Interviews
“It is going to be a slow process – but great things take time”: Exclusive interview with R Franco Digital on the return of sports betting in Spain
After notching up a series of high profile deals with the likes of Dafabet and BetConstruct, we sat down with R Franco Digital’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mario Benito to talk Spain’s return to sports betting and his outlook for the market as the lockdown is lifted.
R Franco Digital has certainly signed a couple of notable deals recently, can you give us the lowdown?
It has been a busy few weeks as we get back on track in Spain! All in all, we’ve already signed agreements with several of the Spanish market’s leading tier one operators and will be announcing additional partnerships in further markets in the very near future.
Key to this has been our industry-leading portfolio of supporting products; including our IRIS Platform, as well as our Wallet, online games and renowned IRIS Power Vault – developed in tandem with the Spanish regulator, the DGOJ.
In terms of what we’ll be doing, R Franco Digital will be providing three major international operators with these tools to enter the Spanish market – as well as signing a succession of aggregator partnerships to further boost the reach of our fantastic collection of games.
We’re also expecting plenty of developments on the LatAm front (which is our second home), as well receiving our MGA Critical Gaming Supply licence in the very near future.
Is this a vote of confidence for the Spanish market returning to normal? What’s happening on the ground there?
There’s no question that the entire industry has felt the impact – with Spain (as you may have seen from the headlines) being no different. Given the need for entertainment under lockdown, there has been a considerable uptick in iGaming, despite the Spanish government’s two-month suspension on promotional activity.
Since the resumption of Europe’s most popular sporting tournaments, the sports betting vertical is gradually returning to full strength, although this process will not be complete until the new season. Given our home market is both dynamic and resilient, we are confident that the commercial landscape in Spain will return to its pre-COVID trajectory soon enough.
Having said that, land-based will likely take longer to re-emerge to full strength given it has received the brunt of the impact from COVID. To persevere, operators who have not already done began to diversify through digital channels. We set up R Franco Digital a decade ago with this role in mind – and it’s certainly proved instrumental for our local partners during this time.
What do you forecast for the first few week’s betting activity once La Liga has returned?
The resumption of Europe’s top football leagues, particularly La Liga, have seen dormant sports bettors return to the vertical en-masse. However, I do not believe activity will revert to its previous level until the new season begins. The numbers certainly back this up, and from what we’ve seen so far, the total amount wagered in the Spanish market has fallen by 40% compared to the week before La Liga was cancelled.
Plenty has been said around the cross-sell between sportsbook and casino in the past few months – has it rang true in Spain?
It’s been invaluable – and for many operators, turned from a promise to a reality. However, we shouldn’t get too carried away with the hype; we have not seen a whole legion of sports betting fans converted to slots in three short months.
To build a pandemic-proof portfolio, operators (and platform providers) need to take a long, careful look at what disciplines lent themselves well to sports bettors betting behaviours during lockdown (such as live casino) and capitalise on it moving forward.
What other alternative sporting markets have proven popular during the lockdown?
The most successful markets have been Table Tennis, and football leagues in more ‘exotic’ countries such as Belarus, that did not see their sporting calendar hindered by lockdown. Esports and virtuals have also experienced a similar spike activity as sports betting enthusiasts look to get in on alternative entertainment, although these disciplines are likely to attract a more niche type of player, especially in the case of esports, which has become a bastion of the millennial demographic.
And finally – how fast do you see retail betting returning in Spain?
It is going to be a slow process – but great things take time. The decision to re-open now falls under the mandate of Spain’s regional authorities, and it will be at their discretion. We can see this happening in real time – as although the state of emergency has ended, not every region has yet allowed betting shops to reopen. Along with land-based casinos, retail is by far one of the most severely affected sectors of the market, and I anticipate it will be a long road to recovery for many that had to endure three months of closure. Of course, we’ll be there to help.
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Conferences in Europe
Navigating New Frontiers: Relax Gaming’s Approach to Growth & Market Expansion
HIPTHER, organiser of the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, is proud to present Relax Gaming, the Summit’s Delegates Bag Sponsor and a key player in the iGaming industry. In this exclusive interview, we speak with Cliona Griffin, Business Development Manager, Casino at Relax Gaming, to explore their approach to market expansion, transparent competitive strategies, and what to expect from their presence at the Summit.
Relax Gaming has built a strong reputation as a premium aggregator and supplier in the iGaming space. How does your approach to business development ensure that Relax Gaming stays ahead in an increasingly competitive market?
We’re always focused on being one of the industry’s most innovative providers, both in terms of the content we produce and the platform we offer. By constantly evolving our products and maintaining a strong commercial framework, we ensure that Relax Gaming remains a key player in the market.
Our competitive and fair commercial approach has been instrumental in strengthening our presence in existing markets while also enabling smooth entry into new ones. It’s all about staying agile and forward-thinking to ensure our partners get the best possible experience when working with us.
