Interviews
Q&A w/ Timothy Hill, Senior Project Manager at Betsson Group, on how an operator prepares for the World Cup
How does a tier-one operator such as Betsson prepare for a big betting event such as the World Cup?
The World Cup is a huge event for football and also for Betsson. A major sporting (and betting) event such as this touches nearly every department within the company from analytics to IT via marketing, facilities and commercial. Each of these departments must be in sync and we go to great lengths to constantly align so that we are fully prepared for when the first game kicks off. From infrastructure to promotions, everything has to have been tested so that we can be confident that our platform and systems can handle the significant increase in new players and bet volumes that we expect during such tournaments.
To make sure this is the case, we have been preparing since the start of the year. We have teams allocated specifically to this tournament’s activity and they have been laser-focused on making sure that we are ready for the biggest betting event of the year. Of course, we have to be ready for this major event, while also delivering the same superior player experience across all our brands and verticals in the build-up to the tournament and throughout. It’s a massive undertaking that requires strong internal communication and the ability to track teams and activities at all times.
What are the biggest challenges you face? How are these challenges overcome?
The incredibly high level of competition in each of our markets is probably the biggest challenge we face. Betsson is not the only operator looking to take advantage of the huge potential this tournament has to offer, so we have to ensure that we are the best across all areas from sportsbook promotions to payments. It’s all well and good being able to attract new players, but once they are active with our brands, we have to make sure they receive the best possible experience; doing this in multiple global markets is a significant challenge, to say the least. The surge in active players and bet volumes is another challenge, and operators must stress-test their platforms and systems to ensure they can handle the huge increase in activity. Finally, for tier-one operators such as Betsson, it’s important to make sure this tournament does not distract from our regular business. This requires a lot of multi-tasking within teams.
What has been the biggest lesson learned from previous tournaments?
Start preparing early and keep the momentum going. We’ve actually had more time to prepare this year since it is taking place in the autumn/winter, and this has really helped make sure that we’re 100% ready and firing on all cylinders. Any major sport tournament is such a big branding and acquisition opportunity that operators should give it the time and resources it needs and that’s why we’ve been working on our proposition for nearly a year now.
Does your approach to the World Cup change for each brand? How does it change from market to market?
In terms of the sports promotions we are running, we have a big global offer available in all markets and then local offers specific to each jurisdiction. We give our local teams the freedom and flexibility to tailor their marketing plans and campaigns as they know their audiences better than anyone else. In corporate, we see it as our responsibility to give them the resources, tools and support they need to do this.
Player acquisition is a key focus for many operators. What approach are you taking?
Bonuses and promotions are very important for player acquisition during sporting tournaments. Our flagship, The Betsson Million, is available in most of Betsson Groups core markets. Each player is credited with €1 Million in cash and can use the money to predict the outcome of 20 football match questions. An example of such question may be “Will there be more than 2.5 goals in the Qatar vs Ecuador match”. The player can invest the full million in ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ or split the money 70/30 or 50/50 or however they chose. Whatever money remains after the match has been played is taken to the second question. The cash the player has left after 20 questions is theirs to keep without any wagering restrictions or requirements. All players get unlimited chances to win €1M, and the game is available 365 days per year. But this is just one aspect of player acquisition and to successfully onboard new players at scale, operators must provide a seamless user experience from the moment they arrive at the brand. This includes sign-up, KYC, payments, markets and odds, customer support and more.
It’s not just about acquiring players, either. Retention is hugely important, especially considering the bonuses some rival brands are offering to tempt players to their books. At Betsson, we’re looking to super-charge retention with a range of initiatives including football-themed slot games, incentives for trying casino and live gaming and in some market, we are also even offering a Football True or False online contest where players try to answer their way to a share of €1,500. In short, we want to welcome new players looking to bet on the upcoming exciting matches and then show them the incredible entertainment and betting experience they can enjoy across our brands.
Are big bonuses the only way to stand out from rival brands? If not, how else do you look to differentiate and drive player sign-ups?
Bonuses are a huge part of how brands look to differentiate in markets where they are allowed, but they are not the only way. At Betsson, we want players to know that we offer a huge range of betting experiences and options and cross-selling sports bettors to casino and live casino tables is a big focus of ours. To do this, we are running the football theme across our sportsbooks and casinos and have lots of special promotions, themed slots and dedicated live casino environments to help achieve this.
Just how important is retention during big betting events like the World Cup? Is it more challenging with so many bonuses flying around? How do you ensure players remain loyal?
As touched on already, retention is mission-critical for Betsson during sporting events and beyond. Due to the high costs of acquisition, it’s important for operators to retain players and mitigate churn as much as possible for as long as possible. That’s why the quality of the player experience offered once they have signed up is vital. When it comes to ensuring that players remain loyal, we do this via on-going promotions, the availability of markets and value of odds, a lobby stocked with a wide range of slots, casino and live dealer content, localised payment options and the best customer support in the business. The full package, if you like.
What does a successful World Cup look like for Betsson?
We want to see an influx of new players sign up to our brands, and for this to be a driver of higher bet volumes and turnover. Of course, it’s important to retain these players and we hope to see a positive response to our promotions and campaigns. The fourth quarter is often a strong one for gambling companies, and this huge event has a good chances of becoming the biggest sports event ever for Betsson!
How do you ensure that players acquired during the tournament continue to wager with your brands after the final whistle is blown?
It comes down to the retention tactics mentioned earlier. That this tournament is also taking place in the middle of regular football and sports seasons across the globe will also help with retention. In the UK, for example, Boxing Day is just a couple of weeks after the World Cup climax and is one of the biggest betting days in the English Premier League. So long as we can keep players engaged during the Christmas period, I think we will be able to drive loyalty for a long time to come.
Behind every stellar online slot is an equally stellar maths model. These are becoming more experimental as the industry flirts with an increasing array of innovative new mechanics. We spoke to Pablo Martinez, Math/Design Lead and Founder at maverick game studio Peter & Sons to find out more.
Do you have to be a maths genius to build a slot machine?
Nah, you don’t need to be a maths genius. It’s more about having the right mix of skills and loving what you do. You need to play a lot of games, see what’s working out there, and understand what makes them fun. Knowing maths helps, sure, but it’s more about creating something players want to keep coming back to.
Peter & Sons is known for making games that dare to be different, visually and thematically. Is the underlying math equally experimental?
Definitely! We love pushing boundaries, both in how our games look and how they play. Sure, it’s a bit of a gamble to have a bunch of games with unique mechanics, but we’re all about trying new things. Games like Peter Hunter and our upcoming Muddy Waters are great examples — they bring fresh gameplay and new experiences to the table. Each year, we try to put out at least one or two experimental titles, keeping things interesting while mixing them with more familiar styles.
Do you come up with the maths model first and then build the game around that? Take us through the process of building the game from start to finish.
We usually start with an idea for the mechanics first. We make a quick prototype to see if the concept can work with the maths. Then we bring in the art team to brainstorm themes that will fit well. Once we have a basic prototype, we go through a bunch of tweaks and changes until the art, mechanics, and maths all feel right together. It’s a back-and-forth process where we’re constantly finetuning everything to get the best balance.
Why do you think a mechanic like Megaways was so successful?
Megaways took off because it’s a fun, exciting mechanic that gave players something fresh, but smart brand marketing really helped it catch on.
Is there pressure as a slots developer to come up with the ‘next’ Megaways?
Not really. Coming up with new mechanics is always fun, but it’s not the only way to make a hit. Plenty of top games are just clever twists on classic mechanics. It’s more about creating a great experience that keeps players coming back, whether it’s something brand new or just a fresh spin on something more familiar.
Which slots are more popular, high or low volatility, and why do you think that is?
It depends on the market, but in some unregulated markets — and especially with some operators — high-volatility slots are really popular. A big reason for this is streamers. High-volatility games make for exciting content, so they get a lot of attention and hype online. That thrill factor really draws players in.
Which is your favorite Peter & Sons mechanic and why?
Right now, I’d say the fishing mechanic in our upcoming game Muddy Waters. It’s a new twist on the fishing genre that really brings something fresh to the gameplay. It’s exciting to take a familiar theme and make it feel totally different.
Tell us about the mechanics in your latest release, Barbarossa Revenge.
Barbarossa Revenge is a pirate-themed, high-volatility game with 243 ways to win. It’s a DoubleMax game, meaning the multiplier doubles with each cascade. You’ve also got Multiplier Jumps and a Cashout feature that guarantees wins. During Free Spins, the multipliers don’t reset and can keep growing unlimited. With a max win potential of 30,000x the bet, this game is a real thrill!
Interviews
Bigly – not just another game studio. Find out how this start-up is going to help operators achieve sustainable success
European Gaming talks to Liam Mulvaney, Founder of Bigly.
Bigly is the latest studio to have launched into what is a hugely competitive space. What makes you stand out from the crowd?
