Connect with us

Latest News

How NetEnt built an empire based on familiarity

Published

on

 

Initially founded as Net Entertainment in 1996, NetEnt is one of iGaming’s greatest and most recognisable online slot developers, a company that’s universally known for having a truly unbeatable catalogue of online slots.

But how did this gargantuan Swedish development studio grow in prominence over the years, casting an imposing shadow over the rest of the industry? The short answer, brand power!

That being said, we’re not exactly talking about NetEnt’s brand power here… We’re talking about the fact that NetEnt has traditionally utilised other recognised brands to boost their reputation within the world of iGaming.

In the beginning – NetEnt signs collaborative deal with Universal

NetEnt kick-started this incredibly smart strategy in 2010 when they entered into a landmark multi-year licensing agreement with Universal, the film studio behind some of Hollywood’s greatest movies and television shows.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The first big-name IP that NetEnt developed into an online slot was none other than Mr. Tony Montana himself, the notorious drug lord Scarface. Looking back it’s quite understandable why NetEnt decided to go with an R-rated character.

Not only is Tony Montana all about big money, but it’s much easier to pair a classic bad boy with a form of entertainment such as online slots that have long been looked upon as risqué.

Once it was quite apparent that NetEnt had discovered a winning strategy they continued to sign deals with other major film and television studios such as Colombia Pictures, 20th Century Fox and Sony Entertainment to get access to some of the world’s biggest brands.

These brand partnerships gave NetEnt a competitive edge over other studios who were themselves releasing run-of-the-mill online slots themed around ancient Egypt, Las Vegas and Ireland… Nothing particularly exciting when compared to NetEnt’s slots that are based on hit movies and television shows.

Aggressive expansion – NetEnt’s television and movie-themed slots arrive at casinos across the internet

After the success of Scarface, NetEnt decided to stick with creating branded online slots that feature characters and IP that wouldn’t be ‘tarnished’ by being made into an online slot game. Whether this was a decision made by movie and television executives, or NetEnt themselves remains to be seen… Either way, it worked!

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Their next hit games were South Park and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Naturally, South Park featured all of the same rude and crude humour the famous animated show is known for, and as a result, it pulled in a whole host of players (old and new) that were interested in this new and unique crossover.

The same can be said for Creature from the Black Lagoon, a slot based on the unsettling 1954 horror movie of the same name. Despite the fact that not too many players will vividly remember the black and white film, players still flocked to this highly volatile slot.

In the months and subsequent years that followed NetEnt released a huge number of branded TV/movie-themed slots that pulled in huge audiences, these include: South Park: Reel Chaos, The Invisible Man, Frankenstein, Dracula, Universal Monsters: The Phantom’s Curse, Emojiplanet, Planet of the Apes and Conan.

NetEnt also used their successful partnership with Universal to muscle in on the world of music as part of the developers 20th-anniversary celebrations, they got their hands on the IP for some of the world’s biggest rock ‘n’ roll stars Guns N’ Roses, Motörhead and Jimi Hendrix.

Having seriously upped their game utilising big-name brands, NetEnt continued to pull out all the stops to wow audiences with new online slots based on iconic people, tv shows and movies.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

First came Jumanji Video Slot, then Narcos (based on the hit Netflix series), followed by Street Fighter II: The World Warrior Slot and most recently Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Video Slot.

Building for the future – NetEnt supplement their success by creating their own brand icons

Despite having seen unprecedented success due to their branded slots, credit still must be given to their army of creatives as they’re also responsible for inventing some iconic brands of their own that have gone on to spawn multiple games and feature heavily in casino lobbies.

If you ask anyone today to name a handful of the most recognisable online slot games, odds are they’ll mention NetEnt classics such as Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Mega Fortune and Twin Spin. All of these games have spawned popular sequels and are often used as part of casino welcome bonuses due to how popular they are with players around the world.

NetEnt seems to be one of the very few successful online slot developers that have found the perfect balance between creating timeless classics of their own and utilising big-name brands from outside the world of iGaming to help grow their reputation.

Blueprint Gaming and Play’n GO are the only two studios that can hold a candle to NetEnt, and it’s hard to say whether any other developers will get remotely close to any of them at this point. Ultimately, the costs and intricacies involved in licensing are just far too great for up and coming developers to front.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Looking back, it’s clear to see that NetEnt took a serious risk in signing expensive deals with Hollywood studios, but it’s one that paid off tenfold. NetEnt is without a doubt the biggest name in online slots, and has been for the last decade. 

We believe that their success is entirely down to the fact they’ve played host to the biggest names and therefore gained the attention of the biggest casinos, seeing their games front and centre of slot lobbies all over the world.

