Connect with us

Interviews

Exclusive interview with Dr. Jaime Gonzalo, VP, Huawei Consumer Mobile Services Europe

Published

on

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Today we’ve sat down with Huawei’s VP of Consumer Mobile Services, Europe, Dr. Jaime Gonzalo to talk about HDC.Europe and many more things that shape up the app ecosystem.

EG: Huawei recently hosted HDC.Europe at WebSummit in Lisbon. What were some of the key announcements at the event?

JG: There were a number of topics that we announced at HDC.Europe during WebSummit 2022, with a special focus on growth and business expansion – not only for ourselves but also for our Partners who work with us.

Our vision for some time has been to create an integrated Ecosystem, and over the last 2 years, we have seen our own business grow exponentially, including our App distribution platform AppGallery, which now has more than 580 million monthly active users globally, over 45million of which are in Europe. Also in the last 2 years, our global developer community has grown to over 6 million developers, an increase of 233%, and has resulted in more than 220,000 apps being integrated with our HMS Core open capabilities.

In that time, Huawei Mobile Services has also invested in competitive and innovative services, alongside our partners, to ensure a safe, seamless, and smart experience. This includes our Cloud and Browser services, Petal Search, Petal Maps, and more.

To support our partners’ growth potential, we’ve also invested heavily in comprehensive Business Monetisation platforms, including Huawei Ads, which now connects more than 2,000 Advertisers with more than 360,000 Publishers, and enables our Programmatic advertising platform to provide growth opportunities for all apps and game developers and website owners that want to scale up their businesses.

 

EG: What are some gaming app trends that you’re seeing on AppGallery?

JG: We see strong growth of games in AppGallery in terms of both revenues and installs dimensions. In fact, YoY performance has nearly doubled each year since 2020.

Thanks to the close cooperation with top developers and their resulting growth on AppGallery, more and more developers are considering AppGallery as one of their main user acquisition channels instead of other more traditional marketing channels. We are keeping up the pace and hundreds of new quality games are launching on AppGallery each quarter from within Europe alone.

We are also exploring hot topics like Web3, and NFT-based content with pinioning developers. However, the end goal is to build a ‘value added’ end-user experience-oriented mobile gaming ecosystem together with our game developer partners.

 

EG: What’s next for AppGallery and the HMS ecosystem in 2023?

JG: We’re very proud of how far we’ve come with AppGallery, but we know there is more work to be done.

As we look to the future there are new devices and health trends that really excite us. Commitment to innovation will always be in Huawei’s DNA, and we continually invest heavily in R&D – actually, in 2021 we were ranked second globally for R&D investment and held the number one position for patent applications in Europe.

We’ve seen strong growth in innovative form factors such as foldable phones and wearable devices, and we believe they will be a big part of the tech industry’s future. Our position here will be strengthened considerably with our integrated ecosystem approach of hardware, software, and cloud to innovate not only on hardware but also on new scenarios for the user experience.

One of a number of core areas will be HUAWEI Health. Here we will continue to expand on allowing developers to use the open capabilities to obtain health & fitness data of Huawei wearable devices and devices of Huawei ecosystem partners, allowing for innovative new products, such as the Blood pressure monitoring HUAWEI Watch D to be developed.

 

EG: In your opinion, why does bringing games to alternative app marketplaces, like AppGallery, pay off?

JG: There are multiple benefits of bringing mobile games to alternative app stores, including how partners can achieve an improved return on their considerable investment in new and existing games, come out on top in the ongoing user acquisition war, and lower the cost of retaining their hard-won customers.

Game developers are finding it increasingly difficult to reach new audiences. The major challenge is that customer acquisition cost has increased significantly over the years due to market saturation and inflated pricing. That’s why alternative app platforms such as AppGallery are emerging and playing their part to provide developers with improved revenue-generating opportunities.

Currently, 99.9% of apps downloaded via the leading app distribution platforms are losing users monthly, pushing the costs of retention higher and higher, whilst AppGallery has increased in-app revenue by 300% year-on-year. Casual game growth has also increased by over 20 times over the same period, and monthly ad revenue for developers has doubled.