You’re absolutely right when you say this is a crowded market. Today, there are more than 750 studios providing in excess of 38,000 games to operators and players. But Bigly is not just another game studio. We will be producing thrilling and entertaining content for our partners and their players, but we are positioned to be much more than just a content provider. We consider ourselves a marketing studio that happens to provide assets in the form of slots. Our unique commercial model means operators can access our games for a reliable and predictable cost, which in turn means they can ramp up marketing activity behind the titles that best meet the preferences of their players AND keep the lion’s share of the revenue each game generates. As costs rise and margins fall, Bigly is exactly what operators need to ensure sustainable success.
Tell us more about your unique commercial model.
So Bigly allows operators to access content for a capped monthly fee instead of the standard commercial model used by other studios where they work to a revenue share format. For the operator, this means if a game performs well, they hand a significant chunk of the revenues generated back to the studio. This ultimately has a knock-on effect as to the games that operators push to players and how they allocate marketing resources – this is why you often see the same slots from the same providers at the top of casino lobbies or used for promotional activity. But with our commercial model, which is sort of hybrid between a revenue share and a fixed cost system, operators have much greater flexibility over the games they give top lobby positions to, and how they market those games to players. Of course, they also know that if the game performs well, they get to keep the majority of the revenues made.
How does Bigly’s commercial model help operators beyond cost savings on content?
Our vision is to provide more opportunities for operators to push their own brand rather than Bigly. A quick example is that Bigly will not brand our games’ loader screens, but operators are free to feature their own logo if they wish. This means more brand presence from the operators. With Bigly, operators and their marketing teams can get super creative with their campaigns knowing the cost of accessing the game (or games) is fixed so the better the game performs, the more money the casino makes. In fact, the bolder the casino is in its marketing activity, the bigger the returns they will likely enjoy.
How do operators access your content?
There are a couple of ways. The first is directly through our remote game server, which is provided by our technical partner, Reelsoft. This is our preferred method of integration as it allows us to foster incredibly strong relationships with our operators while ensuring the smooth and seamless delivery of our content into markets across the world. Operators will also be able to get our games through aggregation platforms although the commercial relationship will be with Bigly – the aggregator will simply be a technical partner in the same way that Reelsoft is. This approach allows us to offer our content – and unique commercial model – to operators in the vast majority of jurisdictions from the get-go.
How does this approach to commercials and your wider business model benefit Bigly?
It gives us a major point of difference from the 100’s of other studios in the market, that’s for sure. And there’s something nice about bringing a product to the market that disrupts the status quo and genuinely revolutionises a major part of the industry. Ultimately, our approach and commercial model mean that we can provide the games and financials that operators are seeking, and, over time, this will see us become a major player in the content provision space. Of course, our approach works both ways – while our games are a predictable cost for our partners, they are a predictable income for Bigly and this really helps when it comes to establishing, growing and future-proofing the business. This can be really tough for new studios given the competitive nature of the market and the need for their games to be played at scale which of course requires top lobby positions and operator marketing activity, both of which are hard to secure for a new developer. It is important to note that the vision of this studio is for this approach to be the lifetime model for Bigly, a new way of selling and consuming content.
Your USP is your commercial model, but what about your games?
Our games are a crucial piece of the puzzle. Our commercials can be super attractive, but if our games are tosh then players just won’t play them. This is why I’ve been tapping into my extensive network to assemble an incredible team of designers, mathematicians, developers, testers and so on, as we will live or die by the quality of our content. The first games of a studio are always tough but we are confident that our slots will hit the mark in terms of quality and playability. Our first slot is Deep Sea Treasure and takes the cascading reels format, with symbols tumbling as players dive into the underwater abyss in search of big wins. I’ll be giving people a sneak peek at the SBC Summit in Lisbon, so flag me down if you want to see it in action.
The post Bigly – not just another game studio. Find out how this start-up is going to help operators achieve sustainable success appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Booming Games
Interview with Booming Games: A Sweepstakes Casino Powerhouse Poised for Big Wins in 2025!
In the ever-evolving world of sweepstake casinos, Booming Games is making waves. With visually stunning slots, a wide range of games, and a strategic focus on sweepstakes, they’re quickly becoming the go-to supplier in the industry. We sat down with two of the masterminds behind Booming Games’ success: newly appointed Director of Games, Nemanja Zivic, and VP of Product, Moritz Blume. Here’s what they had to say.
Booming Games has been making quite a splash in the sweepstakes space recently. What’s the secret sauce behind your success?