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 14-20

Published

on

gaming-americas-weekly-roundup-–-july-14-20
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

Caesars Entertainment announced a major upgrade to its mobile sports betting platform with the launch of a universal digital wallet on the Caesars Sportsbook app in Nevada. This enhancement streamlines the wagering experience for sports bettors who visit Nevada, enabling them to manage funds and Caesars Rewards credits in one place, with seamless access across 19 jurisdictions where Caesars Sportsbook offers mobile sports wagering. With this update, users in Nevada can experience added convenience, with all funds and rewards immediately visible and available after logging in. Caesars plans to add universal wallet functionality to more North American jurisdictions where it offers mobile sports wagering in the future.

Comanche Nation Entertainment is set to expand both Comanche Red River Hotel Casino and Comanche Nation Casino, setting the stage for a multi-phase expansion that will strengthen its entertainment offerings, boost economic opportunity and extend its reach across Southwest Oklahoma. The new expansion will allow for long-term growth of both properties. Construction will begin first at Comanche Red River with a new event centre that expands the gaming floor, adds non-gaming amenities and creates new space to host concerts, conferences and community events.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Partnerships

Quick Custom Intelligence and Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos announced their strategic partnership that is set to transform the gaming and hospitality landscape in the Minnesota market. This dynamic collaboration represents an exciting fusion of advanced technology and exceptional guest experiences, with Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos leading the charge. By leveraging QCI’s cutting-edge data analytics platform, the partnership aims to redefine how casinos operate, providing unparalleled insights into player behaviour, enhancing operational efficiency and delivering personalised guest experiences like never before. This move positions Black Bear and Fond Du Luth Casinos at the forefront of innovation, setting a new standard in how technology can drive the future of gaming and hospitality.

BetMGM announced a multiyear partnership with baseball legend Derek Jeter. As BetMGM’s brand ambassador, Jeter will appear in national marketing campaigns. BetMGM Casino also plans to launch an exclusive Jeter-themed slot game. Currently, there are no other online casino games featuring a current or former professional baseball player. The Hall of Fame shortstop joins BetMGM’s prestigious roster of sports legends, which includes Barry Sanders, Tim Howard and Wayne Gretzky, among others. Jeter will be featured prominently across advertising campaigns and digital platforms, make appearances at exclusive VIP events and play a key role in promoting BetMGM’s responsible gambling initiatives in both the US and Canada.

Red Earth Casino has chosen QCI’s Chatalytics platform to revolutionise its casino operations and elevate guest engagement. This AI-powered suite—which includes Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, the Dashboard and the Robot Button—leverages OpenAI technology to deliver real-time intelligence and streamline decision-making across the gaming floor. Built to enhance both slot performance and player service, QCI Chatalytics offers a powerful blend of automation and data analytics. Slot Copilot enables real-time slot machine monitoring, predictive performance analytics and intelligent task assignment. Player Copilot uses behavioural insights to support personalised guest engagement strategies and optimise rewards.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – July 14-20 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
Continue Reading

Central Europe

Pro Selection – next generation casino multigame from Promatic Group

Published

on

pro-selection-–-next-generation-casino-multigame-from-promatic-group
Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

Promatic Group, a Polish manufacturer of slot machines and system solutions for the gaming industry, is launching a new collection of slots dedicated to casino customers – the Pro Selection multigame. The first devices have already been certified in Poland and stood in casinos in Warsaw and Krakow. 

 

One platform, up to 55 games

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Pro Selection is software with a collection of as many as 55 different titles, covering the full functional and stylistic range of games from the Polish company’s portfolio. Players will find both classic “fruits” games – traditional and simple in form – and modern adventure games, based on an elaborate narrative and unique logics. Branded productions that stand out for their original creations and high graphic quality are also worthy of special attention.

“In Pro Selection, we wanted to include our best titles and those that have proven themselves in both the land-based and online slot segments. That’s why players will find classics such as Miss Joker, one of the most popular games at Poland’s only legal online casino, or 81 Show, a popular hat game. There are also online hits of recent months such as Pixel Fruits and Ale Cool Bober. On top of that, we have added titles that have so far only been available in land-based slot machines and have been great in them, namely Golden Train, Aladdin or Magic Ladybird Mega,” says Piotr Fedak, CEO of Promatic. – “As for branded productions, games with Mariusz Pudzianowski remain a hit, and not only in Poland”, he adds.

