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Will Video Gambling at St. Charles entertainment establishments keep on track post April 1?
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Whether video gambling at St. Charles entertainment establishments should keep on track post April 1 lies with the City Council, which will call the shots for the same next month.
St. Charles had a ban against video gambling – also called video gaming – until, October 2015. Simultaneously, Mayor Ray Rogina cast the deciding vote in favor of an ordinance lifting the halt after aldermen were hooked in their decision 5-5.
However, the City Council included a sunset clause in the ordinance adhering to which it will repeal automatically after 18 months – a trial period they needed for video gambling.
In association, Police Chief James Keegan said: On March 5, aldermen will take a preliminary vote during the Government Operations Committee on whether to rescind that automatic repeal and allow video gambling to persist after the end of April.
The City Council is expected to make its final decision March 19.
Fourth Ward Alderman Steven Gaugel opposed lifting the video gambling ban in 2015. But currently he has mixed feelings about the issue and hasn’t decided how he will vote in March.
“I feel it is in the best interest of the city of St. Charles to reduce our financial dependency with the state of Illinois, but I am unsure that pulling the plug on video gaming is the right answer for St. Charles today,” he said.
The state tax on video gambling proceeds is 30 percent, with one-sixth of that amount going to municipalities where the revenue was generated.
Gaugel noted that the city’s portion of Illinois’ video gambling tax from St. Charles is helping make up for the state’s recent reduction of local government distribution funds.
“The [tax] revenue generated from video gambling last year amounted to just under $100,000,” Gaugel said. “Without video gaming, and with the 10 percent reduction in LGDF revenue, the city would see an approximate $450,000 reduction in revenue annually.”
Gaugel also is considering the effect that eliminating video gambling could have on local commerce.
“Removing video gaming now has the potential to be detrimental to our businesses, and not only the businesses that have video gambling, but other businesses that potentially benefit from the increase in traffic,” Gaugel said.
Newest alderman considers issue
The city council’s newest alderman, Lora Vitek, also has not decided yet how she will vote next month. Vitek was elected in April 2017 to fill the 4th Ward aldermanic seat vacated by Jo Krieger, who voted against lifting the video gambling ban in 2015.
Since taking office, Vitek’s approach has been to wait and see what impact video gambling had on the community, its businesses and local crime, she said. So far, she has not seen any negative impact.
Keegan has not brought any violations of video gambling rules to the city’s attention within the last 10 months nor has he raised any concerns during his monthly activity reports, Vitek said. She added that other residents she has spoken to don’t notice the presence of video gambling in St. Charles unless they walk into an establishment where it is present.
“St. Charles is still the same St. Charles it was before video gaming,” Vitek said. “Video gaming has been positive for St. Charles businesses that have opted for gaming on their premises.”
St. Charles reports statistics
Under the 2009 Illinois Video Gaming Act, municipalities and counties can allow up to five gambling machines in establishments with liquor licenses, or they can ban them entirely in their jurisdictions.
The total number of video gambling machines at 13 licensed St. Charles establishments is about 60. One business, Alibi Bar and Grill, recently removed its five machines for lack of performance.
Several other St. Charles businesses including Onesti Entertainment Corp., which operates the Arcada Theatre, have applied to the Illinois Gaming Board for approval of video gaming licenses. If the state approves those applications, the establishments then may file for a gaming license with the city, Keegan said.
In one year starting in September 2016, people spent $24.8 million on legal video gambling in St. Charles and won $22.8 million at 14 locations, from Brown’s Chicken and Pasta to the St. Charles Moose, the city reported.
After taxes, businesses kept the remaining 70 percent of their video gambling proceeds – about $1.4 million for September 2016 through November 2017.
Moose cites video gambling benefits
The new revenue that video gambling generated in 2017 for the St. Charles
Moose from five video gambling machines – about $55,000 – has helped the organization to stay open and increase its charitable endeavors, said its treasurer, Jim Buenrostro.
The Moose has used its video gambling revenue to provide its hall free to nonprofit groups, such as the Boy Scouts and Casey’s Safe Haven for fundraisers and Lifeline for health screenings.
The video gambling revenue also is helping the Moose pay for hall improvements, such as replacing the HVAC unit on the roof.
