This centres around 50 acres of developable land surrounding the MLB Franchise’s Citi Field stadium, with a Hard Rock International partnership and community first approach central themes of the proposal.

In addition to hosting over 500 meetings with community leaders and holding a number of sessions united thousands of guests, Cohen is vowing to deliver 15,000 “good-paying, permanent and construction union jobs”. A priority for hiring will be afforded to local residents.

The Metropolitan Park complex is intended to be “a destination not just for baseball season, but 365 days a year”, with Cohen citing the millions of local and international visitors to the region as a crucial opportunity that needs to be capitalised on.

In addition to 2.4 million residents of Queens County and three million Mets fans, the surrounding area is home to Flushing Meadows, the home of the US Open, as well as a planned New York City FC stadium, which are projected to attract more than one million visitors. LaGuardia airport, which attracts 22 million passengers, is also in close proximity. 

“It’s time New York got the sports and entertainment park it deserves. When I bought this team, fans and the community kept saying we needed to do better,” Cohen noted.

“Metropolitan Park delivers on the promise of a shared space that people will not only want to come to and enjoy, but can be truly proud of.”

The proposal vows to create acres of new green space, as well as connecting Flushing Meadows Corona Park to the waterfront of Flushing Bay, and adding an array of bike paths as well as providing recreational athletic fields.

In addition to a potential Hard Rock branded hotel, restaurants, bars, casino gaming space, sportsbook and live music venue, the development would also comprise affordable and authentic dining options, cuisine featuring local vendors and community event space.

Furthermore, transportation links would include an accessible mass transit station, improved and efficient parking and a modernised road and bike network.

Jim Allen, Hard Rock CEO, added: “Hard Rock has been committed to New York since our first restaurant in 1984, and we’re excited to extend our stellar reputation as an employer, community partner, and world-class entertainment company to the World’s Borough.”

The New York State Gaming Commission began the bidding process for the three commercial casino licences in January. Each will require applicants to pay a minimum capital investment and licence fee of $500m each.

Several casino operators have expressed interest in one of the three licences on offer including a Jay-Z and Caesars project in Times Square, Wynn Resorts‘ casino proposal at Hudson Yards and Thor Equities, Saratoga Casino Holdings, Chickasaw Nation and Legends Hospitality’s Coney Island bid.

Additional interest has been expressed by Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts, Mohegan Gaming and Bally’s, among others.

The post Steve Cohen reveals plans for $8bn Queens casino resort project appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Peter Carlino, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, noted that the third quarter backs-up a strategy of working alongside “leading operators” and supporting current and future initiatives, while expanding and diversifying its tenant roster in an accretive manner.

The second quarter saw revenue and adjusted EBITDA increase 7.72 per cent to $359.6m (2022: $333.8m) and 5.92 per cent to $327.1m (2022: $308.8m), respectively. However, net income dropped 16.31 per cent to $189.3m (2022: $226.2m).

Carlino noted that the quarter benefited from growth across the REIT’s stable base of gaming operator tenants, with ten properties added through 2022 and during the year ending September 30, 2023. 

These include the acquisition of the land associated with the Hard Rock Casino development project in Rockford, Illinois, for $100m, as well as Iowa’s Casino Queen Marquette for $32.72m.

In addition, a $85m transformation of The Queen Baton Rouge, formerly known as Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, opened to the public on August 24, delivering revamped casino gaming, sports wagering, entertainment and dining.

“With our opportunistic approach to portfolio expansion, the proven long-term resiliency of our tenants’ revenue streams, and comfortable rent coverage ratios across our portfolio, we expect to continue to deliver strong capital returns and yields for our shareholders which is highlighted by our third quarter 2023 dividend of $0.73 per share, up from $0.705 per share in the year-ago period,” he commented.

Adding: “We continue to believe there are near- and longer-term cases for GLPI to further support tenants with innovative financing, capital and development structures in an accretive, prudent manner.

