iGaming Snapshot: Month in Review | October 2023
As the leaves began to change, October stood as a testament to the ever-evolving saga of the iGaming universe. It was a month where legal landscapes were redrawn, and regulatory tides turned, heralding significant repercussions for industry stakeholders. As the year waned, the iGaming sector witnessed a convergence of novel alliances and regulatory reformations that have begun to reshape its future contours. As we delve into the autumnal chapter of the year, it is time to reflect on the pivotal occurrences and strategic developments that have characterized the iGaming narrative throughout October.
In October, iGamingExpress featured a plethora of exclusive content. Here’s a reminder of some of the most intriguing ones, with the month particularly marked by a series of insightful interviews that delved into the strategies, challenges, and plans of key industry leaders.
- Constanza Muñoz Torres: “ProntoPaga has come to revolutionize the Latin American payment market”
- Vedran Karaman: “Operators will have to be smarter in all areas and there will be no space for mediocre”
- Brian Christner: “We will likely see AI-generated games in the coming months”
- Anthony Gaud: “Regulations play an important role in consumer protection, preventing fraud”
- Catie Di Stefano: “I think the key trend will be social gambling, especially in the USA”
- Sten Andersen: “Many companies went wrong during digitalization”
Additionally, we organized a “Responsible Gambling Week,” during which a dedicated series of articles was published, aiming to promote responsible gambling practices. These pieces provided valuable tips, highlighted the importance of mental health awareness in gaming, and introduced tools and resources to help maintain a safe gaming environment. It was a concerted effort to advocate for a healthier, more sustainable approach to gambling within the community.
- What is responsible gaming?
- Support and assistance: The path to responsible gaming
- Don’t blame the player for the losing coupon! A healthy approach to betting
- Polina Valkova: “The industry should focus on education and outreach”
- Thea Juul: “Raising awareness is crucial to make a safer gambling environment”
The past month was bustling not just for us at iGamingExpress but also across the entire industry. There was a wealth of developments and events that kept everyone on their toes. With that in mind, let’s dive into the summary of October’s happenings.
In October, the sports betting industry witnessed significant movements and strategic expansions that promise to reshape the landscape. Golden Matrix Group’s impending acquisition of MeridianBet Group on the 5th underscored the month, showcasing a strategic effort to bolster their global footprint across Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
Earlier, on October 2nd, Betnacional broadened their influence in the realm of sports broadcasting through a partnership with the Official TV of the Pernambuco Football Federation to air multiple football championships, signaling a growing synergy between sports and betting firms.
On the same day, Betsson’s ambitious move to enter the French sports betting market through a joint venture marked a notable entry into another competitive European jurisdiction. Their launch, expected in the fourth quarter, is set to add to the rich tapestry of sports betting options in France.
LeoVegas Group’s geographical diversification continued with the launch of LeoVegas.nl in the Dutch market on October 5th, an initiative following their successful procurement of a five-year gaming license from the Dutch regulatory authority, KSA.
The industry also celebrated iconic partnerships and endorsements, such as the appointment of Serhiy Rebrov as the new VBET Ambassador on October 18th, whose legendary football legacy is anticipated to bring substantial engagement and branding opportunities.
Furthermore, partnerships extended beyond the field with LeoVegas Group teaming up with Newcastle United FC to foster employer branding and recruitment. However, the industry also faced regulatory hurdles, as exemplified by Chile’s Football Association severing ties with Betsson amidst legal complications.
Svenska Spel’s leadership transition with CEO Patrik Hofbauer’s departure after a five-year tenure was announced on October 13th, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the Swedish operator.
The sector’s dynamism was further emphasized by continuous collaborations such as Fulham FC’s extended partnership with Fitzdares, SIS’s renewal with Betfred for greyhound racing content, and Kambi’s alliance with 711 for a new sports betting launch in the Netherlands.
On the regulatory front, the Florida Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of allowing a Native American tribe’s online betting proposition stood out, while BetMGM’s strategic partnerships, both with the Philadelphia 76ers and Sportradar, highlighted on October 27th and 26th respectively, demonstrated the intricate web of alliances fostering growth and innovation in sports betting.
October was indeed a month of significant collaborations, strategic expansions, and regulatory advancements, signaling a robust trajectory for the global sports betting sector.
October has also been an eventful month for the online casino industry, witnessing dynamic expansions and strategic partnerships. The Italian iGaming scene was notably invigorated by Wazdan’s collaboration with both Lottomatica and Goldbet.it, enhancing the local gaming experience with acclaimed titles and innovative content.
In the UK and the Nordics, Mr Vegas casino carved its brand into the spotlight by securing a title sponsorship for major darts events, reflecting the symbiotic relationship between sports and iGaming. Simultaneously, Greentube’s alliance with Betway has extended its reach into Ontario’s burgeoning market, offering a library of classic and beloved games.
Onto the engagement front, Enteractive’s initiative with Touch Casino targets player activation and CRM strategies, aligning with Slotegrator’s insights on building trust within the iGaming community. Meanwhile, NorthStar Gaming’s nationwide expansion in Canada echoes the trend of geographical diversification.
This month also saw Evoplay and BGaming strengthen their European footprint through partnerships with Interwetten and Maxbet, respectively. Furthermore, BGaming’s leap into Romania with Player.ro and Gaming Realms‘ UK growth via Admiral Casino reflect a significant drive towards expanding digital presence.
Live casino content continues to be a significant draw, with Pragmatic Play and Playtech deploying their offerings to Rank Group in the UK and FanDuel in Canada, respectively, marking a substantial enhancement in live dealer gaming.
In terms of innovation and technology, SCCG Management’s team-up with Captain Up promises to revolutionize customer engagement with “Metagame” strategies, while Pascal Gaming’s showcase at SBC Latinoamérica unveiled exciting new slot titles.
The industry’s ecosystem was also bolstered by key integrations such as REEVO with BF Games, and LuckyStreak’s portfolio expansion with RedRake Gaming. Slotegrator’s partnership with AvatarUX aims to extend game distribution, showcasing the importance of comprehensive gaming solutions.
In the content domain, Spinomenal expanded its partnership with Bragg Gaming Group, targeting regulated markets with an enriched slots portfolio. Push Gaming’s entry into Colombia through Skywind Group represents another strategic market entry with a focus on delivering successful game titles.
The partnerships and expansions seen this October underscore the online casino sector’s relentless pursuit of innovation, user engagement, and market penetration. As the year heads towards its close, the industry is poised for further growth and transformation, staying in tune with players’ ever-evolving preferences and technological advancements.
October 2023 has seen significant strides in the lottery sector, marked by strategic partnerships and technological advancements designed to enhance player experiences and operational efficiency. NeoPollard Interactive’s ten-year contract with the West Virginia Lottery is set to bring a wave of innovation through a new Player Loyalty Program (PLP) and a mobile application, highlighting the shift towards digital in the iLottery space.
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) collaborated with IWG to unveil ‘Set for Life’ on PlayNow.com, a unique offering that integrates annuity prizes with eInstant games, bridging the gap between retail and online lottery experiences in an industry-first for British Columbia.
Further strengthening its position, IGT extended its long-term relationship with the California Lottery, ensuring another decade of technological support and continuity. This extension up to 2033 confirms IGT’s entrenched role in the backbone of lottery operations in one of the largest markets in the United States.
Sportradar’s selection as the technology and service provider for the Taiwan Sports Lottery Corporation exemplifies the global lottery industry’s move towards leveraging data and analytics to transform betting experiences, a move indicative of the sector’s broader trend towards data-driven decision-making.
Jumbo Interactive’s appointment of Jatin Khosla as Interim Chief Financial Officer is a response to the evolving financial landscapes in the global lottery industry, underscoring the need for seasoned leadership during strategic reviews of finance and support services.
Lastly, OpenBet’s strengthened alliance with Sazka through the integration of Neccton’s AI-based compliance solution represents a committed step towards responsible gaming. This move underscores a significant trend in the industry towards adopting advanced technologies to meet increasing regulatory compliance and to promote responsible gambling behaviors.
October’s developments paint a picture of a lottery sector that is increasingly tech-focused, responsible, and user-centric, with a keen eye on long-term partnerships and a strong push towards seamless digital integration.
In the always dynamic sphere of suppliers for October, numerous strategic partnerships have emerged, invigorating the global iGaming landscape with fresh vigor and collaboration.
Symplify’s partnership with AdmiralBet aims to amplify customer engagement in Serbia, introducing a powerful synergy between AdmiralBet’s extensive offerings and Symplify’s customer engagement acumen. Meanwhile, SIS joined forces with Aardvark Technologies, bringing its leading live numbers draws to Africa, broadening the scope of entertainment options for operators across the continent.
