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Prostrate Travel and Tourism Sector & Legal Restraints to Challenge Growth Even as Casinos Reopen
The “Casinos – Global Market Trajectory & Analytics” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
While the pandemic and lockdowns have largely benefitted the gaming industry, the gambling sector has been less lucky faced with a tepid outlook and a mixed bag of opportunities and challenges. With 74.6% of revenues coming from the offline brick and motor sector, the closure of entertainment centers and casinos as part of the lockdowns imposed in 1st Q 2020 impacted revenues and profitability for companies. The global market for casinos is expected to decline by 10.8% in the year 2020. The abrupt halting of economic activity has pushed businesses across all industries into financial distress. Sudden fall in revenues and profits as a result of demand disruptions has resulted in workforce pruning and layoffs. Unemployment rates have hit never-before highs with the US topping the charts with 12.5% unemployed as a % of total labor force. Social outlook against this background remains grim with households expected witness erosion in wealth. Personal financial outlook, community, economy, job security confidence, purchasing and investment confidence are all tumbling as the human and economic cost of the global pandemic rises. While brick and motor casinos stagnate, online casinos are faring better although limited by lower discretionary spending. The increase in spending is coming largely from gaming addicts and from consumer clusters spending more on online retail and entertainment during the pandemic.
Even as casinos begin to reopen as lockdowns are cautiously eased in countries worldwide, they face the challenge of falling consumer confidence and spending and the still prostrate travel and tourism sector. In Las Vegas for instance which is the gambling Mecca of the world, millions of tourists and visitors make up for the large customer base at casinos. Gaming operators from Macau to Las Vegas are all anticipating a rough restart after gaming properties are allowed to reopen. In Macau, a few gaming properties have reopened but could not see desirable outcomes. In gambling destinations such as Parisian Macao, Venetian Macao, Sands Cotai Central, Wynn Palace, City of Dreams, Galaxy Macau, MGM Cotai, Grand Lisboa, MGC Macau, Star World and Wynn Macau, customer turnover still remains low. During pre-COVID-19 times, each of those casinos attracted around 200 thousand visitors every day. This extreme drop in visitor numbers is due to stringent border restrictions being followed since the month of March. Limited options for transportation and quarantine rules make it difficult for players to visit gambling destinations. With the global economy now in recession, recovery will be delayed further. Although online casinos are well suited for safe indulgence in gambling in the midst of a pandemic situation, this sector is still fledging and is plagued with legality issues. Online casinos are illegal in most parts of the United States and in countries where online casinos are legal confusion over legal boundaries of betting and gambling is a chief restraint to growth. Underdevelopment online funds transfer platforms also adds another layer of challenge to growth. In younger markets like the U.S. and Asian countries where digital prize money disbursement platforms are still underdeveloped, the challenge is bigger and more difficult to overcome. In Europe, the region with a well-developed online and offline gambling infrastructure, casino owners are innovating in digital payments by using digital wallet services to transfer funds to customers.
A return to complete normalcy will begin only after barriers to access gaming destinations are completely removed. The market is projected to reach US$159.3 billion by the year 2027, trailing a CAGR of3.7%. Offline Casinos, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 3.4% CAGR to reach US$116.3 million by the end of the analysis period. Few of the factors expected to drive growth in the post pandemic period include migration from cards to crypto currency gambling; continued evolution of online casinos supported by rapid proliferation of mobile devices and growing penetration of smart phones and tablets; development of supplicated gambling apps; growing participation of women in casinos; resurgence in casino tourism; relaxation in gambling regulations and legalization of gambling in several nations given their contribution to national income and development of local tourism.
Key Topics Covered:
I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & REPORT SCOPE
II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. MARKET OVERVIEW
2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS
3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS
4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE
III. MARKET ANALYSIS
IV. COMPETITION
Companies Mentioned
- 888 Holdings Plc
- Betfair Group Plc
- Boyd Gaming Corporation
- Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc.
- Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment Inc
- Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.
- Golden Nugget Atlantic City
- Harrington Raceway & Casino
- Ladbrokes Coral Group Plc
- Las Vegas Sands Corporation
- Mgm Resorts International
- Penn National Gaming
- Sjm Holdings Ltd.