“This operating strategy has driven stable, visible growth of our rental cash flows and AFFO for ten years, enabling GLPI to consistently increase capital returns to shareholders.”

For the year-to date, revenue rose 9.84 per cent to $1.07bn (2022: $975.29m), net income increased 6.83 per cent to $538.11m (2022: $503.69m) and adjusted EBITDA closed at $975.68m, a 7.25 per cent uptick from $909.65m year-on-year.

Once again, the company has stressed much excitement at an agreement alongside Bally’s and Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics to develop an integrated casino within a new 30,000-seat Las Vegas stadium for the team at GLPI’s 35-acre Tropicana site.

With the Nevada legislature partially clearing the path via the approval of public funding, GLPI is expecting costs of approximately $175m to cover construction costs, 

Additional investments may be required under unspecified circumstances. The transaction will be subject to customary approvals and other conditions, including a requisite relocation approval from the MLB on or before December 1, 2023.

Through the remainder of the year, GLPI has increased its guidance, with adjusted funds from operations expected to close 2023 between $1.003bn and $1.006bn, as opposed to the previously expressed $94m and $999m.

“With recent portfolio additions and completed transactions combined with contractual rent escalators, we see continued financial growth in the balance of 2023 and beyond,” Carlino concluded. 

“Our disciplined capital investment approach, combined with our focus on stable and resilient regional gaming markets, supports our confidence that the company is well positioned to further grow our cash dividend and drive long-term shareholder value.”

The post GLPI: disciplined capital investment approach to drive future success appeared first on CasinoBeats.

This has seen San Antonio, Texas-based private equity firm purchase all of the assets of VizExplorer’s parent company, VizExp.

DLP was formed in late 2020 by Bret Piatt, Michael Girdley and Matt Morris to acquire and operate recurring revenue technology companies, with VizExplorer representing a second platform investment.

“We are excited to partner with the industry veterans at VizExplorer to further expand their dominant market position in casino gaming software,” commented Morris

“Our investor base is comprised of leading technology entrepreneurs/operators, multi-generational family offices and some of the brightest minds from global investment firms.

“We all recognise that VizExplorer provides a compelling value proposition to customers and has numerous avenues for growth. 

“We seek to expand VizExplorer’s competitive moat to build a business that will last forever.”

VizExplorer, a supplier of business intelligence to the casino gaming industry, provides technology to hundreds of properties in the US and abroad that it is said generates over $10bn in annual revenue. 

The group’s solutions provide visualisations, reporting and recommendations for operators to make more informed decisions in a bid to enhance profitability across the gaming floor, player development and marketing.

“We are thrilled to have DLP as our new financial partner. We have been working with the DLP team for several months and have found a great fit for our team and our business,” noted David Patent, VizExplorer President and CEO.

“DLP will help facilitate continued innovation and investment in the critical strategic areas of the business.” 

The post VizExplorer secures strategic Dry Line Partners funding appeared first on CasinoBeats.

CasinoBeats: How was 2022 for Slotegrator and the global igaming industry?

Dmytro Kryvorchuk: 2022 wasn’t a simple year for everyone, though in a way we’re already used to constant instability due to the pandemic. During this period, we created strong products that we developed even further in 2022, including our improved platform and our Telegram Casino solution.

We strengthened our market position and entered new regions; our GGR nearly doubled, our game portfolio grew to include 100 partners, and our new platform now has a B2B licence from Romanian regulator ONJN. 

For the global igaming industry, this period was transformational. Every player on the market now understands that digitalisation is our reality. The metaverse, VR technology, and new formats for live dealer games – this is just the beginning. We are looking forward to a real explosion of innovations.

CB: What markets do you think will perform most strongly in 2023

DK: We believe that a new era for the gambling market is starting in emerging markets like LatAm, Asia, and Africa.

