Canada
Amazing Trends that are Set to Transform the Gambling and Casino Industry in 2021
The year 2020 has made it to the history books when the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the entire world into a recession. It hit many industries that even some of the well-established businesses have to shut down. However, it is not the case for the gambling and casino industry.
The gambling and casino industry grows as an increasing number of online casinos, and gambling sites appear on the market. These sites are generating high revenues despite the world’s current situation.
More people turn to their hand-held devices for entertainment, such as gambling and betting. Top it up with huge technological upgrades and user experience. Below are the trends transforming the gambling and casino industry in 2021.
Mobile technology
Gaming on mobile devices has brought casino games and other gambling sites closer to players than ever. In developed countries where virtually everyone owns a mobile device, gambling is at their fingertips. With blazing WiFi speeds of 4G and soon 5G with unlimited data packages, free online casino apps are being downloaded to virtually all smartphones and other devices.
Most players prefer playing on their mobile devices as it allows them to play anytime and anywhere. They don’t have to spend on expensive computers or wait for the boot up before they can start playing. Moreover, they can play quick games with their mobile devices while watching tv, sitting on the bus, or at the park while watching their kids playing around.
More than 50% of all gambling is done on mobile devices, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if mobile gambling becomes more common shortly.
Artificial intelligence
AI or artificial intelligence has been solving many problems and saving humans from tons of working hours in the casino and gambling industry. The AI is being used in:
Chatbots: Customers don’t have to wait in line for customer support to answer their queries. AI chatbots can solve any complicated issues.
Anti-scammers: Sadly, many players are still trying to abuse the online casinos and other players by using different apps or bots to gain unfair advantages. AI can find these individuals and kick them out of the site.
Customer behavior analysis: AI can analyze the players’ preferences to offer them the best solutions and options on a personalized approach. AI can determine the types of promotions it can offer to each player, making their user experience less frustrating and more interesting.
Enhances game processes: AI can detect any problem within the game and inform the developer.
VR and AR changes the user experience
Virtual reality and augmented reality have created a lot of impact on the industry of gaming. Online casinos use technologies to offer their players “complete immersion” within the game, taking their user experience to a higher level.
Through VR and AR, gamers can visit a casino, play games like slot machines, and interact with other players in real-time without going out of their homes.
The blockchain technology
Transactions made using cryptocurrency are currently the fastest and the safest mode of payment. Players don’t have to use their bank, credit/debit card account information if they pay via blockchain.
Moreover, blockchain utilizes non-editable and timestamped record blocks that a group of computers manage, making it impossible to hack. It also provides transaction transparency with high limits and less transaction costs.
Gambling legislation
The past years have seen many changes in gambling legislation. Many countries have become open to gambling operations that offer them a good amount of tax income from their revenues. Moreover, its legalization allows it to become safer and more regulated.
Since the emergence of gambling sites and online casinos, the popularity of the gambling industry keeps on rising every year. Moreover, the pandemic had pushed the technological improvements further and made many changes in the legislation.
While the year 2021 is still struggling for many industries, the gambling and casino industry remains unaffected. Instead, it keeps on prospering despite all the challenges that the world is currently facing.
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British Columbia Lottery Corporation
BCLC to Open Retail PROLINE Sportsbook Lounges at Two Casinos
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) is expanding its retail sportsbook offerings by opening two new PROLINE sportsbook lounges in the coming weeks.
Chances Casino Kelowna will host B.C.’s first in-person sportsbook lounge when the Chances Kelowna PROLINE Sportsbook Lounge opens for a sneak peek on Super Bowl Sunday before opening to the public the next day, on Monday, Feb. 10. The lounge will feature a massive 25-foot screen as well as food and drink and PROLINE betting.
BCLC will then open the province’s second in-person sportsbook lounge at Parq Casino in Vancouver in March.
A spokesperson from the crown corporation said that “the lounges offer something for sports lovers and sports bettors alike, including a best-in-class sports viewing experience and sports-betting terminals offering a full suite of competitive and live odds.”
