Eastern Europe
Covid-19 Sets Back Romanian Gambling Industry by Five Years
Covid-19 pandemic has set back the Romanian gambling industry by five years, according to the data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
The Romanian gambling operators experienced one of the most severe declines of the last 30 years between March and May this year. The local gambling and entertainment industry fell by about 24% in March 2020 compared to the same period of 2015. The gambling sector’s March turnover was only 57 % of February’s. Then, in April and May, gambling businesses reported almost zero revenue.
“Given the situation, we made the necessary business continuity decisions and decided that the safety of our customers and employees was our main priority. We focused on the long-term business principles and we organized our activity so that we would be able to adapt as quickly as possible to the multitude of changes that occurred during this period. For example, over the past three months we went from ‘closed until further notice’ to being open round the clock and then back to limited opening hours (until 11 PM, later extended to midnight), and we hope to be able to return to our non-stop hours as soon as possible. During all this time, we’ve been focusing on communicating with our clients and employees, for whom we’ve taken extra health and safety measures. Maintaining communication with professional associations and the authorities for accurate information on the latest developments concerning gambling halls was equally important,” Attila “Otto” Török, strategy director at Game World Romania, said.
According to the latest data provided by the National Gambling Office (ONJN), 250 gambling operators are currently active on the Romanian market. They contribute about EUR 600 million to the state budget every year. At the beginning of 2020, there were about 45,000 direct employees of the local gambling industry and a few other thousand worked in related and dependent fields.
“According to Romslot data, for each RON the Romanian gambling industry generates, the upstream and downstream industries – HoReCa, IT&C, security – generate another 5 RON,” Török said.
He added that Game World currently has about 400 employees, while the parent group has a workforce of about 2000.
When talking about the biggest challenges the gambling industry is now facing, Török says these are related to the coronavirus pandemic and the health crisis, even though all operators have strictly implemented all the measures required by authorities to limit the spread of the virus.
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Balkans
EGT Digital to showcase innovations at BEGE Expo 2024
At the highly anticipated BEGE Expo 2024, EGT Digital will highlight its diverse portfolio of top-performing products and exciting innovations. Visitors can explore these offerings at booth 4.0 alongside the latest advancements from EGT.
The company’s extensive gaming solutions include popular instant games and its bestsellers Bell Link, Clover Chance, High Cash, and Single Progressive Jackpot, featuring over 120 in-house developed slots. Attendees can experience renowned titles like Burning Goals, Amazons’ Battle, and Sugar Duke, as well as the upcoming 5×6 Fruity Shots. This cocktail-themed game includes multipliers ranging from x2 to x500 and introduces Toppling Reels for enhanced win opportunities.
EGT Digital’s “all-in-one” betting platform X-Nave will also be on display with its four modular solutions: Sport Product, Gaming Aggregator, CRM Engine, and Payment Gateway.
The Sport Product will debut its Customizable Tournament Page, designed to ensure effortless navigation and a personalized betting experience.
The Gaming Aggregator, offering over 12,000 titles, will present features like the Buy Bonus, Hot and Cold games category with live RTP insights, and tools for personalized content such as the Recommendation Engine and Casino as Widget.
The CRM Engine will showcase advanced player segmentation and AI/ML-driven tools for tailored game suggestions.
The Payment Gateway will emphasize its secure, player-focused design with options like deposit repeat, bonus selection, and two-factor authentication.
“We are delighted to participate in BEGE Expo once again,” commented Tsvetomira Drumeva, Head of Sales at EGT Digital. “During this 15th edition we will showcase a solid dose of innovations, sure to impress clients and partners in the region. We are also looking forward to the BEGE Awards, where EGT Digital is a finalist in numerous categories.”
EGT Digital’s commitment to innovation and excellence continues to position the company among the leaders in the iGaming industry.
The post EGT Digital to showcase innovations at BEGE Expo 2024 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Balkans
BEGE celebrates 15 years as Eastern Europe’s premier gaming expo
The most significant event for the gaming industry in Eastern Europe – the Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo (BEGE) – will bring together leading companies, innovators, and industry representatives on November 27 and 28 for its 15th-anniversary edition. In celebration of this milestone, the organizers have prepared numerous surprises and special awards.
Once again, BEGE will offer a rich program, uniting industry leaders, investors, and successful entrepreneurs to share ideas, technologies, and inspiration. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to explore the latest gaming technologies, try out innovative solutions, and enjoy impressive demonstrations.
Traditionally, the first and second days of the event feature the EEGS conference, where internationally recognized speakers will present analyses and discussions critical to the development of the gaming industry. Special panels will provide a platform for leading gaming experts to discuss the future of the industry, emerging trends, and initiatives promoting responsible gaming practices.
For the first time, BEGE will welcome startups, offering them the opportunity to participate in Gaming StartUp Challenge 6.0. This challenge provides a unique opportunity to meet with key industry figures. The most promising startups will be recognized and granted invaluable access to the experience and insights of industry leaders.
As always, the exhibition begins with the BEGE Awards ceremony, a symbol of recognition for innovation, outstanding achievements, and success across various sectors of the gaming industry, with awards such as “Online Provider of the Year” and “Online Game of the Year.” The awards will be presented on November 26 at an elegant dinner at Black&White club in Sofia’s Grand Hotel Millennium.
A key highlight of the program is the Proximity Zone, providing companies with additional visibility through live-streamed interviews and product presentations with leading global brands and experts.
BEGE is a must-attend event for anyone with an interest in the gaming industry. This year, more than 80 exhibitors and over 6,000 visitors from 70 countries are expected, making it a place where the passion for gaming and innovation meets business opportunities.
The post BEGE celebrates 15 years as Eastern Europe’s premier gaming expo appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Eastern Europe
ICONIC21 makes Romania debut with Princess Casino
Live content provider continues to expand into new markets with top online casino operator in Romania now offering its hugely popular games to its players
ICONIC21, the in-demand provider of premium live content, has made its debut in the Romania market through a deal with Princess Casino, one of the top online casino brands in the fast-growing market.
The deal will see Princess Casino gain access to some of the top-performing titles from ICONIC21’s portfolio of live games which have proven to not only meet but exceed player expectations in markets across the world.
This includes classic live table games such as Blackjack and Roulette (including French and Auto Roulette) and popular Asian formats like Baccarat, Bet On Teen Patti and Sic Bo.
Princess Casino players can also experience the provider’s Gravity Series which covers Gravity Blackjack, Gravity Roulette and Gravity Sic Bo. Gravity games take excitement to a new level with additional multipliers of up to 3,000x.
The studio stands out through the quality of its titles, with games broadcast from state-of-the-art studio facilities that make use of the latest audio, visual and streaming technologies. It also has a team of highly experienced game presenters that bring a wow factor to each of its titles.
This has seen ICONIC21 quickly become a must-have provider for operators in regulated markets across Europe and beyond and the provider is confident that players in Romania will be drawn to the high levels of entertainment its games provide.
Alina Mihaela Popa, Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21, said: “We are always working hard to bring our games to more players in more markets and this partnership with Princess Casino is the perfect way to make our debut in Romania.
“Princess Casino is aligned with our commitment to provide games that entertain and excite, keeping players on the edge of their seats from the first round to the last.
“Our portfolio is varied, offering a wide range of live games and formats, many with our own unique twist such as our Gravity. We are confident players at Princess Casino will like what each of our games has to offer.”
The post ICONIC21 makes Romania debut with Princess Casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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