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

Asia is a very diverse and promising region, densely populated, and with a rapidly growing economy. As for gambling control in Asian countries, this market is considered one of the most tightly regulated.

The Indian market is full of potential, despite its complicated regulatory landscape (laws vary from state to state, though the country recently established a national regulator). In 2022, total revenue in the casino gaming segment was projected to reach $1bn within a few years. 

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

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

CB: What advice would you give to industry newcomers and established stakeholders for success in 2023?

DK: Embrace challenges and try to exceed client expectations. Our industry is very creative and innovative. We have a great opportunity to adapt innovations for the client’s inquiries. 

I also believe in the strength of partnerships. Slotegrator has a great base of partners, and we double our opportunities on the way to success, so it’s important to forge strong bonds with brands that can help you along the way. 

CB: Which format will be the gambling industry’s big winner in 2023: offline, online, or a hybrid format?

DK: Digitalisation is our reality now, but traditional games also are popular. The hybrid format is a symbiosis that players enjoy and operators can use to make the most of occasional tough situations. For example, live dealer games are very popular in different Asian countries, a trend that was greatly boosted by the pandemic.

Players came to appreciate chatting with the dealers, because everybody needs human connection. The Asian market is one of the biggest now — just think about how many billions of people live there and love live dealer games. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the development of the gambling industry.

I’d also like to note that igaming is borderless, and your online casino could attract thousands of players every day. You only have to remember regulations and track the trends in your target market.

CB: Can you tell us more about your expectations from the gambling industry in 2023?

DK: We believe that 2023 will be a year of digital changes. Our team is ready, and we have great plans. 

We are planning to double the current results as well and explore new markets.

We are also going to present entirely new products that no one else has yet. There will be new opportunities in different markets and new games from our partners. Nowadays there is a surge in the development of completely new types of games, and we are planning to integrate them into our APIgrator solution.

Our strategy is improving and creating new convenient and multifunctional products for our clients. In 2023, the Slotegrator team will strive to surprise the market with new solutions and ideas and improve even further on the current results.

One of the most important strategic goals is announcing our new casino platform, or P2, to the world. Also, we are planning to integrate new modules into the platform with special new opportunities for our customers. 

We will continue to create ebooks for different markets, and we can look forward to adding new games and providers to our portfolio, attending many productive offline meetings and events, offering excellent services and high-quality products, providing interesting information and analyses in Slotegrator Academy, and signing exciting new contacts. We are expecting further growth and wish our clients and partners success in 2023.

Also, we are looking forward to ICE 2023 in London, where some plans will be revealed. This time we prepared a surprise for all our stand visitors: a lottery with a free casino platform as the main prize! Join us at the booth N6-250.

The post Slotegrator’s Dmytro Kryvorchuk: embrace <br> challenges and exceed client expectations appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The winners of the 26 operator, affiliate and media, supplier, and payment and compliance categories were announced at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in front of 400 senior executives from the betting and igaming industry.

The lavish ceremony of the second edition of the SBC Awards Latinoamérica was hosted by the Mexican sports journalist Inés Sainz and Argentinian sports journalist and Futbol Sites and Playmaker ambassador Juan Pablo Varsky. 

Kaizen Gaming was named Sportsbook Operator of the Year, with Betsson Group scooping the Casino Operator of the Year gong. In the other operator categories, the independent judging panels selected EstrelaBet as Rising Star of the Year as Betmotion was named Bingo & Lottery Operator of the Year.

The Marketing Campaign of the Year Award went to Apuesta Total for their ‘Para ganar hay que creer’ campaign, while Sponsorship of the Year title was claimed by Betcris. 

Betcris received another prestigious recognition as the Employer of the Year, while Moshe Edree (Codere) was named Leader of the Year in the second award that spans the entire industry.

Rasmus Sojmark, CEO and Founder of event organiser SBC, said: “The awards ceremony is always special as it recognises the hard work that goes into being a leader in this industry. Congratulations to all the shortlisted companies and the big winners of the night for their tireless dedication to excellence.”

