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Starting a slot franchise: what does it take?

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As the iGaming landscape continues to evolve, numerous suppliers are capitalising on their past successes by launching their own slot franchises. Despite the immense potential, initiating a franchise requires adept navigation through a range of challenges in order to reap the benefits. In this roundtable discussion, we gather insights from Relax Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, Thunderkick and RubyPlay, four prominent suppliers with franchises under their belt. From regulatory hurdles to technological innovations, we dive into the aspects that both challenge and enrich the path to establishing a new franchise.

 

With technology advancing at a rapid pace, how crucial is it for franchises to stay on top of the latest trends in slot development?

Mike Collins, Game Product Owner at Thunderkick: It’s extremely crucial – if you aren’t adapting with the times, you’ll attract less players and that’s the bottom line. Currently, whilst creating our titles, we work with a portrait-first and mobile-first ethos. With more customers than ever before using their phones to take a spin, it’s extremely important for every provider to consider how to make their games accessible to as many people as possible.

We also pay close attention to the evolution of available platforms and operating systems – compatibility and accessibility go hand-in-hand, and our titles will always use the most cutting-edge and modern technology available to ensure they play as intended.

Dr. Eyal Loz, Chief Product Officer at RubyPlay: There are no real incentives for developers to risk a well proven, money-making game franchise by changing key elements of the core experience. What we are seeing instead are add-on features, targeted at giving existing players new ways to engage with what they already familiar with. This is via elements such as side Mini Games, Prize Drops, Buy Features, Ante-Bet and so on.

The opposite is true when suppliers try to establish new franchises. Players are keen to try new things, but are more likely to churn if what they find is too similar to something that they already know. This is where the opportunity to bring in new technologies exist, but alas, innovation is very risky and expensive. In RubyPlay’s Immortal Ways series, we combined the well-known ‘10,000 ways to win’ concept players love with an innovative Hold and Spin mechanic, that was easy for players to understand. Players’ feedback was that they felt the game is familiar, but was also totally new at the same time. They were comfortable to try and then commit to it. At the end of the day, both players and the industry are very resistant to change and adaptation of new development.

Shelley Hannah, Chief Product Officer at Relax Gaming: It’s extremely crucial. I think gone are the days where player behaviour is predictable for the next five years. Nowadays, players have a lot more choice in the market and are more likely to explore different games at once.

We have to evolve our games and listen to player feedback both from a perspective of slot design, innovation and technology. As a franchise, it’s critical that we stay on top of the latest trends in order to remain a market leader.

The franchise can’t just be another skin or a slightly different variation of the first, second, third etc. It needs to bring much more than that to the table for the players of today.

Jo Purvis, Director of Marketing and Relationships at Blueprint Gaming: It is key to the success of any game, one slated for a franchise or otherwise. The core requirements of creating a successful game remain the same regardless. It’s a secret sauce that all suppliers strive to perfect – balancing the ever-challenging task of producing a regular supply of games to compete in a congested and super-competitive marketplace while ensuring that the quality remains consistently high.

Where franchises differ slightly is in retaining the magic of a successful original while offering enough new features and mechanics to justify the existence of the next iteration. Consumer taste across most mainstream media, be it movies, TV or games has for some time displayed a keen interest in sequels, spin-offs and more of their favourite brands, characters and universes. So while leveraging this is a huge boost, with it comes the challenge of meeting already high expectations.

 

Given the saturation of the market, how can new franchises distinguish themselves in terms of content and themes?

MC: Simply put, innovation is what will put providers ahead in such a crowded market. Consider the game’s name, theme, narrative and mechanics – if it’s all been done before, your new franchise is unlikely to make much of a splash. It admittedly can take some time to think of a totally original idea, however investing that time into creating something unique will pay off.

Elevating the gameplay experience will undoubtedly have an impact on the performance of your franchise, too. You want to immerse players in the games’ overarching story through the use of graphics, sounds and animations – going back to my previous answer, the evolution of technology in recent years has made it easier for developers to really go above and beyond what was once expected of online slots.

EL: Themes are a key way where suppliers can innovate, and keep high returns and overall business risk low. Within existing strong franchises, suppliers can explore new themes, new UIs and new innovative side features, while staying confident the product line will continue to perform. Savvy suppliers can keep their franchises fresh and relevant for many years if they manage them correctly.

With brand new game franchises, the best advice is that success usually rhymes with what players already know and love. Radical new ideas are less likely to make it through.

In Immortal Ways Diamonds we combined a classic theme with our innovative new franchise’s game mechanic. Since the series was released, we experimented with a large variety of themes each with slight changes to the volatility, math and flow of the games. We can say that one size does not fit all, and different themes perform differently with players in different jurisdictions.

