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AGHANIM RESEARCH GAUGES DMA AWARENESS AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER DISTRIBUTION

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 Aghanim, a mobile gaming fintech company founded by the former CEO and CTO of Xsolla, today reveals fascinating new research among mobile game developers relating to the recently launched Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The research is based on interviews with 300 mobile game developers across the US, UK and Germany in the weeks leading up to the introduction of the Act. The new European Union legislation aims to ensure a higher degree of fairness and competition in European digital markets and designates a number of major tech corporations including Apple and Alphabet (Google) as “gatekeepers”.

The key findings of the study shows:

  • 62% of mobile game developers are aware of the Digital Markets Act
  • 82% have at least some understanding of how it will impact their business. Almost a fifth (19%) feel they have a complete understanding of the DMA’s impact
  • 31% of mobile game developers feel they will have more freedom under the DMA, though just 9% are confident they’ll be able to keep more of their revenue
  • Only 13% have ruled out making changes to their payment processes. A third (33%) have begun implementing them
  • Awareness of the DMA is highest in Germany (70%), followed by the UK (68%). Less than half (47%) of US developers are aware of the legislation. While the DMA is a European framework, it applies to US developers operating in the EU

Constantin Andry, Co-founder and Co-CEO at Aghanim, commented: “This data shows that there’s an appetite for change among game developers. Yes, the platform holders instigated the $92 billion mobile games industry, but we need to be asking why game developers – the people who make the games – now only see about 10% of this.  With direct-to-consumer distribution, there’s an opportunity to ensure a further $18 billion of annualized value remains within the video games industry, with game creators, which will help soften many ongoing issues including layoffs. Otherwise, the business of making mobile games could soon become unviable.”

Konstantin Golubitsky, Co-founder and Co-CEO at Aghanim, added: “The opportunity for game developers is to create a web-based game hub for their titles which provides added value for their most engaged and valuable users, keeping them coming back regularly. Ultimately, players spend where they see the most value, and our goal is to help developers provide them with the greatest value at the lowest cost.”

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A key promise of the Digital Markets Act is to provide fairer competition and greater choice to gamers and game studios. However, Apple’s latest business terms introduced a Core Technology Fee which, for many game developers, cancels out the potential benefits of third-party distribution. Despite the game developers being surveyed before the introduction of the Core Technology fee, just 40% said Apple is a positive force for the games industry. 39% were neutral, while 21% felt Apple was having a negative impact. Since the introduction of App Tracking Transparency in 2021, game developers have increasingly explored direct-to-consumer platforms such as browser stores to supplement on-platform monetization with lower-fee options. 

An online survey was conducted on behalf of Aghanim by Atomik Research among 305 mobile game developers in the UK (101), Germany (103), and the USA (101). The research fieldwork took place between 18-22 February 2024. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency that employs MRS-certified researchers and abides by MRS code.

 

 

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EstrelaBet Reinforces Its Commitment to Betting Integrity Through Membership in the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA)

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EstrelaBet, one of Brazil’s leading betting operators, is now an official member of the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), a global organization dedicated to promoting integrity in the regulated sports betting industry. By joining IBIA, EstrelaBet aligns itself with more than 140 brands worldwide in the fight against match-fixing. In Brazil, IBIA has a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Finance to strengthen integrity within the betting market.

This partnership is part of EstrelaBet’s broader strategy and strict match-fixing prevention policy, which ensures compliance with regulations and leverages data and strategic collaborations to detect, prevent, and investigate suspicious activities in regulated betting markets. Additionally, the company adopts internal best practices, partners with specialized monitoring initiatives, such as Genius Sports, and promotes awareness campaigns with its sponsored teams.

“Partnering with IBIA, a globally recognized institution in betting integrity, reinforces our commitment to adopting best practices and increasing oversight in preventing match-fixing and fraud. This contributes to a safer and more transparent environment for everyone’s entertainment,” said Fellipe Fraga, Chief Business Officer (CBO) and Institutional Relations (RI) at EstrelaBet.

IBIA is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting regulated sports betting markets from match-fixing. Its global integrity monitoring network enables the tracking of transactional activities linked to individual customer accounts. Currently, IBIA members generate over $300 billion in annual betting volume, representing approximately 50% of the global regulated commercial sports betting industry—covering both retail and online platforms—and more than 50% of the exclusively digital segment.