Better Collective and iGamingNuts claimed the respective Sports Affiliate/Media and Casino Affiliate of the Year awards, with Futbol Sites (Playmaker) taking the silver award in the Sports Affiliate/Media category.

Evolution enjoyed a successful evening in the supplier section, winning both the Casino & iGaming Supplier of the Year and Industry Innovation of the Year honours. Sportradar Group was also among the companies to celebrate two victories as they group won Platform Provider of the Year and Acquisition & Retention Partner.

BetConstruct collected the Sportsbook Supplier of the Year Award, Genius Sports was victorious in the Sports Data/Live Betting Product category, and Digitain claimed Esports Supplier of the Year.

Pragmatic Play won Bingo & Lottery Supplier of the Year, Continent 8 Technologies won Marketing & Services Provider of the Year, GoldenRace was awarded the Virtual Sports Supplier trophy and Aristocrat got the Land-Based Betting & Gaming Product award.

In the rising star categories of the supplier awards, Softswiss Sportsbook won Rising Star In Sports Betting, and Wizard Games scooped the Rising Star In Casino trophy.

Paysafe Group triumphed in the Payment Solution & Innovation of the Year section, and Veriff landed the Compliance Partner/Supplier of the Year trophy in payments and compliance.

“I would like to thank everyone who made this night happen and give a special shout-out to our sponsors for their support. We are already looking forward to the third edition of the Awards in November 2023,” Sojmark added. 

The post SBC Awards Latinoamérica celebrate regional betting & gaming leaders appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The purchase, which the group added will also enhance its range of mobile capabilities to established gaming customers, is anticipated to “quickly become an important contributor” towards Everi’s mobile-first growth initiative.

Furthermore, Venuetize is expected to enhance the provider’s recurring revenues, as well as leverage combined capabilities and third-party integrations to further elevate the capabilities of the firm’s mobile and wallet offerings for gaming, and gaming-adjacent, customers

Venuetize, a provider of guest engagement and m-commerce platform for the sports, entertainment and hospitality industries, aims to elevate the guest experience and strengthen mobile channel engagement in a bid to drive incremental revenue opportunities.

The transaction is anticipated to close within 30 days, subject to customary conditions. The acquisition will be funded from existing cash on hand, and following completion Venuetize’s experienced team will join Everi.

Randy Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Everi, explained “This acquisition will, for the first time, expand Everi’s addressable market beyond casino gaming and also perfectly aligns with our capital allocation strategy, which has delivered a track-record of success of executing on high-return accretive investments that expand our technology capabilities into new markets and new geographies. 

“The complementary assets and established customer base of Venuetize being acquired together with our existing financial access and loyalty products are expected to enable further growth into additional entertainment, sports and hospitality venues and also to create new crossover marketing opportunities with our existing customers.”

Venuetize, whose tech is live in nearly 100 global venues, boasts alliances with more than 50 sports teams and event venues associated with nine pro sports leagues and multiple retail and entertainment districts. 

In addition to expanding Everi’s addressable market, with more than 185 third-party technology integrations, Venuetize is also expected to accelerate the growth of the firm’s mobile wallet and loyalty offerings through an expanded array of products and integrations.

Jon Romm, Venuetize’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, added: “I am thrilled at the opportunity to bring our expertise and leading solutions to the evolving mobile landscape in gaming. 

“The knowledge and experience that our team has gained in delivering seamlessly integrated and complex mobile-first platforms to stadiums and other venues will readily create an encompassing fabric to strengthen guest engagement across any gaming enterprise.”

The post Everi expands addressable markets via purchase of Venuetize assets appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The EBCI owned and Caesars operated venue is scheduled to complete the upgrades in 2024, with the project set to create more than 2,500 construction jobs and more than 100 operational positions upon opening. 

