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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR RETAIL BRANDS IN 2021 – Q&A with Robert Dowling, CCO at Singular

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OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR RETAIL BRANDS IN 2021 - Q&A with Robert Dowling, CCO at Singular
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR RETAIL BRANDS IN 2021 - Q&A with Robert Dowling, CCO at SingularReading Time: 3 minutes

 

  1. What are the differences between operating online vs brick-mortar operations (understanding the differences first before discussing what the synergies might be)?

It is a common misconception that having successful brick and mortar operations guarantees online success. These two sectors, although intertwined, are two unique, and very complex ecosystems that require different approaches and technologies for each, even different skill sets. To be successful in both areas, you have to understand the cultural biases, psychological factors, and technology implementation to take advantage of both verticals.

Land-based betshops attract players that enjoy placing a bet with their friends exchanging information prior to placing the bet. This is all part of the pattern of the social gambler. For this type of player, location can be an even bigger factor than the brand itself. However, this does not mean that the social gamer will not go online to place a bet. With the increased use of mobile betting, this has even intensified. Online operators have come up with a number of social features like live chat, live dealers, and options for social sharing of bet slips to recreate the community feeling. In some instances, the engagement between the player and the dealer is reinforced even further via live dealers. For successful online operations, operators must invest in seamless technology that allows their land-based operations to interact and link players to their online portals. For the player, it is essential to experience a seamless transition from the offline to the online space. The seamless technology allows players to start the game at their favorite betshop and continue playing from the comfort of their home.

 

  1. What challenges operators face when building seamless retail+online operations?

The number one challenge is legacy systems that need to be integrated with modern technology. This also implies that we need people who will understand and be able to manage modern technology. Second, the knowledge gap between what is required and what is actually delivered. The delivery requirements for online operations can be very different from the ones for a retail shop. For example, customer services need to be tailored for the online expectations of the player. We have to keep in mind that we are still an entertainment industry and make sure the brand does not lose that social and fun element to it when it goes online. Moreover, as already mentioned, the player should enjoy an easy transition from offline to online and vice versa with access to their seamless wallet, access to the same games, and betting options. Casinos can take a step further by live-streaming the dealers that are currently present in the physical location.

 

  1. What are your recommendations for a retail brand that wants to shift towards online operations? What is the best strategy and approach?

We will see an increasing number of operators going online, and there is only one right way to do this is.  Build a unique player journey that delivers a seamless experience for the players from start to end. One way to do this is to acquire an online brand that has the experience and licensing requirements for online operations. This is the right choice if time is of the essence. Another option for the operator is to partner with a platform provider that has experience with taking brands online and flexibility to deliver tailored solutions for each operator. In addition to the technology, operators need to choose a team having experience and time to guide them through the process.

 

  1. Covid has changed the consumer behavior; we see a strong move to online; What does this mean for retail operations in 2021?

In 2020, retail experienced a lot of hardship and evolution caused by the frequent opening and closing of the physical betshops. This has added pressure on high-street stores with traditional retail operations to move online. In my opinion, the focus in 2021 will be on two strategic points. Firstly, strengthening the online market share while also taking advantage of newly-regulated markets. Second, operators must take a step back, review their offering and identify the weak link, the product that might be falling behind the competition and work on innovative features for their customers. For retail brands striving to take their brand online, a technological strategic alliance that can facilitate scaling while still enhancing the retail offering would be the right way forward.

Additionally, in 2021 we have a number of sporting events that create vast opportunities for growth for both established brands and startups. The pandemic and the push towards online has evened out the playing field for experienced operators and newcomers. Although established brands will enjoy higher trust and loyalty when going online, they need to bear in mind that if the user experience is not on par with the competitors, they might lose the advantage based on their brand recognition.

 

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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63 suspicious betting alerts reported by IBIA in Q1 2025

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The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) reported 63 alerts of suspicious betting to the relevant authorities in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025. The Q1 2025 total is 3% less than the 65 alerts in Q4 2024, and 11% more when compared to the revised Q1 2024 total of 57 alerts. IBIA monitors over $300bn per annum in betting turnover (handle) across more than 80 members with over 140 sports betting brands globally.

