Interviews

The changing face of sports betting

Published

3 years ago

December 3, 2021

With Flutter reporting a key trend of a higher proportion of accumulator bets being placed across the US, is the recreational betting market about to hit lift-off? We talk to Callum Broxton, Commercial Director at Checkd Group, Brandon Walker, Head of Amelco US and Alex Kornilov, CEO at Betegy, to get the low-down on the market, examining the role played by European suppliers in shaping the offering put in front of bettors and looking at how high-quality content and new media partnerships are driving engagement and trimming CPA for operators.

How quickly is recreational betting growing in the US and how influential are the ideas imported by European suppliers?

Callum Broxton, Checkd Group: “There has been some understandable copying of homework as the US market finds its feet, with high-margin products starting to be placed front and centre by the major operators. Much has been made of the need to educate the population on the intricacies and details of sports betting, but that same population has spent years being stats-obsessed thanks to fantasy sports and broadcasts of the games themselves. Recreational markets such as single-game parlays bundle up the knowledge they already have and present it to them in a simple, easy to consume betting product.

“There has also been a clear realisation of the organic marketing power of big wins from small stakes and the role that plays in attracting a whole new audience. Winning $10,000 from a $10 parlay is far more relatable and attainable than winning the same amount from a $5k bet on a single match to hit the over. The former is also far more likely to catch fire on social media and be picked up by publishers, operators and affiliates across the country – those sorts of stories are an invaluable marketing tool for the industry as a whole.”

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Brandon Walker, Amelco: “It’s definitely growing and it’s extremely influential. Pre-defined accas / parlays are really going to take off, especially with recreational punters. Alongside that, with the likes of BetBull and its tipsters, it’s got every reason to drive serious growth.

“That’s not to say that’s all the market is going to be, but it will certainly play a big role in the landscape, especially in attracting a new generation of bettor, rather than the old-school approach of moneyline and single bets. The traditional ways of betting will always be there, of course – with the mainstay of high rollers, VIPs and singles.

“But, on the recreational side, newer bettors are going to be interested in the likes of pre-defined parlays, who will want something that can be more emotional, rather than a complex decision. Looking at Fubo for example, we’re seeing a real transition into merging entertainment with the betting experience – and that’s something that can almost be called native, rather than a European import. Combine the streaming experience, which is arguably a more US-centric idea, along with recreational betting – and you have an entirely different landscape to Europe.

“Moving forward – looking at innovation around entertainment and engagement, we’re almost only scraping the tip of the iceberg in terms of what’s out there and what can be done. Sports fans are becoming savvy to what’s available – and it’s an open invitation for excitement and engagement, and this space is set to grow even more.”

Alex Kornilov, Betegy: “It’s growing quickly, as the US in effect offers a blank state for creating an entirely new experience. As we all know, a big chunk of the market has come from recreational activities as such as skill-based betting (think DFS), which means fans are already used to the recreational element. Betting offers a natural cross-over, as they still see this as a similar skill-based activity, in the style of making an informed bet. Casino of course, is a completely different kettle of fish, but when it comes to sports DFS really does provide the base – just look at DraftKings, FanDuel, ESPN and Yahoo. You effectively have the customer base already to transfer over. It is one can argue, already there by default.

“What can be learnt from European suppliers? For me, it’s more about factors such as infrastructure and affiliate management. It’s less about the ideas here, but rather about the tech that can be supplied to support such growth. The core is definitely there to satisfy the demand, and you need suppliers (predominantly European), that can supply that tech and make it top notch.

“That’s not to say, however, that European tech can just be taken and updated – we can see plenty of examples where that tech has been taken and failed to deliver. The US has a unique set of requirements, and it needs to be repackaged and adjusted to fit the US ecosystem.”

Do you see a future where high-margin products such as single-game parlays completely take over the market?

