement are seeking that elsewhere.”

A point that Michael Pedersen, CCO of Livespins, picked up on when asserting the necessity of delivering a more connected entertainment experience.

“I guess our trend is more like … we can’t just stay in this isolated mode of playing slots,” he commented. “There is a new space, a new sort of way of entertainment, where it’s a more connected experience coming out. 

“I think there’s many types of different ways of doing that, it can be a multiplayer slot, it can be what we’re doing at Livespins, sort of a wrapping around traditional slots, or cash games, or whatever it is, but we have to think the player is being exposed to a much more so connected entertainment experience. 

“And we strongly think we need to adapt to that inside igaming, or risk becoming sort of slowly, slowly irrelevant. 

“And suddenly a bigger, bigger player segment that is looking for this, and is getting this outside of gaming. So we’re not just competing inside the industry, we’re competing for time, or Netflix, or Disney Plus, or Apple or whoever it might be.”

————–

Organised by SBC, the CasinoBeats Summit 2022 conference and exhibition will take place on 24-26 May at the InterContinental in St Julian’s, Malta.

The summit features a conference agenda that focuses on igaming industry leadership, the next generation of slots and live casino games, emerging markets, the impact of wider technological developments on the gaming industry, and marketing strategies. Delegates will also have access to a programme of networking events and an exhibition featuring the latest innovations and games releases from leading suppliers.

Find full details, including how to book a pass, at the CasinoBeats Summit website.

The post CasinoBeats Summit: adopt a more connected <br> gaming experience or risk being irrelevant appeared first on CasinoBeats.

It’s entry into Greece, after the company was granted a type A1 supplier licence from the Hellenic Gaming Commission, will result in over 70 of BGaming’s products to be made accessible to players within the country, including Elvis Frog in Vegas, Fruit Million, Aloha King Elvis, and the brand exclusive titles to Greek operators and thousands of players.

“We’re delighted to be awarded a licence by the Hellenic Gaming Commission and be able to provide our content to this regulated market,” stated Marina Ostrovtsova, executive director at BGaming. “It is a great step for the studio, and for sure BGaming will continue to ride for our regulatory market journey.” 

Earlier this year, BGaming received a critical supply licence from the Maltese Gaming Authority.

The studio has released more than 10 new games over the past 10 months, including the first BGaming cascade slot called Bonanza Billion. At the beginning of 2022, the provider is scheduled to launch its first crash-style game, Space XY.

The entry into the Greek market follows on from the studio’s recent survey, published at the beginning of the month, which highlighted igaming statistics from the third quarter.

One of the main takeaways from the report revealed that mobile gaming continues to “lead the way” in the sector, exceeding both tablet and computer gaming, with 95 per cent of its players choosing to play titles on their mobile devices. 

Additionally, BGaming noted that it witnessed a rise in young adults playing its slots, with nearly a six per cent rise over the past year.

The post BGaming enters Greece via Hellenic Gaming licence appeared first on CasinoBeats.

This will see players of its mobile apps see the Cleveland-area gaming and entertainment destination showcased in the playAwards portfolio of in-game rewards. 

“We know that our players are always looking for rewards that they can enjoy close to home,” noted Andrew Pascal, PlayStudios founder, chair, and chief executive officer. 

“Adding MGM Northfield Park to our collection opens up new geographic possibilities and serves as a further testament to the value of our collaboration with MGM Resorts International.

“Northfield Park is the 18th MGM property to join playAwards, extending an incredibly successful partnership that began nearly 10 years ago.”

The playAwards rewards portfolio includes a collection of real-world perks from a multitude travel, leisure, lifestyle, and entertainment brands across the globe. 

This includes access to a lineup of exclusive rewards from MGM Resorts’ properties, including Bellagio, Aria, Vdara, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Park MGM, The Mirage, New York-New York, Luxor, Excalibur, Beau Rivage, Gold Strike, Borgata, MGM Detroit, MGM National Harbor, MGM Springfield, and MGM Cotai.

David Tsai, president of the Midwest Group for MGM Resorts, added: “Throughout the years, PlayStudios apps have introduced millions of players to the virtual and real-world thrills of our resorts. 

“With the addition of MGM Northfield Park to the playAwards portfolio, players and guests can experience the excitement of our resorts throughout the country.”

PlayStudios recently entered into a merger agreement with Acies Acquisition Corp, which, upon closing, will result in the company becoming a Nasdaq listed company under the ticker symbol “MYPS.”

The post MGM adds Northfield Park to PlayStudios agreement appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Reaffirming its commitment to support women affected by gambling-related harm, the centre will offer a unique safe environment that will treat 24 women who are severely affected by gambling disorders on an annual basis.

The women will come from all backgrounds and undergo a treatment programme that effectively recognises the wider issues surrounding the gambling.

Matthew Hickey, Gordon Moody chief executive, explained: “Gambling is the hidden addiction and hidden further again within that is the story of women gamblers and women who are affected others. There is an absolutely urgent need to change this and the impact of COVID means this is a growing crisis that needs to be tackled with more expertise and resources.