Planned additions include 25,000 square feet of expanded gaming floor that will include a 50 per cent increase of slot machines, table games and more. 

This new space will comprise 400 new slot machines, 12 additional table games, 10-table World Series of Poker room and a 22-seat centre bar featuring 14 tabletop gaming units.

Furthermore, the expanded property will also encompass a 296-room hotel tower, fresh dinings concept, 9,600 square-foot spa and salon and parking structure complete with 1,700 spaces.

The ceremony saw remarks from Richard Sneed, EBCI Principal Chief, Barron Fuller, Caesars Entertainment Regional President, and Tommy Lambert, Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise Chair, in addition to leadership from Harrah’s Cherokee including Brooks Robinson, Regional Senior Vice President & General Manager, and Lumpy Lambert, General Manager of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel. 

“We are thrilled to gather today to see this project commence”, said Lambert. The completion of this project will further enhance our guests experience, economic impact to the region and will demonstrate our commitment to remaining a powerhouse in the entertainment industry across the enterprise.” 

Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River first opened its doors to guests on September 28, 2015, with the groundbreaking ceremony closely following its seventh Anniversary. 

“Since opening day we have continued to exceed all expectations set for us,” added Lambert. “This will be our second expansion project since opening, with the first expansion completed back in 2017. We are grateful for the continued support we have received and look forward to welcoming guests to enjoy new experiences in 2024.”

The post Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River to gain $275m expansion project appeared first on CasinoBeats.

One of the latest companies to target the UK’s most beloved competition is Stake, which, in June, added a record-breaking deal with Merseyside club Everton FC to become the side’s front-of-shirt sponsor.

CasinoBeats spoke with Akhil Sarin, Head of Acquisition at Stake, to discover what it means to be involved with such a historic club, what it takes to create a successful collaboration and how this deal compares to previous sponsorships.

CasinoBeats: How much does it mean to be linked with such a historic Premier League club and associated with its passionate and loyal fanbase? 

Akhil Sarin: At a time when betting and gaming partnerships with football clubs are still widespread, it’s a huge privilege to work with one of the most famous, historic and respected clubs in English football and their fanbase.

We appreciate the need to work constructively with the club and most importantly, the supporters, to play our part in backing Frank Lampard’s side in paying the best possible farewell to one of football’s most iconic stadia, Goodison Park, this season. 

Along with the loyal Blues on Merseyside and further afield in the UK, we know that the club commands a huge fan base around the world and their major fixtures this season will be box office globally. 

“Our first approach would be to assess how compatible the party is with the Stake brand”

CB: You have a wide portfolio of sporting partners, can you tell us some of the lessons you have learnt from these collaborations? 

AS: When it comes to sport sponsorships, it’s key to activate them as fully as possible. There’s little point investing in huge names, events and organisations simply to add ribbons to a trophy, a logo to a kit or a handle to a social page. 

Whether it be activation through social media and editorial content, PR activity or other efforts to engage fans, it’s vital to work with the partner to produce content that is authentic to their audience.

CB: What approach and strategy would you say Stake follows when deciding who to work with or sponsor? 

AS: Our first approach would be to assess how compatible the party is with the Stake brand and our values including top tier entertainment, technological advancement and a compatibility with our like-minded audience who love crypto including its culture.

The party needs to command a global audience at scale and be a leader in their space, including a demonstration of how they engage their audience and followers through social media, editorial content and other activations. 

CB: With big names such as Sergio Agüero working with the company, what do you do to maximise these collaborations? 

AS: Sergio Aguero is now enjoying retirement meaning he can speak authoritatively on a wide range of topics. Football ambassadors aren’t new in our industry but in Sergio we have a name who was very recently playing at the very highest level and is an icon worldwide, so producing regular blog content with him which is picked up by media and fans globally allows us to maximise the value of having him on our roster.

“MMA is not only huge in a sporting sense in Brazil, but in popular culture terms too”

Another important factor in our work with Sergio is that like all of us at Stake, he loves streaming and the thrill of sports betting, so it’s an authentic collaboration and a natural fit when he streams online, or places sports bets on major events. 

CB: Given MMA’s relevance in Brazil, what potential would you say the combat sport might have to compete with football once the sports betting market finally opens? 

AS: MMA is not only huge in a sporting sense in Brazil, but in popular culture terms too, with the biggest fighters commanding huge status. Betting on the major MMA shows drives huge interest and there’s a natural crossover into customers who have an interest in cryptocurrencies and casinos too. 

We were confident that MMA would generate huge betting interest in that territory and that’s why we became the first official betting partner of UFC there. We’ve been vindicated in that decision and in January Brazil will host a pay-per-view event for the first time since the COVID 19 pandemic. We’re excited for that and looking forward to further growth in MMA not just in Brazil but across the world.

CB: Continuing the firm’s MMA focus, you have also partnered with Israel Adesanya, who is quickly becoming an icon of the sport. Can you tell us more about this link and how much it means to the Stake brand? 

AS: Israel Adesanya was one of our first global ambassadors and following our link up with him we’ve seen huge success in terms of a collaboration to produce engaging and authentic editorial and social media content. 

“we have the gaming industry’s biggest and most unique partnership”

Him and his team have been willing to throw the doors open to us and the media prior to his major fights and this is key in terms of providing value to Stake’s brand and our audience.

CB: Can you tell us more about your partnership with hip hop legend, Drake and has it helped bring the Stake brand to new audiences? 

AS: The collaboration with Drake was born out of his genuine love for the Stake.com platform. Anyone who knows and follows Drake will know that sports betting and casino gaming has always been a love of his, so the partnership evolved as our relationship grew once he started playing on Stake.com.

The content he shares and the betting journeys he documents are completely authentic and his experiences chime with anyone who likes to play, worldwide.

Whilst the market to back the biggest names in sport is hugely competitive worldwide, we believe that in popular culture and entertainment A-lister Drake we have the gaming industry’s biggest and most unique partnership, giving us access to an untapped market of potential customers who don’t follow sports, at scale. 

The post Stake: when it comes to sponsorships it’s key to activate as fully as possible appeared first on CasinoBeats.

CasinoBeats: Why do you think we’ve seen such an increase in mobile gaming? Is it due to more people having mobile devices, improvements in technology or a combination of both?

David Mann: I would say it comes down to a combination of more people having mobile devices and software developers generally becoming more savvy about the best ways to implement mobile technology.

These days, the number of people that own a smartphone worldwide is around 6.64 billion, with this figure accounting for roughly 83.37 per cent of the global population. When you consider that back in 2016 the global smartphone penetration rate only accounted for roughly 50 per cent of people worldwide, that’s a huge amount of growth in a relatively short space of time.

This means there’s already a huge mobile audience out there that software developers need to be aware of, and it’s very important to keep up with the latest technology trends to make sure they’re accounted for.

When you look at apps like Facebook and Instagram, we’re seeing improvements for mobile being made on an almost daily basis and users are constantly having to update their device to ensure they get the best experience. For game developers like Swintt, the challenge is no different.

We need to be aware of exactly what the latest technology is capable of and how player preferences are evolving as smartphone usage becomes more common. By doing so, we can better understand the needs of mobile players and tailor our products to keep up with the market.

CB: What have been the biggest changes you’ve made to ensure Swintt’s games are compatible across mobile devices?

DM: Funnily enough, the outlook at Swintt hasn’t really changed all that much since the company was founded in 2019. Mobile has always been a major focus for us and that’s as true today as it was back then. When SwinttLive was first created, all games were developed using a mobile-first approach and the same can definitely be said of our slots.

When designing games, we always ensure they can adapt to fill the whole screen on most mobile devices and we also place a strong emphasis on the user experience to allow for things like one-handed play.