 

Variability and mathematics for every player

One of the important features of Multigame Pro Selection is the mathematical diversity of the games available in it. The collection offers games with varying levels of volatility – from low to very high (on a scale of 1 to 5 stars). As a result, the package meets the needs of both enthusiasts of long session play with frequent, smaller wins, and players looking for higher risk and high wins.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Also new to Pro Selection is a revamped user interface. An intuitive lobby, it provides quick access to all titles, convenient filtering and easy navigation – both from the touch screen and traditional buttons. This is part of software that meets the highest industry technical standards and has been certified by a Polish testing laboratory accredited by the Minister of Finance as authorized to test gaming machines.

“As a product dedicated to casinos, i.e. the most demanding B2B customers, Pro Selection is designed to be fully integrated with the SAS protocol, which is standard in this market, giving compatibility with various casino management systems and providing full operational and billing transparency. It’s a product that is ready for deployment in casino environments where reliability and control are key,” explains Piotr Fedak. – We strive to ensure that Pro Selection’s multigame always goes hand in hand with our proprietary Royal Sevens Jackpot progressive jackpot system, which in itself is a huge asset and player magnet, Fedak adds.

 

Ease of maintenance and energy efficiency

Pro Selection software is available exclusively on the latest casino-class slot machines from Promatic Group – that is, the Casino 27 and PRO VIP 27 and 32 cabinets These are top-quality terminals equipped with HD monitors, state-of-the-art sound systems and RGB lighting to enhance the gaming atmosphere.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“Thanks to their modular design and intuitive service menus, our multigames are virtually maintenance-free – that is, technical service friendly. Interestingly also, our energy efficiency studies have shown that compared to the competition, Promatic machines consume significantly less energy,” says Piotr Fedak. – At the moment Pro Selection is fully certified for the Polish market, and work is already underway to obtain licenses for the Czech Republic, Slovakia where our goal is to implement this 100% Polish product in those very markets, says Piotr Fedak.

 

About Promatic Group

Promatic Group is a Polish company with more than 28 years of experience in the gambling industry, specializing in the production of gaming machines and providing dedicated software for gaming rooms and casinos, both land-based and online. The company’s headquarters and factory are located in Warsaw and Jelenia Gora.

In Poland, Promatic’s devices can be found in Totalizator Sportowy’s legal gaming salons, casinos of the WinCasino chain and selected Casinos Poland locations. The company also operates in Latin American and African markets.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Promatic Group is certified to ISO 27001 for information security and ISO 9001 for slot machine manufacturing quality.

Since 2021, the company has also been developing its online gaming segment under the Promatic Games brand, offering online slots in regulated markets in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It also holds B2B licenses issued by regulators in Romania (ONJN) and Malta (MGA) and plans to enter more than a dozen new markets in the next few months.

The post Pro Selection – next generation casino multigame from Promatic Group appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Latest News

VentureMax Supports Talent Through iGaming Scholarship

Published

on

venturemax-supports-talent-through-igaming-scholarship
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

Local talent looking to break into the iGaming industry can now apply for a potentially life-changing scholarship by VentureMax.

The Sliema-based investment company is funding an iGaming Foundations education course in full, which will be delivered by ICE Campus, one of Malta’s leading educational institutes.

This scholarship will offer crucial support for people in Malta who want to enter the iGaming industry but lack the skills or knowledge.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The course is an introduction to iGaming and covers such topics as the industry’s eco-system, products such as games/sportsbooks, fraud prevention, anti-money laundering and working in iGaming, among other aspects.

Delivery is via four live online sessions of three hours each, and applicants for the 30 spaces will have to submit a short entry video explaining why they want to take the course and why they should be chosen for the scholarship.

This course is accredited as EQF/MQF Level 5, and the scholarship will be launched in the autumn of 2025 via a publicity drive. It will be open to anyone living in Malta aged 18 or older.

VentureMax CEO Justin Anastasi said: “I want to support local people who have ambition, drive and a desire to make it big in the iGaming world.

“That’s why I wanted VentureMax to sponsor this scholarship, because I believe education is the way to improve your career, your outlook on the world and eventually your life.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“I’m delighted to be teaming up with ICE Campus, which will deliver a first-class course that has the potential to generate real success stories among Malta’s workforce.”

Matthew Sammut, director and co-founder of ICE Campus, said: “We believe education is the most powerful engine for industry transformation.

“Partnering with VentureMax to offer full scholarships for our iGaming Foundations course is a strategic investment in the future talent of this thriving sector.

“We’re proud to work with forward-thinking organisations like VentureMax, who are committed to creating real, lasting impact by opening doors for the next generation of iGaming professionals.”

VentureMax’s scholarship is part of its ongoing CSR efforts, which have already seen donations made to Malta-based causes such as Dar Merħba Bik women’s shelter, Little Sisters of the Poor care home, the MSPCA animal shelter, and FIDEM women’s charity.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The post VentureMax Supports Talent Through iGaming Scholarship appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania