Latest News
The game has changed for online casinos
David Natroshvili, founder of SPRIBE, the company behind Aviator, assesses the state of play for online casinos as we come to the end of 2024
For me, 2024 will go down as the year that changed the game for online casinos.
Over the past 12 months, a revolution has swept across the market in a way we’ve not seen before. From the games players play to the ways they pay, things are changing and they are changing fast.
Slots no longer dominate game lobbies and where once players used to prefer to deposit with debit cards, it’s now crypto such as Bitcoin and Ether.
The companies providing the games players play have changed, too, with some now considered among the most innovative technology and entertainment companies on the planet.
This includes SPRIBE, the company I founded.
So, what have been the biggest changes we’ve seen in 2024 and what impact have they had on the sector? Let’s get into it.
Slots no longer dominate game lobbies:
For many years, it’s been blockbuster slots from the top-tier providers that have dominated online casino game lobbies and certainly topped the player charts.
But that’s not the case anymore.
Increasingly, players are being drawn to non-traditional content in the form of Mines, Hi-Lo, Goal, Plinko and of course, Crash.
SPRIBE developed the original crash game, Aviator, which now has more than 42 million monthly players across the 4,500+ online casinos that offer it.
For those that give it a full marketing push at launch, it can account for more than 10% of total casino GGR – a remarkable figure when you think about it.
Online casinos must now offer non-traditional games if they are to engage Millennial and Gen Z players, but also meet the changing preferences of existing players.
Crash games in particular have broad appeal because of the fast-paced big risk/big reward gameplay. That Aviator is multiplayer and packed with social interaction has also been key to its success.
It’s why they are so popular with all player types and why titles such as Aviator can have a direct and significant impact on casino GGR.
Crypto casinos setting the standard for others to follow:
Aviator gets much of its DNA from the fascinating world of crypto casinos which continue to push boundaries when it comes to engaging with players and the experiences they deliver.
Regulators remain cautious when it comes to crypto, but you only need to look at the runaway success of the biggest crypto casinos to see consumer demand is incredibly strong.
Crypto casinos gave birth to non-traditional content, wrapping gambling elements around popular video games such as Minesweeper and for me, they continue to set the benchmark.
Not only that, but these casinos understand how to connect with players where their attention can be found – streaming, social media, etc – and have such powerful brand values and identities.
Then of course you have the way crypto is connected to the entire experience, and how these operators have ensured the smoothest UX.
Traditional online casinos need to take note and step up to the mark being set or risk losing more players to these brands.
Game providers entering multi-million-dollar marketing partnerships:
One of the biggest changes for me has been how studios are now directly marketing their games to players – again, this is something we have pioneered with Aviator.
This includes our first-of-its-kind partnership with the UFC which sees the Aviator logo appear inside the Octagon at Fight Night and PPC events.
It also created a brand ambassador fund which allows us to run marketing campaigns with superstar athletes such as Alex Pereira.
Other studios – I won’t say who – have entered similar deals but not quite to the same degree. We are also close to unveiling another major deal in the coming weeks.
These marketing deals drive huge awareness for Aviator and ultimately mean operators must add it to their lobbies to meet player demand.
So, there you have it – this is how the game has changed for online casinos in 2024, and I expect the pace of evolution to be just as fast in the coming 12 months.
The post The game has changed for online casinos appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
eSports
BETBY ENHANCES ESPORTS EXPERIENCE WITH EXPANDED OUTRIGHTS AND PLAYER PROPS PORTFOLIO
BETBY, a premium sportsbook provider, has released a major update to its esports portfolio, introducing an unmatched selection of new outrights and player prop markets. With these additions, BETBY now offers three times more outright options than the market average and a completely unique range of player-specific betting markets, setting a new standard for player engagement opportunities through esports content.
BETBY’s expanded outright offerings deliver diversity and unmatched depth in the industry. For instance when it comes to Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), bettors can now access markets that go beyond the standard winners and most played maps, with new betting markets such as Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP), Magnum Sniper Rifle (AWP) Kill Comparisons, and numerous others now available. In Dota, unique markets like Most Popular Hero (Picks + Bans) and Hero with Highest Kill Death Assist (KDA) provide a more engaging and data-driven betting experience. These markets are updated throughout the entirety of tournaments, ensuring players can place bets during breaks occurring between game days or stages. The update extends beyond Dota and CS2, as BETBY now offers unique outright markets as well for games like Escape from Tarkov: Arena and Standoff 2 – content which is currently not being offered elsewhere in the esports landscape.
The second significant enhancement is the introduction of a much broader esports player props portfolio, which is entirely developed by BETBY’s team of expert traders. This allows players to place bets on individual performances across all S-Tier, A-Tier, B-Tier, and C-Tier tournaments for main esports disciplines, and not only on the occurrence of major events.
