Interviews
Spain Spotlight: Relax’s upcoming Spanish debut
In the second of our two-part series on Spain, Alba Monroy, Regional Business Manager at Relax Gaming, talks through the award-winning provider’s plans for its Spanish debut – as well as the post-pandemic growth opportunities available to suppliers and operators.
Looking at Spain’s performance over 2021 and into the beginning of this year – how much has the market recovered post-pandemic and what are we seeing in terms of trends for verticals?
While 2021 proved to be a difficult year for almost every vertical within the gaming sector in Spain, there are signs for recovery, with online casino enjoying better fortunes than most. I believe this is down to the growing popularity of slots and live casino games, mostly driven by the shift of players moving from land-based to online.
What’s genuinely exciting about this part of the casino space is that there is still a lot of room for growth, especially given that there are some talented slot studios operating within the Spanish market, and I fully expect a number of new and established studios to begin operating in the region in the not-so-distant future.
With regards to live casino products, I feel that there’s still a notable gap in the market here and there aren’t too many suppliers that cater specifically to the Spanish market. This lack of offering means that there’s prime opportunity for someone to come in and take the initiative – as it’s certainly ripe for disruption.
When it comes to online do you see potential for this year to return to business as usual? Are there any strong growth areas our readers should be keeping an eye on?
There’s no doubt the environment for operators in Spain is a challenging one, things became even more difficult in 2020 when the Royal Decree on the Commercial Communications of Gambling Activities was introduced, significantly restricting all gambling advertising.
That being said, I still think that there’s significant space for the iGaming market to grow within Spain. New products and features within games are beginning to create notable trends within a certain demographic of players. The new demographics of players are also starting to appreciate and enjoy innovative content that provides them with that same videogaming they’re experience accustomed to.
Looking back, when iGaming was first regulated within the country more than a decade ago it was simple three-reel slots and table games that reigned supreme, mainly because that was all that was on offer. Nowadays that’s all different – casino players are inundated with exciting content that offers them added value such as table games with side bets and online slots with engaging bonus features and lucrative jackpots.
What’s the current climate for retail and how much do you see land-based players acquired by online to continue there? Is it a case of players returning to their preferred channel once most restrictions are lifted in the coming months?
The pandemic helped the gaming industry in Spain move from something that was primarily land-based towards more of an online landscape, very much resembling something we already see in established regulated markets across Europe.
There will always be players out there that prefer the experience of physically going into a casino and playing games surrounded by other people with real dealers, however, I think a lot of these players have now begun to realise the opportunities that the online casino brings.
The vast offering online casino can bring far outweighs its land-based counterpart, there are so many different games players can access in an instant through a computer or their mobile device. It’s evident that land-based casinos have no way of competing in this sense, you just can’t get the same vast range of products there as you can online.
In addition to this, with current restrictions we can’t predict when or if players will return to casinos en masse, and in many ways, there’s not really any reason for them to do so if they feel comfortable playing games at home or on-the-go when playing from their phone.
How do you see the enhanced marketing restrictions currently coming into force in Spain? Will it affect the jurisdiction’s development, and do you see it as a challenge for operators to differentiate themselves?
Marketing spend within Spain started to decline dramatically back when the pandemic first began, this can be pinpointed to when operators were banned from promoting their brands. Of course, the Royal Decree that followed then only made things even more difficult for operators and suppliers.
Frustratingly, things still aren’t getting any better for them. Advertising restrictions are getting tougher and tougher, pushing operators to focus on other areas such as their product selection and variety of games
That’s why at Relax Gaming we are trying to have the best slots content, as well as the best partners for Spain, so we can at least help them offer some differentiation.
Given Spain’s passion for sports betting, how much potential do you see for introducing sports fans to casino verticals? What’s key for attracting interest?
Cross selling is key regardless of the market, it’s certainly one of the best ways to drive growth. Even though instant sports games aren’t that popular in Spain, I do believe that this a good direction for operators to go. We’re currently entering the Spanish market with one of our partners that offers instant sports games. I believe they offer a great opportunity and with the right strategy can help introduce players to other verticals – it will be very interesting to see how they perform.