Kornilov: “I see huge potential in quick markets, which is in effect, the generation of bespoke markets for each single event – and it’s supremely well suited in the US to the type of activities that can bring huge turnover to operators. Given the vast expanse of all US leagues across all major sports, you can begin to see the opportunity to offer real-time betting in action, literally on every shot taken. Alongside this, user generated markets (think ‘request a bet’), is another excellent example. I’ve already seen the tech in action for this, which is at the development stage – offering micro and real-time bets, and it’s definitely an area that will offer fantastic growth.

“We can see similar-style action in Europe, particularly in the UK with the Premier League. However, so much more is possible over here given that broadcasters in the US can have complete ownership on the rights of one game. This means that rather than the UK situation of broadcasting at far higher latency, the US is almost instant, enabling so much more to be done to engage and excite.

Broxton: “It seems unlikely that one bet-type alone will take over the US market. There were similar predictions made in the UK during the early days of Request-A-Bet/Bet Builder products. It’s true that these products have been at the centre of industry innovation over the last couple of years. More and more markets are being added to the selection pool and American operators are essentially able to benefit from the trial-and-error process which has taken place in mature markets.

“Ultimately, it’s a very human question and there will always be variance in behaviour. Huge sectors of the market will always prefer traditional parlays or single bets, not to mention in-play.”

Walker: “They will play a big part, but not all of it. They are not necessarily in a position to dominate the market, but this is definitely a high-growth space that holds plenty of potential.

“Just as we’ve mentioned already, this will offer a high incentive for the new generation customer to get involved in betting, as it offers what will be perceived to be a ‘bet low, win high’ outcome, which contributes to that entertainment factor. It’s still most likely that the more established bettors, who have been enjoying land-based sports betting for years (if not decades), will likely stick with the more ‘traditional’ forms of betting as it’s what they know.”

What does the future hold for the old-school American bettor, who traditionally places large stakes on the moneyline?

Broxton: “There is currently a huge opportunity for someone to become the home for the old-school bettor by offering a no-nonsense platform with the best odds. The best example of this would be the Betfair Exchange in the UK which is synonymous with hardcore punters, offering guaranteed value and top odds. The trade-off with exchange-based products, though, is that there is little to no room for innovation and they are limited to offering a fraction of the markets available on sportsbooks. This means they struggle to attract new, younger audiences as a result.

“However, there are some incredibly innovative companies attempting to modernise the exchange model in the US. Sporttrade, for example, offers an alternative, exchange-based experience aiming to capitalise on the exponential post-pandemic surge in popularity of stock/crypto trading platforms among under-30s by presenting users with a Robinhood-esque interface where they can trade bets as if they were stocks.”

Walker: That’s always going to be there. Take the Super Bowl: even prior to PASPA, the large stakes being placed were very much based on emotion and supporting the home team. I think it’s ingrained in the American DNA; and that style of betting is not going anywhere. What’s exciting is the growth in options across betting markets that should create a more exciting hybrid offering for bettors.”

Kornilov: “I would certainly say that moneylines are a good ‘gateway’ into other types of betting as it provides an initial platform to get involved.

“Dynamic withdrawals are also a good evolution of this, as it allows for the fluctuation of odds – and it offers an interesting dimension where you can open and close positions. This progression from one single bet on fixed odds is exactly what operators need, as in many ways they’re behind on the ability to cross-sell across various types of betting. This is particularly the case for our industry, as compared to the likes of Amazon, with the ability to offer recommendations for one product given the use of another lagging far behind. The moneyline therefore can offer just that platform to make the introduction to betting, as it’s the easiest to onboard a customer. You can then offer something more advanced, whether that’s micro-betting or anything else.”

How far can betting incorporate itself into the overall media and sports entertainment industry in the US? What benefits does this approach hold from a CPA perspective for operators?

Kornilov: “How far? They’re trying to do it as quickly as they can. All the key players are doing their best to divide and segment their media markets as well as possible to attract different demographics, although the speed of adoption into betting will be very much defined by legislation. Logically, the more states come online, the further this can go.

“When it comes to CPA, it’s hard to define exact metrics in many ways. Of course, it is potentially the backbone of acquisition, but it’s difficult to define CPA via brand exposure, especially given the multitude of media spend now invested in during matches, which therefore means one cannot know how much (or indeed how long) such exposure will take before the customer gives betting a try. Over time, I believe CPA will go up, as there will be significant increase in media spend and exposure. As this spend increases, CPA will inevitably do so too.

Broxton: “This partly comes down to if and when regulators step in to limit the integration of betting into broadcasts. One of the biggest challenges in an immature market is building trust, familiarity and knowledge, all of which are enhanced immeasurably by synergistic integrations across traditional and new media. In a market the size of America, even a tiny fraction of the market entering the funnel lower down equates to vast sums of money being saved for operators from a CPA perspective.”

Walker: “Fubo, again, is a great example – mixing streaming services with betting. Look at MGM, too, with Jamie Foxx being one of their key figureheads. We’ve always associated brand ambassadors with such marketing, and looking at how the entertainment industry is merging, with the likes of musicians and entertainment icons, this plays a serious role. It’s all about the glitz and glamour in the US – Vegas holds a true legacy there. Looking over to ‘soccer’ in Europe – sponsorship and advertising is massively orientated towards sports betting. It’s becoming the same with the US right now, and in many ways, we’re only just getting started, PGA and the like are starting to test the water, and slowly but surely it will drip into the industry even more. The same can be said for media rights and stadium ownership, and we’re really only just scratching the surface. As brand exposure grows over time, this will likely lower the CPA as reach and awareness steadily grows.”

Moving forward, is there a danger that bigger operators carving up the market between themselves could stifle innovation?

Walker: “Not really – the US is still an open range and, indeed, so big that it’s almost like a snowball at the moment. Give it a few more years and we’re going to be talking about it in an even bigger way.

“Innovators will always be there, and there’s still so much space for smaller operators to be agile and capture market share that it makes it completely open for competition. The US has every potential to be the world’s most dynamic market and, given the interest and pick-up that online is now attracting, there’s no reason to think that the major operators will corner it for themselves.

“Of course, the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel hold plenty of potential for majority share, but there’s going to be plenty of incentives, and indeed means, for sports fans to give alternative operators a try, especially when it comes to brands being native to certain states or associated with their favourite teams.”

Kornilov: “Yes, that is a potential risk. Hopefully we’re a long way from this happening though – because given the nature of competition, you cannot compare the current state of the US market to Europe for example, as the big players are taking a lot more space. In the US, given the nature of current competition, we’re still in many ways in the growth stage, which offers plenty of diversity of outcome. I do hope that the US will present itself as a wonderful example as to how tech leaders – and indeed strategic decision-making can win market share, rather than just weight of investment. We’re seeing plenty of money ploughed into marketing and advertising by the biggest players, but a lot of the more agile outfits are spending their money far more surgically. As a result, such informed planning can enable them the capture far more market share and revenue that would otherwise be possible.”

Broxton: “Innovation rules all when it comes to online sports betting. Operators at the top who fail to do so are left in the dust, often irrevocably, in scarily short time frames. In the US, the pedal is jammed firmly to the floor in the race to scoop up as much technological capability as possible.

“Capital being relatively cheap to acquire has fuelled the M&A heavy landscape and, paired with eye-watering multipliers, it means any investment comes at a premium, premium rate. It’s inevitable, therefore, that the markers of success will soon switch from ‘who has acquired the biggest and best entity’ to ‘who actually has the best product and can start seeing a return on the immense investments made’. Innovation will only benefit from this demand for financial justification of outlay as it’s a faultless handicapper and the all-important Gen X and Y audiences have no mercy if you fail to keep up with the competition.”

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Fantasy Sports

Will Booth: blending the best of fantasy and sports with Pick’Em Player Props

Published

1 week ago

November 13, 2024

George Miller

Will Booth: blending the best of fantasy and sports with Pick’Em Player Props

For those that might not know, can you give us a brief overview of Pick’Em Player Props?

