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Will An iGaming Show Ever Make It To Mainstream Tv?

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These competitive video game competitions, iGaming, are known by half of the people aged 55 to 64. Sell-out venues and $100 million prize pools have enhanced esports’ exposure and alleviated any doubts about its long-term viability, serving as a striking reminder of how far the genre has progressed since the first professional competitions in the 1990s.

The recent year has seen a large portion of this rise. In the UK and the US, more than 60% of those who say they watch esports content do so at least once a week, with 3 in 10 admitting they had never heard of esports before a year ago.

In 2018, esports saw significant structural changes, with franchised leagues moving it closer to the structure of traditional sports. More and more people get to engage and participate in game shows online, including the Ladbrokes game shows.

This is helping to make esports a rather more integrated and accessible form of entertainment for new audiences and attract potential investors and sponsors looking for indicators of high revenue potential.

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With all these structural changes in place, esports is on the verge of reaching a turning point in 2019.

What Next for iGaming?

Brand investments, such as marketing, sponsorship, and media rights account for a large portion of esports’ growth. Global businesses such as Toyota and Coca-Cola are joining in on the fun by sponsoring Overwatch league games; traditional sports leagues are establishing esports competitions. The question of whether advanced competitive gaming should indeed be made an Olympic sport is still being debated. Broadcasters are trying to follow suit, seeking ways to include esports into their programming.

However, if broadcasters wish esports to be as popular as traditional sports on television, they must modify the format to appeal to a broader audience.

Broadcasters should integrate esports into their program schedule because it makes total sense. Esports has its roots in the realm of internet video, which is a significant element of both millennial and Generation Z (Gen Z) viewers’ daily entertainment habits.

The esports material popular on streaming services like Twitch usually appeals to a narrow audience already well-versed in competitive gaming. This audience is highly interested in and knowledgeable about the most sophisticated games and will cheerfully watch a live event for hours and hours. Broadcasters must adjust their online model such that it is TV-friendly to make esports appealing to the public. Online games, for example, can be highly violent, difficult, and time-consuming. Broadcasters must change their focus to less aggressive and more straightforward titles like Street Fighter and Rocket League, which would allow them to cut the length of esports programming from hours to minutes, rendering the genre suitable with television time limits.

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Broadcasters could also cooperate with traditional sports organizations to make esports TV more appealing. Taking advantage of the popularity of prominent sports like football and basketball can propel the genre’s growth among a wider audience and transform it into a global phenomenon.

Between esports and traditional sports, there has already been a lot of crossovers. The English Premier League began its foray into professional gaming in January when it launched the ePremier league. High-profile players like Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin and Juventus’ Andrea Pirlo, both passionate gamers, have helped promote the genre. Broadcasters make the genre more relatable to general audiences by introducing esports programs that incorporate generally known sports and employing high-profile traditional sports personalities as ambassadors for the genre.

How will the VR revolution affect the iGaming industry?

When you go into a land-based casino, the glittering slot machine lights, the jingling of money, and the exhilaration of playing at the casino tables engulf you. All of this is visually pleasing and encourages customers to play more. VR technology claims to replicate the same experience through sensory inputs based on a customer’s emotional and physical responses. After selecting a table, you can sit down as if you were in a real casino.

Virtual reality (VR) has already begun in the iGaming sector, with SlotMillion.com launching its VR Casino and other VR ventures in the works. They contacted numerous regulators to establish this new medium of VR, and the MGA (Maltese Gaming Authority) was the first to approve such practices. However, they insisted that clocks be placed on the walls so that clients do not lose track of time while in the Virtual Casino. There are no clocks in genuine casinos to distract you from glancing at the time. I like how some casinos are set up, some with the entrance on the 80th level of a skyscraper with a futuristic cityscape view. This has been a very remarkable experience.

Apart from Microgaming, several other iGaming businesses are exploring VR, including Topgame Technology, Lucky VR, NetEnt, and Google Glass’ new real-money gambling option called “Glass Betting.” It’s fascinating to see how these unique games are created, brought to life, and broadcast on mainstream media.