- William Hill Plc
- Wynn Resorts Limited
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Play’n GO, Playtech, Elk Studios, Pragmatic Play and streamer CasinoDaddy were some of the big names celebrating victories at the 2024 edition of the Game Developer Awards ceremony.
Concluding the final day of the highly successful CasinoBeats Summit, the illustrious awards ceremony, which took place at the Hilton Malta, was a night dedicated to honouring the remarkable achievements of the iGaming industry.
The evening witnessed the return of veteran host Trudy Kerr, alongside award-winning game developer John Romero, as they handed out 28 awards to accomplished operators, game studios and individuals.
Award categories included:
- Game Performance,
- Streamers,
- Game Creation,
- Game People,
- SlotCatalog,
- Casino Platform, and
- Best Game Release.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “The Game Developer Awards offers a pivotal opportunity to honour the remarkable accomplishments of the industry, celebrating both regional and global brands as well as individual talent. This year’s shortlist was by far the most competitive we have seen, and I would like to congratulate all our esteemed winners.”
It was a good night for Play’n GO, who secured the prestigious SlotCatalog’s Game Studio of the Year (Large) award for the second consecutive year, whilst also picking up the Game Music / Soundtrack accolade for their title Hugo Legacy.
The game creation categories saw:
- Playtech once again take home the Game Licensed Content award for their work on Breaking Bad: Cash Collect & Link.
- Hacksaw Gaming was awarded Game Feature of the Year for their title Chaos Crew 2,
- Relax Gaming was honoured with the Game Design & Art Direction award for Money Train 4, and
- GAMOMAT was named winner of the Game Retro-Style award for Fancy Fruits Deluxe.
Pragmatic Play notably took home two awards on the night, winning both the Game Mechanic of the Year award for their MultiHold mechanic and Slot Legacy Title for Gates of Olympus.
The SlotCatalog categories saw:
- GAMOMAT return to the stage to pick up their second award of the night for Best Game Development Company Central Europe, while
- Playson was awarded Best Game Studio In Development Countries.
- Reel Kingdom secured the SlotCatalog’s Game Studio of the Year (Medium) award,
- Fortune Factory Studios was named SlotCatalog’s Game Studio of the Year (Small) and
- IGT Play Digital claimed SlotCatalog’s Best Game Development Company North America.
The coveted SlotCatalog’s Rookie of the Year accolade was presented to industry newcomers Area Vegas.
In honour of the individual achievements in the industry, the Game People categories saw:
- Andrei Filipovich of Aviatrix awarded Game Designer of the Year,
- Julia Aliakseyeva from BGaming named Product Manager of the Year and
- PearFiction Studios’ Jean-Pierre Larouche presented with the Game Composer of the Year award.
EveryMatrix won the Aggregator of the Year award, The Mill Adventure was awarded Platform Innovation of the Year, while the Best Game Release award went to Lambda Gaming for 8Bit Football Twinko.
This year’s edition saw the introduction of two new awards:
- the FTN Game of the Year award which was sponsored by BetConstruct and presented to Rubyplay for Mad Hit Olympic First, and
- the CasinoBeats Annual Community Recognition Award which was awarded to SoftConstruct for its work on BFTH Arena.
It was a big night for CasinoDaddy who took home the esteemed Streamer of the Year award, while The Slot Beasts and Haddzy were recipients of two new Streamer awards, Responsible Streamer of the Year and Next-Gen Streamer of the Year, respectively.
In the Game Performance categories:
- PowderKeg Studios claimed the Slot Debut award for their title Munition Mines,
- Stormcraft Studios won Slot to Watch for their work on Immortal Romance 2, while
- Light & Wonder and Netflix took home Slot Collaboration of the Year for Squid Game.
The illustrious Slot of the Year award went to Elk Studios for Pirots 2.
“Last night’s ceremony was a tremendous success and proved to be a truly memorable night. I would like to thank our official partner Gaming Malta, alongside all our supporting sponsors for their help in honouring the incredible achievements of the industry” Sojmark added.
The awards ceremony concluded the final day of the CasinoBeats Summit, which saw 4,500 industry professionals convene at the InterContinental Hotel in Malta, the hub of iGaming.
Latest News
FBM Foundation helps Rio Grande do Sul communities with substantial donation from FBM Brazil
In a heartfelt display of solidarity, the FBM Foundation has announced a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to humanitarian causes through FBM Brazil’s support.