In simple terms, the new Pick’Em Player Props product from WA.Technology is almost like a hybrid between fantasy sports and sports betting. In the same vein as traditional player props products that you see in traditional sports, players can select markets on individual players – we have just taken that model and elevated it.

During the game, players can make between two and six bet selections. For example, will Erling Haaland score more or less than 2.5 shots? The number of bet selections the player makes then determines their multiplier. By allowing bettors to unleash their sporting knowledge and provide engaging games for them to play, we are helping our operator partners to not only engage with a wider player base but also to fuel long-term retention. It really is a one-of-a-kind product and one we’re incredibly excited about. It’s already proving to be a top performer in LatAm.

Why has now been the right time to unveil Pick’Em Player Props?

Over the last few years, we’ve seen significant growth in the number of player proposition products. There are several reasons for that. Sports fans have shown a growing affinity for individual players rather than a team. They follow players on social media and engage with content featuring that player.

This reflects the wider trend we’re seeing: the new generation of fans is more in love with the players than the team itself. A great example of this is both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Bettors worldwide would wager on either of those players and engage with their content regardless of which team they played for or what club they supported.

The appetite for player-driven betting is increasing dramatically, resulting in a greater demand for products specifically tailored to individual athletes.

With more traditional sportsbooks, however, we’ve found that there isn’t as much depth of product regarding player propositions – aside from goal scorer markets. We wanted to change that – we wanted to deliver a fun, engaging product that helps build a sense of community among players.

Since Pick’Em Player Props is also a hybrid of fantasy and sports, it can act as an attractive tool to facilitate new market entries, as fantasy sports are not regulated like sportsbooks or iGaming. Take the US for example. In most states, operators do not need a licence to offer a fantasy sports product. This is the case for many markets around the world, too. I believe this will be an attractive proposition for operators looking to expand their international footprint, and as a truly global provider, we’re here to make that happen.

In your view, what differentiates WA.Technology’s Pick’Em Player Props from other player props products on the market?

Currently, we are the only B2B provider to offer a player propositions product that combines sports and fantasy. A handful of companies in the US offer something similar, but they are all B2C companies – we are bringing something totally unique to the B2B space.

Fantasy Sports have always been popular in the US. But over the last 18 months, we’ve seen a meteoric rise in the demand for player proposition markets; we wanted to develop a product that caters to that growth in demand and delivers something unique for our partners.

For other player props products on the market, something that is worth noting is that the design and UX are doing little to engage Millennial/Gen Z bettors. This audience demands a streamlined UX that is easy to use. Our Pick’Em version has been specifically designed with this demographic in mind, although we have been careful not to disenfranchise other age groups. We have kept the design sleek, streamlined and easy to use to deliver that. It’s extremely well-designed compared to what you might see in a more traditional sportsbook.

The game is straightforward to understand because we have fixed multipliers. This decision differentiates us from more traditional products, where the multipliers vary depending on how many bets you place. It also makes the product much more accessible for players who might otherwise not be familiar with fantasy or player props.

Another major defining factor is that we have ensured players can add multiple bets from different markets together. On most sports betting sites out there, you cannot combine player props markets. You couldn’t, for example, have a bet slip combining Erling Haaland’s Over/Under Shots and Kevin De Bruyne’s Shots on Target. We know this is frustrating for many bettors. We wanted to eliminate that barrier and elevate sports fans’ experience.

How does the level of data granularity influence the design and effectiveness of player proposition betting products, particularly in terms of player engagement and personalised betting options?

We are very fortunate that the data feed we use for our player props markets is the best. We have a wide range of insights and data analytics available, giving us an edge over other companies within the space – this is a serious differentiator.

The enhanced data range means we can deliver many more bespoke, personalised betting options to players while also getting more granular with the markets we can offer.

Our Managed Services Team, which oversees all things trading, also closely monitors the markets that are most popular with players. For example, if we see an influx in bets on ‘shots on target’, we know how to create more promotions around this particular market. We can tailor the CMS to engage better with players and create a more personalised experience.