SH: I think every studio has a DNA in how they create games which makes them stand out. I think it’s important to strike a balance between finding what already works for players and how you can put a fresh twist on it.

Bringing new concepts to market may sound like a risk to some, but we put faith in our extremely talented team around the world to drive differentiation which is at the heart of everything we do when we bring games to market.

Whether we want to explore a different slot theme or introduce groundbreaking technology or features, you need to have the talent and trust in your team to make it happen. Once you believe in what you do, it can take you anywhere.

JP: Differentiation is a vital tenet of game production too. Many studios are global now and with that growing number of world regions to sell to, there are equally diverse player preferences to cater to. An Egyptian theme, while popular, doesn’t guarantee a popular game. Knowing your craft and being able to hit the right notes in the maths model, the features across the base and bonus games and the overarching mechanics must align with animation, audio and design and getting all of these right consistently isn’t for the faint of heart.

With Blueprint Games, we’re able to lean on the years of heritage we have in taking the original success of a solidly built and curated game and applying these lessons to new titles. Having the right balance of experience and new, fresh ideas is crucial, as is a finger on the pulse of what players are engaging with in slots and beyond. It’s a complicated and deeply nuanced process.

 

How do you see the current regulations in key markets impacting the establishment and growth of new slot franchises?

MC: Navigating the regulatory landscape in key markets is crucial for the establishment and growth of new slot franchises. Regulations can present both challenges and opportunities for game providers –  although compliance ensures a fair and secure experience, fostering trust among players, these regulations can also limit providers’ creative freedom.

Successful slot franchises strike that important balance by aligning with regulatory frameworks whilst simultaneously finding innovative ways to engage players. As always, staying attuned to emerging trends helps maintain a competitive edge within the ever-evolving industry.

EL: Historically, franchise games developed in highly regulated markets outperform other franchise games developed in less regulated market. That is, product designed with an unregulated market mindset struggles to adapt to complex regulatory restrictions. Therefore, I believe that regulation should be viewed as an advantage for the more creative designers.

In addition to that, franchise games that were developed to comply with strict regulated market restrictions can easily be supplemented with complimentary side features that can boost performance and player retention even further in less regulated environments. It’s always simpler for the business to relax designs than to restrict them.

In RubyPlay’s Immortal Ways series, we followed strict design principles, such that all games in the series will comply with the strictest regulatory requirements. Additional features we are developing such as Buy Feature for the Immortal Ways games will only be offered where regulation allows.

SH: This is something which impacts the whole industry, but as a new franchise it is paramount that you are up-to-date with the latest regulations and any potential changes that can impact any aspect of the game. It’s a challenge to come up with slots that not only fit the player’s needs but also rigidly follow many variations of rules in regulated markets.

Relax Gaming pulls out all the stops to ensure we meet the regulations and create a safe environment for players. Any franchise should have this at the core of its values.

There are more and more regulations being implemented across the gaming landscape. Building a successful franchise needs the most robust underlying technology which makes product adaptation easier when new regulations are introduced.

JP: There is obvious speculation on regulatory activity all the time, given the regular consultations the official bodies engage in and this obviously impacts game development. What we are seeing in many markets is that the current regulations don’t prevent or impact the growth of new slot franchises, they just set some specific rules that need to be rightly adhered to.

Studios see the benefits of consistency across jurisdictions and this helps them standardise and gain product development efficiencies. This results in not investing time in unique products for the demands of specific markets or building products that are overly complex. The opposite is that games need to be configured for the specific allowances or restrictions of different jurisdictions, which requires additional resources.

That being said, innovation comes out of many regulatory changes and franchises can always be adapted to develop and potentially grow with new product innovation.

Additionally, where certain regulations apply, we adapt and certify different versions of our industry-standard Jackpot King System to meet the specific needs, tailoring to market/operator size to be able to provide a compliant and engaging jackpot product.

 

Player loyalty is paramount in this industry. What engagement and retention strategies do you think are most effective for slot franchises in a crowded marketplace?

MC: Taking the mechanics from previous iterations within the franchise that really resonated with players is a clear-cut way to ensure retention for future releases. Don’t fix what isn’t broken – simply set your sights on improving upon earlier releases, and don’t stray too far from the original!

With that being said, it doesn’t hurt to add something new with each title in the franchise. Not only will you be keeping the gameplay experience fresh, but you’ll also drum up excitement for players who want to discover a fresh spin on a game they cherish.

EL: The holy grail for suppliers is developing an evergreen franchise, at which point, a dedicated product line should be established to create innovative experiences within that franchise. Innovative designs that don’t lose sight of the core player experience in the existing franchise games.

We never know what will hit a cord with players, but when a mechanic is found, one should build it into a series, respecting the parameters that made is successful in the first place. The average loyal player loves things feeling fresh, but also familiar and safe. When players lose their footing, they will churn.