The Serbian market witnessed a notable entry by ESA Gaming through its partnership with MaxBet, allowing local gamers access to an array of non-traditional casino games. Kambi’s alliance with Svenska Spel Sport & Casino launched an innovative sportsbook in Sweden, showcasing the strength of Kambi’s product.
Goldenpark’s expansion into Ontario’s online market with GiG’s expertise marked the brand’s first North American venture. Pragmatic Play and Napoleon Sports & Casino’s enhanced partnership brought custom-branded tables and an enriched Live Casino portfolio to the forefront.
Amelco’s new office in Hungary symbolized its growing European presence, and Greentube’s partnership with Mobinc expanded its Ontario presence. Soft2Bet’s appointment of Martin Collins as Chief Business Development Officer and Gaming Realms‘ welcoming of Suki Sandhu as CPO marked significant leadership enhancements.
BetConstruct’s collaboration with AvatarUX, Wazdan’s integration with PepperMill Casino, and White Hat Gaming’s digital facilitation for Christchurch Casino in New Zealand exemplified the burgeoning alliances enhancing gaming offerings worldwide.
Push Gaming broadened its reach through its partnership with Novibet, and NorthStar Gaming aimed for a Canada-wide launch following a robust Ontario debut.
Pariplay’s Pennsylvania debut with Rush Street Interactive, SIS’s extended agreement with Paddy Power, and Wazdan’s alliance with Goldbet.it were milestones in market expansion and content provision. The partnerships of Evoplay with Interwetten, SIS with Betfred, Spinomenal with Bragg Gaming Group, and SlotMatrix with betPARX underscored an active pursuit of diverse and enriched gaming experiences.
The forays into new territories were marked by Push Gaming’s entry into Colombia with Skywind, while SIS’s collaboration with BETTERS opened the gates for premium racing content in Poland. Evoplay’s significant growth in the first half of 2023 was noteworthy, alongside Wazdan’s team-up with Lottomatica to elevate the Italian gaming landscape.
Further enhancing its reach, SYNOT Games joined hands with Slotegrator, AvatarUX expanded game distribution through Slotegrator, and Wazdan’s partnership with ESC Online sought to amplify the Portuguese gaming experience. Playbook Engineering’s appointment of Jonathan Chilton as COO aimed to reinforce its global strategy.
Finally, SYNOT Games’ collaboration with Bingoal, REEVO’s joint venture with BF Games, Evolution’s financial upswing in Q3, and Pragmatic Play’s expanded partnership with DoradoBet, integrating a Bingo suite, all contributed to an exhilarating month of strategic ventures and market expansions within the supplier domain.
The legal and regulatory landscape for the gambling industry has seen a series of significant developments over the past month. In Colombia, regulatory authorities proposed stringent measures to curb advertising spends and ban sports betting sponsorships by unlicensed operators, along with enforcing stricter responsible gambling practices. This initiative suggests a tightening grip on market practices in the region.
Meanwhile, the introduction of Player ID in land-based betting in an unspecified region is pushing operators to reevaluate their anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) risk profiles. In a substantial shift, Super Group decided to exit the Indian market, citing the revised Goods and Services Tax (GST) that affected the viability of their operations.
On the European front, the UK government contemplated a mandatory 1% levy on online gambling firms to fund addiction research, indicating a proactive approach to consumer protection. Romania introduced key changes in its gambling regulations, signaling a reformative direction in its legal framework.
In the domain of digital assets, the growing popularity of NFTs and crypto assets in art and sports attracted scrutiny for potential copyright infringement risks, leading to warnings from MPs.
As France prepares for the 2024 Olympics, efforts to combat sports manipulation have been reported as successful, with no manipulative activities detected amidst substantial betting activities. This proactive stance is likely part of a broader initiative to ensure the integrity of sports.
The Malta Gaming Authority took decisive action against Arabmillionaire Limited, balancing regulatory breaches with the company’s restructuring efforts. Similarly, the Dutch Gaming Authority cracked down on misleading advertisements and unlicensed online gambling, while Peru introduced new regulations mandating sports betting companies to contribute a percentage of net profits to the state.
Amid these developments, IGSA announced the launch of GSA Africa to set gaming standards in a rapidly growing market, and Latvia planned to increase gambling tax rates to reflect economic trends.
That wraps up all the events that electrified the iGaming industry last month. The next summary will be published on iGamingExpress at the beginning of December. For those eager for behind-the-scenes insights, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter, where every week we curate the most interesting industry news and deliver it in a concise format that lands in our subscribers’ email inboxes every Friday.