Players can also ‘favourite’ particular players and clubs. Any market featuring that player will automatically appear when the Pick’Em Player Props application loads up.

Are there any markets where you believe Pick’Em Player Props will prove to be particularly popular? If so, why?

In all honesty, I can’t think of a market where this won’t be popular! Regions such as LatAm present an enormous opportunity for the growth of player proposition markets. I believe we can really plug a gap in the products currently offered to bettors.

Across the continent, we’ve seen players show a real passion for player-focused markets, and we’re here to capitalise on that. In Brazil, for example, if we were to create markets on Neymar, I’d anticipate this would gain much traction!

The real selling point for Pick’Em Player Props here is that we offer an extensive range of sports and markets that cater to a broad audience – but within that, we can personalise sports and bet selections not to overwhelm the player. I’d expect that markets on football will perform exceptionally well across Africa and LatAm, while countries such as South Africa may have a stronger preference for Rugby or Cricket.

Ultimately, it’s about understanding the unique preferences of players within each jurisdiction our partners operate in and tailoring the product accordingly. With teams based in various markets worldwide, we can get to grips with the local knowledge and fully understand what resonates with bettors.

In your view, what are some of the factors behind the growth of player props products in the last 12 months?

Most definitely shows how sports media companies are incorporating more player-specific content into their roster. This already has a huge impact, and I can’t see it changing anytime soon.

Whether it’s interviews with specific players, post-match analytics on performance or even the inherent growth of social media, the balance is undoubtedly tipping more towards the player rather than the team.

Personalisation will also have a considerable knock-on effect on the growth of player propositions. Bettors want more bespoke offers, specific bet suggestions and more instant content tailored to their unique playing habits. With a product like Pick’Em Player Props, you can personalise that betting experience to your heart’s content.

It also becomes much easier for sportsbooks to align with a specific user’s interests when we deliver unmatched data analytics and levels of personalisation that are available via WA.Technology’s product suite.

In short, Pick’Em Player Props gives operators the tools they need to create wide-ranging engagement opportunities without sticking to the rigid sporting calendar, where sometimes you might have to wait several days between a game. By incorporating fantasy sports, we can deliver round-the-clock content much faster, therefore meeting the demands of players. If you want to find out more – make sure to stop by Stand 1095 at SiGMA!

Interviews

Peter & Sons- Maths and Mechanics

Published

2 weeks ago

November 6, 2024

George Miller

Behind every stellar online slot is an equally stellar maths model. These are becoming more experimental as the industry flirts with an increasing array of innovative new mechanics. We spoke to Pablo Martinez, Math/Design Lead and Founder at maverick game studio Peter & Sons to find out more.

Do you have to be a maths genius to build a slot machine?

Nah, you don’t need to be a maths genius. It’s more about having the right mix of skills and loving what you do. You need to play a lot of games, see what’s working out there, and understand what makes them fun. Knowing maths helps, sure, but it’s more about creating something players want to keep coming back to.

Peter & Sons is known for making games that dare to be different, visually and thematically. Is the underlying math equally experimental?

Definitely! We love pushing boundaries, both in how our games look and how they play. Sure, it’s a bit of a gamble to have a bunch of games with unique mechanics, but we’re all about trying new things. Games like Peter Hunter and our upcoming Muddy Waters are great examples — they bring fresh gameplay and new experiences to the table. Each year, we try to put out at least one or two experimental titles, keeping things interesting while mixing them with more familiar styles.

Do you come up with the maths model first and then build the game around that? Take us through the process of building the game from start to finish.

We usually start with an idea for the mechanics first. We make a quick prototype to see if the concept can work with the maths. Then we bring in the art team to brainstorm themes that will fit well. Once we have a basic prototype, we go through a bunch of tweaks and changes until the art, mechanics, and maths all feel right together. It’s a back-and-forth process where we’re constantly finetuning everything to get the best balance.

Why do you think a mechanic like Megaways was so successful?

Megaways took off because it’s a fun, exciting mechanic that gave players something fresh, but smart brand marketing really helped it catch on.

