“Movers and Shakers” is a dynamic monthly column dedicated to exploring the latest trends, developments, and influential voices in the iGaming industry. Powered by GameOn and supported by HIPTHER, this op-ed series delves into the key players, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes shaping the future of online gaming. Each month, industry experts offer their insights and perspectives, providing readers with in-depth analysis and thought-provoking commentary on what’s driving the iGaming world forward. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the scene, “Movers and Shakers” is your go-to source for staying ahead in the rapidly evolving iGaming landscape. 

Can you introduce the awager product and tell us about your company’s aims in the European market?

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With awager’s unique products, we aim to usher in a new era of casino gaming in Europe. Our products bridge the gap between traditional land-based casinos and online gaming by allowing players to access land-based slot games remotely. We use modular design, the latest in streaming and audio technology, and a cutting-edge, user-friendly interface to allow players to experience the sights and sounds of a real casino wherever they decide to play.

This product is a unique proposition in the iGaming industry. We have already established ourselves as a presence in North America, including launching the third iteration of our product with Loto Quebec.

Our aim is to provide players with a more authentic and immersive online gaming experience and after finding success in North America, we are now excited to introduce our product to European audiences.

Which markets will be a priority for awager as you expand into Europe, and why?

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We have laid out a detailed roadmap for our European expansion. At the forefront of our strategy is a commitment to focusing exclusively on regulated markets, ensuring compliance and sustainability in our operations.

The United Kingdom is going to be a key target. It is undoubtedly the busiest and most dynamic market on the continent, and it offers a huge player base hungry for something fresh and exciting. This will help give us a strong foothold in the region and present plenty of growth opportunities for us as a company.

Sweden will also be a priority during our first wave. Swedish players have a strong affinity with land-based casinos, and as they begin to close down, we find ourselves uniquely positioned to step in and quench that thirst for a physical gaming experience. The Netherlands will also be an important market.

Once we have established a presence in these key markets, we will turn our attention to other regulated markets like Spain, Switzerland, Romania, and Greece. There is plenty of appetite in these countries for something different, and that is exactly what awager can bring to the table.

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Are customer tastes significantly different in Europe compared to North America, and if so, how does awager intend to navigate this?

I don’t think there are too many major differences. America has a much stronger land-based culture than Europe, but European players are much more accustomed to online play, which is where our action takes place.

We anticipate some differences in spending habits. Generally speaking, American players tend to gravitate toward higher stakes games compared to their European counterparts, largely due to regulation and cultural differences.

However, all indications point towards European players strongly embracing our products with the same enthusiasm that has characterised our success in the American market. Given that Europe represents a much larger potential market, we have extremely high ambitions over the next years.

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What are some of the biggest trends impacting the European market right now? And how is awager positioned to capitalise on them?

Innovation has been the industry’s buzzword for the last few years. Operators are relentlessly seeking to introduce fresh and exciting offerings that will captivate their players, and we are uniquely positioned to meet this demand.

Players are looking for more from their online casino experience, and operators are looking for innovative ways to attract more players. Our product is the ideal link between these two needs, enabling operators to draw in high-stakes players from traditional land-based casinos while appealing to players who crave a more authentic and fresh casino experience.

There is also a real movement towards creating a more authentic gaming experience. Our products cater to that need by using the latest streaming and sound technology to immerse players in the experience. One of the most consistent pieces of feedback we receive from both players and operators is that they can not quite grasp how real the whole experience is.

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What are some of the biggest barriers to entry in the European market?

The biggest challenge for most companies looking to break into the European market is navigating regulations. We want to be in as many markets as possible, but we will strictly only work in regulated markets, which does rule out some countries.

Of course, there are also some regulatory hoops we need to jump through in each market, but our product is well-set to do that.

Playson, the fast-growing digital entertainment supplier, has moved to strengthen its distribution reach across the European market following a partnership with B2B aggregation platform provider St8.

The tie-up sees a broad collection of Playson’s top-performing games made available to St8’s partnered operators via a seamless API, enhancing the quality of their portfolios significantly. This includes the integration of popular titles such as Coin Strike: Hold and Win and Energy Coins: Hold and Win, as well as latest offerings Pink Joker: Hold and Win and Lightning Clovers: Hit the Bonus.

St8 boasts decades of experience in B2B iGaming operations, delivering fast and scalable solutions and will launch Playson’s industry-renowned portfolio initially in Estonia and Finland, with further European regions to be announced.

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The partnership underlines Playson’s ever-expanding global footprint and its ability to cater for large operator networks. By delivering engaging titles with sort-after mechanics, Playson continues to strengthen its reputation as a leading force in the iGaming European landscape.

Cristhian Andre Zito Sudoarg, Sales Manager at Playson, said: “We’re very pleased to partner with St8 and add our portfolio of captivating content to its ever-growing aggregation offering.

“As we continue to navigate a period of strong commercial growth across Europe, collaborations with providers such as St8 allow us to continue expanding our distribution to new markets and players.”

Alex Zvezdochkin, COO at St8, said: “We are thrilled to announce the integration of Playson as our latest games supplier, which marks an important milestone for us.

“We’re always looking to bring the very best games studios to St8, and Playson absolutely fits into that category. The titles are now available to St8 operator partners alongside all the usual features and functionality, including our bespoke selection of thumbnails.”

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Evoplay, the award-winning game development studio, has announced its latest partnership with leading Baltic operator Optibet, part of Entain, marking a strategic expansion in Lithuania and Estonia.

Through the agreement, Optibet now offers over 70 of Evoplay’s premium slot titles to its customers in both markets, including popular games such as The Greatest Catch Bonus Buy, Elven Princesses, and Fruit Super Nova.

Optibet, part of global gaming giant Entain, is a trusted operator across the Baltics, providing Evoplay with a solid foundation to grow its presence in the region.

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This exclusive partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to delivering top-tier gaming experiences and increasing engagement within these key markets.

Ihor Zarechnyi, CBDO at Evoplay, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Optibet, a trusted name across the Baltics, to bring our games to players in Lithuania and Estonia.”

“This collaboration marks an important step in our commitment to expanding in regulated markets and offering tailored experiences that resonate with local audiences.”

Janis Bariss, Entain Head of Gaming Baltics & Nordics, said: “Optibet is dedicated to providing our players with the best in gaming entertainment and partnering with Evoplay allows us to deliver an exciting range of content that adds real value to our portfolio.”

“Evoplay’s innovative approach and diverse game selection will be a fantastic addition to our online casinos in Lithuania and Estonia, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact it has on our audience.”

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