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“We have a lot to offer the market’s local players” – Evoplay CEO sits down to discuss the company’s approach to LatAm

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Latin America has continued to open up at a steady rate and is widely seen as a market that is stacked full of potential, but there’s still plenty to be learned about capturing the attention of modern players in the region.

Vladimir Malakchi, CEO at leading game development studio Evoplay, sits down with Gaming Americas to discuss the success that the company has seen this past year and what its growth strategy will be for Latin America and other key regions in 2023 and beyond.

As one of the industry’s leading development studios, Evoplay has had some outstanding success this year, amounting with an award win for Innovation of the Year at the SBC Awards – what was the driving force behind that win?

As a company filled with iGaming enthusiasts, we’ve always been recognised for our prioritisation of innovation, something which sits at the very core of our game development strategy. Based on the research we conduct, we’ve noticed a clear trend emerging – that modern players seek exciting products which deliver unique experiences, especially when speaking about the next-generation of gamblers.

The development of new technologies and their immediate adoption by the wider entertainment industry, means that developers must stay on top of current trends, at Evoplay, we successfully meet this challenge by delivering products that not only meet the ever-changing preferences of modern players, but exceed their increasingly high expectations.

 

Looking to the LatAm market, what key differentiators is Evoplay bringing to the table, and how are you able to make your games as exciting as they are?

Thanks to the diversity of our product portfolio, we have a lot to offer the market’s local players. Our unique titles are topped up with the latest gamification tools, as well as tried and tested features, mechanics and modes that allow them to stand out, providing players with exclusive gaming experience they won’t find anywhere else.

LatAm is well-known for its passion for football, and we are able to facilitate this phenomenon thanks to our collection of football-inspired products which combine elements from traditional casino and harmonise this with the thrill and unpredictability of sports betting. The package consists of 4 betting-fuelled games: Football Bet, Penalty Shoot-out, Penalty Series and Football Manager.

Having analysed and identified the key factors that make wagering on live sports so attractive to casual bettors, the collection of titles provides the same level of excitement to players but from the comfort of their smartphones, without being limited to any real-life event schedule, ushering in a new era for sports fans and casino enthusiasts.

 

Do you have anything you would you like to share with your audience ahead of SBC Summit Latinoamerica about how Evoplay is going to make an impact?

We will continue doing what we do best and what we are recognised for in the industry, which is delivering bespoke iGaming content that wins the audience’s attention and earns their respect from the very first click. Evoplay’s varied portfolio and pioneering approach to game creation already sets us apart from our competitors, and we look forward to sharing our insights at the event with industry colleagues and prospective clients.

 

Evoplay enjoyed a strong year of product development with some exciting additions to its award-winning portfolio. When it comes to the prevalence of mobile over desktop in LatAm, how are you looking to cater to the market’s unique conditions and does that change your game development strategy? 

The mobile sector has always been at the forefront of our priorities, as the data shows that LatAm is one of its biggest adopters, with roughly 75% of customers engaging with our products via smartphones. This breaks down to approximately 150 million mobile gamers in the region, which suggests that our mobile-first ideology is totally in tune with the audience there.

In addition to this, our in-house game engine Spinential provides a vital service, accelerating loading speed by up to 10x while saving digital storage space, opening the doors to far more players by allowing them to use our products on a multitude of devices across varying qualities of internet connections.

 

As we look beyond the upcoming World Cup and into the New Year, could you tell us more about your company’s growth strategy and vision for the LatAm market and other key regions?

As a leading development studio to the industry, we never stop looking to expand our reach and have already announced our plans for European expansion, with Portuguese and Swiss markets at the face of our short-term plans. That said, we are actively working on signing deals with operators in the markets where we have established our presence.

LatAm is most definitely on our radar for the coming months, and we will be ready to discuss this in more detail as we approach the end of the year. In the meantime, our research departments will continue to conduct analysis and collect data that helps us identify the region’s niches and player preferences, so that we can be more prepared for entering the market and fulfilling the requirements of its users.