“The sportsbook lounge is not just for sports betting, it is a go-to viewing destination for both regular gamedays and, for the biggest sporting events of the year, where B.C. sports fans and sports bettors can watch their favourite teams together, the home of the home team.”
BCLC has plans to introduce future sportsbook lounges at other casinos around the province.
Lounges will showcase BCLC’s modernized sportsbook
The two sportsbook lounges will be major showcases for BCLC’s expanded and revamped PROLINE, which it unveiled last fall on the eve of the NFL season. PROLINE replaced the Sports Action sportsbook that BCLC shut down last May after 33 years.
The post BCLC to Open Retail PROLINE Sportsbook Lounges at Two Casinos appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Blanka Homor
Playson Signs Agreement with Light & Wonder in Global Distribution Deal
Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, has forged a major global content deal with Light & Wonder to significantly enhance the reach of its extensive games portfolio.
This landmark agreement will enable Light & Wonder’s expansive operator network across the UK, Canada, and Latin America to gain access to Playson’s engaging offering.
UK-based operator Dazzletag Entertainment Ltd was the first to go live with the studio’s creative releases last month, with SUPERCHARGED CLOVERS: HOLD AND WIN and 3 POTS RICHES: HOLD AND WIN launched across its online casino brands.
Light & Wonder’s content marketplace is utilised by some of the biggest operator brands from across the globe, providing them with access to more than 3500 games from a host of third-party studios to allow them to build personalised, mobile-ready player experiences and stay ahead of regulatory changes.
The partnership signifies the strength of Playson’s reputation as a respected and highly sought-after provider to operators globally, as the rising demand for its games looks set to take the studio to new heights for 2025.
Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “Our deal with Light & Wonder is a major milestone in our strategic roadmap, as we embark on the next chapter of our global growth. This agreement expands our reach and allows us to deliver our appealing titles to new operators and players.
“The launch of our titles across Dazzletag’s two brands is a great start, and we are confident this relationship will further elevate our presence in the ever-evolving online casino space.”
Steve Mayes, Senior Director of Partnerships at Light & Wonder, said: “We are delighted to be working with such a highly respected digital entertainment provider and deliver their portfolio to our network. This strengthens our commitment to offering operators the best game releases available.
“We look forward to other successful launches in 2025, as we continue to support our operators with diverse content.”
The post Playson Signs Agreement with Light & Wonder in Global Distribution Deal appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Bragg Gaming Group
Bragg Gaming Announces Preliminary Unaudited Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 and 2025 Strategic Initiatives and Guidance
Bragg Gaming Group announced its preliminary unaudited results for the year ended December 31, 2024 based on information currently available to management and certain strategic initiatives and issued financial guidance for 2025, highlighting anticipated double-digit growth in Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA driven by a strategic focus on proprietary and exclusive content.
Anticipated Full Year 2024 Results Highlights
The Company expects the financial results for full year 2024 to include the following highlights: Revenue not less than EUR 102 million, an increase of 9% from EUR 93.5 million for 2023, Adjusted EBITDA of not less than EUR 15.4 million, an increase of 1% from EUR 15.2 million for 2023.
Anticipated Financial Highlights for 2025
Revenue Guidance: Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025, is expected to reach between EUR 117.5 million and EUR 123.0 million, representing double digit growth compared to the Company’s anticipated 2024 revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: Adjusted EBITDA is forecasted to range between EUR 19.0 million and EUR 21.5 million, supported by a shift toward higher-margin product offerings.
Strategic Business Drivers
The Company is expecting to realize its anticipated 2025 results in part, as a result of certain strategic initiatives, including:
• Shift in Revenue Concentration: The percentage of revenue from the Company’s proprietary and exclusive content business is expected to increase providing a more margin-accretive mix and improving profitability with reduced reliance on third party content revenue by year end.
• Growth in Key Markets: Content-focused products, including proprietary, exclusive and aggregated content are projected to drive significant revenue growth in North America and Brazil, which are expected to contribute up to 10% and 15% of revenue, respectively by year-end.
• Brazil’s Growth Potential: The Company believes that its proprietary and exclusive content and aggregation businesses are strategically positioned to capture a significant share of Brazil’s $1.5 billion iGaming market, projected to more than double to over $3.3 billion by 2029, according to H2 Gambling Capital.