“We were struggling before so that money is helping us to keep afloat,” Buenrostro said.
Concerns still exist
Concerns three years ago among St. Charles officials about video gambling included uncertainty that the state would disburse those tax dollars on a timely basis. Since the first video gambling revenue was generated in St. Charles in 2016, typically there has been a two-month lag in the monthly state tax disbursement to the city, Keegan said.
Second Ward Alderman Rita Payleitner has other concerns about video gambling, including its effect on families.
“This is not anecdotal, this is real,” Payleitner said. “The projections made when this came to pass now have St. Charles names and faces. Shame on us.”
She believes that no dollar amount brought in by video gambling to the city can justify the detriment brought to even one family in St. Charles.
“I’ve heard video gambling is the same as playing the lottery or a friendly game of poker,” Payleitner said. “Ignoring the social ills of, and science behind, the destructive addictive behavior caused by video gambling doesn’t make it less so.”
Payleitner voted against video gambling in 2015 and plans to do the same when aldermen vote on the issue in March.
“We must take great pride and responsibility for the decisions we make,” Payleitner said. “We must, at all costs, avoid any decisions that may cause harm.”
She said nearly $2 million was lost last year by people video gambling in St. Charles.
“If it’s truly disposable income being used, as has been argued, then I venture to imagine how much better those dollars could be spent.”
As for the city’s take of less than $100,000, Payleitner said, “Big deal – a far cry from the half million plus promised by video gambling proponents.”
Payleitner said she has yet to see the business improvements and plethora of new jobs some promised would result from video gambling.
She disagrees with people who believe video gambling is OK as long as St. Charles does not allow the signage and flashing lights often associated with it.
“If it is ‘so OK,’ why hide it, why not embrace it? Payleitner said. “This seems hypocritical to me.”
Source: kcchronicle.com
Source: European Gaming Media and Events
The iGaming industry is advancing at breakneck speed, driven by technological innovation and evolving player expectations. Itai Zak, Executive Director of iGaming at Digicode, emphasizes the importance of bridging client aspirations with customized business solutions. Key trends shaping the future of iGaming include live dealer games, blockchain integration, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), enhanced personalization, and shifting regulatory environments. Let’s delve into how these trends influence the industry, presenting new opportunities while paving the way for future growth.
A Closer Look at Emerging Trends
- Live Dealer Games
Live dealer games are revolutionizing the online gaming experience, blending the best aspects of land-based casinos with the convenience of virtual gaming. Players can now engage with real-life dealers via high-definition video streams, enhancing the social component of online gambling. This bridge between physical and virtual casinos introduces interactive features like live chat and immersive gameplay. Industry leaders like Evolution Gaming and NetEnt are setting new standards in player engagement with innovative game formats and top-tier studio setups, redefining the realism and appeal of live gaming.
- Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Integration
Blockchain technology is transforming iGaming by offering unparalleled transparency and security. With blockchain’s ability to enable provably fair gaming, players can verify that each round is fair via an immutable ledger. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum facilitate faster, more secure transactions, catering to tech-savvy players who value privacy. Platforms like Bitcasino.io are leading the way, leveraging blockchain to ensure fairness and seamless payments. However, the rise of blockchain also attracts regulatory attention, requiring operators to balance innovation with compliance as governments navigate this new technology.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and ML are instrumental in enhancing player experience and operational efficiency. AI algorithms analyze player behavior in real-time, offering personalized game recommendations and promotions. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots provide instant customer support, improving user satisfaction. AI-driven predictive analytics also help operators fine-tune marketing strategies based on player preferences. Companies like Bet365 are already using these technologies to stay ahead of the competition, offering more personalized and efficient gaming experiences.
- Richer Personalization and Engagement
Personalization has become crucial for iGaming operators looking to boost player satisfaction and retention. By leveraging data analytics, companies can offer tailored game recommendations, dynamic bonuses, and individualized promotional offers. This level of engagement enhances the player experience and strengthens loyalty. Industry pioneers like DraftKings and FanDuel push the envelope by offering highly customized features, such as personalized fantasy sports leagues and bespoke betting options.