“Gordon Moody Association has been addressing this challenge for a number of years through its retreat and counselling programme, and we now have plans to expand our treatment capacity within the next year to help urgently deal with this growing challenge. 

“But we feel this is just the beginning of what needs to be done and we will be arguing for much more capacity to be built and expert therapists to be trained in future.”

The centre has received core funding through support from Halesowen-based business InTouch Games, a developer of multiple brands in the mobile gaming sector.

A spokesperson for InTouch Games Ltd said: “We are proud and honoured to be working in partnership with the Gordon Moody Association in the development of such a unique and ground-breaking project. 

“This is a financial investment in furthering the critical work carried out by Gordon Moody, but it’s also about investing in the safer gambling culture of our whole organisation and raising awareness of our staff, customers and partners about the potential impact of gambling on the lives of vulnerable women and the barriers to treatment that they experience.  

“Working with the talented and dedicated team at Gordon Moody is undoubtedly deepening our knowledge and appreciation of issues surrounding problem gambling which, in turn, drives our commitment to do everything we can to protect our customers from experiencing harm.”

The new Gordon Moody programme has pledged to:

• Be inclusive of LGBT and BAME communities as well as other ethnic and minority groups as the UK Gambling Commission evidences the prevalence of gambling-related harm to be higher among these groups.
• Set up a residential treatment centre that will initially cater for 24 women with disordered gambling on a yearly basis.
• Provide support tailored to the needs of women from ethnic and minority groups.
• Offer counselling to the friends and families of the affected gambler.

Last year, data collected from Gamcare, GambleAware and Gambling Therapy (as part of the National Gambling Treatment Service) revealed that 30 per cent of helpline calls came from women, with 59 per cent seeking help for another and 41 per cent seeking help for themselves. This equates to approximately 9,000 women.

Meanwhile an increase of more than 100,000 women accessed GMA’s Gambling Therapy website, taking the total number of hits from women to more than one million. Of the total visits to the site, nearly 90,000 were from the UK, marking a 76 per cent increase from the previous year.

Furthermore, Gordon Moody also revealed that its 2019 women’s retreat and counselling programme received 160 applications for the 36 places available, highlighting the demand for services which support and are tailored to women. 

The new residential centre will see service users engage with those with lived experience, and will use the latest research in a programme that effectively recognises the wider issues surrounding gambling disorder in women. 

Annika Lindberg, Gordon Moody trustee, added: “The number of women gambling in the UK has increased significantly in recent years. The rise of online gambling and the targeting of women with gambling advertising has led to an increased uptake of gambling amongst women in the UK. 

“There is little doubt that women suffer even more from the stigma and shame surrounding gambling addiction. Treatment services have historically been geared towards dealing with the behaviours and causes we see in men. 

“While there will be similarities, there are also distinct differences between the causes, symptoms and drivers of male and female gambling behaviour. 

“With the growing visibility of women reaching out for help, there is still work required to ensure that women get the right support, right treatment and right environment to deal with the range of complex issues that need to be tackled in helping them address their gambling disorder.”

The post Gordon Moody to open ‘world’s first’ gambling treatment centre for women appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Outlining his strong approval, Lamont’s comments on the modernisation of the state’s gaming industry came in a two-year state budget address, with economic expansion forming a central theme. 

Asserting that the region should be left behind amid ongoing action by numerous states across the country, Lamont also suggests that the growth of lottery games to an online platform should also be undertaken, in order to allow the state to remain competitive.

“Our neighbouring states are moving forward with sports betting and igaming, and Connecticut should not leave these opportunities for other states to benefit from our inaction,” he explained.

“My administration has been in active negotiations with our tribal partners to bring the state’s gaming economy into the digital age. And I am submitting legislation which reflects what I believe to be the best bet in ending this stalemate of inaction in a way which is in the best interest for the entire state.”

Lamont’s budget proposal assumes that approximately $50m would be generated from an expansion of gaming in the 2022/23 timeframe, with the aforementioned negotiations being those alongside the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribe’s, owners of Foxwoods Casino Resort and Mohegan Sun, respectively.

In the budget proposal, it is added: “The governor firmly believes that we must recognise the evolving nature of various markets and respond accordingly to ensure our state’s competitiveness while providing opportunities to our citizens. 

“In addition, our state has had a long and fruitful partnership with the two tribal nations in our state and seeks to build on that partnership through the introduction of sports gaming and on-line casino gaming. 

“Connecticut should not leave these opportunities for other states to benefit from our inaction. Our neighbours are enacting laws to allow this and we need to keep pace to modernize our gaming industry.”

Reacting to the proposal, Howard Glaser, global head of government affairs and special initiatives of Scientific Games, explains: “Today in his budget address, governor Lamont proposed authorising ilottery, igaming and sports betting, anticipating $50m in net revenue to the state beginning in 2022. 

“Connecticut’s embrace of online gaming and lottery is a large step toward broader adoption of mobile gaming in the United States. Forty-four states now have land-based casino gaming and lotteries, and mobile gaming is the logical extension of those programs in a world going digital. 

“The pandemic is accelerating the trend to on-line play. If states with traditional casinos and lotteries approve on-line gaming, they would see over $4bn in new revenue, in addition to sports betting, at a time when statehouses are under tremendous pressure to find new revenue. 

