Gambling in the USA
Push Gaming’s 2023 report: the US, more games and new horizons
As 2023 draws to a close, Push Gaming’s Director of New Business and Markets, Fiona Hickey, reflects on its recent progress on and off the reels and how the news of its acquisition has been received stateside, where the popular studio intends to make a splash.
With Push’s much-anticipated entry into the US market looming, has this influenced the agenda of US event attendance in 2023?
We’ve been diligently preparing for our US market entry for the past few years, gaining valuable insights and developing a comprehensive strategy as to our approach to the jurisdiction. With the potential of the US market being so great, it is worth taking our time and preparing for our launch accordingly.
During our pre-planning stage, we attended events like G2E Las Vegas among others where we met with regulators and gathered a broader understanding of the US gaming market so that we were sufficiently knowledgeable and informed of the market.
We’ve also been studying popular game concepts in both the online and the land-based market to ensure that our launch offerings will resonate with US players. By carefully considering the regulatory environment and player preferences, we have been able to develop a comprehensive plan to market that will position us for success when we begin to roll out there.
Has the recent acquisition by MGMRI/LeoVegas furthered this agenda at all? Or is it business as usual in terms of your US debut?
Our recent merger with MGM Resorts has significantly enhanced our US expansion strategy. The deal enables us to capitalise on BetMGM’s market-leading position and introduce our globally celebrated titles to American players for the first time on one of the most prominent operators’ platforms.
This will catapult our brand awareness in the US and help integrate our titles into the public zeitgeist of online slots within that market, encouraging more growth thereafter with additional operators and partners.
Your product roadmap has been boosted by an acceleration in game launches – what impact does this have on selling Push Gaming to operators?
We’ve been consistently raising the bar for our games in terms of quality and quantity over the past few years. Each new game provides an opportunity to innovate and expand our knowledge whilst delivering new features to players. With each successive release, we become a stronger provider and the recent uptick in these launches has amplified our already well-known inclination to innovate.
With over 60 direct integrations and partnerships with nearly all tier-one operators in the regulated markets that we are live in, we’re in an incredibly strong position. Adding more award-winning games to our portfolio allows us to capitalise on this position and expand even further, both with new operators and with our existing partners.
The big product news of 2023 was Razor Returns. Has this resulted in more interest in your content?
Our portfolio has always garnered significant attention from both players and operators because we’re constantly pushing the boundaries of slot development. We don’t simply replicate trends, we add our unique touch to create something truly exceptional and this is sought out by players and proves beneficial to operators. Razor Returns was a resounding success and since its launch, it has remained a top game for our partners. Players are drawn to its mix of familiar gameplay and the evolution of a fan-favourite franchise with new additions to its mechanics, the slot has proven to be a hit since release.
As we move into 2024, we’ve already crafted an impressive roadmap for Q1, featuring seven games, one of which is the highly anticipated Wild Swarm 2 which we believe has the potential to be our most successful sequel yet. We also have Retro Sweets upcoming, the long-awaited sequel to Retro Tapes, which we know our partners will love. For them and ourselves, content is king and consistently delivering high-quality entertainment experiences is key to garnering more interest in our games.
What other regions and new markets are in the pipeline for Push?
Following our entry into Greece, Italy, and Switzerland towards the end of 2023, we plan to continue our expansion and aim to be live in Spain in Q2 next year. We will also be looking to continue our growth and expansion into Latin America, along with our much-awaited entry into the US being on the horizon. We are excited to continue to grow our business, offering our innovative games to new players around the world and providing existing Push enthusiasts with new games to enjoy. There are exciting times ahead.
Gambling in the USA
Spin Your Way to Political Fun in Slotland and WinADay’s Race for Office MegaMatrix Slot
The drama of the 2024 U.S. elections is here, and players can take advantage of extra bonuses to play Race for Office, Game of the Month.
Slotland and WinADay are bringing the excitement of the U.S. presidential election to life this month with the fan-favourite, Race for Office, packed with a wealth of bonuses.
Launched in 2020, Race for Office features a lively American theme with familiar political figures set against the U.S. Capitol. Updated for 2024, revamped to include Kamala Harris and Donald Trump with their running mates in a light-hearted style. With a 5-reel MegaMatrix setup and 15 paylines, players can bet anywhere from $0.60 to $30.
As the Game of the Month on Slotland and WinADay, Race for Office will be featured with special Match bonuses—55% at Slotland and 44% at WinADay. Players using cryptocurrency can enjoy a 75% Match on Slotland deposits of $5 to $500, and a 66% Match on WinADay deposits of $40 to $200!
Keep spinning to unlock a lucky PICK ME round and boost your balance with some extra campaign cash! Players who hit three PICK ME scatters, the handshake, can enter a bonus game. By clicking on tiles in a 5×5 grid, players can level up to higher prizes, creating a race to collect winnings until they hit the coveted ‘COLLECT’ sign.
Players can also enter a random draw for a chance to win up to $300. Every 100 spins earns a ticket for the Monthly Contest, with winners announced by December 17, 2024. It’s the perfect incentive to keep spinning as the political season unfolds!
Michael Hilary, Casino Manager, says: “This November, join Slotland and WinADay in the Race for Office and experience the fun of politics like never before. Spin the reels, claim your bonuses, and who knows—you might just land a jackpot that’ll have you celebrating like it’s election night!”
View a video version of this story
Race for Office Game of the Month Promo Details: slotland.eu/en/promotions#game-of-the-month and winadaycasino.eu/en/promotions
The hottest new game from Aristocrat Gaming, Phoenix Link, is now live on casino floors, with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino being the first in North America to offer the highly-anticipated game. As the next evolution of the international hit game, Dragon Link, Phoenix Link features player-favorite mechanics from top games with all-new themes, features, and bonuses.
