Industry News
Six iGaming Events to Focus on as 2022 Draws to a Close
After a scorching summer recess, the iGaming industry’s collective batteries have been recharged in readiness for a return to a series of autumn events.
In what is now a truly global calendar, SBC Summit North America at New Jersey’s Meadowlands Exposition Center set a new attendance record as delegates flocked to a show that – as was the case with iGaming NEXT New York before it – focused on a North American market which continues to boom.
We have now entered an era in which marketing purse strings are being closely examined, both from an operator and supplier perspective. Getting ‘bang for the buck’, to use that US expression, is vital when it comes to assigning budgets to the remaining events of 2022. Bigger is not always necessarily better when it comes to gaining new sales leads and, increasingly, it pays to be smart when planning out an attendance strategy.
In this feature, European Gaming highlights the six events, both on a large and small scale, that top-level executives need to be pushing their sales and executive teams towards as 2022 draws to a conclusion:
iGaming NEXT Valetta ’22 (September 27-29)
Following on from the success of the organisers’ inaugural US event in New York City in May, iGaming NEXT is back to present the latest edition of its popular show in the Maltese capital. As was the case in New York, this is a VP-style show that has a unique vision, promising to cut through the noise with unique networking and learning opportunities provided by the highest level of content. Naturally, there is no shortage of topics to be discussed by the expert line-up of speakers. Everything from the growing popularity of Web3, NFTs, blockchain and the metaverse, to new markets launching in North America and across the world, will be examined. In a world of massive waves of M&A and investment, this is an event that will pose the question of what the industry can do now to secure its place in the future.
SBC Summit Barcelona (September 20-22)
The first major event to follow the summer break takes place against the beautiful background of Barcelona, an appropriately grand city to host a gathering of global leaders in sports betting and iGaming. This year, the show will be split into five distinct zones: Sports Betting, Casino & iGaming, Payments & Compliance, Affiliate Marketing and Media and Emerging Tech, and Blockchain and Metaverse. Each area will have its own conference stage, exhibition floor and networking area, providing up to 6,000 delegates with the chance to connect with fellow professionals, take a deep dive into the insights and ideas shaping the future of each sector, and to view the most exciting new specialist products.
Global Gaming Expo (G2E) (October 10-13)
With the vast potential for sports betting and iGaming in North America being such a hot topic, more attention than ever before will be focused on the second successive in-person Global Gaming Expo on behalf of the online gaming industry. Held at The Venetian Convention and Expo Center in Las Vegas, G2E is billed as the world’s premier international gaming trade show and takes place on a vast scale as business leaders convene to shape the future direction of the industry. Key to the event is an education programme that reflects the evolving landscape – essential given the complex, patchwork regulation that exists in North America – while topics covered within the schedule include innovations across online gaming, land-based casino floor, digital payments, crypto and Web3.
SiGMA Europe, Malta (November 14-18)
With a strong focus on the promotion of start-ups, the SiGMA Group once again welcomes industry leaders from all over the world to Europe’s premier iGaming hub. Over 100 free booths are on offer across the expo floor, with SiGMA Pitch – in which competitors vie for a prize pool containing investment and mentorship – provides an insight into some of the iGaming industry’s most compelling innovators. As is always the case with this show, networking opportunities are hardly in short supply and often come with a beautiful sea view, as business leaders gather for drinks, dinner and special gala events within some spectacular venues.
EGR Power Summit (September 13-14)
This invite-only event is being held at the Surf & Sand Resort in California, a state that has hit the headlines recently due to a long-running saga concerning the legalisation of sports betting. Guests attending the Summit will be able to connect through one-to-one meetings and social activities, while also joining in with the debate at expert-led content sessions including topics ranging from fixed-odds horse racing to proactivity in responsible gambling. Keen golfers can get involved in an event tournament, while there’s also a whisky tasting session at which delegates can unwind.
CEEGC 2022 (Central and Eastern European Gaming Conference), Budapest, Hungary (September 16)
Hipther Agency, parent company to betting and gaming media platform European Gaming, is preparing to host the largest edition yet of its CEEGC (Central and Eastern European Gaming Conference) in Budapest, Hungary. The 7th edition of the event is set to be held on 16th September at the Ritz-Carlton Budapest, marking the conference’s first return following the last two years.
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NuxGame, the experienced betting and casino software provider, has been recognised at this year’s EGR B2B Awards, receiving a nomination for its Aggregation Platform.
The EGR B2B Awards is one of the most esteemed events in the industry and this shortlisting solidifies NuxGame’s status as a leading casino software supplier and a one-stop shop for casino operators.
Winners are to be selected by a panel of industry experts ahead of the ceremony at The Roundhouse in London on 13th June.
NuxGame’s aggregation platform boasts over 13,600 slots titles from 135 leading providers, which has recently been bolstered thanks to partnerships with the likes of 3 Oaks Gaming, Vivo Gaming and Hacksaw Gaming.
The nomination follows a strong year for the provider, which has made strides in player retention and acquisition tools for its aggregation platform customers with features such as free spins, network tournaments, live streamer promotions and custom thumbnails.
This latest development for NuxGame serves as a testament to its philosophy of staying ahead of the tech curve and harnessing the latest technologies to provide a bespoke and customer-centric service.