Is there pressure as a slots developer to come up with the ‘next’ Megaways?

Not really. Coming up with new mechanics is always fun, but it’s not the only way to make a hit. Plenty of top games are just clever twists on classic mechanics. It’s more about creating a great experience that keeps players coming back, whether it’s something brand new or just a fresh spin on something more familiar.

Which slots are more popular, high or low volatility, and why do you think that is?

It depends on the market, but in some unregulated markets — and especially with some operators — high-volatility slots are really popular. A big reason for this is streamers. High-volatility games make for exciting content, so they get a lot of attention and hype online. That thrill factor really draws players in.

Which is your favorite Peter & Sons mechanic and why?

Right now, I’d say the fishing mechanic in our upcoming game Muddy Waters. It’s a new twist on the fishing genre that really brings something fresh to the gameplay. It’s exciting to take a familiar theme and make it feel totally different.

Tell us about the mechanics in your latest release, Barbarossa Revenge.

Barbarossa Revenge is a pirate-themed, high-volatility game with 243 ways to win. It’s a DoubleMax game, meaning the multiplier doubles with each cascade. You’ve also got Multiplier Jumps and a Cashout feature that guarantees wins. During Free Spins, the multipliers don’t reset and can keep growing unlimited. With a max win potential of 30,000x the bet, this game is a real thrill!

Interviews

Gabriel Pinto, Infingame: The countdown is on for the Brazilian gold rush …

Published

4 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

George Miller

Gabriel Pinto, Infingame: The countdown is on for the Brazilian gold rush ...

We’re only a few months away until the highly-anticipated Brazilian market launches, and it’s safe to say that the industry is on the edge of its seat waiting to see what lies ahead for the South American sleeping giant. But one company that is poised and ready to capitalise on the golden opportunities this market has to offer is Infingame.

Gabriel Pinto, Sales Manager at Infingame, outlines some of the recent developments taking place across Brazil as he discusses how Infingame is catering to the unique demands of players across the market.

Brazil’s regulated market is expected to officially launch on 1 January 2025. Now that we’re only a few months away, what are your overall expectations for the Brazilian gambling market once it is fully regulated? Where will the biggest opportunities be?

I think it’s an excellent move. For a start, the launch of Brazil’s regulated markets means that operators, suppliers and affiliates will be dedicated to protecting players under licensed market conditions. That includes fair play, responsible gaming and security – both in terms of transactions and technology. This, I believe, will help build consumer trust and participation in the market.

The regulation of the gaming sector in Brazil is also going to have hugely positive effects on job creation across Brazil. As we all know, this is an industry which has operated for quite some time – but the new legislation will help formalise various different sectors, including technology, customer service, marketing, commercial sales and much more.

Sportsbook, of course, is going to be massive, but I think many have overlooked just how exciting iGaming can be. So much of the retail-based heritage when it comes slots especially, is part of our culture already and has been for so many years. IGaming is really going to be the one to watch and given we’re one of the fastest-growing aggregation hubs in LatAm, we can’t wait to begin entertaining players in the regulated market.

Data has suggested that players in Brazil tend to prefer higher volatility verticals, such as slots. What motivates players to choose these games over others?

I think it all comes down to culture and history. We have a history of land-based gaming here in Brazil – for more than 100 years, we’ve had games in the street, card rooms, bingo, land-based machines. This is a sector which has become deeply ingrained in our culture.

As a result, I think slots have an air of familiarity among players. Players are aware of what slots involve, the various different games available to them, who the big-name developers are. I think that it is this affinity with the vertical that makes slots much more popular than other types of gambling products.

Players also understand that slots are a great form of entertainment – playing habits suggest that bettors across Brazil prefer low-stake, high volatility products, which reflect the fun nature of gaming when it comes to betting small and win big. They also create a sense of excitement that more traditional games might not manage.

Slots, in particular Fortune Tiger by PG Soft, have been incredibly popular with players. It really is a truly loved game here, and the title has become the go-to for many bettors – which isn’t necessarily the case in other markets around the world.

How do levels of engagement with high volatility games such as slots differ to that of live casino or table games?

Live casino is hugely popular with bettors across Brazil too! Over the last few years in particular, this vertical has absolutely boomed – and the reason for that is familiarity.

Slots have typically out-performed more traditional table games, but live casino is most certainly experiencing signifcant growth. The live casino suppliers that can effectively tailor their games to the local market – from featuring local, Brazilian croupiers to incorporating culturally-significant icons and designs – will reap the rewards of Brazil’s regulation.

At Infingame, we have a broad portfolio of games that have all been handpicked – our in-depth knowledge of each market means that we know each of the games on our platform will resonate with local players. We have spent a lot of time getting to know players, understanding what they like and what they don’t, what verticals perform well, the game designs that players enjoy – and everything else that comes with it.

With this in mind, are there specific game mechanics or themes that resonate more with Brazilian players? If so, why?

Anything with a local twist! We’ve seen a particular up-tick in football-themed casino games – this was a trend that was certainly prominent throughout the 2022 World Cup and the Copa America this year.

As a result, we’ve noticed that many operators are looking to include Brazilian themes within their slot offering, with many incorporating games that feature samba, football and local icons into their games. Of course, that makes perfect sense.

Another trend that we’ve noticed is that many operators are requesting exclusive, branded content to roll out to their players. They want slot titles and casino games that are developed specifically for their brand – be it joint ventures with game developers, or partnerships with local icons such as sports clubs.

I think that this is a trend that will continue long into 2025, as casinos look to make their mark on the local audience. Not only is it a great way to get your name out there, but it is also a much more cost-effective way to create a unique experience for your player base. Gambling is very much a commoditised industry; there is very little differentiation in the actual products and bonuses out there. Of course, exclusive games help to disrupt that status quo and bring something new to the table. This will definitely be an area to watch.

How do Brazilian players’ session lengths and frequency compare to those in other markets?

Players tend to gamble for longer periods of time, but with lower stakes. They see casino products as a form of entertainment, with many players usually enjoying the occasional bet during an evening or when they have a spare 30 minutes.

However, we should note that this trend differs depending on which device players are using. Those using mobile tend to enjoy shorter playing sessions, showing a preference for more high volatility games such as crash games and slots, while those on desktop tend to enjoy sessions ranging from 1-2 hours.

Those on desktop show similarities to land-based bettors – they tend to gamble in the evening, products tend to include more table games and traditional casino products, although similar to mobile, the stake tends to be lower.

How important is mobile gameplay in Brazil, and how does it impact player engagement and retention? How can brands best optimise their games to better suit mobile-first gaming?

It’s not just important, it’s critical! Everyone has a mobile device, and for many, this is the go-to platform in which to enjoy casino games. To not optimise your games to mobile devices would risk alienating a large portion of your player base.

In Brazil, there has been significant improvement in mobile connectivity and smartphone penetration, meaning that more players are able to access games via their handheld devices. But in order to create the most optimised experience, casinos and game developers must adapt their UI to suit mobile devices. Another consideration is developing games that are tailored to single-handed play – with many players enjoying casino products on the go, ensuring that your games cater to playing habits is essential.

Based on current player habits and preferences, what future trends do you expect to emerge in the Brazilian casino market, particularly in online slots?

As we’ve covered already, and I can’t re-enforce this enough, localised content that is tailor-made to the Brazilian market is going to be key. This will by far be one of the biggest trends. As operators flood into Brazil, there will be fierce competition among brands looking to amass market share and engage with new players – so the key to achieving that will be through providing content that they cannot get anywhere else.

I also think we will see slots and live casino continue to grow in popularity. Their high volatility and social nature will no doubt drive loyalty among players and keep them engaged in the long-term. And I think the final trend will be that we will see verticals such as crash games emerge as a front-runner among bettors – these products are simple to understand and highly engaging, a perfect recipe for players looking for entertainment!