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“We’re moving and scaling our market presence worldwide”: Exclusive interview with Evoplay CCO

Published

2 weeks ago

June 3, 2021

George Miller

“We’re moving and scaling our market presence worldwide”: Exclusive interview with Evoplay CCO

Reading Time: 4 minutes

As the famous tech-first studio prepares to take the Baltic region by storm following its debut in Estonia, and soon Lithuania, we caught up with Evoplay’s CCO, Vladimir Malakchi to talk about the supplier’s expert insight into the CEE market and player profiles.

Congratulations on Evoplay’s latest market debut! How long have you had your eye on the Baltics?

Thank you, it’s a real milestone for us and we’re very pleased to be expanding and building a first-class network. The Baltics is an important market and we’ve been planning entry for some time.

The growth there has been astounding – in Latvia, for example, Euro 11.5 million was generated by the online casino sector just a few years ago. And in Estonia, a recent survey showed that 80% of adults said they had, at least once, placed bets on games of chance, which shows what a tech-savvy audience we’re dealing with.

Our games have proven to resonate really well with CEE players, and we first entered Romania with WinBet, as well as expanding into Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia. Alongside that, we have already certified our games with local certificates and we’re about to enter Lithuania with one of its most credible casino operators to continue building our Baltic presence

Tell us about your latest deals – what do they encompass and what are you set to deliver?

We’re moving and scaling our market presence worldwide. The CEE region, Estonia and Lithuania are three markets we’ve been looking at this year, and I’m sure we’ll have plenty more exciting news to announce soon enough.

In 2021, we entered Estonia with Slots.io, and with our Lithuanian regulatory approval added to the mix, one can certainly say that our approach is globally local.

When it comes to our offering, we’ve hand-picked our very best to please not only the regulator but also our new players, including Ice Mania, Fluffy Rangers and Forest Dreams. Having really made a name for ourselves as one of the most tech-first suppliers around, we’re very confident that we’ll be able to bring a truly exciting gaming experience to the table that will showcase just how much we stand out as a unique supplier.

What’s your overall view of the three markets available? How do they compare to other CEE markets where Evoplay is live?

The preferences are similar to the typical CEE player, and accordingly relate to the European player profile. We find that CEE countries have similar tastes with regards to games, but with slightly differing needs from country to country.

What we need to remember here is that mobile is the key channel. This means each of our games need to be designed for a highly discerning audience that knows exactly what they should expect when it comes to next-gen gaming. This means flawless graphics, pitch-perfect sounds and an immersive atmosphere that can compete on a par with other types of mobile-based games that they’re accustomed to outside of gambling.

When it comes to the tech – what’s the primary channel of choice for Estonia and Lithuania, and how do you aim to tailor your offering?

As already mentioned, mobile is king – and this is where we really excel. Of course, we go far deeper than that when it comes to evaluating what we have to offer and tailoring our games accordingly. Now it’s too early to say, as we’re still testing and analysing the feedback from players from these markets and adjusting our offering based on the incoming data and each game’s performance.

This, is of course, means that we plan to bring plenty more of our games to the table as we continue to hone our offering, and we will share more specific data and feedback after six months in these markets, but the initial findings are interesting and positive. As everywhere, players choose quality, interesting games that they find familiar to the ones that they are used to seeing on the market.

So, this fits very well with Evoplay’s approach of giving the games you feel you know, but with a new spin based on stunning graphics, great mechanics, and incredible technological implementations.

Taking a look at the games you have prepared for your partners – what have you selected as the best in your catalogue? What can players look forward to?

For the Estonian and Lithuanian markets, we’ve certified a selection of 40 slot titles and we’re pleased to see that all of them have good performance rates in Estonia already, and in some cases – have knocked even our most optimistic expectations right out of the park. Players really like what we have to offer, and we’re delighted to be making a real difference when it comes to entertainment.

Delving into our titles, we think, for example, that Ice Mania, Forest Dreams and Fluffy Rangers are going to be big hits in Estonia, and we’re confident that this will carry over to Lithuania, too – especially, of course, our worldwide evergreen hits such as Hot Triple Sevens, Elven Princesses and Fruit Nova.

Last but not least, how do you see further CEE expansion fitting into Evoplay’s strategy? Should we expect plenty more news soon enough?

We’re exploring all opportunities with regards to our CEE market expansion – it’s a strong marketing that’s ripe for our gaming experience. In many ways, we’re only just getting started – with the Balkan markets proving especially exciting as player interest continues to surge there.

Moving southwards, of special interest to us is Greece – and we’re working hard to assemble a catalogue of regulation-friendly products as we undergo the suppliers’ licencing process, adapted this year. This changing nature of regulation is something I predict to continue to be a hot topic throughout 2021 on the continent, and it’s all about being innovative and agile to adapt to both the regulator and our partners’ needs.

Further afield, we’re open and looking to new markets to reach in Central Western Europe, LatAm and emerging markets. Having a global reach, but with locally relevant games, is a core driver for us, and we’re very much looking forward to keeping our momentum going from last year, which was a record-breaking time for us, across markets, launches and new games. Do stay tuned for plenty more exciting announcements soon enough!

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Betway adds the Nordea Open to its Tennis sponsorship portfolio

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2021

George Miller

Betway adds the Nordea Open to its Tennis sponsorship portfolio

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Global online betting and gaming company Betway and the Nordea Open are proud to announce their partnership, seeing the bookmaker become the official betting partner for the ATP event.

Taking place from July 5 to July 18, the clay court tennis tournament is one of the strongest and most popular on the tour, boasting world-class tennis talent and a venue unlike any other on the circuit.

As Sweden’s oldest and most well-attended sporting event, this announcement highlights the brand’s ever-growing commitment to sponsorship of the biggest sporting events. Joining Betway’s impressive Tennis portfolio which already includes the Miami Open, NOVENTI OPEN and the Mercedes Cup.

Anthony Werkman, Betway CEO said: “We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Nordea Open, which is our first tennis sponsorship in Sweden.

“The tournament is universally popular with players and fans and we’re very proud to be the official betting partner.”

Christer Hult, Tournament Director said: “Nordea Open is very proud to welcome Betway as a new Main Sponsor for 2021-2023. We have a strong portfolio of sponsors with many international brands and Betway as a leading company within the gambling market will contribute to further strengthen and develop the tournament and Båstad as a meeting place.”

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Week 24/2021 slot games releases

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Here are this weeks latest slots releases!

he new, MGA Games adventure is now available to online casino users. The company, specialists in creating and developing premium slot games, has just released its latest production staring the elite athlete Yohanna Alonso as the main character. The quality of the slot game’s graphics and its musical production manages to immerse the player in a mythical adventure with the Vikings for the chance of winning thousands of prizes.

Belatra Games, has revved up its super slots portfolio with the release of Night Racing. Get your engines into gear and race into a neon world of high octane, beautiful cars and romance. During the main game Wild symbols can appear on the second, third or fourth reels and when they do, it fills the entire reel and triggers Free Games. Once cruising in Free Games the Wild reel shifts leftwards and will continue to do so until the last one races across the screen to signal the end.

Pragmatic Play, a leading content provider to the gaming industry, has released its fiery new slot, Dragon Hot Hold and Spin, packed to the brim with features and breathtaking rewards. The 3×5 Asian-inspired slot will have players breaking into a sweat with its high volatility and high-value rewards of up to 5,000x the stake! The central focus of the game is the Hold and Spin feature, with three types of Coin symbols used to unlock it. Diamond, Gold and Silver Coin symbols hold random values when they appear on the reels.

BF Games is inviting players to pick up the sheriff badge and keep bandits in check in Wild West themed title Wild Jack Remastered, launched exclusively with operator partner 1xBet. The game transports players into a cacti-filled land with nothing else but a bank and an isolated saloon, but action is just around the corner as the masked main character, Jack Wilds, is planning mischief. A classic 3×3 fruit slot, Wild Jack Remastered also features the expected sheriff badges, revolvers, and horseshoes.

Push Gaming has launched its first ever jackpot slot, Mount Magmas, having worked on its development with tier-one operator LeoVegas. Exclusively available to play now via LeoVegas, the red-hot slot takes players deep into the fiery Mount Magma, with a host of volcano jackpots that keep getting hotter and can erupt at any moment. Totalling 20 paylines, the 5×4 title includes both a Daily and a Mega jackpot, as well as a scorching base game with some truly searing potential.

Evoplay has announced the launch of its bubbly new underwater voyage, Gold of Sirens. The provider’s latest venture is set in Poseidon’s elusive underwater kingdom and challenges players to conquer the high seas while evading the seductive grasp of the sirens’ song. Only the bravest of players will make it past the ferocious sirens and make it to the Free Spins game, where they will have a chance to trigger a number of jackpots and collect a big win.

Stakelogic, the in-demand slot developer behind some of this year’s most popular games,in conjunction with Greenlogic partner, Touchstone Games are encouraging players to join the giant on his quest for gold and big wins in its latest release, Giant’s Fortune MegawaysTM. The slot uses Big Time Gaming’s revolutionary MegawaysTM mechanic to deliver up to 117,649 ways to win with every spin. Players can also take advantage of unused Wilds that land on the reels during the base game – they remain in place from round to round until they form a winning combo.

Play’n GO have a winning card up their sleeve with the next instalment in their Joker series, Free Reelin’ Joker. Set in funhouse-style surroundings, the Free Reelin’ Joker is finally home from his mischievous travels. He’s the roaming brother to the Joker sisters and the newest member to join the pack. Simple and classic in its style, Free Reelin’ Joker is a model slot game filled with all the features and symbols you’d expect to see in a traditional fruit machine, including fruits, sevens and Wilds.