That is why more and more designers are focusing on complimentary side features that can maintain the evergreen potential of existing franchise games, and are very effective in boosting long-term player loyalty.

RubyPlay’s Immortal Ways series is no different. A range of accompanying features are now in development, such as introducing the ability to purchase a feature, and other innovative changes to the gameplay without impacting the core gameplay that works so well.

SH: I think it’s vital that you know your market inside out and you know what your players like. We can use data to get a picture of the players that are loving the franchise, working with operators to ensure the subsequent releases are visible for those players. This can be done in numerous ways, including mailers and promotional campaigns. This all helps play a part in a players subconsciousness when it comes to choosing who to play with.

As we touched on earlier, we take our player feedback seriously too. If a player can see steps are being taken to enrich their experience, then they are more likely to engage and built a trusting relationship.

JP: Knowing your customer is vital. Being able to pitch the right games to the right markets and their players can be the difference between well-received titles and those that fail. Then being able to build on those and make the most out of what works is something that Blueprint has had great success with.  We’ve achieved that level of market optimisation in the UK with slot series such as Luck of the Irish, which has just seen its third iteration, whereas other IPs like our Kong games have earned their reputation in international markets.

We don’t consider features market-specific but emphasize slot themes, mechanics and brands that resonate with particular jurisdictions.

 

Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – June 30-July 6

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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has issued monetary penalties totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto for multiple violations of provincial gaming standards. The penalties follow an impromptu after-party that was permitted to take place in the pre-dawn hours directly on the casino’s gaming floor. On September 27, 2024, an electronic dance music event attended by thousands of people was hosted in the theatre adjacent to the casino at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. The event was marked by widespread intoxication, disorderly behaviour and numerous criminal and medical incidents – both inside and outside the venue – including alleged assaults, drug overdoses and acts of public indecency. Although paid duty officers were present, additional police and emergency services were required to manage the situation.

International Game Technology PLC, doing business as Brightstar Lottery, announced that Michelle Carney, Brightstar’s Vice President of Global Lottery Marketing, will be inducted into the Lottery Industry Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2025. The induction ceremony will take place this September at an industry event in Ontario, Canada hosted by the Public Gaming Research Institute (PGRI) in conjunction with the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL). In her current role, Carney is responsible for the development of marketing and communications strategies that support growth for Brightstar’s Global Lottery business, including lottery product marketing, trade shows and events, thought leadership communications and B2C marketing campaign materials to support customer launches of new game content.

Partnerships

International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Canada Solutions ULC (IGT), signed an eight-year agreement with Atlantic Lottery to supply its IntelligenEVO video lottery central system technology across Atlantic Canada. The agreement includes the option for multiple extensions and positions the Atlantic Lottery to become the first World Lottery Association (WLA)-affiliated lottery operator to deploy IGT’s next-generation central management system in a game-to-system (G2S) distributed market. With peak system security, network availability and responsible gaming functionalities, IntelligenEVO is a reliable, scalable solution that can meet the needs of today and in the future. The solution will accelerate time-to-market and enables the Atlantic Lottery to benefit from the system’s suite of player-focused functionality. The technology’s G2S and open API design optimises data collection and delivery and will enable Atlantic Lottery to customise their programme for evolving player needs.

EDGE Boost by EDGE Markets, a financial platform for smart bettors and gamblers, has partnered with World Series of Poker, the premier series of worldwide poker tournaments. The EDGE Boost debit card is now the preferred payment method for WSOP, offering ease of payment, safety and several exclusive on-site perks for tournament players. In past tournaments, WSOP players were limited to $10,000 per transaction and had to complete a lengthy approval process, often resulting in frequent cash deposits. Now, those using the EDGE Boost card through PayPal checkout can bypass traditional credit card verification. They can also make entries up to $250,000, which eliminates the need to carry large sums of cash at the event and increases security measures.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – June 30-July 6 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Industry News

SOFTSWISS Takes Home Four Awards In One Night

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SOFTSWISS, a global provider of iGaming software solutions, has won two prestigious trophies at the EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards 2025. These recognitions come alongside two more accolades at Malta’s iGaming Excellence Awards 2025.

EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards

Hosted annually, the EGR Marketing & Innovation Awards honour the most innovative and effective campaigns and teams in online gaming. Recognising success across marketing, creative execution, customer engagement, and commercial results, the awards are regarded as one of the industry’s top accolades.

This year marks the third consecutive win for SOFTSWISS, following previous victories for its standout campaigns, Bringing the Heat in 2023 and Grab Success in 2024. The judges praised the SOFTSWISS marketing team with the Marketing Team of the Year Award for showing a clear passion for their brand and a creative use of new technologies and data analytics.