Because of this, on AppGallery, gaming has become the fastest-growing and one of the most successful categories, reaching millions of monthly active users with new and existing gaming apps. The app platform now lists games from some of the world’s leading games companies, including play favorites PUBG Mobile, Mobile Legends, Garena Free Fire, State of Survival, and Lords Mobile, to name just a few.

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement

bespoke solutions

The White Label Dilemma: Finding the Right Balance for Your iGaming Business

Published

on

the-white-label-dilemma:-finding-the-right-balance-for-your-igaming-business

It’s not just black and white label

Yoni Sidi, CEO at Wiztech, says white labels are all about striking the balance between pros and cons, but for some, it’s impossible to achieve and that’s why it’s important to consider other options.

 

For most operators, a white label solution seems to offer the best route to market. But is that actually the case?

I’ve been working in the industry for more than two decades now, and over that time, I’ve worked on both sides of the fence – so on the white label operator side and on the white label provider side. This gives me a deep understanding of the pros and cons of white label solutions, and this understanding ultimately led me to launch Wiztech. To answer your question more directly, white labels are always about striking the balance between the pros and cons they present – for some operators, a balance can be found, but for others, it can’t. Ultimately, it comes down to knowing what you want from your platform or technology stack, and whether a white label can meet those requirements with the budget and resources you have available to you.

 

So, what are the pros and cons of a white label platform?

There are plenty of upsides to white labels, and that’s why they’re used by so many operators. The main advantages are speed to market and cost effectiveness – you can literally go from first discussions to your online casino being live in a matter of weeks. The upfront fees are relatively small, and, in most cases, you pay a revenue share back to the platform provider. This can tighten margins a little, but it means you don’t have to have a large capital reserve to get going. Another benefit is that you can take on as much or as little of the operation as you like – for some, they will let the platform provider take care of the operational aspect while they focus solely on marketing and customer acquisition. Other upsides include licensing, with the white label partner securing and being responsible for the licences they hold.

Drawbacks. The biggest for me is the lack of differentiation you get with a white label. The many brands that run on the platform often look very much the same, just with different logos and branding. After a few months of operating your online casino, you’ll likely notice friction points that you’ll want to address, but the rigid nature of white-label platforms means it’s incredibly difficult to smooth out even the smallest of bumps in the road. It’s also incredibly difficult to roll out unique features and functionality as the development team is usually working through a backlog of requests – most of which are for the friction bumps that need ironing out. Factor in the frequent regulatory changes that happen, and the need for the development team to respond to them, and it’s easy to see how hard it can be to improve the experience being offered to players.

 

How can operators strike a balance between the pros and cons of white labels?

It comes down to understanding the capabilities of the platform provider and whether they offer customisation and localisation. If they don’t, the operator needs to determine if this is a price they’re willing to pay in exchange for the speed to market and cost effectiveness that white labels provide. Of course, some white label providers do offer support and are happy to help when it comes to developing and deploying bespoke features and functionality. But in my experience, most don’t have the capacity for this, even if they say they do. For me, the balance is found by accepting the limitations of white labels and working within the (often pretty rigid framework) they provide. There are plenty of examples of operators that have done this and have gone on to run very successful brands in highly competitive markets.

 

Is there an alternative to white labels?

The most obvious alternative is to develop a proprietary technology stack, but this approach comes with just as many, if not more, pitfalls. Building a platform from the ground up is incredibly expensive and tremendously risky, and this is why so few operators outside of the industry power players have been able to pull it off. And even those that do often encounter issues such as ongoing maintenance, tech debt, staffing and compliance. But there is a middle ground between white label and proprietary, and it can be found with smaller platform providers whose technologies offer the agility, flexibility and adaptability required for operators to launch highly customised, almost bespoke, online casinos and sportsbooks.

 

How does Wiztech fit into the platform mix, and how do you support your partners in achieving their goals in often highly competitive markets?