Moritz Blume: laughs Well, it’s no secret that we’ve been laser-focused on making Booming Games the ultimate partner for sweepstake casinos. For us, it all starts with the players. We’ve built a reputation for creating visually stunning and feature-packed games that keep people coming back for more. And, you know, our sweepstake-friendly features like interactive bonuses, free spins, and multipliers? Players love it! Who wouldn’t want to hit a big win without staking any real money? That’s kind of our jam.
We’ve also made sure to optimize all our games for mobile because let’s face it, people love spinning the reels on their phones, whether they’re on the couch or waiting for their coffee. The seamless mobile experience keeps them hooked, and we’re proud of that.
You’ve just introduced Nemanja Zivic as the new Director of Games. How does he fit into Booming Games’ already strong team?
Moritz Blume: Oh, Nemanja is a rockstar! He brings a ton of experience, not just from the online iGaming world, but as a passionate player of land-based games too. His expertise spans both worlds, and he’s helping us take those proven land-based features that players love and bringing them online. We’re offering players mechanics tailored to all kinds of play styles. Nemanja’s input ensures our games are not just popular but keep players coming back for more.
Nemanja Zivic: Absolutely! We know there’s a traceable trajectory for the features that start in land-based casinos and go on to make waves online. There’s nuance, of course, but we get it. That’s why we offer content featuring both the core and the evolution of Hold and Win, Cash Collect, Triple-pot bonuses, quick-hit Multi jackpots, Multi-reel set Bonuses, and short-term persistence games that make players feel right at home. We bring these land-based features online, and then elevate them with multiple bonus buys, side bets, and picks—ensuring every kind of player, from the casual spinner to the high roller, finds something that resonates with their style.
Between Moritz and me, we’ve got the experience to know what players crave. Add that to our killer roadmap for 2025 and 2026, and we’re all set to release some seriously exciting new titles.
Speaking of sweepstakes, what specifically sets Booming Games apart for operators in this space?
Nemanja Zivic: Booming Games offers full flexibility and an unmatched diversity in our game portfolio—whether you’re looking for classic casino fruits and diamonds, popular casual player favorites, or high-roller picks, we’ve got it all either in the portfolio already or coming next year.
For sweepstake casinos, we provide modified language support tailored to sweepstake players, social currencies, you name it—we’re all about making it work for the operator. And we don’t just stop there. We offer customized game titles to help strengthen the casino’s brand. Want a game with your logo on it? We can do that! Want exclusive features for your VIP players? Done.
Oh, and let’s not forget our various app integrations. We’re getting embedded into platforms that sweepstake players use the most. If you want your Booming Games titles in your app store, we make it happen. Anything’s possible when you’re working with us.
Wow, that’s impressive. Can you tell us more about how you’re integrating with influencers and sweepstake streamers?
Moritz Blume: We’re playing the long game here. In 2025, we’re going to be teaming up with some big names in sweepstake-focused streaming and influencer marketing. Expect to see Booming Games plastered all over Twitch, YouTube, and every platform where people love to watch gameplay. We’ve got some secret partnerships up our sleeve with streamers who are going to take our games to the next level in terms of exposure.
We’re already among the top 3 revenue drivers on various sweepstake platforms, and we’re only going to climb higher. By working closely with influencers, we’re taking our visibility and engagement to new heights. The future is looking bright!
It sounds like Booming Games is on the verge of a major sweepstake takeover. What can we expect next?
Nemanja Zivic: We’re just getting started! We’re in the final stages of some truly exciting partnerships and game launches tailored specifically for sweepstake operators that will redefine the player experience. At the same time, we’re always keeping our eyes on regulatory changes—if there’s an update, we’re ready to react the next day, ensuring our games are fully compliant wherever they’re played.
But that’s not all—responsible gaming is one of the pillars of Booming Games’ strategy. While we’re busy creating all these exciting new features, we’re equally focused on making sure our games are safe, secure, and fair for everyone. By staying on top of regulation and promoting responsible play, we aim to deliver not just thrilling games but ones that players can trust.
Any last words for the sweepstake casino operators and players reading this?
Moritz Blume: If you’re an operator, Booming Games is the partner you’ve been waiting for. We’ve got the tools, the games, and the know-how to make your players love what they’re playing. And for the players? Strap in, because Booming Games has some wild new titles coming your way. 2025 is going to be a ride!
Sounds like Booming Games is the perfect storm for sweepstake casinos. Thanks for chatting with us!
Moritz Blume and Nemanja Zivic: in unison Thank you!
Booming Games continues to dominate the sweepstake casino world, with cutting-edge game design, tailored solutions for operators, and exciting partnerships in the pipeline. Stay tuned for their roadmap in 2025—it’s going to be big!
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