A competitive yet transparent commercial structure is a core focus for Relax Gaming. How do you strike the right balance between offering competitive deals while maintaining transparency with partners and operators?
I think both fairness and transparency are key to building long-term relationships with our partners. That’s why we apply the same commercial structure across the board in each market, ensuring that every partner has a clear and equal opportunity to succeed.
This approach not only makes our offering competitive, but it also gives our partners confidence in knowing they’re working with a provider that values consistency and openness. By keeping things straightforward and fair, we create a commercial environment that benefits operators.
With new markets constantly evolving, what key factors influence Relax Gaming’s decision-making when entering and expanding into emerging markets? Are there any specific regions that are currently on your radar?
When looking at new markets, we take a strategic and measured approach to ensure that any expansion aligns with our business objectives asl well as the needs of our partners.
One of the biggest factors we consider is regulatory complexity. Each market comes with its own set of rules, and we need to ensure that we can operate efficiently while fully complying with local requirements. Beyond compliance, we assess the potential return on investment, evaluating market size, player demand, and long-term sustainability to determine whether it’s the right fit for Relax Gaming and our network of operators.
Right now, we’re actively monitoring several European markets that show strong growth potential. However, our primary focus for H1 this year is expanding our presence in the US. The region presents exciting opportunities, and we’re working to establish a solid foothold by leveraging our expertise and proven content portfolio to meet the needs of operators and players in this market.
Given the dynamic nature of the industry, how does Relax Gaming adapt its offerings to support both new and existing operators in maximising their revenues?
We take a very hands-on approach when it comes to supporting our partners. Our Account Management team works closely with operators to help them maximise revenue by tailoring strategies to suit their needs. Whether it’s optimising game performance or identifying new opportunities, we’re always looking for ways to add value.
On the content side, we’re also moving towards a more bespoke approach, adapting our offering to fit the demands of different markets and player preferences. This flexibility allows us to continue delivering high-quality, relevant content that keeps engagement levels high.
As a speaker at the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit, what key insights will you be sharing with the audience? And what makes this event an essential platform for discussing the future of iGaming?
I’m looking forward to sharing how Relax Gaming approaches market expansion, focusing on how we assess new opportunities, navigate regulatory challenges, and use our aggregation model to drive growth.
I’ll also highlight the importance of localisation and how we tailor our content to different markets while supporting operators with the tools they need to maximise engagement. With the industry evolving rapidly, staying ahead of trends is key, and I’ll touch on the innovations shaping the future of iGaming.
Events like this are a great chance to connect, exchange ideas, and gain insights into what’s next for the industry, making it an essential platform for discussion and collaboration.
With Relax Gaming bringing its expertise to the Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025, this year’s event promises invaluable insights into the future of iGaming and technology. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain exclusive market perspectives, and be part of the most dynamic gathering in the CEE region!
Join us on 25-26 March 2025 in Prague – Register now and explore the full agenda!
The post Navigating New Frontiers: Relax Gaming’s Approach to Growth & Market Expansion appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Katya Machuganova, Gaming Product and Partnership Manager at Silverback Gaming, lifts the lid on the studio’s first crash title and explains why it will hit the market as a social game before being rolled out in the real money format
Silverback’s first crash game is set to hit the market shortly. What more can you tell us about the game ahead of its launch?
We are super excited to launch our first crash game, but the details are a closely guarded secret for now. What I can say is that the design concept is in place, the gameplay has been set, and we are now working on the creative assets. Then it’s just a case of bringing all the elements together. But this being Silverback, it’s not going to be a standard crash game – we are adding plenty of unique twists to take the anticipation and thrills to the next level. We are on track to send the game to Gaming Laboratories International for testing toward the end of March with go-live scheduled for April. The initial roll-out will be in the simulated gaming format with real money to follow.
How will you ensure your crash game stands out in what is an increasingly competitive market?
Players love crash games because of the control they have over the outcome of the game round. They get to choose when to cash out, with experienced players often having their own strategies for deciding the optimal moment to hit the button. It’s this active participation that really gets pulses racing so with our crash game, we are going to be giving players even more control. Crash games generally appeal to players looking to take big risks in return for big rewards, so players will also be able to toggle the risk level to match their preferences. This degree of personalisation and control is simply not offered by the current crash games in the market.
Why did you decide to launch your crash game in the social/simulated gaming format before real-money?
Demand for our simulated gaming content is at an all-time high with many of our partners looking to tap into the huge opportunity the market presents – last year, social gaming was estimated to be worth $12.77bn and is set to hit £23.05bn by 2032. As a provider of both simulated gaming and real money content, it’s our responsibility to provide our partners with the content they need, when they need it. Crash is also perfectly suited to the simulated gaming format – because players can’t win real money, they like to place big bets (with virtual currency) so they can experience the thrill of big wins. This is exactly what crash provides. Of course, we’ll be releasing our crash game in real-money shortly after its debut as a social title.