At Wiztech, we champion modular tech and the likes of AI and automation. By embracing these, we have been able to build powerful yet highly customisable casino and sportsbook solutions that are also fully compliant in tightly regulated markets. In our experience, being able to quickly respond to regulatory changes provides a competitive advantage to our customers. In Mexico, for example, our client Winpot has been able to deliver a unique player experience while always ensuring compliance. And this is against a backdrop where regulatory changes often come with very little notice. Our technology can adapt quickly while Winpot continues to capitalise on the growing demand for entertaining online casino products and experiences.

But just as important as our technology is our approach to our partners. This sees us undertake a comprehensive onboarding process where we spend a lot of time understanding the client’s “why” before we map out the “what” and the “how”. This has proved to be incredibly effective and ensures that our clients can get the most out of the flexibility of our platform and the high levels of customisation and personalisation it provides.

The post The White Label Dilemma: Finding the Right Balance for Your iGaming Business appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Interviews

The UX Revolution: Why Gaming Corps’ Website Redesign Reflects the Industry’s Digital Shift

Published

on

the-ux-revolution:-why-gaming-corps’-website-redesign-reflects-the-industry’s-digital-shift
Reading Time: 3 minutes

How Gaming Corps’ Website Redesign Mirrors the Industry’s Shift Toward Seamless Digital Journey

The online gaming industry is a whirlwind of constant change, and to stay ahead, companies must evolve their digital presence. Juha Kauppinen, CEO of Gaming Corps, explains why the company’s recent website redesign was more than a simple visual update. It was a strategic move to better reflect the company’s growth, showcase its expanded portfolio, and create a seamless digital experience for partners and stakeholders.

 

 

What prompted the decision to redesign the website?

We had clearly come to a natural point in Gaming Corps’ growth, so the need for a redesign just naturally became obvious.

We’ve had many new game releases, record-breaking quarters, and the launch of our Remote Gaming Server, so it became clear to the team that we needed a website which better reflected who we are today.

It wasn’t just about a fresh look, it was about making it easier for partners to explore what we offer and connect with us in a more intuitive, seamless way.

 

How does the new site better reflect who you are as a business today compared to a year or two ago?

A year or two ago, we were still finding our footing and growing our portfolio.

But today, we’re a more established, ambitious company with a clear identity and vision. The new site reflects that shift – it’s more polished, more dynamic, and built to showcase not just our games, but our capabilities as a partner and platform provider.

 

What were the most important improvements you wanted to make during the redesign — and why were they important for your users or partners?

We wanted to ensure the website reflected how we present ourselves as a modern, innovative studio.

So, we now have a more modern, user-friendly design and a UX that’s more intuitive. What this means is that the site is easier to use, whether you’re a client, partner or stakeholder.

Speaking of partners, it’s now easier for them to understand what we do and explore our games.

We’re very proud of the Gaming Corps portfolio, so now we can showcase it much better, with clearer vertical distinctions between our Mine, Smash4Cash and Plinko games, etc.

When it comes to us as a company, we can now highlight our careers section to support our drive for talent acquisition and to keep growing our fantastic team.

Finally, the new site also gives more prominence to our investor relations, reflecting our position as a listed company and offering clarity on that.

 

Were there any common pain points, feedback, or gaps in the old site that influenced your approach to the new one?

The main product offering wasn’t clear to partners or visitors. The site design felt outdated and more suited to an early-stage company, and those days are long behind us now.

Our investor relations content wasn’t visible or prioritised enough, considering that we’re a PLC, and existing partners weren’t highlighted.

The old site just didn’t reflect who we are, what we do and what we can do. The new one does all of those things.

 

How important is your website today in terms of attracting or informing potential partners, clients, or stakeholders? Has that role changed in recent years?

Our website has become a much more important touchpoint for us, especially as we’ve grown internationally and have expanded what we offer to our B2B clients.

Our site is often the first chance we get to make an impression on potential partners or stakeholders, so it needs to communicate who we are, what we offer, and where we’re going.

