Asia
FBM takes the slots expansion campaign to the Philippines with a double debut
FBM continues its global expansion campaign in the slots segment with a double entry in the Philippines market. The global gaming brand enters the Dragon Club Casino Filipino Binondo with fresh new games and cabinets. The four gaming adventures of the Easy$Link® pack – Catch the Gold; RacinGo – Wild; Underwater Riches and Kingdom Gems – are now available to play in 20 FBM´s cabinets of the Shadow model.
After conquering the Mexican and Irish nations, FBM slots games arrive in the Philippines. The global gaming brand leads the video bingo segment in the country and starts to diversify its land-based portfolio with the first incursion of Easy$Link®. Besides the debut of these progressive link games with exclusive features, FBM brings the Shadow cabinets for the first time to a casino in the Philippines.
Rui Francisco, FBM´s founder, enhances the importance of this achievement for the brand. “The debuts of the Easy$Link® games pack and the Shadow cabinets in the Philippines are an important chapter of FBM expansion in the slots universe. We are thrilled to grow our presence in this specific game type and especially in the Philippines, a market where we have a long and positive background built by almost 20 years of trustful relations with many industry players”, completes Rui Francisco.
Easy$Link® is a set of four games with a linked progressive jackpot and more chances to get a winning combination. The Sticky Wild, Wild Multiplier, Best Symbols and Super Reels are four exclusive features that build a whole new gaming experience in this collection, but the Mini, Minor, Major or Grand jackpots are the soul of Easy$Link´s joyful gameplay.
These packs of slots games are available to play in the Shadow cabinet. This model brings comfort to the players by combining industry-leading hardware with a modern appearance, a surround sound system and sophisticated technology.
FBM is a global gaming brand that has conquered the land-based casino market since 2001. Established in various Asian, North American and European nations, the brand owns the video bingo market’s leadership and is committed to reinventing the slots segment. FBM´s online market footprint has also grown during the last few years and counts with more than 30 titles, including video bingo, slots, and table games.
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Asia
India Investigates Google Over Policies for Real-money Games
India’s competition oversight body has ordered a probe into Google over its policies for real-money games on its platform
The investigation comes after a complaint by online gaming group WinZO that called Google’s policies restrictive.
WinZO contacted India’s Competition Commission (CCI) back in 2022, after it was excluded from Google’s Play Store, despite some of its competitors being allowed.
Google’s policy had allowed for real-money games which include rummy and fantasy sports but the company was rejected for carrying games in other categories that Google did not accept – including car racing, puzzles and Indian carrom.
“By granting preferential treatment to select app categories, Google effectively creates a two-tier market where some developers are accorded superior access and visibility while others are discriminated against and thus, left with a competitive disadvantage,” indicates a letter from the CCI.
The post India Investigates Google Over Policies for Real-money Games appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
GR8 Tech Expands Infrastructure into Asia with 25% Performance Boost
To better serve clients in the target Asian region, GR8 Tech has expanded its technical infrastructure with new, automated server setups. The upgrade enables rapid platform deployment across markets, delivering optimized, high-performance experiences for Asian users with 99,96% uptime even during top sporting events such as the World Cup or IPL.
“Our expansion into Asia is not merely a strategic move, but an opportunity to set a new standard in iGaming. The initiative allows us to better meet client needs, providing reliable performance that builds trust and boosts engagement,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CBDO at GR8 Tech.
Previously, product load times in Asia were hindered by reliance on centralized servers in Frankfurt, leading to delays that affected user experience. In response, GR8 Tech deployed the platform’s main frontend as a standalone solution and established a new data center in Asia, which has significantly reduced load times and enhanced service delivery to clients across the region. As a result, web performance metrics have improved by 25% in the region.
To further enhance performance, GR8 Tech selected an optimal content delivery management provider to bring services closer to clients and improve access speed. The platform also implemented front-end optimizations to boost operational efficiency. The migration will continue with backend infrastructure improvements, reducing the number of frontend-to-backend calls and further enhancing service reliability and speed.
“The migration to Asia is a pivotal project for GR8 Tech, with our SRE, Sportsbook, and Platform teams working closely to deploy the solution, achieving significant improvements in web performance and enabling faster market launches. The project embodies the kind of collaboration that excites us – harnessing our combined strengths to build high-performance infrastructure and establish our leadership in key Asian markets,” said Artur Ashyrov, CTO and Deputy CEO at GR8 Tech.
The post GR8 Tech Expands Infrastructure into Asia with 25% Performance Boost appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Navigating Japan’s Evolving iGaming Landscape: Insights and Predictions with Sachiko West
Current State of the Market (2024)
How would you describe the current state of the iGaming market in Japan in 2024? Have there been any significant milestones or shifts this year?