• US Market Penetration: The Company believes that it is strategically positioned for significant growth in the US market by leveraging its proprietary and exclusive content portfolio. Through integration with top-tier operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Rush Street, Caesars and BetMGM, and licenses in all key iGaming states, the Company’s content is accessible to over 90% of the US iGaming market, valued at over $9.5 billion, according to H2 Gambling Capital. Under the leadership of Neill Whyte, Chief Commercial Officer, and Garrick Morris, SVP (Commercial, US & Canada), veterans of the iGaming industry with multi-decade successful market penetration experience under their belt, the Company has strong leadership to garner enhanced market share. It is expected that proprietary and exclusive content growth in the US will be further driven by the recently announced technology and content partnership with Caesars Entertainment Inc. This partnership, which leverages the Company’s cutting-edge technology and innovative development strengthens the Company’s profile in a competitive and dynamic market.
• Stronger Penetration in Major European Markets: Bragg aims to expand content distribution in key Western European markets, including Italy, UK, Spain, and Sweden, by leveraging existing integrations with top operators and implementing targeted sales strategies.
• Expand Exclusive Partnerships: The Company plans to increase its roster of partner studios to enhance the release cadence of titles in North America. Additionally, Bragg aims to grow exclusive content distribution in Central European markets, including the Czech Republic and Germany, through strategic partnerships with studios such as Gamomat and King Show Games.
• Stability in PAM Business: The Company’s PAM business is expected to remain flat year-over-year, an overall positive, despite the anticipated contraction of the Netherlands market in 2025 due to regulatory changes made in the fourth quarter of 2024.
• Enhanced Technology Profile: The Company continues to innovate with technologies such as FUZE, which provides bonuses, free rounds, tournaments, jackpots, recommendation engine and other engagement and promotional tools seamlessly across all iGaming, Sportbetting and iLottery products, requiring no additional integration. These advanced features enhance player experience and contribute to the growth of the Company’s product portfolio revenue.
• Data and AI Enhancements: By leveraging extensive gaming data, the Company generates actionable insights and employs AI-driven optimizations to elevate player experiences and enhance operator profitability, thereby accelerating profitable growth in proprietary and exclusive content verticals. Opportunities to leverage AI to reduce costs and enhance product margins are also being actively explored.
• Pipeline Opportunities: A robust pipeline of opportunities is under development, which, if realized, could further enhance 2025 performance but are not yet reflected in the current guidance.
• Stock Appreciation Rights Plan: Bragg has also introduced a new Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR) plan for its executive management team, further aligning management interests with those of shareholders. The SAR plan has been implemented under the Company’s Amended and Restated Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan and pays out only if the Company’s share price increases over a three-year period, with a full payout contingent on achieving a four-fold increase from a base price of $5 CAD. This structure ensures that executive compensation is firmly tied to delivering significant shareholder value. Additionally, the plan includes accelerated vesting provisions in the event of a change of control, preserving alignment with shareholder interests in all value-creation scenarios. SAR award payouts may be settled through the payment of cash, the issuance of shares, or through a combination of both, subject to the discretion of the Company’s Board and availability of shares under the Company’s equity incentive plan at the time.
“I am pleased with where we believe 2024 results will land and very excited about the strong growth trajectory outlined in our 2025 guidance. Our strategic investments in proprietary and exclusive content as well as various Data, Player journey and AI enhanced engagement features, are expected to drive our growth in 2025. By focusing on margin-accretive products, we are well-positioned to boost both revenue and profitability while pursuing opportunities in key markets such as Brazil and the United States. Our PAM product remains a top-tier performer, and while our 2025 growth will largely come from the content side of the business, we have exciting prospects to expand our PAM offering. Additionally, I’m particularly proud of the strong executive team that we have assembled at Bragg this past year. The recently announced Caesars deal highlights their impressive capabilities,” said Matevž Mazij, CEO of Bragg.
The post Bragg Gaming Announces Preliminary Unaudited Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 and 2025 Strategic Initiatives and Guidance appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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