These additions further bolster BETBY’s esports portfolio, following a series of major updates that underline the company’s focus on innovation and its dedication to providing engaging content for its partners and their end-users.
Kirill Nekrasov, Head of BETBY Games, commented: “We decided to accelerate the launch of new outrights and player prop markets for esports because we see a gap in the industry. We wanted to develop our own solutions and noticed that even though providers offer classic pre-tournament outrights, none of them provide continuously updated outrights when the events are in progress. Regarding player props, it’s relatively new content as part of our esports feed. If we talk about traditional sports, like soccer or basketball, it’s the standard for the industry. But I foresee that when it comes to esports it will as well be an absolute must-have in the future, with the performance and statistics of teams and players now becoming more widely available. Despite the fact that player props are not a new thing in the esports industry, these markets are offered only throughout top-tier tournaments and only for a limited number of teams. What we did was push this feature not only for top tournaments, but also B-Tier and C-Tier tournaments, whilst at the same time broadening player props coverage to a wider teams coverage.”
BETBY will be showcasing its premium sportsbook solutions and services at the upcoming ICE 2025 in Barcelona.
The post BETBY ENHANCES ESPORTS EXPERIENCE WITH EXPANDED OUTRIGHTS AND PLAYER PROPS PORTFOLIO appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Balkans
Gamanza Games launches in Bulgaria with inbet partnership
Gamanza Games has announced the launch of its Arcade Casino Games portfolio in a third regulated European market within Q4, this time going live in Bulgaria. This milestone is made possible through an exciting partnership with inbet, a leading operator in the Bulgarian gaming market. The collaboration brings Gamanza’s unique and engaging games to a new audience, marking an important step in the company’s international growth.
Having already achieved significant success in the regulated Swiss market and more recently in the Netherlands, Gamanza’s diverse portfolio has gained a strong reputation for its originality and innovative mechanics. Now, Bulgarian players can experience the thrill of Gamanza’s games, which promise to deliver a fresh and dynamic dimension to the local market.
Robert Civill, Chief Commercial Officer of Gamanza said of Gamanza Games’s latest market launch: “This launch continues the momentum of our expansion plans, with another exciting regulated market launch in Bulgaria. We are really proud to be launching with InBet, our partnership has progressed incredibly smoothly, and the brand offers a reliable and strong environment for our games to flourish. Together we’re adding variety to the gaming experience with fun and original content that appeals to a large audience.”
Casino & CRM Manager at inbet, Vasil Todorov added, “We are thrilled to announce the integration of Gamanza’s outstanding game portfolio on the inbet website. This partnership introduces an exciting array of innovative games to our users, reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment experiences. With Gamanza’s cutting-edge content and inbet’s extensive reach, we look forward to captivating players and driving success together in the iGaming industry.”
The post Gamanza Games launches in Bulgaria with inbet partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Octoplay Goes Live with Svenska Spel Sport&Casino, Expanding Swedish Presence
Octoplay continues its rapid European expansion by going live with Sweden’s state-owned Svenska Spel Sport&Casino. This strategic partnership marks another milestone in Octoplay’s growth trajectory, bringing its innovative game portfolio to Svenska Spel Sport&Casino´s extensive player base.
The collaboration expands Octoplay’s reach in the Swedish market just months after its initial launch in the region. With active licenses in the UK, Sweden, Malta, Ontario, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Denmark, and Italy, Octoplay builds on its rapid growth across regulated markets. The company also recently kicked off its North American expansion by obtaining a provisional license in Michigan.
Octoplay’s sustained momentum in regulated markets is highlighted by partnerships with market leaders in each jurisdiction, including WilliamHill in the UK, BetMGM in Ontario, MicroGame in Italy, and Nike in Slovakia. These collaborations showcase the company’s popularity among major operators in regulated markets.
“Our partnership with Svenska Spel Sport&Casino represents a significant step in our expansion strategy,” says Ralitsa Georgieva, Director of Business Development at Octoplay. “By partnering with market leaders like Svenska Spel Sport&Casino, we continue our commitment to delivering high-quality gaming experiences to players across regulated markets.”
Niklas Örtbrant, Head of Online Casino at Svenska Spel Sport&Casino, adds: “The addition of Octoplay’s portfolio enhances our gaming offering, bringing innovative and engaging content that our players demand. Their track record in regulated markets and commitment to quality made this partnership a natural choice for us.”
The integration with Svenska Spel Sport&Casino underscores the growing demand for its premium gaming experiences. The company’s innovative portfolio has attracted significant attention from operators across Europe, driving Octoplay’s continued growth.
The post Octoplay Goes Live with Svenska Spel Sport&Casino, Expanding Swedish Presence appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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