Last but not least, talk us through the Spanish online environment when it comes to online tech – do the likes of platform provision vary at all when compared to neighbouring markets such as Italy and the UK?
iGaming, just like the rest of the world, has experienced large-scale disruption due to the pandemic. These disruptions have brought in some significant changes in terms of both employment, delivery execution and restrictions to growth potential.
It’s encouraging to see that we’re starting to get back to some degree of normality now as restrictions soften, both of us as individuals and as professionals within the iGaming industry. We’re under no illusions that it might take a while, but we’re slowly returning to business as usual.
There are huge growth areas within iGaming in Spain, and now trends are starting to set in amongst players, however this is mostly rooted in existing factors that have been on the table for the last year or two, so we’re still waiting for greater innovation, as we’ve already mentioned, it is in many ways ripe for disruption!
Congratulations on becoming the exclusive pricing and risk management supplier for Racing1 Markets. How important is this partnership for Pythia Sports?
This is a major milestone for us, and cements our position as a key racing innovation partner. This agreement sets us apart from our competition in the space, because we’re directly partnered with the four major rights holders in horse racing, which reinforces our position as a trusted partner. Horse racing is still a massive revenue driver for sportsbooks, often second only to soccer, and for one of our clients, regularly their highest trading volume sport. Offering an exciting and engaging experience for our customers is key and through the use of our new plug-and-play iFrame, running alongside our API integration, this new partnership will deliver a tier-one racing product for all our clients. These different delivery routes allow clients the flexibility to choose what best suits their needs for a horse racing and greyhounds solution.
Can you tell us a bit about how the overall Racing1 and Racing1 Markets alliance works and what Pythia’s role in it is?
Racing1 was put together by the four main global rights holders; 1/ST Content, Arena Racing Company [ARC], Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and Tabcorp. Those companies formed an alliance to consolidate their rights and deliver their content together internationally. Racing1 then agrees distribution deals for their content around the world.
Racing1 Markets is a fully outsourced racing solution, and Pythia is the risk management component of the partnership. When you combine Racing1’s core content package and Pythia’s racing solution, operators have a product that gives access to all the rights from those four rights holders, along with our pricing and risk management services, uniquely and exclusively via just 1 contract and 1 integration – making it the only one-stop shop solution on the market.
Did you have an existing relationship with ARC before the launch of Racing1 Markets? If so, how has that changed?
Yes, we have a long-standing relationship with ARC. The rebrand simplifies it so that it’s clear to operators they can find everything under one roof.
All the rights are now being packaged into one integration. That means sportsbooks don’t have to go and speak to each rights holder individually. They can simply speak to Racing1 and can then have a fully-packaged racing operation ready to go.
How does this tie in with Pythia Sports’ ambitions as a company this year?
We have very big ambitions this year and this is certainly the first step towards achieving those. Ideally, we want to take the product to as many partners as possible. We now have the iFrame solution, which is new for us and makes the integration process smoother and quicker for those with no front end solution for horse racing. We’re in the middle of exploring lots of exciting partnerships right now, and we should be in a position to announce those in the not-too-distant future, so watch this space.
What makes Pythia Sports’ pricing and risk management stand out above similar solutions in the market?
We’ve always been known for our specific expertise in the fields of horse racing and greyhound racing. We’ve been delivering healthy margins to operators as a B2B supplier for more than five years now but as a business we have experience that spans decades. In my opinion, our pricing algorithms are the strongest in the market, and we also want to make sure we offer the best customer experience. We’re excited to introduce several additions to our offering in 2025 and look forward to showcasing them to our current and potential partners throughout the year.
What are some current trends that Pythia Sports should be aware of?
We’ve witnessed the growth in revenue that our award-winning in-play product has been able to bring to the industry, and we’re excited to build on that growth, not just with additional markets, but also with greater on-screen content to support the in-play experience and make it easier for customers to make judgements during the race.
