Gamlinked February 2024
By Ginevra Alessandrello
2024 has only just begun and the online gambling industry has already been a whirlwind of activity!
We have also been quite busy at Minimum Deposit Casinos (MDC) on a content project that sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating year ahead in the online gambling realm.
We present Gamlinked – a roundup of all our industry news for the month summarized into one piece.
In this first edition, you can find out about the hype of activity at the Superbowl, how White Hat joined forces with Rush Street to create BetRivers; the glitz and glam at Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2024, and a behind-the-scenes look at LeBron James’s partnership with Draft Kings, and much more.
The end of ICE London as we know it
The largest-ever edition of ICE London 2024 took place at the Exhibition Centre in London on 5 February with the theme “more connections, more inspiration”. ICE is a global industry event for online operators, software developers, affiliates, gaming experts, and media partners who display their latest innovations, games, and other developments in the online gambling industry.
ICE London 2024 saw 811 exhibitors with tens of thousands of international visitors. During the three-day gathering, it featured breakfast meet-ups and multiple networking sessions among the women leaders and discussions centres around how to include more women inside the talent pool to ensure a fair industry.
Safer gambling was promoted heavily throughout the event at the London Consumer Protection Zone, an area within ICE London dedicated to promoting consumer protection and responsible gambling practices within the industry.
Several new products were unveiled at the event including ICE VOX – the online gambling industry’s newest knowledge exchange and educational brand that replaces conferences. ICE VOX workshops included safer gaming initiatives, emerging new markets, and innovative lotteries.
Another big topic at the event was street gaming. This is where the high street hub, in partnership with the gambling business group, brought local and national legislators together to discuss the role street gaming has on society.
ICE London 2024 also showcased BetConstruct’s portfolio of offerings like iGaming, Crypto and Web3 solutions. Their latest technology endeavours to include their brand new Multi-Wallet solution, which allows managing various Crypto and fiat wallets from one account to deliver a personalised experience.
ICE was sponsored by over 40 software developers and payment providers including Pragmatic Play, Playtech, Merkur Gaming, Amazon Web Services, PaySafe, Jeton and Pavilion Payments.
Beyond the sponsors, the event was also attended by sports and casino gaming operators, who could test out the best and latest slots and casino games in the dedicated gaming area.
All in all the event was fruitful as experts and professionals got to discuss ideas, debate challenges in the industry and exchange thoughts on the future of the industry.
And next year promises to be just as good, if not better at ICE takes place in Barcelona.
White Hat Studios continues making moves in the US
White Hat Studios and Rush Street Interactive have partnered to bring the BetRivers app to online gambling players in Delaware.
This exciting event marks the sixth US launch for White Hat and has introduced new slots like Almighty Buffalo Megaways and Jackpot Royale through BetRivers to US players.
White Hat CEO Andy Whitworth said the company was thrilled to go live in Delaware as it means that they are now live in all regulated US iGaming States just 20 months later, which is a fantastic achievement.
Rush Street Interactive offers games and software titles for real-money online casinos in selected US states, as well as Ontario, Canada, Colombia, and Mexico.
White Hat Gaming was founded in 2012 and provides a comprehensive solution for launching and operating online casinos. Their service includes software development, payment providers, games, support, marketing, and regulatory compliance. It specialises in letting casinos customise their site to meet specific preferences for their players.
Rush Street was founded in 2012 in the USA, and today, it has several leading online gambling brands under its care, including BetRivers. With top-rated online casino games, live dealer games, and sports betting, BetRiver’s software is easy to use, with intuitive game menus customisable by game type, popularity, software provider, and more. Slots are provided by NetEnt, Red Tiger, IGT, and many more, who all have deals with independent testing labs like eCogra to guarantee fair and safe games.
The Taylor Swift effect on the Superbowl according to Bet365
The 2024 Super Bowl was the most watched of all time as Taylor Swift was front and centre as the Kansas City Chiefs met the San Francisco 49ers. The Super Bowl was the cherry on top of a week that saw Swift clean up at the Grammy Awards and announce the release of her next album. Bet365, a prominent betting company, noticed that Swift’s halftime performance at the Super Bowl led to fluctuations in betting activity. Bet365 said in media reports that many of the bets revolved around Chiefs tight-end and Swift’s partner, Travis Kelce.
Taylor Swift has indeed boosted American football, and now a new breed of Swifties is born! On September 24 last year, Taylor Swift attended her first Kansas City Chiefs game, which resulted in a surge of unexpected viewers among her fans, known as Swifties, a fond term for American football buffs.
According to Bet365, the Taylor Swift effect is a phenomenon where her presence causes a massive surge in ticket sales and increased social media activity. The Taylor Swift effect comes with its own Midas Touch.
Swift’s massive fan base has helped her build a pseudo-influencer market – a Pied Piper effect that has helped gain new fans in the National Football League, especially women and girls. The Taylor Swift Effect has led to a 20 percent increase in sponsorships, and the NFL’s surge in female viewership cuts across different age demographics. NFL viewership of teenage girls increased by 53 percent, and among the 18-24 age demographic, there has been a 24% increase.
The Global Gaming Awards show was a hit
Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2024, the most prestigious Awards in the gaming industry, was back in London for the seventh year. This event recognises and rewards the industry’s most passionate and ambitious people who have contributed to a better and more responsible gambling arena across the previous 12 months.
Powered by Gambling Insider, the leading B2B gaming publication with the respect of industry heavyweights, and adjudicated by KPMG in the Crown Dependencies, the Global Gaming Awards EMEA was a complete success. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and shortlisted entrants who were chosen by 50 industry leaders, with KPMG in the Crown Dependencies independently monitoring the voting process to ensure fairness and transparency.
Online Sports Betting Operator of the Year went to Bet365; Casino of the Year went to The Hippodrome Casino; Online Casino of the Year was LeoVegas; Online Casino Supplier of the Year was Pragmatic Play, Online Slot of the Year went to Money Train 4 by Relax Gaming; Platform Provider of the Year was SOFTSWISS; Payment Solution of the Year was Trustly, and Breakthrough Company of the Year was SPRIBE.
King James joins the Draftkings team
In more exciting new, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will be joining the Draftkings team in a multi-year agreement. The superstar is currently in his 21st NBA season and 6th season with the Los Angeles Lakers. As a talent ambassador for DraftKings, LeBron represents the brand’s image, values, and products through in-person appearances, adverts, and social media.
This is not the only partnership King James is involved with, as he recently signed an ongoing contract with Fanatics Collectibles trading cards. Previously, James was with Upper Deck trading cards but switched to Fanatics to create more special trading cards like the one off of LeBron in his St. Vincent-St. Mary’s high school uniform and Bronny, his son, in his USC jersey.
Known as the greatest basketball player the world has ever seen, LeBron James was born in Akron, Ohio, on December 30, 1984. While attending St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, he played on the basketball team and gained international attention. He left school in 2003, entered the NBA Draft, and soon after joined the Cleveland Cavaliers until 2010.
At that time, he announced that he would be moving to South Beach to join the Miami Heat, and then in 2014, LeBron returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers won against the Golden State Warriors in a historic comeback, and later in 2018, LeBron moved to the Los Angeles Lakers. He has received many prestigious awards including four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards.
DraftKings’s partnership with King James is one of many collaborations made by this giant-sized sports betting operator. DraftKings has partnered with NBA teams and talents, including Michael Jordan, special advisor to the board of directors at DraftKings. It has also collaborated with football player David Beckham and musician Snoop Dogg. Recently, DraftKings partnered with NASCAR to bring sports betting to the soon-to-be-legalised North Carolina region in the USA.
The DSWV fights for safer Gambling in Germany
From the Roman Empire, we transition to the contemporary issues involving the German Sports Betting Association (DSWV) and its efforts to promote safer gambling practices.
DSWV is advocating for changes to the existing safer gambling regulations to reduce illegal gambling activity in the black community. Specifically, they refer to the illegal and potentially harmful bonus offers in the gambling industry that are targeting communities with black market operations.
Since the fourth amendment in the State Treaty on Gambling in Germany in 2021 was implemented, and this sector has had massive growth. This is causing a decline in the number of people using legal gambling sites in Germany and have been lured to black market operators.
To counteract illegal online gambling, the DSWV held a press conference to spread the message about the importance of legalised gambling, which generates valuable tax revenue for Germany.
The figures speak for themselves. Citing data, the DSWV said that Germany posted $/€/€8.3 billion in wagers for 2023, which marked a 5.4% decrease year-over-year.
Previously, the DSWV released a study that showed approximately half of the online gambling activities in Germany take place via illegal gambling operators.
Regarding advertising, the DSWV said that legal gambling operators should be allowed to advertise their services and expressed their opposition to a ban on advertising. They backed that up by saying that instead of a flourishing legal market, the money flows into the coffers of the black market providers.
Brazil’s online Gambling regulation aims to set a new standard
The Brazilians are finalising its gambling regulation as part of a broader governmental initiative to enhance control and bring legal oversight to the gambling industry. Backed by legislation – Law No. 14,790 of 2023, which President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva enacted to regulate fixed odds sports betting and online casino gambling in Brazil, the secretariat will actively work to establish responsible gambling policies, anti-money laundering initiatives, and the protection of vulnerable players and minors.
To regulate its burgeoning gambling industry, the Secretariat for Prizes and Betting (SPA) has been introduced to ensure the gambling realm of Brazil is at its cleanest and free from any crime.
The Ministry of Finance will host eight secretariats within the framework, with SPA as a pivotal player, who will all work towards three key sub-divisions – Authorisation, Monitoring and Inspection, and Sanctioning Action.
The work of creating a safe and sustainable market will be carried out by 38 professionals.
SPA has aligned with the Ministry of Sport to monitor result manipulation in sporting events and oversee transfers of athletes, clubs, and sports management bodies. These new rules have been implemented to prevent tarnishing the country’s sports reputation and increase fan engagement.
Brazil has taken a proactive step with SPA, and the journey ahead is set towards more transparency at casinos and sportsbooks, responsible gambling practices, and a secure and regulated environment for operators and bettors. With SPA at the helm, Brazil is set to become a leader in future.
Hollywoodbets looks to reinvigorate the South African Casino Market
We leave the world of secure online gambling and enter South Africa, where Hollywoodbets Casino looks to reinvigorate the local market.
Along with software developer Playtech, Hollywoodbets plans to expand the two companies’ positions within the market by introducing Playtech’s incredible selection of slots and casino games for both desktop and iOS and Android mobiles for sheer convenience.
Hollywoodbets is known for being a forward thinker, evidenced by its partnership with Light & Wonder in 2023, a game developer that owns smaller developers such as Bally, WMS, Barcrest, and NYX Gaming.
When we consider that Light & Wonder started manufacturing pinball slots in 1943, they must know something about what it takes to please an online casino gamer. Light & Wonder has consistently created exciting game titles, such as the 88 Fortunes slot game.
If Lights & Wonder has done so much to elevate Hollywoodbets South Africas online casino experience, its red carpet moment must surely be introducing Playtech slots for all its users to enjoy. With Playtech’s trademark of cutting-edge technology, advanced graphics, and engaging gameplay, Hollywoodbets clients are in for a real treat! It won’t hurt that Playtech is known for its massive progressive jackpot slots like Age of the Gods and Jackpot Giant, where potential payouts can win you millions with one spin.
Head of Product at Hollywoodbets, Wayde Dorkin, said in an interview that it aims to further diversify its offering by including additional content from Playtech in the coming months.
Flutter leaves the Irish Stock Exchange
The luck of the Irish is not at play for some folk. This as news of Flutter Entertainment’s departure from the Dublin stock exchange. The company delisted its shares on November 9 and started trading on the New York Stock Exchange on January 29, 2024. This bold move towards expansion and growth ensures that Flutter Entertainment will have total exposure on the New York Stock Exchange.
Subject to all their official paperwork being finalised with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, they’ll be ready to start trading on the NYSE. The last step in the process is to move their shares from Euroclear Bank to Depository Trust Company, which was agreed to by all the shareholders.
Flutter Entertainment plc used to be Paddy Power Betfair plc, a sports betting company that dates back to 1988 when three Irish bookmakers merged their betting shops to form Paddy Power. In 2000, they launched their own website and entered the online betting market.
In 2010, Paddy Power merged with Betfair, creating Paddy Power Betfair, and today, the company owns many successful online casinos and sportsbooks, including Paddy Power, Betfair, and FanDuel. Flutter Entertainment is based in Dublin, Ireland, and has operations in the UK, USA, and other key markets.
In 2019, Paddy Power Betfair rebranded as Flutter Entertainment to reflect its broader portfolio, which includes Paddy Power, Betfair, and other leading brands like FanDuel, Sportsbet, Adjarabet, and TVG.
Panama finally gets access to Aviator crash games
Sleepy-eyed online casino enthusiasts in Panama woke up on 23 January 2024, to find out that online casino Crash Gambling games like Aviator were suddenly available in Panama. Aviator was a popular video game before it became available at Crypto casinos, and its appeal was the uber-simple gameplay and potential for massive wins. Aviator is a social multiplayer game with one simple rule: cash out before the plane on the screen flies away.
It sounds like a simple game, maybe a slow game, but we assure you that this online casino game requires nerves of steel! On your screen, you’ll see an increasing curve that can crash at anytime, and while the tension builds, a Multiplier starts growing. Players must strategically time their cash out before the lucky plane flies away.
Crash game Aviator was created by Spribe, who launched the game online in 2019. No one could have predicted the game’s global popularity, and in their first ten months, Spribe saw a staggering increase in sales of 450%. Since its founding in the mid-twenties, Spribe has gained global popularity for its unique approach to providing players and gamification operators with unique, immersive, socially orientated game products.
Spribe offers a wide range of games, from classic card games to unique and original entertainment that has won millions of fans around the world. All the Spribe games ensure fairness through Provably Fair technology, a cryptographic innovation that guarantees the complete fairness of game results.
Every result of a round, be it the flight of an aeroplane or the distribution of cards in poker, is generated on Spribe’s servers and remains completely transparent. This ensures that no one can interfere with the outcome of the round.