Denis Kosinsky, Chief Operating Officer at NuxGame, said: “The EGR B2B Awards is one of the most important dates in the iGaming calendar, so we are honoured that our leading casino aggregation platform has been shortlisted.
“It’s fantastic to be recognised in these prestigious awards, as we are dedicated to delivering the most innovative casino game aggregation platform for our customers.”
The post NuxGame’s Aggregation Platform shortlisted in EGR B2B Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Betsson AB has published its interim report for the first quarter of 2024.
Highlights
- Group revenue was EUR 248.2 (221.9) million, an increase of 12%. Organic increase of 25%.
- Casino revenue increased by 19%. Sportsbook revenue decreased by 3% and the sportsbook margin was 6.6% (8.0%).
- EBITDA was EUR 71.6 (54.3) million, an increase of 32%. The EBITDA margin was 28.8% (24.5%).
- Operating income (EBIT) was EUR 57.9 (43.0) million, an increase of 35%. The EBIT margin was 23.3% (19.4%).
- Net income was EUR 42.8 (36.6) million, corresponding to EUR 0.30 (0.28) per share.
- Operating cash flow was EUR 50.0 (48.8) million.
- Net debt was EUR -68.1 (-104.5) million.
- Active customers increased by 15% to 1,281,267 (1,115,641).
CEO’s Comments
“Positive start to the year for Betsson – continued high customer activity and the highest ever operating income”
For Betsson, the first quarter of 2024 was characterised by a continued positive development with high customer activity, good growth and strengthened profitability, as well as new growth-oriented initiatives. Revenue was up 12 percent year over year, and operating income (EBIT) increased as much as 35 percent to a new record level, while the operating margin strengthened to 23.3 (19.4) percent.
After the new president in Argentina took office, a devaluation of the Argentine peso of more than 50 percent was carried out in December, which had a negative effect on reported revenue for the Group in the first quarter. Organically, revenue increased by 25 percent compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
The high customer activity drove strong growth in gaming turnover for both casino and sports betting, with year-over-year increases of 14 and 25 percent, respectively. Casino revenue increased by 19 percent year over year. The sportsbook margin amounted to 6.6 (8.0) percent, which was lower than the average margin for the past two years and meant that the high activity and increased turnover in sports betting was not fully reflected in revenue for the quarter. The lower sportsbook margin particularly impacted revenue in Latin America.
Betsson’s ambition is to generate stable earnings growth in the long run. The strategy to achieve this is based on geographic diversification and growth investments within existing markets, new markets, B2B and M&A. Within existing markets, it can be mentioned that the Betsson brand was introduced on the Italian market in March, at the same time as a collaboration was started with the former superstar of Italian football, Francesco Totti. Italy remains an important market with great potential for Betsson. In addition, Betsson went live in Cordoba, Argentina during the quarter, which means that the Group now offers games under local gaming licenses in three Argentine provinces. In new markets, a new online casino offering was launched in Belgium through the acquired company betFIRST, based on the category A+ license. The license enables a complete online casino offering including slots, table games and live casino. B2B continues to be an important strategic area where previous years’ investments continue to bear fruit and continued to perform strongly during the quarter. In terms of M&A, a gaming operator licensed in the Netherlands that offers casino games via the websites www.goldruncasino.nl and www.goldruncasino.com, and a game studio that develops casino games, were acquired in February. The transaction is subject to an approval from the Dutch gambling authority before the integration work can begin.
Sustainability is an important part of Betsson’s strategy and for the second year in a row Betsson sponsored the Consumer Protection Zone at the ICE gaming fair in London. This part of the fair aims to increase knowledge about responsible gambling and all proceeds from this part go to organisations that work with responsible gambling.
After the positive start to the year, we now look forward to following the final rounds of the European football leagues and cups, before it is time for the best national football teams to measure their strengths in the UEFA Euro 2024 and Copa America in June and July. There is football fever out there and within the entire organisation a number of activities are already underway to ensure that Betsson will be able to deliver a powerful player offering for new and existing customers during these major championships. See you this summer!
The post Betsson Publishes its First Quarter 2024 Interim Report appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
This month The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) honored 186 of its total 1200 team members for reaching significant employment milestones including 15, 10, and 5 years of service for the enterprise. The event at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Flagstaff, Ariz. showcased the impact and journey of each hard-working team member, with a special highlight for 29 employees who have served for 15 years.
Less than 10 years after Navajo Gaming was created by the Navajo Nation and charged with the mission of creating jobs, increasing revenues, and stimulating incremental economic development within the Navajo Nation, the gaming enterprise created over 7425 direct, indirect and induced jobs with an overall economic output of over a billion dollars.
“Navajo Gaming employs 1200 people, 85 percent of whom are Navajo citizens. The award-winning AAA’s coveted Four Diamond Twin Arrows Casino Resort shares Navajo Culture through architectural nuances and local artists. Each of the property dining eateries feature ‘Navajo Beef,’ and traditional cuisine of the Navajo people, and our invitation to stay, play and relax at one of our four properties or Travel Center is an open welcome to the Navajo Nation’s beautiful scenic transformation,” Matthew Shunkamolah, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Navajo Gaming, said.
Team members recognized for 15 years of services have worked their way up to a wide variety of position within the enterprise from General Manager and Executive Director of Slots, to Director of Security, Food and Beverage Supervisor and Executive Director of Government Affairs.
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