Latest News

What Slot Games Lack to Retain a Player

Published

4 years ago

June 3, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

by Sergiy Logvynenko, Account Manager at Sigma Software

Every month we have hundreds or maybe even thousands of new slot titles coming. Already existing games remain on the market too, which makes us think that every casino offers thousands of games to a player. It leads to the situation that an average player changes games as socks or even more often. However, it’s not a fight for the player between game providers because big providers release dozens of games per year and create a competition even between their own games.

In casual gaming (here I refer to the market of small games, first of all mobile games) also there is a huge amount of titles that are quite similar to each other, but quite rarely a single game provider creates tens of similar games. I’m afraid that it can be a topic for a fight that slot games really differ by math, volatility, features, etc. Yes, they are different and geeks know all these differentiations, but a regular player does not feel all these details and plays the game just for two goals: have fun and earn money (yes, players want to earn money).

European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

What is the difference between slot games and casual games? I do not have the ambition to be Captain America, but have to say that one of the biggest differences is that slot game providers are focused on quantity when casual game providers are focused on quality. It is not exact wording and to be precise let’s better tell that slot providers are focused on player acquisition, when casual game providers are focused on player retention.

What is missing in slot games to retain a player? There are plenty of reasons, but today I would like to concentrate on something that we can borrow from casual games. And one of the biggest things here is progress, leveling or simply saying – presence of the next achievable goal. Playing a game you simply spin the wheels and sometimes get free spins, but every round you are in an initial position and do not have progress – your chances to win free spins or big wins or whatever else are the same every round. The only exception is jackpot, especially personalized game jackpots which become more and more popular these days. All these things move us to the fact that every moment a player does not have any reason to keep playing this game and not to switch to another game. Especially if a player hasn’t won for a few consecutive rounds.

If a player has made some progress during the game, collecting some points, symbols, etc. and has a chance to go to the next level which brings something new (new game characters, some in-game awards, or even new game math), it will be one more reason to keep playing. Simple example: a player is in some regular slot game, collecting some symbols on the reels. As soon as X symbols are collected, the game moves to the next level where this symbol becomes a scatter. It is a significant boost for the player and if he/she already collected some significant amount, the chances that this player continues playing are increasing dramatically. Yes, such a game will cost more than a regular slot game, but your player will stay a fan of your game for much longer. And if you see that the game gets success you may develop new “levels” and features and the cost of these levels will be much lower because you may reuse part of math, art and sounds, as well as general game mechanics. So, instead of 3 simple one-level slot games, you create a single multi-level game. It is cheaper and you achieve better awareness of your brand.

I would love to see the movement from quantity to quality, from player acquisition to player retention, and dream to see a blockbuster slot game with thousands of players playing the game for ages. Is it just a dream?

BMM Testlabs

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

Published

1 hour 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

3 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

3 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.