Has the game been developed for players in a specific market or are you going global with it?
Silverback Gaming is mostly focused on the North American market, although our games are certified in jurisdictions like Malta and Italy. Given our exposure to the US and Canada, we ensure that our games meet player preferences in these markets although they still hit the mark with players in the other jurisdictions where they are offered. The crash format is super initiative and easy to understand, which means crash games can be deployed in most markets, from North America to Europe, Asia and Africa, and very quickly rise to the top of the charts.
Do studios need to have a crash game in their portfolio?
We think so. Studios need to provide the content operators – and their players – are seeking and we are increasingly seeing this demand shift towards non-traditional content. At Silverback, we want to provide our partners with a broad range of content across different formats, and that’s why our portfolio covers slots, table games and now crash, and in both social and real-money formats. Pushing into new formats is also great fun for our designers, sound engineers and developers, and we give them the freedom and flexibility to push the boundaries as that’s how we can ultimately bring new and exciting experiences to players.
What makes crash such an interesting space for studios to move into?
Because the format is relatively new there is huge scope for studios to really play around with it. From themes to mechanics and even elements like control and risk, we are only just scratching the surface of the crash format. If you were to compare crash to slots, we are in the classic phase right now with the video slots phase still to come. This is why we will see an innovation race play out in the crash vertical, with studios looking to be the first to bring something new to the table that then sets the standard for others to follow.
How can operators get the most out of crash games?
It’s still very early days for the crash format so operators do need to educate players as to how these games work and why they are such fun to play. Thought needs to be given to lobby positioning, too. To encourage players to try to crash for the first time, offering a free bets offer works well or letting them play a social version if the game is available in this format. This is part of the reason why we have developed and launched our first crash title in the simulated gaming format.
The post What happens when the worlds of crash and social collide appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Adam Wilson, CEO at Splash Tech, looks at how operators can best utilise free-to-play (FTP) solutions to drive engagement with their customers.
It is often said that one of the main attractions of sport is the anticipation of the event, even more so than the event itself. How much do FTP games for sportsbooks tap into the buzz around sporting events for fans?
As we saw recently with all the attention paid to Super Bowl in the run-up to the game, people were heavily invested to the extent that even the half-time show became the subject of countless articles in the media and commentary on social channels. Naturally, predicting outcomes for teams and players is a major focus for sports fans worldwide and that is where free-to-play (FTP) games come in for sportsbooks by tapping into the sense of excitement. Combining the lure of free rewards and often big cash prizes with the promise of compelling sporting action definitely creates a perfect storm for marketeers. At Splash Tech, we have the technology and product to create tangible results on the back of pre-game noise, be it in the United States or anywhere else in the world, across all sports.
In terms of technology, across UI/UX, data and other areas, what refinements have you seen that have had a big impact in the way end users interact with FTP games?
Over the years, the FTP vertical has certainly become sophisticated in terms of how slick and engaging games and products are when presented to the end user. The effectiveness of a modern FTP strategy rests on how segmentation is carried out. It is all about rewarding the right user at the right time with the right prize and this is the secret to success.
If we look at dynamic segmentation, player experiences can be tailored to their progress within an operator’s ecosystem. New customers encounter more compelling offers, incentivising initial deposits, while established players experience gamified reward systems, promoting and recognising continued engagement. All incentives are personalised based on player lifetime value, delivering appropriate rewards to each user instantly. By offering players pertinent, timely, and enjoyable games, providers of promotional solutions can significantly boost operator revenue.
You recently struck a deal with Wildz Sports to roll out a series of Daily Predictor and Pick 6 games across a wide range of sports. How do you plan to keep these games fresh and interesting?
Localisation is very important when working with multi-regional partners. You can have the same game types running, but the content has to be tailored to user and regional preferences. With the Wildz Sports deal, we are rolling out game experiences across football, ice hockey, cricket, rugby and all US sports. Naturally, you wouldn’t expect a huge take-up for a cricket-based experience in the United States, but operators have found that it’s a sport that is extremely popular with bettors in other geographies. As such, FTP can play a major role in acquisition and retention in countries and regions that love the sport.
Finally, what is the future direction of FTP games? How can they evolve to become even more seamless and attractive as both acquisition and retention tools?
FTP can and should start at the top of the funnel and follow a user all the way through their journey with a sportsbook or casino. With the data we now have at our disposal, we can trigger real-time game experiences tailored to user preferences, optimised to enhance their loyalty with a brand. Given the diverse preferences of players, a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t cut it in what is an extremely competitive market. Highly targeted and relevant engagement is crucial for capturing and retaining player attention and neglecting the tools that enable this can be a costly mistake.
The post Splash Tech: How operators can tap into the hype appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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