Now in its sixth year and recognising the achievements of operators, suppliers and affiliates from across all the major disciplines. This latest entrant in the CasinoBeats contenders series delves into operator categories as we look at those vying for the ‘Innovation in Casino Entertainment’ gong.

LeoVegas

If last year’s success of casino streaming, extra chilli exclusivity and live casino expansion is anything to go by, then this year has been a feast far superior. Simple but smart innovations to the product, a swathe of new exclusives – including our very own LeoVegas Megaways slot – and new markets have certainly made this a year to remember.

Mansion

Putting our customer’s needs and expectations is at the forefront of what we do across all of our brands at Mansion. We focus on delivering exceptional products and service. This year, to maximise player’s enjoyment and casino experience, our flagship brand Casino.com launched the exciting innovative gaming experience, CasinoClub.

CasinoClub, by Captain Up is a brand-new gamification feature adding another dimension to regular casino play. It creates an exciting sense of achievement for players as they complete challenges, level-up and get rewarded for their casino play, as well as introducing them to a wider variety of games.

Videoslots

Videoslots.com is an industry-leading online casino with a comprehensive portfolio of content. It offers more than 3,800 slots and table games from the igaming industry’s leading suppliers, giving them more content than any other online operator. Our aim is to deliver the best possible user experience to players on our proprietary platform, complemented by diverse gamification and social tools. It’s for that reason we offer the personal touch, allowing players to tailor their content to suit their preferences.

Wildz

Wildz in a nutshell: Working with machine learning, giving real-time awards to the games that player actually likes with their average bets, having developed Spinback features which allows us to give extra excitement without competing with the actual games, we can say that our focus is in providing the best possible casino experience by the use of an automated, data driven casino and we use gamification to boost the casino experience by creating features that integrate with the games.

The post Part 2 | CasinoBeats contenders: Innovation in Casino Entertainment appeared first on CasinoBeats.

GAN

Robert Shore has been appointed as vice president of investor relations and capital markets at GAN, where he will bring more than 15 years of experience in corporate finance, investor relations, and Wall Street research.

In the newly created role, Shore will lead the group’s investor relations and capital markets efforts, including strategic engagement with the investor community and analysts around the company’s positioning in the digital gaming space.

Dermot Smurfit, chief executive officer of GAN, commented: “Bobby is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in corporate finance and investor relations, along with a proven track record on Wall Street.

“We believe his strong gaming experience and deep-rooted relationships within the industry will be extremely valuable as we continue to increase our visibility with institutional investors and propel GAN to the next level.”

Valley Forge Casino Resort 

Ron Bailey has been names vice president and general manager of Valley Forge Casino Resort, where he will be charged with leading overall strategy and oversee day-to-day operations of the property, which includes 850 slot machines and 50 table games.

Prior to joining Valley Forge Casino Resort, Bailey served as vice president and general manager at Boyd Gaming’s Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino in Shreveport, Louisiana.

In addition, he also previously held the position of assistant general manager at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

“Ron is a seasoned executive with a strong track record of success and diverse experience from multiple gaming properties and jurisdictions,” noted Ted Bogich, executive vice president of operations at Boyd Gaming Corporation.

“Under Ron’s leadership and with our talented team at Valley Forge Casino Resort, we expect to see continued growth for the property and exceptional service for our guests.”

Receptional

Bedfordshire based digital marketing agency Receptional has announced the additions of Jack Rose and Dean Rowland to its board of directors.

Rose has taken on the role of operations director, overseeing the day-to-day running of the business to support its clients. Rowland joins as business development director to oversee new business and marketing to drive growth.

Justin Deaville, Receptional’s managing director, commented: “Jack has been a valued member of our team for several years. He has been a keystone of our culture and has contributed enormously to the team’s personal and commercial growth. He is both liked and respected. I’m delighted he has agreed to join the board.”

Adding: “I’m excited Dean will be joining Receptional as a director. He has worked for some
of the world’s most successful agencies – OMD, Havas, Publicis, and MullenLowe
Group – so he has loads of relevant experience.

“He’s going to fit in well with the rest of the team; during the interview process, his
commitment to culture stood out. He is creative, yet analytic; ambitious but thoughtful. And his drive matches ours.”

Jamul Casino

Jamul Casino has announced that Theresa Grady has been promoted to chief financial officer, where she will be charged with adding oversight of the compliance, procurement, and cash and club services department to existing responsibilities

Grady’s advancement comes after almost four years with the casino as its former director of finance, where she was highly involved in building the casino‘s finance, audit, vendor payments, payroll, and count operations teams, as well as helping spearhead the completion of a recent refinance in January 2021.

“I love working in the tribal gaming setting—it’s unique, challenging, and ever-changing.  I have especially loved working with the Jamul Tribe for the past several years,” Grady said.

