Connect with us
MARE BALTICUM Gaming & TECH Summit 2024

Canada

Not making progress

Published

on

 

Yordan Petkov, Product Owner at Silverback Gaming, talks about some of the unique challenges studios are facing when developing slots for the US market

Momentum is starting to build behind legal online casino in the US, with a growing number of states rolling out regulatory frameworks and awarding iGaming licences to operators. This is creating a significant market for studios to explore, with increasing demand among operators and players for new and exciting slot content.

This opportunity has not gone unnoticed by studios that have made their name in the European market, with many now turning their attention to North America. But those that think the slots that top the charts in the likes of the UK, Sweden and Italy will be as successful in the US are mistaken.

The US is a very different market when it comes to culture and player expectations. Added to this are the regulatory requirements that studios must ensure their games comply with. This means not being able to launch slots with certain mechanics and features, and this in turn makes for a challenging environment in which studios must produce games that hit the spot with players.

Advertisement

The classics are always the best:

At the moment, players seem to be drawn to the slots they recognise from the gaming floors of their favourite land-based casinos in Las Vegas and beyond. I’m talking about slots such as Cleopatra and Wheel of Fortune. Online casinos stock these games as it is a great way to transition players online for the first time via titles they are familiar with and trust.

But as the market matures, player expectations will change with more complex games coming into favour. Of course, modern slots with gripping mechanics and engaging bonus features will also have greater appeal among the lucrative but hard-to-reach Millennial and Generation Z audiences, which operators will want to tap into via their online offerings.

However, the US presents a unique challenge for studios to overcome in that states have specific regulations that relate to the features that are and are not permitted in online slots. In particular, there is a ban on progressive features that are carried over several spins. In short, each spin is seen as an independent game round so all features must begin and end within that spin.

So, what does this mean? No progress bars, no collectables, no multipliers or free spins that build as the game plays out. Essentially, all the things that make modern slot games so exciting to play. This is leaving studios with a bit of a conundrum – how to hold the player’s attention for longer periods when any potential progression made in a single spin is lost on the next spin.

Advertisement

The clock is ticking:

This is forcing studios to think outside of the box, and that of course is a good thing. The key is to come up with concepts, mechanics and features that build high levels of anticipation into a single spin. This can include things like offering a second chance to win on every base game bet – this is something that we have done with our ClockwaysTM mechanic.

The way it works is that the outer symbols rotate clockwise, changing the symbol positions to create more, bigger wins in a way that keeps players on the edge of their seats.

Another tactic studios can look to explore is adding progression into multi-round bonus features such as free spins. With free spins usually lasting eight rounds or more, there is scope to bring in elements of progression here with any progress made reset once the bonus round comes to an end. This is easier said than done and requires super-smart mathematicians to create the models behind such mechanics while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

But it’s not just the gameplay where studios can try new things. There is plenty of room to be creative around themes, design, sound and even narratives and characters that run through the game. US players are drawn to a wide range of slot themes, from magic to the Wild West as well as dragons, farming, sports, Egypt and Norse.

Advertisement

There is so much that can be done here to take these classic themes and elevate them through stories, characters, striking artwork and immersive sound. While the gameplay is always crucial to engagement, so too is the look and feel of the game.

Of course, the ultimate success of a game requires all of these factors coming together – theme, design, sound, math and gameplay. The US does present some unique challenges for studios to overcome, but those with the right teams in place will be able to work together to create compelling slot games that are fully compliant with the rules in each state.

It’s a tough hurdle to clear, but it’s what makes the US market so interesting for studios.

Powered by WPeMatico

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Canada

Court Decision Upholds iGaming Ontario’s Model

Published

on

court-decision-upholds-igaming-ontario’s-model

 

iGaming Ontario has welcomed the decision of the Ontario Superior Court, which found that iGaming Ontario’s model is consistent with the Criminal Code and that iGaming Ontario is conducting and managing igaming in the province.

“We have always been confident in our model and are pleased that the court has ruled in our favour, and that Ontarians can continue to play with confidence in our regulated igaming market,” said Martha Otton, Executive Director of iGaming Ontario.

“Ontario’s model meets the requirements and contributes to the public good by protecting players, their data and their funds, while helping to fund priority public services in Ontario, and bringing well-paid, high-tech jobs and economic development to Ontario,” Otton added.

In dismissing the application brought forward by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK), the Superior Court found that iGaming Ontario is the “operating mind” behind Ontario’s competitive igaming market in accordance with the conduct and manage requirements of the Criminal Code.