GAMING1 has announced the launch of its latest exciting slot game, Emaki and The Sevens. Combining premium quality features from the casino and video gaming sectors, the title invites players on an Eastern-style adventure with the charming Emaki and his pet dragon, discovering world-class audiovisual effects and exciting prizes along the way.

Lucksome, the new games studio powered by leading developer Blueprint Gaming, has followed up on the success of its inaugural slot release with Joker Maxima. This modern classic style slot, which launches 22nd July, is packed with a host of features to maximise player engagement, including options to tailor the gaming experience to suit personal preferences. Lady Joker acts as both a Wild and win multiplier, offering the potential to multiply a win by x16 in the base game and x24 within Free Spins.

Pragmatic Play, a leading content provider to the gaming industry, draws inspiration from the heroes of Olympus in the launch of its latest slot title, Lucky Lightning. Players will find themselves in an Ancient Greek setting in the provider’s new 3×5 slot, with symbols featuring Greek gods Zeus and Hera and various staples of Greek mythology, such as the Minotaur of Crete, the legendary Griffin, and the winged horse, Pegasus. The central mechanic in Lucky Lightning is the Wild Respin feature, which is triggered randomly when a Lightning Symbol lands on the first two reels, affecting them in one of two ways.

Yggdrasil and Reflex Gaming have challenged players to battle the beast on top of the tower in its latest thrilling collaboration Krazy Klimber. The 3×5, 20 payline video slot sees a giant ape as the focal point of the game, looking to scale the tower in search of huge wins. The latest YG Masters title has two major features which can be triggered on any spin – the Krazy Klimber bonus game or free spins.

BGaming goes in search of riches in the new Dig Dig Digger slot! Join the crazy archeologist, looking for wealth in the heart of Egypt! The charismatic and hilarious charaсter will uncover all the gold! The slot is already available at reputable casinos such as Duxcasino and PinoCasino. The Dig Dig Digger slot is a captivating adventure for every player waiting for big winnings! With HD graphics and a 5×3 scheme, Dig Dig Digger has a popular “book of” mechanic.

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AskGamblers Successfully Held Its Charity Event and the Long-Awaited AskGamblers Awards Virtual Show

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2021

George Miller

AskGamblers Successfully Held Its Charity Event and the Long-Awaited AskGamblers Awards Virtual Show

Reading Time: 2 minutes

After months of voting and anticipation about who the winners of the AskGamblers Awards race were going to be, these names are finally in, and we can’t wait to share them. Once again, our team couldn’t be more proud to have successfully held the AskGamblers Awards show and the AskGamblers Charity event.

With the much-anticipated AskGamblers Awards virtual show held last night, on 17 June 2021, at 8 pm, the race is now officially closed and the winners’ names are in. Due to the current situation, the event was held online and everyone was invited to tune in and watch the show via live stream. The AskGamblers Charity event was also held last night and, thanks to our partners, we managed to raise an incredible €65,300.

The AskGamblers’ General Manager Denis Ristic shared his gratitude by saying: “All of us at AskGamblers have invested so much time, dedication, and energy in these events, and we couldn’t wait for June 17 and the main show to start. After last night, we are thrilled with how everything went and we’d like to thank everyone who took part, for being a crucial part of the AskGamblers Awards race, and for making this entire concept so exciting! Congrats to the winners – we are extremely happy for you!”

In a joint effort with AskGamblers judges, the players had the chance to vote for one candidate in each of the following categories – the Best Casino, the Best New Casino, the Best New Slot, and the Best Software Provider, and, in doing so, had their say in choosing the winners.

Now, without further ado, here are the names of the winners per each category:

Best Casino: True Flip Casino

Best New Casino: Slot Hunter Casino

Player’s Choice Casino: SlotWolf Casino

Best Affiliate Partner: Betsson Group Affiliates

Best Affiliate Manager: Andreza Majela (Campeon Gaming Partners)

Best New Slot: Money Train 2 Slot

Best Software Provider: NoLimitCity

The entire AskGamblers team would once again like to use this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in our charity event and participated in the Awards race to help select the best of the best!

About AskGamblers

AskGamblers, officially acclaimed the best casino website, provides the most trusted, unbiased online casino, slot, and bonus reviews. It also features real player opinions and ratings highly valuable in the iGaming community. Thanks to its unique Casino Complaint Service, over $39 million has been returned to over 14k players thus far. Our motto is: “Get the truth. Then play!”

About AskGamblers Awards

AskGamblers Awards is an annual event within the iGaming industry organised by AskGamblers.com. The competition includes the following categories: the Best Casino, the Best New Casino, the Best New Slot, the Best Software Provider and the Best Partner. What makes AskGamblers Awards stand out is the fact players’ unique opinion is taken into consideration when pronouncing winners.