“The tribe has a relatively young casino, but has been able to establish it as a respected leader in the San Diego gaming industry. Being a part of helping the tribe grow and prosper by creating this stable platform for future generations has been very rewarding.”

Everi

Everi has announced that E. Miles Kilburn, chairman of the board of directors, has informed the company of his intention to retire and will not stand for re-election at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, which will be held on May 19, 2021.

Subsequently, the board has appointed CEO Michael Rumbolz to become chairman upon Kilburn’s retirement, as well as naming Ronald Congemi, a member of the board for the last eight years, as lead independent director, effective immediately.

The board says that it intends to review the opportunity to fill the open director position created by Mr Kilburn’s retirement “through the addition of a new director that would continue to advance the gender, cultural and professional diversity of its current composition and that would bring additional gaming, financial technology, digital and leadership experience to the board”.

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino

The Forest County Potawatomi Community, owners of the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee, has named Sheryl Schnering as interim CEO/general manager of the property.

Schnering, who replaces Rodney Ferguson in the position, has worked at the property for 13 years and currently serves as the CFO, a role occupied for the last six years.

“Sheryl has been an integral part of our team at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino for well over a decade. She has been with us throughout our growth and has helped us successfully navigate through this pandemic,” said Ned Daniels Jr, chairman of the Forest County Potawatomi Community.

“Sheryl has been nothing short of exceptional during her tenure at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, and we know that success will continue while we transition to the next era of our operations.”

The post Part 64 | On the move: recruitment round-up appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Soft2Bet

Peter Christian Noer has been appointed as the regional manager for the Nordic markets at casino and sportsbook platform provider Soft2Bet.

The appointment follows what is praised as “an impressive spell” as the company’s country manager for Sweden, with new responsibilities to include helping Soft2Bet continue to grow its footprint in the key territories of Sweden, Norway and Finland. 

Boris Chaikin, CEO at Soft2Bet, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Christian Noer as our regional manager for the Nordic markets, which remain a key area of focus for us as we maintain the expansion of our international reach.

“Having performed impressively as our country manager for Sweden, we have no doubt that Peter will continue to play a key role in helping us succeed in the Nordic territories and beyond.”

Galaxy Gaming

Galaxy Gaming, the developer and distributor of casino table games and technology, has announced that Paul Omohundro has joined the company in the position of vice president of business development.

In the position, Omohundro will be responsible for expanding the company’s business through exploring new markets and discovering innovative products and services to further provide value to casino clients.

Todd Cravens, Galaxy Gaming president and CEO, noted: “Paul’s addition to our team will focus on new markets and new products. These new markets include land-based casinos as well as igaming, the fastest growing part of our business. We have a number of new product and market opportunities, and Paul will drive these to commercial success.”

MGA Games

MGA Games has announced the addition of four new members to its staff roster, each of which is charged with aiding the company its growth and developmental strategies.

The additions come from the MGA Games Academy, which the online casino developer says “was born to promote and attract talent to the gaming sector and is meeting all expectations”.

Joan Sanahuja, founder and CEO of MGA Games, stated: “We continue to grow in every way. We are expanding into new markets, creating new products, and also recruiting more staff.

“We are proud to think that we have the opportunity to employ, empower and retain talent, undoubtedly a valuable resource and one of the main assets of our company.

Salsa Technology

Josh Tromans-Jones has been recruited by Salsa Technology as chief technology officer, where he will be charged with building on the business’ expansion drive.

Key responsibilities for the company will focus on continuing the development of the proprietary platform, delivering the roadmap and leading the business’ expansion into regulated markets from a technology perspective. Tromans-Jones will be based in Spain.

Peter Nolte, Salsa Technology’s CEO, commented: “Josh is a superb addition to our Salsa team as he brings a wealth of experience of various regulated markets, both inside of Europe and out.

“He will play a vital role in maintaining our position as an industry leader and delivering on our roadmap. It is vital that we continue to have the technology to meet these changing requirements of the industry quickly and efficiently.”

Better Collective

Better Collective has strengthened its team after naming Anders Crillesen as its new head of PR & communications.

In his new role, he will take responsibility for overseeing the company’s global corporate and product communication strategy, with an aim of enhancing Better Collective’s communication initiatives toward responsible gambling.

Crillesen said: “I’m thrilled to join Better Collective and become part of its innovative company culture. Better Collective has been on a fantastic journey since the company was founded in 2004 and is strongly positioned globally following a targeted acquisition and internationalisation strategy.

“I look forward to leveraging my PR and corporate communications experience in an entirely new context, to support Better Collective’s continued growth and build visibility around its responsible gambling initiatives.”

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Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers

David Lucchese, executive vice president of sales, marketing and digital of Everi Holdings, has been named as the president of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers.