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Khalid Ali, CEO at IBIA, said: “We are delighted that EstrelaBet has become a member the International Betting Integrity Association, joining a growing list of operators licensed in Brazil committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity. This partnership enhances the reach of our world-class betting integrity monitoring network, supporting efforts to safeguard the newly regulated Brazilian online sports betting market. We look forward to working closely with Estrelabet to protect its customers and sportsbook business from the threats of betting-related corruption.”

The post EstrelaBet Reinforces Its Commitment to Betting Integrity Through Membership in the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Recap of EEGS Webinar on AI’s Transformative Power in Gaming Industry Now Available On-Demand

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Following the successful conclusion of the Eastern European Gaming Summit’s (EEGS) inaugural webinar for the year, titled “Rolling the Dice on AI: How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping the Gaming Industry,” attendees can now access the video on demand to revisit the insightful discussions and key takeaways. The event, held on February 19, featured a distinguished panel of industry experts who explored the significant impact of AI on player protection, regulatory requirements, and innovation within the gaming sector.

Moderated by Rossi McKee, Co-founder of Telematic Interactive Bulgaria and CT Gaming, the webinar offered a deep dive into the dual-edged role of AI in gaming, discussing how it can enhance player experiences while also creating new challenges for operators.

The expert panel included:

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  • Paula Murphy – Head of Business Development, Mindway AI
  • Joseph Borg – Partner, WH Partners
  • Dr. Galia Mancheva – Founder and CEO, Ai Advy

The conversation highlighted the ongoing shift towards AI-driven solutions in gaming, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations and compliance with evolving regulations – especially with the implementation of the EU AI Act. Dr. Mancheva noted, “Operators working with personal data must understand how AI can enhance efficiency and ensure compliance with stringent legal requirements.”

Key takeaways from the webinar revealed that the future of the gaming industry hinges not only on the adoption of cutting-edge technology but also on the commitment to utilize it responsibly. “The real challenge for operators is not just adopting AI but using it ethically,” stressed the panel in unison.

For those who missed the live event, the on-demand video recaps critical insights on AI’s transformative potential in gaming, its implications for responsible gambling initiatives, and the regulatory landscape.

You can watch the entire webinar here: https://youtube.com/eegamingsummit

For more information on future webinars and events, stay tuned to EEGS’s official channels.

The post Recap of EEGS Webinar on AI’s Transformative Power in Gaming Industry Now Available On-Demand appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Bulgaria first for Push Gaming with Kaizen Gaming’s Betano

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Push Gaming has entered the Bulgarian market thanks to an exclusive deal with Kaizen Gaming brand Betano, marking a milestone in its expansion in globally regulated markets.

For 12 weeks, tier-one operator Betano will have exclusive rights to Push Gaming’s portfolio in the country as it brings the studio’s hugely popular titles to Bulgaria for the first time.

Push’s extensive back catalogue of major hits, including Razor Shark, Razor Returns, Jammin’ Jars, Big Bamboo and Wild Swarm, are now ready to be enjoyed by players in Bulgaria, with more recent releases due to roll out imminently.

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The launch enhances Push’s relationship with Kaizen Gaming, which has already seen success with its award-winning content in Greece, Denmark, and Brazil.

Agreements with over 15 direct integration partners have been achieved in 2024, and the supplier’s significant growth will be bolstered by several more announcements in the remainder of Q4.

Fiona Hickey, Chief Business Development Officer at Push Gaming, said: “Bulgaria is a territory we’ve been working on for some time, so it’s particularly pleasing to launch there with such an established and respected name as Betano.

“We know the strength of our product, and allied with Kaizen Gaming’s prominent positioning across regulated markets, we can make the most of our regional entries. They’re a fantastic strategic partner to work alongside, which breeds exceptional confidence that every launch period will perform strongly.”

Evangelos Dedoulis, Director of Product, Gaming and Rewards at Kaizen Gaming,  added: “Push Gaming is responsible for some of the finest games on the market, and as such, we have been eagerly anticipating bringing them to our Betano platform in Bulgaria too. In other markets where we have integrated Push Gaming’s titles, the reception from our audience has been exceptional, and we expect the same in this case too.”

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The post Bulgaria first for Push Gaming with Kaizen Gaming’s Betano appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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