Advertisement

iGaming Ontario will continue to conduct and manage igaming as it has since the launch of the regulated market on April 4, 2022.

Continue Reading

Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Appoints Renowned iGaming Executive Neill Whyte as Chief Commercial Officer

Published

on

bragg-gaming-appoints-renowned-igaming-executive-neill-whyte-as-chief-commercial-officer

 

Bragg Gaming Group, a global iGaming technology and content provider, announced that Neill Whyte has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), effective 1st May 2024, establishing a new global commercial structure at the Company and bolstering its leadership team.

Whyte brings over 18 years of experience in the iGaming sector, most recently in the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Digital Gaming Corporation’s (DGC), B2B iGaming Division. After joining DGC in early 2020, he was responsible for the commercially successful launch and growth of its content distribution business in the US.

Prior to joining DGC, Whyte held multiple positions in the gaming industry including as Head of Business Development at Isle of Man-based iGaming specialist Apricot Investments, as Board Member at Swedish iGaming product and Lottery content distributor Genera Networks, and in various senior roles over eleven years at leading iGaming content supplier Microgaming, including as Head of Product Channels.

In his new role with Bragg, Whyte will be tasked with leading the Company’s global commercial teams to drive growth across all of the Company’s product verticals which include proprietary online casino content from its Atomic Slot Lab, Indigo Magic and Wild Streak Gaming studios, exclusive content from content partners, HUB a leading casino content aggregation platform, Fuze player engagement, as well as its award-winning player account management (PAM) platform and turnkey solutions.

Advertisement

Matevž Mazij, Chief Executive Officer at Bragg, said: “I am very pleased to be announcing today the appointment of Neill Whyte as Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg. His iGaming product and market knowledge, together with his record in driving growth from developing successful and mutually beneficial commercial partnerships are exceptional.

“As we leverage our broad content and product portfolio to grow in existing and new markets, including in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe, Neill’s unique combination of knowledge, skills and experience in this sector are a perfect fit for our ambitions at Bragg.”

Neill Whyte, Chief Commercial Officer at Bragg, said: “It’s an honor to join Matevž and the wider teams at Bragg already in place across North America, Europe and in India. I have been impressed with the depth and quality of the content, product and technology offerings at Bragg, and its ability to rapidly adapt, certify and deploy this content and technology in newly regulated markets is a distinct advantage.

“We also have a huge opportunity to grow our footprint with our existing customers in markets in which we are already established. Our content and product roadmaps are second to none, and I’m planning to get on the road in the coming weeks and months to meet the team and our customers and to start building for the next stage of mutual growth. I can’t wait to get going.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Canada

IGT to Launch Cloud-based iLottery Solutions for Atlantic Lottery in Canada

Published

on

igt-to-launch-cloud-based-ilottery-solutions-for-atlantic-lottery-in-canada

 

International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Global Solutions Corporation, has signed a five-year contract with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (Atlantic Lottery), to implement high-performing features and exciting new games for players in Atlantic Canada. As part of the agreement, IGT will deploy its advanced cloud-based remote game server (RGS) and at least 16 digital instant games each year. The contract will run through April 2029 and includes five, one-year extension options.

“As the largest digital instant market in Canada, Atlantic Lottery is pleased to partner with IGT and offer our players dynamic digital instant games from IGT’s comprehensive content portfolio. Additionally, the scalability of IGT’s cloud-based RGS will enable us to modify our digital instants library in real time, provide our players with best-in-class experiences and continually enhance our iGaming offer,” Robert LaLonde, iGaming Director at Atlantic Lottery Corporation, said.

“Partnering with the Atlantic Lottery to deliver IGT’s cloud-based RGS and engaging digital instant games is an exciting opportunity for our iLottery business. We look forward to helping the Atlantic Lottery further grow its business and reach new players in the region with our reliable RGS technology and top-performing iLottery games,” said Srini Nedunuri, IGT Senior Vice President, Global iLottery.

IGT’s RGS platform will enable the Atlantic Lottery to access to IGT’s vast portfolio of digital instant games and content, spanning a variety of player-favorite themes, play styles, omnichannel games, popular licensed content, and award-winning progressive jackpot games. The platform provides cross-channel branding across retail and digital, supports a range of jackpot and prize pool configurations, offers various bonusing tools to enhance player engagement, and is designed for optimum performance and scalability.

Advertisement
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