One of the big challenges in this respect is that we in the gaming industry mainly work on desktops. We’re sat in front of our screens and laptops every day for almost 40 hours a week, but we always have to keep in mind that this isn’t necessarily how the end user experiences our product. Testing our games on mobile is therefore very important as we need to understand how they look and play on these devices.

It’s vital that we don’t assume players consume our games in the same way that we develop them, so getting into this mobile-first headspace allows us to put ourselves in their shoes and create a product that really works for the smartphone market.

CB: How much of a portion does mobile gaming make up in the Swintt offering?

DM: According to a 2020 study by the European Business Review, as much as 70 per cent of annual online betting revenue on the continent came from mobile gambling. Two years later, that figure is now thought to be closer to 80 per cent – and we definitely see these trends reflected in how players use Swintt products in certain markets.

This is true for both live casino games and slots, with the former actually seeing a slightly higher proportion of players accessing them from smartphones or tablets. With this in mind, we’ve ensured that all SwinttLive games feature fast and reliable mobile-optimised streaming and seamless, high-definition gameplay that’s completely free from lag. The user interface, meanwhile, is also developed with mobile players in mind and offers a range of settings and touch-screen betting options that make it perfect for one-handed play.

The same can also be said for slots in our premium and select ranges, which boast all of the functionality of the desktop versions in an enhanced mobile package. Featuring reactive displays that adapt to fill every inch of the screen, players are able to enjoy a fully immersive experience that utilises cutting-edge graphics and sound to push current smartphone technology to its limits.

The post David Mann, Swintt: staying ahead of the curve on mobile-first titles appeared first on CasinoBeats.

However, the necessity for land-based entities to adapt and welcome its digital counterpart was elevated to heights never seen before over two years ago, with igaming innovation now perhaps considered a key fundamental strategy for some where that wasn’t previously considered the case.

In the latest edition of the SBC Leaders magazine we looked at the potential blow delivered to land-based gaming entities as a result of COVID-19, and, with the help of Matthew Sunderland, Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM, tackle challenges at bridging a perceived divide and the need to effectively strategise a union between these two worlds.

If you’re not moving forwards you’re either standing still, falling behind, or moving backwards, depending on which iteration of the famous quote you have a penchant for.

However, whichever your preference may be, all carry a very similar meaning. Maintaining pace with competitors and avoiding stagnation is absolutely crucial, and never has that been more evident than with the rise and rise of digital following a seemingly never ending bout of retail closures.

The new kid on the US block is threatening to take the country by storm, building on the successes already enjoyed across numerous states and further afield. But where does this leave those land-based establishments, and how do you best bridge a gap between the retail and online counterparts to enable long-term, sustainable growth and gains for each?

With this in mind, the appeal and overall pull of such retail venues cannot be underestimated, be that pint-sized establishments in a nearby town or a sprawling mecca boasting countless amenities beyond casino gaming that could keep one occupied for countless hours.

“online continues to charge across any jurisdiction that permits its entry”

When thoughts are cast towards that of land-based casinos many will undoubtedly be instantly transported to hot spots such as Las Vegas or Macau, with images of grandeur, luxury, and glamour, as well as a little dose of eccentricity, around many a corner.

The influence of the big screen can also not be ignored in placing thoughts of red carpets, champagne, and opulence in the forefront of our minds, with a little known British secret agent, and numerous more, think Robert De Niro, George Clooney, Dustin Hoffman, Bradley Cooper et al, all culprits to this end.

Despite this, online continues to charge across any jurisdiction that permits its entry, with thoughts that igaming can’t compete with this aforementioned splendour very much being proven to be untrue.

Upon the fall of PASPA in the US during 2018, slot machines pinged, reels began their endless revolutions, bright lights shimmered, and a multitude of musical melodies roared into action.

But this time it came via the numerous devices possessed by individuals in legalised states, which, as of writing, includes New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and Connecticut.

