Latest News

Forza Kalamba!

Published

4 years ago

February 26, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Tamas Kusztos, Head of Sales and Account Management at slots developer Kalamba Games gives us some insight into the company’s recent entry into the vibrant Italian market and what it hopes to bring to the well-established territory.

The Italian market for gambling is one of the most proven and lucrative in Europe, if not globally. From land-based and online to esports and sports betting, there’s little that a bettor can’t wager on in the country thanks to the regulated landscape it operates in. But what about newcomers like Kalamba? Is it actually advantageous for us to make our debut now? Well, there are certain benefits in that we have been able to identify some player preferences and trends which will help us hit the ground running. The market being as mature as it is also helps us to quickly get a handle on general market conditions and how regulation has progressed.
As it’s turned out, it’s actually been a very good time to do it, as online casino has grown to become the most lucrative product vertical in the Italian online market, with slot products now accounting for upwards of two-thirds of overall segment revenue of €831m in 2019 and €837m in the first nine months of 2020. As recently as last November, the 2 billion revenue mark was surpassed by regulated operators for the first time ever and that was followed by another record-breaking December, which saw a 40 per cent month-on-month increase.
Given our success in other European markets, we are sure that there will always be an appetite for fresh content such as ours and we are excited to introduce it to the Italian players.

But of course, not all European territories are the same – Italy has a very strong land-based heritage and many online operators also run betting shops. This gives us a good insight into what this slightly different player demographic enjoys. We will be looking to develop new content for the Italian market that offers the mechanics, features, and themes that the local player base knows and loves. It is all about knowing your customer and making sure our content is tailored to attract them and we will learn as we go and improve our content along the way.

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Getting us off to a good start, we have a really broad portfolio of titles with our 50th game being launched later this year. We offer players a range of different themes and have been working hard to develop our signature features. Some of our best loved ones are HyperBet and HyperBonus, which allow players to adjust the volatility level of the game and to shortcut into bonus rounds. Coupled with exciting themes and a slick user interface, this means we can really cater for all demographics. We have a packed roadmap for 2021 which will see us take our content to new heights.

But having those games alone isn’t the whole picture, we need to align ourselves with the right local partners to gain the best possible insight. As a supplier, you only have access to part of the performance data of your games with operators holding the other important piece of information. It is therefore crucial to work closely with operators to get a 360 view of how well our content is performing in the market and what kind of content players prefer. We have talked with some of our partners in detail about the market trends and we will certainly take it into consideration when creating games. We are however confident that our unique offering will carve out a decent market share with our fresh approach towards slots.

That approach is also evident in our player engagement and part of our Bullseye RGS, which has been doing particularly well since its introduction last year. We have already released Big Win Replay, where players can go back and watch their big wins repeatedly. Our data shows that this significantly increases the engagement levels compared with players who choose not to use it. Building on that, we’re soon to include our own unique take on the classic Jackpots feature, while later this year, we’re set to introduce some really fresh and exciting gamification tools that will increase engagement and retention levels with players.

So all in all, it’s exciting times in Italy and with our powerful combination of innovative games and promotional tools, we’re confident we can take advantage and push forward to become one of the leading suppliers there.

BMM Testlabs

BMM Testlabs Earns Accreditation in Maranhão, Brazil To Test Fixed Odds Betting Systems and Lottery Platforms

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

bmm-testlabs-earns-accreditation-in-maranhao,-brazil-to-test-fixed-odds-betting-systems-and-lottery-platforms

BMM Testlabs, the world’s original gaming test lab renowned for exceptional product compliance and testing services, today announced its official accreditation to test systems and games for the Brazilian state of Maranhão.

This new accreditation allows BMM Testlabs to test fixed-odds betting systems and lottery platforms for the Maranhão market. The Company is now authorized in every Brazilian jurisdiction that has regulated at state-level online fixed-odds betting.

The Maranhão accreditation, issued by Maranhão Parcerias SA (MAPA/LOTEMA), authorizes BMM Testlabs to work with lottery operators in the state to ensure compliance and quality standards for the gaming and lottery industry through end-to-end product compliance testing for Maranhão’s standards.

Additionally, Brazil’s Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas has federally authorized BMM Testlabs to test betting systems, live gaming studios, and online games used by fixed-odds betting operators.

BMM Testlabs’ Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming & Cybersecurity, said, “We are excited and deeply honored that the State of Maranhão’s official lottery has entrusted BMM Testlabs with the responsibility of testing products for their new online fixed odds betting program, knowing that we’ll do so with the highest levels of impartiality, technical expertise, transparency, efficiency, and, most of all, integrity.”

With the Maranhão accreditation, BMM Testlabs solidifies its position as the leading independent test lab in Brazil. BMM Testlabs is accredited in all jurisdictions that have authorized fixed-odds betting for online gaming and sports betting.

BMM Testlabs brings 44 years of global leadership in product compliance across regulated markets and is trusted by games, systems, and lottery manufacturers, suppliers, developers, and regulators worldwide.

In addition to product compliance testing, BMM Testlabs provides end-to-end cybersecurity protection solutions. Through its sister company, RG24seven Virtual Training, BMM also offers compliance-grade virtual training on responsible gaming, anti-money laundering, and other important topics – presented by industry experts and available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

The post BMM Testlabs Earns Accreditation in Maranhão, Brazil To Test Fixed Odds Betting Systems and Lottery Platforms appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

eSports

Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2025

George Miller

shaping-the-future-of-esports:-ice-esports-arena-provides-essential-insights

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The ICE Esports Arena at ICE Barcelona 2025 plays a key role in educating people about esports and how to access, integrate and regulate this growing vertical, says Clarion Gaming’s leader in Emerging Technology and Esports.