The Las Vegas non-profit international trade association, which represents manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, lotteries, systems, table games, welcome Lucchese on a two-year term which began on January 12, 2021.

Stating the he is looking “forward to working with the entire AGEM leadership team and our member companies,” Lucchese is focused on ensuring that the voices of AGEM’s worldwide members are heard on important political, regulatory, problem gambling and other matters

“AGEM is very pleased to welcome David Lucchese as our president for the next two years,” said Marcus Prater, executive director of AGEM. “His vast experience and deep understanding of the issues facing gaming suppliers will serve him well as we navigate a difficult path brought on by the pandemic.

“We will forge ahead under his leadership and the overall gaming industry will emerge from this in a better position by working together to promote a spirit of cooperation championed by Dave, the AGEM Officers, and our member companies.”

Kaizen Gaming

Kaizen Gaming has named Claus Jansson as head of affiliate marketing and media buying, with the group focused on a strategic approach for local and international growth.

Jansson’s primary responsibility will be overseeing the firm’s strategic local and international expansion plans for its flagship Betano and Stoiximan brands, and will report directly to company CMO Panos Konstantopoulos.

Κonstantopoulos stated: “We are very pleased to welcome Claus to Kaizen Gaming family and highly confident that he has the full potential to thrive in communicating the company’s great dynamics and values, while developing new, innovative ideas.

“His expertise and extensive experience in our industry offers great value to our company and could be no less than a testament of our growth; we are looking forward to further enhancing our Affiliate Marketing strategic positioning across all markets of operation under his guidance.”

FanDuel 

FanDuel Group has appointed Andrew Sneyd as senior vice president of brand, bringing more than 20 years of global marketing experience, specifically in the Fortune 100 consumer packaged goods and technology sector.

He will take ownership of creative and brand strategy, consumer insight, product marketing, team and league marketing, press relations, integrated campaigning, and creative operations. He will report to FanDuel Group CMO Mike Raffensperger, effective immediately.

“We are amidst a pivotal moment in history where, as a brand, we have the opportunity to make a true impact both for our customers and industry at large,” noted Raffensperger.

“Andrew’s expertise with iconic brands will be invaluable as we continue to drive transformational impact and give sports fans the best experience possible.”

Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Group has confirmed the appointment of former Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp chair Paul Godfrey to its board of directors with immediate effect.

According to the firm, Godfrey’s experience in the Canadian gaming industry will prove valuable as the government moves forward with its recently announced proposed federal legalization of single-event sports betting. He will guide Bragg’s strategy in this evolving market.

Adam Arviv, CEO of Bragg, commented: “Paul’s extensive experience in the media, gaming and sports worlds will be invaluable as we move forward with our rapid growth plans. We’re extremely pleased to have him join the championship team that we’re building and look forward to his guidance.”

Sazka Group

Justin King CBE has become the latest British business figurehead to join Sazka Group’s bid to ‘refresh and revitalise’ the National Lottery.

The former Sainsbury’s CEO will sit on the company’s ‘advisory board’ to provide counsel to Sir Keith Mills’ bid team, which is competing to win the government’s fourth National Lottery tender.

King will play a pivotal role in developing Sazka’s business strategy on how a revamped National Lottery can recover from the unprecedented COVID impacts.

Mill explained: “Justin King is one of the UK’s leading experts in the retail sector. He has a track record of turning around businesses, which will only strengthen our efforts to make the British public fall back in love with the National Lottery.

“With Justin on board, we will present a plan that modernises retail channels to ensure that not a single National Lottery player or retailer is left behind.

“Justin’s experience will also be of huge benefit for our transition plans which must be submitted to the Gambling Commission as part of our bid. Over the next few weeks, I look forward to welcoming more experts to our team, who will help us to share our vision for the National Lottery as the fourth licence competition progresses.”

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Continent 8 Technologies 

Bringing four decades of industry experience, Brian Borysewich has joined Continent 8 as chief information security officer to lead the firm’s cyber security, network operations, and compliance teams.

The seasoned cyber security professional brings over 15 years experience from within the United States government intelligence agencies, as well as “extensive expertise” in igaming.

“As a global leader that protects some of the world’s most valuable information, we take data security seriously,” stated Michael Tobin, CEO of Continent 8.

“Brian has been globally recognised as a cyber security practice leader. His accomplishments and leadership have helped companies and governments around the world protect both brand and financial resources. 

“I look forward to working with him in these challenging, but exciting times, as businesses and nations enter ever increasing Cyber security attacks in size and velocity.”

Barona Resort and Casino 

Following an almost 25 year tenure, Rafael Alvarez has been promoted to the role of senior vice president of gaming operations at San Diego’s Barona Resort and Casino.

In his new position Alvarez is responsible for managing the player experience on the casino floor and overseeing all gaming operations departments including slots, table games, poker, Club Barona, special events and promotions.

