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Slovakia: How iGaming sites can build traffic

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Are the Slovaks about to liberalize their iGaming market? Is it worth it to wait for any new laws? This deep-dive into the Slovak market takes a closer look at the reality on the ground and how you can profit from it.

This year in May, the Slovak government announced a planned liberalization of its restrictive iGaming laws.
This change would abolish the current state-owned monopoly on online casinos and it is hoped it will attract foreign operators. The plan is still in its early stages, but the detail released so far suggests the change will come into force in 2019, with a planned 23% tax on revenue.

What this deep dive will cover

We will go behind the headlines and cover the current market situation in Slovakia as it really is.

From the domestic players, to international operators, to the best-performing affiliates, you will see who is making money in the Slovak market right now.

We are also going to look at potential marketing strategies for those who want to build traffic from Slovakia.

Who this deep dive is for

If you are an operator who is considering applying for a licence, then you should read this.

If you are an operator or affiliate who has been scared away from the Slovak market by news reports of IP-blocks, payment processor bans, and €500,000 fines, then you should definitely read this.

But first a legal disclaimer

I am just a Slovak-speaking iGaming/marketing geek and not a lawyer, so none of the information below should be seen as legal advice—it isn’t. These are just my observations on Slovakia and iGaming.

Make sure to get proper legal advice before entering any grey market like Slovakia, Czech Republic or Hungary.

The legal situation today (June 2018)

Only the state-owned monopoly Tipos is permitted to run an online casino, which it does alongside a sportsbook and a lottery product.

Operators with a land-based betting business may also run online sportsbooks, and there are a number of Slovak and Czech betting firms which offer this. These firms currently pay a 27% tax on revenue.

Foreign firms who market to Slovak residents without a licence are named on a blacklist published by the Slovak Ministry of Finance. The list is updated every Monday and can be found here.

The current blacklist is a mixed bag of household names (William Hill, Bet365, Bwin), smaller operators based in the likes of Curacao, and a few affiliates.

As of June 2018, some of the names still on the list have removed any Slovak language options on their site, and yet they still appear there. The blacklist seems to be like the Hotel California—you may check in, but you may never leave.

If the firms do not shut down their websites to Slovak visitors within 10 days of going on the blacklist, Slovak Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must IP-block the website from Slovakia. However, all my technical tests show it is possible to access all the sites on the list while based in Slovakia.

The blacklist also contains IBAN details for each operator. Although there have been some public threats to stop Slovak payment processors from sending payments to these companies, I haven’t heard of this ever happening.

Indeed, there is no mention of any payments ban on the current version of the list.

The Slovak Ministry of Finance also threatens to issue fines to persistent offenders. There is a potential fine of €500,000 for operators and €250,000 for advertisers/affiliates.

Again, we haven’t heard of such fines being either issued or paid. Considering that the Dutch have failed to collect any fines since 2015, it’s probably safe to assume that no international operators have ever paid any Slovak fines.

Proposed changes to the law (by 2019)

The Ministry of Finance has recently proposed ending the state monopoly on online casinos, allowing domestic and foreign firms to seek a licence in the country.

The new proposed tax rate is 23% on revenue. This tax rate might tempt more applications for a licence than the Czech Republic did in 2017 with a 35% tax rate on revenue.

An important note on political risks to new gambling legislation

In general, Slovak political parties see anti-gambling laws as a big vote-winner.

In a further complication, Slovakia has a slightly unstable political climate, with coalition governments ruling almost exclusively since independence. These coalitions of two, three, four or more parties, all with different outlooks on gambling, mean that it’s very difficult to predict what the next government will actually do.

A perfect example of this instability is the recent disagreement between the Bratislava city council and the Bratislava regional government on the subject of banning land-based gambling in the Slovak capital. The next Slovak parliamentary election is due in 2020.

Frankly, basing an iGaming strategy on this proposed law being passed and then staying in place for more than a few months, is highly risky.

The iGaming market in Slovakia today

If you choose to enter this market, you should know what the current landscape looks like, particularly with regards to who the established competition is.

Apart from the state monopoly (Tipos), there are several betting operators with a physical presence in the country, who have a licence to also market a website to Slovak customers.

On top of this, there are plenty of international operators who continue to offer their sites in the Slovak language, including some big names.

Below are the main domestic, government-approved players with sites in the Slovak language.

