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Will An iGaming Show Ever Make It To Mainstream Tv?
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.
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.
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.
Industry News
Double win for Kaizen Gaming at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024
Kaizen Gaming, one of the biggest GameTech companies in the world, had an impressive double-win at the SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2024 on the 31st October in Miami, Florida. Awarded ‘Brazilian Market Entrant of the Year’, and ‘Marketing Campaign of the Year’, the two wins follow an impressive year of growth and exposure for Kaizen Gaming, as well as its premium brand Betano, across Latin America and globally.
Betano is rapidly growing its user base and presence in Brazil, serving as the main and title sponsor of Brasileirão Betano and Copa Betano do Brasil. As a founding member of the ANJL and IBJR regulatory bodies, Betano is recognised for its dedication to upholding the highest standards of responsible gaming and integrity. Furthermore, the Betano brand has launched multiple CSR initiatives across the country in partnership with sponsored team, Clube Atlético Mineiro. It also recently launched the “Juntos em Campo” long-term program in cooperation with CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) to promote initiatives focused on gender equality.
Awarded for the results and creativity of its innovative “Football in America” marketing campaign, Betano successfully introduced Latin America to its “Confia” brand platform by leveraging on its CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 sponsorship. The campaign chimed with the spirit of fans across the continent by celebrating Latin America’s rich football heritage, playfully responding to Kylian Mbappe’s 2022 comments questioning the region’s football quality.
Vangelis Skarkalis, Kaizen Gaming Senior Commercial Director LATAM, said: “Latin America is one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting regions for i-gaming. Being recognised as a leading player in this important market with two wins at the prestigious SBC Awards Latinoamérica is a great honour – especially on the heels of our recent double-win as ‘Operator of the Year’ at both the EGR Operator Awards and SBC Awards. Achieving this success requires an exceptional team of dedicated, ambitious professionals. This award honours everyone’s hard work and commitment to always going above and beyond in delivering the best experiences for our customers not only in Latin America, but worldwide too.”
Latest News
Amusnet Teams Up with Betcity.nl for Market Expansion in the Netherlands
Amusnet proudly announces its partnership with the Netherlands operator Betcity.nl, marking a key step in strengthening its presence within the Dutch market. This collaboration combines Amusnet’s dynamic gaming content with Betcity.nl’s established reputation for providing exceptional online experiences to Dutch players. The partnership promises to offer an enriched gaming selection while maintaining the highest compliance standards in the Netherlands’ regulated market.
“Teaming up with Betcity.nl represents an exciting and strategic opportunity for Amusnet to bring forward our portfolio to the Dutch market in collaboration with a trusted local brand. We are motivated to jointly enhance the gaming experience with high-quality content that aligns with local players’ preferences,” said Dimitri De Temmerman, Managing Director Amusnet BNL.
The post Amusnet Teams Up with Betcity.nl for Market Expansion in the Netherlands appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Balkan's
BEGE celebrates 15 years as Eastern Europe’s premier gaming expo
The most significant event for the gaming industry in Eastern Europe – the Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo (BEGE) – will bring together leading companies, innovators, and industry representatives on November 27 and 28 for its 15th-anniversary edition. In celebration of this milestone, the organizers have prepared numerous surprises and special awards.
Once again, BEGE will offer a rich program, uniting industry leaders, investors, and successful entrepreneurs to share ideas, technologies, and inspiration. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to explore the latest gaming technologies, try out innovative solutions, and enjoy impressive demonstrations.
Traditionally, the first and second days of the event feature the EEGS conference, where internationally recognized speakers will present analyses and discussions critical to the development of the gaming industry. Special panels will provide a platform for leading gaming experts to discuss the future of the industry, emerging trends, and initiatives promoting responsible gaming practices.
For the first time, BEGE will welcome startups, offering them the opportunity to participate in Gaming StartUp Challenge 6.0. This challenge provides a unique opportunity to meet with key industry figures. The most promising startups will be recognized and granted invaluable access to the experience and insights of industry leaders.
As always, the exhibition begins with the BEGE Awards ceremony, a symbol of recognition for innovation, outstanding achievements, and success across various sectors of the gaming industry, with awards such as “Online Provider of the Year” and “Online Game of the Year.” The awards will be presented on November 26 at an elegant dinner at Black&White club in Sofia’s Grand Hotel Millennium.
A key highlight of the program is the Proximity Zone, providing companies with additional visibility through live-streamed interviews and product presentations with leading global brands and experts.
BEGE is a must-attend event for anyone with an interest in the gaming industry. This year, more than 80 exhibitors and over 6,000 visitors from 70 countries are expected, making it a place where the passion for gaming and innovation meets business opportunities.
The post BEGE celebrates 15 years as Eastern Europe’s premier gaming expo appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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