A generous donation of 500 grocery baskets, 500 personal hygiene kits, and 9,000 liters of water will be delivered and distributed to struggling communities in Rio Grande, Brazil. This effort will be carried out in partnership with Central Única das Favelas (CUFA) in Porto Alegre, with J&T Express Brazil and Correios Sedex Brasil providing transportation.
The most recent and devastating Rio Grande natural disasters, that provoked floods, landslides, and extreme weather events, have left communities grappling with immense challenges, from widespread displacement to the destruction of homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
Given the context of these calamities and the urgent need to assist these families, FBM Foundation’s donation emerged as a powerful alliance dedicated to promoting positive change in communities worldwide. With FBM Brazil’s substantial contribution, the organisation aims to make an impact in supporting these communities.
Beyond financial assistance, FBM Foundation recognizes the power of awareness and advocacy in driving meaningful change. Through strategic communication efforts, the organisation aims to raise awareness for additional support from like-minded individuals and organizations.
At the heart of this donation lies a shared vision of creating a brighter, more inclusive world for all. By supporting Rio Grande do Sul, FBM Foundation reaffirms its commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.
“As a foundation deeply rooted in Brazilian heritage, FBM Foundation takes pride in its origins and the rich cultural background of Brazil. We have a legacy shaped by the spirit of proximity, compassion, and innovation, so we want to honour its Brazilian roots while embracing a global perspective in its solidarity endeavours”, shares Renato Almeida, Director at the FBM Group.
As we continue this journey of solidarity, FBM Foundation invites individuals and entities alike to join hands in creating a brighter future for all. Through collective actions, we can uplift communities, inspire change, and leave a lasting impact on the world.
Here are this weeks latest slots releases compiled by European Gaming
Relax Gaming is bringing classic 8-bit sprites to the reels in its brand-new arcade-themed release, Line Busters Dream Drop. This high volatility three-reel slot allows players a chance to win a maximum of 5,000x their stake through a lucrative free spins bonus. The legendary Dream Drop Jackpot can also be triggered at any moment, potentially landing players the €3,000,000 Mega Jackpot.
Evoplay has rolled out its latest release Belfry Bliss, a sizzling feature-rich slot that showcases the Hells Bells round, awarding multiple money values in conjunction with the hell-raising Dante symbol. The Devil’s Luck feature comes into play in the base game and free spins as two to three random icons can be replaced by Scatters should just one of them land on a spin.
Nolimit City takes fans away from the twisted plastic reality of its latest and highly anticipated slot, Kenneth Must Die. The provider hasn’t fallen short of delivering exhilarating and volatile slots, from re-works of classics such as Tombstone No Mercy to haunting players as was seen in Possessed. They have now turned their focus to an alternate version of 90s infomercial television in Loner.
Endorphina, has announced the official release of its newest Egyptian-themed game. Temple of Ra is a cascading slot 6-reel, 5-row slot that encourages players to uncover the hidden chamber of Ra and unravel the secrets buried within.
Light & Wonder, Inc. has released Claw and Roar, from specialist slot provider Lightning Box, one of Light & Wonder’s in-house studios, exhibiting a plethora of animal symbols that award unique modifiers and features. In this 3×5 adventure, players step into a blissful forest, making friends with a number of creatures along the way, including the grizzly bear, who stars as a Wild symbol.
Latest 3X3 Slot Game from Spin Logic featuring Expanding Reels, Huge Win Multipliers, and 2 Jackpots This week, Everygame Casino introduces its decadent new Wonder Reels slot game from SpinLogic. This lavish new game features Ways Boosters, jackpots, and huge win multipliers. There can never be enough bling in the new Wonder Reels, a luxurious 3X3 slot with an expanding gameboard and free games with win multipliers and jackpots.
Wishbone Games, a Games Global exclusive studio, has launched its latest feature-filled title with a twist in tranquil new release Kingfisher™. Set amongst the wildlife, players join the titular Kingfisher on the reels that are adorned with fish, dragonflies and frogs, unlocking different adventures and features along the way by hatching five eggs that sit above the matrix on the 5×4 grid.
Trigger Happy is the new highly volatile arcade-style slot from BTG that will be blasting its way onto the Evolution Network. The new cluster-pays slot tips its hat to video arcade games of yore, inviting players to blast a cascade of fluffy critters in a 5X5 grid embedded inside an arcade game mechanism. Meanwhile, the 50,000x win potential ramps up engagement levels to the max.