Regarding the promotion, he commented: “I have grown up in the Barona family and I know why Barona is the busiest casino in San Diego, number one in the industry and consistently winning top casino awards. 

“We offer the best games, the loosest slots and the friendliest atmosphere but at its core Barona is about people. Being available, polite, nice to our players and becoming their friends is what sets Barona apart from every other casino.”

Gaming Realms

Mark Blandford has been appointed to the Gaming Realms board as a non-executive director with immediate effect.

Blandford founded Sportingbet.com and in 2001 floated the company on AIM, before stepping down from the board in 2007 before its eventual sale in 2013 for £485m, which saw assets split between William Hill and GVC. 

Michael Buckley, non-executive chairman of Gaming Realms, said: “We are delighted that Mark has agreed to join the company. He has significant board experience in public companies and the online gaming industry. We welcome him and greatly look forward to working with him.”

Arb Labs

Arb Labs, a provider of optical chip recognition and data management technology for casinos, has appointed Leland Rolling as its new vice president of sales. 

Rolling takes on the role with in excess of ten years experience working with commercial and tribal casinos across the globe in relation to data analytics and visualisations, customer modeling, and marketing processes that improve profitability and client relationships.

“Arb is pleased to be adding Leland to our growing team. He has vast experience working with gaming operators in North America, Australasia and Europe,” says Andrzej Kepinski, Arb’s chairman and CEO. 

“His connections and relationships will be very valuable in ARB’s plans to obtain new clients and increase market share.”

Liberal Democrats 

Mike Dixon has been appointed as the new chief executive of Liberal Democrats, and will take up the position from next week.

Dixon will take control of Lib Dem operations and strategic planning, having formerly served as chief executive of Addaction, a UK-wide support network for people recovering for drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues.

This follows UK gambling self-exclusion programme Gamstop appointing Dixon as a non-executive director last month.

Tennis Integrity Unit

Following a global search the tennis integrity supervisory board has announced the appointment of Jonathan Gray as the first CEO of the Tennis Integrity Unit.

Gray will take up his new role in mid-February 2020 and will be responsible for leading the continued growth and development of the TIU as it evolves into a broader-based integrity organisation for professional tennis.

He will also be responsible for integrating the existing tennis anti-doping function into a new legal entity with overall responsibility for integrity in tennis.

Jennie Price, the independent chair of the tennis integrity supervisory board, who led the appointments committee responsible for the recruitment process, commented: “Jonny was the outstanding candidate in a very strong and varied field. 

“He shares our determination to create the best, most innovative integrity organisation in sport, and his skills and experience will be vital in helping tennis to realise that ambition. I am delighted he will be joining us, and look forward to working with him.”

The post Part 7 | On the move: Recruitment round-up appeared first on CasinoBeats.

BF Games – Hot Sunrise

Return to the funky 90s and experience summer on a Miami beach where BF Games promises “the fun never stops,” as the igaming development studio introduces its latest 3×3 neon-lit title Hot Sunrise.

A wild symbol can substitute all other symbols and landing a stack of identical symbols on two of the reels awards a Respin. Hot Sunrise also comes with a new turbo feature which aims to speed up the excitement for players.

When nine identical symbols land, players get a chance to spin the wheel bonus for a chance to claim generous multipliers.

“Hot Sunrise is a traditional fruit slot but with a funky twist of thrilling features and superb retro-themed graphics and sound.

“It takes players back to a fantastic era where they can enjoy the golden coast of Miami and we are certain it will appeal to a wide demographic of players.” – Piotr Szpoton, CEO at BF Games.

Live 5 – Roco Loco

Experience a Mexican fiesta in Live 5’s latest igaming introduction Roco Loco, representing the first game to go live across GVC brands after the two parties inked a multi-year omni-channel deal.

The 5×4 reel slot boasts features such as stacked stepping wilds, free spins and a progressive multiplier.

Stacked stepping wilds randomly drop in like any other of the game symbols and keep on stepping until they are out of view.

Entry to the free spins bonus is triggered when three golden candy skull bonus symbols land on reels one, three and five at random. Each represents a starting multiplier value, the ‘wild’ high stack (which can go as high as eight) and the number of starting wild reels.

The free spins multiplier increases with every spin and continues infinitely so long as there is a wild symbol in view.

Roco Loco has been certified for launch in the UK, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Denmark, Malta and Loto Québec.

“Roco Loco has it all – a bold theme, striking design, explosive gameplay and big win potential making it one of our most complete slot games to date.

“With volatility dial turned to the max, players can expect a thrilling experience that takes them to the heart of a wild Mexican fiesta.

“We believe Roco Loco will prove to be popular with a wide range of player types and look forward to rolling it out across our network of operator partners.” – Lloyd Butler, CEO at Live 5.

