Connect with us

Industry News

Degree 53 UX review shows operators still have work to do to meet Apple’s design guidelines

Published

on

 

Degree 53, specialists in the UX, design and software development for the online gambling industry, have published a new UX review which shows that operators still have a long way to go to successfully meet Apple’s native UX design standards with their current products. The team reviewed ten UK leading sports betting mobile apps against the latest Apple Human Interface Guidelines to find out how likely they are to be approved with the deadline looming in March. With this report, Degree 53 aim to showcase how operators can improve their products for a successful App Store submission.

The team at Degree 53 revealed that while bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes and Unibet scored the highest (54-55/100), all of the reviewed brands received rather low ratings overall. None of the operators stood out. Some of the common low-scoring areas were web-like functionality and a lack of a clear user journey. This is mainly due to all of these products being container apps (website wraparounds) that don’t fully support the native standards required by Apple.

Last year, Apple set out a brief guideline advising that apps available on their App Store, including real-money gaming, need to provide a great user experience that is true to the platform, being as app-like as possible. Moreover, any HTML5 content will need to be embedded in the app binary without directing customers to an external site. This means the new standard affects any sports betting, casino, lottery and bingo apps. The deadline is March 2020 and it’s still unclear whether apps that will fail to meet these requirements will be removed or their updates not accepted.

Jade Daniels, design director at Degree 53 comments: “Apple has disrupted the online gambling industry by enforcing its design standards to real money gambling apps, giving very little time to operators to make any significant changes. It can take a large operator around a year to develop a native sportsbook app from scratch and requires a big investment. Many of our clients were in this situation, so we started looking into different solutions and studying Apple’s design guidelines to best meet their requirements. This report reflects our findings and recommendations on how to achieve this.”

“While not many can afford to build a native sportsbook, making it as app-like as possible will increase the chances of approval. The common problem that operators have is that their apps are derived from their sportsbook websites, still using web features in navigation and UI or even opening content in a browser. Today, product owners need to adopt the mobile-first approach, which Apple is trying to enforce, as that’s how the majority of people engage with digital products. Online gambling is a huge industry and it’s time it caught up with retail, entertainment and travel to support mobile engagement and provide a great customer experience.”

The Apple UX Guidelines Review follows a number of reports on Betting and Gaming services in Degree 53’s portfolio. The team has shared insights on the UX to help operators optimise their services and create an engaging betting experience. Degree 53 have a diverse project portfolio and have worked with global operators, such as Betfred, GBG, Penn Interactive Ventures and Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The Apple Design Guidelines UX Review can be accessed here.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

AI

Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams

Published

on

former-german-air-force-officer-launches-sparky-space-ai-platform-for-igaming-teams

Nils Ristau and Daniel Schmitz debut a work enablement platform aimed at day-to-day execution across product, retention and AI adoption.

Sparky Space, a new AI-powered work enablement platform founded by former German Air Force officer Nils Ristau and tech leader Daniel Schmitz, has launched and is now available globally for iGaming operators and suppliers.

The founders are positioning the product around execution support inside daily workflows as teams face tighter regulatory demands, faster product cycles and higher player expectations. The company cited industry research suggesting only 10-20% of learning is consistently applied in day-to-day work, creating a gap between training and on-the-job outcomes.

“In military operations, performance depends on clarity, structure, and disciplined execution in changing environments,” said Ristau. “The iGaming industry operates under similar pressure.

“Competitive advantage does not come from knowledge alone – it comes from how effectively teams apply it every day.”

Sparky Space said its platform supports areas including product development, player retention and AI adoption, with use cases spanning customer-centric experimentation, agile product and game development, decision-making and prioritisation, practical generative AI prompting, and cross-functional collaboration. The company said the tools are intended to help teams launch features, respond to regulatory change, and optimise marketing and support processes.

While initially focused on iGaming, Sparky Space said it has been built for broader use in other fast-moving, technology-driven industries.

Relevant data as follows:

The post Former German Air Force officer launches Sparky Space AI platform for iGaming teams appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Belatra

Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign

Published

on

belatra-marks-33-years-with-april-anniversary-campaign

The slots supplier says its portfolio now exceeds 150 games and highlights recent LatAm expansion from its Buenos Aires base.

Belatra is marking its 33rd birthday with an anniversary campaign running throughout April, the iGaming slots developer said.

The company said it was founded in 1993 and has since transitioned from building gaming machines for land-based casinos to producing digital content. Belatra added that its portfolio has grown to more than 150 games.

Belatra also pointed to its strategic Latin American headquarters in Buenos Aires as a key base for regional partnerships and growth.

Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, said: “We’re only just getting started, but birthdays provide the perfect chance to reflect on our successes and the path that’s brought us here. From launching our innovative ‘multi-universe’ content strategy to our rapid expansion in Latin America, the successful launch of our first Crash game, and multiple high-profile industry award wins — we are always developing, creating, and evolving. 33 years of innovation, dedication, and gaming excellence — and the best is yet to come.”

Belatra did not provide additional detail on upcoming releases or the timing of any new product announcements beyond saying updates will land during April.

The post Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

iGaming Real Talk

iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community passes 500 members

Published

on

igaming-real-talk-whatsapp-community-passes-500-members

Founder Surya Palli positions the group as a real-time extension of the brand’s long-form podcast conversations.

iGaming Real Talk said its WhatsApp community has crossed 500 members, marking what the company described as a growth milestone for the group.

The community is positioned as a space for candid discussion among iGaming professionals, including operators, studios, affiliates, and suppliers. The company attributed the group’s growth to its structure, stating it operates with minimal moderation and allows promotions.

Surya Palli, Founder of iGaming Real Talk, said: “Reaching 500 members is a proud moment, but what matters more is the quality of the conversations happening inside the group every day. This community is built on trust, openness, and a genuine desire to help each other grow.

Our long-form podcasts can only cover so much at a given time, but the WhatsApp community is an always-on, real-time extension of those conversations. We’re just getting started.”

iGaming Real Talk said it plans to expand the community through exclusive content, industry interviews, and collaborative discussions.

Those interested in joining the iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community can join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K2UoLJdluQdFJXvV1uDw6Z

The post iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community passes 500 members appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania