Gaming
Gaming & iGaming trends for 2021
Gaming and iGaming industries exploded in 2020 as the pandemic has only reinforced the new edge entertainment trend. In times of massive uncertainty, the world turned to simulate reality games as a new way to connect and unwind.
According to Statista, today there are already more than 2.7 billion video gamers worldwide. The entire video gaming market is expected to be worth over $200 bln by 2023. As to iGaming, around 1.6 billion people gamble throughout the year, while the global online gambling market is anticipated to be valued at more than $92.9 bln by 2023.
Here we’re going to explore the impact of the pandemic in these domains, uncover new trends within the booming industries and learn what to expect for 2021.
Changes in the industries in the COVID times
Lloyd Richman, CEO of iBet Digital, thinks that since COVID-19 first hit, a lot of sportsbook bettors, who used to bet on a daily basis, started to look out for new things to bet on. “For sure, they were very unhappy, because almost all sports competitions had stopped at that moment. And this is why virtual sports have uplifted, as well as eSports”.
Lloyd briefly explained the difference between virtual sports and eSports.
“Virtual sports are predetermined or pre-recorded games architected by computer software. It’s very much a virtual video, that’s played out and then people can bet on that in real-time. Whereas in eSports people are competing against each other playing the likes of Counter-Strike or FIFA whether they’re playing individually or as teams. It’s streamed in real-time and viewers are able to bet on it the same way they do with sports.”
Will Mercer, venture director at Zag, a founder and CEO of Umaya Village, pointed out his favourite stats about eSports: “The entire of tennis as a sport can only support 300 full-time professional players, whereas League of Legends, which is just one of the many eSports, can support a thousand.”
At the end of 2020 Esports entertainment group acquired Lucky Dino for $30 mln, an online casino operator with its own proprietary casino platform. “You’ll probably see a lot more eSports levelling up with Sportsbook in 2021 because there’s a lot of money in that business”, says Lloyd Richman.
Poker also saw huge growth, in spite of the fact that just a few years ago, it was considered as a dying out product. Today poker products started to boom again across the whole industry. “People had time to kill while being stuck at home, sleeping patterns were changed and they were able to invest into things like 6-hours tournaments as opposed to quick Sit & Go games”, says Richman.
But all of this might change very quickly. “When poker was huge five years ago, eSports wasn’t really around. But today we’re seeing that virtual games are getting pushed a lot more. The same appeals to live casinos that boomed in the last few years. But all of it probably will go back into decline again, because the real sports are back”, noticed Lloyd.
From a technological perspective, there are several trends just coupling all together in an interesting way.
There’s a tremendous growth of the social media component in gaming. It became really important both in games and in-gaming infrastructure like Discord. “Gaming acts as the niche to hanging out and talking in comfort with your own communities and friends”, adds Vlad Beck, founder of Black Snow Games & co-founder of Sigma Software Group.
At the same time streaming has shown enormous growth compared to pre-pandemic. Twitch jumped from 9 billion hours watched in 2019 all the way to 17 billion in 2020. This is also accompanied by 5G getting up and running.
Casino in GTA V and the future of in-game experience
GTA V has sold over 110 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time, generating over $6 bln worth of revenue. In 2019 Rockstar released its Diamond Casino & Resort update, which lets players use real money to play its games. The casino’s chips can be purchased with in-game currency at a $1 to 1 chip ratio.
Richman believes that the full-time merging between online computer games and online casinos is happening right now. “It’s been happening, but very slowly. Rockstar released their Casino update six years after they released the original game.”
“In that week after they released the casino update, it was the most anticipated downloadable content (DLC) ever across PlayStation. They had more players playing GTA than they had in the previous six years”, emphasised Lloyd.
The audience wants to come on and play slots, walk up to blackjack people and watch virtual sports on horse racing. Rockstar merged into the casino and into gambling via creating slot games on an RPG computer game level. This is the accelerated change in gaming, and in the next 10-15 years merges like this are going to happen on a regular basis.
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Codere Online
RubyPlay and Codere Online join forces to elevate gaming offering in Mexico
RubyPlay, the studio-based content ecosystem, has strengthened its footprint in Mexico through a new partnership with Codere Online (Nasdaq: CDRO), one of the country’s leading digital sports betting and casino operators.
The collaboration sees Codere Online integrate a broad selection of RubyPlay’s most popular titles, including player favourites such as J Mania® Loco Habanero, Grand Express Diamond Class, and Zeus Rush Fever® Deluxe SE. The deal also incorporates content from Koala Games, one of the fastest-growing studios within RubyPlay’s ecosystem, featuring hits like Voltage Blitz® Rapid and Voltage Blitz® Vortex. Codere Online will gain ongoing access to additional content from RubyPlay’s wider studio network as new titles are released.
This partnership reinforces RubyPlay’s expansion across the LATAM region, where its content has been performing strongly with multiple leading brands. At the heart of this growth is RubyPlay’s multi-layered content ecosystem, designed to deliver a diverse and tailored portfolio while benefiting operators of all sizes. The model enables faster delivery cycles, greater portfolio variety, and improved responsiveness to both operator needs and evolving player preferences.
Dima Reiderman, CCO at RubyPlay, commented:
“Partnering with Codere Online represents a significant milestone in our expansion across Mexico and the wider LATAM region. The operator’s strong brand recognition and vast customer base make them an ideal partner to reach even more players. Through our studio-based ecosystem, including Koala Games and Mad Hat Games, we can deliver market-focused content to support Codere Online’s evolving strategy in Mexico and LATAM.”
Sarit Adania, Head of Casino Product at Codere Online, added:
“RubyPlay’s consistently high-performing titles will be a significant addition to our online casino offering in Mexico. By integrating content from both RubyPlay and Koala Games, we are diversifying our portfolio and continuing to deliver the engaging, premium experiences our players expect.”
The post RubyPlay and Codere Online join forces to elevate gaming offering in Mexico appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
François LaFlamme
Motorola Becomes the Official Smartphone Partner of FIFA Heroes Game
Motorola, a Lenovo company, has become the official smartphone partner of the recently announced FIFA Heroes game, published by Solace. FIFA Heroes is an arcade-style, 5-a-side football title that, for the first time, features real players, mascots and fictional IP characters on the same pitch. This partnership brings together Motorola’s cutting-edge mobile technology and the game’s immersive gaming experience, creating a seamless experience for fans to enjoy the world’s most popular sport in a fun and interactive way.
As the official smartphone partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Motorola is committed to bringing the excitement of the tournament directly into consumers’ hands. FIFA Heroes delivers on that promise, offering fans innovative, mobile-first experiences that keep them connected to this unique moment in time.
With this partnership, Motorola’s presence will extend across multiple touchpoints. Motorola will appear directly within the FIFA Heroes game, and many upcoming Motorola smartphones will include instant access to the newest FIFA-licensed mobile game. Fans can also download the game from the Google Play Store, making it simple to play from anywhere.
All Motorola users will gain access to exclusive in-game content designed just for them, including power up tokens and gems, game emotes, a retro razr goal celebration, playable characters, and more. This content is part of a broader collaboration that will unfold through a series of global activations, leading up to and throughout the FIFA World Cup 26, giving fans around the globe new ways to connect with the action, on and off the pitch.
Beyond the content itself, the partnership introduces a gaming experience designed specifically for the brand new razr fold, redefining what a foldable form factor can bring to the gaming space. This exclusive experience optimizes the device’s large 8.1″ unfolded display so that players get an expanded view of the pitch that keeps the action fully in focus. Plus, the extra screen space makes it so that controls can sit comfortably below gameplay for an unobstructed display, and also gives players the flexibility to customise their layout for optimal ergonomics.
“This collaboration goes beyond gaming—it’s about delivering an experience that feels faster, smoother, and more connected for every fan. By working closely with Solace and FIFA, we’ve optimized FIFA Heroes for Motorola devices so players get the best possible performance right out of the box. It’s a powerful way to show how our technology enhances the way people play, connect, and experience entertainment, and we’re excited to share even more in the months ahead,” said François LaFlamme, Chief Marketing Officer at Motorola.
The post Motorola Becomes the Official Smartphone Partner of FIFA Heroes Game appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Bet on Games
Bet on Games Premieres Ranch Robbery — Rugged, High-Octane Crash Experience
Bet on Games unveils Ranch Robbery, a fresh crash game that infuses the wild spirit of the Wild West into the rapidly expanding instant category. The launch enhances the brand’s crash lineup with an audacious thematic approach and performance-oriented features.
As a key segment within the BETCORE ecosystem, Bet on Games keeps growing its instant and crash portfolio, now surpassing 200+ titles ready for integration. With Ranch Robbery, the brand expands its crash offerings, merging established gameplay mechanics with a unique Western theme aimed at distinguishing itself in competitive environments and captivating action-oriented players.
About the Game
Ranch Robbery takes place in a uniquely designed frontier setting where tension escalates in real time. A cowboy dashes across the ranch as the multiplier rises dynamically. The more extended the run lasts, the greater the possible payout; however, if the escape concludes before cashing out, the wager is forfeited.
Every round lasts merely seconds, resulting in a quick decision-making cycle and continuous adrenaline.
The post Bet on Games Premieres Ranch Robbery — Rugged, High-Octane Crash Experience appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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