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Compliance Updates

CT Interactive announces certification of new games for the Italian market

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CT Interactive is thrilled to announce that new titles have officially received certification for the Italian market, ready to bring a fresh wave of entertainment to players across the country. This certification ensures that the games adhere to Italy’s stringent regulatory standards for fairness, security, and quality, reinforcing CT Interactive’s dedication to providing top-tier gaming experiences.

The newly certified games include: 5x Cherry PartyChristmas StormJester JackLucky KiwiMega GnomePiggy CrashStar GirlThe Big ChilliThe New Queen of FruitsTreasure Chase.

These exciting games offer a diverse range of themes, from the festive charm of Christmas Storm to the whimsical adventures of Piggy Crash and Mega Gnome. Whether players are in the mood for the nostalgic appeal of a classic fruit slot like The New Queen of Fruits, or looking for thrilling treasure hunts in Treasure Chase, there’s something for every type of player.

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Each game has been developed with a focus on delivering engaging features, rewarding bonuses, and immersive gameplay. With unique mechanics and visually striking graphics, these releases are designed to captivate Italian players and keep them returning for more.

CT Interactive remains committed to enhancing the Italian gaming landscape by consistently providing fresh, exciting content and introducing new ways to play.

The post CT Interactive announces certification of new games for the Italian market appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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SOFTSWISS Survey Q3’24: 58% Cite Crypto as Key Driver in New Markets

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SOFTSWISS, a tech company and pioneer in crypto gaming with over 15 years of experience, conducted a survey revealing that the majority view crypto as a key driver for growth in new markets. Experts also  analysed this year’s crypto bets to share the latest insights.

Bitcoin recently reached a historic high, getting closer to 90,000 euro per coin. However, during the third quarter of 2024, it faced its sharpest drop in several years. SOFTSWISS experts examine how these market shifts have influenced iGaming performance in the quarterly ‘State of Crypto’ analytics.

A Quarter of the World’s Population Engages in iGaming 

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Global iGaming statistics indicate that approximately 26% of the world’s population were ever engaged in iGaming. By 2028, the iGaming market is projected to reach 243.2 million users, with a market volume nearing 130 billion euro, a substantial portion of which is expected to involve cryptocurrency. 

SOFTSWISS data shows that during the 9 months of 2024, the Total Bet Sum, including both fiat and crypto, increased by 43.1% compared to the same period of 2023. Simultaneously, the Total Bet Count showed even more impressive growth, surpassing 44.5%.

An in-depth comparison analysis since 2022 demonstrates fiat bets are rising much more rapidly than crypto. A comparison between the first nine months of 2024 and the same period of the previous year revealed that the Fiat Bet Sum achieved a 50.4% boost. The conservative approach toward payment methods has resulted in Crypto Bet Sum growing at a slower pace compared to fiat and has led to a modest 4-percentage-points (p.p.) decline in the crypto share in 2024.

 

[1] Based on data from ongoing projects[

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Potential of Crypto in iGaming 2025

According to the SOFTSWISS iGaming Trends 2025 Report, cryptocurrency is set to remain one of the preferred payment methods within the sector. Based on the company’s survey, 58% of respondents identified crypto as the primary driver of growth in new markets, underscoring its essential role in shaping the industry’s future.

Vitali Matsukevich, Chief Operating Officer at SOFTSWISS, reflects on the possibilities of crypto: “Integrating crypto payments allows iGaming businesses to operate globally, delivering greater speed and convenience. With iGaming’s naturally borderless reach, this expands platforms’ access to a wider international audience, boosting their global growth potential.”

“What is more, crypto transaction fees can be almost three times lower compared to traditional fiat gateways, allowing iGaming businesses to save on processing costs and reinvest that capital”, adds Max Krupyshev, CEO of CryptoProcessing by CoinsPaid.

SOFTSWISS data confirms stable interest in crypto. In the first nine months of 2024, the Crypto Bet Sum increased by 15.2% compared to the same period the previous year. A long-term quarter-by-quarter analysis reveals a consistent growth pattern, though the third quarter of 2024 saw a 9 p.p. decline from the previous quarter. The drop aligns with the decline in the exchange rates of major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, which occurred in the third quarter.