One of Spribe’s biggest hits is Aviator, the perfect game for those looking for fun online. Aviator is played the same way all crash games are played, but the payouts can reach a staggering 97% Return to Player rate and maximum wins of $/€/€10,000. Aviator also features an in-game chat feature to allow gamblers to connect.
Aviator’s simplistic user interface and a strong emphasis on social interaction have contributed significantly to its success. Players can interact in the chat function, compete against each other and watch as their scores rise up the real-time leaderboard. Plus, there’s always the chance to collect free games in the chat box. Now that the game has been evaluated and certified by BMM Test Labs to comply with the gaming control board, Spribe is ready to take off in Panama.
Ben Ingham takes the reigns of LeoVegas UK
In UK online gambling news, Swedish-based LeoVegas Group announced it had appointed Ben Ingham as the UK’s Country Manager. He will manage the many brands under LeoVegas in the country, including 21.co.uk, Pink Casino, and the BetMGM UK brand.
Ingham worked at PokerStars for three years and then five years at Sky Betting & Gaming.
LeoVegas Group recently purchased Push Gaming, a famous software studio known for creating highly engaging slots for online casinos. This was a strategic move by LeoVegas to expand its portfolio and enhance its online casino experience. In 2021, it secured a five-year license to supply online slots and casino games and sports betting to legal gambling players in the Netherlands, following the country’s implementation of new regulations for online gambling.
This is significant for LeoVegas, as it allows them to enter a new market legally while continuing to grow its customer base and revenue streams.
Play’nGO’s launched Legion Gold Unleashed
Play’n GO has released Legion Gold Unleashed, so take heart, Centurion. The battle is upon us! From 29 February 2024, raise your sword and shield to Play’n GO’s new Roman Empire-themed slots with Legion Gold Unleashed.
This exciting sequel to Legion Gold will get your adrenaline pumping as it re-joins the Roman Army on the frontier. Legion Gold Unleashed sits alongside other titles that showcase the mythological and historical battles of old, such as Clash of Camelot and Gates of Troy. It offers a step up in entertainment possibilities, starting from the camera that pans down from a blazing hot sky to the blazing hot sandy scenes of Ancient Rome.
Early in 2023, Play’n GO released their Ancient Roman slot game, Legion Gold, but besides being the inspiration for Detroit Red Wings Winged Reelers, a branded ice hockey game based on a real-life team, it wasn’t a hit. However, Legion Gold Unleashed is everything but since the Roman Empire extended to both sides of the Mediterranean Sea, players would appear to be somewhere in North Africa.
With a 1000x Multiplier that can reach up to 3000 times your bet, a 5×3 reel layout along with bonus features to increase the size of the payload, an army of Wilds, Scatters, and a fabled Free Spins round, Legion Gold Unleashed can be played from $/€/€0.05 to $/€/€100 per round.
Play’n GO has kept a leash on the math model, presenting a medium volatility setting and a Return to Player rate of 96.25%. Players can also try the demo of this slot to test its features and game mechanics.
AI aims to change the face of sports betting
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionised the sports betting industry by providing many excellent benefits to bettors and bookies. Using AI-powered algorithms, it enables more accurate predictions by identifying patterns in betting data that were previously impossible to discover. AI-driven analytics lets bookies offer unique in-game betting opportunities and simulation tools to increase user engagement.
Specific AI algorithms are being tailored to understand the intricacies of eSports, with predictions for games like League of Legends and Dota 2. At the forefront of this, companies like unikrn Esports offer AI-driven betting advice for eSports, which opens up new avenues for gamblers.
However, the most significant contribution of AI in sports gambling is in ensuring fair play and detecting and preventing fraudulent activities and match-fixing.
Sportsradar’s Fraud Detection System (FDS) uses AI to analyse betting patterns and flag irregular activities, and AI also plays a massive role in risk management and responsible gambling. Responsible Gambling tools like PlayScan use AI to analyse gambling behaviour and identify risky patterns, which helps keep gambling as a form of entertainment rather than a problem.
AI is also revolutionising Odds-making, a critical component of sports betting. Traditional methods of setting odds are complemented by AI algorithms that can process more variables and data points. This turns the industry towards a more efficient and dynamic betting market, benefiting bookmakers and punters.
In many jurisdictions globally, online sports betting activities are subject to legal regulations intended to protect the integrity of sports and punters participating in betting activities. However, one of the concerns related to algorithms and AI in online sports betting is their potential to facilitate unfair practices in cases where specialised algorithms influence betting odds.
This could lead to market manipulations or an uneven playing field for sports bettors. These issues are addressed by existing regulations that place accountability in AI-generated betting platforms. For example, some jurisdictions require transparent disclosure of the algorithms used and regular audits of the AI systems in place.
