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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?

Latest News

Greek Casino Industry Undergoes Major Transformation

Published

2 hours ago

August 26, 2025

Niji Narayan

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Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Greek casino industry is undergoing a major transformation, with high-profile investments and relocations redefining the market.

While casinos now account for a smaller share of the broader gambling industry, with the total Greek gambling market reaching $31.5 billion in wagers in 2023 and gross gaming revenue of $2.8 billion, the flurry of new licenses, relocations and integrated resort projects is reshaping the sector and attracting international attention.

Following global trends, Greek casinos are evolving into integrated resorts, where gambling is just one part of a broader entertainment and hospitality experience.

These resorts aim to attract high-end tourists, generate consistent visitor flows, boost tax revenue and enhance Greece’s international brand in luxury tourism. The next five years will be critical in establishing Greece as a leading Mediterranean destination for integrated resorts.

Leading the wave is the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Athens at the former Ellinikon site, a project valued at $1.6 billion. The venture is a partnership between Hard Rock International (51%) and GEK TERNA (49%), a major Greek construction and energy company, set to create one of Europe’s largest integrated resorts.

Standing 646 feet (197 meters) tall with 42 floors, the resort will include a five-star hotel, a conference center, event spaces and a casino built to international standards. Completion is expected within three years, creating three thousand construction jobs and three thousand permanent positions once operational.

Another key development is the relocation of Parnitha Casino to Marousi. The plan, initially proposed thirteen years ago, overcame legal hurdles after the Council of State approved Presidential Decree No. 36 (FEK 79/A/30-3-2023), which permits the transfer and modernisation of the casino into a multifunctional complex.

This Voria complex will occupy 52 acres near Golden Hall—an upscale shopping mall in Marousi—with 27 acres allocated for public spaces and 25 acres housing the casino, a five-star hotel with 150 rooms, a 1400-seat auditorium, dining, entertainment areas and a 636-space underground parking garage.

The $270 million investment is projected to create three thousand construction jobs and three thousand permanent positions, with completion expected three years after the building permit, anticipated in September 2025.

Three other casinos—in Rio, Alexandroupolis and Corfu—are undergoing financial restructuring.

Saint George Participations, linked to the Arfani and Chioni families, secured operational approval from the Hellenic Gaming Commission (EEEP) and plans to acquire licenses and control by purchasing existing loans and shares.

Although legally and financially complex, investors have already committed $13 million, signaling long-term involvement even before taking equity stakes.

The EEEP is also preparing to award a new casino license in Gournes, Heraklion, Crete, independent of the broader redevelopment of the former US base managed by Dimand.

Crete’s strategic location, strong tourism and new infrastructure make it highly attractive. The license is expected to be offered via tender by early 2026, drawing international interest.

The post Greek Casino Industry Undergoes Major Transformation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

UGC Calls for Global Teamwork to Stop Illegal Gambling

Published

2 hours ago

August 26, 2025

Niji Narayan

ugc-calls-for-global-teamwork-to-stop-illegal-gambling

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Ukrainian Gambling Council (UGC) has called for a united, tech-based plan to tackle the worldwide increase in illegal online betting.

Viktoriya Zakrevskaya, UGC’s Deputy Chair, said the quick growth of digital platforms has led to more unlicensed operators. These operators often use cryptocurrencies and social media to avoid getting caught and to attract users.

Illegal operators now make up a big part of the $618.7 billion global iGaming market expected by the end of 2025. These platforms often register offshore, use anonymous payments and market online, making it harder to enforce laws against them.

Zakrevskaya pointed out that nations across the globe are trying out solutions that mix rules, tech and people’s involvement. Argentina, for example, has put in place tough age-checking systems and stops blacklisted websites on public Wi-Fi networks. This method, she explained, has made illegal sites harder to reach for at-risk groups such as kids.

In Indonesia, where betting is outlawed, officials have started watching money flows to cut off unlawful activity. Just last year, they froze 26,000 bank and e-wallet accounts tied to illegal betting operations, showing how focused money controls can limit unregulated gambling.

The US struggles with a unique problem because of its scattered rules. Unlawful betting websites are growing almost twice as fast as legal ones in the US. Over 80% of users see ads for unlicensed sites. People are now trying to tighten control on digital money and push big tech companies to better manage gambling content.

Ukraine has stepped up its crackdown. The country’s new watchdog PlayCity, which started after KRAIL was shut down, is teaming up with global tech firms like Meta to take down social media accounts that promote illegal casinos. The government has also blocked more than a hundred unlicensed sites thought to be sending money to Russia. Kyiv thinks Moscow uses the underground gambling world to fund its ongoing war.

A crucial element of Ukraine’s long-term plan involves creating a system to monitor bets and tax income in real time with transparency. The Ministry of Digital Transformation is working with tech experts to construct the platform, which should enhance supervision and boost public confidence in the regulated market.

The post UGC Calls for Global Teamwork to Stop Illegal Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Escape to Paradise: “Tropical Temptation” Slot Launches at Slotland, CryptoSlots, and CryptoWins

Published

2 hours ago

August 26, 2025

Wladimir P.

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Reading Time: < 1 minute

An Eden of excitement awaits players with the launch of the new slot, Tropical Temptation. This vibrant 5×4 game from Slotland Entertainment is now live, bringing a sun-soaked paradise to Slotland.eu, CryptoSlots.com, and CryptoWins.com.

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The true temptation lies in the features:

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Seductive Symbol Transformation: The bonus rounds intertwine thrillingly. During Eve’s spins, new Eve scatters transform into Adams, and vice-versa. Hit 3+ of these new scatters to immediately begin the other bonus round, adding all remaining spins for a prolonged, winning escape.
Answer the call of the wild and chase fortune in Eden. Tropical Temptation is available to play now with Free Chips and Match Bonuses at all brands until August 31st:

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CRYPTOWINS
Valid until August 31

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CRYPTOSLOTS
Valid until August 26

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Promo Details

The post Escape to Paradise: “Tropical Temptation” Slot Launches at Slotland, CryptoSlots, and CryptoWins appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.