Despite the uncertainty of how the future Police campaigns will change the iGaming landscape in Japan, the number of online casino users including sports bettors seems to be growing steadily, and more online casinos are entering the Japanese market. One thing in common within the industry is that companies no longer hire anyone based in Japan for the Japanese market.
What are the most popular types of games or gambling activities among Japanese players right now?
Social casino games are on the up. Besides Pachinko-type slots, Plinko, Crash and Hi-Lo are increasingly popular among casino players.
How has the regulatory environment evolved in 2024? Have there been any notable changes that impacted operators or consumers?
In 2024, the Japanese Police arrested more people than the previous years in relation to use of online casinos. Streamers have become a clear target as well as payment providers based in Japan. Encouraged by the current Prime Minister’s support, the Police declared in August that they would investigate more iGaming affiliates and online casino operators even outside Japan. The Police made over 100 arrests so far in 2024 in relation to use of online casinos.
With more risks associated with promoting online casinos, streamers command higher fees than ever. Some YouTubers are migrating to other platforms trying to avoid detection by the Police.
What role has mobile gaming played in shaping the iGaming market in Japan, and how does it compare to desktop or other platforms?
Japan is a mobile market. Over 70% of players play on a mobile phone. As they are also technology-driven people, the usability of the casino platform on mobile phones could be the key to acquire and retain players. Those operators who study the Japanese mobile players’ behaviour and preferences would have enjoyed better results in both casino and sports betting in 2024.
Have advancements in technology, such as blockchain or virtual reality, been widely adopted in Japan’s iGaming sector?
More and more people are shifting to using cryptocurrency when they play online casinos. The demographics of crypt users are also wider in Japan. User age could be up to 60.
Challenges and Opportunities
What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing operators and other stakeholders in the Japanese market?
Japan is an affiliate-driven market. The affiliate/ streamer costs are expected to increase as the risks increase. As direct marketing i.e. through local media is limited, boosting brand awareness can be tricky. You have to come up with creative ideas and catch the right moment.
With increasing competition from both local and international operators, how are companies differentiating themselves to attract Japanese players?
To start with, operators tend to hire native Japanese speakers to make sure the site is fully localized and to meet the needs of Japanese users. Then the branding. They also tend to offer bonuses and promotions that are appealing to Japanese users.
Are there any notable examples of successful partnerships between operators and local entities or institutions in Japan?
Live streaming providers and fighting event organisers are known to work with operators well.
How do you think offshore and unlicensed operators affect the market landscape and trust among consumers?
Not many unlicensed operators are known or promoted in the Japanese market.
Looking Ahead to 2025
What key trends or developments do you expect to emerge in Japan’s iGaming market in 2025?
More new Japanese players via social media would play at online casinos in 2025. More deposits will be made in cryptocurrency.
Are there specific regulatory reforms or discussions that might significantly impact the market next year?
The Police investigation efforts might impact the market, depending on who is involved and when they happen.
With the market’s growth, do you foresee new entrants, both local and international, establishing a foothold in Japan?
I expect to see more newcomers in the Japanese market, as they have room for growth. Having said that, they might struggle in the competition unless they have strong branding and region-specific strategies.
How important is localization for operators planning to enter or expand in the Japanese iGaming market? What should they prioritize?
It is extremely important to have the site fully localized. It is the top priority. Some affiliates don’t even work with you unless your site is fully localized and provides good Japanese customer support.
What technological innovations do you believe will drive growth in the iGaming sector in Japan in 2025?
Any functionality that brings about a community feel and better usability for users.
Insights and Predictions
Do you think Japan will ever move towards a more unified or liberal regulatory framework for online gambling? If so, what might catalyze this change?
Land casinos have been legalized and one is expected to be built in Osaka by 2030. Unfortunately, there is no sign of this new move being extended to online gambling in the near future. The government is opposed to it.
What advice would you give to iGaming companies looking to launch in Japan or expand their presence in 2025?
Look out for any new on the Police investigations on operators based outside Japan and any arrest of affiliates. You make sure to have native Japanese speakers to oversee the latest developments.
How do you see Japanese consumers’ preferences evolving in terms of gameplay, payment systems, and interaction with platforms?
Players always liked everything fast, but now they like it faster. Expectation of faster service in payments, game loading, support’s response, etc is higher than ever.
They also tend to like the feeling of ‘belonging’ whether as in VIP, community chat, player-to player activities.
Broader Market Perspectives
Lastly, what excites you the most about the future of iGaming in Japan?
As Japanese people are more familiar with international sporting events with live streaming services, I believe that the sports betting market will grow in the future. There have been talks within the government to legalize sports betting, too.
The post Navigating Japan’s Evolving iGaming Landscape: Insights and Predictions with Sachiko West appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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