No longer was a retail establishment your sole destination to almost instantaneously become transported between futuristic landscapes and ancient civilizations, plus everything in between.

Overthrowing this legislation enabled players to try to win big on Deal or No Deal, spin the Wheel of Fortune, join Slash and Axel in Guns N’ Roses, or encounter the world of Jumanji, all from the comfort of home.

May 2018 saw the race to online begin, and despite the pace of sports betting’s roll-out across the nation far eclipsing that of its igaming counterpart, the numbers produced by online casinos are vast.

“Having a true omni-channel presence is an important pillar”

As competition continued to heat up, traditional land-based enterprises were faced with their own set of unique challenges from this date almost four years ago. That being not only to get offerings online, but how best to align these with retail offerings in a bid to ensure the sustained success of both.

“Having a true omni-channel presence is an important pillar of BetMGM’s growth,” remarked Matthew Sunderland, Vice President of Gaming at BetMGM, upon being quizzed on the difficulties encountered when it comes to trying to bridge the gap between land-based operations and online casinos.

“By connecting our world-class online platform and games portfolio to a player’s physical touchpoints at MGM retail properties we’re able to offer a truly optimised player experience.”

In 2021, online casinos across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia are reported as producing $3.8bn in gross operator revenue, contrasted to the $1.5bn by sports betting operators.

This disparity is also said to have been witnessed across state and local tax contributions, with the former’s $976.8m dwarfing the $222.4m of the latter.

The 2021 revenue performance across the aforementioned four states is also said to be more than the $3.6bn in revenue that all US online sportsbooks generated in the same year, despite sports betting being legal in five times as many jurisdictions.

Despite this, player confidence hasn’t always been placed in the online side of gaming, with Sunderland suggesting that it took players time to acknowledge the potential possessed by going digital.

“That said, delivering a flawless player experience isn’t always easy,” he continued. “Our jackpot winners tell us that, though they love our product, they previously weren’t sure it was possible to ‘win big’ through igaming. 

“We’ve seen great growth in this space and expect much more innovation to soon follow”

“Sometimes, familiar games from retail property floors might not have online counterparts. And, traditionally, land-based players are used to cashing out their winnings after every session, while a BetMGM player’s funds can conveniently remain in their account until their next gameplay.

“Our live dealer strategy is one way we’ve connected real-world and online gaming. Today, BetMGM has the top live dealer offering in the United States – with private studios in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and one soon to follow in Michigan. 

“These studios provide the feel of being at a live casino table while a player is at home or on their couch. They can see the cards being dealt, the hands being won and lost, and a running chat between players. We’ve seen great growth in this space and expect much more innovation to soon follow.”

This ability to deliver a stellar online performance sees BetMGM as the “consistently leading” online casino operator in the US with a 29 per cent market share according to Entain, which operates the 50-50 joint venture with MGM Resorts.

Nevertheless, the importance of aligning these two worlds to allow as seamless an experience as possible for players is an ongoing task for many, but, as suggested by the CasinoBeats 100 Club, perfect coexistence is “very much attainable”.

To end, Sunderland offered a brief insight into the BetMGM game plan when it comes to effectively strategising land-based and online gaming unity.

“Aligning a seamless player experience, through promotions, rewards, and other brand touchpoints, is best for our players and critical for our business,” he closed. 

“Through these various mechanics, a digital operator can encourage online players to visit retail properties, and vice versa, so that both parties benefit.”

iGaming Innovation is to form one key aspect of this year’s SBC Summit Barcelona 2022, which takes place at Fira Barcelona Montjuïc on 20-22 September.

This will see 6,000 delegates enjoy a 12-track conference covering all aspects of the international sports betting and online casino industries, an exhibition with 200 companies showcasing their latest innovations, and a programme of spectacular evening networking events. 

Visit the SBC Summit Barcelona website to book your all access or discounted group pass.

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