In addition to leading the team’s collective success, Valentina Bagniya, CMO at SOFTSWISS, was personally recognised as the best B2B Marketer of the Year for her role in transforming SOFTSWISS’ marketing function into a brand powerhouse.

“Thank you to the EGR jury team for this wonderful recognition. Winning Marketing Team of the Year is an extraordinary achievement that highlights our strength and dedication as a team. Additionally, receiving B2B Marketer of the Year is a deeply meaningful acknowledgement of our collective efforts,” says Valentina Bagniya. “These awards are not about individual achievements; they reflect the creativity, commitment, and passion of our entire marketing team.” 

Malta’s iGaming Excellence Awards

SOFTSWISS also received major recognition at Malta’s Gaming Excellence Awards 2025. Ivan Montik, Founder of SOFTSWISS, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for exceptional contributions to the iGaming industry over the course of his career. Meanwhile, Rubens Barrichello, ex-Formula 1 pilot and Non-Executive Director in Latin America at SOFTSWISS, was named Best iGaming Influencer of the Year, celebrating his significant impact through content creation, marketing, and online presence.

Valentina Bagniya comments: “It’s significant that our colleagues Ivan Montik and Rubens Barrichello received recognition at Malta’s Gaming Excellence Awards 2025, demonstrating how our leadership vision is increasingly recognised and valued by industry professionals. Moving forward, we remain dedicated to expanding our expertise and actively contributing to the advancement of our industry.”

On 3-4 July, the SOFTSWISS team will be attending iGB Live in London, ready to share their insights and expertise with interested attendees.

 

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience 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 30,000 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 counts over 2,000 employees.

The post SOFTSWISS Takes Home Four Awards In One Night appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Gambling in the USA

Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – June 9-15

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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.

Latest News

BMM Innovation Group, a technology conglomerate focused on gaming product compliance testing, cybersecurity solutions and virtual training for the global gaming industry, announced that it is exhibiting at the Perú Gaming Show 2025, June 18–19 at the Centro de Exposiciones Jockey in Lima, Perú. BMM’s local experts will be available at Booth No. 31–32 to discuss the Company’s full suite of testing, certification, cybersecurity and virtual training services for Perú’s growing gaming industry. With a well-established land-based sector and a rapidly expanding online gaming market, Perú represents one of the most dynamic jurisdictions in Latin America. BMM has supported the Peruvian gaming industry for more than 18 years, with a dedicated office in Lima since 2007. The Company’s deep roots and compliance expertise make it uniquely positioned to serve the diverse needs of Perú’s casinos, sports betting operators, lottery providers and online gaming programmes.

Amusnet is set to make a powerful impression at the Peru Gaming Show 2025, taking place on June 18-19 in Lima, by presenting a comprehensive portfolio across its Online Casino, Live Casino, and Land-based verticals. As one of the most prominent and influential gaming exhibitions in Latin America, PGS brings together the industry’s leading providers, manufacturers and decision-makers for two days of impactful business exchange. Amusnet is also sponsoring the LMG Futbol Experience on June 17, held just before the exhibition, showcasing involvement in local events and its engagement in supporting industry-wide collaboration.

International Game Technology PLC announced that its spectacular RISE55 cabinet is now live on casino floors across the US. With robust, performance-focused content roadmaps for the premium-leased and for-sale game segments, IGT’s RISE55 cabinet debuted with the highly entertaining Magic Treasures Gold game. The RISE55 cabinet features a 55-inch ultra-HD curved display that delivers crisp graphics, enhanced audio technology and remarkable player comfort. The RISE55 cabinet first hit casino floors in late May, with additional deployments planned through the summer. As the hardware’s Class III premium launch title, Magic Treasures Gold is a visually stunning multi-level progressive game with features that build upon the success of IGT’s award-winning Magic Treasures game, including a leveled-up version of the Money Ball feature.

Partnerships

Hard Rock Cafe, in partnership with international soccer icon Lionel Messi, launched new merchandise coinciding with one of the year’s most anticipated global soccer tournaments. The collection debuts as part of Hard Rock’s “WE PLAY TOGETHER” campaign, which unites soccer fans to celebrate the sport. The campaign will feature special experiences and exclusive offers, such as bundle deals combining themed Messi menu and retail items, for guests to watch each match and show support for their favourite teams. Lionel Messi announced the collection via an Instagram post, where he donned one of the custom tees now available for purchase.

PrizePicks, the largest daily fantasy sports operator in North America, announced that it has partnered with the Los Angeles Dodgers as the team’s Official DFS Partner. The partnership features several digital and in-stadium activations at Dodger Stadium as PrizePicks continues to strengthen its brand presence in baseball.

The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – June 9-15 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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