- Regulatory Changes and Market Expansion
The constantly evolving regulatory landscape offers both challenges and opportunities for iGaming operators. As more regions legalize various forms of online gambling, companies gain access to new markets. With their large populations and increasing internet penetration, emerging markets like Brazil and Nigeria represent lucrative opportunities. However, navigating the diverse regulations in these markets requires agility and strict compliance with local laws to succeed.
- Enhanced Payment Solutions
With digital transactions becoming the norm, the demand for fast, secure, and flexible payment methods is skyrocketing. From digital wallets to instant banking and cryptocurrencies, players expect payment solutions that offer convenience and security. This growing demand is driving innovation in payment processing, giving operators more opportunities to streamline the transaction process while building trust with users.
Future Implications
The Expanding Role of AI and Blockchain
AI and blockchain are not just current trends, but they are poised to play an even more significant role in iGaming’s future. As AI technology evolves, more sophisticated algorithms will emerge, enabling real-time adaptation to player behavior and preferences. Blockchain’s application may extend beyond transparency and security, transforming game mechanics and player interactions potentially redefining how games are designed and played.
Shifting Player Preferences
Player expectations will continue to evolve toward immersive, interactive experiences. As Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) become more mainstream, they will significantly influence the future of iGaming. Players will demand more engaging, lifelike environments, pushing the industry to create innovative game formats and features that offer deeper immersion and entertainment value.
Regulatory Developments
The regulatory environment will continue to evolve, and iGaming operators must stay agile to navigate future changes. New regulations may increasingly emphasize responsible gaming and player protection, influencing platform design and operational practices. A more harmonized regulatory framework across jurisdictions could provide stability while requiring operators to prioritize compliance.
Integrating Emerging Technologies
Technologies like 5G and edge computing are set to revolutionize iGaming by enabling faster, more reliable connectivity. This will allow for more complex game designs and real-time player interactions, opening new avenues for innovative gaming experiences. As these technologies mature, operators will have greater opportunities to differentiate their offerings. The potential of these emerging technologies to revolutionize iGaming is truly exciting and promising for the industry’s future.
Final Thoughts
The iGaming industry is on the cusp of significant transformations, driven by technological advancements and shifting player demands. Innovations like live dealer games, blockchain integration, AI, ML, and enhanced personalization are just the beginning. As the industry evolves, staying ahead of these trends will be critical for operators looking to thrive in an increasingly dynamic environment.
At Digicode, we are constantly exploring new technologies and refining our solutions to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Our focus on adaptability and foresight ensures that our clients are not just keeping pace with the industry—they’re leading it.
The post Innovations Redefining iGaming: What Operators Need to Know appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
A partnership between game developer Turbo Games and iGaming solution provider and aggregator Slotegrator began in November 2022 via the APIgrator game integration solution. Since then, the collaboration has been developing successfully — and now it’s time to analyze what made it successful.
Turbo Games has noticed how the new technologies spreading throughout the industry can work for the good of brand transparency and player loyalty: “We can already see how blockchain technology has made it possible to make betting checks more accessible to players. All you need is a blockchain-hash and a decoder service. We think we will continue to move in this direction. Many traditional online casinos do not offer the possibility to check the bet. Sooner or later we all have to come to this. Perhaps the development of artificial intelligence will help here, because we are already seeing its involvement in all spheres of human life.”
Turbo Games specializes in provably fair games. Provable fairness is a concept where players can verify their wins or losses using blockchain technology — the outcome of the game is dictated by a smart contract and is absolutely random, barring the possibility of any human involvement. Using cryptographic hashing algorithms, the gambling site and the player’s device both generate seeds (random strings of numbers). Players receive a key that allows them to check the results; if the results are the same as the game round they witnessed, it proves that there was no foul play.
According to statistics from Turbo Games, the audience for provably fair games is mostly between 18 and 25 years old. However, there are also players aged 35-40 who prefer traditional games but would like to try something new, and have turned their attention to provably fair games.
There are good odds that the technology of provably fair games will become more popular, if not even commonplace, because it gives players a feeling of transparency and proves that the business is trustworthy without the need to search through dozens of reviews. Whereas many innovations in iGaming simply add entertainment, provable fairness addresses security concerns and reassures players that they’re not being exploited, which is invaluable.