The role of our website has evolved – it’s no longer just a digital brochure; it’s a core part of how we connect and do business.

 

What would you say to other companies in the B2B iGaming space thinking about refreshing their digital presence?

Don’t underestimate the impact of a strong digital presence, because it’s more than just visuals.

It’s about clarity, usability, and showing your value at a glance.

Also, involve your people from across the company early on, as this helps create something that truly reflects your brand and speaks to your audience.

The post The UX Revolution: Why Gaming Corps’ Website Redesign Reflects the Industry’s Digital Shift appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Interviews

Scale isn’t everything: Why agility is the new advantage in live casino

Published

on

scale-isn’t-everything:-why-agility-is-the-new-advantage-in-live-casino
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Live casino’s rise has been meteoric, but the recent slowdown at the top end of the market suggests the next phase of growth won’t come from scale alone. As the sector matures, Ady Totah, CEO at LuckyStreak, explains why agility, hands-on management and a sharper product focus are fast becoming the new competitive edge.

 

There is a perception that the biggest live casino providers are the most capable. Is bigger always better?

It’s easy to assume that the biggest brands automatically deliver the best service, but with scale comes complexity. For larger organisations, adding new features or reacting to a regulatory update can take weeks or even months, especially when decisions span multiple time zones or teams have long approval chains.

At LuckyStreak, while we’re an established business with a large, dedicated workforce at our live dealer studio in Riga, our management team remains intentionally small and hands-on. In many ways, we operate more like a start-up, with fast, focused leadership at the core.

Myself and my co-founder Erez Cywier are closely involved in the day-to-day operations. This proximity shortens decision making processes, speeds up product assessments and empowers us to act quickly. We’re not tied down by long-winded protocols or bureaucracy.

A perfect example of this agility came when we saw an opportunity in the growing sweepstakes market. We already had the foundations but needed to adapt quickly. In just one quarter, we delivered compliant user interfaces, multi-coin virtual currency systems and configured both our own live games and third-party content to meet the unique needs of the sweepstakes audience. This is the kind of rapid pivot that is only possible when your decision-makers are hands-on.

 

How do boutique providers keep product planning sharp and strategic?

Knowing what matters and prioritising ruthlessly is what allows smaller providers to remain competitive in the market, when faced with more established, Tier 1 names. Speed, however, does not mean shortcuts.

We are sharpening our performance across the board and ensuring our roadmap gives us the flexibility to act when new opportunities arise. Effective product planning is all about focus. That means tuning out the industry noise, resisting trends for the sake of trends, and asking: what delivers real impact for our partners?

While some companies struggle under the weight of large and inflexible roadmaps, we have the luxury of being selective in what we build, and that makes our product roadmap  more actionable, more tailored and therefore more valuable to our partners.

 

How can providers keep up with rising regulatory pressures?

Operating across multiple jurisdictions means navigating a complicated patchwork of compliance frameworks, licensing rules and technical standards quickly.

Compliance is not a support function, but a core part of the business. For larger businesses, these regulatory changes may present disruptions, but our size and structure allow us to react quickly and stay ahead of the curve, without compromising on quality.

To maintain both speed and quality, we moved from traditional Agile sprints to a continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) model. Instead of bundling releases every two weeks, we push updates multiple times a week. This means we can react quickly to feedback, ship improvements faster, and keep our platform evolving without unnecessary delays.

 

Why is a more focused approach the future of live casino?

The criteria for what operators need from their live casino provider is changing. Reliability, flexibility, speed and compliance support are becoming just as, if not more, important than table count. We design everything with these qualities in mind, and we back that up with a strong culture of ownership and continuous delivery. This mindset allows us to innovate quickly, without sacrificing the robustness our partners expect.

In this new landscape, being lean, focused and responsive isn’t a limitation. In live casino, a genre requiring significant on-going operational investment, the providers that thrive are not always the biggest, but the smartest and the ones who can adapt fastest.

The post Scale isn’t everything: Why agility is the new advantage in live casino appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending