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Spectrum Gaming Group Reveals Top 10 Gaming Trends for 2019
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Spectrum Gaming Group, an independent research and professional services firm serving public- and private-sector clients worldwide, has developed its 15th annual list of Most Important Trends that the global gaming industry needs to monitor in 2019.
This list has been developed in conjunction with experts from:
- Spectrum Gaming Capital
- Spectrum Asia
- Spectrum Gaming Sports Group
- Spectrum Esports Advisors
Spectrum tracks these and other trends on a regular basis. To view previous years’ lists, visit https://spectrumgaming.com/gaming-trends/.
Top 10 trends for 2019 (in order of prominence):
- An increasing number of jurisdictions around the world will seek to authorize integrated resorts – largely through a competitive bidding process – as the most effective means of leveraging gaming as an economic tool to help achieve their policy goals. Related to that, Japan will appoint a gaming oversight board and promulgate IR regulations, and prefectures will position themselves to attract and be selected for IR sites by the national government.
- In Asia, the online gaming industry – including the streaming of casino games to China from the Philippines and Cambodia – will begin to face scrutiny from China and from international regulators. Concurrently, we expect changes to the Asian junket industry as some junkets position themselves as casino operators and others go out of business as the reliance on junkets diminishes in Macau and Macau continues to evolve as a mass and premium-mass market.
- Sports-betting legislation will continue to proliferate in the United States and gain momentum, as we expect at least nine state governments and lotteries to begin the process of authorizing legal sports betting, spurred by various forces, including the fiscal needs of states. Concurrently, the relatively slow acceptance and expansion of online gaming in the US will speed up in 2019, fueled in part by the proliferation of sports betting in a digital format, as well as by the need for legislatures to plug budget deficits.
- The interest of lotteries to expand into both igaming and sports betting will grow significantly, creating competitive tensions in jurisdictions that have both lotteries and either tribal or commercial casinos, requiring legislatures to address such conflicts through new policies that provide limits as to the online channels and offerings that lotteries and casinos can pursue.
- Private companies and organizations that have not previously been involved in any form of legal gaming, such as sports bars and restaurants, will seek to offer sports and/or online wagering, largely choosing to become lottery retailers, as they follow the lead of lotteries into this burgeoning field. More states will respond to fiscal pressures by expanding their gaming offerings through additional licenses, lottery expansions, retail gaming and other means, prompting existing land-based casino licensees to push back, as they view such expansions as detrimental to their operations and to the value of their existing licenses.
- Lotteries that seek to offer mobile and online sports betting will be pressured to adopt regulatory policies that have to date largely been limited to gaming operators, including more robust, comprehensive licensing of retailers, as well as rules governing areas ranging from internal-control submissions to responsible-gaming policies and other areas.
- States and tribal governments that have existing compacts that did not contemplate online or sports betting will face increasing pressure to overcome their reluctance to open compact negotiations to address these areas.
- European and Asian B2B sports-betting and online gaming providers will seek entry points into the US market, with many facing challenges due to previous online ventures into gray and black markets. This will prompt legislators and regulators to develop clear, uniform definitions as to what constitutes a gray or black market. Concurrently, as online and sports betting expand in the US, regulators and legislators will be pressed to restrict and regulate advertising and related rules, following similar plans under consideration by some major European jurisdictions — including Italy and the United Kingdom.
- More gaming and pari-mutuel operators, from large integrated resorts to small race tracks, will seek esports offerings, in part to better leverage under-utilized space, and in part, to address an aging slot demographic. Offerings will range from offering esports as an amenity to ultimately offering esports as a wagering opportunity.
- M&A activity is likely to ramp up in US casino operations, as online gaming consolidation in general will continue, as sports book/online platforms and operators will be on the radar for US operators and suppliers. Related to that, we expect European players to be hunting for US acquisitions as well.
These trends and other issues will be discussed at the following upcoming events where Spectrum will be speaking:
- Sports Betting Policy Summit, November 15 in Washington, DC
- National Tax Association Conference on Taxation, November 15-17 in New Orleans
- Sports Betting USA, November 27-28 in New York City
- Winter Meeting of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), January 4-6 in New Orleans
About Spectrum:
Spectrum Gaming Group is a non-partisan consultancy that specializes in the economics, regulation and policy of legalized gambling worldwide. We have provided independent research and professional services to public- and private-sector clients since 1993. We bring wide industry perspective to every engagement, having worked in 36 US states and territories and in 47 countries on six continents.
Source: Spectrum Gaming Group
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Soft2Bet releases TopBet.ro in Romania with a motorsport‑inspired identity tailored to local fans
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Soft2Bet has launched TopBet.ro, a new Romanian sportsbook designed to cater to local habits and preferences. Built with a clear focus on motorsport and match-day culture, the brand combines competitive odds and fast mobile journeys with an auto-themed identity that resonates with local fans.
From launch, TopBet.ro has been tuned to the way Romanians follow sport. Football and motorsport are front and centre, with timely markets, match-day boosts and content that reflects supporters’ weekly rituals. Romania’s proximity to major European circuits and easy short-haul travel make it a natural home for motorsport fans, and TopBet.ro responds with creative campaigns, themed missions and seasonal offers built around grand prix weekends. The same care is evident throughout the interface: clear navigation, quick bet placement, and a clean, mobile-first design.
Yoel Zuckerberg, Chief Product Officer at Soft2Bet, said: “With TopBet.ro, we set out to create a brand that feels Romanian from the first tap, then added MEGA missions and challenges that turn derby days and grand prix weekends into journeys people return to. What we prove on our own brands becomes the toolkit we offer partners, combining culturally tuned products with measurable engagement and the ability to scale with minimal integration effort.”
Brand representative from TopBet.ro commented: “TopBet.ro is designed for Romanian fans who want more from every match. Together with Soft2Bet, we built a platform that connects sport, competition, and rewards in a way that feels natural and exciting. Our goal is to give every player the chance to experience the game like a champion.”
Alongside sports, TopBet.ro offers a comprehensive casino lobby for quick breaks or a change of pace, featuring popular slots, live dealer tables, and sports-themed titles, all delivered in a mobile-first format with clear navigation and quick load times. The experience is powered by Soft2Bet’s performance-first platform, which delivers speed, stability, and smooth gameplay, along with responsible play tools tailored to local requirements. A key part of this is MEGA (Motivational Engineering Gaming Application), the engagement engine that turns play into progress through missions, challenges and quests that unlock rewards and keep sessions fresh.
The approach has already proved successful in Romania, where seasonal quests and local events are firm favourites among players. By turning everyday actions into clear milestones and rewards, MEGA lifts session depth and repeat visits, helping first-time players become long-term customers.
The post Soft2Bet releases TopBet.ro in Romania with a motorsport‑inspired identity tailored to local fans appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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ELA Games Casts Its Latest Spell with Witches’ Book
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ELA Games beckons players to step into a shadowy realm of sorcery and mystery with its newest release: Witches’ Book
Bathe in the magic as a powerful coven of three witches conjures their spells across the reels, revealing mysterious rewards and surprises. Each spin is a step toward ultimate strength, where massive riches and bubbling magic await.
The Power of the Book
In the Witches’ Book, magic shimmers in every spin. Players aim to collect enchanted pages and experience the power of each witch’s most mythical spells.
Once players gather enough enchanted pages, they complete the spellbook and choose their witch and symbol to unlock the magical Free Spins. As the witches’ power grows, every symbol has the chance to transform into a Jackpot, turning ordinary spins into powerful, enriching moments.
A medium volatility level and 94.9% RTP ensure that wins are frequent even on the base game. Additionally, multiple surprise features can arise and spread across the 5×3 reel format, making each spin a potion of excitement.
ELA Games’ Magical Touch
Witches’ Book is an enchanting embodiment of ELA Games’ philosophy regarding creative innovation and a focus on engaging gaming experiences. The games’ animations, sound design, and dynamic mechanics blend to create an atmospheric game that will have players a part of the incantation.
Marharyta Yerina, ELA Games’ Managing Director, commented on the release, “With Witches’ Book, our goal was to create a title that emphasises the visually-rich aesthetics that embody the atmosphere of the brooding festive season. Every feature and design element was meticulously crafted to keep players engaged and deliver value for our partners. Witches’ Book is an example of our development approach: leverage creativity to entertain players while driving meaningful performance results for operators.”
Discover Enchanting Riches Now
Players can dive into the mysterious world of magic and spells today, with powerful gameplay and immersive experiences.
Finish your incantation and cast a powerful, lucrative spell today.
The post ELA Games Casts Its Latest Spell with Witches’ Book appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Hits the Portuguese Fast Lane with Tiago Pereira of LeBull.pt
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Lisbon’s streets set the pace for Season 2 of GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives — the drive-time podcast where iGaming’s most interesting voices speak freely, in motion. Hosted by Yevhen Krazhan, Chief Sales Officer at GR8 Tech, each episode captures raw insight, candid stories, and the kind of energy you can only find on the road.
Episode 2 puts the spotlight on Tiago Pereira, Head of Portugal at LeBull.pt, the executive who helped turn a logo and a bull into one of the fastest-growing brands in Portugal’s regulated iGaming market. With more than 20 years in sports betting, affiliates, and casino operations at Placard.pt, Betano.pt, bet.pt, and Sportingbet, Tiago has led market entries, compliance frameworks, sponsorships, and full-funnel digital growth.
During the ride, Tiago opens up about:
- How he found his path and his journey from architecture and computer science to marketing.
- The history of LeBull.
- Portugal vs. Brazil: same language, different mindset: why copy-paste doesn’t work and true localization is key.
- The idea behind the LeBull Night Show, a weekly late-night comedy event.
- His failed marketing project.
- Trusting younger generations.
- His previous approach to marketing when he joined Betano in 2017.
- Why the Portuguese sports betting market relies on the casino vertical.
- The next chapter for affiliation.
- Network or Not Work: mascots, localization, and keeping support teams local.
- A small personal detail that’s still quietly visible online for those who know where to look.
- His Champion Rule: move forward with an “I need to get this done” mindset. Whatever happens, don’t stop. Stay consistent, keep moving forward, and the results will follow.
“Tiago showed us how to win a new market with discipline, curiosity, and the courage to keep moving forward,” said Krazhan.
Watch or listen to Season 2, Episode 2 with Tiago Pereira on:
Bet It Drives Season 2 kicked off with Rasmus Sojmark and keeps the pace with upcoming episodes featuring Kyrylo Korobka and Kelly Kehn. Buckle up. Lisbon’s just getting started.
The next chapter of iGaming belongs to those who play smart and play bold. Meet GR8 Tech at booth 5028-2 during SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome, November 3–6, and discover the Heavyweight Rulebook built for operators ready to scale, localize, and win.
The post GR8 Tech’s Bet It Drives Hits the Portuguese Fast Lane with Tiago Pereira of LeBull.pt appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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