Following that theme, we’re focused on a mantra to “simplify and inform” across our product offering. Racing can be a challenging problem for customers to solve, so we want to place all the information at their fingertips. Early this year, in both greyhounds and horse racing, we’ll be rolling out enhanced form guides by aggregating race history into useful stats, badges and comments, while giving customers better data on which to make informed betting decisions.
SGP and Bet Builders have grown turnover and profitability in many sports, and our new Bet Builder product will be launching this year too. This will offer new opportunities for growth, both for avid fans, who can construct a bet based on exactly how they see a race playing out; through to more recreational bettors, who want the opportunity to win big from smaller stakes. That will work hand in hand with our enhanced form, highlighting market trends and opportunities in real time, and allowing bettors to really build a bet for any narrative.
How was exhibiting at ICE 2025 for Pythia Sports?
This year was the first time we’ve had a stand as part of Racing1, which was a great experience. As part of Racing1 Markets, we are the only provider to offer the complete package of data, risk management services and media rights, in just 1 contract and 1 integration. That is our USP and ICE provided the perfect setting for us to be able to discuss that. The interest in horse racing was as high as it has ever been, and there remains a global appetite for it among companies who clearly appreciate its importance as a product.
The post Pythia Sports Stephen Davison on the crucial role of risk management for Racing1 Markets appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Nik Robinson, CEO, at Big Time Gaming, says the most successful slots combine masterful storytelling and innovative mechanics to deliver gameplay that is meaningful and memorable.
Just how difficult is it for a studio to constantly innovate and bring new player experiences to the market?
For us at Big Time Gaming, it’s second nature. Innovation is in our DNA – it’s what we do and what we’re known for. For years, we’ve set the industry benchmark, not only through iconic game mechanics like Megaways™, Megapays™, and Win Exchange™, but also by pairing them with immersive storytelling to deliver truly memorable gameplay. Our passion for pushing boundaries has allowed us to craft experiences that resonate with players worldwide. We don’t just create slots; we create games that hit differently – combining bold ideas, pioneering mechanics, and engaging narratives. This focus has led to some of the most beloved and successful slots in the market today like Bonanza, Lil Devil, Danger High Voltage, Who wants to be a MillionaireTM.
Looking ahead, we’re not slowing down. With a pipeline packed full of groundbreaking mechanics and fresh takes on interactivity and engagement, we’ll continue to raise the bar for what players can expect from their gaming experiences from Big Time Gaming, as innovation isn’t just part of the process – it’s the heart of who we are.
Are mechanics alone enough to ensure the success of a game? Or do mechanics and theme/design need to work together in harmony?
Mechanics and theme are the beating heart of any truly successful slot, and when they work together seamlessly, magic happens.
Players don’t just want games, they crave experiences, and this means games need to have innovative mechanics that serve a purpose, driving the narrative forward and pulling players deeper into a world they want to explore. It’s about creating a world where every spin contributes to an unfolding narrative that players want to be a part of. The combination of the right theme and mechanics makes the gameplay more meaningful and memorable – certainly more so than hitting “spin” on a standard 4 x 4 slot. A truly successful slot is the complete package, and this means a thrilling, immersive experience that players don’t just play but feel. This is what makes them hit spin again and again, not just to win but to see what happens next.
Its why our games from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire MegapaysTM , Golden Goose MegawaysTM too Bonanza Falls and Danger High Voltage 2 that features MegadozerTM mechanics, stand out! We craft worlds where gameplay, mechanics, narratives and music merge to deliver excitement, anticipation, that turns a slot into a hit – not just a game but an experience players come back to, time after time.
Can you talk us through some of the new mechanics you’ll be debuting in 2025?
Our first big releases in 2025 are Max Megaways 3, Big Bucks Deluxe, Crystal Towers and Castle of Terror 2, , with each showcasing new features and mechanics. Big Bucks Deluxe has been designed to evoke the opulence of high-stakes gaming and debuts our MegapotsTM mechanic to deliver colossal wins. In this game, MegapotsTM is combined with the Hold & Spin mechanic to reveal massive prizes, multipliers or MegapotsTM icons. Crystal Towers is powered by a first-of-its-kind real-time 3D engine technology that will set the benchmark for immersive gameplay. It also features a unique mechanic where winning clusters on the tower connect seamlessly around multiple sides of the gameboard to provide constantly transforming gameplay – imagine the thrill of a Rubik’s Cube fused with the sparkle of a crystal-matching symbol game brought to life in vivid 3D.
