Is aggregation the only way forward?

Maria Luisa Malfasi, Business Development Manager, ESA Gaming

Aggregation platforms provide games studios with access to new markets and a pain-free way to place their content with various operators. As the number of suppliers on the market has grown over the years, so too has use of aggregators.

A good aggregator benefits the operator by giving them the ability to manage their own content. Not only does it free up the operator’s internal IT resources, but it allows bonusing across multiple providers and feeds business intelligence. Depending on the aggregator and the operator’s publishing policies, an aggregator can massively cut down integration times.

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While ESA Gaming has its very own RGS, there remains a reliance on aggregation services, and this is because both services have their benefits with regards to distribution of content. Aggregation platforms enable the company to reach a wider audience of operators, while using their own RGS can give a more bespoke integration. Partnering up with key content aggregators in certain markets where larger operators can be too slow to sign agreements has been a successful strategy for the company, giving us quick access to market without many issues.

Aggregators offer a range of options for expansion in new territories as they allow brands to see the appetite for their content before committing to a market. A direct integration allows brands to cut out the middleman, which from a revenue perspective is a huge bonus, but there are advantages to using aggregators too. Assessing to what extent the market can be penetrated is usually what shapes ESA Gaming’s strategy, as well as finding a balance between the quantity of direct integrations and the maximisation of earning potential.

Direct integration is also a great tool when the circumstances are suitable, such as for ESA Gaming’s EasySwipe family that integrates into sportsbooks to allow bettors to enjoy the best quality casino games without interrupting the betting experience. Integrating in sportsbooks rather than in various operators’ casino tabs, a direct integration provides a much simpler route to market for this games collection.

For smaller providers, aggregation can be the only way to get content in front of industry-leading operators, and getting content out there is key to building a successful brand image. Aggregators have the expertise and network that smaller suppliers need in order to successfully launch their games, which in this scenario saves the brand precious money and resources.

A direct integration is now harder than it has ever been, with accessibility being the issue. Increasing numbers of large operators are only accessible through their aggregation partners thanks to the sheer volume of suppliers in existence. Nowadays, it is crucial for operators to provide content from a variety of different suppliers to ensure their games offer appeal to all player demographics, and to do this, aggregation is the easiest option. Saying that, many operators still prefer direct integrations as it cuts out the middleman, so it is ideal for a supplier to have both options.

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Striking the right balance is therefore key for suppliers looking to extend its reach across several markets and operators.