“We have been humbled by the incredible global fanfare Dragon Link has received over the years but are never ones to rest on our laurels. The teams have been working tirelessly on a follow-up that brings together all the player-favorite elements in a new and exciting way with Phoenix Link as the proud result. We were thrilled to partner with Yaamava’ to premiere Phoenix Link with flair, excitement, and celebration,” said Victor Duarte, executive vice president of product for Aristocrat Gaming.
Phoenix Link players will enjoy the game’s additional denominations, configurations, and jackpots on each of the launch game theme titles. Gameplay features include Hold & Spin, Free Games with multiplier wilds or twin spin reels, Phoenix Mystery trigger, and more new bonus twists. Phoenix Link is available on the Neptune Single cabinet.
“Yaamava’ is thrilled to host yet another world premiere in gaming with the launch of Phoenix Link by Aristocrat Gaming. Our Club Serrano members are already raving about this captivating extension of the player-favorite Dragon Link. It’s a great addition to the Yaamava’ gaming floor,” said Kenji Hall, General Manager of Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, said.
Gambling in the USA
NOVOMATIC shines at G2E 2024: A street smart showcase of innovation and engagement
In line with its commitment to innovation, NOVOMATIC unveiled several ground breaking product launches that left a significant impact on the gaming industry. The V.I.P. X™ cabinet series emerged as one of the main attractions, highlighting models such as the V.I.P. X Royal™ 1.85, V.I.P. X Dream™ 3.43, and the V.I.P. X Lounge™ 2.32. The crown jewel of the presentation was the V.I.P. Galaxy™ 2.65, setting a new benchmark for luxury cabinets with its perfect blend of comfort and state-of-the-art gaming technology. Featuring high-definition screens and immersive sound systems, the fully adjustable lounge design promises an unparalleled gaming experience, leaving customers eager to introduce these innovations onto their gaming floors.
The unveiling of a new LED wall as part of the DIAMOND X™ series, including the DIAMOND X™ 1.55J, showcased the U.S.-style designed Piggy Prizes title. The modern and interactive design sent a clear message: NOVOMATIC Americas has fully arrived, enhancing its reputation for premium entertainment experiences.
Groundbreaking Progressives and a Robust VGT Lineup
NOVOMATIC introduced a variety of THUNDER CASH™ GOLD Progressives featuring new titles like Charming Lady’s Boom Coins™ and Red Amazon Explosion™. The Globe Link™ Xtension Volume 1 & 2 also attracted considerable interest, marking a significant impact with several new themes. The excitement surrounding these progressive games was palpable, bolstered by innovative math models and enticing bonus structures.
The VGT product range received special emphasis, particularly with the Street-Smart-themed area dedicated to highlight the themes and flexible assortment of cabinet styles for markets in Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and Georgia. This dynamic showcase reinforced NOVOMATIC’s commitment to providing leading solutions in performance and player appeal within the VGT sector. Featuring both NOVOLINE™ and Magic HD customer favorite themes, this area showed the new game mixes on DIAMOND X™ 2.32, BLACK EDITION II 3.27 & BLACK EDITION II 1.49J, V.I.P. X Lounge™ 2.32 and FUNMASTER 2.27. Specifically in Illinois, featuring the Magic HD game mix consisting of the Overlay Magic Play Lock & Spin feature, and the new Poker3™ multi-hand video poker mix. NOVOLINE™ games were shown on the Black Edition II 1.49J cabinet with popular games like ULTRA BOOST™ and Money Party™ themes. Georgia Skill showed three new game titles in the Magic HD mix while more new titles lined the streets of the NOVOMATIC booth.
Advancements in Sports Betting and Casino Management
In addition to its product line, NOVOMATIC showed their cutting-edge sports betting kiosks including the ActionBook™ Edge 1.43J, and ActionBook™ Plus 2.27 models. With advanced graphics and rapid processing capabilities, these kiosks offer operators unmatched flexibility and performance. The premiere of the award-winning NOVOVISION™ casino management system was another highlight, leveraging biometric technology for enhanced player recognition and streamlined operations. Already acknowledged as a ‘Best CMS/Software Product’ at the European Casino Awards, this system generated significant buzz regarding its potential to revolutionize the gaming landscape.
Industry Recognition for Creative and Commercial Success
The combination of NOVOMATIC’s innovative product launches and captivating booth design earned widespread acclaim. The company was recognized for its Street-Smart booth, praised for creativity, interactivity, and the memorable experiences it fostered. Industry experts and attendees alike hailed NOVOMATIC’s presence at G2E 2024 as one of the most impactful.
Alexander Merwald, CEO at NOVOMATIC Americas, stated, “G2E 2024 was an incredible success for NOVOMATIC. We were proud to showcase the V.I.P. X™ cabinet series – Our ‘Street Games, Street Smart’ focus resonated strongly, as we demonstrated how our tailored solutions meet the real-world needs of both casino and VGT operators. The response from customers reaffirmed NOVOMATIC’s position as a leader in delivering innovation, performance, and market-specific strategies for North America.”
Thomas Schmalzer, VP of Global Sales, and Product Management at NOVOMATIC AG, added, “The product diversity and innovation showcased at G2E 2024 have been enthusiastically received by both operators and players. Our V.I.P. X™ series and extensive range of progressives reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering premium solutions to the global market.”
With new partnerships established and product placements secured at G2E 2024, NOVOMATIC is primed to expand its market presence across North America. The success at this year’s expo signifies a vital step forward in the company’s mission to set the standard for gaming entertainment.
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