Relax Gaming – Marching Legions

After teasing delegates at CasinoBeats Malta Digital through an official slot competition, Relax Gaming is inviting players to battle in its latest release, Marching Legions.

The 5×3 slot features marching respins, nudges and free spins, as players strive to conquer the reels to win up to 10,000x their bet.

Each time a full stack of legionaries appears they brandish their swords and charge across the game area, triggering respins in their wake.

If another full stack lands during respins, it will turn into a marching stack, continuing the feature until the troops march off the game screen.

Every stack that marches out of sight is recorded in the free spins collection meter until five have been counted, unlocking new territory in the free spins round. Here, players collect horn symbols to progress across the frontline with new waves of legionaries and free spins.

The nudge feature also helps to build a full stack if only two or more partial stacks have landed, boosting players’ chance of triggering the bonus round.

“Marching Legions is a bold new addition to our portfolio that combines exciting features with fun graphics and animations to make for an all-round engaging game.

“The winning opportunity with this slot is sure to draw in a range of player types as they rally the troops in quest of big wins and a rewarding slot experience.” – Simon Hammon, Relax Gaming CPO.

Habanero – Hey Sushi

Slots and table games provider has launched Hey Sushi, featuring a range of sushi-themed symbols that cascade down a 5×3 grid.

The game awards 10 free games for every three scatter symbols that land on the reels, with sushi symbols triggering multipliers of up to x15.

“We are thrilled to unveil our latest enthralling slot, the instant culinary classic that is Hey Sushi.

“With a wealth of delightful symbols, flawless mechanics and an authentic original soundtrack on the menu, even the most disciplined of players will struggle to save this one for last. Draw up a chair and get your sushi skills ready, we promise you’ll be in for a treat!” – Arcangelo Lonoce, head of business development in Europe at Habanero.

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We spoke to BetGames Chief Product and Business Development Officer Ian Catchick and Eeze Chief Commercial Officer Graeme Powrie to get their thoughts on the future of live dealer games, and how advancements in technology could affect the importance of finding a balance between classic gameplay and innovative new features.

When creating a successful table game, how important is it to balance retaining the elements and feel of classic games while introducing enough fresh features to make them unique? 

Ian Catchick: You need a balance of both, and this is typically the way we build any established table game. Everybody loves to see innovative new features, and it is important to balance these with the game that people know, trust and understand. When we design a table game, we always respect the game’s heritage and add features that we believe benefit the player. 

Additionally, taking the player on a gradual evolution instead of wholesale changes in one go is often the best way to onboard and retain them by keeping things simple and easy to understand, ensuring they don’t feel alienated by complex new mechanics.

Graeme Powrie: In short, it is incredibly important, because customers appreciate familiarity with products that they already know. If you have to spend time educating players, it is more likely they will pivot to a game they understand, rather than waste their valuable time learning complex mechanics. 

That is why wheel games are still so popular. They offer incredibly straightforward mechanics that players can understand without the need for audio or a written explanation. They get a feel for the entire game within a few spins.

How can evolved versions of classic favourites boost cross-selling opportunities to bring in new players and additional revenue?

Ian Catchick: Different player risk categories need to be catered for, so making the call to action and USP clear and understandable provides the space to target these specific player segments. For example, the low-risk player looking for regular returns will not get excited by features that create more volatility in the game, and vice versa. 

When a classic game is enhanced, it’s essential to know who this game will target to ensure clear communication as to how this addresses the player’s needs. Players should also be allowed to try and engage with the new product, with a focus on simplicity, ease of play and providing a fresh experience to empower them to decide for themselves. 

Furthermore, when building games at BetGames, we are always identifying ways in which products can be closely associated with sports bettor play journeys and behaviours. We have developed several titles with this demographic in mind to help us bridge the gap between sports and casino, onboarding them to our products. This means that we can cater to and address the needs of not only current casino players but also recreational sports bettors wanting an easy play experience as they discover casino games.

Graeme Powrie: With the exception of probably roulette, where multipliers have added huge interest in attracting players from a new demographic, variations of classics aren’t as attractive for cross-selling. We have found that gameshows are probably the most engaging way of attracting slots players into the live casino sphere, with a similar RTP, and bonus rounds which really drive engagement and anticipation – unlike the steady grind of a blackjack session. 

What makes the live casino genre unique is its social nature, and people naturally like to play with other people, so the community aspect is important. Even little details, such as live dealers historically being perceived as trusted more than RNG by many players, are key to understanding when developing a product that reaches new demographics, where they can all celebrate the wins together.

There is also a sense of occasion with the gameshow format. Each experience is different which adds to the excitement for players, particularly when those bonus rounds hit, the anticipation is key.

What table game trends have proven popular in previous years and what are your predictions for future trends? 