“Part of the role of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference is explaining exactly what esports is,” said Will Harding. “There is still work to be done in helping regulators to better understand esports. That’s why showcasing esports here at ICE is so important – we’re empowering people who are at the forefront of shaping regulatory policy.”

The ICE Esports Arena continues to grow year-on-year, with four world-ranked professional Counter-Strike 2 teams competing live at ICE 2025 for a US$25,000 prize pool. This year’s winners were 500 (Bulgaria: World ranking: 47).

“In terms of attendees, we have a whole spectrum of people here, from those that are still shocked that computer games have anything to do with sports betting to those that have built incredible businesses around esports,” Harding continued.

“There are also a number of visitors who realise that esports is significant for their business in terms of revenue but don’t necessarily know how to access this vertical, and we’re here to guide them toward unlocking its full potential.

“But the one thing which is absolutely certain is that esports betting is here to stay and it’s going to continue to grow”

He also praised headline partners, esports betting experts Oddin.gg, for their contribution in helping explain why esports is such a commercially important vertical for operators.

“Oddin.gg has been an excellent partner in realising the Esports Arena. Holding a professional esports tournament is a big endeavour. As our headline sponsor, Oddin.gg has played a key role in showcasing how the data and the odds work. They have helped complete the education journey,” he affirmed.

Commenting on ICE’s move to Barcelona, Harding highlighted that both the city and the show’s new venue Fira Barcelona Gran Via have extensive experience with esports, providing a perfect location for the ICE Esports Arena’s continuing expansion.

“It’s very established here. You can walk around Barcelona and see large-scale internet cafes catering for esports fans,” he added. “This represents an ideal foundation for the continued growth of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference in the years ahead.”

The post Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Conferences

Meridianbet CEO Showcases GMGI’s $163M FY2024 Revenue, USA & Brazil Entry at ICR 2025 Conference

Published

6 hours ago

January 22, 2025

GamingAmericas.com

meridianbet-ceo-showcases-gmgi’s-$163m-fy2024-revenue,-usa-&-brazil-entry-at-icr-2025-conference

In a packed room at the prestigious ICR 2025 Conference held in Orlando, FL, Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet, captivated the audience of elite investors with GMGI’s remarkable growth story and series of strategic market entries that position the company for significant value creation in 2025 and beyond. The company also led the conference with the highest number of one-on-one investor meetings, signaling strong interest in its growth trajectory.

The world-class event, also known as the financial market Super Bowl, is recognized as the planet’s premier small and medium-cap conference for US listed companies. It brought together over 3,000 attendees, including institutional investors, sell-side analysts, investment bankers, and private equity professionals.

This builds on the success at the 2024 Citi Global TMT Conference, when the company shared insights alongside industry giants like DraftKings, FanDuel, and IBM.

61% Year-Over-Year Growth Positions GMGI as Gaming Industry Leader

The world’s elite investment audience found out a compelling history of growth: GMGI’s preliminary FY 2024 revenue surged 61% year-over-year to $150 million, with pro forma consolidated revenue reaching $163 million.

This exceptional growth trajectory, driven by strategic market expansions and technological innovation, showcases GMGI’s emerging dominance in the global gaming landscape.

Brazil: A Game-Changing Market Entry

In what could prove to be a transformative catalyst, Meridianbet secured a coveted federal license in Brazil – a market projected to reach $2.5-4 billion annually. With instant access to over 100 million potential customers across all 26 states, this strategic move positions GMGI to capture substantial market share in one of the world’s most lucrative gaming opportunities.

North American Expansion Accelerates

The Group’s momentum in North America exemplifies its multi-market growth strategy:

Strategic entry into the rapidly expanding U.S. sweepstakes gaming market, leveraging proprietary content from Expanse Studios
Pending gaming license in Ontario, Canada’s largest regulated market
Deployment of AI-driven gaming solutions to maximize player engagement and retention

GMGI’s Unified Ecosystem: A Competitive Moat

Meridianbet CEO showcased how the Group’s six synergistic companies create a formidable competitive advantage, presenting to investors a unique ecosystem:

Meridianbet’s presence in 18 regulated jurisdictions, powered by 1,200+ employees including 100 software engineers
Expanse Studios’ proprietary game development driving high-margin revenue lowering the reliance on third-party content
Strategic assets across key growth markets: Mexplay in South America, Rkings in the UK, and Classics for a Cause in Australia

2025: Multiple Growth Catalysts Ahead

The confluence of strategic initiatives positions GMGI for accelerated growth:

Brazil market ramp-up expected to drive substantial revenue expansion
Proprietary AI technology deployment enhancing player monetization
First-mover advantages in newly regulated markets
Continued margin expansion through operational efficiencies

For investors seeking exposure to the explosive growth in global gaming, GMGI represents a unique opportunity: a proven operator with proprietary technology, multiple growth vectors, and strategic positioning in the world’s most promising gaming markets.

The post Meridianbet CEO Showcases GMGI’s $163M FY2024 Revenue, USA & Brazil Entry at ICR 2025 Conference appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.