Inspired Entertainment, Inc., is delighted to announce the launch of Gold Fever Fortune™ in the B3/LBO market. Gold Fever Fortune™ offers the tantalizing possibility of uncovering riches hidden deep within the mines. Players should prepare for an adventure filled with excitement as they watch progressive cash pots grow, uncover Streak Spins promising guaranteed wins or bonus awards, and delve into the Gold Rush Board, where a multitude of cash prizes await discovery.
Thunderkick has launched its latest release King of the Party, which couples feature-rich gameplay with eye-catching visuals to deliver an entertaining player experience. Lions, hyenas, lynx, lizards, and pigs reside on the reels, each stylised with retro sunglasses and sporting various items of jewellery. These animals represent the mid to high-paying symbols, with the Savannah’s apex predator being the most lucrative.
The latest slot from Hölle Games is now live: “Sin in Berlin”, is a 5×4, 25 payline game/trip into the party-scene of a capital known for its party scene since the Roaring Twenties. The slot also features a special wheel game, which when triggered, can award up to 30 Free Spins with a 3x multiplier! On top of that, the Free Spins always feature an expanding wild character, which can provide some truly epic win potential.
Yggdrasil has released its latest core title, Monkeys Go Bananas MultiMax™, built around the studio’s proprietary MultiMax Game Engagement Mechanic (GEM) that can see unlimited multipliers land for huge wins. The popular mechanic allows every win to be multiplied by up to five different multipliers associated with each of the game’s reels. If numerous reel multipliers are applied to a win, they are automatically multiplied and not summed.
Pragmatic Play, sets off on a valiant quest in Heroic Spins, where the game’s fearless protagonist wields expanding wilds to save the city and rescue the princess. Monsters roam the reels in this 5×3 Slot. Whenever one or more wilds hit, they expand to fill the entire reel.
Wazdan has given another popular slot a lighter version with the release of its latest slot game, Power of Gods™: Valhalla Extremely Light. This elegant and fresh addition to the extraordinary Power of Gods™ series offers players an immersive gaming experience, regardless of their internet connection or battery mode.
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll returns to Sin City with buck teeth and an insatiable appetite for bark and big wins in Crucible Gaming’s latest release Beaver Las Vegas. This epic 5-reel, 20 payline slot can see players rack up impressive prizes by way of a free spins feature, lucrative record symbols and the truly spectacular Beaver Las Vegas bonus.
One of the hottest game studios in the industry, Booming Games, is turning up the heat and inviting players to a vibrant fiesta set in the heart of Mexico, complete with a thrilling market hunt for the perfect chillies. With a 5×3 layout and 20 paylines, The Chillies is a hot and tantalising creation from Booming Games with exciting winning features.
Players will be enchanted with this latest hit slot from Stakelogic as they enter the world of one of Greek mythology’s most iconic gorgons. Stone Gaze of Medusa is a 6×5 reel format which encompasses all the fantastic features that players have come to love from Stakelogic including Cascading Reels, and Free Spins – all set within a hauntingly beautiful ancient world.
Leprechaun magic awaits as Blueprint Gaming’s popular folklore series returns with Luck O’ The Irish Gold Spins Trail Blazer, featuring enticing wins courtesy of a new dynamic trail during the game’s Gold Spins. In the familiar 5×4 reel game board, three bonus symbols trigger eight free spins or ‘Gold Spins’, where only the top three symbols and wilds appear on the reels, boosting the chance of securing grand wins.
Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems and solutions, is pleased to announce its May slots line-up, available online and on mobile. Kong Wonder Wilds™ – 92% and 94.5% RTP, Wild Drop Multiplier™ – 92% and 94.5% RTP and Perfect Prize Pooch™ – 92% and 94.5% RTP.
Reflex Gaming, an omnichannel supplier of gambling games, has once again teamed up with Yggdrasil, a leading iGaming publisher on the launch of Diamond Miner DuoMax™, utilising a powerful Game Engagement Mechanic (GEM) to offer precious prizes. A cascading slot that modifies its reels for win potential, the latest release places players in a deep, dark mine where the only lights shining are the glittering gemstones in the reflection of the miner’s lantern.
The post Week 21/2024 slot games releases appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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