Ian Catchick: There has been a move towards quicker gameplay with bigger prizes, and to some extent, a greater emphasis on risk-reward gameplay. Community elements such as chat functions are also important trends. Even if players don’t regularly engage in chats, they often like to watch other players chat as part of their entertainment experience.  

Overall, games are getting faster as players’ time becomes more precious, and finding a simple way to bet, play and win for short sessions is a notable change in player behaviour. Also, finding new content ideas for players to trial allows them to get a unique experience that will either convert them to the new game, see them remain with the old one, or share and grow their play revenues across different variants.

Graeme Powrie: The only certainty I can give is the wheel will maintain its popularity and longevity. Gameshows are expensive to develop, but customers will quickly tell you if they’re bored of your product or love it. Everyone knows the wheel, which provides a perfect building block to then be creative in the bonus rounds around what is a familiar and recognised bonus delivery mechanic. 

An area that the industry is yet to address is creating snackable content for live casino players, such as a game which provides short play sessions while waiting for a bus or train. That fast, digestible, quick-win gameplay hasn’t really been developed yet, and it’s an area where we can be inventive as providers.

What does the future of table games look like from your perspective? Will vintage games always attract players or could the emergence of AI and virtual reality lead to an entirely new style of gameplay?

Ian Catchick: Vintage games will continue to remain important to players, and the significance of these games should not be underestimated. AI and VR will become increasingly important in personalising the player experience, identifying more effective ways to entertain and engage players. New technology will also drive quicker and more cost-effective game development and launches, allowing more content to be tested in the market.  

Having the opportunity to personalise products with these tools will enable players to enjoy a completely customised gaming experience that is unique and compelling to them. The data that these tools can collect will also inevitably help drive greater and more enriching innovation in the future, in turn allowing providers to create a much larger portfolio of table game content that caters to the needs of both casino and sports bettors.

Graeme Powrie: There will always be a space for the traditional games as they are so well known and loved, but the future for operators is having something to offer their customers that is exclusive and bespoke, allowing them to stand out from their competitors. 

Using AI and cutting-edge video technology, operators should be able to customise everything they want. This can even include showing different versions of the same game to different segments of players. 

The future in this space should focus on giving operators as much creativity as possible within a framework. If we hand them the ability to spin out different versions of the base game through new tools, then it opens up lots more opportunities. This is a similar model to slots, where base games can be tweaked to create entire new genres, while also enabling rapid speed to market and a built-in level of familiarity.

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Speaking with CasinoBeats, CEO Peter Korpusenko reflects on 2023’s key achievements, elaborates on what the emergence of a new BETCORE brand means for the company, addresses what this encompasses and much more.

CasinoBeats: Thanks for speaking with us. The beginning of a new year means a fresh set of plans and ideas. But first, I would like you to summarise last year’s results for TVBET, and assess the achievements made throughout the year.

Peter Korpusenko: Hello! The year 2023 unfolded as a remarkably busy and intriguing chapter for us. It transpired at the crossroads of expansive global integration of our product and equally significant internal development within our team, IT products, and games. Notably, our new game, Fast Keno, emerged as a standout hit last year.

We launched the live casino vertical represented by the EL Casino brand and have already introduced a new game – Live Roulette.

A thrilling addition to our offerings, FASTSPORT has taken its start, enabling players to place bets on quick sports events such as football/basketball/and tennis.

I’m excited to highlight our monumental collaboration with Fashion TV Gaming Group towards the year’s end. Together with the FashionTV brand, we crafted a luxurious KENO product tailored for high rollers. The game will soon be available to our partners, and we have high expectations for its success!

While there’s much more to share, I’d prefer to let our video showcasing the highlights of 2023 do the talking. Enjoy watching!

CB: Exhibition season will soon be upon us once again, and London’s final hurrah for ICE will see TVBET participate under the BETCORE brand. Could you elaborate on this means and what attendees can expect?

PK: We are looking forward to the industry familiarising themselves with BETCORE. This is a brand that recognises our vast professionalism and promises excellent growth opportunities for our partners worldwide.

Betcore – your casino games provider. This is a team that has grown with me under the TVBET brand for nearly a decade. It embodies years of experience, market knowledge, and a profound understanding of crafting successful games in various genres, including live TV games, live casino games, quick sports events, crash games, scratch games, slots, and more!

Now, under the BETCORE banner, we present the igaming market with a versatile portfolio of products and services: this is TVBET, a global favourite in live games and virtual games; FASTSPORT – as I already said, it’s our direction of quick sports events; Bet on Games – featuring instant win games and slots; El Casino and our first live casino game Live Roulette. 

Most importantly, all these offerings seamlessly integrate through one API, with 24/7 support, delivering optimal results in popular lobbies worldwide, catering to players’ preferences on any continent!