– Tipos.sk – this is the state-owned monopoly, offering sportsbook, casino and lottery games. The betting odds are reasonably in line with the international market, but as the only licenced company offering online casino in the country, the selection of slot games looks dated and limited.
– iFortuna.sk – offering sportsbook only, this is the online version of a Czech gaming group which has land-based betting shops in Slovakia.
– Nike.sk – offering sportsbook only, the online version of a Slovak gaming group which has land-based betting shops in Slovakia.
– Tipsport.sk – Slovak sportsbook
– Doxxbet.sk – Slovak sportsbook, who also have sites in other countries e.g. Nigeria

On top of these domestic players, there are plenty of international operators which currently offer services in the Slovak language:

– bet365.com (licensed in Gibraltar and soon Malta, offering sportsbook & casino – they are currently on the blacklist)
– kajot-casino.com (licensed in Malta, casino only, currently on the blacklist)
– vulkanbet.com (licensed in Malta, sportsbook & casino, NOT mentioned on the blacklist)
– 1xslot.com (licensed in Cyprus, casino only)
– bohemiacasino.com (licensed in Malta, casino only, NOT mentioned on the blacklist)
– slotv.com (licensed in Cyprus, casino only)

Due to the similarities between Czech and Slovak, it’s easy for Slovak customers to read and speak the Czech language, making websites offering support in Czech a possible option for these customers.

Lots of international sites were scared off the Czech market, but a few still offer this language option, and presumably are of interest to Slovak customers.

Here are a couple you should be aware of: williamhill.com (licensed in Gibraltar, sportsbook & casino); ceskecasino.com (licensed in Curacao, casino only)

Affiliates offering content in the Slovak language

Of course, affiliates also play a key role in Slovakia. Here are the top 5 performing affiliate sites for the Slovak market: mistrcasino.cz; casino-online-sk.com (included on the blacklist); kasino-online-sk.com (included on the blacklist); najlepsiecasino.com; casino-hry.sk.
It’s interesting to note that none of these top-performing affiliates are working with any of the government-approved Slovak-based operators.

 

Written by: Ivana Flynn for Calvinayre.com. Ivana is a Malta-based SEO Consultant dedicated to helping iGaming operators and affiliates improve their organic search rankings. Her biggest professional passion is using SEO to break into new and tricky markets. In her spare time, she bakes, works out and plays with her cats.

 

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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SOFTSWISS and Evolution Launch Evo Prime Drop Campaign

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The SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator, a multipurpose gamification system for managing promotional campaigns, launched the Evo Prime Drop campaign in partnership with Evolution Gaming Group AB in March. The Evo Prime Drop aims to enhance player engagement and highlight captivating games integrated with Evolution. 

Evolution is a leading B2B solution provider for casino operators offering live casino, live game shows, slots and more. The Evo Prime Drop leverages Evolution’s extensive portfolio, available through the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator, to feature premium games from such developers as NetEnt, Red Tiger, and Big Time Gaming (BTG). 

An exceptional aspect of the Evo Prime Drop is its accessibility to casino operators within the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator network at no extra charge. This arrangement between Evolution and SOFTSWISS supports their partners in enhancing player engagement and retention. 

The campaign’s jackpot prize pool is another highlight, featuring a generous 50,000 euro. The campaign is designed to be inclusive, allowing players to participate with a minimum bet of just 1 euro. The campaign started on 11 March and will conclude on 31 March. 

The prize distribution is thoughtfully structured to maximise the number of winners, with 20 top prizes of 1,000 euro each, 100 prizes of 100 euro, and 400 prizes of 50 euro. This tiered system adds to the appeal of the Evo Prime Drop, making it a highly anticipated event in the online gaming calendar. 

This inaugural campaign, launched in collaboration with a game provider, paves the way for further initiatives for SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator clients. The Jackpot Aggregator’s unique mechanics and the Game Aggregator’s user-friendly settings make the launch seamless and fast.

Aliaksei Douhin, Head of SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator, comments: “We see immense potential in such campaigns because they present a win-win solution for all parties involved. 

Beyond addressing the casino’s primary objective of retaining and attracting players, these mechanics offer providers additional opportunities to promote their games. Furthermore, players gain new experiences, exactly what draws them to us. 

Thanks to the quick and easy launch, we view these campaigns as a positive development for the industry. 

Special thanks to Evolution for their pivotal partnership in Evo Prime Drop. Evolution’s support is instrumental in bringing these gaming opportunities to life, showcasing the strength of collaborative efforts in advancing the gaming industry.”