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Meanwhile, the Crypto Bet Count rose by 16.2% in Q3 2024, indicating stable interest in crypto gaming. This combination reveals that while engagement in crypto betting remains steady, the total wagered sum is closely correlated to fluctuations in cryptocurrency exchange rates.

Altcoins Share Growth

The top five most popular cryptos in iGaming have remained stable over the years, with some shifts in the ranking order. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and Dogecoin are the most popular among crypto players. While altcoins accounted for only 25.1% of bets over the first nine months of last year, their share increased significantly to over 47% during the same period in 2024.

 

Bitcoin’s share dropped by 22 p.p. during the nine months of 2024 compared to the same period of 2023. At the same time, Tether and Litecoin saw the most impressive share growth, with over 8 p.p. and 7.8 p.p., respectively. Ethereum strengthened by 4.9 p.p.

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Another impactful trend reveals some casinos, like Rollbit and Shuffle, utilise their own iGaming tokens to boost player engagement. Tokens designed specifically for gaming offer enhanced compatibility across platforms, lower volatility, and exclusive perks for users. Crypto drives the development of new payment methods and business growth.

Vitali Matsukevich summarises: “Crypto offers iGaming operators key advantages beyond lower costs and global reach. Blockchain enhances safety and fairness through transparency and traceability, with each transaction and game result permanently recorded and tamper-proof. Partnering with trusted crypto experts allows operators to harness these benefits, positioning themselves for growth and effectively navigating market shifts.”

The new SOFTSWISS iGaming Trends 2025 Report offers more insights about crypto in the ever-evolving iGaming sector. The visionary report is free to download via the link.

 

About SOFTSWISS

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SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Survey Q3’24: 58% Cite Crypto as Key Driver in New Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Sumsub and SoftGamings Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Player Verification and Fraud Prevention

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Sumsub, a global full-cycle verification platform, and SoftGamings, a leading developer of gaming platforms and turnkey iGaming systems, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the security and compliance features of iGaming solutions worldwide.

This collaboration combines Sumsub’s cutting-edge verification technologies with SoftGamings’ innovative gaming platforms, ensuring smoother player onboarding, enhanced fraud detection, and seamless, secure user experiences. Under this partnership, SoftGamings will integrate Sumsub’s advanced KYC (Know Your Customer) checks, Player Behavior Monitoring, Fraud Networks Detection, and Payment Fraud Prevention solutions into its platform, offering clients enhanced protection against fraud while streamlining the user journey from registration to gameplay.

“Security and reliability are at the core of everything we do at SoftGamings,” said Anna Kiselova, Head of Partnerships at SoftGamings. “Teaming up with Sumsub strengthens our commitment to providing our customers with a platform that is not only feature-rich but also secure and aligned with the highest industry standards. This collaboration ensures that our clients can offer their players a safe and seamless experience, without compromising on performance or speed.”

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SoftGamings’ platform currently handles over 50 billion transactions annually, supports 100 million registered players, and boasts an uptime rate among the best in the industry. Through this partnership, SoftGamings aims to provide its clients with an even more secure environment, allowing for faster player onboarding, enhanced fraud detection capabilities, and a smoother user experience overall.

The partnership also promises to empower gaming operators to monitor player behavior more effectively, identify potential risks, and prevent fraud before it happens—all while complying with ever-evolving regulatory requirements.

“We are thrilled to partner with SoftGamings, a company with a long-standing reputation for providing high-performance iGaming platforms,” comments Kris Galloway, Head of iGaming Product at Sumsub. “By combining our industry-leading verification and fraud prevention tools with SoftGamings’ cutting-edge solutions, we’re able to offer iGaming operators across the globe a seamless and secure experience from day one. This partnership represents a significant step forward in simplifying compliance and reducing digital fraud in the iGaming ecosystem.”

The post Sumsub and SoftGamings Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Player Verification and Fraud Prevention appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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