The 63 incidents of suspicious betting in Q1 2025 concerned six sports, across 23 countries and 5 continents. Other key data for Q1 2025 includes:

  • Football and tennis accounted for 40 of the Q1 2025 alerts (64%), a 14% increase from 35 alerts in Q4 2024.
  • Sporting events in Europe and North America, with 32 alerts combined, made up 51% of the total reported; that was a decrease of 29% compared to 45 alerts in Q4 2024.
  • Table tennis saw a notably reduction in alerts from 21 reported in Q4 2024 to 9 reported in Q1 2025, representing a 53% quarter-on-quarter fall.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, said: “The first quarter of 2025 was relatively consistent with the previous quarter and the comparable period last year. Football and tennis remain the most reported sports, albeit their combined Q1 2025 number was down 14% on Q4 2024. This quarter-on-quarter reduction was primarily due to a fall in tennis alerts, which have shown a welcome reduction in recent years. The Q4 2024 increase in table tennis alerts has not continued into Q1 2025 and has fallen back to previous levels. IBIA has taken increased precautions regarding this sport and agreed a number of new integrity partnerships and protocols in Q1 with the aim of detecting and sanctioning corrupt betting activity.”

IBIA is a leading not-for-profit dedicated to protecting the integrity of regulated sports betting markets worldwide. Its global monitoring network serves as a powerful anti-corruption tool, identifying and reporting suspicious betting activity. In late 2024, IBIA further strengthened its capabilities with a major technological upgrade, significantly enhancing its ability to detect and respond to potential match-fixing across its members’ markets.

The post 63 suspicious betting alerts reported by IBIA in Q1 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Fujitsu names Sammi Abdulla as Business Development Manager for iGaming

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Fujitsu, the leading provider of infrastructure and platform solutions to businesses in the global online gambling industry and beyond, has named Sammi Abdulla as Business Development Manager for iGaming.

Sammi is a highly experienced business development manager, having held roles at major companies both inside and outside of the industry. Most recently, he was Business Development Manager at media powerhouse, Next.io.

As Business Development Manager at Fujitsu, Sammi has been tasked with driving the company’s expansion within the global online gambling industry, building meaningful relationships, understanding the unique demands of the sector and aligning Fujitsu’s solutions with client needs.

This includes delivering tailored platform and infrastructure solutions such as compute, storage and hybrid cloud. Sammi will also consult on technical requirements and compliance standards and support clients in driving digital transformation initiatives that improve scalability, uptime and security.

Over the coming months, his priority will be to engage with key stakeholders across the industry, demonstrate how Fujitsu’s technology can add real value and help clients to strengthen and futureproof their operations via scalable, secure and reliable infrastructure.

Nick McDonald, iGaming Account Director at Fujitsu, said: “Sammi is one of the most experienced Business Development Managers in the sector with a proven track record at renowned organisations both in and out of the industry. We are delighted to be able to leverage this as we look to strengthen our position in the market. 

“Fujitsu’s platform and infrastructure solutions set the standard for others to follow, and with Sammi on board, we can make more operators and suppliers aware of our suite of products and how they can help them future proof their operations. 

“This is a significant hire for Fujitsu, and I look forward to working closely with Sammi in the weeks, months and years to come.”

Sammi AbdullaBusiness Development Manager for iGaming at Fujitsu, added: “I’m thrilled to have joined Fujitsu and to be diving even deeper into the iGaming world, a space I have good knowledge of and feel passionate about. 

“With Fujitsu’s powerful tech behind us, I’m excited to help our clients level up their infrastructure, stay ahead of the game and maybe even have a little bit of fun while we do it. 

“I’m also looking forward to working with the incredible Fujitsu team, which has already made me feel incredibly welcome.”

The post Fujitsu names Sammi Abdulla as Business Development Manager for iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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HÖLLE GAMES STRIKE IT RICH WITH SIERRA NUGGETS

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“Sierra Nuggets” goes live today, a new 243-ways slot from Hölle Games. Evoking the spirit of the Californian gold rush in the 1800s, it features the kind of symbols you’d expect – Pickaxes, Dynamite, Gold Nuggets, and of course, a roguish Miner.

Players can get a real gold rush in the game via the Free Spins which come loaded with special Golden Nuggets. Just one Nugget will pay anywhere on the reels in free spins and award players from 1x up to an astounding 1000x EACH! Now that’s the motherlode!

Impatient players can buy the feature immediately via 10, 15 or 20 Free Spins, or else opt to double their stake with the Stake Booster feature which increases the chances to enter the free rounds.

The game is now available in MGA regions with Sweden, Romanian, Netherlands, Switzerland and others coming soon.

The post HÖLLE GAMES STRIKE IT RICH WITH SIERRA NUGGETS appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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