Nicholas Peters, Chief Business Development Officer Europe at Evolution, adds: “We are excited to partner with SOFTSWISS in the Evo Prime Drop campaign. Collaborating with the expert team behind the Jackpot Aggregator, and given the excellence of SOFTSWISS’ software solutions and the premium games from providers integrated by Evolution, we are confident in the campaign’s success.

We are constantly looking for new technologies and mechanics to maintain a leading position in the market and provide innovative solutions to our customers. We are pleased that our collaboration with the SOFTSWISS Jackpot Aggregator has proven to be mutually beneficial. “

 

About SOFTSWISS 

SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.

 

About Evolution

Evolution Group is a leading B2B provider of online casino content. Evolution’s brands are synonymous with outstanding solutions and the widest choice in the online gaming world. As well as being a world-leader of live dealer gaming with its Evolution and Ezugi brands, the NetEnt, RedTiger, Big Time Gaming and Nolimit City studios produce some of the industry’s most innovative and commercially successful slots. The Digiwheel brand is the developer of the world’s first patented HD spinning gaming wheel, offering opportunities to bring the very best of wheel based online games to land-based casinos. Livespins is an innovative B2B social streaming game provider that enables.

The post SOFTSWISS and Evolution Launch Evo Prime Drop Campaign appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BetConstruct Introduces 3 New Advanced Services: Zone Solutions, Pro DDOS Protection and Business Dashboard

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BetConstruct, a global leader in iGaming technologies committed to constant progress, has launched 3 services aimed at the high performance and growth of its partners: Zone Solutions, Pro DDOS Protection and Business Dashboard.

These services are precisely crafted to address the diverse needs of BetContruct’s partners providing them with leading-edge solutions to foster success in the competitive world of iGaming.

Zone Solutions

Zone Solutions is an all-encompassing suite of domain management services and solutions tailored specifically for Turnkey partners with domain management on their side to upgrade online operations and handle domain management with ease and confidence. From proactive strategies to meeting regulatory compliance measures, Zone Solutions helps businesses enhance an efficient online presence.

Pro DDOS Protection

Pro DDOS Protection is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution tailored specifically for White Label and Turnkey Partners, with domain management handled on the provider’s side. This leading-edge product is designed to combat Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attacks and safeguard web applications. With its instant threat detection, enhanced WAF capabilities, and rapid response, the DDOS mitigation service provides security and reliability of the digital assets of White Label and Turnkey Partners.

Business Dashboard

Business Dashboard is a powerful analytics platform that delivers real-time insights and simplifies gaming business management. This comprehensive tool allows to track key metrics across finances, player acquisition, and website traffic. It helps to optimise casino & sportsbook performance and make data-driven decisions for success.

Embracing these services, partners can confidently navigate challenges, elevate their online operations, and seize opportunities for growth in the dynamic world of iGaming. With BetConstruct as a trusted ally, the future of online gaming holds limitless potential for those who dare to innovate and succeed.

The post BetConstruct Introduces 3 New Advanced Services: Zone Solutions, Pro DDOS Protection and Business Dashboard appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Booming Games launches another smash hit with Lucky Oasis

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Let your players be transported to a world of opulence and excitement with Booming Games’ latest hit slot – Lucky Oasis.

Lucky Oasis, is a 5×3, 20-payline video slot that has been designed to immerse players into a world full of engaging new features, set against a backdrop of showgirls and the rolling of dice which will have your players quickly feeling like a high roller.

With just 3 or more Scatter symbols, players can unlock up to 12 Free Spins. Additionally, the game’s unique ‘Random Selection’ feature cranks up the excitement further, by providing players with a simple auto-selection mechanism to enhance their overall gaming experience.

However, one of the standout features of Lucky Oasis is its Wild Multipliers, which can substitute for all symbols except the Scatter, with the potential to multiply wins by up to 3,024x.

Moritz Blume, Director of Product at Booming Games commented, “Lucky Oasis is such a great addition to our game portfolio because it’s where two worlds collide. It’s packed full of innovative features that players have come to love about our games, combined with the nostalgic feel of a casino you’d find sheltering under the Nevada sun.

“We love what we do and I think this is mirrored in the games that we release and Lucky Oasis is no exception. We are really excited to see this game go live and it’s impending success.”

The post Booming Games launches another smash hit with Lucky Oasis appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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