Provably fair games are beneficial for both players and online casinos. Vadim Potapenko, Head of Sales at Turbo Games, comments: “It often happens that the users are not satisfied with the result, because gambling is not only about big wins, but also possible losses. By allowing them to check the fairness of a bet, we make life easier for platforms and players. Of course, this allows us to communicate with partners and users that we work honestly and that’s why they should trust our games.”
Ayvar Gabidullin, Business Development Manager at Slotegrator, adds that “this type of game is now becoming more and more popular and has great potential for both players and game providers in the future. On the part of the player, the advantage is that the player can always be sure that his game is fair and he can independently check any of his bets. And for the game provider, this also simplifies the process of implementing casino games, since now it will not be necessary to obtain the appropriate certificates from independent laboratories before launching new games, they can immediately enter the market with these games and where anyone can check the result and make sure that that there is no cheating with players. Many game providers are starting to look towards this type of game. And as far as I see, many operators are starting to think about adding these games.”
What do players in 2023 need? The iGaming industry is all about reputation and trust. Players have a huge number of platforms to choose from, making them pickier and pickier. There’s an abundance of forums where players leave reviews, so if players view a brand as untrustworthy, there are plenty of places they can share their opinion. Provable fairness not only stops that from happening, it provides evidence to the contrary, giving players something else to talk about.
Slotegrator also recommends investing time and effort into localization and creating an effective and detailed marketing strategy — before trying provably fair technology players need to get to the platform, and there is no acquisition without marketing.
ABOUT SLOTEGRATOR
Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.
The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.
The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.
Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.
More information: https://slotegrator.pro/
ABOUT TURBO GAMES
Turbo Games — a provably fair games provider that belongs to Turbo Stars company — has an ambitious goal to establish widespread recognition throughout the iGaming world. Even though it is young, the company consists of professionals who have been working on the brand for over five years and are even planning to introduce a new brand for a wider audience soon.
Turbo Games also works in Europe, India, and South Africa, where the company sees the most potential and expects the same “hype” as in Brazil.
The portfolio of Turbo Games consists of 21 titles, including well-known games like Mines, Crash X, DoubleRoll, Hi-Lo, and Plinko. The studio releases a game every month. However, not all games are developed from scratch. Wicket Blast and Spin Strike, the last two releases, are based on cricket and the Indian Premier League. Crash X remains the most popular fast game in the Turbo Games portfolio, and the studio reports that crash games enjoy stable levels of popularity. Overall, the main focus of the brand is provably fair games.
More information: https://turbogames.io/
Looking to take your career to the next level in the games industry? Then, Nordic Game Talents is the place to be! Games Factory Talents has teamed up with Nordic Game to bring you Nordic Game Talents.
From Oct 27-29, the online and interactive event is dedicated to recruitment and career building in the creative & games industry within the Nordic region. The event empowers participants to be part of a bigger community and motivates them to explore new paths in achieving their career goals.
Hiring creative & games studios – Supercell, Funcom, Panzerdog, Tactile Games, Gamecan, Fingersoft, Dazzle Rocks, Redhill Games to name a few from the Nordic region will be participating in the event. These studios will share information on their latest projects, work culture and what it takes to be part of their team. The individual games associations from Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Estonia will share insights through live sessions on the booming games industry in their respective countries. Career development topics pertinent to job seekers like – How to have a successful first interview, Creative Portfolio reviews will also be discussed.
Experienced game industry professionals and individuals beginning their careers from around the world are welcome to join the event. One-to-one interviews with the hiring studios can be scheduled through the event platform. A great opportunity to get to know the studios and network with game professionals from around the world.
Participating in the event
As a job seeker attending Nordic Game Talents, take a few minutes to fill out a simple registration form. After filling the registration form you will receive a link to the online event platform – PINE, to join the event on 27th October. Participants joining Nordic Game Talents will also receive a free-of-charge pass to the Nordic Game Conference.
To view the complete agenda, please click here and to learn more about the event please visit Games Job Fair
About Games Factory Talents
A Helsinki-based talent attraction agency dedicated to the games & creative industry. Our services include direct recruitment, organizing game job fairs and managing a community of game industry professionals through our GameDev Talent Board.
To learn more about Games Factory Talents visit – Games Factory Talents
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