“Consumers are increasingly drawn to play casino games on-line, and Connecticut’s move shows that states are starting to catch up to what their population is demanding.”

The post Lamont backs Connecticut for sports betting & igaming appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Lauding a great year for technology during 2019, particularly for the mobile gaming sector, Dorsen stresses that the “wallet revolution is already mainstream” as a reminder is sent to operators of the importance of paying attention to regulatory hurdles.

Making a bold prediction to CasinoBeats regarding the year ahead he stated: “I’m going to go big here and say that 2020 is the year that cash is no longer king. As it stands, the cost of carrying cash for gaming operators is increasing significantly, and many are having to ‘float’ a large portion of cash to regular players that keep regularly coming back within a short period. This needs to change.

“As ever, regulation will be where the buck starts and stops”

“For operators, the cash ‘float’ isn’t sustainable, and for players, elongated withdrawal times in a digital age are proving to be a significant pain point. Today’s demographic wants the freedom to receive their money fast and in a safe, secure way that allows them to spend it how and when they choose. 

“If operators want to stay ahead in 2020, they need to work with licensed, innovative companies that understand both gaming and fintech, and can deliver on the latest in payments technology. I predict that operators that adapt first and begin to embrace the cashless revolution now will be reaping the rewards come end of the year.”

Continuing to look ahead to the next 12 months, Dorsen, who spoke at last year’s Payment Expert Forum at Olympia London on betting’s future relationship with fintech, suggests different licenses are required to limit the movement of funds between retail and online.

“As ever, regulation will be where the buck starts and stops, and the importance of paying attention to regulatory hurdles in 2020 should never be underestimated by operators,” he says. “Europe in particular is a true patchwork of regulatory regimes. Separate licenses for online and retail that limit movement of funds between the channels are essential. 

“This is none more so the case than when it comes to AML and KYC procedures. Gaming operators who are scrambling to solve these solutions themselves would do well to invite an expert to provide the answer for them. By bringing in an already certified solution, you’re good to go across multiple markets with a ready-made provider that already has the required regulatory approval. 

“With the relevant licences, PSPs are well positioned to integrate onboarding and identity checks into the overall payments process, leveraging the best technology and security software available. Choosing the right partner can help operators optimise the identification process in a compliant and cost-effective manner that actually boosts customer engagement and helps establish a trusting relationship from the get-go.”

“The wallet revolution is already mainstream”

To conclude, Dorsen takes a look back to 2019 and a period which sees technological advancements progress at an even quicker rate than adoption: “It’s been a great year for new technology, especially when it comes to mobile gaming. The industry has developed in leaps and bounds over the past year, and we’re seeing plenty of new opportunities emerge for us as digital wallet tech continues to go mainstream. 

“The wallet revolution is already mainstream, as we’ve seen with Revolut and Apple Pay achieving high adoption. Gaming and betting operators are becoming increasingly interested in understanding how they can leverage our OKTO.WALLET to streamline operations and minimise costs.

“When it comes to the customer, we’re seeing a rapid uptake. Mobile transactions already account for 54 per cent of digital payments in Europe and are growing globally by 10 per cent. With technology advancing at an even quicker pace than adoption, payment solutions are offering a whole new level of convenience for customers dedicated to reducing friction in gaming transactions.

“Fast payouts build brand trust with the player, driving repeat betting, visitation and deposit ratios, and I’m looking forward to seeing operators continuing to capitalise on that in 2020.”

The post Is 2020 the year of <br> the cashless revolution? appeared first on CasinoBeats.

‘Economic Impact of New Jersey Online Gaming’ was commissioned by iDEA Growth and conducted by Meister Economic Consulting and Victor-Strategies, and covers the New Jersey’s market since its inception in 2013 through to September 2019.

Stressing the the region “is the most successful business model of the four states where online gaming is currently in operation in the US,” it is added that the state should serve as an example to those seeking to legalised mobile gaming and betting.

Of the headline takeaways from the report it is stipulated that since its first full year of operations online gaming gross gaming revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 24.8 per cent.

Furthermore, 6,552 jobs were created between late 2013 and 2018, while the legalisation of online gaming drove consumer protection by bringing a longstanding offshore industry onshore from a grey market into a safe and structured environment.

GGR from this year is projected to hit $452m, a 51 per cent year-on-year increase, with state and local taxes coming in at at $52.3m last year, representing a 21.6 per cent increase from 2017. This includes approximately $44.9m to the state and $7.5m locally via the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

“The results of this report demonstrate the economic, regulatory and consumer safeguard wins that mobile gaming and betting offers a state. 80 per cent of sports betting wagers are already placed on mobile devices or online. When bets are done legally and in the proper regulatory framework, everyone wins,” explained Jeff Ifrah, founder of iDEA Growth. 

“For the many states considering whether to legalise mobile betting and gaming, the question to ask is what could your state do with more tax dollars? The additional revenue gained from mobile gaming can be earmarked for important state initiatives.”

The post New Jersey the gold standard for legalised mobile gaming and betting appeared first on CasinoBeats.