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The European Gaming Q2 Meetup taught us all about Live Casino Trends and Innovation

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The European Gaming Meetups by Hipther have been established as the go-to virtual events to keep you up-to-date with what is fresh in the European gambling industry.

For the 2nd European Gaming Quarterly Meetup that took place on 14 June 2023 at 10am CEST, the #hipthers and Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder and Head of Business at Hipther Agency, welcomed a panel of iGaming experts with extensive experience in Live Casino offerings – from the early online gaming days to current casino verticals, and the “futuristic” Metaverse!

The #hipthers are thrilled to introduce you the panelists who discussed:

Innovation in Live Casino: Standing Out in an Increasingly Saturated Market

and walk you through their insightful and thought-provoking conversation.

Anna Vikmane is the Director of BETER Live, seasoned iGaming industry executive with experience in a wide range of jurisdictions, products and services in companies such as Playtech and GVC (now Entain). As Director of BETER Live, she is tasked with bringing a new generation of live casino products to the global market.

Daniel Gunba is the Founder / CEO of TRIIONFT – the company working on solutions such as a Body Tracking technology based on #AI to bring the dealers into the Metaverse, and developing the whole #Metaverse environment where Live Casinos will be able to bring their games and products.

Simon Croft is the Founder and developer of Live Solutions Group, pioneer of the fully live online casino platform for table games with video chat for all users. Simon has 30 years of experience in the gaming industry, including #data center management, #payment solutions, Casino operations, Business Management, Full Stack Programming, Affiliate Marketing and Risk Management.

Watch the European Gaming Q2 Meetup Livestream on YouTube here – subscribe to Hipther TV and get notifications for all upcoming virtual meetups and videos by Hipther!

Read on for the highlights and key takeaways from the live meetup conversation!

 

Q: What can a company do to make its product stand out in the saturated casino market?

Anna Vikmane: Companies should focus on developing more verticals like game shows and live casino games, like Blackjack Roulette, with additional features and differentiated customer journeys”.

Simon Croft: First of all, companies should define what Live Casino is for them: What is the Live element of the gaming experience? Some companies use live feeds from casinos, and others focus on creating social environments like we do at Live Solutions. And now there’s also AI to accelerate the process”.

Daniel Gunba: In terms of UI and UX, companies can add features to Live Casino, but in order to innovate and create something new, one should focus on the Live Experience with casino dealers. Experience is the key”.

 

Q: What casino trends have emerged in the last few years? Can you give us a sneak peek into the future of live casinos?

Anna: “VR and AR both have been hyped. But overall, what we see in the past 5 years is that the iGaming vertical has been growing massively in terms of offerings and demographics as well. Which adds many cross-selling options and a variety of offerings, starting from core casino games to entirely new gaming concepts – which is what we should be focusing on. We will see more on the live game shows as a separate vertical in the next two years”.

Simon: “Many companies have been jumping the original live dealer bandwagon, while others have been trying to enrich this experience. The Live Game Shows have this “TV filter” that makes them appealing and interesting. Interaction between players is a very important trend, and casino peer-to-peer videos offer a totally new user experience. What holds great potential for the future is how the players can be served better by the companies”.

Daniel: “I agree with Anna in terms of additional features and new gaming concepts – and we have the examples of the Wheel of Fortune, Monopoly, etc. Metaverse is a great trend as well, not for live casino, but still, for gambling. In the future, metaverse can bring in both the factors of live casino and improved casino experience; the real life casino experience and the Metaverse”.

 

Q: VR and AR spaces are very exciting and Live Casino seems like a natural fit for such technology; how can VR and AR enhance player immersion?

Anna: “The metaverse combo works well and live casino goes hand-in-hand with technological development. VR Live Casino has been done, but what is challenging about it is the end user experience and how natural it is for the users to choose VR at this point. How user-friendly can VR be considered now, when we have our phone in our pockets, not VR glasses? New advancements, like Apple’s headset, create the hype for VR so it can be applied in the future”.

Simon: “Trends are led by the development of devices. Like iGaming started with desktop and laptops, and then Apple came up with a product that allowed people to walk around with entertainment in their pockets. The problem with the VR Live Casino concept is that it depends on both the advancement and popularity of VR devices”.

Daniel: “The experience of VR casino exists – Pokerstars have their own product. Yes, we are not ready for live VR casino, but it certainly is something we will see in the future. Mobile technology is already extremely advanced, and perhaps it will evolve to accommodate the VR experience as well”.

 

Q: Why do you think that having a bespoke brand of Live Casino is catching on – especially in the U.S. ?

Anna: “The US market is known for valuing the entertainment quality of their products – especially considering the value and growth of Hollywood. So, they traditionally have this show-type of outlook. The Live Casino market specifically, has gotten very competitive with so many new provider and operator companies coming in. Most players are registered to 3.5 operators on average in order to check all offerings. So, the answer for providers is to keep producing unique, exclusive content for operators to stand out”. 

Simon: “The ability for branding in virtual tables and the costs lead to overcharging the tables’ branding. On the other hand, It is very difficult to justify having physical tables branded. So this trend of bespoke Live Casino branding will continue”.

Daniel: “Yes, everyone wants to successfully brand their tables so that people remember them. And users want to have a 100% positive and unique user experience”.

 

Q: Are there any “magic tricks” for developers to elevate the user experience?

Anna: “There is no end point to the improvement of user experience! But the question is: where is the end user in this journey? With the current phones, we have 4K quality for example, but internet connection quality per region is also an issue. Additionally, the user experience needs to be personalized in order for the customer to get the best experience possible – and that’s the biggest challenge”.

Simon: “It’s all about the user experience and not about technology. Technology provides the means for retention, but there are different types of players, looking for different points in the user experience. The new generations want social experience and we’re going to see development focusing on interaction between the users”.

Daniel: “You need to identify who your end user is, so you can provide different types of personalization – such as different types of resolutions and settings, to provide as much as possible for all players depending on their needs and hardware”.

 

Q: Do you think that Live Casino Games still have a seat at the table at a time when so many immersive games are being released every week?

Anna: “Definitely, although there are so many games and there is an emphasis on sports and football. But Blackjack and Roulette are live casino classics and we have seen that there can be many new variations of these games”.

Simon: “Casino games will continue to morph and change, and live casino is definitely not going to disappear. Even standard slot games can evolve to live casino”.

Daniel: “Yes, definitely games like slots will evolve to live casino and personally, I would be very happy to play slots with a live dealer. And thank you, that’s a great idea for my Team!”.

 

Outro – Here’s what our speakers had to say to wrap up the discussion on Live Casino Innovation:

Anna:Let’s all stay tuned, be creative and Live Casino is the vertical with the greatest potential to evolve. Personalization is the key to a better user experience”.

Simon: “Live casinos started because people distrusted iGaming and RNG. This has massively changed now and it can only be a good thing”.

Daniel: “My team keeps an eye out for new releases every week and every day, investigating new ideas. And I think that iGaming is the ideal industry to try out new ideas!”.

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Independent evaluation highlights impact of Ygam’s parent programme

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An independent evaluation has provided compelling evidence that Ygam’s work is effectively equipping families with the tools and knowledge to safeguard children from gaming and gambling harms.

The evaluation report, conducted by Sherbert Research, examined Ygam’s programme tailored for parents and carers, which includes online workshops, resources, and the Family Hub website.

The evaluation, assessed against Ygam’s comprehensive Theory of Change, found ‘strong evidence across all groups’ of increased understanding of gaming and gambling harms and their impact on behaviour change and the wellbeing of children and young people. It also highlighted that parents regard Ygam as a trusted source of support and information on these subjects.

After attending a Ygam workshop, parents expressed a deeper understanding of their role in supporting children and young people on these issues. The workshops were credited with reducing stigma around gaming and gambling harms and encouraging greater engagement from families. Many parents reported proactively understanding the risks and feeling empowered to start conversations with their children about gaming and gambling, putting boundaries in place before harm occurs.

While parents and professionals are increasingly aware of the risks associated with gaming, fewer recognise children’s potential exposure to gambling and gambling-like features, along with the related harms. The report reinforces that Ygam’s work plays a vital role in closing this critical knowledge gap through awareness raising, offering effective safeguarding tools, and providing the guidance and support required to create a safer digital home environment.

The programme was also commended for shifting perceptions around video gaming and microtransactions. They described taking immediate proactive steps such as adjusting screen time, understanding app spending, and setting clearer rules around their child’s online habits.

One parent who took part in the evaluation said: “After the session, I checked my son’s gaming account and realised he had spent over £200 on in-game purchases. We talked about it, and I’ve now set up parental controls.”

The high quality and standard of Ygam’s educational content was also praised by parents, with many describing it as ‘one of the best’ workshops they had attended for addressing a topical and complex issue, and for delivering accessible knowledge that supports real-life action.

Another parent said: ” A friend mentioned Ygam after I shared concerns about my son’s gaming habits. She had been on the course and said it had really helped her understand how to manage screen time”.

Claire Patel, Programme Lead for the Parents and Carers programme at Ygam, said: “We welcome the findings of this evaluation, which highlight the widespread and meaningful difference our programme is making for families. Parents and carers know their children better than anyone, and they have a crucial role to play – but they consistently tell us they often feel under-informed in today’s fast-moving digital world. We remain committed to listening to families and providing the information and tools they need to promote healthy habits and safeguard their children from potential harms.”

The evaluation was informed by interviews and video diaries from parents, foster carers, and professionals who attended Ygam workshops between 2023 and 2024.

All recommendations for improvement will be incorporated into the ongoing review and development of Ygam’s programmes to ensure they remain as effective and impactful as possible.

The post Independent evaluation highlights impact of Ygam’s parent programme appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Endorphina Press Releases

Endorphina’s Sticky Lips: Our Joker Returns, Ready to Stick You with Unforgettable Luck!

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Prepare for an unforgettable summer as Endorphina announces the highly anticipated release of Sticky Lips, its latest captivating slot, on the 8th of July. This visually striking title invites players into a vibrant world where Endorphina’s Joker makes a remarkable return, blowing irresistible kisses to make their winnings truly stick.

She’s wild, she’s wicked – and her lips are ready to stick you with luck! Dare to stare into her eyes in this 5-reel 4-row slot with 50 fixed paylines and prove your worth to get a lucky, juicy kiss. With every spin, her lips glow and tempt, hungry to lock in golden wins.

Key highlights of Sticky Lips:

  • Vibrant Visuals: The captivating graphics and symbols, such as gleaming gold bars, blazing sevens, and shiny bells, bring the world of Sticky Lips to life.
  • Mobile Compatibility: Enjoy the sticky-sweet fun anytime, anywhere, with seamless play across all devices.
  • Free Games with the Sticky Wild Feature: Land 3 Scatter symbols to trigger 10 Free Games where Wilds become sticky for even more incredible wins. Scatters covered by a Wild still count towards new combinations!
  • Classic Risk Game: Dare to double your winnings up to 10 times in our signature Risk Game!

What truly sets Sticky Lips apart is its unique blend of familiar slot charm with an enticing, playful narrative. Sticky Lips features a visually striking design that captures the playful mystery and growing anticipation, drawing players deeper into the narrative with every spin.

Why try Sticky Lips?

For over 12 years, Endorphina has stood out as a premier slot provider in the iGaming industry. Since the beginning of our journey, we’ve developed slot games celebrated for their stunning visuals, engaging features, unique themes, and immersive gameplay. Our player-centered approach to game development ensures every slot delivers a magical, mobile-compatible experience, packed with thrilling features for everyone to enjoy.

The post Endorphina’s Sticky Lips: Our Joker Returns, Ready to Stick You with Unforgettable Luck! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Atlaslive

Atlaslive Introduces Practical Roadmap for iGaming Operators in Brazil

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Atlaslive, a reliable provider of technology solutions for the iGaming sector, has introduced its latest guide titled “How to Start an iGaming Business in Brazil: The Successful Roadmap.” Created for operators looking to enter or grow within Brazil’s fast-expanding online gambling scene, the guide delivers vital insights for navigating the country’s evolving regulatory environment.

With Brazil now at the forefront of the iGaming landscape in Latin America — thanks to the legalization of sports betting through Law No. 13.756/2018 and subsequent developments — the country is poised for remarkable growth. The Atlaslive guide underscores significant opportunities, emphasizing critical market insights, legal frameworks, licensing requirements, and strategies for successful operations. Key highlights of the guide include:

  • Market Overview: A breakdown of Brazil’s vast potential, including forecasts of gross gaming revenue reaching $7.18 billion by the close of 2025.
  • Legal Landscape: An overview of the changing regulatory environment and the licensing system governed by Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA).
  • Compliance & Taxation: Clear explanations of licensing conditions, compliance protocols, and taxation duties relevant to operators.
  • Payment Solutions: A look at preferred local payment options, particularly the widespread use of PIX for instant transactions.
  • Marketing Strategies: Approaches to acquiring and retaining players while staying within the bounds of advertising laws.

“As Brazil’s iGaming market matures, operators must be equipped with the right knowledge and tools to navigate its complexities,” said Anastasiia Poltavets, CMO at Atlaslive. “Our guide offers a roadmap that empowers businesses to seize opportunities and ensure compliance in this dynamic landscape.”

With 218.8 million residents and an internet penetration rate surpassing 86%, Brazil represents a lucrative audience for iGaming operators. Atlaslive’s guide serves as a fundamental resource for anyone seeking to thrive in this evolving sector. Gain a strategic edge in Brazil’s iGaming market — download “How to Start an iGaming Business in Brazil: The Successful Roadmap” today.

The post Atlaslive Introduces Practical Roadmap for iGaming Operators in Brazil appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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