How will you combine these mechanics with the game theme, design and sound?
For me, the personalisation and potential for storytelling are two of the most exciting areas of slot development to further explore. By blending gripping narratives with cutting-edge mechanics and technology, we can create truly memorable games. Take our Max Megaways series, for example – the third instalment of the franchise, Max Megaways 3, sees players join Max on his most daring mission yet – deep in the icy mountains with Northen lights. The theme, design, and sound pull you into this world, making every spin feel like part of a high-stakes spy thriller. The game builds on proven mechanics like Megadozer™, the epic coin-dropping feature that unlocks spectacular rewards, and takes it to the next level! In Free Spins, Megadozer™ coins become the vehicle for Max’s arsenal of bonuses, creating thrilling new opportunities as different bonuses interact on the dozer. Every round of Free Spins feels fresh, unpredictable, and packed with excitement!
As well as mastering game mechanics, you set the standard for franchise and sequel slots. The second album is always the hardest, so how have you cracked the code with these games?
Launching a follow-up slot, as we have recently done with Danger High Voltage II, is no easy feat. You need to build on the original experience offered by the game, keeping true to the theme and gameplay, while also bringing in new elements. If you mimic the original too much, it won’t excite players but stray too far away from the core experience and there will be a significant disconnect. With Danger High Voltage II, we reimagined the visuals and mechanics, using MegawaysTM as the engine to bring massive win potential with up to 117,649 ways to win. We also took risks, adding in our new MegadozerTM mechanic as well as two entirely new free spins features – Fire in the Disco! and Danger Danger!! which were meticulously tested to ensure they brought the right blend of fun and volatility. The result is a very different game from the original but that still has a strong connection to the first game through the theme and of course the iconic song from Electric Six.
How will Big Time Gaming be providing more memorable player moments in 2025?
In 2025, our focus is to continue to lead in innovation. By staying true to our mission of pushing boundaries, we’ll create compelling player experiences with fun themes, captivating stories, and smart mechanics that deliver unforgettable gameplay, spin after spin. Our pioneering work on real-time 3D engine technology will signal a new era of immersive gameplay. The new game mechanics we’ll be rolling out that will redefine interactive experiences, across the entire gaming industry. We have some incredible games lined up for 2025, so watch this space.
The post Creating memorable moments appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Fast Track, the leading SaaS technology company and CRM provider in the iGaming industry, has unveiled the second instalment of its Inside Out video series.
Titled “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” the interview features CEO and Co-founder Simon Lidzén in a candid, behind-the-scenes discussion about the company’s growth, challenges, and vision for the future.
In the 30-minute video, Simon reflects on Fast Track’s nearly ten-year journey: “Success to me is about setting goals and achieving them. This year has been intense, but incredibly rewarding. From scaling Fast Track to launching groundbreaking products like Rewards, we’re just getting started.”
The conversation explores the launch of Rewards, Fast Track’s promotional ecosystem that integrates CRM with gamification to deliver engaging and personalised player experiences. Simon also discusses the company’s rapid global expansion and the challenges of scaling leadership within a fast-growing organisation. Looking ahead to 2025, he highlights Fast Track’s focus on leveraging AI to redefine CRM and customer engagement.
Simon’s reflections also touch on the company’s culture: “Fast Track is built on relentless innovation and a team that thrives on solving challenges. Seeing how much we’ve grown and how far we’ve come makes this journey so exciting.”
For those unfamiliar with Fast Track, the company is a high-growth SaaS leader, known for pioneering the use of AI to deliver personalised experiences to customers. Its software empowers companies to automate marketing and operational workflows, enabling teams to focus on strategy and innovation. Fast Track is reshaping CRM for iGaming, setting a new standard for customer engagement.
Watch the interview here: https://2ly.link/23JyZ
The post Fast Track CEO Shares Honest Reflections in New Interview: Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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