At ICE 2024, my team and I look forward to providing a detailed overview of all the possibilities and advantages. Visit us at stand S4-130, and book a meeting by reaching out to sales@tvbet.tv. Let’s work and grow together!

CB: We have been well acquainted with TVBET for a long time, and we know quite a bit about FASTSPORT. However, could you tell us a little more about the Bet on Games product?

PK: Bet on Games stands out as a comprehensive provider of all-in-one games. Within this category, we offer a diverse range including crash games, slot games, table games, lottery games, scratch games, and much more.

Our extensive portfolio boasts over 100 games, and our player retention features are strategically designed to captivate their interest, ensuring prolonged engagement in our games.

Hence, for partners seeking a product that combines the latest advancements in casino games, we enthusiastically recommend exploring the Bet on Games vertical. It truly encompasses everything one might need for an enriched gaming experience!

CB: TVBET is the brand where it all began, but does the emergence of BETCORE mean that this will disappear from the radar?

PK: Thank you for the question, and of course, my answer is No! TVBET stands as a global company with the distinction of a long and triumphant collaboration with numerous highly esteemed and prominent partners worldwide.

Every day, millions of players engage in our games, placing millions of bets. Our live games are broadcast 24/7, resonating with players in the farthest corners of the globe. TVBET remains the flagship brand of our company, and, just as before, it will continue to be proudly and extensively represented in the realm of communication.

Anticipate the unveiling of new games and products, along with innovative services and IT solutions. In 2024, TVBET will grow and surprise!

CB: What are BETCORE’s plans in general, and TVBET’s in particular, for the next year?

PK: We’ve just launched our latest product, Bet on Games, and are gearing up for several exciting integrations. Additionally, we’re thrilled to discuss this new brand extensively at ICE 2024. So we invite everyone interested to our stand.

Furthermore, we also plan to spend a busy year travelling to major exhibitions. We eagerly look forward to forging new connections and partnerships. Feel free to join us on this exciting journey!

The post Peter Korpusenko: introducing the new BETCORE brand appeared first on CasinoBeats.

This comes ahead of his own exit from the company, which was signalled earlier in the month and will see Cravens bring an end to a near seven year stay at the group, including almost six and a half in the aforementioned role, to seek a fresh endeavour.

Revenue through the July to September period increased three per cent year-on-year to $6.1m (2023: $5.9m), although this does represent an 18.88 per cent sequential drop from the $7.52m reported through the second quarter.

This decline was primarily aligned to lower sales of perpetual licences through Q3 contrasted to the previously quarters of the year.

“We expect that future sales of these perpetual licences will make our quarterly results lumpier than in the past,” Cravens noted.

“However, we will continue to pursue these sales as they result in substantial increases to our installed base and offer additional recurring revenue opportunities.”

Adjusted EBITDA closed the period at $1.51m, down 36 per cent and 52.95 per cent YoY and QoQ from $2.35m and $3.21m, respectively. Net loss grew to $1.45m (2022: -$699,000).

The group’s performance through the year-to-date saw revenue and AEBITDA up 20 per cent and six per cent to $21m (2022: $17.5m) and $7.8m (2022: $7.3m), respectively. Net loss of $988,000 through the YTD is contrasted to a loss of $1.82m YoY.

“Galaxy became the distributor of EZ Baccarat on September 9 and added approximately 500 tables in approximately 120 casinos to our installed base,” Cravens continued.

“This is a significant step in our strategic plan of penetrating other table games families in addition to blackjack. 

“Based on the existing installed base, we believe that the distribution of EZ Baccarat could add more than $3m to our EBITDA on an annual basis, with upside coming from new instals both in the land-based and online markets.

“Finally, we had our best G2E show ever, setting us up for increased revenue in fiscal 2024.”

After heightened expectations through the full-year were stressed following Q2, fourth quarter revenue is now expected to reach $7m-$7.5m, with AEBITDA guidance set at $2.8m-$3.2m. 

“This forecast assumes around $200,000 in perpetual licence sales and around $800,000 in net revenues from EZ Baccarat distribution,” noted Harry Hagerty, Galaxy Gaming CFO.

“This forecast assumes no impact to our business from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and no economic recession. Finally, the forecast is based on currency exchange rates that we experienced in the third quarter.”

The post Galaxy Gaming: 2023 is shaping up to be record year despite headwinds appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Coming hot on the heels of the industry’s annual descent on the entertainment capital of the world, the impact of previously unranked games, in particular within the new game rankings, is once again felt despite dropping from 12 to seven.

Our attention is first occupied by the overall top games by gross gaming revenue, where International Game Technology retains its place at the summit as the Blackjack table secures a percentage of 3.7.

Sister title Cash Eruption lead frogs one place month-on-month to become the leading slot title with overall GGR of 2.15 per cent, as Digital Gaming Corporation’s Gold Blitz drops from silver to bronze with 1.46 per cent.