 

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AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor

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The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) 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 behavior, 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.

In the midst of this high-risk environment, casino management approved an unscheduled request by the performing artist to host an after-party on the active gaming floor. The artist and more than 400 guests were permitted onto the gaming floor where the artist was allowed to perform amidst operational table games and gaming machines – without any prior risk assessment or planning.

As a result, security personnel were unable to effectively control the casino floor, including witness reports that an attendee was seen climbing onto slot machines. Failure to maintain appropriate control compromises the security, safety, and integrity of the casino floor. Following the conclusion of the event, the operator failed to promptly report these incidents to the AGCO as required.

Based on the findings of its review, the AGCO’s Registrar has issued an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) totaling $350,000 against Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto. These penalties address critical failures in their operations, incident reporting, employee training, and the management of disturbances.

A gaming operator served with an OMP has 15 days to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), an adjudicative tribunal that is part of Tribunals Ontario and independent of the AGCO.

“Casino operators have a fundamental duty to control their gaming environment. Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto’s lapses in this incident compromised the safety of patrons and the security and integrity of the gaming floor,” Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of AGCO, said.

The post AGCO Fines Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto $350,000 for Serious Regulatory Violations Linked to Impromptu After-Party on Gaming Floor appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement

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International Game Technology PLC announced that its subsidiary, IGT Canada Solutions ULC (hereinafter “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.

“By leveraging IGT’s IntelligenEVO technology, Atlantic Lottery will power its video lottery network with the industry’s best-in-class central system and position itself to maximize future contributions to good causes. As an organization that prioritizes system security and exceptional player experiences, Atlantic Lottery believes that IGT’s IntelliegnEVO solution will help generate high player satisfaction and optimal network performance,” said Michael MacKinnon, Atlantic Lottery VP, Product.

“As a long-time supplier to Atlantic Lottery, IGT looks forward to helping the Lottery achieve its growth and player engagement goals with our leading-edge IntelligenEVO video lottery central system. IGT’s IntelligenEVO is a scalable technology for the WLA market that is backed by decades of experience and operator feedback, and maximizes the benefits of real-time data, cloud-based technologies and in-depth analytics,” said David Flinn, IGT SVP Canada, EMEA and LATAM, Gaming Sales.

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 optimizes data collection and delivery and will enable Atlantic Lottery to customize their program for evolving player needs.

The post IGT and Atlantic Lottery Sign Eight-Year Video Lottery Central System Technology Agreement appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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BetRivers

NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform

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NetGaming, a fast-growing online casino content supplier, is proud to announce its launch in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading online casino and sports betting company in the United States, Canada and Latin America. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone for NetGaming as it continues to expand its footprint across regulated North American markets.

As part of the launch, Ontario players on BetRivers can now enjoy a diverse portfolio of NetGaming titles, known for their high-quality graphics, immersive gameplay, and unique themes. Standout games such as Zeus’s Thunderbolt, Bison Gold, and Fireball Inferno are among the first to go live, with additional titles set to follow soon.

This partnership is just the beginning. NetGaming plans to extend its collaboration with Rush Street Interactive into Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Mexico over the coming months.

Pallavi Deshmukh, CEO of NetGaming, commented: “We are thrilled to go live with Rush Street Interactive, a powerhouse operator with a strong presence and loyal player base. This launch marks a significant milestone in our
North American expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences tailored to local player preferences across the region.”

Richard Schwartz, CEO of Rush Street Interactive, commented: “We are pleased to partner with NetGaming to bring innovative, premium games to our players in Ontario. This collaboration aligns with our strategy to offer world-class
entertainment through engaging, action-packed online casino games. We look forward to expanding this partnership into additional regulated markets in the months ahead.”

This strategic partnership highlights both companies’ dedication to providing high- quality, innovative, and responsible entertainment to players in regulated markets.

The post NetGaming Goes Live in Ontario with Rush Street Interactive via BetRivers Platform appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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