Of the top 25 titles that are dominating the GGR charts, online slots maintain the lion’s share with 17 games. Live casino, all courtesy of Evolution, has five entrants, while table games comprise the remaining three. Video poker remains out of the top 25.

Continuing with the overall rankings, Evolution’s Live Dealer Speed Baccarat drops to second place after storming to the summit at its first attempt, with the aforementioned Blackjack offering surging from third to make it a double triumph.

However, rounding off the top three is AGS’ Mega Diamond, which will become a prominent feature throughout the latest monthly breakdown. In its first feature, the slot title edged out Capital Gains, also an AGS game, as well as DGC’s Fire and Roses Joker and Gold Blitz. The latter falling from second to sixth.

In the slots breakdown, Mega Diamond sits ahead of Capital Gains, as Fire and Roses Joker and Gold Blitz once again trail. Light & Wonder’s 88 Fortunes, a consistent top performer, round off the top five.

A total of seven unique suppliers are represented in the top 10, which is once again hailed as “showing continued variety in the segment”. These are Light & Wonder, DGC, AGS, Evolution, IGT, ReelPlay and Greentube. The top 25 also features the likes of Everi, Anaxi and Inspired.

In the new game rankings, the aforementioned Mega Diamond leads the way, with last month’s one and two, namely Fire and Roses Joker and L&W’s Rich Little Piggies Meal Ticket, down one place each.

A total of seven new releases make the top 25, with the leader joined by DGC’s Trojan Kingdom (6th), Anaxi’s Buffalo (9th), White Hat Studios’ Fire Coins (13th) and Wolf Legends Megaways Jackpot Royale (14th), Fantasma Games’ Payday Express (23rd) and Evolution’s Blobsters Clusterbuster (24th).

The new overall ranks are identical to the new slot ranks for another consecutive month, with each of the top 25 representing titles that fall in the bracket of the latter list. 

Previously, the potential of the chasing pack has been touched upon in detail by Rick Eckert, Managing Director of Slot Performance and Analytics at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, with Anaxi, Aristocrat’s real-money gaming division, one citing as causing much optimism. 

Following the latest breakdown, he commented: “The increased presence of igaming suppliers and omni-channel content is more evident every passing year and noted below from our coverage.  

“Mega Diamond from AGS enters the OGPD ranking number one in the new slot ranks. This theme has been tracked in our retail database since July ’22 and was ranked 25th last month in the core video reel high denom segment where it is currently performing best at the $1 base denomination.  

“Anaxi/Aristocrat much anticipated release of Buffalo makes its debut in the OGPD ranking number nine in the new slot ranks. This title is the top grossing game in retail but indexing lags other popular titles from the supplier we are expecting to populate online. 

“Blueberi’s Devils Lock powered by Bragg Gaming Group moves up the ranks again this month now at number sixteen in the new slot ranks. This game features perceived persistence and cash on reels that are overly prominent in retail but still trending up online. 

“Later this month, we will take a deeper dive into online game attributes through our quarterly data insights report.”

Looking specifically at the supplier mix, Evolution unsurprisingly continues to lead the way, although another decline in share, as touched upon earlier, was evidenced. 

Through September the group occupied 21.2 per cent (September: 2s.4 per cent) of GGR, with 85.7 per cent (September: 83.5 per cent) of its gaming suite represented as online slots.

IGT was next in line, however a slight recovery to 17.4 per cent (September: 16.7 per cent) halted a significant slide felt one month earlier. 85.9 per cent (September: 85.2 per cent) of its portfolio were tracked as slots.

L&W remained third, although the group’s percentage of GGR also rose slightly to 15.8 per cent, up from 15.1 per cent month-on-month. 90.1 per cent (September: 87.9 per cent) of the group’s gaming suite are slots.

Slots remained the dominant segment when looking at the total games tracked with a total percentage of 91.2 (September: 90.1 per cent), ahead of table games’ falling 3.8 per cent (September: 4.9 per cent).

Live casino was next in line with 1.9 per cent, ahead of instant win’s 1.6 per cent, video poker’s 1.1 per cent and the 0.2 per cent shared by lottery and bingo/keno. Each remained consistent month-on-month.

Mobile retains its frontrunning status with the highest percentage of theo win generated at 69.9 per cent (September: 70.8 per cent) and leads across most segments, with desktop, via a theo win of 29 per cent (September: 28.5 per cent), soaring ahead in video poker, virtual sports and lottery. Tablet continues to bring up the rear with 1.2 per cent (September: 0.8 per cent).

This latest analysis examined data from Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut across 32 online casino sites, tracking 50,885 games to represent around 64 per cent of the market.

If interested in learning more, subscribing, or participating in the Eilers-Fantini Online Game Performance Database reach out to Rick Eckert at reckert@ekgamingllc.com.

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